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Focus areas are travel and visa tips, destination guides, experiential travel stories and traveling as a vegetarian."},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/posts\/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/-\/Unique+Cultures?alt=json-in-script"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/search\/label\/Unique%20Cultures"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"},{"rel":"next","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/-\/Unique+Cultures\/-\/Unique+Cultures?alt=json-in-script\u0026start-index=26\u0026max-results=25"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"137"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"25"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-8666130566478389496"},"published":{"$t":"2023-10-20T17:21:00.005+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2023-10-20T17:21:38.005+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Adi Varaha Perumal Temple"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Festivals of India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Kallidaikurichi"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rural Holidays"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Tamil Nadu"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Temples of India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Kallidaikurichi Adi Varaha Temple Chariot Festival: Grand Cultural Spectacle in Rural Tamil Nadu"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The Great Rath Yatra of Kallidaikurichi makes its way through the agraharam streets\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The Great Rath Yatra of Kallidaikurichi makes its way through the agraharam streets\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/a\/AVvXsEifRaM7pWU12tq09tLFLmL-vxDQ7aSCbjACsHAsp0UeeUPy0QbGN4a00JGG9O-vbYoq-tpzztzX_3h_yUJGiDrEUw6yQPbqJG24LPYT1G-6FqNHYqR_qWr0ruq2HZ5BqUY2zZTr2CBljAC5-Um-Nsma_Koze6F0D0-N7bmiWzrSh0q5Bn4U_QgC5Z57KCQ=s16000\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" data-original-width=\"800\" data-original-height=\"600\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E The Rath Yatra or the Chariot Festival is one of the best temple traditions to see in India. The Rath Yatra is actually the main event of this festival and there are key events that precede and succeed this temple chariot festival. I got to see one grand cultural spectacle in entirety at a traditional village in rural Tamil Nadu. This is the temple chariot festival of Kallidaikurichi’s Adi Varaha Perumal temple that spans 9 days and is locally called as Brahmotsavam. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Csapn id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" height=\"354\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/15TwkSJIQjY?si=0I8BAgPjz1yiHlyQ\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"630\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E Held in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April 14 to May 15), the annual festival of Brahmotsavam is the grandest festival of the temple and the entire temple and the agraharam streets surrounding the temple wear a festive look for 9 days. This Brahmotsavam is a great program of festivals extending over nine days. During this period, every morning and evening, Lord Adi Varaha perumal is taken out seated on a huge vehicle and carried through the different agraharam streets of Kallidaikurichi. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Big Rath Yatra of Kallidaikurichi seen from the top of my home\u0026#39;s terrace\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Big Rath Yatra of Kallidaikurichi seen from the top of my home\u0026#39;s terrace\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1638710697-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E The commencement of the utsavam is marked by a ceremony called the Dhwajarohanam, or the hoisting of the flag. Prior to every start, holy water from the nearby Thamirabharani river is brought to the temple for all ablution rituals. This is followed by Sankalpam (holy declaration) , abhishekham (holy bathing), alangaram (holy decoration) and vahana seva. In this vahana seva, the lord is taken in a procession around the streets of Kallidaikurichi on different vahanas (vehicles). Each vahana has its own significance and conveys the lord’s message in its own way. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" height=\"354\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nd_wRYnWBwM?si=mJhW8iEkApZ-9DW3\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"630\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E From the first day of the Brahmotsavam to the ninth day, the lord takes to the different streets of Kallidaikurichi every morning and evening in his different vahanams. Below is a day by day breakdown of the different vahanams and their true meaning. As the lord visits each street in his different vahanams, the devotees adorn the fronts of their homes with colourful homams and offer coconuts, fruits and betel leaves to the lord while admiring his new look and seeking his blessings. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EDay 1: Sesha vahanam \u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe meaning of Sesha is ‘to serve’. Adi Sesha is a thousand-headed serpent, on whom Lord Maha Vishnu rests in his abode, Vaikuntam. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EDay 2: Hamsa vahanam\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EHamsa or Swan means ‘pure’. Hamsa is believed to have a high intellectual capability, and can distinguish the good from bad. It is for this very reason that Lord Brahma uses Hamsa not only as his vehicle, but also to chant the vedas (The Vedas are believed to have emanated from the soul of Vishnu). \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003ENight 2: Aswa vahanam\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EHorses form one of the four wings (ratha, gaja, turanga and pada) of the military forces in the ancient times. Aswam, a symbol of energy, means ‘one who runs fast). Lord Vishnu travels on a horse when he goes for paruveta. According to Hindu mythology, the horse was born along with Sri Mahalakshmi, Airavatham and Amritham during Sheerasagaramadhanam. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EDay 3: Simha vahanam\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003ESimha (lion) is a symbol of regality and power. According to the Bhagavad Gita, the lord is the Simha among animals (mriganamcha mrigandroham). The Lord is also called Hari (which in turn means Simha) and Hari sits on Simha. In other words, we have the phenomenon of the Lord sitting on himself. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003ENight 3: Mutayalapandiri vahanam\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIn the night Oonjal seva is conducted. The deities then ride under a pearl canopy. Mutyam (pearl) is a symbol of purity and royalty. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EDay 4: Kalpavriksha vahanam\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EKalpavriksham is a tree that is believed to grant boons and fulfil wishes. The vehicle shaped like the Kalpavriksham signifies that the Lord grants boons and fulfils the wishes of his devotees. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003ENight 4: Sarvabhoopala vahanam\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003ESarvabhoopala means ‘all the kings of mother earth’. According to the Hindu religion, kings, like Lord Vishnu, should always protect their people (na vishnuhu prithivi patihi). \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The beautifully decorated rath during Kallidaikurichi Brahmotsavam\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The beautifully decorated rath during Kallidaikurichi Brahmotsavam\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1632061083-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EDay 5: Mohini Avatarotsavam on palaku (palanquin)\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EAccording to legend, the devatas and asuras performed Ksheerasagaramandhanam that resulted in amrit (nectar which when consumed grants immortality) and other sacred qualities. The devatas and the asuras fought for the possession of the Amrit. Lord Vishnu then assumed the form of Mohini (a beautiful woman) and procured the Amrit for the devatas. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003ENight 5: Garuda vahanam\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EAccording to the ancient Hindu texts, Garuda, the king of birds, is a replica of the Vedas (vedatma vihamgeswara), while Lord Vishnu is the God of the Vedas. Therefore, the lord sees himself in Garuda. In the Vaishnava Puranas, Garuda is called periyatiruvadi, meaning the first devotee. Therefore, Lord Vishnu selected Garuda as his vehicle for the most important day of the Brahmotsavam. Garuda vahanam is the greatest of all the vahanams. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EDay 6: Hanumad vahanam\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EHanuman is one of the greatest devotees of Sri Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Hanuman served the lord so faithfully that even the lord could not thank Hanuman enough. Devotees believe that they are indeed blessed if they catch a glimpse of the Lord on Hanumad vahanam. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003ENight 6: Gaja vahanam\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EGajam (elephant) is also called the samajam (born from Sama Veda). It symbolizes wealth (gajamtam aishvaryam). It also symbolizes the Airavatam – the vehicle of Indra, the head of the heavens in Hindu mythology). It can also be attributed to the elephant in Gajendramoksham (story from Mahabhaghavatam), which is saved from a crocodile by Lord Vishnu. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EDay 7: Suryaprabha vahanam\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003ESurya (the Sun), the son of Aditi, is another form of Lord Vishnu (Surya Narayana). Hindu mythology supports the heliocentric theory and believes that Lord Vishnu is the centre of the universe (dhyassada savitrumandala madhyavarthi). \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003ENight 7: Chandraprabha vahanam\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EChandra, means the Moon, which is considered cool and pleasant. According to Hindu mythology, Chandra is the commander of the mind (chandrama manaso jataha). He is also the king of aushadham (medicine). It is believed that riding in the Chandraprabha vahanam is a soothing experience for the lord. The Lord’s contentment will bring peace to devotees’ minds and result in a good crop. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" height=\"354\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/q7aZtgZrAEs?si=iuJDUDjDaGYIz40l\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"630\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EDay 8: Big Rath Yatra\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EOn the penultimate day, Rathotsavam is celebrated, in which the Lord is seated in a ratham (chariot) and taken in a procession in the morning. The route taken by the Lord is called the Rathaveedhi and it does a circumambulation of the Adi Varaha Perumal temple. Tens of thousands of devotees come early in the morning to offer their prayers to the lord and then hold on to the chains of the chariot to pull it through the Rathaveedhi. It is believed that those who witness Rathotsavam will not be reborn (rathotsavam kesavam dristva punarjanma na vidyate). \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe idols of Daruka (the charioteer of Lord Sri Krishna) and the four horses (Saibhyam, Sugreevam, Meghapushpam and Valahakam) are placed before the decorated idols of the Lord and his consorts. This symbolizes that the lord’s charioteer is driving the chariot. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EAs the Ratham goes around the Rathaveedhi, one can hear chants of ‘Govinda! Govinda! and Adi Varaha! Adia Varaha!. The energy is high and devotees offer food and drinks to the people pulling the chariot. Ambulances and police are on standby in case of any emergencies. It takes close to three hours for the Rathotsavam from start of its journey to end. People from nearby villages, nearby cities and even families of people hailing from Kallidaikurichi, but living all over the world, arrive to see this Rathotsavam from close quarters. The Ratha is colourful, the energy is infectious and the festival a grand cultural spectacle. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIn the evening, the lord and his consorts are taken back into the temple amidst full fanfare. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EDay 9: Last Day\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EOn the last day, Pallaki seva and Chakrasnanam mahotsavam is performed in the morning. Water from the Thamirabharani river is brought to the temple and the processional idols are bathed with it. Abhisekham, alangaram and mahamangalarti is done. Then the garuda flag is lowered. This signifies the end of the Brahmotsavam festival. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The Kallidaikurichi periya ratham pulled by the devotees\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The Kallidaikurichi periya ratham pulled by the devotees\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1736817662-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIt will be a dream come true if you can experience all the nine days of the Brahmotsavam up close. The rich heritage, the amazing culture, the colourful vehicles, the powerful hymns and the infectious energy can all be experienced at once. And to top it all, you get to seek the lord’s blessings on all the days. If you cannot attend all days, then you should definitely make time for the Big Rath Yatra or the Rathotsavam, the grand annual festival of the Adi Varaha Perumal temple. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" height=\"354\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/C8mbJuc3-Xw?si=ycphYQmLPh9Q1VOs\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"630\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EHow to reach there:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest airport would be Tuticorin airport, located 75 kilometres away. Tuticorin has daily flights connecting it with Bangalore and Chennai. The other nearest airports are Madurai (180 kms away) and Thiruvananthapuram (140 kms away). \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest large railway station is Tirunelveli junction, which is well connected with the rest of the country. The nearest railway station is Kallidaikurichi itself, but only local passenger trains stop here. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest large bus station is Tirunelveli. Regular buses ply between Tirunelveli and Kallidaikurichi throughout the day and night. Kallidaikurichi is 35 kms from Tirunelveli and a typical bus ride takes about 60 to 70 minutes. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Lord Vishnu on elephant vahanam - Adi Varaha Perumal Koil Brahmotsavam\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Lord Vishnu on elephant vahanam - Adi Varaha Perumal Koil Brahmotsavam\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1655652703-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhen does this festival happen:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Adi Varaha temple chariot festival takes place in the Chithirai month (between April 14 and May 15). The festivities span 10-12 days, with each day marked for a different activity. The big rath yatra takes place on the final day of all the festivities. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Adi Varaha Perumal Koil Brahmotsavam Rath Yatra, Kallidaikurichi\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Adi Varaha Perumal Koil Brahmotsavam Rath Yatra, Kallidaikurichi\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1670078709-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to stay:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EKallidaikurichi is the kind of place where you should stay at one of the agraharam homes. It will allow you to experience the true culture of this village. You could either stay with any of your local friends in their homes, at any local guest houses or at airbnbs. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you prefer hotels, you can try the modest Bhaskar Lodge at Kallidaikurichi and the slightly better Hotel Ambai Grand at Ambasamudram. For higher quality hotels, you will have to head to Tirunelveli, about 35 kms away. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you prefer staying in nature, try any of the forest bungalows located inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve or the farm stays or resorts near Courtallam (50 kms away). \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Perumal returning to the temple after the Great Rath Yatra of Kallidaikurichi\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Perumal returning to the temple after the Great Rath Yatra of Kallidaikurichi\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1855807350-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to eat:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EKallidaikurichi has a few places to eat like Kannan mess where you can find tiffin items like idli, vada and dosa. For something more elaborate, try Hotel Ramanas or Hotel Gauri Shankar at Ambasamudram, two kilometers away. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you are staying at a guest house with an in-house kitchen, then you are all set for food. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you are staying at a house or in an Airbnb, you can try the meals and tiffin items of Varaha mess or Delhi mama. They offer a wide variety of choices and food is usually delivered to your door step. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The great Rath Yatra of Kallidaikurichi culminates the 10 day Brahmotsavam\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The great Rath Yatra of Kallidaikurichi culminates the 10 day Brahmotsavam\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1719635443-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther famous festivals to see at Kallidaikurichi:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/05\/garuda-sevai-from-kallidaikurichi-agraharam.html\"\u003EGaruda Sevai\u003C\/a\u003E from the agraharams of Kallidaikurichi \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2022\/03\/maha-shivaratri-festival-traditional-village-kallidaikurichi.html\"\u003EMaha Shivaratri\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/04\/karthigai-deepam-festival-kallidaikurichi-village-india.html\"\u003EKarthigai Deepam\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2018\/03\/festival-of-pongal-from-traditional-Tamilnadu-village.html\"\u003EPongal\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/02\/when-god-came-home-video-story-rural-india-tradition.html\"\u003EThiruvatharai\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Kallidaikurichi Rath Yatra nearing the end of its journey\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Kallidaikurichi Rath Yatra nearing the end of its journey\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1626261297-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther nearby tourist attractions:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/02\/kallidaikurichi-manimuthar-dam-top-cycling-route.html\"\u003EKallidaikurichi to Manimuthar Dam\u003C\/a\u003E: A top scenic and rustic cycling route \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) Thamirabharani river at Kallidaikurichi: A great Western Ghat river to take a refreshing bath \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) The hidden gem called \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/07\/hidden-gem-called-kalakad-mundanthurai-tiger-reserve-kmtr.html\"\u003EKalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/05\/kallidaikurichi-village-of-saaral-season.html\"\u003EKallidaikurichi\u003C\/a\u003E: The village of the Saaral season \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/09\/kallidaikurichi-anaicut-gorgeous-picnic-spot-in-western-ghats.html\"\u003EKallidaikurichi Anaicut\u003C\/a\u003E: Gorgeous picnic spot nestled in the lap of nature \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E6) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/01\/1000-year-old-papanasanathar-temple-papanasam.html\"\u003E1000 year old Papanasathar Temple at Papanasam\u003C\/a\u003E: Where you can wash all your sins away \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E7) Manjolai: The offbeat hill station of Tamil Nadu \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E8) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/06\/mannarkoil-rajagopalaswamy-temple.html\"\u003EMannarkoil Rajagopalaswamy Temple\u003C\/a\u003E: Magnificent 10th century temple with a Ashtanga vimana \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"10 days of Brahmotsavam culminates with this Big Rath yatra taking to the streets of Kallidaikurichi\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"10 days of Brahmotsavam culminates with this Big Rath yatra taking to the streets of Kallidaikurichi\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1640368288-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E9) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/08\/sivasailam-temple-1000-year-old-Pandya-era.html\"\u003ESivasailam temple\u003C\/a\u003E: 1000 year old temple surrounded by the lush mountains of the Western Ghats \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E10) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/06\/sivasailam-wettest-place-north-east-monsoon-india.html\"\u003ESivasailam\u003C\/a\u003E: One of the wettest places during the North East monsoon in India \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E11) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/04\/karaiyar-dam-offbeat-wildlife-nature-holiday-destination.html\"\u003EKaraiyar Dam\u003C\/a\u003E: Offbeat wildlife and nature holiday destination in India’s Deep South \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E12) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/12\/courtrallam-herbal-waterfall-holiday-tamil-nadu.html\"\u003ECourtallam\u003C\/a\u003E: The herbal bath holiday destination of Tamil Nadu \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E13) 10th century Kailasanathar temple at Brahmadesam \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E14) 10th century Valiswara temple at Thiruvaleeswaram \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E15) Manimuthar Falls: A great forest waterfall \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E16) Agastyar Falls: A great waterfall to bathe in the Western Ghats \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E17) Paana Theertham Falls: A hidden waterfall gem of Tamil Nadu\u003C\/sapn\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/8666130566478389496\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/10\/kallidaikurichi-great-temple-chariot-festival.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/8666130566478389496"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/8666130566478389496"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/10\/kallidaikurichi-great-temple-chariot-festival.html","title":"Kallidaikurichi Adi Varaha Temple Chariot Festival: Grand Cultural Spectacle in Rural Tamil Nadu"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/a\/AVvXsEifRaM7pWU12tq09tLFLmL-vxDQ7aSCbjACsHAsp0UeeUPy0QbGN4a00JGG9O-vbYoq-tpzztzX_3h_yUJGiDrEUw6yQPbqJG24LPYT1G-6FqNHYqR_qWr0ruq2HZ5BqUY2zZTr2CBljAC5-Um-Nsma_Koze6F0D0-N7bmiWzrSh0q5Bn4U_QgC5Z57KCQ=s72-c","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Kallidaikurchi, Tamil Nadu 627416, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"8.682952199999999 77.4650754"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-19.627281636178846 42.3088254 36.993186036178841 112.6213254"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-2867690293354842692"},"published":{"$t":"2023-08-31T18:44:00.005+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2023-08-31T18:46:23.787+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India Deep South"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sivasailam"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Tamil Nadu"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Western Ghats"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Sivasailam Temple: 1000 year old temple surrounded by the lush mountains of the Western Ghats"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The colourful assembly hall in front of Paramakalyani\u0026#39;s sanctum sanctorum at Sivasailam Temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The colourful assembly hall in front of Paramakalyani\u0026#39;s sanctum sanctorum at Sivasailam Temple\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/a\/AVvXsEhJNeu9OuGJh2E2hKr3P-J6REKAkzvzq-F917bHVxKchqZbEg61arjYp5gpUYa7EBc1lEQkxTvV7PcVJAA7HpUkGPSLGB6nAnMurTmj0XnYC6DEtsbGLGihYESYmi0hn8Q7oigZxs9fTLWEGq1qUgpwsQ5dphjYOre9beWqi-hPbnID-I-yWXi_z9OZOzA=s16000\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" data-original-width=\"800\" data-original-height=\"600\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThis ancient temple, a Vaippu Sthalam, has been mentioned in the Thevaram hymns of Thirunavukkarasar (7th century CE). The Gadananathi river is located to the north and east of this temple. It is surrounded by the Velli Malai, Mulli Malai and Podhigai Malai hills of the Western Ghats. It was originally built by the Pandiya kings and then later additions were made by the Cholas, the Cheras and the later Pandiya kings. I am talking about the 1000 plus year old Sivasailanathar Paramakalyani Amman temple at Sivasailam and that is surrounded by the lush forests and mountains of the Western Ghats. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" height=\"354\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/g3w8NkQehgw\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"630\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Sivasailam temple is all about its legendary stories, pristine location, beautiful sculptures and carvings. The journey begins when you leave the Ambasamudram – Tenkasi highway at Alwarkurichi and head southwest towards the mountains. Paddy fields surround you on three sides and the mountains tower in front of you. The wind starts picking up as you get closer to \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/06\/sivasailam-wettest-place-north-east-monsoon-india.html\"\u003ESivasailam\u003C\/a\u003E. As you stand over the Gadananathi river bridge, the colourful gopuram and the temple complex come into view. As you get out of your car in the parking lot, you cannot stop admiring the lush forest views of the Western Ghats in the background and the Gadananathi river in the foreground. If this view is to your right, the view to the left is of the beautifully carved temple doors and its many mandapams. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Sivasailam temple located at the base of the Western Ghats in South Tamil Nadu\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Sivasailam temple located at the base of the Western Ghats in South Tamil Nadu\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1890693561-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"352\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIt is a west facing temple with both the shrines of Sivasailanathar and Paramakalyani facing west. The main deity is a swayambhu lingam with snake armour and other ornaments. At the back of the lingam, there are lines that appear like hair and this gives the lord another name “Sadaiappar”. This can be seen through a hole while circumambulating the garbha griha and when the priest shows Arathi at the back of the lingam. The Nandi in front of the shrine of Lord Shiva is yet another highlight of this temple. This beautifully carved Nandi (bull) is a East facing beautifully carved monolith that is in a seated position with its tail tucked under it. This statue is uncommon in Tamil temples and highlights the imaginative work of the craftsman. Legend has it the Nandi sculpture was so beautiful and lifelike that it actually came to life. In order to make the Nandi seated, the sculptor had to stroke the back of the Nandi as per the guidance of Lord Shiva. These strokes can be seen on the back of this gorgeous stone Nandi. Goddess Paramakalyani Amman’s shrine is located next to that of Lord Shiva and her unique feature is her emerald green cheeks. The other shrines are dedicated to Ganesha, Muruga, Dakshinamurthy, Natarajar, Surya, Chandran, 63 Nyanmars and others. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The colourful gopuram of the Sivasailam temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The colourful gopuram of the Sivasailam temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p2062077499-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe temple, like many old Hindu temples has a number of mandapams – Nartha, Maa, Artha and Mani. A mani mandapam is situated on the banks of the Gadananathi river. In the mainstays of the mandapam, a lion peak or model is seen. On the inward side of the pandal mandapam, colourful blossoms are delineated. The Sivasailam temple has a five storied main gopuram that carries countless statues of gods and goddesses in the Hindu pantheon. The vimana is fabulously overlaid. The temple has two chariots, one is extensive and the other is little. The expansive chariot is for Sivasailanathar and the smaller one is for his spouse, Paramakalyani Amman. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Beautifully sculpted Nandi made out of a single granite rock at Sivasailam Temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Beautifully sculpted Nandi made out of a single granite rock at Sivasailam Temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p2054147636-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThis temple in \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2014\/10\/a-trip-to-indias-deep-south.html\"\u003EIndia’s deep south\u003C\/a\u003E offers you many things: an offbeat location, a rural holiday experience, a gorgeous green surrounding, a 1000 plus year old temple and a river nearby to play around. Everything else that I mention about the temple above is an icing on the cake. I highly recommend this temple and village if you happen to be visiting this fabulous part of India. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Entering the Sivasailanathar temple at Sivasailam\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Entering the Sivasailanathar temple at Sivasailam\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1940989292-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EThings not to miss at this temple:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) A dip in the Gadananathi river next to the mani mandapam \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) Asking the priest to show you the tresses at the back of the Shiva lingam (Sivasailanathar) \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) Asking the priest or some locals to tell you stories related to the temple, especially how the lingam was formed, the story behind Sadaiappar and the story behind the life-like Nandi \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) Seeing the beautifully carved Nandi in front of the main sanctum, its tail tucked below it and noticing the strokes\/punch at its back that was made to keep it seated permanently \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Entering the main sanctum sanctorum at Sivasailam temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Entering the main sanctum sanctorum at Sivasailam temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1956846167-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n        \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n        \u003Cbr \/\u003EFamous festivals of this temple:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) Poosam Theppotsavam in the month of Thai (Jan 15 to Feb 15) \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) Rathotsavam in the month of Panguni (March 15 to April 14) \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026amp; \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Beautiful Nandi vahanam for the Utsava murthy of Sivasailam temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Beautiful Nandi vahanam for the Utsava murthy of Sivasailam temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p2131216747-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"457\" \/\u003E \n\n        \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n        \u003Cbr \/\u003EHow to reach there:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Sivasailam temple is about 6.5 kilometers from Alwarkurichi, 19 kilometres from Ambasamudram and 26 kilometres from Tenkasi. The nearest bus stop and railway station would be Alwarkurichi, which is well connected with the cities of Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Madurai. The nearest airport would be Tuticorin, which is about 97 kilometres away. Thiruvananthapuram airport is about 136 kilometres away. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Gorgeous Utsava murthy of Sivasailam Temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Gorgeous Utsava murthy of Sivasailam Temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p2120786472-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"651\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cu\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\n        \u003Cbr \/\u003EBest season to visit:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/u\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EOne can visit the temple all year round if you plan on visiting in the early hours of the morning. The Saaral season of cool winds, drizzles and lush weather between June and September is a great time to explore this temple. If you are looking for cool weather, opt for the months from October through February. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Entering the colourful Amman sannadhi at Sivasailam temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Entering the colourful Amman sannadhi at Sivasailam temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1923683632-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n        \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n        \u003Cbr \/\u003ETemple timings:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe temple is open from 6 AM to 12 noon and from 5 PM to 8 PM. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The colourful sanctum sanctorum of Paramakalyani at Sivasailam temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The colourful sanctum sanctorum of Paramakalyani at Sivasailam temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p2103444816-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003E\n        \u003Cbr \/\u003EWhere to stay:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest place with decent hotels would be Ambasamudram. Hotel Ambai Grand is the best option here. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you wish for luxury, I would recommend trying the hotels at Tirunelveli – GRT Regency, Janakiram and\/or Aryas. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you wish to stay in slightly cooler weather, you should try the resorts in and around Courtallam. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you wish to stay in pristine nature, I would recommend that you stay at the forest rest houses in Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you care for a true rustic experience, I would recommend that you stay at any of the homestays or guest houses in Kallidaikurichi village agraharam. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Big statue of Nandi at Sivasailam Temple, Tamil Nadu\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Big statue of Nandi at Sivasailam Temple, Tamil Nadu\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p2110138107-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003E\n        \u003Cbr \/\u003EWhere to eat:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EYou can find some basic snacks with tea\/coffee in the village of Sivasailam, but if you want something more, you will have to try the hotels at Alwarkurichi. For elaborate food options, I would recommend that you head either to Hotel Ramanas or Hotel Gowri Shankar at Ambasamudram. Both of them serve delicious vegetarian tiffin items and meals at reasonable prices. