Team-BHP > Travelogues


Reply
  Search this Thread
29,746 views
Old 13th August 2009, 22:02   #1
BHPian
 
hotstuff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Campus @ IIMA !
Posts: 368
Thanked: 120 Times
'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.

Looks like this is a season of weekend drives for me! Some pre-planned, some unexpected...

On 8th & 9th Aug 09, we did a weekend trip to Srikalahasti near Tirupati. My in-laws had a pooja vow to complete there and had planned to go by train. But tickets were on the 3 digit WL even till end of the day on Friday and I offered to drive them to Srikalahasti over the weekend.

My original plan was a one day trip, leave early morning - reach by around lunch time - complete the pooja - drive back to Bangalore, preferably before midnight. However my in-laws were feeling quite tired by evening, so we halted for the night in Chittoor and reached Bangalore post lunch time the next day.

Some details about Srikalahasti...
Quote:
Srikalahasti is a small town near Tirupati. It is located on the banks of the river Swarnamukhi, a tributary of the river Pennar. It is also informally referred to as Kalahasti.

It is one of the important ancient Shiva Kshetras of South India. The temple occupies the area between the river bank and the foot of the hills and is popularly known as Dakshina Kailasam.

The three lofty Gopurams of the temple are remarkable for their architecture. This temple was built during the period of King Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar. A huge hundred pillared mantapam is another important feature of this shrine.

The name of the place comes from three animals, Sri (spider), Kala (snake) and Hasti (elephant) who worshipped Shiva and gained salvation here. A statue that shows all three animals is situated in the main shrine.

Source: Srikalahasti - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Total distance covered : 626kms.
Route was via Old-Madras road.

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-mapkalahasti.jpg
Map Courtesy: MapmyIndia.com Online maps, GPS Navigation, Driving Directions, Local Search


First stop. Breakfast at Woody's @ Kolar.

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-1.jpg


With 4 laning underway in this stretch, the roads till after Mulbagal are quite messy...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-2.jpg


The Bangalore - Tirupati route via the OMR has always been one of the nastiest stretches of road I have seen. You'll invariably encounter all sorts of morons; such as buses, cabs and private vehicles trying to overtake in blind curves or uphill sections of the road where oncoming traffic is hidden. Or a truck going at 10.50kmph overtaking another truck going at 10.49kmph...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-3.jpg


Sitaphal...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-4.jpg


Pottery and terra cotta for sale by the roadside...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-5.jpg

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-6.jpg


Looks like the Nutrine-Nagar township never actually took off. It is still a stretch of vacant plots and overgrown mud roads. The Nutrine group was taken over by Godrej in 2005-06.

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-7.jpg


Though most Reliance bunks are now defunct, a few, like this one which stocks auto-gas, are still open and offer a clean loo when you have ladies or elderly folks in your group...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-8.jpg


Some Lassi @ the Heritage Milk Products factory near Pakala...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-9.jpg


Lunch stop was at the APTDC restaurant close to Srikalahasti...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-10.jpg


Reached Srikalahasti, bought the pooja tickets and we had a 45 minutes wait ahead of us. I went around to get a quick look at the place and take a few pics. This one is from midway on the hillock next to the temple..

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-11.jpg


This hillock has a shrine called the Shri Kannappa Temple, after the devotee who offered his eyes to Shiva...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-12.jpg


Since I had walked up the hill from the rear gate of the temple, I was still barefoot; which was ok while climbing the steps. But when I wanted to go towards the edge of the hillock to take pics of the temple below, I found that there were quite a few thorny shrubs along the hillside. I was wondering if I should go down and return later with my footwear when I spotted this boy sitting under a tree practicing the Nadaswaram. I borrowed his slippers, went around, took some pics and returned the slippers to him. He was from another town nearby and was in Srikalahasti to get trained in playing the Nadaswaram...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-13.jpg


There were quite a few people selling Butter-milk alongside the steps on the way up...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-14.jpg


I was very close to the top when Sangeetha called and asked me to rush down since the Pooja was about to start. I hurried back down into the temple...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-16.jpg


The 'Rahu-Ketu' pooja was a 30 minute ritual, with instructions in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi & English!

