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-   -   My random musings - Some remnants of our past (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/213586-my-random-musings-some-remnants-our-past.html)

Ever felt things were spinning around faster than you want it to be?

Definitely yes - at least for me!

What was it like in the days before automobiles?

Ever got to see how people in the rural hinterland live?

And, got a chance to stumble across ancient remnants of the past?

A collection of un-related, unknown and back of the boondocks locations - while finding the answer to these questions?

A temple from the past, still standing strong -






An impossible art of balancing?






Probably the theory of gravity is the answer to this?







And, finally, this the imprint which our forefathers have left for us - why can't we preserve history?

Any chance of anyone finding and posting the location of these sites?

I always feel sad for the state of these historical monuments and arts. There are many neglected temples, places which can take us back thousand years.

If it would have been in Europe it would have been preserved, secured and made into tourist attraction which have been flooded by tourists.

I always feel that we should compile such a list.

Here is one old temple, which I found in completely neglected state few years back. Today what is the condition I do not know.
Gondeshwar Temple, Sinnar

But the list will come up in the thread and in the individual posts. It needs proper compilation so that list can be navigated easily.

Given the choice, alpha1, I wouldn't want to, because (a) the pictures are deceptive and there isn't much else to see in these places and (b) it would be interesting only to those who are looking for solitude and get away from madness of touristy places.

However, if you are someone who is interested in history, our past and a bit of archaeology, it may be fascinating.

But, hopefully, at the end of this thread, will try to give the locations; there are quite a bit of places to be seen, and they are all within a 100 km radius....

Next instalment -

A nearly dry river bed. The round structures in the middle of the river are huge wells sunk to pump drinking water. Without water flow and percolation, how will people get water and how do they survive?





I am not comfortable using Google Maps - especially on a two wheeler. In the hinterland there are unmarked roads and paths, like this one. In fact, if you are unlucky you won't find a soul to guide you. And when night falls? Easy to get lost and go round in circles. But the locals are smart. They make out and use N-E-W-S pointers to guide you to the right direction!!





I manage to find what I was looking for - and also get a bird's eye view of the places which I can go, on the next trip.






Interestingly, many of the small hillocks have some huge craters / indentations, which hold water, even if it hadn't rained in months!! Even more curiously, most of such cisterns are shaped like a human foot, which the locals call as 'Hanuman Padham (Foot)'. They say these are foot imprints made by Hanuman in his quest for Sanjeevi....




And, this is a small cave shrine -




I have now come to a conclusion that wherever there is a Shiva Temple, there must be a river or pond or lake nearby. If you don't see one i.e. a water source nearby, it means the water has dried up or destroyed - thanks to our apathy.

Archaeological survey of India maintains a good deal of them & then there are state specific department that takes care of a lot of monuments. Once you go through that list and start visiting places, it becomes abundantly clear that it is not easy to preserve these monuments. There is just too many of them. Many of them has just one person to take care of the entire place. They may not see visitors for days on end as well.

While UP has the highest, KA & TN has the highest number of them down south. I have visited several of them ASI monuments in Karnataka & TN. However there are plenty of absolutely important monuments that are not part of ASI \ Any such department but has rich heritage.

Aah - Gondeshwar. It brings back fond memories -




A very good example of Chalukyas and Hoysala architecture.



Thanks for bringing it up, I will update further pictures here -

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/trave...ml#post4630832

That thread contains some remarkable information on Maharashtra. Sadly, circumstances make me unable to contribute further and keep it live and kicking.

PS - Shiva Temple, with a water body just outside the temple premises, fed by a small stream; take a look at it in the said thread!

The bird's eye view in post #4 enabled me to get here, which is a regulator for the water flow in the river.

The man isn't swimming - he is catching fish; rather deploying his net to catch fish.



At the end of the day, he and his wife, with their catch. The white dots on the surface of the water are polystyrene (Thermocol) pieces, which act as floaters for their fishing net.



This is the location of the water regulator (more of that later). If you look closely you can make out an object between the coconut and palm trees -



- zoom a little, and looks like -



- the temple!




Not a soul in sight, except me and my steed -

An ancient temple - reportedly more than 500 years old -

This pillar stands firm - and may have had a glorious past? The vegetation is a threat to its existence, is it??