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Intricate carvings on the Sivasailam temple main door\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Intricate carvings on the Sivasailam temple main door\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p2013595529-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther nearby tourist attractions:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/06\/mannarkoil-rajagopalaswamy-temple.html\"\u003EMannarkoil Rajagopalaswamy Temple\u003C\/a\u003E: Magnificent 10th century temple with a asthanga vimana \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/01\/1000-year-old-papanasanathar-temple-papanasam.html\"\u003E1000 year old Papanasathar Temple at Papanasam\u003C\/a\u003E: Where you can wash all your sins away \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/06\/sivasailam-wettest-place-north-east-monsoon-india.html\"\u003ESivasailam\u003C\/a\u003E: One of the wettest places during the North East Monsoon in India \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/05\/kallidaikurichi-village-of-saaral-season.html\"\u003EKallidaikurichi\u003C\/a\u003E: The village of the Saaral season \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/05\/iruttu-kadai-halwa-icon-of-tirunelveli.html\"\u003EIruttu Kadai Halwa\u003C\/a\u003E: Icon of Tirunelveli \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E6) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/06\/nellaiappar-temple-7th-century-cosmic-dance-wonder.html\"\u003ENellaiappar Temple\u003C\/a\u003E: A 7th century Cosmic Dance Wonder \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"People enjoying a dip at Gadananathi River, Sivasailam, Tenkasi district, Tamil Nadu\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"People enjoying a dip at Gadananathi River, Sivasailam, Tenkasi district, Tamil Nadu\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1859691249-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E7) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/07\/Pattamadai-Pai-GI-Tagged-beautiful-handwoven-silk-mats.html\"\u003EPattamadai Pai\u003C\/a\u003E: GI Tagged beautiful handwoven mats from a tiny Tamil Nadu village \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E8) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/01\/Thamirabarani-river-delta-offbeat-motorcycling-route.html\"\u003EThamirabharani River Delta\u003C\/a\u003E: A Motorcycle Route full of rustic gorgeousness \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E9) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/04\/karaiyar-dam-offbeat-wildlife-nature-holiday-destination.html\"\u003EKaraiyar Dam\u003C\/a\u003E: Offbeat wildlife and nature holiday destination in India’s deep south \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E10) The hidden gem called \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/07\/hidden-gem-called-kalakad-mundanthurai-tiger-reserve-kmtr.html\"\u003EKalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E11) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/12\/courtrallam-herbal-waterfall-holiday-tamil-nadu.html\"\u003ECourtallam\u003C\/a\u003E: The herbal bath holiday destination of Tamil Nadu \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E12) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2015\/09\/tiruchendur-murugan-temple-sea-shore.html\"\u003ETiruchendur Murugan Temple\u003C\/a\u003E: Sea Shore Magic \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E13) 10th century Kailasanathar Temple at Brahmadesam \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E14) 10th century Valiswara Temple at Thiruvaleeswaram \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E15) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/02\/kallidaikurichi-manimuthar-dam-top-cycling-route.html\"\u003EKallidaikurichi to Manimuthar Dam\u003C\/a\u003E: A top scenic and rustic cycling route \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E16) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/05\/garuda-sevai-from-kallidaikurichi-agraharam.html\"\u003EGarudai Sevai from the Agraharams of Kallidaikurichi\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E17) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/04\/karthigai-deepam-festival-kallidaikurichi-village-india.html\"\u003EThe Festival of Karthigai Deepam from a Traditional Tamil Nadu Village\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E18) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/06\/cycling-through-kmtr-backyards-tamil-nadu.html\"\u003ECycling through the backyards of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E19) 13th century Kasi Visvanathar temple at Tenkasi \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E20) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/11\/punalur-suspension-bridge-historical-gem-of-kerala.html\"\u003EPunalur Suspension Bridge\u003C\/a\u003E: Hidden gem of Kerala \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E21) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/01\/lesser-known-kerala-mountain-railways.html\"\u003ELesser Known Kerala Mountain Railways\u003C\/a\u003E: Treat for nature lovers \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E22) Manjolai: The offbeat hill station of Tamil Nadu \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E23) Manimuthar Falls: A great forest waterfall \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E24) Thenmala Forest and Palaruvi Falls: Offbeat nature and wildlife getaway\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. 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All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/2867690293354842692\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/08\/sivasailam-temple-1000-year-old-Pandya-era.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/2867690293354842692"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/2867690293354842692"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/08\/sivasailam-temple-1000-year-old-Pandya-era.html","title":"Sivasailam Temple: 1000 year old temple surrounded by the lush mountains of the Western Ghats"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/a\/AVvXsEhJNeu9OuGJh2E2hKr3P-J6REKAkzvzq-F917bHVxKchqZbEg61arjYp5gpUYa7EBc1lEQkxTvV7PcVJAA7HpUkGPSLGB6nAnMurTmj0XnYC6DEtsbGLGihYESYmi0hn8Q7oigZxs9fTLWEGq1qUgpwsQ5dphjYOre9beWqi-hPbnID-I-yWXi_z9OZOzA=s72-c","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Sivasaailam, Tamil Nadu 627412, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"8.782578599999999 77.3453639"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-19.527655236178845 42.189113899999995 37.092812436178846 112.5016139"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-6041714775022171350"},"published":{"$t":"2023-07-01T13:09:00.004+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2023-07-01T13:09:53.118+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"GI Tagged"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Indian Heritage"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Pattamadai"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Pattamadai Pai"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rural Holidays"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Silk Mats"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Tamil Nadu"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Pattamadai Pai: GI Tagged Beautiful Handwoven Mats from a Tiny Tamil Nadu Village"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Elderly woman making silk mat by traditional hand machine at Pattamadai\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Elderly woman making silk mat by traditional hand machine at Pattamadai\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/a\/AVvXsEifO3ppgXecXTIt2UuMEgaZV8g5GQZlq4Jb40zQw68hzV5N_qlxZCNPdPY8803VbGw2FM0_phc-9au6Lc3VMp6aDx-pkjs70aiFNLn-JXIkFRC_TMFTXnx7oyEQBj68VEONNEZ3wHUZe180hxEAXnpUFeuMFOa6r71SV1jaOzMUcr2ijYfGC0WZUXuZhpg=s16000\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" data-original-width=\"800\" data-original-height=\"600\" \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThis heritage item of India was once gifted to Queen Elizabeth II by the Government of Tamil Nadu. In 2013, it received the geographical indication (GI) tag. It is an art form that is centuries old and that is unique to this region. I am talking about the absolutely gorgeous pattu pai (silk mat) and the korai pai (grass mat) from the village of Pattamadai in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu state in India. It is fondly called as ‘Pattamadai Pai’ by the locals. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"A stunning 100 count pattu pai (silk mat) from Pattamadai, Tamil Nadu\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"A stunning 100 count pattu pai (silk mat) from Pattamadai, Tamil Nadu\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599329257-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EMade from korai grass found abundantly on the banks of the Thamarabharani river of this region, the Pattamadai Pai started when Syed Khalifa Meeran, a preacher who belonged to the Lebbai community, settled in Pattamadai many centuries ago. Today, this Pattamadai pai, is so famous that it is seen in almost all weddings and engagements that take place in this region. Either, the wedding rituals take place on these mats or they are gifted to the bride and the groom on the wedding day. I have such a pattu pai with the names of my parents from their wedding day 42 years ago and it still exists in pristine condition and it is an absolute joy to sleep on it. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The natural colouring ingredients  for the traditional Pattamadai Pai\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The natural colouring ingredients  for the traditional Pattamadai Pai\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599329270-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Lebbai community started this art form to provide themselves with a supplementary source of income. They involved everyone in the household. While the men did the outdoor work, the women were in charge of the weaving. Even today, it is the elderly women of this Muslim trading community who weave the high quality silk mats or pattu pai. Unfortunately, there are only a few weavers who are keeping the tradition of weaving high thread count mats alive. Today, a lot of weaving takes place through power looms and the ones that are made via handlooms are lower thread counts. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The famous korai grass from the banks of the Thamirabharani river that goes into making the Pattamadai pai\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The famous korai grass from the banks of the Thamirabharani river that goes into making the Pattamadai pai\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599329747-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe journey of the Pattamadai Pai begins with the harvest of the karungadukorai grass from the banks of the Thamarabharani river in the months of September and October and February and March. This korai grass then goes through processes like drying, soaking, splitting and dyeing. The grass is then further dried under the sun and polished with a stone for a smooth finish. Both natural and chemical colours are used to dye the grass. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Inside the workshop of a pattamadai mat weaving center\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Inside the workshop of a pattamadai mat weaving center\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599329601-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOnce you soak the grass, you can actually split it into different threads. This is what allows the weave of the high quality silk mats. These mats are soft to the touch and can easily be folded and hence demand a premium. Unfortunately, this art form is limited to a few people, especially elderly women. Hence, not only are these mats really expensive, but they also take more than three months to weave the high quality 100 thread count mat.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"A beautiful design of a 52 count pattu pai (silk mat) from Pattamadai\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"A beautiful design of a 52 count pattu pai (silk mat) from Pattamadai\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599329260-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI waited for close to a year for these 100 thread count custom silk mats, but unfortunately could never see the final output. That is the sorry state of affairs with our GI tagged heritage products. But, luckily, I received the 52 count intricate design custom silk mats within 6 months of placing the order. You just have to hope and pray that there are no unforeseen rains during that time else the weaving process is bound to take a few more weeks. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Mats of all colurs, designs and types at Pattamadai\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Mats of all colurs, designs and types at Pattamadai\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599329621-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you don’t mind for any custom mats with your name mentioned on it, then you can find a whole lot of ready made options and you might be able to strike a bargain too. Apparently, the demand is for mats with names and dates stitched onto it. People prefer these for weddings and events and hence they cost a premium both in terms of money and time. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Modern power looms that make cheaper pattamadai pai\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Modern power looms that make cheaper pattamadai pai\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599329735-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you like rich Indian heritage and culture and you like rural holidays, you will definitely fall in love with Pattamadai and its silk mats. Ideally, you should start off with the government weaving center, get to know how they procure the raw materials and prepare it for weaving, see the handloom and power loom weaving take place up close and then move on to the many shops in the village. The icing on the cake would be to take back home some GI tagged Pattamadai Pai gifts for yourself and your family and friends. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"A traditional Pattamadai pattu pai weaving in action\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"A traditional Pattamadai pattu pai weaving in action\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599329261-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003ETypical price of products:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) 100 thread count handwoven pattamadai silk mat (pattu pai) (standard size is 6 feet length and 2.5 feet width): ~ INR 8000 with extra for extra length and INR 300 per line of name \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) 52 thread count handwoven pattamadai silk mat (pattu pai) (standard size is 6 feet length and 3 feet width) with intricate designs: ~ INR 3300 with extra for extra length and INR 200 per line of name \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) 52 thread count handwoven pattamadai silk mat with simple designs: ~ INR 1800 with extra for extra length and INR 200 per line of name \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) Powerloom based simple pattamadai pai: INR 180 to INR 1500, depending on quality and design \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) Handwoven silk pooja mat: INR 750 per piece \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E6) Bags, purses, storage boxes and\/or hand fans: INR 50 to 200 depending on product and design \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Inside a Pattamadai pai shop and looking at the mats\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Inside a Pattamadai pai shop and looking at the mats\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599329578-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EHealth benefits of Pattamadai Pai:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) Unlike a modern day mattress or plastic mats, the korai grass of the pattamadai pai is believed to cool down the body and hence reduces all kinds of inflammation in the body. One can either keep the mat directly on the floor or on top of a bed for full benefits. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) Since the pattamadai pai is made of natural fabrics, it is believed that one gets good sleep on it. It is considered to be very good for toddlers and young kids. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Mats of all shapes and sizes at Pattamadai\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Mats of all shapes and sizes at Pattamadai\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599329687-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to buy authentic pattamadai pai?:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) Raziya Mat Industries – Suleiman: +91 98433 86435. They have two different shops in Pattamadai. One is inside the village and the other is on the highway from Pattamadai to Tirunelveli. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) Aspeer Mohammad - +91 94435 07392. This shop is right at the corner where the highway meets the village road. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Gift items and daily use items made from Pattamadai pai\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Gift items and daily use items made from Pattamadai pai\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599329515-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EItems that can be bought here:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) Pattu pai or silk mats with or without names and dates engraved onto it. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) Regular pattamadai pai for day to day rough use \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) Pooja mats and placemats \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) Hand bags and Purses \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) Baskets and storage boxes \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E6) Hand fans \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Daily use items made from Pattamadai pai\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Daily use items made from Pattamadai pai\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599329430-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EBest season to visit:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EPattamadai’s best season has to be between the months of October through February. April through June happen to be the hottest months and are best avoided. However, if you wish to custom order any pattamadai mats, then do keep in mind that work on handwoven mats take place only during the dry season. The moisture in the air during the wet season makes the grass strands stick together and make weaving difficult and a painstaking process. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Inside a pattamadai pai weaving center\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Inside a pattamadai pai weaving center\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599329583-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EHow to reach there:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest railway station and bus station would be Tirunelveli, about 22 kms away. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest airport would be Tuticorin, about 60 kms away. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EPattamadai is well connected by a good road network. Buses ply regularly between Tirunelveli and Pattamadai. One can also easily find taxis for hire at Tirunelveli. Hiring a taxi\/cab is best if you wish for some comfort and plan to explore other tourist attractions in this region. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Women giving the finishing touches to the Pattamadai pai\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Women giving the finishing touches to the Pattamadai pai\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599329229-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to stay:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you prefer creature comforts, I would recommend trying the hotels at Tirunelveli – GRT Regency, Janakiram, Aryaas. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you wish to stay in slightly cooler weather, you should try the resorts in and around Courtrallam. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you wish to stay in pristine nature, I would recommend that you stay at the forest rest houses in Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you care for a true rustic experience, I would recommend that you stay at any of the homestays or guest houses in Kallidaikurichi village agraharam. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The modern pattamadai pai making power loom\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The modern pattamadai pai making power loom\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599329793-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to eat:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EOne can easily find basic food to eat at Pattamadai, but if you want something more elaborate, head to the nearby city of Tirunelveli for lots of options. Hotel Janakiram and Hotel Aryaas are two popular options for snacks, breakfast, lunch and dinner. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"An elderly woman weaving the traditional Pattamadai pattu pai\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"An elderly woman weaving the traditional Pattamadai pattu pai\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599329391-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther nearby tourist attractions:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/05\/kallidaikurichi-village-of-saaral-season.html\"\u003EKallidaikurichi\u003C\/a\u003E: The village of the Saaral season \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/05\/iruttu-kadai-halwa-icon-of-tirunelveli.html\"\u003EIruttu Kadai Halwa\u003C\/a\u003E: Icon of Tirunelveli \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/06\/nellaiappar-temple-7th-century-cosmic-dance-wonder.html\"\u003ENellaiappar temple\u003C\/a\u003E: A 7th century cosmic dance wonder \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/01\/Thamirabarani-river-delta-offbeat-motorcycling-route.html\"\u003EThamarabharani river delta\u003C\/a\u003E: A motorcycle route full of rustic gorgeousness \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/04\/karaiyar-dam-offbeat-wildlife-nature-holiday-destination.html\"\u003EKaraiyar dam\u003C\/a\u003E: Offbeat wildlife and nature holiday destination in India’s deep south \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E6) The hidden gem called \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/07\/hidden-gem-called-kalakad-mundanthurai-tiger-reserve-kmtr.html\"\u003EKalakad Mundanthurai tiger reserve\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E7) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/01\/1000-year-old-papanasanathar-temple-papanasam.html\"\u003E1000 year old Papanasanathar temple\u003C\/a\u003E: Where you can wash all your sins away \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E8) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/12\/courtrallam-herbal-waterfall-holiday-tamil-nadu.html\"\u003ECourtrallam\u003C\/a\u003E: The herbal bath holiday destination of Tamil Nadu \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E9) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2015\/09\/tiruchendur-murugan-temple-sea-shore.html\"\u003ETiruchendur Murugan temple\u003C\/a\u003E: Sea shore magic \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E10) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/06\/mannarkoil-rajagopalaswamy-temple.html\"\u003EMannarkoil Rajagopalaswamy temple\u003C\/a\u003E: Magnificent 10th century temple with an ashtanga vimana \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E11) 10th century Kailasanathar temple at Brahmadesam \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E12) 10th century Valiswara temple at Thiruvaleeswaram \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E13) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/06\/sivasailam-wettest-place-north-east-monsoon-india.html\"\u003ESivasailam\u003C\/a\u003E: One of the wettest places during the north east monsoon in India\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. 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All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/6041714775022171350\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/07\/Pattamadai-Pai-GI-Tagged-beautiful-handwoven-silk-mats.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/6041714775022171350"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/6041714775022171350"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/07\/Pattamadai-Pai-GI-Tagged-beautiful-handwoven-silk-mats.html","title":"Pattamadai Pai: GI Tagged Beautiful Handwoven Mats from a Tiny Tamil Nadu Village"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/a\/AVvXsEifO3ppgXecXTIt2UuMEgaZV8g5GQZlq4Jb40zQw68hzV5N_qlxZCNPdPY8803VbGw2FM0_phc-9au6Lc3VMp6aDx-pkjs70aiFNLn-JXIkFRC_TMFTXnx7oyEQBj68VEONNEZ3wHUZe180hxEAXnpUFeuMFOa6r71SV1jaOzMUcr2ijYfGC0WZUXuZhpg=s72-c","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Pattamadai, Tamil Nadu 627453, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"8.6690881 77.588177899999991"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-19.641145736178846 42.431927899999991 36.979321936178849 112.74442789999999"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-900441491470002517"},"published":{"$t":"2023-06-13T17:14:00.004+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2023-06-13T17:14:57.161+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mannarkoil"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rural Holidays"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Tamil Nadu"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Temples of India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Mannarkoil Rajagopalaswamy Temple: Magnificent 10th Century Temple with an Asthanga Vimana"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Gorgeous gopuram of Mannarkoil Perumal temple with Western Ghats in the background\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Gorgeous gopuram of Mannarkoil Perumal temple with Western Ghats in the background\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/a\/AVvXsEivK0BhRjodwH-UIoJ0sC7rLTmRXosrP5cpBUKq70EPLZ1-uQ_8jC3rF91TfvpC9W_7R3IfnnooeAI9xTGwk_4kVDKje6Tp_olVat4tKgKQVaLhsb4YZp8ViDh-J5kpoTpt_nXGcfOSBekKLfpANdy-PfLZY75ynBJQm5rJydsLFwhc9WYbXJiM5_qT=s16000\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" data-original-width=\"800\" data-original-height=\"600\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThis is a magnificent three-storied temple that overlooks the lush forests and mountains of the Western Ghats. One can see many inscriptions in this historical temple dating back to the Chola period. Situated right between the Thamirabharani and the Gadananathi rivers, this temple built by a Chola king has seen significant contributions from Chera, Pandya and Nayak kings. I am talking about the Rajagopalaswamy temple at Mannarkoil, a magnificent 10th century temple with an Ashtanga vimana.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" height=\"354\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bb-CwcCz9rY\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"630\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThis temple is also called the Kulasekara perumal temple after Kulasekara Azhvar, one of the 12 Vaishnavite saints, who attained moksha here. A Chera king, Kulasekara Azhvaar, defeated Chola and Pandya kings and was a dominant force in his prime. He spent his last 35 years serving Lord Vishnu by doing daily pooja and abhishekham. It is in recognition of this service that the temple is called Kulasekara Perumal koil, the only historical perumal koil to be directly named as an Azhvaar perumal koil. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Mannarkoil Perumal temple and the lush forests and mountains of the Western Ghats in the background\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Mannarkoil Perumal temple and the lush forests and mountains of the Western Ghats in the background\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599413058-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe highlight of this temple has to be its Ashtanga vimana, meaning 3 floors of sanctum sanctorum, one above the other. On the ground floor, Lord Vishnu is in the standing position. Right above it, on the first floor is the lord in a seated position. And on top of it, on the second floor is the lord in a reclining position. The top most tier is the most beautiful as it has intricate wooden carvings on its walls and ceilings and which were added by the Chera kings. Due to the Ashtanga vimana, one can see the temple from a different perspective and also admire the view of the lush forests and the mountains of the Western Ghats in the background. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Thirunamam on one of the pillars of Mannarkoil Perumal temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Thirunamam on one of the pillars of Mannarkoil Perumal temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599412570-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe main deity is Lord Veda Narayana Perumal and his consorts are goddesses Vedavalli Thaayar and Bhuvanavalli Thaayar. The main deity faces east and the Utsavar is Rajagopalaswamy with Garuda (a specialty and a feature found only at the Srivilluputhur divya desam). \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Entrance to the Mannarkoil Rajagopalaswamy Perumal temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Entrance to the Mannarkoil Rajagopalaswamy Perumal temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599412744-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThis east facing Rajagopalaswamy temple has one entrance and two prakarams, an ardhamandapam and a mahamandapam. The main deity, Lord Vedanarayana perumal’s idol is made of Sudha model with different herbs. The temple campus is also known as Vedapuri as the sound of Vedas is always heard here. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Intricately carved wooden ceiling on 2nd tier of Mannarkoil Perumal temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Intricately carved wooden ceiling on 2nd tier of Mannarkoil Perumal temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599412849-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"533\" \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EAs you take a walk around and up the temple, you will discover the shrines of goddesses Vedavalli and Bhuvanavalli, Lord Narasimha, Lord Visvaksena, the Vaishnava saint Kulasekara Azhvaar, Vaishnava acharyas Ramanuja and Manavala Mamuningal. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"A door inside the many small garbhagrihas of Mannarkoil Perumal temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"A door inside the many small garbhagrihas of Mannarkoil Perumal temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599412560-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"750\" \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThere are life size statues of Lord Rama and other gods, kings with folded hands forming part of the monolithic pillars. Just above the foundation inscriptions at regular intervals are little square of 5 inches, that have scenes of the Ramayana sculpted on them. The yali row is also gorgeous with riders and with some elephants as well.\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The grogeous Ranga mantapa inside Mannarkoil Rajagopalaswamy temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The grogeous Ranga mantapa inside Mannarkoil Rajagopalaswamy temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599413147-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EAs this is a holy land with echoes of the Vedas, people visit this temple to pray for a strong academic foundation, to get married, to pray for children and for overall family welfare and improvement in occupation.\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"A street moment inside Mannarkoil Perumal temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"A street moment inside Mannarkoil Perumal temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599412554-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"453\" \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EVisit the Mannarkoil Rajagopalaswamy temple for its magnificent ashtanga vimana, gorgeous views, rich history and stunning architecture. Early mornings are the best time to visit the temple as they offer the best views and the weather is very pleasant. I would definitely recommend this 10th century temple to every art, culture and temple lover.\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Yali on a wooden pillar on the 2nd temple sanctum inside Mannarkoil Perumal temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Yali on a wooden pillar on the 2nd temple sanctum inside Mannarkoil Perumal temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599412568-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EFestivals:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) 10 day Brahmotsavam in Chithirai month (April 15 to May 15) \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) Procession of Azhvaar in Pushpa Pallaku in Thai month (January 15 to February 15) \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) Theppotsavam in Masi month (February 15 to March 15) \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) Pre event practice session of Kaisika Puranam for the Thirukkurungudi \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Mythological creatures at Mannarkoil Perumal temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Mythological creatures at Mannarkoil Perumal temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599413109-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EHow to reach there:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EMannarkoil is located about 7 kilometers away from Ambasamudram, the nearest large town. The nearest bus station and railway station would be Ambasamudram, which is connected well with the cities of Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Madurai. The nearest airport would be Tuticorin, about 80 kms away.\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Scenic setting of Mannarkoil Perumal temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Scenic setting of Mannarkoil Perumal temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599413130-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EBest season to visit:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EOne can visit the temple all year round if you plan on visiting in the early hours of the morning. However, if you are looking for cool weather, then opt for the months from October through February.\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Circumambulating the first view of Mannarkoil Perumal temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Circumambulating the first view of Mannarkoil Perumal temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599412574-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003ETemple timings:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe temple is open from 7 AM to 11 AM and from 5 PM to 7:30 PM.\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The gopuram view from the first tier of the Mannarkoil Perumal temple, Tamil Nadu\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The gopuram view from the first tier of the Mannarkoil Perumal temple, Tamil Nadu\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599413137-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to stay:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest place with decent hotels would be Ambasamudram. Hotel Ambai grand is the best option here. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you wish for luxury, I would recommend trying the hotels at Tirunelveli – GRT Regency, Janakiram, Aryas. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you wish to stay in slightly cooler weather, you should try the resorts in and around Courtallam. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you wish to stay in pristine nature, I would recommend that you stay at the forest rest houses in Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you care for a true rustic experience, I would recommend that you stay at any of the homestays or guest houses in Kallidaikurichi village agraharam. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Inside the Mannarkoil Rajagopalaswamy perumal temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Inside the Mannarkoil Rajagopalaswamy perumal temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599412807-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to eat:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EYou can find some basic snacks with tea\/coffee near the temple at Mannarkoil, but if you want something more elaborate, I would recommend you head either to Hotel Ramanas or Hotel Gowri Shankar at Ambasamudram. Both of them serve delicious vegetarian tiffin items and meals at reasonable prices.\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Entering the Rajagopalaswamy perumal temple at Mannarkoil, Tamil Nadu\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Entering the Rajagopalaswamy perumal temple at Mannarkoil, Tamil Nadu\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1599412712-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther nearby tourist attractions:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) 10th century Kailasanathar temple at Brahmadesam \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) 10th century Valiswara temple at Thiruvaleeswaram \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/01\/1000-year-old-papanasanathar-temple-papanasam.html\"\u003E1000 year old Papanasanathar temple at Papanasam\u003C\/a\u003E: Where you can wash all your sins away \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/04\/karaiyar-dam-offbeat-wildlife-nature-holiday-destination.html\"\u003EKaraiyar Dam\u003C\/a\u003E: Wildlife and nature holiday destination in India’s deep south \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2009\/09\/kalakkad-mundanthurai-tiger-reserve-and.html\"\u003EKalakad Mundanthurai tiger reserve and its mighty waterfalls\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E6) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/05\/kallidaikurichi-village-of-saaral-season.html\"\u003EKallidaikurichi\u003C\/a\u003E: The village of the saaral season \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E7) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/06\/nellaiappar-temple-7th-century-cosmic-dance-wonder.html\"\u003ENellaiappar temple at Tirunelveli\u003C\/a\u003E: A 7th century cosmic dance wonder \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E8) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/12\/courtrallam-herbal-waterfall-holiday-tamil-nadu.html\"\u003ECourtallam\u003C\/a\u003E: The herbal bath holiday destination of Tamil Nadu \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E9) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2015\/09\/tiruchendur-murugan-temple-sea-shore.html\"\u003ETiruchendur Murugan Temple\u003C\/a\u003E: Sea shore magic \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E10) 13th century Kasi Visvanathar temple at Tenkasi \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E11) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/11\/punalur-suspension-bridge-historical-gem-of-kerala.html\"\u003EPunalur suspension bridge\u003C\/a\u003E: Historical gem of Kerala \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E12) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/01\/lesser-known-kerala-mountain-railways.html\"\u003ELesser known Kerala mountain railways\u003C\/a\u003E: Treat for nature lovers \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E13) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/06\/sivasailam-wettest-place-north-east-monsoon-india.html\"\u003ESivasailam\u003C\/a\u003E: One of the wettest places during the north east monsoon in India \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E14) Manjolai: The offbeat hill station of Tamil Nadu \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E15) Manimuthar Falls: A great forest waterfall \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E16) Thenmala forest and Palaruvi falls: Offbeat nature and wildlife getaway\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/900441491470002517\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/06\/mannarkoil-rajagopalaswamy-temple.