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-17.jpg


A tree in the temple compound, weighed down by wishes and requests...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-18.jpg


Looks like the Kalikadevi temple is not frequented by many visitors; the temple has been partially turned into a store-room...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-19.jpg


It was getting quite late into the evening and we decided to head back towards Bangalore...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-20.jpg


The main entrance of the Srikalahasti temple...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-21.jpg


The town itself is quite small and is concentrated mainly around the temple complex...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-22.jpg


On the way back, we drove through the Tirupati bypass road, you can see the lights of the Tirumala foot-path from here...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-23.jpg


Since my in-laws were quite tired by the time we reached Chittoor, we decided to stay there overnight and head back the next day. Had dinner, found a decent lodge and logged off for the night. Started a little late on Sunday and hit the highway after a leisurely breakfast.

On the way we stopped at a place called 'Mogili', a little before Palamner. There is a 'Mogileshwara' temple here, which is right alongside the highway.

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-23a.jpg


Since the temple is well below the road level, you'll see the temple gopurams almost at eye level. This is a very old temple with a 'Swayambhu' shivaling.

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-23b.jpg


We spent some time walking around in the temple...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-24.jpg

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-25.jpg

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-26.jpg


Contd...

Last edited by hotstuff : 13th August 2009 at 22:04.
hotstuff is offline  
Old 13th August 2009, 22:10   #2
Senior - BHPian
 
snaronikar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Bengaluru
Posts: 2,845
Thanked: 29 Times

So the xinging around has started once again. Nice pics again. Whatz next in store??
snaronikar is offline  
Old 13th August 2009, 22:11   #3
BHPian
 
hotstuff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Campus @ IIMA !
Posts: 368
Thanked: 120 Times
Srikalahasti & Mogili...

Durga's vahanam; a lion...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-27.jpg


There is a small Kalyani behind the temple...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-28.jpg

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-29.jpg


A dragonfly stopping by for a quick drink...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-30.jpg


Doggy cool...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-31.jpg


Probably the original benefactors of this temple...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-32.jpg


Fruits on a Bilvapatra tree in the temple compound...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-33.jpg


From Mogili, it was a non-stop drive till we reached close to Kolar, where we stopped at the CCD for a break...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-34.jpg


Saw this dilapidated gopuram a little into the town after the CCD; walked up for a quick look hoping to see an old temple. Turned out that there is just this ancient relic left standing among the houses...

'Xing'ing around ! - Weekend drive to Srikalahasti.-35.jpg


Reached Bangalore by around 4'ish, dropped my in-laws and headed home to relax and prepare for the week ahead.
hotstuff is offline  
Old 13th August 2009, 22:25   #4
BHPian
 
hotstuff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Campus @ IIMA !
Posts: 368
Thanked: 120 Times
Thanks!

Quote:
Originally Posted by snaronikar View Post
Nice pics again.
- Thank you Sir!

Quote:
Originally Posted by snaronikar View Post
Whatz next in store??
- Wedding season is here again. There is one that we need to attend over this weekend, in a place called 'Bramhamgarimatam' in AP. (Have been there once in the past, but did not see much around the place, hoping to see the place a little better this time.)

Also planning to stop over at Kadapa on the way back...
hotstuff is offline  
Old 13th August 2009, 23:07   #5
Senior - BHPian
 
anekho's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: .
Posts: 1,995
Thanked: 684 Times

nice and detailed travelogue! Great inspiration for the rest of us.

Where did you spend the night?

cheers
anekho is offline  
Old 14th August 2009, 01:23   #6
Senior - BHPian
 
akroy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posts: 2,423
Thanked: 85 Times

Hotstuff, another wonderful xinging pictorial. Although I have been to Tirupati and couple of times and passed Srikalahasti once, I didnt realize that the temple was so large. It is definitely worth one visit.

Looks like the 4 laning work on NH4 between Hoskote - Kolar and onto Palamner is in full swing. The road infront of Woody's is fully gone (including half of its sign board as well).

Keep them coming !!
Abhi
akroy is offline  
Old 14th August 2009, 08:13   #7
Senior - BHPian
 
mjothi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 3,287
Thanked: 231 Times

Your trend of putting the route in google map is still continuing. Great. Nice pics too. I liked the evening shot.