The actual temple - surely looks its age and past its prime.






Time has taken its toll, but I guess the people who built it had planned for its longevity?






Quite obviously, this Nandi and Shivling are subsequent additions.



Because of this -



A peek inside the temple - the number of pillars inside are what supports the structure



Which looks this -










In its days of glory, I am sure that the temple must have been quite a sight. Sadly, all I had on the day of my visit was a lone dog (which can be seen in the first picture)

Interesting thread. Journey through past. Well said, the Historical things must be preserved, but why leave everything for the government ? If we just do not spoil them, they are as good as preserved. It is the public, tourists, visitors etc. who vandalize such places. We feel pride in inscribing our names to mark our presence there.

Beautiful collection .... please continue. Maybe someone will find a Gem of a place.

Actually, there are so many of such unknown gems in our country that, without general public's involvement, the govt bodies will find impossible to maintain. A lot of it boils down to our apathy and disregard for our own cultural heritage.

I have seen in Europe people queue-up to pay for things which are far less impressive than what we have in numerous villages across India. The key here is infrastructure, maintenance and marketing. In that sense, here in Goa things are much better compared to neighboring MH or KA due to good roads and accessibility to even smallest of villages.

I have seen temples in MH and KA which can be called 100 times better than Goa's Tambdi Surla in terms of architecture, history and beauty but nobody except nearby villagers know about them due to poor infrastructure and marketing while most people who visits Goa know Tambdi Surla due to better advertising and infrastructure.

But, I am hopeful for the forgotten ones. Thanks to rising tourism and culture of exploring the hidden attractions other than "mass tourism", these gems are sure to capture attention, they really deserve it!

Aah, a kindred soul !:) Thanks @vrprabhu for this thread on random musings/sightings of our past:thumbs up

As with the plot of Coelho's Alchemist, one must look within to learn what's out there in the vast wide world! Getting lost in such seemingly unassuming/simple places indeed helps one to connect to the inner self. What better places than remnants of our rich heritage, to find solitude and solace from the weariness of corporate/concrete jungle!

My thoughts too, exactly. Spreading awareness to preserve our heritage will be a small step in this direction, I hope.

Thank you, guys.

Was caught up in some work - official as well as car upkeep for a couple of weeks.

Resuming -

So, this being a Shiva temple, shouldn't there be a water source nearby. There is one - and quite a large one, too. (Note to share the location towards the end of the tale)




There is a problem, though. The approach to the (mighty) river is littered on either side with, ahem, human excreta.




Going ahead, I catch sight of these -



No, they are not (country) hens or ducks.

Don't believe me?

Probably, their beady eyed mother, who was keeping a watchful eye on them as well as me would prove their lineage?!



BTW, the pictures are clicked using an ordinary Canon camera. Sometimes, I feel I should take time to learn the intricacies of photography - especially when I look at river after uploading the picture here. My shot doesn't do justice to the river.

Because, if you look between the pillars of the pump well, you'll be able to make out another massive structure down the river. That is a barrage. More about that (hopefully) in future.

A better setting and finer composition would have given an idea how mighty is the river.

Instead of making the place popular, I would suggest hiding it from public for the Flora and Fauna to flourish. For Public, there are hundreds of other places.

Hiding it would be impossible, Amrik :D What I can do is not reveal the exact location / co-ordinates. But, a little patience and technology aids helps in locating even the remotest of the spots...

Here are the pictures of the barrage, which is more than a kilometer long. And, about half-a-decade young (which, I guess this is a contradiction from the title of the post) -

The left side i.e. upstream


The right side i.e. downstream


A shot from the other bank.


Actually, I was in search of a wall reported to be about two millennia old, as well as a century old tree, but wasn't able to find them. The quest is on.

Since it was getting dark, had to be satisfied with this -


And, these looked like a band of brothers!

Back to the past :)

Yet another temple of Lord Shiva.

Looks like it is undergoing renovation and was not open during my visit.




The back of the temple - there have been a few occasions on which entry could be gained through this side, but not this time.




A perfect setting for a temple, I guess.




On my way back, I notice this structure. Unable to make out what it is. Usually I find someone to chat - they give some information of these places. Zilch, on this one.



These are some close up shots -