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/900441491470002517"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/900441491470002517"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/06\/mannarkoil-rajagopalaswamy-temple.html","title":"Mannarkoil Rajagopalaswamy Temple: Magnificent 10th Century Temple with an Asthanga Vimana"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/a\/AVvXsEivK0BhRjodwH-UIoJ0sC7rLTmRXosrP5cpBUKq70EPLZ1-uQ_8jC3rF91TfvpC9W_7R3IfnnooeAI9xTGwk_4kVDKje6Tp_olVat4tKgKQVaLhsb4YZp8ViDh-J5kpoTpt_nXGcfOSBekKLfpANdy-PfLZY75ynBJQm5rJydsLFwhc9WYbXJiM5_qT=s72-c","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Mannarkovil, Tamil Nadu, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"8.732535 77.4214278"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-19.577698836178847 42.265177800000004 37.042768836178844 112.5776778"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-4813325461836224367"},"published":{"$t":"2023-05-05T11:46:00.004+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2023-11-21T12:27:34.928+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Indian Heritage"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Kallidaikurichi"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Tamil Nadu"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Garuda Sevai from the Agraharams of Kallidaikurichi"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Garuda Sevai at Kallidaikurichi, Tamil Nadu\" border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"600\" data-original-width=\"800\" height=\"472\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/a\/AVvXsEhI9KZx-tFMH1MTfWNPvGyDLDqx9LOj6OYEA2JPy6iEdXLwk2cY1mj7VXIj2jfV8o4jyUaRtrJXADlSElcVqaWXdj-ugIDOu1u9lhtA6fWdzlKtd2n-Mk3pvLplP_NC36okoeFDjSMFxFGT6qVcKG_paVwhuuKrJ8IbqxzJtKCU3CQ6iamhqOQ7ketR=s16000\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Garuda Sevai at Kallidaikurichi, Tamil Nadu\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003ERustic holidays are a great way to experience our country’s rich and diverse culture. Here is one such example from the agraharams of Kallidaikurichi, a village in India’s deep south. In this village’s Adi Varaha Lakshmi Pati Perumal temple, you can get to see Garuda Sevai, an important ceremony during Brahmotsavam and during other auspicious days of the year. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\"630\" height=\"354\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Kc5Eg__f-Ms?si=LrT55rU9kcUgHlY2\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Ciframe allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"354\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SV5jTrDNUyQ\" title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"630\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIn this ritual, the utsavamurti (processional idol) of Sri Maha Vishnu is taken around the temple street atop Garuda – the vahana of Vishnu. This Garuda Sevai ceremony is usually held during the night and it lasts for a couple of hours. The blend of Vishnu and Garuda manifests itself as the form and head of the Vedas. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Lord Vishnu gets ready to visit the streets of Kallidaikurichi\" border=\"0\" height=\"839\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1788927534-5.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Lord Vishnu gets ready to visit the streets of Kallidaikurichi\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EAs a thumb rule, certain families (whose family has followed the temple for generations) have the first right to offer Garuda Sevai on certain days of the year, especially Saturdays on months that are considered auspicious for Lord Vishnu. But, these days, anyone can pay the fee and get a Garuda Sevai procession arranged on certain pre specified days of the year. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"354\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/e8f89CcRkkE\" title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"630\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIn my family, we also have Garuda Sevai at a similar rural Perumal temple on the 5th Saturday of the Poratasi Tamil month of the year. During this day, our whole family congregates at this family and offers respect to the god. Religious fanfare, new clothes, delicious food and a jolly atmosphere makes up these Garuda Sevai nights. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Lord Maha Vishnu visits the streets of Kallidaikurichi village for Garudai Sevai celebrations\" border=\"0\" height=\"472\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1737178240-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Lord Maha Vishnu visits the streets of Kallidaikurichi village for Garudai Sevai celebrations\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EOn the night of Garuda Sevai, all front yards of the houses in the agraharam are washed and decorated with beautiful kolams in anticipation of the lord. Devotees assemble in front of the temple in the evening to see the lord come out of the temple on top of his Garuda vahanam. After mangalarti, the garuda chariot is then taken on a clockwise pradakshinam of the temple through the different agraharam streets of Kallidaikurichi. In front of each house, people wait in eager anticipation with pooja items (betel leaf, betel nut, fruits, flowers and coconuts). The procession stops in front of each house so that each household can offer their respects and prayers to Lord Maha Vishnu and collect the prasadam. This procession goes on for close to two hours before returning to the temple with full honours. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Garudai Sevai celebrations at Lakshmi Pati temple, Kallidaikurichi\" border=\"0\" height=\"839\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1757278715-5.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Garudai Sevai celebrations at Lakshmi Pati temple, Kallidaikurichi\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThese Garuda sevai nights also mean there is delicious prasadam to eat and it is also an opportunity to get dressed in your favourite traditional attire. It is these simple ceremonies that make rural vacations so special. If you ever happen to visit \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2014\/10\/a-trip-to-indias-deep-south.html\"\u003EIndia’s deep south\u003C\/a\u003E, don’t miss the opportunity check out \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/05\/kallidaikurichi-village-of-saaral-season.html\"\u003EKallidaikurichi – the village of the Saaral season\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/4813325461836224367\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/05\/garuda-sevai-from-kallidaikurichi-agraharam.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/4813325461836224367"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/4813325461836224367"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/05\/garuda-sevai-from-kallidaikurichi-agraharam.html","title":"Garuda Sevai from the Agraharams of Kallidaikurichi"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/a\/AVvXsEhI9KZx-tFMH1MTfWNPvGyDLDqx9LOj6OYEA2JPy6iEdXLwk2cY1mj7VXIj2jfV8o4jyUaRtrJXADlSElcVqaWXdj-ugIDOu1u9lhtA6fWdzlKtd2n-Mk3pvLplP_NC36okoeFDjSMFxFGT6qVcKG_paVwhuuKrJ8IbqxzJtKCU3CQ6iamhqOQ7ketR=s72-c","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Kallidaikurchi, Tamil Nadu 627416, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"8.682952199999999 77.4650754"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-19.627281636178846 42.3088254 36.993186036178841 112.6213254"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-3808945342347671575"},"published":{"$t":"2023-04-14T13:41:00.004+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2023-04-14T13:41:35.839+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Festivals of India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Kallidaikurichi"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Karthigai Deepam"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Karthik Poornima"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Tamil Nadu"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Festival of Karthigai Deepam from a Traditional Tamil Nadu Village"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The festival of Karthigai Deepam at Kallidaikurichi village, Tamil Nadu\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The festival of Karthigai Deepam at Kallidaikurichi village, Tamil Nadu\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/a\/AVvXsEg4CzF5myLKbouMEfiSm2qexfnSYR6hoJP6cqPu4dYmdUSFtEf6ghE4GT84mr_jlBqUV1TsV6CIYYahxkcUSlYeLtB7UTokWiGoY1byXDJT6HNw272RjiIwk0Sh5ZHXYtkUM8rxvf-jfXSc6TTErFNK472OzFnZ_F0OCu3CsNWsQWPv2Sa2Biy_qlKY=s16000\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" data-original-height=\"600\" data-original-width=\"800\" \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E Most of us Indians associate only the festival of Deepavali with the festival of lights, but there is another traditional Indian festival that is also the festival of lights. This festival is called Karthika Deepam, an ancient Tamil festival that is celebrated on the Poornima (full moon) night of the Karthik month. It is also called Karthik Poornima in our country. It is mainly celebrated by the people of South India, but also celebrated in Sri Lanka, South East Asia and China. In Thailand, it goes by the name of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2012\/12\/loi-krathong-thailands-festival-of.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELoi Krathong\u003C\/a\u003E in Thailand, ‘Tazaungdaing festival’ in Myanmar, Full moon poya in Sri Lanka, Lantern festival in China and Bon Om Touk in Laos. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Rural Tamil Nadu celebrates Karthigai Deepam Festival\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Rural Tamil Nadu celebrates Karthigai Deepam Festival\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1589867135-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E One of the earliest references to the festival is found in the Akananuru, a book of poems that dates back to the Sangam period (200 BCE to 300 CE). Karthika Deepam is dedicated to Lord Karthikeya (Murugan) and Lord Shiva according to two different legends. On this day, one can find all Murugan and Shiva temples to be jampacked with devotees. The most iconic scenes can be seen at the Arunachaleswarar temple at Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" height=\"354\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BetXf2LzgLo\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"630\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160; \u003Cbr \/\u003EMost Indians hardly know about this festival. In Indian cities, you can see a very small number of homes lighting lamps on this day, but that is not the case in this traditional Tamil Nadu village where I saw this festival being celebrated with full vigour, pomp and fervour. The whole village was illuminated with lamps, lights and crackers.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Decked up traditional lamps on Karthigai Deepam festival at Kallidaikurichi\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Decked up traditional lamps on Karthigai Deepam festival at Kallidaikurichi\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1589867495-6.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"840\" \/\u003E\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160; \u003Cbr \/\u003EFestival action begins a couple of days before the actual festival. People clean their homes, bring out all their brass and silver lamps from the lockers and clean them till they shine. On the evening of Karthigai deepam, the whole village washes the front of their houses, decorate with kolam (rangoli) either with rice powder, colours or both. They then keep the lamps on top of this rangoli facing east. Each lamp is decorated with vermilion, sandalwood and flowers.\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Traditional lamps and rangoli on the night of Karthigai Deepam at Kallidaikurichi\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Traditional lamps and rangoli on the night of Karthigai Deepam at Kallidaikurichi\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1589867103-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160; \u003Cbr \/\u003EJust before sunset, the ladies of each house, come out of their homes decked in traditional attire. They then light the lamps after doing pooja and mangalarti. By now, dusk has started setting in and the lamps in front of each house shine brighter. You can hear all kinds of slogams and hymns either sung by the people or played in their electronic devices at their homes.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Locals ready their traditional lamps for the Karthigai Deepam festival at Kallidaikurichi, Tamil Nadu\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Locals ready their traditional lamps for the Karthigai Deepam festival at Kallidaikurichi, Tamil Nadu\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1589867167-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160; \u003Cbr \/\u003EOnce darkness sets in, people start bursting crackers, lighting sparklers and burning chakris. For a moment, you feel it is the festival of Deepavali all over again. While the lamps are burning bright, the whole village is sitting in front of their homes, wishing everyone a happy karthikai deepam and enjoying neighbouring gossip.\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Traditional lamps glow brightly on the night of Karthigai Deepam festival\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Traditional lamps glow brightly on the night of Karthigai Deepam festival\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1589867149-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EAs the oil in the lamps start running out, the villagers start chanting hymns and slowly extinguish the flame in the lamps. By half past seven, all the lamps have gone back inside into the house and the festive atmosphere of the evening seems to have disappeared. This is when all the villagers happen to visit the nearby Shiva, Murugan and Perumal temples to seek the blessings of the lord.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Karthigai Deepam Festival at Sannadhi Street, Kallidaikurichi\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Karthigai Deepam Festival at Sannadhi Street, Kallidaikurichi\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1589867533-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160;\u0026#160; \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EThis evening ritual repeats itself every evening starting just before sunset for the next seven days. This is how the village of Kallidaikurichi, a traditional Brahmin agraharam celebrates the festival of Karthikai Deepam in the deep south of Tamil Nadu in India. Everything about the celebration is a joy to watch and offers a good insight into your rich ancient culture. \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Lamps adorn Sannadhi Street on Karthigai Deepam at Kallidaikurichi\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Lamps adorn Sannadhi Street on Karthigai Deepam at Kallidaikurichi\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1589867500-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EHave you experienced such rich celebrations of the Karthikai Deepam festival anywhere in India? Have you experienced our traditional Indian festivals in rural India? If so, do share your experiences in the comments below.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/3808945342347671575\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/04\/karthigai-deepam-festival-kallidaikurichi-village-india.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/3808945342347671575"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/3808945342347671575"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2023\/04\/karthigai-deepam-festival-kallidaikurichi-village-india.html","title":"The Festival of Karthigai Deepam from a Traditional Tamil Nadu Village"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/a\/AVvXsEg4CzF5myLKbouMEfiSm2qexfnSYR6hoJP6cqPu4dYmdUSFtEf6ghE4GT84mr_jlBqUV1TsV6CIYYahxkcUSlYeLtB7UTokWiGoY1byXDJT6HNw272RjiIwk0Sh5ZHXYtkUM8rxvf-jfXSc6TTErFNK472OzFnZ_F0OCu3CsNWsQWPv2Sa2Biy_qlKY=s72-c","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Kallidaikurchi, Tamil Nadu 627416, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"8.682952199999999 77.4650754"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-19.627281636178846 42.3088254 36.993186036178841 112.6213254"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-8071208203658483530"},"published":{"$t":"2022-04-21T12:07:00.003+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2022-04-21T12:07:56.233+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Middle East"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sanliurfa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Turkey"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Sanliurfa: The Ancient Gem in South Eastern Turkey"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Bird's eye view of Urfa city\" border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"533\" data-original-width=\"800\" height=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/a\/AVvXsEjmXIM_2S5QUMSj9dO63CT_mJTxZ857NAOsmAz6JTQs097O9b2MH1WNa54-yM3_PK9p3jT_DkawxujLQdc7xhFbG0ghi2HGgV7w8_WA27Gyf1xG7rHruhvCtlc_i7bXQbiiJQmYK9nBF_VivB7N4RP5SeWsIopH6NaTOIqvA_GuoBWBTmxNwrLk832Y=s16000\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Bird's eye view of Urfa city\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThis city has recorded history from the 4th century BCE, but it may date back at least to 9000 BCE. About 12 kms from it, is the famous Neolithic site of Gobekli Tepe, the world’s oldest known temple that was founded in the 10th millenium BCE. It is located near to the ancient Mesopotamian settlements of Harran and Nevali Cori. It is nicknamed the ‘City of Prophets’, owing to its association with Jewism, Christianity and Islam and because of the belief that it was the hometown of Abraham. I am talking about Sanliurfa, the historical city, located in South Eastern Turkey and not too far away from the Syrian border. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Abraham Cave and Urfa Landscape\" border=\"0\" height=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1105943377-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Abraham Cave and Urfa Landscape\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EKnown in ancient times as Edessa, the city of Sanliurfa is made up of a beautiful mix of Turks, Kurds and Arabs. Most tourists to Turkey hardly make their way down to this south eastern part of the country. May be, they are worried about border conflicts or may be it is just too far away for them. Either ways, they are missing on a beautiful Middle Eastern city with a gorgeous flavour of culture and architecture. The locals are warm, super friendly and eager to strike a conversation with you. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Sanliurfa locals ready for a pose\" border=\"0\" height=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1105933835-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Sanliurfa locals ready for a pose\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003EHistory, culture and local food are on the top of must-experience attractions in Sanliurfa. A Sanliurfa experience starts with a visit to the Cave of Abraham that is home to many mosques and Balikligol (a holy fish pond). It is here that you will see the Mevlid-i-Halil mosque, built next to the site where prophet Abraham is believed to have been born. And a short walk away is the 9th century Urfa castle from where you can catch a bird’s eye view of Urfa city. As you meander in different directions from the Cave of Abraham, you will pass through colourful atmospheric bazaars, Turkish baths, traditional Urfa houses, Rizvaniye mosque, Ayn Zeliha, the great mosque of Urfa, Sanliurfa museum, Golbasi garden, Urfa Armenian Protestant church, the Syriac orthodox church of St Peter and St Paul and the ruins of the ancient city walls.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Balikigol in Urfa old city\" border=\"0\" height=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1105951553-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Balikigol in Urfa old city\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd when you head a little but out of the city, you have the 11,500 year old temple at Gobekli Tepe, the temple of Nevali Cori (Neolithic settlement dating back to 8000 BCE), the Euphrates river, the fortress of Rumkale near the Euphrates river and Attaturk dam. If you are really into ancient history, I am pretty sure that you will unearth many other hidden gems by talking to locals or sticking with people with interest in archaeology. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Inside a scarf store at Sanliurfa old city\" border=\"0\" height=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1105933484-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Inside a scarf store at Sanliurfa old city\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003ESanliurfa is that beautiful mix of offbeat culture, rich ancient history, authentic Middle Eastern experience and friendly locals. It takes a while to reach this part of the country and having experienced it first hand, I cannot stop recommending it to you. If you like history, lazy city walks, chatting with locals, exotic locale and vibrant markets, this place is for you!\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Sanliurfa city and mosque as seen from the castle\" border=\"0\" height=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1105933597-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Sanliurfa city and mosque as seen from the castle\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EBest season to visit:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003ESummers are very hot at Sanliurfa and are best avoided. The best season to visit would be the cooler months between October and February. Days can be warm even during this time, so it will be best to wear a headscarf, hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Famous hand made leather shoes of Sanliurfa\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1105927425-6.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Famous hand made leather shoes of Sanliurfa\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EHow to reach there:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EYou can either fly into Sanliurfa or get in by road. Sanliurfa has daily flights from Istanbul and Ankara, but the number of flights are low. If you don’t have a lot of time at hand, you should fly. If you have time on your hand, I would recommend traveling via Mardin or via Ankara so that you can visit some of the lesser visited destinations of Turkey.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Sanliurfa's Abraham Cave\" border=\"0\" height=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1105941332-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Sanliurfa's Abraham Cave\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to stay:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EThere are many village homestays, traditional guest houses and hotels to choose from. The Yuvacali village home stays are best if you wish to experience rustic life along with rich Kurdish hospitality.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Street Moment from the bazaar of Sanliurfa, Turkey\" border=\"0\" height=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1105942544-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Street Moment from the bazaar of Sanliurfa, Turkey\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to eat:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EYou can eat at your place of stay or at one of the many restaurants in the local bazaar. The iconic dishes to try out are cig kofte or raw kebabs, pistachio Kunefe desserts, Lahmajun (Turkish Pizza) and Liver kebabs. Zahter Kahvalti is a great place to eat some traditional local food.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EWhen I was there at Sanliurfa, I stayed at the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2014\/11\/aslan-guest-house-homely-kurdish-styled.html\"\u003EAslan guest house\u003C\/a\u003E, a traditional looking house that welcomes backpackers and that is located right in the heart of the city and close to all the main places.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThere is also a Hilton in town if you wish to splurge.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Holy fish pond of Urfa\" border=\"0\" height=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1105927470-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Holy fish pond of Urfa\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther nearby tourist attractions:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) Gobekli Tepe: The oldest temple in the world\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/07\/mardin-gateway-to-mesopotamia.html\"\u003EMardin\u003C\/a\u003E: Gateway to Mesopotamia\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) Gaziantep: The city that is famous for the iconic baklava\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) Harran: A major ancient city in upper Mesopotamia\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) Karacadag: See rural life here that hasn’t changed much since biblical times. You can still see nomads in their yurts and this is where wheat first originated about 8,800 BCE\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E6) Lycian way: A 550 km long scenic trek that is home to sensational beaches, great architectural ruins, rich Greek history and stunning views\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E7) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/09\/kayakoy-ghost-town-of-turkey.html\"\u003EKayakoy\u003C\/a\u003E: The Ghost town of Turkey\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E8) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2015\/04\/aphrodisiasoff-beat-greek-culture-trail.html\"\u003EAphrodisias\u003C\/a\u003E: Offbeat Greek culture trail in Turkey\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E9) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/10\/cappadocia-one-of-most-magical-places-in-world.html\"\u003ECappadocia\u003C\/a\u003E: One of the most magical places in the world\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E10) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/03\/hierapolis-ancient-greek-spa-city.html\"\u003EHierapolis\u003C\/a\u003E: The ancient Greek spa city\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/8071208203658483530\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2022\/04\/sanliurfa-ancient-gem-south-eastern-turkey.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/8071208203658483530"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/8071208203658483530"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2022\/04\/sanliurfa-ancient-gem-south-eastern-turkey.html","title":"Sanliurfa: The Ancient Gem in South Eastern Turkey"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/a\/AVvXsEjmXIM_2S5QUMSj9dO63CT_mJTxZ857NAOsmAz6JTQs097O9b2MH1WNa54-yM3_PK9p3jT_DkawxujLQdc7xhFbG0ghi2HGgV7w8_WA27Gyf1xG7rHruhvCtlc_i7bXQbiiJQmYK9nBF_VivB7N4RP5SeWsIopH6NaTOIqvA_GuoBWBTmxNwrLk832Y=s72-c","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Şanlıurfa, Turkey"},"georss$point":{"$t":"37.1674039 38.7955149"},"georss$box":{"$t":"8.857170063821151 3.6392649000000006 65.477637736178849 73.9517649"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-7975130370885990349"},"published":{"$t":"2022-04-05T12:42:00.001+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2022-04-05T12:42:18.488+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Africa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"International Travel"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Kenya"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Kenya Safari Holidays"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Samburu National Reserve"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Samburu Tribe"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Tribes of Kenya"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Colourful Samburu Tribe of Kenya: A Travel Photo Series"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"A Beadwork Samburu Model, Kenya\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"A Beadwork Samburu Model, Kenya\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/a\/AVvXsEjT5BoaxnF8oiB33UZ0xyfCP01Y4I7bkmqeer3DNktajvqI-uZGujkuszXjinvjxFII7PBykdGf1WKxJYq-LsPpQh-08jpupLv0UfFE1WO0uP30ZgoYDXkWIt7gcwQjnPRACn6h_bPlil8BW2cRpQAPBN4ydZhQ0b5u0qRY7zMRWlJdkYbmA_Xye0iT=s16000\" width=\"630\" height=\"731\" data-original-width=\"733\" data-original-height=\"850\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThey are related to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/06\/kenya-maasai-tribe-colorful-photo-story.html\"\u003Efamous Maasai tribe\u003C\/a\u003E living in the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2012\/10\/the-great-migration-8th-wonder-of-world.html\"\u003EMaasai Mara game reserve\u003C\/a\u003E in Kenya. They are one of the more dominating tribes of north-central Kenya. They are semi-nomadic pastoralists who mainly herd cattle, but also keep sheep, goats and camels. I am talking about the colourful \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2012\/09\/understanding-samburu-tribe-of-north.html\"\u003ESamburu tribe\u003C\/a\u003E who live north of the equator in Kenya and live in very diverse and beautiful landscapes that span high altitude forests, open plains, semi-arid grass and bush land to complete desert. One of their main settlements is on the fringes of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2012\/11\/samburu-national-reserve-oasis-of.html\"\u003ESamburu National Park\u003C\/a\u003E in North Kenya and this is where I met them. Experiencing the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/04\/kenya-samburu-national-reserve-wild-riches-photos.html\"\u003ESamburu National reserve\u003C\/a\u003E and the Samburu tribe becomes a beautiful one-two combo for a rich wildlife and culture experience. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThis travel photo series aims to share with you the colourful personalities and traditional life of the beautiful Samburu tribal people. Hope you enjoy these vibrant visuals of these gorgeous tribal people of Kenya. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove picture:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E The Samburu tribe is known for its colourful beadwork jewellery. Here you can see a Samburu woman wearing such colourful head and neck bead jewellery. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"A Portrait of a Samburu Man\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"A Portrait of a Samburu Man\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1075296848-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"355\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove picture:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E Samburu men also adorn themselves with such colourful bead jewellery making them fantastic looking male models too. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Exquisite bead work on this Samburu woman\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Exquisite bead work on this Samburu woman\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1075357866-6.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"866\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove picture:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E Here is another Samburu tribal woman sporting colourful beadwork necklace, ear rings and head gear. The concentric rings on the necklace makes her look similar to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2013\/04\/long-necked-karen-tribal-women-of-burma.html\"\u003Elong necked Karen tribal women of Myanmar\u003C\/a\u003E, but thankfully their necks have not been lengthened.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"This game played with seeds and compartments is only played by the elderly men of the Samburu tribe\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"This game played with seeds and compartments is only played by the elderly men of the Samburu tribe\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1075341170-6.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"945\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove picture:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E Seen in this photo is a game with seeds and compartments played only by the elderly men of the Samburu tribe. This game is very similar to Pallanguzhi, a traditional ancient mancala game played in South India, especially Tamil Nadu and Kerala. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"A rich dash of colour on all the Samburu women\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"A rich dash of colour on all the Samburu women\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1075267320-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"458\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove picture:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E It is said that the more beads or necklaces are there on a woman, the more beautiful she is considered. Another point on the same line of thought is that, women wore more necklaces as they got richer. Therefore, the number of beads or necklaces indicate status in society, richness level and beauty. \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Inquisitive Samburu looks\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Inquisitive Samburu looks\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1075312492-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove picture:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E The Samburu people speak the Samburu language, which is a Nilo-Saharan language. Their language is more or less similar to Maa (the language that the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/06\/kenya-maasai-tribe-colorful-photo-story.html\"\u003EMaasai\u003C\/a\u003E speak). The Samburu tongue is also related to Turkana and Karamojong and more distantly to Pokot and the Kalenjin languages.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Young Samburu Kids strike different poses\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Young Samburu Kids strike different poses\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1075330926-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove picture:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E Like all kids, the Samburu kids are also full of energy and innocent smiles. They can be seen wearing Western attire.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Samburu Elders huddle together under a tree to play a game\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Samburu Elders huddle together under a tree to play a game\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1075336904-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove picture:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E The elders occupy a very important role in the Samburu society and all the power rests with them. They have a polygamous system where the elders decide who can marry and can have how many wives. This kind of control keeps trouble at rest or at least that is the belief.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The Samburu Warriors strike a pose\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The Samburu Warriors strike a pose\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1075347016-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"355\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove picture:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E In the Samburu tribe, the men take care of security, cattle herding and playing mock fight games to improve their warrior skills. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The colourfully decked Samburu tribals\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The colourfully decked Samburu tribals\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1075350582-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"355\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove picture:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E While the Samburu women take care of things like building houses, collecting firewood and food from the forest, cooking food, taking care of the young ones and in doing craftsmanship. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Wedding dance enacted by the Samburu men and women\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Wedding dance enacted by the Samburu men and women\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1075362114-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"355\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove picture:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E The Samburu love to sing and dance, but traditionally use no instruments. They have dances for various occasions of life. The men dance jumping and high jumping from a standing position is a great sport. Most dances involve the men and the women dancing in their separate circles with particular moves for each sex, but coordinating the moves of the two groups. A lot of their dances involve elaborate movements of their chest. \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"A Mean Samburu Warrior look\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"A Mean Samburu Warrior look\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1075294846-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"356\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove picture:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E Girls get married pretty early. Sometimes before they turn 18. Both boys and girls go through an initiation into adulthood, which involves training in adult responsibilities and circumcision for boys and clitoridectomy for girls. Ouch! \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Samburu Women welcome the tourists into their village\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Samburu Women welcome the tourists into their village\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1075298536-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"354\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove picture:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E If you wish to marry a Samburu woman, all you have to do is give the chief of the village 2 cows. That is how weddings happen in the Samburu culture.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Women work much harder than the men in the Samburu community\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Women work much harder than the men in the Samburu community\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1075316028-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove picture:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E The hard working Samburu woman. She works in the forest, inside the house and in the manyatta or settlement.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"A Samburu house made from wood, mud and plastic (for the roofing)\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"A Samburu house made from wood, mud and plastic (for the roofing)\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1075331912-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"355\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove picture:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E A typical Samburu house is built by the wives of that house using sticks, mud, dung and plastic (for waterproofing).