Happy Xing-ing..
mjothi is offline  
Old 14th August 2009, 08:45   #8
BHPian
 
muralisk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Hyderabad, Bangalore
Posts: 711
Thanked: 13 Times

Great stuff there. Nice pictures and great narration to support the pictures. Awesome hotstuff.
muralisk is offline  
Old 14th August 2009, 09:31   #9
Senior - BHPian
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Chennai
Posts: 1,122
Thanked: 269 Times

Lovely travelogue, you could have possibly stayed back at Tirupathi may be try your luck with the Tirupathi temple on Sunday and come back on Sunday evening.

The Mulbagal Anjeneya temple is an old one as well but you need to get into the town for that.

Keep them coming
pypkmsrikanth is offline  
Old 14th August 2009, 11:03   #10
rkg
Senior - BHPian
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: bangalore
Posts: 1,044
Thanked: 593 Times

The temple was built much earlier than krishnadevaraya around 10-12th century.
Srikalahasti temple - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

only the rajagopuram out side the temple comples was built by krishnadevarya. the main entarnce is next to rajagopuram.

Srikalahasti temple is much bigger and beautiful than tirumala temple ( architecture wise)

It resembles the shiva temple of Srirangam with huge corridors.

Last edited by rkg : 14th August 2009 at 11:07.
rkg is offline  
Old 14th August 2009, 12:00   #11
NIP
Senior - BHPian
 
NIP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 1,180
Thanked: 152 Times

Nice pics and write up. I went to this temple couple of years ago...beautiful architecture and HUGE ! Thanks for sharing.
NIP is offline  
Old 14th August 2009, 13:35   #12
BHPian
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Chennai
Posts: 323
Thanked: 138 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by rkg View Post

It resembles the shiva temple of Srirangam with huge corridors.
???

The temple in Srirangam is a Vaishnavite (Sri Ranganathar) temple.

Sri Kalahasti is one of the Panchabootha kshetras (temples representing the 5 elements). This temple represents Vayu (wind) . There is a lamp inside the garbhagraha whose flame keeps fluttering while many other lamps around it are still) .

The other 4 temples are 1. Tiruvannamalai (agni/fire), 2. Chidambaram (sky / space), 3. Kanchipuram (prtihvi/earth), 4. Tiruvanaikoil (Trichy) (water).
raju2512 is offline  
Old 14th August 2009, 13:36   #13
BHPian
 
akbaree's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Ahmedabad
Posts: 613
Thanked: 106 Times

I had planned a trip to Srikalahasti almost an year back and still not materialized. Thanks for sharing the pictures and they have again rekindled the desire to visit Srikalahasti. It is one of the Pancha Bhoot temples and Shiva is considered to be present in the form of air at Srikalahasti.
akbaree is offline  
Old 14th August 2009, 14:11   #14
BHPian
 
rageshgr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Chennai/Vaikom
Posts: 548
Thanked: 550 Times

Great dude! Great story. You must have enjoyed the weekend! And nice pictures.

I myself was planning a family (of 4) drive in my Santro Xing from Kalpakkam ( Near Mahabalipuram ) to Elagiri hills. But once we drove from Kalpakkam to Ernakulam (650 km) and we really had to work the car in the highways to eat the miles, esp with 5 passengers and luggage. The journey was not very comfortable and we had to change the brakes after the return trip . But well that was a long trip. You have inspired to take up the Elagiri drive.
rageshgr is offline  
Old 14th August 2009, 14:17   #15
Senior - BHPian
 
ASHISHPALLOD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: MH42
Posts: 2,004
Thanked: 334 Times

hey hotstuff,
Nce pics with narration.
Did you notice temple elephants?
Shrikalahasti is the place where i enjoyed first time full plate of rice with rassam and my journey of authentic south Indian food started.
Temple complex is much more complicated.
Those rahu ketu and narayan nagbali puja are performed only at kalahasti and trimbyakeshwar near nasik.
Rose flower garlands are so cheap there.
I had noticed couple of small cement factories on kalahasti renigunta road.
ASHISHPALLOD is online now  
Reply

Most Viewed
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Team-BHP.com
Proudly powered by E2E Networks