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/7975130370885990349\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2022\/04\/the-colourful-samburu-tribe-of-kenya.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/7975130370885990349"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/7975130370885990349"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2022\/04\/the-colourful-samburu-tribe-of-kenya.html","title":"The Colourful Samburu Tribe of Kenya: A Travel Photo Series"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/a\/AVvXsEjT5BoaxnF8oiB33UZ0xyfCP01Y4I7bkmqeer3DNktajvqI-uZGujkuszXjinvjxFII7PBykdGf1WKxJYq-LsPpQh-08jpupLv0UfFE1WO0uP30ZgoYDXkWIt7gcwQjnPRACn6h_bPlil8BW2cRpQAPBN4ydZhQ0b5u0qRY7zMRWlJdkYbmA_Xye0iT=s72-c","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Kenya"},"georss$point":{"$t":"0.57746449999999994 37.4915773"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-27.732769336178844 2.335327300000003 28.887698336178847 72.6478273"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-6205734341416123144"},"published":{"$t":"2022-03-19T11:50:00.002+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2022-03-19T11:50:33.633+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Festivals of India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Kallidaikurichi"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Maha Shivaratri"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Tamil Nadu"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Festival of Shivaratri from a Traditional Tamil Nadu Village"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Shiva Utsava murti all decked up for temple pradakshinam on Shivaratri night\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Shiva Utsava murti all decked up for temple pradakshinam on Shivaratri night\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/a\/AVvXsEgt-tZQwHWDjcGWnoQdBKyww6cvRGhEMW78LMIMOQYNUC1CLC1ZZxiiiHgFM2ddB5QBqSLNg6WIyU7TJbSHqrlswYmHrgJ3vynUxpOtrLwR1ksrIxGUaFCp5zfM8uphavbrkMlmGDKOBwSm5WpvT7eP_YZR4_2yuR3jTM773DbgbRKJGwRw4r6Ljfb0=s16000\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" data-original-width=\"800\" data-original-height=\"600\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThere is so much more to India’s rich festivals than wearing new clothes, eating good food and catching up with family and friends. While all of these are feel good factors of our festivals, there is so much richness and culture in our festivals. And unfortunately, this culture is not easily seen in our cities. To see this, we have to head to rural India where the people still keep this richness alive.\u0026#160; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Lighting the traditional lamp at the Kallidaikurichi Shiva temple on Shivaratri night\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Lighting the traditional lamp at the Kallidaikurichi Shiva temple on Shivaratri night\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p716255852-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003ELuckily for me, I was at a traditional village called \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/05\/kallidaikurichi-village-of-saaral-season.html\"\u003EKallidaikurichi\u003C\/a\u003E in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu a few weeks back during the festival of Shivaratri. Unlike the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2018\/03\/festival-of-pongal-from-traditional-Tamilnadu-village.html\"\u003Efestival of Pongal\u003C\/a\u003E which is very vibrant in the villages of Tamil Nadu, the festival of Shivaratri is more subtle or at least that is the case during the day time. The day starts as usual with a bath in the Thamarabharani river, offering prayers at the nearby temple and then heading home. Most people either opt to keep a full fast or at least stay on a liquid diet. The whole day is spent chanting hymns of Lord Shiva, chanting Om Namah Shivaya, writing Om Namah Shiva or just reading his stories of Lord Shiva. The idea is to celebrate Lord Shiva in any way they deem appropriate. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" height=\"354\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2vSo6ii6-Eo\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"630\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EShivaratri celebrations that are muted during the day, pick up speed post 8 pm. The people take their evening shower, dress up in traditional attire and head to their nearest Shiva temple. Between 9 and 10 pm, the main festivities begin. The gods, shrines and the temple is well decorated. The devotees light up the temple lamps for the night long festival. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Shiva lingam all decked up for Shiva ratri night at Kallidaikurichi Shiva temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Shiva lingam all decked up for Shiva ratri night at Kallidaikurichi Shiva temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p552287319-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe festivities begin with the alankaram and mangalarti during which the priest and devotees sing hymns and the temple bells keep gonging. Then, the utsava moorthy is loaded on to a chariot for a procession around the temple for 3 pradakshinams (circumambulation). Devotees follow the chariot of the utsava moorthy and sing praises to Lord Shiva. This process repeats every 2 hours till sunrise the next day, when the last mangalarti signifies the end of the Shivaratri festivities. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Ambal statue at Shiva temple, Kallidaikurichi\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Ambal statue at Shiva temple, Kallidaikurichi\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p794089058-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E The whole night, the villagers stay inside the temple, reading holy verses or singing hymns dedicated to Lord Shiva. In spite of the lack of food and sleep, people are buoyant and feel joyous. There is a sense of elation after spending the entire night awake and most people who stay awake on Shivaratri at the Shiva temple have been doing it for many years.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003ETo experience the Shivaratri festive fervour, you should spend at least a couple of hours inside the night, if not the entire night.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Utsava murthy Shiva all decked up\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Utsava murthy Shiva all decked up\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p696646541-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E In addition to understanding the culture and traditions behind the festival of Mahashivaratri, you can also get to feel the energy of praising Lord Shiva, even if it is for a short while. Such is the charm of celebrating the festival of Maha Shivaratri at a traditional Tamil Nadu village. The rustic ambience, the rich culture on display and the energetic local people are just an icing on the cake.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" height=\"354\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WsNd4o4GKXY\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"630\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EHow to reach there:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest airport would be Tuticorin international airport, about 75 kms away. You would need to hire a taxi in advance to pick you up at the airport and drop you at Kallidaikurichi.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest long distance railway station would be Tirunelveli, about 35 kms away. One can either take a connecting passenger train to Kallidaikurichi or travel by road (car or bus) to Kallidaikurichi. Tirunelveli is well connected with other large Indian cities like Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EKallidaikurichi is well connected by road. The 4 lane Bangalore – Salem – Kanyakumari highway is just 30 kms away. About 50 kms towards West is the Kerala state border. Volvo sleepers, AC buses and state government buses ply these highways every day connecting major cities.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" height=\"354\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/v1xzr7knhNE\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"630\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to stay:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIt would be ideal to stay with a local family in their traditional home. If you do not have that option, try staying at Hotel Bhaskar Lodge, just a kilometer away from the Shiva temple, at the hotels in Ambasumudram a few kilometers away or at the much nicer hotels at Tirunelveli, about 35 kms away.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Preparing the temple lamp on Shivaratri night for Mangalarti\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Preparing the temple lamp on Shivaratri night for Mangalarti\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p779635683-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E\u0026#160; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to eat:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you stay with a local family, you will definitely get treated to delicious local food. If you don’t have that option, there are a few small restaurants in Kallidaikurichi that dish out local tiffin items in the morning and evening. For a much better local dining experience, head to Hotel Ramanas at Ambasamudram a few kilometers away. They offer delicious traditional lunch and a wide variety of local snacks that change every day of the week.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" height=\"354\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TjJZI1pG31E\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"630\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther nearby tourist attractions:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) 1000 year old \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/01\/1000-year-old-papanasanathar-temple-papanasam.html\"\u003EPapanasanathar Temple\u003C\/a\u003E: Where you can wash all your sins away\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/04\/karaiyar-dam-offbeat-wildlife-nature-holiday-destination.html\"\u003EKaraiyar Dam\u003C\/a\u003E: Offbeat wildlife and nature holiday destination in India’s deep south\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) The hidden gem called \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/07\/hidden-gem-called-kalakad-mundanthurai-tiger-reserve-kmtr.html\"\u003EKalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/06\/nellaiappar-temple-7th-century-cosmic-dance-wonder.html\"\u003ENellaiappar Temple\u003C\/a\u003E: A 7th century cosmic dance wonder\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/01\/Thamirabarani-river-delta-offbeat-motorcycling-route.html\"\u003EThamirabharani river delta\u003C\/a\u003E: A motorcycle route full of rustic gorgeousness\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E6) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2015\/09\/tiruchendur-murugan-temple-sea-shore.html\"\u003ETiruchendur Murugan Temple\u003C\/a\u003E: Sea Shore Magic\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E7) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/12\/courtrallam-herbal-waterfall-holiday-tamil-nadu.html\"\u003ECourtallam\u003C\/a\u003E: The herbal bath holiday destination of Tamil Nadu\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/6205734341416123144\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2022\/03\/maha-shivaratri-festival-traditional-village-kallidaikurichi.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/6205734341416123144"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/6205734341416123144"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2022\/03\/maha-shivaratri-festival-traditional-village-kallidaikurichi.html","title":"Festival of Shivaratri from a Traditional Tamil Nadu Village"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/a\/AVvXsEgt-tZQwHWDjcGWnoQdBKyww6cvRGhEMW78LMIMOQYNUC1CLC1ZZxiiiHgFM2ddB5QBqSLNg6WIyU7TJbSHqrlswYmHrgJ3vynUxpOtrLwR1ksrIxGUaFCp5zfM8uphavbrkMlmGDKOBwSm5WpvT7eP_YZR4_2yuR3jTM773DbgbRKJGwRw4r6Ljfb0=s72-c","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Kallidaikurchi, Tamil Nadu 627416, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"8.682952199999999 77.4650754"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-19.627281636178846 42.3088254 36.993186036178841 112.6213254"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-7669064241355675409"},"published":{"$t":"2021-12-10T14:15:00.004+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2022-12-09T11:24:08.313+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Aurangabad"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Cave Temple"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ellora Caves"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Indian Heritage"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Maharashtra"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Temples of India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Ellora Caves: The 6th Century Rock Cut Temple Wonder"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Gorgeous Kailasa temple of Ellora Caves, Maharashtra\" border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"533\" data-original-width=\"800\" height=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-7Vg6FINSIW8\/YbMSkYisBDI\/AAAAAAACL1w\/Qr_o7FI4CZsl4NijrQ3gDDucVK0rr62FQCNcBGAsYHQ\/s16000\/Gorgeous%2BKailasa%2Btemple%2Bof%2BEllora%2BCaves%252C%2BMaharashtra.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Gorgeous Kailasa temple of Ellora Caves, Maharashtra\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003ELet me start off by telling you that photos and videos hardly do justice to this place. Even up close, you have to do many 360 degree circumambulations and many top, side, interior and exterior views to grasp a small percentage of its artistic and scientific beauty. Such is the aura of this place that you will simply gape in wonder at its gorgeous monstrosity.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Carpenter's cave at Cave 10, Ellora Caves\" border=\"0\" height=\"839\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3854441691-5.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Carpenter's cave at Cave 10, Ellora Caves\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIt’s excavation engineering and architecture was so advanced for that era and quite possibly even in today’s time that many experts are floating theories of extra-terrestrials coming to lend their advanced technology to us humans in the 6th century to help build these cave temples. Every bit of this 6th century rock cut temple wonder evokes reactions of awe, wonder and disbelief. It deservedly holds the title of UNESCO World Heritage site, but its architecture is so magnificent that I don’t know why it is not listed as one of the seven wonders of the world. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Intricate carvings on the lower deck walls of Kailasa temple, Ellora Caves\" border=\"0\" height=\"358\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3852322013-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Intricate carvings on the lower deck walls of Kailasa temple, Ellora Caves\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003EIt is one of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes in the world. I am talking about one of India’s richest heritage destinations – Ellora Caves that is located near Aurangabad in the state of Maharashtra. One can also see it in the back side of the twenty rupee Indian rupee currency note. It is best to base yourself at one of the Aurangabad hotels and explore this entire region that is so full of rich history, heritage and culture\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"354\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZLrL4rxmlUc\" title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"630\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003EDating from the 6th century CE, this UNESCO World heritage site houses monuments and artwork dedicated to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. It’s rich architecture, stunning sculptures, gorgeous carvings and inhuman excavation capabilities make it one of India’s best cultural heritage sites. Along with the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/03\/ajanta-caves-in-travel-photos.html\"\u003E2200 year old cave wonder called Ajanta Caves\u003C\/a\u003E, the name ‘Ajanta Ellora’ is synonymous with rich cultural heritage of India. Both these cave temples, insanely beautiful in their own right, are part of each visitor’s travel itinerary. While Ajanta is more famous for its paintings and frescoes, Ellora is popular for its sculptures, carvings and monstrosity in engineering. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Admiring the view of Ellora Caves Kailasa temple - one of the top wonders of the world\" border=\"0\" height=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3852322487-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Admiring the view of Ellora Caves Kailasa temple - one of the top wonders of the world\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe main highlight at \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/03\/heritage-gem-called-ellora-caves-in-photos.html\"\u003EEllora Caves\u003C\/a\u003E happens to be Cave 16 or the Kailasa temple. This chariot shaped monument dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world. While Kailasa temple can keep you dumbfounded for hours, each of the 34 caves of Ellora have magic in them that will blow your mind. Be it their sheer size, gorgeous sculptures, engineering, architecture or storytelling, each of these 34 caves of Ellora offer something of interest to its visitor.\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"The magnificent Kailasa temple at Ellora Caves, Maharashtra\" border=\"0\" height=\"472\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3854439910-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"The magnificent Kailasa temple at Ellora Caves, Maharashtra\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003EAncient volcanic activity created multi-layered basalt formations, known as the Deccan traps. It is these rocky outcrops in the Western Ghats that became the starting point for the architects of Ellora. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/03\/heritage-gem-called-ellora-caves-in-photos.html\"\u003EEllora caves\u003C\/a\u003E were built across various time periods by different dynasties. The Hindu caves came first (550 to 600 CE), then came the Buddhist caves (600 to 730 CE) and then finally some more Hindu and Jain caves (730 to 950 CE). \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Inside the Jain temples of Ellora\" border=\"0\" height=\"440\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3854439719-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Inside the Jain temples of Ellora\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003EWhen you are at Ellora, getting ready to explore, you can explore the caves by chronological order, by sequential order and like I prefer by the time of the day as the sun shines on different caves at different times of the day.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"354\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7J34FZbmicM\" title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"630\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you are starting right after an early breakfast, you should try and do the Hindu and Buddhist temples first as the sun shines on them in the early hours of the morning. Keep Kailasa temple or Cave 16 for 11 AM through 2 pm as that is when the overhead sun illuminates the entire temple area. And finally, keep the Jain temples for post lunch. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"The top view of Kailasa temple, Ellora\" border=\"0\" height=\"472\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3854440624-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"The top view of Kailasa temple, Ellora\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you wish to explore the caves properly, it will take you a full day to explore and do be prepared to walk a lot and climb many flights of stairs. You can either break for lunch before visiting Kailasa temple or go right after. Don’t miss the opportunity to see Kailasa temple from the top of the hill. This view will help you appreciate the gargantuan task of the excavation as this entire temple was chiselled top down from a mountain.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Lord Shiva and Parvati - Cave 15, Ellora Caves\" border=\"0\" height=\"472\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3854441115-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Lord Shiva and Parvati - Cave 15, Ellora Caves\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003EMost people spend a lot of time at Kailasa temple as it is the most magnificent with a free-standing multi-level temple structure that covers an area twice the size of the Parthenon in Athens. Carved out of a single piece of mountain from top to down, Kailasa temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is considered a ‘wonder of the world’ among rock-cut monuments. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Mahisasura Mardini Statue at Ellora Caves, Aurangabad\" border=\"0\" height=\"710\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3854439286-5.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Mahisasura Mardini Statue at Ellora Caves, Aurangabad\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EBut, there are other temples that are equally beautiful, but in a slightly different way. For example, there is \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) Cave 15 or the Dashavatara temple, that is known for its large sculptural panels that include the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, death of demon king Hiranayakashipu, Gangadhara, marriage of Shiva and Parvati, Markandeya, Garuda, dancing Shiva, Andhakasura and more. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Shiva Parvati marriage - Cave 15, Ellora Caves\" border=\"0\" height=\"472\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3854440888-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Shiva Parvati marriage - Cave 15, Ellora Caves\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) Cave 21 or the Rameshwar temple, that is famous for its carvings depicting goddess Parvati’s pursuit of Shiva, Parvati and Shiva at leisure, Parvati’s wedding to Shiva, dancing Shiva, Sapta Matrika, Goddess Durga and Goddess Ganga and Yamuna amongst others. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Parvati and Shiva at leisure - Rameshwar temple, Cave 21, Ellora\" border=\"0\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3854439468-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Parvati and Shiva at leisure - Rameshwar temple, Cave 21, Ellora\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) Caves 5, 10, 11 and 12, that are architecturally important Buddhist caves. Cave 10, also known as the Carpenter’s cave, is a multi-storied building with a cathedral like stupa hall and a 15 foot statue of Buddha seated in a preaching pose. Various levels of this cave feature large sculptures of male and female deities, such as Tara, Avalokiteshwara, Maitreya, Majusri and more. Caves 11 and 12 are famous for the mandalas carved into the walls and Bodhisattva-related iconography, belonging to Vajrayana Buddhism. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"The inner shrine at Kailasa temple, Ellora\" border=\"0\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3854440073-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"The inner shrine at Kailasa temple, Ellora\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) Caves 30, 32 and 33, that are smaller than the Buddhist and Hindu caves, but are known for their detailed carvings and gorgeous sculptures. Cave 30 or Chotta Kailasa, Cave 32 or Indra Sabha and Cave 33 or Jagannatha Sabha are adorned with beautiful carvings and hold historical significance about active worship by the Jain community. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Stunning carvings on Kailasha temple, Ellora caves, Maharashtra\" border=\"0\" height=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3852322332-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Stunning carvings on Kailasha temple, Ellora caves, Maharashtra\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003EEllora caves is that kind of a place where photographs, videos, audio guides, tour guides and written literature hardly do justice to its true persona. It has to be seen up close and in person for one to be mesmerized by it and to gaze in disbelief at its aura, size, beauty and sheer feat of engineering. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"354\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/e0IGDY3ZyeA\" title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"630\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003EEllora caves is the pride of India and if I were to say, it is the pride of humanity too as it is the kind of monument that makes us dream big and one that makes us believe in the impossible. This 6th century rock cut temple wonder certainly features in my list of the ‘Seven wonders of the world’ and I wouldn’t even battle an eyelid before recommending this UNESCO World Heritage Site with multiple thumbs up. Along with the nearby \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/03\/ajanta-caves-in-travel-photos.html\"\u003EAjanta caves\u003C\/a\u003E (which is another UNESCO World heritage site), they are home to some of India’s richest cave temple architecture. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Gorgeous carving on the walls of the Hindu caves at Ellora, Maharashtra\" border=\"0\" height=\"472\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3854439465-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Gorgeous carving on the walls of the Hindu caves at Ellora, Maharashtra\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EEllora Caves Ticket Fees:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe fee for Indians and SAARC nationals is INR 40 per person. The fee for foreign nationals is INR 600 per person. Do remember to carry your original ID Card (passport for foreign nationals) and cash. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIzi.Travel have great audio guides that you can download on to your smartphone and play at every cave. This audio guide is free of cost. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EGovernment approved tour guides are available at Ellora Caves. Prices would depend on group size and duration. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Shiva as Natarajar - Cave 15, Ellora Caves\" border=\"0\" height=\"472\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3854440997-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Shiva as Natarajar - Cave 15, Ellora Caves\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EEllora Caves Timings:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EEllora caves is usually open from sunrise to sunset (6 AM to 6 PM). However, timings might differ during the winter months when the days are shorter. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EEllora caves is closed every Tuesday.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Ellora Caves Kailasa Temple at a glance\" border=\"0\" height=\"330\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3852322492-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Ellora Caves Kailasa Temple at a glance\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EMust Visit Caves at Ellora:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) Cave Number 16 or Kailasa Temple \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) Cave Number 10 or Carpenter’s Cave \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) Cave Number 15 \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) Cave Number 21 – Rameshwar Temple \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) Cave Number 31, 32 and 33 – the Jain temples \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Parvati's wedding to Shiva, Rameshwar temple, Cave 21, Ellora\" border=\"0\" height=\"357\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3854439501-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Parvati's wedding to Shiva, Rameshwar temple, Cave 21, Ellora\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EHow to reach here:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest airport, railway station and bus station would be Aurangabad. It is well connected with the rest of the country. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EAurangabad airport is about 7 kms from the city center and about 25 kms from Ellora caves. Aurangabad railway station and bus station are in the city center and are about 20 kms from Ellora Caves. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EOne can either take a bus from Aurangabad to Ellora Caves or hire a cab or auto rickshaw to commute between Aurangabad and Ellora Caves. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Dancing Shiva, Cave 21, Ellora\" border=\"0\" height=\"472\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3854439534-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Dancing Shiva, Cave 21, Ellora\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EThings to keep in mind while visiting Ellora Caves:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) Ellora caves is spread across a fairly large area. So be prepared to walk a lot and also climb a few flight of stairs. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) Sunglasses, a hat or cap, sunscreen, good pair of walking shoes, a bottle of water and a nutritious snack should be on your person at all times. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) Do opt for an audio guide or a government approved guide to understand the full history of this magnificent place. Else, Ellora caves will feel just like a bunch of rocks to you. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Kailasa Temple, Ellora - a side view\" border=\"0\" height=\"472\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3854440666-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Kailasa Temple, Ellora - a side view\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) The best way to explore Ellora caves would be to start as soon as they open the site. Have a comfortable breakfast and visit all the sites where the sun is shining (the Hindu and the Buddhist caves). Keep Cave 16 or Kailasa temple for between 12 noon and 2 pm as that is when the sun shines on this gorgeous structure. You could either have lunch before exploring Kailasa temple or afterwards. I would recommend exploring post an early lunch as that will allow you to experience this majestic temple at peace. After exploring Kailasa temple, take the bus towards the Jain temples. The setting sun makes these caves look better in the second half of the day. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) Carry your ID card (passports for foreign nationals) and local currency (in cash) with you at all times. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E6) Carry a torch or flashlight with you to see the paintings and frescoes in the dark areas of the caves. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Parshvanatha guarded by Yaksha Dhanendra with his 7 hoods - Cave 31, Ellora\" border=\"0\" height=\"925\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3854439734-6.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Parshvanatha guarded by Yaksha Dhanendra with his 7 hoods - Cave 31, Ellora\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EBest season to visit:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003ESummers can get oppressively hot here and can be avoided unless you wish for some solitude. Monsoons are the most charming as that is when the terrain is lush green and the waterfalls are in full flow. However, you would need to carry an umbrella or rain wear to handle the heavy monsoon rains. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe best and the most popular season to visit Ellora caves would be the post monsoon months between October through February. The days are brighter, the temperatures are comfortable and there will be hardly any rain. However, this is also the main tourist season. So, if you opt for this season, do be prepared to jostle amongst lots of fellow visitors.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Gomteshwara statue - Cave 31, Ellora\" border=\"0\" height=\"843\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3854439765-5.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Gomteshwara statue - Cave 31, Ellora\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to stay:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003EThere are simple hotels and guest houses near Ellora caves if you wish to stay close to the location. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you don’t mind driving the 20 km distance from Aurangabad, you will find everything from luxury hotels, AirBnB, guest houses, budget hotels, hostels and more in the city of Aurangabad. I suggest using aggregators like Cozycozy, which\u0026nbsp;not only offer you the best diversity in terms of property and price, but they also offer you the greatest access to the airport and easy access to the other tourist attractions. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Jain statue at Cave 33, Ellora Caves\" border=\"0\" height=\"839\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3854439862-5.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Jain statue at Cave 33, Ellora Caves\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to eat:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003EThere are a whole bunch of restaurants around Ellora Caves that serve simple and traditional Maharashtrian meals. While these places are great to eat at when you are exploring Ellora Caves, the better options are all in Aurangabad. My personal favourites are: \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) Bhoj Thali restaurant at Central Bus stand in Samarth nagar– that serves the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/03\/best-thali-meal-in-aurangabad-ajanta-ellora.html\"\u003Ebest vegetarian thali meal in the whole of Aurangabad\u003C\/a\u003E. The Thali is a mix of Rajasthani and Gujarati cuisine. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) Gayatri Chaat bhandaar at Gulmandi for some delicious Halwayi foods like Kachori, Samosa, Aloo wada and Moong bhajiya. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) Lucky juice centre at Paithangate for milk shakes, juices and faloodas, and \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) Tara paan centre at Usmanpura for one of Aurangabad’s famous paans \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Lord Varaha killing Hiraniyakashyap - Cave 15, Ellora Caves\" border=\"0\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3854440925-4.jpg\" style=\"background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor;\" title=\"Lord Varaha killing Hiraniyakashyap - Cave 15, Ellora Caves\" width=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther nearby tourist attractions:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/03\/ajanta-caves-in-travel-photos.html\"\u003EAjanta Caves\u003C\/a\u003E: The 2200 year old rock cave wonder that is also a UNESCO world heritage site\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2010\/07\/daulatabad-fort-near-aurangabad.html\"\u003EDaulatabad Fort\u003C\/a\u003E: A 12th century fort city that prides itself on its virtually impregnable defence system and that stands tall even today\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2010\/07\/bibi-ka-maqbara-taj-mahal-lookalike.html\"\u003EBibi-Ka-Maqbara\u003C\/a\u003E: A 17th century monument that looks like a mini Taj mahal and that was built by Prince Azam Shah, son of Emperor Aurangzeb as a loving tribute to his mother\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2010\/07\/panch-chakki-medieval-water-mill-at.html\"\u003EPanch Chakki\u003C\/a\u003E: A religious tourist spot and a medieval water mill \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/04\/mughal-emperor-aurangzeb-tomb-khuldabad.html\"\u003EAurangzeb’s Tomb\u003C\/a\u003E: The simple resting place of the last strong Mughal Emperor\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/7669064241355675409\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/12\/ellora-caves-6th-century-rock-cut-temple-wonder.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/7669064241355675409"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/7669064241355675409"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/12\/ellora-caves-6th-century-rock-cut-temple-wonder.html","title":"Ellora Caves: The 6th Century Rock Cut Temple Wonder"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-7Vg6FINSIW8\/YbMSkYisBDI\/AAAAAAACL1w\/Qr_o7FI4CZsl4NijrQ3gDDucVK0rr62FQCNcBGAsYHQ\/s72-c\/Gorgeous%2BKailasa%2Btemple%2Bof%2BEllora%2BCaves%252C%2BMaharashtra.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Ellora Cave Rd, Verul, Maharashtra 431102, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"20.0261045 75.17783399999999"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-8.2841293361788466 40.02158399999999 48.336338336178841 110.33408399999999"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-42362347562839120"},"published":{"$t":"2021-11-12T12:31:00.001+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-11-12T12:31:29.192+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Iran"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Maybod"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Middle East"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Maybod: Iran’s Ancient Desert City on UNESCO’s Radar"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"A brown Maybod view\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"A brown Maybod view\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-lp6xioDrFo0\/YYtEQkTcRgI\/AAAAAAACLqc\/1TiPZQgSjiUQALgNRW-_iR-Nm2Fu9szqQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s16000\/A%2Bbrown%2BMaybod%2Bview.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" data-original-width=\"800\" data-original-height=\"533\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EUNESCO calls it ‘A remarkable example of viability and transmission of human being’s collective thoughts from different generations to the present one’. I am talking about the historical desert city of Maybod in the Yazd province of Iran. This ancient city that goes back to the pre-Islamic era is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site tentative list. It is known for its traditional architecture that can be seen through its ancient roads, old castles and other remnants of the historical city. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Architecture housing underground water system at Maybod\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Architecture housing underground water system at Maybod\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1095932383-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EMaybod was once the capital of Iran during the Mozaffarid period and is home to Narin castle, one of the oldest castles in Iran dating back to the Sassanid era. This mud-brick fort castle standing 130 feet high from its base incorporates mud bricks of the Medes, Archaemenid and Sassanid periods. Although built some 6000 years ago, it seems to have some kind of a plumbing system built into its massive walls. One can see more examples of such water works through other buildings housing underground water systems, which is a rarity in the middle of the desert in that day and time. The Narin castle is also a great place to catch a good view of the Maybod cityscape including its brown buildings. Other noteworthy historical buildings in Maybod are Chapar khaneh, Karavansaraye Abbasi and pigeon house. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EMaybod is an offbeat gem on Iran’s rich archaeological trail that deserves a place in your Iran holiday itinerary. It’s desert landscape, beautiful rustic atmosphere and rich history make for a fascinating visit. I definitely recommend a visit to Maybod even if it is just a day trip from Yazd. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"6000 year old Maybod Castle, Iran\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"6000 year old Maybod Castle, Iran\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1095943697-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EHow to reach there:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest international airport is Shiraz, about 500 kms or 6 hours away, but the airport with the better connectivity would be Tehran international airport at 542 kms or 5 hours 45 minutes away. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest large city would be Yazd, about 55 kms away and Isfahan is a 3 hour drive away. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003ERoad travel is the best option to commute between the different cities in Iran as the road connectivity is excellent and the transportation is fast. Buses between Isfahan and Yazd and Tehran and Yazd are available at periodic intervals. Hitchhiking is common and if you have the money, you can always hire a cab or personal vehicle to explore on your own. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003ETrain travel is a possible option, but it is very slow, unpredictable and can be avoided. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Pigeon house at Meybod, Iran\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Pigeon house at Meybod, Iran\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1095954351-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to stay:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you prefer the authentic desert experience and wish to stay close to the action, there are home stays, traditional hotels and budget guest houses in Maybod. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you prefer some creature comforts and wish for a city environment, head to Yazd. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EFor something more luxurious, you can try the luxurious properties at Isfahan. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Maybod city as seen from the Maybod Castle\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Maybod city as seen from the Maybod Castle\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1095932391-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"331\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to eat:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EFor simple home cooked meals, try your places of stay at Maybod and other basic restaurants. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EFor something more exotic and for a sweet tooth craving, head to Yazd. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The desert city of Maybod, Iran\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The desert city of Maybod, Iran\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1095943843-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther nearby tourist attractions:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2016\/03\/yazd-of-wind-towers-zoroastrianism-and.html\"\u003EYazd\u003C\/a\u003E: Of wind towers, zoroastrianism and a sweet tooth \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/08\/iran-maranjab-desert-caravanserai-ancient-silk-road.html\"\u003ENa’in\u003C\/a\u003E: Gateway to the Iranian Desert \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) Verzaneh: Iran’s largest sand desert and home to some of the largest sand dunes in the world \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2016\/02\/isfahan-half-world.html\"\u003EIsfahan\u003C\/a\u003E: Iran’s iconic cultural hub and half the world \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) Shiraz: One of the oldest cities of ancient Persia \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E6) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/03\/persepolis-jewel-of-persia.html\"\u003EPersepolis\u003C\/a\u003E: Jewel of Persia \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E7) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2018\/06\/iran-architectural-wonder-kashan-in-pictures.html\"\u003EKashan\u003C\/a\u003E: A desert city known for its rich Persian history, amazing creativity and fabulous architecture \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E8) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2016\/02\/kharanaq-irans-ancient-crumbling.html\"\u003EKharanaq\u003C\/a\u003E: Iran’s ancient, crumbling, abandoned and photogenic mud brick village \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E9) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/06\/abyaneh-where-time-stands-still-in-iran.html\"\u003EAbyaneh\u003C\/a\u003E: Where time stands still in Iran \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E10) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/08\/iran-maranjab-desert-caravanserai-ancient-silk-road.html\"\u003EMaranjab Salt Desert\u003C\/a\u003E: A scenic pit stop on the the ancient silk road\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/42362347562839120\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/11\/maybod-iran-ancient-desert-city-unesco-radar.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/42362347562839120"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/42362347562839120"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/11\/maybod-iran-ancient-desert-city-unesco-radar.html","title":"Maybod: Iran’s Ancient Desert City on UNESCO’s Radar"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-lp6xioDrFo0\/YYtEQkTcRgI\/AAAAAAACLqc\/1TiPZQgSjiUQALgNRW-_iR-Nm2Fu9szqQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-c\/A%2Bbrown%2BMaybod%2Bview.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Meybod, Yazd Province, Iran"},"georss$point":{"$t":"32.2487226 54.0079341"},"georss$box":{"$t":"3.9384887638211552 18.8516841 60.558956436178846 89.1641841"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-169325126275182989"},"published":{"$t":"2021-07-27T13:17:00.000+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-07-27T13:17:04.743+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Karnataka"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sodhe"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sonda"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Uttara Kannada"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Sonda: The Lush Temple Village located in the lap of the Western Ghats"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Digambar temple near Sonda, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Digambar temple near Sonda, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Wh6Avzrdq9U\/YP59hmdNWOI\/AAAAAAACKqE\/Mu_ybrCsZ9IzgqXPQ00Z2imJek8jK3Y5ACLcBGAsYHQ\/s16000\/Digambar%2Btemple%2Bnear%2BSonda%252C%2BKarnataka.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" data-original-width=\"800\" data-original-height=\"600\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E It is the kind of place where peace, spirituality and lush nature go hand in hand. It is a place where prehistoric rock art, beautiful Hindu and Jain temples and a matha established by Sri Madhvacharya exist in close proximity to each other. It is the kind of place where life seems to move at a much slower pace. I am talking about Sonda or Sodhe, the lush temple village that is nestled amidst the Sahyadri mountains and is surrounded by the dense jungles of the Western Ghats.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EAs a thumb rule, most tourists visit this village for the 13th century Sodhe Matha (also known as Sri Vadiraja Matha), one of the Ashta Mathas established by Sri Madhvacharya, the famous Dvaita philosopher. The main deities worshipped here are Lord Bhuvaraha, Lord Hayagriva and Sri Bhuta Raja. The brindavana of Swami Vadiraja Tirtha can also be found here. But, there is more to Sonda, than the Sodhe Matha. There is the Rama Trivikrama temple and stone chariot, built in Vijayanagara style, the Shankarnarayana temple built in Chalukyan style, the many Digambar Jain temples located in and round Sonda, the Mundigekere bird sanctuary (a breeding ground for cattle egrets and some other waterfowl), the Sahasralinga on the river Shalmala and the many Jain monasteries.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EEach of these places offer rustic charm, pristine nature and oodles of peace. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Lake in front of Sonda Vadiraja Mutt\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Lake in front of Sonda Vadiraja Mutt\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3986113908-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E So, if you happen to be in the Uttara Kannada region for a day trip, weekend trip, monsoon holiday or for a longer trip, don’t forget to add Sonda and its many attractions into your itinerary. This temple village is also the kind of place where one can stay for a much longer duration if detox, meditation and rejuvenation are on your mind. And while you are here, do remember to pay a visit to the famous waterfalls of Uttara Kannada for a waterfall bath and natural massage. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Temple next to Sonda Vadiraj Mutt, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Temple next to Sonda Vadiraj Mutt, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3986113884-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EHow to reach there:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest airport would be Hubli airport, about 110 kms away. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest railway and bus station would be Sirsi, about 20 kms away. Regular buses ply from Sirsi to Yellapur and you can get share taxis or autorickshaws from the bus stop. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThere are two to three routes to reach Sonda from Sirsi, but the easiest one is to head north on the Sirsi – Yellapur road and turn left at the Sonda deviation towards the Sodhe Mutt and then turn right at the Sodhe Vadiraja Mutt arch. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to stay:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThere are a few simple places to stay at Sonda like the Yatrinivas at Sonda and the Sodhe Mutt. There are also many homestays in the region that can offer you a lush environment with a local experience. My personal favorite is \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/12\/tavarumane-homestay-blissful-rural-holiday-destination-in-karnataka.html\"\u003ETavarumane homestay\u003C\/a\u003E, a blissful rural holiday destination in Karnataka. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EFor something fancier, head to Sirsi. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EBest season to visit: \n      \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n      \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003ESonda is open all year round, but if you want to experience the lush atmosphere in all its glory, either head there during the rains or right after it\/ \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to eat:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThere are a few small shacks at Sonda where you can find a small bite to eat. For something more, try the restaurants on the Sirsi-Yellapur highway. For a wide variety of dining options, head to Sirsi. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you don’t want to do the long commutes for food, it might be prudent to eat at your homestay or carry a picnic meal with you. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther tourist attractions nearby:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) Mundigekere bird sanctuary – great place for relaxed birdwatching \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) Shankarnarayana temple – Chalukya era temple hidden in the forest \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) Sahasralinga – home to thousands of Shiva lingas on the banks of the river Shalmala \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/10\/magod-falls-colossal-monsoon-spectacle-karnataka.html\"\u003EMagod Falls\u003C\/a\u003E – a colossal monsoon spectacle \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/12\/vibhooti-falls-karnataka-jungle-waterfall-with-swimming-pool.html\"\u003EVibhooti Falls\u003C\/a\u003E – Karnataka’s jungle waterfall with a natural swimming pool \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E6) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/01\/yana-rocks-and-caves-magical-place-in-karnataka-forests.html\"\u003EYana rocks and caves\u003C\/a\u003E – magical place in the forests of Karnataka \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E7) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/12\/shivapura-hanging-bridge-motorcyclist-delight.html\"\u003EShivapura hanging bridge\u003C\/a\u003E – a motorcyclist’s delight \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E8) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/12\/sathodi-falls-karnataka-prettiest-jungle-waterfall.html\"\u003ESathodi Falls\u003C\/a\u003E – Karnataka’s prettiest jungle waterfall\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E9) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/10\/devimane-ghat-monsoon-holiday-medicinal-herbs-plants.html\"\u003EDevimane ghat\u003C\/a\u003E – monsoon beauty home to medicinal plants and herbs\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E10) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/10\/bilihole-falls-uttara-kannada-karnataka.html\"\u003EBilihole Falls\u003C\/a\u003E – hidden waterfall amidst the untouched forests of Western Ghats in Karnataka\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E11) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/10\/unchalli-falls-top-monsoon-holiday-in-karnataka.html\"\u003EUnchalli Falls\u003C\/a\u003E – stunning monsoon holiday destination of Karnataka\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/169325126275182989\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/07\/sonda-lush-temple-village-of-karnataka.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/169325126275182989"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/169325126275182989"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/07\/sonda-lush-temple-village-of-karnataka.html","title":"Sonda: The Lush Temple Village located in the lap of the Western Ghats"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Wh6Avzrdq9U\/YP59hmdNWOI\/AAAAAAACKqE\/Mu_ybrCsZ9IzgqXPQ00Z2imJek8jK3Y5ACLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-c\/Digambar%2Btemple%2Bnear%2BSonda%252C%2BKarnataka.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Sonda, Karnataka 581402, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"14.7346826 74.815784"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-18.078784346419035 39.659534 47.548149546419033 109.97203399999998"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-3563990216330583617"},"published":{"$t":"2021-07-19T12:37:00.003+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-07-19T12:37:43.571+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bangalore Weekend Getaways"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Day Trips from Bangalore"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Karnataka"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Nuggehalli"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Offbeat Hoysala Temples"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sadashiva Temple"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Temples of Karnataka"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"13th Century Sadashiva Temple at Nuggehalli: Offbeat Sunday Getaway near Bangalore"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The beautifully carved Shikhara of Sadashiva temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The beautifully carved Shikhara of Sadashiva temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-GHs69AQ778A\/YPPVrHPvE_I\/AAAAAAACKnQ\/L_r_ygc94cs81jx5ZVIQqd7P4A92X72LACLcBGAsYHQ\/s16000\/The%2Bbeautifully%2Bcarved%2BShikhara%2Bof%2BSadashiva%2Btemple%252C%2BNuggehalli.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" data-original-width=\"800\" data-original-height=\"600\" \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E This place is an ideal rural getaway just three hours from Bangalore city. It has rustic charm, lush scenery and rich culture in the form of two beautiful 13th century temples from the Hoysala era. One of the temples is the gorgeous \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/10\/nuggehalli-lakshmi-narasimha-temple-13th-century-hoysala-gem.html\"\u003ELakshmi Narasimha temple\u003C\/a\u003E while the other is the Sadashiva temple. In this article, I am talking about the Sadashiva temple, a fine example of Hoysala nagara style of architecture with Bhumija type superstructure that is more popular in Northern and Western India.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EBuilt in 1249 by Bommanna Dandanayaka, a commander in the Hoysala empire, the Sadashiva temple combines a ekakuta (one shrine) with a nagara (north Indian) styled tower. Unlike the other Hoysala temples, its shrine walls and mantapa are simple with no sculptural decorations. The temple is built on a jagati (raised platform) and it consists of a garbhagriha, a sukanasi, a navaranga with porches and a Nandi mantapa. The main deity of this temple is Lord Shiva and located right in front of his garbhagriha is a large and well carved Nandi statue. The other interesting statues of this temple are its life like statue of Goddess Parvati and the unique Navagraha statues. The sukanasi has beautiful carvings on its ceilings that include the different avatars of Parvati, Soorya Narayana, Kala Bhairava, Chamundeshwari, Ganesha and Subramanya.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The plain looking exterior walls of Sadashiva temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The plain looking exterior walls of Sadashiva temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965018259-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E A Sunday day trip from Bangalore not only allows you to experience the Sadashiva and the Lakshmi Narasimha temples, but it also allows you to soak in the quiet and laidback atmosphere of a pretty little village. A traditional local breakfast and may be lunch too at any of the nearby villages or towns, two very pretty 13th century temples, being surrounded by farms and trees and a perfect excuse to soak in the sun, the fresh air and relax – Nuggehalli’s Sadashiva temple offers you the perfect Sunday getaway from Bangalore that is not only offbeat and hidden, but that is rich in art and culture and steeped in rustic charm. I recommend it with multiple thumbs up!\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The simple exterior look of Sadashiva temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The simple exterior look of Sadashiva temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965018260-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EHow to reach there:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E The nearest airport would be Bangalore international airport, about 144 kms away.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest large railways stations would be Bangalore (144 kms away), Hassan (50 kms) and\/or Tumkur (109 kms). The nearest small railway stations would be Channarayapatna and Tiptur.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EChannarayapatna or Tiptur would be your nearest bus station. From here, you either have to take a not so regular bus, many shared cabs or a full cab to Nuggehalli village.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you are riding or driving from Bangalore, the route would be Bangalore –\u0026gt; Nelamangala –\u0026gt; Kunigal –\u0026gt; Yadiyur –\u0026gt; Hirisave –\u0026gt; Nuggehalli. The route from Bangalore to Hirisave would be a 4-lane highway, while the route post that would be a quieter 2 lane highway flanked by lush farms and water bodies on either side.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EBest season to visit:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Sadashiva temple at Nuggehalli is open all year round. The rains and the winter months are ideal if you care for lush surroundings and pleasant weather.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EAs the temple is located in the middle of a small village, rituals can be more elaborate during festivals and hence they are worth watching and attending.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003ETemple timings:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe temple opens at 8 AM and stays open till 11 AM. And it re-opens at 4 PM and stays open till 7 PM.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003ECertain festivals and village events can alter these timings a bit. It is best to check with locals, who in all probability will direct you to the temple priest, who will guide you with the exact timings. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Dvarapala and Enduristan backpack\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Dvarapala and Enduristan backpack\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965018258-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to stay:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EChannarayapatna and Tiptur would be the nearest cities in case you are looking for decent budget accommodation. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EFor luxurious accommodation, you might have to head to Bangalore. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf nature is your thing, head to the coffee estates in and around Chickmagalur or Sakleshpur. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EHassan has also some quality resorts in case that type of accommodation interests you. \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to eat:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest town to find some good food would be Channarayapatna. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf better quality restaurants are your preference, try the many restaurants located between Hirisave, Yediyur and Kunigal on the Hassan – Bangalore highway. Most of the places will be open longer hours, have ample parking facilities and have good quality restrooms. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you don’t mind traveling a bit more, try Hotel Madihalli Naveen, located just outside of Tiptur for some quality local dishes and snacks. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIt might be prudent to keep some drinking water and snacks with you at all times, especially if you plan on exploring the temple at leisure. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Sadashiva temple of Nuggehalli village on a monsoon morning\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Sadashiva temple of Nuggehalli village on a monsoon morning\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965018437-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther offbeat Hoysala era temples nearby:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/10\/nuggehalli-lakshmi-narasimha-temple-13th-century-hoysala-gem.html\"\u003ELakshmi Narasimha temple at Nuggehalli\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/03\/javagal-lakshmi-narasimha-temple-offbeat-hoysala-gem.html\"\u003ELakshmi Narasimha temple at Javagal\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/11\/belavadi-veeranarayana-temple-offbeat-hoysala-gem.html\"\u003EVeeranarayana temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Belavadi \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/01\/dodddagaddavalli-lakshmi-devi-temple-earliest-hoysala-temple-karnataka.html\"\u003ELakshmi Devi temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Doddagaddavalli \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/08\/brahmeshvara-temple-850-year-old-hidden-hoysala-gem-near-bangalore.html\"\u003EBrahmeshvara temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Kikkeri \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E6) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/12\/panchalingeshwara-panchakuta-hoysala-temple-.html\"\u003EPanchalingeshwara temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Govindanahalli \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E7) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/10\/hosaholalu-lakshmi-narayana-temple-offbeat-temple-day-trip-bangalore.html\"\u003ELakshmi Narasimha temple at Hosaholalu\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E8) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2015\/01\/somnathpur-keshava-temple-offbeat.html\"\u003EChenna Keshava temple at Somnathpur\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E9) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/09\/aralaguppe-chenna-keshava-temple-hidden-hoysala-gem.html\"\u003EChenna Keshava temple at Aralaguppe\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E10) Chenna Keshava temple at Turuvekere \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E11) Ishvara temple at Arsikere \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E12) Chenna Keshava temple at Anekere \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E13) Mallikarjuna temple at Basaralu \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E14) Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Haranhalli \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Sadashiva temple of Nuggehalli and dark monsoon clouds\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Sadashiva temple of Nuggehalli and dark monsoon clouds\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965018261-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther tourist attractions nearby:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2011\/05\/shettihalli-rosary-church-ruins-near.html\"\u003EShettihalli rosary church ruins\u003C\/a\u003E in the Hemavati reservoir \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) The hill station and coffee estates of Chickmagalur \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) The wide \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/11\/wide-panoramic-hemagiri-waterfalls.html\"\u003EHemagiri falls\u003C\/a\u003E on the Hemavati river \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/11\/melukote-of-temples-rustic-life-iyengars-puliyogare.html\"\u003Etemple town of Melukote\u003C\/a\u003E famous for its Iyengars and Puliyogare \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) The Jain pilgrimage site of Shravanabelagola that is home to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/03\/baahubali-worlds-largest-monolithic-statue.html\"\u003Emighty Baahubali statue\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E6) The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2010\/01\/kemmangundi-in-monsoons.html\"\u003Ehill station of Kemmangundi\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E7) The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2010\/01\/monsoon-trek-to-hebbe-falls-karnataka.html\"\u003Ebeautiful Hebbe Falls\u003C\/a\u003E surrounded by coffee estates \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E8) The absolutely photogenic \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/04\/mysore-palace-destination-for-photography.html\"\u003EMysore palace\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E9) The butterfly forest of India called \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/11\/bisle-ghat-butterfly-forest-of-india.html\"\u003EBisle Ghat\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E10) Bhadra tiger reserve known for its tigers, river terns and leopards\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. 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All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/3563990216330583617\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/07\/nuggehalli-sadashiva-temple-offbeat-sunday.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/3563990216330583617"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/3563990216330583617"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/07\/nuggehalli-sadashiva-temple-offbeat-sunday.html","title":"13th Century Sadashiva Temple at Nuggehalli: Offbeat Sunday Getaway near Bangalore"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-GHs69AQ778A\/YPPVrHPvE_I\/AAAAAAACKnQ\/L_r_ygc94cs81jx5ZVIQqd7P4A92X72LACLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-c\/The%2Bbeautifully%2Bcarved%2BShikhara%2Bof%2BSadashiva%2Btemple%252C%2BNuggehalli.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Nuggehalli, Karnataka 573131, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"13.0052496 76.475106"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-15.304984236178845 41.318856 41.315483436178845 111.631356"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-6433051693953736396"},"published":{"$t":"2021-07-05T14:13:00.002+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-07-05T14:13:36.262+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mardin"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Middle East"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Turkey"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Mardin: Gateway to Mesopotamia"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Mardin view from the citadel\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Mardin view from the citadel\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bSQFA5KUsX4\/YNQfy1r9cGI\/AAAAAAACKV0\/fPtWTwz3fMU6lhb3Z5QMwJoQSKGCwKE-QCLcBGAsYHQ\/s16000\/Mardin%2Bview%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2Bcitadel.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" data-original-width=\"800\" data-original-height=\"533\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThis historical city located in south eastern Turkey is the gateway to Mesopotamia. It lies at the center of the homeland of the Syriacs, an ancient race who trace their origin to the Akkadian empire, established in Mesopotamia around 2200 BCE. It also served as the capital of the Turkic Artuqid dynasty between the 12th and the 15th centuries. I am talking about the offbeat cultural gem of Mardin that lies on the southern slopes of a 3,450 feet tall highland and that overlooks extensive limestone plateaus. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Tobacco Store in Bazaar of Mardin, Turkey\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Tobacco Store in Bazaar of Mardin, Turkey\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1111123195-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EA lot of you might not have heard of Mardin as it was unofficially closed for tourism throughout the 1990s due to long lasting Turkey-PKK conflict in the surrounding countryside. Things are still iffy at the borders, but Mardin is welcoming tourists these days. It is the kind of place that rewards fearless travelers with a keen sense of discovery. And this holds especially true for the Mardin old town that is officially under the protection of UNESCO. This old town is known for its fascinating architecture with forts, churches, mosques and narrow alleyways all decorated in a wide variety of stonework. Add to this its diversity in people who form a beautiful mix of Turks, Kuds, Arabs and Syriacs. And you have one charming setup. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Narrow and Tall stone streets of Mardin\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Narrow and Tall stone streets of Mardin\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1111089635-6.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"945\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003ELocated near the Tigris river, a walk through Mardin’s old town gives you great views of the Mesopotamian plains in the yonder. During its glorious past, Mardin, which used to grow wheat, barley and sesame, would also act a trade hub between today’s Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Kurdistan. You can imagine all of its rich past as you walk the alleys of the old city while soaking in the local atmosphere and architecture. The ideal place to start would be the main bazaar, where you can meet the ever smiling and hospitable people selling everything from carpets, tobacco, vegetables, fruits, clothes, meta work, day to day items and more. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Mardin Citadel view from a local cafe\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Mardin Citadel view from a local cafe\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1111059644-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"242\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EFrom the main bazaar, you could head to the citadel, from where you can catch the majestic vistas of the town and the flat plains below. You can’t enter the citadel premises as it is inside a military zone, but you can walk all the way up to the barbed wire to catch the fascinating views of the Mesopotamian plains. On the way down from the citadel, you could drop by Zinciriye Medresesi, an Islamic school built by the Artuqids in the 14th century. This madrasah is known for its beautiful wall and ceiling decorations. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Fruit and Vegetable Market at Mardin\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Fruit and Vegetable Market at Mardin\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1111144638-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe other places to see in Mardin are Kirklar Kilisesi (Church of the Forties), a Syriac orthodox church dating back to the 10th century, the intricately decorated Abdul Latif mosque, Mardin museum, the 5th century Deyruz Zafran monastery (The Monastery of St Ananias) and the 6th century Mor Behnam church. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Mardin Museum\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Mardin Museum\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1111075735-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIn between all your explorations, you can try some of Mardin’s specialties, which is getting a good shave at a local barber, taking a bath at a local hamam and having conversations with locals over some delicious Turkish and Kurdish food.\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Zinciriye Medresesi, Mardin, Turkey\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Zinciriye Medresesi, Mardin, Turkey\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1111142179-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EAs Mardin is not on the main tourist map, you will not find a lot of tourists, which could also be a blessing in disguise as you might have the entire city to yourself . This means that locals will have more time to engage in conversations with you. And knowing them, they will invite you into their homes for tea or food. This is a great way to learn more about the local culture while sharing some stories from your country too. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Kirklar Kilesesi or Church of Forties, Mardin, Turkey\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Kirklar Kilesesi or Church of Forties, Mardin, Turkey\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1111059381-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you are a culture buff who like historical cities, then you will definitely find the stone architecture, bustling bazaars, narrow alleyways and Mesopotamian plain views to be very appealing. I recommend this hidden Turkish gem to all intrepid travelers. This south eastern part of Turkey is so very different from the rest of the country and is a certain treat to the senses. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Main Door to Abdul Latif Mosque, Mardin\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Main Door to Abdul Latif Mosque, Mardin\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1111059621-6.jpg\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EHow to reach there:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest airport is Mardin airport, which is well connected to Istanbul by Turkish and Pegasus airlines. The airport is located about 30 minutes from the old town. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest railway station is Gaziantep, located about 338 kms or 4 hours away. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest bus station is Mardin. Mardin is well connected by road with the rest of the country. Regular buses ply between Mardin and Gaziantep\/Sanliurfa. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Rugs being stitched at Mardin Bazaar\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Rugs being stitched at Mardin Bazaar\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1111101885-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EBest season to visit:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EMardin experiences hot summers with temperatures staying in the high 40s degree Celsius. The best season to visit would be October through February. However, this also happens to be the rainy season. Spring and Autumn months also make for a great time to visit. If heat is not a problem, then you can visit all year round. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Young boys pose for me at Mardin, Turkey\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Young boys pose for me at Mardin, Turkey\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1111126472-6.jpg\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to stay:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThere are quite a few hotels located in Mardin old town that cater to a wide range of budgets. Try to find a place close to the main bazaar so that you are close to all the action. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Garbage collection from on a donkey at Mardin, Turkey\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Garbage collection from on a donkey at Mardin, Turkey\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1111155759-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to eat:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EMost hotels serve food too, but if you wish for some authentic local dining experience, then, you should head close to the main Mardin bazaar. The top restaurants would be Seyr-i Merdin and Damak Sofrasi. And if you have a sweet tooth, then head to Sadik Kunefe. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The Mesopotamia Plains of Mardin, Turkey\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The Mesopotamia Plains of Mardin, Turkey\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1111104380-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther nearby tourist attractions:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) Sanliurfa – one of the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2015\/04\/10-top-experiences-in-turkey.html\"\u003Etop 10 experiences in Turkey\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) Gaziantep – the home of the baklava \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) Midyat – another offbeat gem known for its stonework architecture \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) Beyazsu – known for its waterfalls and greenery \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) Deyrulzafaran monastery – a 5th century monastery that was the seat of patriarchate of all Syrian orthodoxy until 1932. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E6) Savur – a place where time stands still and that is known for its gorgeous stone houses \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E7) Killit – village known for its abandoned stone houses \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E8) Dara – an ancient Roman city \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E9) Tur Abdin monasteries – home to several Syriac – Orthodox (Assyrian) churches\u003C\/span\u003E\u0026gt;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/6433051693953736396\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/07\/mardin-gateway-to-mesopotamia.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/6433051693953736396"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/6433051693953736396"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/07\/mardin-gateway-to-mesopotamia.html","title":"Mardin: Gateway to Mesopotamia"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bSQFA5KUsX4\/YNQfy1r9cGI\/AAAAAAACKV0\/fPtWTwz3fMU6lhb3Z5QMwJoQSKGCwKE-QCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-c\/Mardin%2Bview%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2Bcitadel.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Mardin, Artuklu\/Mardin, Turkey"},"georss$point":{"$t":"37.312903 40.733951"},"georss$box":{"$t":"9.0026691638211531 5.5777009999999976 65.623136836178844 75.89020099999999"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-6163374437739789752"},"published":{"$t":"2021-06-03T18:44:00.001+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-06-03T18:44:23.073+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Belur"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Karnataka"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Temples of India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Temples of Karnataka"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Belur Chennakeshava Temple: The Grandest of all Hoysala Temples"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The famous pillars of Hoysala architecture at Belur, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The famous pillars of Hoysala architecture at Belur, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-1IWqGoiGNRw\/YJOs88ziwYI\/AAAAAAACKFU\/34N8XjWEMboWrUaE_UQsCaqRHJfFiGZWgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s16000\/The%2Bfamous%2Bpillars%2Bof%2BHoysala%2Barchitecture%2Bat%2BBelur%252C%2BKarnataka.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" data-original-height=\"533\" data-original-width=\"800\" \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe temples built during the reign of the Hoysala kings of Karnataka happen to be some of the most intricately designed temples in all of India. Their lathe turned pillars, beautifully carved sculptures, ceiling work, reliefs, friezes, iconography, inscriptions and history are some of the best in the business. Out of the 1500 temples that were built during their reign, the 12th century Chenna Keshava temple at Belur happens to be the grandest of them all.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EDedicated to the handsome lord Keshava, this 12th century temple marvel and an important pilgrimage site in Vaishnavism was built over three generations and took 103 years to finish. It was commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 CE on the banks of the Yagachi river in Belur, also called Velapura, an early Hoysala empire capital.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"A colorful moment from Chennakeshava temple, Belur, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"A colorful moment from Chennakeshava temple, Belur, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p2197083852-6.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"945\" \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EIt was attacked and plundered many times by Muslim invaders and was always rebuilt. The Vijayanagara kings took over the mantle of temple management and restoration upon the end of the Hoysala era. The large gopuram, a gold kalasa, smaller shrines and other elements were added during the reign of the Vijayanagara kingdom. But, the main temple, its sculptures and design elements are still from the original Hoysala era. And boy are they are a treat for the eyes.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EPhotographs and videos hardly do any justice to this temple. While the large sculptures, the relief panels and the friezes on the external walls of the temple are simply outstanding, it is the different design elements of the temple interiors that make your jaw drop. May be, that is why they don’t allow you to take photos of the temple interiors. You have to come and see for yourself.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Side view portrait from Belur Chennakeshava temple, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Side view portrait from Belur Chennakeshava temple, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p2197057264-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis ekakuta temple that is built using soapstone started with the temple architecture template of Western Chalukyan artists and then added the Hoysala flavour to it. As with temple architecture, things get more intricate and ornate with time. So it is simpler when you compare it the Hoysaleswara temple at Halebid and the Chenna Keshava temple at Somnathpura, but what Belur enjoys is size that is matched with intricacy and design. It has the largest navaranga of all Hoysala temples and nearly all of the famous Hoysala artists have left their mark here. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The three pillars of Belur Chennakeshaava temple - elephants, lions and horses\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The three pillars of Belur Chennakeshaava temple - elephants, lions and horses\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p2197057281-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"443\" \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe ideal way to visit this temple is by making yourself free for at least three hours. Sunrise or sunset would be perfect to see the temple sculptures dazzle in the golden light. You start with a simple pradakshina of the external wall before heading inside to admire the real beauty. And once you are done with all your history, art and culture exploration, you can find a nice comfortable place and watch the devotees, tourists and temple priests go about their visit. I always find this interesting and sometimes it makes for great photographs. Finally, you can head out of the temple, search for a good local restaurant and top your visit with some local food and coffee.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThere are many ways to explore and enjoy this temple, but irrespective of who you are and where you are from, you will end up being dazzled by the prospective UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best examples of Hoysala temple architecture. \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"A selfie moment at Belur Chennakeshava temple, Karnataka, India\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"A selfie moment at Belur Chennakeshava temple, Karnataka, India\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p2197097192-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"333\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EHow to reach there:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EThere are two routes to reach Belur. One is via the Bangalore – Hassan highway and the other is via the Bangalore – Shimoga highway. Below is the full route map. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) Route 1: Hassan highway: Bangalore –\u0026gt; Nelamangala –\u0026gt; Kunigal –\u0026gt; Channarayapatna –\u0026gt; Hassan –\u0026gt; Belur \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) Route 2: Shimoga highway: Bangalore –\u0026gt; Nelamangala –\u0026gt; Kunigal –\u0026gt; Yediyur –\u0026gt; Turuvekere –\u0026gt; Tiptur –\u0026gt; Arsikere –\u0026gt; Banavara –\u0026gt; Javagal-\u0026gt; Halebeedu –\u0026gt; Belur \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest railway stations are Kadur and Birur. The nearest large bus station would be either Banavara or Hassan. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest airport would be Mangalore international airport, but the one with the best connectivity would be Bangalore international airport. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Narasimha Avatar of Vishnu as a sculpture at Chennakeshava temple, Belur, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Narasimha Avatar of Vishnu as a sculpture at Chennakeshava temple, Belur, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p2197120846-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"306\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003ETemple timings:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Belur Chenna Keshava temple is open every day between 7: 30 AM and 7: 30 PM. Mangalaarti is held once every morning and every evening. If the garbha griha is closed during lunch hours, you might want to wait or call the priest beforehand for darshan. Darshan and mangalarti timings might vary on certain festival days or other events. \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Stories of epics picturized on the walls of Chennakeshava temple, Belur, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Stories of epics picturized on the walls of Chennakeshava temple, Belur, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p2197057368-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"455\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EBest season to visit:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Belur Chennakeshava temple is open all year round, but it looks the prettiest during the rains and right after it as this is the time when all the sculptures are freshly washed in the rains, the surroundings are lush green and there is drama in the skies above.\u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Ornate elephant sculpture at Belur Chennakeshava temple, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Ornate elephant sculpture at Belur Chennakeshava temple, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p2197123814-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to stay:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EKSTDC and a few other hotel properties offer good quality budget accommodation in close proximity to the temple campus. If you seek a luxurious stay, head to the Hoysala village resort on the Belur-Hassan highway. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you are looking for farm stays or plantation stays, you should head to the coffee estate town of Chickmagalur. \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Deep in thought - a Devotee at Chennakeshava temple, Belur, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Deep in thought - a Devotee at Chennakeshava temple, Belur, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p2197139175-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to eat:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EBelur has a lot of eateries, shops and restaurants to choose from. While none of them offer any premium services, one can definitely find a wide variety of food. If you wish for a luxurious dining experience, you should head to Hoysala village resort on the road from Belur to Hassan. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Stunning carvings on the external walls of Channakeshava temple, Belur, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Stunning carvings on the external walls of Channakeshava temple, Belur, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p2197057358-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"705\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther nearby Hoysala temples:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/04\/hoysala-sculpting-magic-at-halebidu-karnataka.html\"\u003EHoysaleswara temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Halebid \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/03\/javagal-lakshmi-narasimha-temple-offbeat-hoysala-gem.html\"\u003ELakshmi Narasimha temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Javagal \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/11\/belavadi-veeranarayana-temple-offbeat-hoysala-gem.html\"\u003EVeeranarayana temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Belavadi \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/01\/dodddagaddavalli-lakshmi-devi-temple-earliest-hoysala-temple-karnataka.html\"\u003ELakshmi Devi temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Doddagaddavalli \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/10\/nuggehalli-lakshmi-narasimha-temple-13th-century-hoysala-gem.html\"\u003ELakshmi Narasimha temple at Nuggehalli\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E6) Sadashiva temple at Nuggehalli \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E7) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/08\/brahmeshvara-temple-850-year-old-hidden-hoysala-gem-near-bangalore.html\"\u003EBrahmeshvara temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Kikkeri \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E8) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/12\/panchalingeshwara-panchakuta-hoysala-temple-.html\"\u003EPanchalingeshwara temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Govindanahalli \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E9) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/10\/hosaholalu-lakshmi-narayana-temple-offbeat-temple-day-trip-bangalore.html\"\u003ELakshmi Narasimha temple at Hosaholalu\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E10) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2015\/01\/somnathpur-keshava-temple-offbeat.html\"\u003EChenna Keshava temple at Somnathpur\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E11) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/09\/aralaguppe-chenna-keshava-temple-hidden-hoysala-gem.html\"\u003EChenna Keshava temple at Aralaguppe\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E12) Chenna Keshava temple at Turuvekere \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E13) Ishvara temple at Arsikere \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E14) Chenna Keshava temple at Anekere \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E15) Mallikarjuna temple at Basaralu \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E16) Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Haranhalli \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Side entrance to the Belur Channakeshava temple, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Side entrance to the Belur Channakeshava temple, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p2197130802-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther nearby tourist attractions:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2011\/05\/shettihalli-rosary-church-ruins-near.html\"\u003EShettihalli rosary church ruins\u003C\/a\u003E in the Hemavati reservoir \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) The hill station and coffee estates of Chickmagalur \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) The wide \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/11\/wide-panoramic-hemagiri-waterfalls.html\"\u003EHemagiri falls\u003C\/a\u003E on the Hemavati river \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/11\/melukote-of-temples-rustic-life-iyengars-puliyogare.html\"\u003Etemple town of Melukote\u003C\/a\u003E famous for its Iyengars and puliyogare \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) The Jain pilgrimage site of Shravanabelagola that is home to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/03\/baahubali-worlds-largest-monolithic-statue.html\"\u003Emighty Baahubali statue\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E6) The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2010\/01\/kemmangundi-in-monsoons.html\"\u003Ehill station of Kemmangundi\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E7) The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2010\/01\/monsoon-trek-to-hebbe-falls-karnataka.html\"\u003Ebeautiful Hebbe Falls\u003C\/a\u003E surrounded by coffee estates \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E8) The absolutely photogenic \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/04\/mysore-palace-destination-for-photography.html\"\u003EMysore palace\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E9) The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/11\/bisle-ghat-butterfly-forest-of-india.html\"\u003Ebutterfly forest of India\u003C\/a\u003E called Bisle Ghat \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E10) Bhadra tiger reserve known for its tigers, river terns and leopards\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. 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All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/6163374437739789752\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/06\/belur-chennakeshava-grandest-hoysala-temple.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/6163374437739789752"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/6163374437739789752"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/06\/belur-chennakeshava-grandest-hoysala-temple.html","title":"Belur Chennakeshava Temple: The Grandest of all Hoysala Temples"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-1IWqGoiGNRw\/YJOs88ziwYI\/AAAAAAACKFU\/34N8XjWEMboWrUaE_UQsCaqRHJfFiGZWgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-c\/The%2Bfamous%2Bpillars%2Bof%2BHoysala%2Barchitecture%2Bat%2BBelur%252C%2BKarnataka.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Belur, Karnataka, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"13.1623166 75.8679195"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-15.147917236178845 40.7116695 41.47255043617885 111.0241695"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-1981958781643964938"},"published":{"$t":"2021-03-21T12:40:00.000+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-03-21T12:40:03.757+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bangalore Weekend Getaways"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Day Trips from Bangalore"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Indian Heritage"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Javagal"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Karnataka"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Offbeat Hoysala Temples"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Temples of India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Temples of Karnataka"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Javagal: 770 year old offbeat Hoysala temple gem near Bangalore"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Venugopala, Amaranarayana and other sculptures at Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Venugopala, Amaranarayana and other sculptures at Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-n0M1-ieZ6R0\/YFMCGMF8_zI\/AAAAAAACJ7c\/kxFHlpbLBG8N9gX6bu0Xq21vv69aOIvbwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s16000\/Venugopala%252C%2BAmaranarayana%2Band%2Bother%2Bsculptures%2Bat%2BJavagal%2BLakshmi%2BNarasimha%2BTemple.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" data-original-width=\"800\" data-original-height=\"600\" \/\u003E \n\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt is a 13th century Hoysala era temple gem that is located just a few hours away from Bangalore. It is located in a small village that is associated with one of Indian cricket’s fast bowlers. I am talking about the offbeat Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple that is located in the pretty little laidback village called Javagal, the ancestral village of Indian cricketer Javagal Srinath. \n\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Indra and Shachi on Airavat at Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Javagal\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Indra and Shachi on Airavat at Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Javagal\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040420842-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"809\" \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThis trikuta temple is one of many such lesser known gorgeous temples built during the reign of the Hoysala kingdom. Like most Hoysala era temples, the Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Javagal stands on a jagati (raised platform), beautiful moulding friezes and sculptures on the outer walls and lathe turned pillars, sukanasi and garbha griha on the inside. Where it differs from the other temples is that even though it is home to three shrines, it has only one shikhara. And its outer wall panel sculptures, reliefs and friezes are folkish in character and much different from the other Hoysala temples where the work is more intricate, well planned and laid out. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Entering Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Javagal, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Entering Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Javagal, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040420939-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"469\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe main deity of this temple is Sridhara. The other two shrines are dedicated to Venugopala and Lakshmi Narasimha. As the main deity of this temple is Sridhara, some people also refer this temple to as Sridhara temple. This temple does not come under the archaeological survey of India and hence does not see much in terms of grants and regular maintenance, which is very sad, as it is an integral part of our country’s rich heritage. The main temple enclosure is full of thorns and weeds and a lot of restoration work is unscientific, but thankfully most of the original temple is still standing, even though it is a bit weather beaten. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The lathe turned pillars of Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Javagal, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The lathe turned pillars of Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Javagal, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040420925-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIt is a working temple and daily puja, mangalarti and archana is offered. Most people visiting this temple are pilgrims and you will hardly see any art, culture or temple lovers. That is how offbeat this temple is on the cultural circuit. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EA typical visit to this temple would start with entering a mantapa with two elephant balustrades that were built in the Vijayanagara period. Then, you are greeted by a Garuda sthamba, two dwarapalas Jaya and Vijaya and then the ranga mantapa with the lathe turned pillars. From here, you can enter the main temple complex and its three shrines. If you stand in the vestibule, straight ahead would be the sukanasi and the garbha griha of Sridhara, to your left would be the shrine of Venugopala and to your right would be the shrine of Lakshmi Narasimha. The sukanasi and the vestibule connecting the 3 shrines have beautiful carvings, ceiling work and sculptures. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003ENow, coming to the outside of the temple, as you take a clockwise pradakshinam (circumambulation), you will notice the six equal width rectangular moldings or friezes close to your feet. Staring from the top, these friezes depict hansa (birds), makara (crocodiles), Hindu epics and other stories, leafy scrolls, horses and elephants. Right above these friezes, you will see close to 140 beautifully carved sculptures that include Chaturvimsati murtis (24 different aspects of Lord Maha Vishnu), Hari hara, Brahma, Goddess Parvati, Tandav Ganesha and more. Most of these sculptures were sculpted by the famous Hoysala temple artisan Mallitamma. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Entrance to Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at Javagal, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Entrance to Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at Javagal, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040421014-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"398\" \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Javagal is perfect for a Sunday day trip from Bangalore. It offers a beautiful mix of offbeat Hoysala temple, village atmosphere and a lush green landscape. It doesn’t matter whether you are an art, temple or culture lover, a student of archaeology or just a regular joe looking for a weekend getaway close to Bangalore, Javagal’s Lakshmi Narasimha temple and its surroundings are bound to appeal to all. I love such hidden gems and would recommend it with many thumbs up. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Tandav Ganesha at Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Javagal, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Tandav Ganesha at Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Javagal, KarnatakaTandav Ganesha at Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Javagal, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040420843-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003ETemple timings:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe temple is usually open from 6 AM to 7 PM. However, in case the temple is closed, you could either ask anyone for the house of the temple priest Narayana Swamy or you can try calling him on his mobile +91 94488 94575. If the temple priest is available and free, he will open the temple premises for you. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EAs this is a working temple, mangalarti takes place in the morning and evening. And may be a few more times on specific festival days or when the crowd is higher.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The intricately carved Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Javagal, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The intricately carved Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Javagal, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040420923-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EHow to reach there:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThere are two routes to reach Javagal. One is via Hassan highway and the other is via Shimoga highway. Below is the full route map. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) Route 1: Hassan highway: Bangalore –\u0026gt; Nelamangala –\u0026gt; Kunigal –\u0026gt; Channarayapatna –\u0026gt; Hassan –\u0026gt; Halebeedu –\u0026gt; Belavadi –\u0026gt; Javagal \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) Route 2: Tiptur – Shimoga highway: Bangalore –\u0026gt; Nelamangala –\u0026gt; Kunigal \u0026gt; Yediyur –\u0026gt; Turuvekere –\u0026gt; Tiptur –\u0026gt; Arsikere –\u0026gt; Banavara –\u0026gt; Javagal \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest railway stations are Kadur and Birur. The nearest large bus station would be either Banvara or Hassan. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest airport would be Mangalore international airport, but the one with the best connectivity would be Bangalore international airport. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"13th century Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Javagal, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"13th century Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Javagal, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040420936-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EBest season to visit:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIt is good to visit Javagal all year round. You might have to visit early in the summer months as the days can get pretty warm. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EMonsoons and post monsoons are best to see the surroundings covered in lush vegetation. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Entering the mukha mantapa of Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Javagal\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Entering the mukha mantapa of Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Javagal\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040421005-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to stay \n      \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n      \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003EBasic budget accommodation can be found at Belur and Halebid. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EFor something more luxurious, look up Hoysala Village resort that is located between Belur and Hassan. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EFor something set amidst nature, look up the plantation stays and resorts located in and around Chickmagalur. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Lakshmi Narayana statue at Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Lakshmi Narayana statue at Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040420841-6.jpg\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to eat: \n      \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n      \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003EYou can get tea\/coffee or biscuits at Javagal. Nothing more. If you are looking for restaurants that serve decent food, you will either have to head to Banvara, Halebid or Belur. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe best bet would be Belur as it has more choices available. Hoysala village resort that is located between Belur and Hassan would be the most luxurious option. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Javagal, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Javagal, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040420840-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther offbeat Hoysala temples nearby:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/11\/belavadi-veeranarayana-temple-offbeat-hoysala-gem.html\"\u003EVeeranarayana temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Belavadi \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/01\/dodddagaddavalli-lakshmi-devi-temple-earliest-hoysala-temple-karnataka.html\"\u003ELakshmi Devi temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Doddagaddavalli \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/10\/nuggehalli-lakshmi-narasimha-temple-13th-century-hoysala-gem.html\"\u003ELakshmi Narasimha temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Nuggehalli \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) Sadashiva temple at Nuggehalli \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/08\/brahmeshvara-temple-850-year-old-hidden-hoysala-gem-near-bangalore.html\"\u003EBrahmesvara temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Kikkeri \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E6) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/12\/panchalingeshwara-panchakuta-hoysala-temple-.html\"\u003EPanchalingeshwara temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Govindanahalli \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E7) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/10\/hosaholalu-lakshmi-narayana-temple-offbeat-temple-day-trip-bangalore.html\"\u003ELakshmi Narasimha temple at Hosaholalu\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E8) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2015\/01\/somnathpur-keshava-temple-offbeat.html\"\u003EChenna Keshava temple at Somnathpur\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E9) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/09\/aralaguppe-chenna-keshava-temple-hidden-hoysala-gem.html\"\u003EChenna Keshava temple at Aralaguppe\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E10) Chenna Keshava temple at Turuvekere \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E11) Ishvara temple at Arsikere \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E12) Chenna Keshava temple at Anekere \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E13) Mallikarjuna temple at Basaralu \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E14) Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Haranhalli \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Lakshmi Narasimha and other carvings at 13th century Hoysala temple in Javagal, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Lakshmi Narasimha and other carvings at 13th century Hoysala temple in Javagal, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040420839-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther nearby tourist attractions:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2011\/05\/shettihalli-rosary-church-ruins-near.html\"\u003EShettihalli roasary ruins\u003C\/a\u003E in the Hemavati reservoir \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) The hill station and coffee estates of Chickamagaluru \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) The wide \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/11\/wide-panoramic-hemagiri-waterfalls.html\"\u003EHemagiri falls\u003C\/a\u003E on the Hemavati river \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/11\/melukote-of-temples-rustic-life-iyengars-puliyogare.html\"\u003Etemple town of Melukote\u003C\/a\u003E famous for its Iyengars and puliyogare \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) The Jain pilgrimage site of Shravanabelagola that is home to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/03\/baahubali-worlds-largest-monolithic-statue.html\"\u003Emighty Baahubali statue\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E6) The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2010\/01\/kemmangundi-in-monsoons.html\"\u003Ehill station of Kemmangundi\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E7) The beautiful \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2010\/01\/monsoon-trek-to-hebbe-falls-karnataka.html\"\u003EHebbe falls\u003C\/a\u003E surrounded by coffee estates \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E8) The absolutely photogenic \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/04\/mysore-palace-destination-for-photography.html\"\u003EMysore palace\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E9) The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/11\/bisle-ghat-butterfly-forest-of-india.html\"\u003Ebutterfly forest of India\u003C\/a\u003E called Bisle Ghat \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E10) The world famous \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/04\/hoysala-sculpting-magic-at-halebidu-karnataka.html\"\u003EHoysaleswara temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Halebid \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E11) The world famous Chenna Keshava temple at Belur \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E12) Bhadra tiger reserve that is known for river terns, tigers and leopards\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. 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All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/1981958781643964938\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/03\/javagal-lakshmi-narasimha-temple-offbeat-hoysala-gem.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/1981958781643964938"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/1981958781643964938"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/03\/javagal-lakshmi-narasimha-temple-offbeat-hoysala-gem.html","title":"Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Javagal: 770 year old offbeat Hoysala temple gem near Bangalore"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-n0M1-ieZ6R0\/YFMCGMF8_zI\/AAAAAAACJ7c\/kxFHlpbLBG8N9gX6bu0Xq21vv69aOIvbwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-c\/Venugopala%252C%2BAmaranarayana%2Band%2Bother%2Bsculptures%2Bat%2BJavagal%2BLakshmi%2BNarasimha%2BTemple.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Javagal, Karnataka 573125, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"13.2980853 76.0551461"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-15.012148536178845 40.8988961 41.608319136178849 111.2113961"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-5752651517125720314"},"published":{"$t":"2021-03-15T15:54:00.002+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-03-15T15:54:23.684+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Hierapolis"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Middle East"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Pamukkale"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Turkey"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Hierapolis: The Ancient Greek Spa City"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The mighty amphitheater of Hierapolis, Turkey\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The mighty amphitheater of Hierapolis, Turkey\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-yZLriX8fwt8\/YEh4JpI5nII\/AAAAAAACJ5c\/vELi101veqwYPql4o5k_RU6dF8iglwY_wCLcBGAsYHQ\/s16000\/The%2Bmighty%2Bamphitheater%2Bof%2BHierapolis%252C%2BTurkey.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"290\" data-original-height=\"368\" data-original-width=\"800\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2015\/04\/10-top-experiences-in-turkey.html\"\u003ETurkey\u003C\/a\u003E is a holiday destination with amazing experiences. It’s unique location on the cusp of Europe, Asia and the Middle East makes it a melting pot of cultures, home to an amazing array of landscapes and a \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2015\/03\/turkey-food-travel-through-this.html\"\u003Eland of delicious food\u003C\/a\u003E. One such gem in Turkey is the ruins of the ancient Greek city called Hierapolis. Founded in early 2nd century BCE, Hierapolis is a UNESCO world heritage site that in its hey days used to exist as a spectacular spa destination. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThis ancient Greek spa city, located on natural hot springs in southwestern Anatolia, was home to spectacular baths, a massive amphitheatre, temples, grand gateways, markets, sacrophagi and much more. Today, its ruins give us a glimpse into its rich past. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Pamukkale Travertines and Hierapolis Ruins\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Pamukkale Travertines and Hierapolis Ruins\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1110299081-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIt all started when the Phrygians built a temple in the first half of the 7th century BCE, which was used by the people of the nearby villages and towns. Then, in the 2nd century BCE, Hierapolis was founded as a thermal spa. It started as a healing centre, before people started to migrate here to spend their last days in relaxation and peace. With time, Hierapolis or the holy city expanded from being a health centre into a city with numerous temples. In 133 BCE, Hierapolis became the part of the Roman province of Asia after the death of King Attalus III. Then onwards a couple of earthquakes damaged the city and it was entirely rebuilt in the Roman style with imperial financial support. By now, Christianity had made its presence felt in this city. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThen came the golden era of the city starting 129 ACE when the theatre was built for a visit by the emperor Hadrian. And when the Roman Emperor Caracalla visited in 215 ACE and bestowed upon it the title of neocorus, Hierapolis entered the peak phase of this golden era. Roman baths, gymnasium, temples, fountains and markets were built. Hierapolis became one of the more prominent Roman cities in the field of art, philosophy and trade. The citizens started getting richer and the city thrived. All was well till the early part of the 7th century when the town was attacked by Persian armies and then by an earthquake. Thus began the decline of this once great spa city. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Main street way of Hierapolis, Turkey\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Main street way of Hierapolis, Turkey\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1110291156-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EAs you walk through the ruins of this ancient city, you cannot stop admiring its massive size, be its baths, amphitheatre, temples or just its building columns. Not only are the structures of Hierapolis big, but they were tastefully built with a lot of utility functions. All the remaining stones and ruins tell you a story and each vantage point gives you a majestic view of the landscape that is made up of rocks, stones and white travertines. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EYou can either take a taxi to Hierapolis, explore the city by foot, enjoy a dip in the thermal waters and walk your way down to the town of Pamukkale through the travertines and waterfalls or you can walk your way up from Pamukkale through the different travertines, exploring every bit of it in the cooler morning weather, then exploring the ancient Greek city of Hierapolis and then walking all the way back to Pamaukkale through a different route in the travertines. Either ways, you are bound to enjoy the ruins of Hierapolis and the travertines of Pamukkale. Throw in a paragliding adventure, a relaxed soak in the hot water springs and a deliciously cooked local meal and you have a dream Hierapolis and Pamukkale holiday experience. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Ruins of Hierapolis Temples\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Ruins of Hierapolis Temples\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1110306671-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EAs I had mentioned earlier, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2014\/11\/55-random-things-about-turkey.html\"\u003ETurkey\u003C\/a\u003E is a holiday destination with many amazing experiences. All you have to do is book your tickets and \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2014\/10\/turkey-e-visa-for-indians.html\"\u003ETurkish visa\u003C\/a\u003E and you are all set to have a dream vacation that includes the ancient Greek spa city of Hierapolis and many other magical destinations. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Tourists enjoying the hot waters of Pamukkale\u0026#39;s travertines\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Tourists enjoying the hot waters of Pamukkale\u0026#39;s travertines\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1110320847-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EHow to reach there:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest airport, train station and bus station would be Denizli. Mini buses or dolmus (share taxi) will take you from Denizli to Pamukkale in about 20 minutes. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe well connected and also the cheapest option to reach Denizli would be by bus. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EBest season to visit:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003ESummers tend to be very hot at Pamukkale and Hierapolis. Hence, they can be best avoided. The rest of the year would be ideal to visit Hierapolis and Pamukkale. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EWinters can be a bit challenging as you will have to walk barefoot through the freezing waters of the travertines. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EThings to keep in mind:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) Do carry with you a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes against the heavy reflections coming from the chalky cascades \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) Do carry with you a cap\/hat, sunblock, good pair of boots, a bottle of water to protect yourself from the elements \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAdmission fee:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe entrance fee is 80 Turkish Lira. This includes both Pamukkale travertines and the Roman ruins of Hierapolis \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Entrance gates to Hierapolis\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Entrance gates to Hierapolis\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1110329344-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to stay: \n        \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n        \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003EPamukkale would be the best place to stay as it offers close proximity to the travertines and to Hierapolis. There are many family run pensions near the travertines for those looking for something more upmarket, while the town has hotels and hostels catering to a wide range of budgets. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to eat:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EYou could either eat at your place of stay in Pamukkale or you could try the delicious street food in the city. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThere are also a few restaurants near Hierapolis, where you could get some basic food. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The mineral world of Pamukkale\u0026#39;s Travertines\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The mineral world of Pamukkale\u0026#39;s Travertines\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p1110311748-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther nearby tourist attractions:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) Pamukkale: A UNESCO world heritage site known for its travertines with mineral rich thermal waters\u0026amp; \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/10\/cappadocia-one-of-most-magical-places-in-world.html\"\u003ECappadocia\u003C\/a\u003E: One of the most magical places in the world \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) Ephesus: An ancient Greek city founded in the early 10th century BC on the west coast of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/08\/turkey-travel-guide.html\"\u003ETurkey\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2015\/04\/aphrodisiasoff-beat-greek-culture-trail.html\"\u003EAphrodisias\u003C\/a\u003E: Offbeat Greek culture trail in Turkey \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/09\/kayakoy-ghost-town-of-turkey.html\"\u003EKayakoy\u003C\/a\u003E: The ghost town of Turkey \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E; \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E6) Lycian way: A historic trail with sensational beaches, architectural ruins, rich Greek history and stunning views\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/5752651517125720314\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/03\/hierapolis-ancient-greek-spa-city.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/5752651517125720314"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/5752651517125720314"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/03\/hierapolis-ancient-greek-spa-city.html","title":"Hierapolis: The Ancient Greek Spa City"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-yZLriX8fwt8\/YEh4JpI5nII\/AAAAAAACJ5c\/vELi101veqwYPql4o5k_RU6dF8iglwY_wCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-c\/The%2Bmighty%2Bamphitheater%2Bof%2BHierapolis%252C%2BTurkey.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"20280 Pamukkale\/Denizli, Turkey"},"georss$point":{"$t":"37.9266358 29.1273821"},"georss$box":{"$t":"9.6164019638211542 -6.0288679000000016 66.236869636178852 64.2836321"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-1412013619550493568"},"published":{"$t":"2021-03-09T16:32:00.003+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-03-09T16:32:47.600+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Indian Heritage"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Madhya Pradesh"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sanchi Stupa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"UNESCO World Heritage Site"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Sanchi Stupa: Indian Heritage Gem that gave Torana Architecture to the World"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"A wealth of information on the toranas of Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"A wealth of information on the toranas of Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-0MS7WX4y8PE\/YAxA0XOLycI\/AAAAAAACJqQ\/7ZVHZizwu5wj-HBAX1fy7J93_EZ5YADjgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s16000\/A%2Bwealth%2Bof%2Binformation%2Bon%2Bthe%2Btoranas%2Bof%2BSanchi%2BStupa%252C%2BMadhya%2BPradesh.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" data-original-height=\"600\" data-original-width=\"800\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIt is one of the oldest stone structures in India. It is probably the best preserved group of Buddhist monuments in India. The architecture of Rashtrapati Bhavan and many other buildings in India drew their inspiration from this Indian monument. This \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/04\/sanchi-stupa-on-back-of-200-rupee-note.html\"\u003EUNESCO world heritage site is seen on the back of the 200 Rupee Indian currency note\u003C\/a\u003E. I am talking about Sanchi Stupa, the Indian heritage gem that gave torana architecture to the world.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Ciframe height=\"354\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5JbagCmUyKY\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"630\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003ELocated in the heart of India in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Sanchi Stupa was originally commissioned by the emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. It underwent many additions starting from the 3rd century BCE to the 11th century CE. The original hemispherical brick structure, pillars of Ashoka and one of the first free standing temples of India (Temple 40) were built during the reign of the Mauryan empire (3rd century BCE). During the Shunga period (2nd century BCE), they increased the size of the Great Stupa by adding stone slabs to it, added balustrade reliefs, staircases and some more small stupas. During the Satavahana period (1st century BCE to 1st century CE), the toranas or decorated gateways were built. And during the later periods of Western Satraps and the Guptas, further stupas and other religious Buddhist structures were built. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The story of Lord Buddha, King Ashoka and his followers during the light and sound show at Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The story of Lord Buddha, King Ashoka and his followers during the light and sound show at Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3870658956-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"394\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe highlight of Sanchi Stupa has to be its four intricately carved toranas. Different aspects of Buddha’s life and of Buddhism can be seen at Sanchi Stupa, especially on these four toranas (gateways) that are located at four different directions (north, east, west, south) around the stupa. Each of these toranas are intricately carved. The work is so beautiful that you might actually think that the panels on the toranas are made out of wood, but they are made of stone and they were carved by the ivory carvers of Vidisha. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The gorgeous Sanchi Stupa of Madhya Pradesh\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The gorgeous Sanchi Stupa of Madhya Pradesh\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3870661674-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EDifferent scenes from the life of Buddha, Jataka tales, miracles of Buddha, temptation of Buddha, war over Buddha’s relics, removal of the relics by Ashoka, building of the Bodh Gaya temple by Ashoka, foreign devotees and much more can be seen on the relief panels of these toranas. Each inch of the toranas are full of rich visual stories that interest all kinds of visitors. The attention to detail and the skills displayed here are beyond exemplary. These toranas are so good, that countries around the world (Japan, China, etc.) have borrowed ideas from it and installed it in their temples and buildings. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe height=\"354\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4Z-kUy8T3GY\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"630\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe information depicted at Sanchi Stupa is enough to fill the pages of an entire book. What is even more special is that Sanchi stupa has stood for over 2400 years and the toranas have stood for close to 2000 years. And they still look as good as new. And which is why one needs the services of a knowledgeable guide to understand the full extent of this monument’s rich heritage. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The torana that is on the back of the 200 rupee note\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The torana that is on the back of the 200 rupee note\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3870659469-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E; \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe best way to explore Sanchi Stupa is first with a guide, then with a book, then with a camera and even then, you might have missed to spot a story portrayed on one of the relief panels. Personally, I prefer slow circumambulation of the Sanchi Stupa, one at the ground level and one at the first level. You might want to carry a pair of binoculars or a camera with a zoom lens to see the smaller relief panels on the top of the torana clearly. And if you do this circumambulation at leisure, you might return to your hotel with a vast amount of information on the life of Buddha, the Jataka tales, the life of King Ashoka, the trade that happened at that time and the various influences of different empires on this monument from the 3rd century BCE to the 11th century CE. And boy, this rich insight is bound to thrill the culture lover in you. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The iconic Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The iconic Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3870658960-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"529\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe sound and light show organized every night will also add to this pool of information, but it will provide you with a very different perspective of this UNESCO world heritage site. For all those who missed availing the services of a guide, this 35 minute show is a great way to learn about Sanchi Stupa, its history, Buddhism and more. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The famous torana of Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The famous torana of Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3870658973-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIt doesn’t matter whether you a regular tourist, a history lover, a follower of Buddhism, a culture lover, a student of archaeology or one who ticks off UNESCO heritage sites from their travel bucket-list, Sanchi Stupa possesses all the ingredients to truly bowl you over with its rich visual depictions. Its tales will carry you back 2500 years back to a time of King Ashoka and the Mauryas and sometimes much further beyond than that into the world of Lord Buddha and his interesting life stories. Sanchi stupa is a rich Indian heritage gem that needs to be treasured, preserved and appreciated by all of us. Such places make us immensely proud of our ancestors and our rich lineage. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EVisit Sanchi Stupa if you haven’t visited it already. May be, plan a trip this year. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The intricately carved torana at Sanchi Stupa\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The intricately carved torana at Sanchi Stupa\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3870659182-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EHow to reach there:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest airport would be Rajabhoj international airport at Bhopal. It is well connected with the rest of the country. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest railway station would be Sanchi, though the one with the best connectivity would be Bhopal. Likewise with the bus station. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Intricate carvings on the torana of Sanchi Stupa - the best of its time\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Intricate carvings on the torana of Sanchi Stupa - the best of its time\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3870660949-6.jpg\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003ESanchi Stupa is about 50 kms from Bhopal or about one and a half hours by road. Local taxis, self drives or local buses can easily take you from Bhopal to Sanchi town. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The stunning torana of Sanchi stupa shining in the evening light\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The stunning torana of Sanchi stupa shining in the evening light\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3870659222-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003ESanchi Stupa light and sound show:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThere is a sound and light show that happens every night at Sanchi Stupa between 7:30 PM and 8:05 PM. The counter opens at 7 PM, though one can book tickets in advance. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Sound and Light show at Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Sound and Light show at Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3870658955-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"439\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThis sound and light show walks you through the rich history of this land through some great visual and voice overs. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIt could be a bit chilly during the winter months. It might be prudent to carry your warm wear with you during those months. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The myriad of Buddha stories and winged lions on the toranas of Sanchi Stupa\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The myriad of Buddha stories and winged lions on the toranas of Sanchi Stupa\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3870659474-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"730\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EGuide services:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EA rich heritage site like Sanchi Stupa certainly requires the services of a learned and knowledgeable tourist guide. You can either hire the services of a government approved tour guide at Sanchi Stupa, hire one at your hotel , make use of the one provided by your travel agency or hire one directly. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EA knowledgeable guide will make your Sanchi Stupa experience so much richer and fulfilling. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The ancient Sanchi Stupa of India\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The ancient Sanchi Stupa of India\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3870660202-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"658\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EDaily timings and weekly offs:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003ESanchi Stupa is closed every Monday and during the other days of the week, it is open from 8 AM to 7 PM. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you wish to visit the Sanchi archaeological museum, then remember that it is closed every Friday and it’s daily timings are 9 AM to 5 PM. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The mythological creatures holding the load of the toranas at Sanchi Stupa\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The mythological creatures holding the load of the toranas at Sanchi Stupa\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3870660457-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"491\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EBest season to visit:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003ESummers tend to be a bit warm at Sanchi and can be best avoided. Monsoons, post monsoons, winter and early spring are the best months to visit Sanchi Stupa. While the rains make the bleak landscape lush and make for vibrant sights, winters are perfect for those long walks in the sun. Don’t miss to carry your woollens if you are traveling during the winters. Late evenings and early mornings can be especially nippy. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"200 rupee Indian note and Sanchi Stupa\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"200 rupee Indian note and Sanchi Stupa\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3870660465-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to stay:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you wish to stay close to Sanchi Stupa (which is what I would recommend), you can look at the simple budget property called Gateway Retreat run by Madhya Pradesh tourism. This property offers all the basic amenities and is real close to Sanchi Stupa. If you wish for a slightly more luxurious property, look up Aaram Bagh Sanchi run by Pachar group. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you wish to stay close to Udayagiri caves, look up the MP tourism property called Jungle Resort. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The famous toranas of Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The famous toranas of Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3870660869-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to eat:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThere are a few restaurants in Sanchi town that can dish out decent food. However, if you are a larger group, it might be prudent to order in advance. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EIt might also be better to plan your meals at your place of stay so that you can freshen up and eat at the same location. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003EThere are restaurants near Vidisha in case you are headed towards Udayagiri caves. \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"A tropic of cancer street moment in Madhya Pradesh\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"A tropic of cancer street moment in Madhya Pradesh\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3870658953-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther nearby tourist attractions:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/12\/udayagiri-caves-cultural-gem-madhya-pradesh.html\"\u003EUdayagiri Caves\u003C\/a\u003E: 5th century cultural beauty of Madhya Pradesh \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2010\/06\/bheem-betika-of-prehistoric-structures.html\"\u003EBhimbetka rock shelters\u003C\/a\u003E: An UNESCO world heritage site and home to some of the oldest known rock art in the Indian subcontinent \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/11\/bhojeshwar-temple-bhojpur-largest-shiva-linga-in-india.html\"\u003EBhojpur\u003C\/a\u003E: Home to the largest Shiva lingam in the world \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The Sanchi Stupa torana that you see on the back of the 200 rupee Indian currency note\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The Sanchi Stupa torana that you see on the back of the 200 rupee Indian currency note\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3870658957-6.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"945\" \/\u003E \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/04\/taj-ul-masajid-bhopal-largest-mosque-india.html\"\u003ETaj-ul-Masajid\u003C\/a\u003E: One of the largest mosques in Asia \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2010\/06\/bhopal-city-of-lakes.html\"\u003EBhopal\u003C\/a\u003E: The beautiful city of lakes that is known for its greenery, culture and food \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E6) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/04\/traditional-chanderi-sari-madhya-pradesh-india.html\"\u003EChanderi\u003C\/a\u003E: The historical city famous for its sarees \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E7) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/03\/hidden-bundlekhand-kingdom-called-orchha.html\"\u003EOrchha\u003C\/a\u003E: The hidden capital of the Bundelkhand kingdom \n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n    \u003Cbr \/\u003E8) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2009\/09\/khajuraho-of-history-temples-sculptures.html\"\u003EKhajuraho\u003C\/a\u003E: The 10th century erotic art temple wonder\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/1412013619550493568\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/03\/sanchi-stupa-rich-indian-heritage-gem.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/1412013619550493568"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/1412013619550493568"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/03\/sanchi-stupa-rich-indian-heritage-gem.html","title":"Sanchi Stupa: Indian Heritage Gem that gave Torana Architecture to the World"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-0MS7WX4y8PE\/YAxA0XOLycI\/AAAAAAACJqQ\/7ZVHZizwu5wj-HBAX1fy7J93_EZ5YADjgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-c\/A%2Bwealth%2Bof%2Binformation%2Bon%2Bthe%2Btoranas%2Bof%2BSanchi%2BStupa%252C%2BMadhya%2BPradesh.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh 464661, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"23.4873393 77.741823799999992"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-4.8228945361788469 42.585573799999992 51.797573136178841 112.89807379999999"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-1694505213840653392"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-28T23:51:00.002+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-28T23:51:42.435+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Chiang Mai"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"South East Asia"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Thailand"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Travel Photography"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Thailand’s Cultural Gem city of Chiang Mai: A Travel Photography Series"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Inside the gorgeous Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, Thailand\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Inside the gorgeous Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, Thailand\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-gLpAXPBAsT0\/YDvFFaj0-lI\/AAAAAAACJ10\/qy8qKrL9n80XLQPbRBwq4ojeZJA3KGxCQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s16000\/Inside%2Bthe%2Bgorgeous%2BWat%2BChedi%2BLuang%252C%2BChiang%2BMai%252C%2BThailand.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"484\" data-original-width=\"800\" data-original-height=\"615\" \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EOne of Thailand’s kings call this city as the ‘prime diamond on the crown of Thailand’. UNESCO has awarded it the title of ‘Creative City’. Founded in the 13th century, it is a gorgeous city located on the banks of the Ping river. I am talking about Chiang Mai, the city of temples and rich culture that is located in the mountainous region of Northern Thailand. Rich trade and many conquests have given this city as diverse and vibrant culture with many gorgeous temples, colourful markets and unique traditions. This article aims to show you the cultural gem city of Chiang Mai through a travel photography series. Hope you enjoy it and may be add it to your travel bucket-list.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove travel photo:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E Inside the golden chamber of Wat Chedi Luang with a massive statue of Lord Buddha looking at you.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Celebrating New Year by leaving floating lanterns into the sky, chiang mai, thailand\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Celebrating New Year by leaving floating lanterns into the sky, chiang mai, thailand\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4136551483-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026#160; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove travel photo:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E One of Chiang Mai’s biggest attractions has to be the floating lantern festival, which takes place on two days. One, during Loi Krathong festival day and the other on New Year’s Eve. These lanna style sky lanterns in the night sky are a sight to behold.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Young Buddhist monks at Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, Thailand\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Young Buddhist monks at Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, Thailand\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4136550465-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"473\" \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove travel photo:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E Due to its many Buddhist temples, one will usually come across a lot of Buddhist monks in Chiang Mai. These are two young Buddhist monk students I met at Wat Chedi Luang.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Offering prayers at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai, Thailand\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Offering prayers at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai, Thailand\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4136553186-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026#160; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove travel photo:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E One of Chiang Mai’s most famous landmarks, visitors are offering their prayers at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, that is located about 14 kms from Chiang Mai city.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Sculpting in progress near Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, Thailand\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Sculpting in progress near Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, Thailand\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4136549742-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026#160; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove travel photo:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E Artisans of all types can be seen at Chiang Mai. This is a metal sculptor seen just outside of Wat Chedi Luang.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Buddhist Monk crossing a road in Chiang Mai, Thailand\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Buddhist Monk crossing a road in Chiang Mai, Thailand\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4136551148-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026#160; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove travel photo:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E The sight of a monk decked in orange or green is a common sight in Chiang Mai. You can see him at a phone store, at an ATM or simply crossing the roads of Chiang Mai.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Bhubing palace garden and water fountains at a glance\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Bhubing palace garden and water fountains at a glance\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4136550933-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003E\n      \u003Cbr \/\u003EAbove travel photo:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E A place of gorgeous natural beauty, Bhubing palace is a royal residence that is decked with many flowering gardens and water fountains.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Wat Phantao, Chiang Mai, Thailand\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Wat Phantao, Chiang Mai, Thailand\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4136550221-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove travel photo:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E Wat Phan Tao is an ancient temple located next to Wat Chedi Luang. It is known for its exquisite Lanna style ordination hall that is made entirely of teakwood.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Signboard at Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, Thailand\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Signboard at Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, Thailand\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4136549746-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove travel photo:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E Such signboards are the norm at Wat Chedi Luang and they give inspiring messages to the visitors.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Entering the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep near Chiang Mai, Thailand\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Entering the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep near Chiang Mai, Thailand\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4136552299-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove travel photo:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E These dragons greet the visitors at the start of their arduous climb to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Chinese New Year Flags and the ceiling at Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, Thailand\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Chinese New Year Flags and the ceiling at Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, Thailand\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4136551517-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove travel photo:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E Chinese New Year flags can be seen floating on the top of the Wat Chedi Luang temple.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Old stupa near Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, Thailand\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Old stupa near Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, Thailand\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4136553268-6.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"945\" \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove travel photo:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E This is an ancient stupa seen near Wat Chedi Luang. Many such stupas can be seen throughout Chiang Mai, but this one was one of the few that isn’t in ruins.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Tree of golden leaves at Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, Thailand\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Tree of golden leaves at Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, Thailand\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4136550182-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove travel photo:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E A tree of golden leaves seen at Wat Chedi Luang. Either the visitors write something on it and hang it on the tree or it is hung by the temple priests where each leaf signifies a human quality.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Row of Buddha Statues at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai, Thailand\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Row of Buddha Statues at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai, Thailand\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4136549745-6.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"945\" \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove travel photo:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E A row of Buddha statues can be seen at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of the more beautiful temples of Chiang Mai.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Beautiful flower garden at Bhubing palace, Chiang Mai, Thailand\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Beautiful flower garden at Bhubing palace, Chiang Mai, Thailand\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4136550871-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove travel photo:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E The famous rose gardens in the Bhubing palace located near Chiang Mai.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The local head gear of a girl - Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Thailand\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The local head gear of a girl - Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Thailand\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4136550132-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAbove travel photo:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E The gorgeous head gear of a local girl who was sitting at the entrance of the 13th century Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple near Chiang Mai.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/1694505213840653392\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/02\/temple-city-chiang-mai-thailand.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/1694505213840653392"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/1694505213840653392"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/02\/temple-city-chiang-mai-thailand.html","title":"Thailand’s Cultural Gem city of Chiang Mai: A Travel Photography Series"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-gLpAXPBAsT0\/YDvFFaj0-lI\/AAAAAAACJ10\/qy8qKrL9n80XLQPbRBwq4ojeZJA3KGxCQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-c\/Inside%2Bthe%2Bgorgeous%2BWat%2BChedi%2BLuang%252C%2BChiang%2BMai%252C%2BThailand.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Chiang Mai, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai, Thailand"},"georss$point":{"$t":"18.7883439 98.98530079999999"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-9.5218899361788445 63.82905079999999 47.098577736178846 134.1415508"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-1911499542228123702"},"published":{"$t":"2021-01-18T01:17:00.002+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-01-18T01:20:15.927+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bangalore Weekend Getaways"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Day Trips from Bangalore"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Doddagaddavalli"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Karnataka"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Lakshmi Devi Temple"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Offbeat Hoysala Temples"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Temples of India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Temples of Karnataka"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple: One of the earliest known Hoysala Temples"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"A moment in time - Lakshmi Devi temple, Doddagaddavalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none; border-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"A moment in time - Lakshmi Devi temple, Doddagaddavalli\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-W7iHTDND3dk\/X7_ayLa6ACI\/AAAAAAACJYQ\/esEWNvLsXbY-4UUFEPhwuxmQOrHW7v4wACLcBGAsYHQ\/s16000\/A%2Bmoment%2Bin%2Btime%2B-%2BLakshmi%2BDevi%2Btemple%252C%2BDoddagaddavalli.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"528\" data-original-width=\"752\" data-original-height=\"630\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E This early 12th century soapstone temple happens to be one of the earliest known temples built in the Hoysala era. It is the only chatushkuta (four shrines) temple built by the Hoysala dynasty. It was the first grand temple dedicated to goddess Lakshmi in the South of India. There are many architectural aspects to it that are unique to this temple only and not found in any of the other Hoysala temples. I am talking about the architectural beauty called Lakshmi Devi temple that is located in the village of Doddagaddavalli. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Dancing Shiva on the ceiling of Lakshmi Devi temple, Doddagaddavalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none; border-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Dancing Shiva on the ceiling of Lakshmi Devi temple, Doddagaddavalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040429119-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"625\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E Located somewhere between Belur and Hassan, the Lakshmi Devi temple at Doddagaddvalli is a rural holiday gem set amidst a sleepy village, coconut plantations and a lake. Many things about this temple are unique. It doesn’t have a jagati or raised platform that is common with other Hoysala temples. It has a combination of Kadamba and Dravidian shikharas. It has 4 shrines. And unlike the other Hoysala temples, it lacks ornate sculptures and intricate carvings. From a Hoysala perspective, it is a rather simple temple. May be, the architects started practicing their craft here.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Betala standing guard in front of Shanta rupa Kali, Doddagaddavalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none; border-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Betala standing guard in front of Shanta rupa Kali, Doddagaddavalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040429292-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"839\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E Unlike most of the Hoysala temples, which are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the one at Doddagaddavalli is dedicated to goddess Lakshmi Devi. Maha Lakshmi faces east and right opposite her is the shrine of Lord Shiva facing west. Goddess Kali is located facing South and Lord Vishnu is located right opposite her facing north. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EAs you enter the temple premises, you pass through a small hall with lathe turned pillars before you step into a courtyard with multiple shikharas showcasing Hoysala emblems. As you approach the door to this chatushkuta, you will see two large sculptures of females with intricate jewellery.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Scary looking nude Betalas stand guard in front of Kali shrine at Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none; border-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Scary looking nude Betalas stand guard in front of Kali shrine at Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040429186-6.jpg\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E As soon as you enter the ranga mantapa, you will notice the shrine of Mahakali shrine to your left. As your eyes adjust to the dimly lit interiors, you will notice the two life size nude betalas standing guard in front of the Maha Kali shrine. While these betalas look scary, the statue of Maha Kali looks just the opposite and is very peace inspiring. She has been showcased in her Shanta Swaroop. If you look up at the ceiling right next to the Maha Kali shrine, you will notice a dancing Shiva and also Lord Shiva playing his Rudra Veena.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Early 12 th century Lakshmi Devi temple at Doddagaddavalli, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none; border-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Early 12 th century Lakshmi Devi temple at Doddagaddavalli, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040429117-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E If you continue to look up flashing a torchlight at the ceiling, you will see the different Vaastu devatas at different directions that they are lord of. You will see Kubera and Rambha on a horse in the north direction, Agni riding on a one horned ram and holding his weapon Shakti in the south-east direction, Yama riding his buffalo and holding his danda in the South, Goddess Niruti in her human form in the south-west, and Varuna riding a crocodile in the West. In the center of the hall, you will also notice Lord Indra with his consort Indrani on his Airavat elephant.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Kubera and Rambha in the north direction on the ceiling of Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none; border-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Kubera and Rambha in the north direction on the ceiling of Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040429120-5.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"646\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E In the main shrine, goddess Lakshmi, facing East, holds a conch in her upper right hand, a chakra in her upper left hand, a rosary in her lower right and a mace in her lower left hand. There are female attendants on both her sides. And right opposite her shrine is the shrine of Lord Shiva as Bhootanatha with his sons Karthik (Subramanya) and Ganesh on his either side. This shrine to Lord Shiva also makes it a rare Hoysala temple that has shrines to both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu and their respective consorts.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Stone carving remnants of Lakshmi Devi temple shrines\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none; border-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Stone carving remnants of Lakshmi Devi temple shrines\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040429202-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"302\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EOverall, the Lakshmi Devi temple at Doddagaddavalli is an architectural gem from the Hoysala era and is a must visit on your Hoysala temple trail. Its offbeat nature, beautiful rustic setting and unique design elements make it a top destination on the Hoysala temple trail. I absolutely love this temple and would recommend it within a heartbeat. Do remember to carry a good flashlight with you to appreciate the carvings on the ceiling. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The entrance view of Lakshmi Devi temple, Doddagaddavalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none; border-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The entrance view of Lakshmi Devi temple, Doddagaddavalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040429236-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EGuide services for the temple:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you wish to know the rich history of the Lakshmi devi temple at Doddagaddavalli, it is best to hire a government guide from Belur or Halebid and bring him over here. If you are staying at Hoysala village resort, you can also hire their in-house travel guide.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIn case you don’t have access to any guide, it is best to read up a bit on the internet about this temple and ask the ASI caretaker at the temple campus to show you around and share his knowledge with you. You might want to tip the caretaker for his services.\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"A Hoysala era specialty - Doddagaddavalli temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none; border-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"A Hoysala era specialty - Doddagaddavalli temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040429244-6.jpg\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EHow to reach there:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThere are 2 different routes by road to approach the temple: \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) Tiptur – Shimoga route: Bangalore –\u0026gt; Kunigal –\u0026gt; Yediyur –\u0026gt; Turuvekere –\u0026gt; Tiptur –\u0026gt; Arsikere –\u0026gt; Banavara –\u0026gt; Belur –\u0026gt; Doddagaddavalli \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) Hassan route: Bangalore –\u0026gt; Kunigal –\u0026gt; Channarayapatna –\u0026gt; Hassan –\u0026gt; Doddagaddavalli \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest railway station would be Hassan. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe nearest airport would be Mangalore airport, but the one with the best connectivity would be Bangalore international airport. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Large sculpture at the entrance to the ranga mantapa at Lakshmi Devi temple, Doddagaddavalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none; border-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Large sculpture at the entrance to the ranga mantapa at Lakshmi Devi temple, Doddagaddavalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040429118-6.jpg\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003ETemple timings:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Lakshmi devi temple at Doddagaddavalli opens at 8 AM and closes at 6 PM. The ASI caretaker \/ security guard \/ farmer stays close by. Do give a look around and shout out if you find the premises locked. This ASI caretaker will also double up as your guide in case you do not have one or you wish to know more about this beautiful temple. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EThe priest visits the temple in the early hours of the morning to perform the daily puja. Do get his number in advance in case you wish to offer archana or wish to watch the daily puja. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Shiva Parvati on Nandi - on the ceiling of Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none; border-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Shiva Parvati on Nandi - on the ceiling of Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040429194-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"629\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to stay:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you wish for close proximity and something cheap, there are a lot of budget hotels in and around Belur and Halebid. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you want something luxurious, look up the Hoysala village resort between Belur and Hassan. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you wish to stay amidst coffee estates and pristine nature, look up the homestays, hotels and resorts located in Chickamagaluru. Some of these would be farm stays or plantation stays. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Gargoyle at Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none; border-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Gargoyle at Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040429116-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to eat:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EYou can hardly find anything to eat at Doddagaddavalli. If you seek a decent hotel or a restaurant, head to Belur or Halebid \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you want high quality dining with good washrooms and ample parking space, I would recommend that you visit \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2011\/05\/hoysala-village-resort-relive-hoysala.html\"\u003EHoysala village resort\u003C\/a\u003E that is located between Belur and Hassan. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you wish to dine amidst nature, look up the restaurants in and around Chickmagalur. \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Ancient stone carvings at Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none; border-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Ancient stone carvings at Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040429272-6.jpg\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther offbeat Hoysala temples nearby:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/11\/belavadi-veeranarayana-temple-offbeat-hoysala-gem.html\"\u003EVeeranarayana temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Belavadi \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) Chenna Keshava temple at Javagal \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/10\/nuggehalli-lakshmi-narasimha-temple-13th-century-hoysala-gem.html\"\u003ELakshmi Narasimha temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Nuggehalli \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) Sadashiva temple at Nuggehalli \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/08\/brahmeshvara-temple-850-year-old-hidden-hoysala-gem-near-bangalore.html\"\u003EBrahmeshvara temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Kikkeri \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E6) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/12\/panchalingeshwara-panchakuta-hoysala-temple-.html\"\u003EPanchalingeshwara temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Govindanahalli \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E7) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/10\/hosaholalu-lakshmi-narayana-temple-offbeat-temple-day-trip-bangalore.html\"\u003ELakshmi Narasimha temple at Hosaholalu\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Lord Shiva playing his Rudra veena carved on the ceiling of Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none; border-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Lord Shiva playing his Rudra veena carved on the ceiling of Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040429167-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"541\" \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E8) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2015\/01\/somnathpur-keshava-temple-offbeat.html\"\u003EChenna Keshava temple at Somnathpur\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E9) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/09\/aralaguppe-chenna-keshava-temple-hidden-hoysala-gem.html\"\u003EChenna Keshava temple at Aralaguppe\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E10) Chenna Keshava temple at Turuvekere \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E11) Ishvara temple at Arsikere \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E12) Chenna Keshava temple at Anekere \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E13) Mallikarjuna temple at Basaralu \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E14) Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Haranhalli \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"The oldest Hoysala era temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; background-image: none; border-image: none;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The oldest Hoysala era temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040429243-4.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\" \/\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther nearby tourist attractions:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2011\/05\/shettihalli-rosary-church-ruins-near.html\"\u003EShettihalli rosary church ruins\u003C\/a\u003E in the Hemavati reservoir \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E2) The hill station and coffee estates of Chickamagaluru \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E3) The wide \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/11\/wide-panoramic-hemagiri-waterfalls.html\"\u003EHemagiri falls\u003C\/a\u003E on the Hemavati reservoir \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E4) The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/11\/melukote-of-temples-rustic-life-iyengars-puliyogare.html\"\u003Etemple town of Melukote\u003C\/a\u003E famous for its Iyengars and delicious puliyogare \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E5) The Jain pilgrimage site of Shravanabelagola that is home to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/03\/baahubali-worlds-largest-monolithic-statue.html\"\u003Emighty Baahubali statue\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E6) The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2010\/01\/kemmangundi-in-monsoons.html\"\u003Ehill station of Kemmangundi\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E7) The beautiful \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2010\/01\/monsoon-trek-to-hebbe-falls-karnataka.html\"\u003EHebbe falls\u003C\/a\u003E surrounded by coffee estates \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E8) The absolutely \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/04\/mysore-palace-destination-for-photography.html\"\u003Ephotogenic Mysore palace\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E9) The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/11\/bisle-ghat-butterfly-forest-of-india.html\"\u003Ebutterfly forest of India\u003C\/a\u003E called Bisle Ghat \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E10) The world famous \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/04\/hoysala-sculpting-magic-at-halebidu-karnataka.html\"\u003EHoysaleswara temple at Halebid\u003C\/a\u003E \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E11) The world famous Chenna Keshava temple at Belur \n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E12) Bhadra tiger reserve that is known for its river terns, tigers and leopards\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. 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All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/1911499542228123702\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/01\/dodddagaddavalli-lakshmi-devi-temple-earliest-hoysala-temple-karnataka.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/1911499542228123702"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/1911499542228123702"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2021\/01\/dodddagaddavalli-lakshmi-devi-temple-earliest-hoysala-temple-karnataka.html","title":"Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple: One of the earliest known Hoysala Temples"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-W7iHTDND3dk\/X7_ayLa6ACI\/AAAAAAACJYQ\/esEWNvLsXbY-4UUFEPhwuxmQOrHW7v4wACLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-c\/A%2Bmoment%2Bin%2Btime%2B-%2BLakshmi%2BDevi%2Btemple%252C%2BDoddagaddavalli.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"ದೊಡ್ಡಗದ್ದವಳ್ಳಿ, ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ 573216, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"13.0959889 76.0037435"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-15.214244936178845 40.8474935 41.406222736178847 111.1599935"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-5971116820958626189"},"published":{"$t":"2020-12-29T13:19:00.002+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-12-29T13:19:15.392+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Govindanahalli"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Karnataka"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Offbeat Hoysala Temples"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Temples of India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Temples of Karnataka"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Panchalingeswara Temple at Govindanahalli: Only Surviving Panchakuta temple from Hoysala era"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"727\" title=\"The Nandi view of Panchalingeshwara Temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"The Nandi view of Panchalingeshwara Temple\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-lyfzBr5WEhU\/X-gs_n4ruOI\/AAAAAAACJhE\/umU4qlPAbFsF-W_hUqk1HTv9SiiCPdBygCLcBGAsYHQ\/s16000\/The%2BNandi%2Bview%2Bof%2BPanchalingeshwara%2BTemple.jpg\" border=\"0\" data-original-width=\"737\" data-original-height=\"850\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIt is an offbeat Hoysala temple gem just three hours from Bangalore. This 13th century temple is one of the rare surviving Panchakuta temples from the Hoysala era. The famous sculptor, Ruvari Mallitamma, is known to have made contributions to this temple. I am talking about the Panchalingeshwara temple located in the village of Govindanahally in south-interior Karnataka.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"472\" title=\"A Motorcycle ride to Panchalingeshwara Temple, Govindanahalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"A Motorcycle ride to Panchalingeshwara Temple, Govindanahalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3958685777-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ESet in a sleepy little village called Govindanahalli, the Panchalingeshwara temple is surrounded by lush farmland and coconut plantations and located right in front of it is the Govindanahalli lake. Unlike other Hoysala temples, this temple is built directly on the ground without the pedestal and its outer walls are fairly simple and it does not have edge to edge carvings like the other Hoysala temples. There are carvings and sculptures, but not a whole lot.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"472\" title=\"Panchalingeswara Temple Nandi view\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Panchalingeswara Temple Nandi view\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3958685967-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EFacing east, it has five shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva that run north to south. The garbhagrihas (sanctum sanctorum) of all 5 shrines are connected to a common mantapa by a vestibule with sukanasi above. A long pillared hall connects the mantapa with two porched entrances whose ceiling are supported by lathe turned pillars. Each of these porched entrances have two intricately carved nandi statues. There are 3 other nandi statues inside the mantapa, but these statues are simple and plain. \u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"839\" title=\"Danching Ganesha at Panchalingeswara Temple, Govindanahalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Danching Ganesha at Panchalingeswara Temple, Govindanahalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3958685781-5.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EApart from the eye catching Nandi statues, the porched entrance has 2 sets of beautifully carved dwarapalakas. These dwarapalakas stand tall on either side of the entrances to the mantapa, while the nandi stands opposite to them and faces the door. These dwarapalakas along with the carved nandi statues are the top highlight of the Panchalingeshwara temple at Govindanahalli. Inside the temple, each shrine contains one shiva lingam. These five different manifestations of Lord Shiva are called Sadyojata, Tatpurusha, Vamadeva, Aghora and Ishana. And you can also see carvings of Gaja Lakshmi at the entrances to the Garbha griha along with a set of low relief dwarapalas. In addition to the pancha lingas, one can also see statues of Parvati, Subramanya, Ganesha and Mahisasura Mardini housed in small gopurams on the outer walls of the garbha griha.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"387\" title=\"Garuda sculpture at Panchalingeshwara Temple, Govindanahalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Garuda sculpture at Panchalingeshwara Temple, Govindanahalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3958685879-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAs with any Hoysala temple, the pradakshina at the Panchalingeshwara temple is also special. The Dashaavatar of Vishnu on the upper railings, dancing Ganesha, dancing Saraswati, Adiseshan Vishnu, Indra on his airavat, Lord Karthik on his peacock, Lord Krishna playing his flute, Brahma, Vamana avatar, trivikrama, Ravana lifting Kailasha, Mahisasura Mardini and the large Varaha avatar are some of the key sculptures one can see during the pradakshina. \u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Lord Karthik and his peacock at Panchalingeshwara Temple, Govindanahalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Lord Karthik and his peacock at Panchalingeshwara Temple, Govindanahalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3958685923-6.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAs you go on the pradakshinam of the temple, you will notice that each of the gopurams of the 5 shrines are different. You will also notice that the last shrine looks different from the other 4 shrines. May be, it was added to the overall structure at a later date. Compared to other Hoysala temples, this one certainly feels light when it comes to intricate carvings and sculptures, but it certainly has its special elements.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"474\" title=\"The dwara palikas guard the shrine at Panchalingeshwara Temple, Govindanahalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"The dwara palikas guard the shrine at Panchalingeshwara Temple, Govindanahalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3958686029-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIf you are one that looks for offbeat temples or you are one looking for hidden day trips from Bangalore, then you will certainly enjoy the Panchalingeshwara temple at Govindanahalli. It’s rural atmosphere, its serene temple campus and its Hoysala era creative gems are bound to captivate you. I would definitely recommend this Panchakuta temple from the Hoysala era for an offbeat day trip from Bangalore. And while you are here, do make sure that you visit the other lesser known Hoysala era temples in the vicinity.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"799\" title=\"Beautifully carved Nandi at Panchalingeswara Temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Beautifully carved Nandi at Panchalingeswara Temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3958685780-5.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EBest season to visit:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe Panchalingeshwara temple at Govindanahally is open and accessible all year round, but it looks its most beautiful self during the rains and right after it. This is when the lake opposite the temple carries water and the surrounding farms and plantations look lush and green.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"472\" title=\"A Sunday motorcycle ride to Panchalingeshwara Temple, Govindanahalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"A Sunday motorcycle ride to Panchalingeshwara Temple, Govindanahalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3958685778-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003ETemple timings:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe temple is open from 8 AM through 6 PM. ASI staff are present at the temple premises. In case, the temple gate is locked, do look or ask around for the ASI staff.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe ASI staff will also act as a guide for you.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"472\" title=\"Stunningly carved Panchalingeshwara Temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Stunningly carved Panchalingeshwara Temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3958686010-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EHow to reach there:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EOne can take either of the two routes to reach the Panchalingeshwara temple at Govindanahalli. Both routes are more or less of the same distance, but the one via the Hassan highway is bound to be a bit faster.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cu\u003ERoute 1:\u003C\/u\u003E Bangalore –\u0026gt; Nice road exit towards Mysore road –\u0026gt; Channapatna –\u0026gt; Maddur –\u0026gt; Mandya –\u0026gt; Srirangapatna –\u0026gt; Krishnarajapete –\u0026gt; Kikkeri –\u0026gt; Govindanahally\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cu\u003ERoute 2:\u003C\/u\u003E Bangalore –\u0026gt; Nice road exit towards Tumkur road –\u0026gt; Nelamangala –\u0026gt; Kunigal –\u0026gt; Yadiyur –\u0026gt; Hirisave –\u0026gt; Channarayapatna –\u0026gt; Tholasi –\u0026gt; Govindanahally\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIf flying, Bangalore would be the nearest airport and if traveling by train, the nearest railway station would either be Mysore or Hassan.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Dancing Saraswati at Panchalingeshwara Temple, Govindanahalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Dancing Saraswati at Panchalingeshwara Temple, Govindanahalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3958685842-6.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to stay:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe closest place to stay would either be KR Pete or Channarayapatna, though accommodations can be basic.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIf you prefer resorts, head to Hoysala village resort near Hassan or opt for luxury properties near Chickamagalur.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIf you prefer reputed hotels, head to Mysore or Bangalore.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"461\" title=\"One of the five shrines to Lord Shiva at Panchalingeswara Temple, Govindanahalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"One of the five shrines to Lord Shiva at Panchalingeswara Temple, Govindanahalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3958685926-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to eat:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe nearest place to eat would be Krishnarajapete. There are a few good restaurants serving meals and snack items. \u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIf you are traveling via Mysore highway, you can try the many restaurants on Mysore – Bangalore highway.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIf you are traveling via Hassan highway, you can either eat at Channarayapatna or the restaurants on the Hassan-Bangalore highway, especially the ones near Hirisave and Yadiyur.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Krishna statue at Panchalingeshwara Temple, Govindanahalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Krishna statue at Panchalingeshwara Temple, Govindanahalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3958685917-6.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther offbeat Hoysala temples nearby:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/08\/brahmeshvara-temple-850-year-old-hidden-hoysala-gem-near-bangalore.html\"\u003EBrahmeshvara temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Kikkeri\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E2) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/10\/hosaholalu-lakshmi-narayana-temple-offbeat-temple-day-trip-bangalore.html\"\u003ESri Lakshmi Narayanaswamy temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Hosaholalu\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E3) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/09\/aralaguppe-chenna-keshava-temple-hidden-hoysala-gem.html\"\u003EChenna Keshava temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Aralaguppe\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E4) Chenna Keshava temple at Turuvekere\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E5) Ishvara temple at Arsikere\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"744\" title=\"Sculpture of Shiva Parvati at Panchalingeshvara Temple, Govindanahalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Sculpture of Shiva Parvati at Panchalingeshvara Temple, Govindanahalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3958686004-5.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E6) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/10\/nuggehalli-lakshmi-narasimha-temple-13th-century-hoysala-gem.html\"\u003ELakshmi Narasimha temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Nuggehalli\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E7) Sadashiva temple at Nuggehalli\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E8) Chenna Keshava temple at Anekere\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E9) Mallikarjuna temple at Basaralu\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E10) Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Haranhalli\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E11) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/11\/belavadi-veeranarayana-temple-offbeat-hoysala-gem.html\"\u003EVeera Narayana temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Belavadi\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E12) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2011\/06\/doddagaddavalli-lakshmi-devi.html\"\u003ELakshmi Devi temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Doddagaddavalli\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E13) Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Javagal\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E14) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2015\/01\/somnathpur-keshava-temple-offbeat.html\"\u003EChenna Keshava temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Somnathpur\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Varaha avatar depicted at Panchalingeswara Temple, Govindanahalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Varaha avatar depicted at Panchalingeswara Temple, Govindanahalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3958685776-6.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther nearby tourist attractions:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E1) The temple town of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/11\/melukote-of-temples-rustic-life-iyengars-puliyogare.html\"\u003EMelukote\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E2) The panoramic \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/11\/wide-panoramic-hemagiri-waterfalls.html\"\u003EHemagiri falls\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E3) The magnificent \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/04\/mysore-palace-destination-for-photography.html\"\u003EMysore palace\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E4) The riverine island and temple town of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/04\/srirangapatna-of-river-islands-vishnu.html\"\u003ESrirangapatna\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E5) The Jain pilgrimage town of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/03\/baahubali-worlds-largest-monolithic-statue.html\"\u003EShravanabelagola\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E6) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2015\/02\/ranganathitu-bird-sanctuary-nesting.html\"\u003ERanganathittu bird sanctuary\u003C\/a\u003E on the Cauvery\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E7) The Incredible world of toys at \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2011\/02\/incredible-world-of-toys-at-channapatna.html\"\u003EChannapatna\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E8) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2011\/05\/shettihalli-rosary-church-ruins-near.html\"\u003EShettihalli church ruins\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/5971116820958626189\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/12\/panchalingeshwara-panchakuta-hoysala-temple-.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/5971116820958626189"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/5971116820958626189"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/12\/panchalingeshwara-panchakuta-hoysala-temple-.html","title":"Panchalingeswara Temple at Govindanahalli: Only Surviving Panchakuta temple from Hoysala era"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-lyfzBr5WEhU\/X-gs_n4ruOI\/AAAAAAACJhE\/umU4qlPAbFsF-W_hUqk1HTv9SiiCPdBygCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-c\/The%2BNandi%2Bview%2Bof%2BPanchalingeshwara%2BTemple.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Govindanahally, Karnataka 571423, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"12.7731264 76.3901976"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-15.537107436178845 41.233947599999993 41.083360236178848 111.5464476"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-867878046906204800"},"published":{"$t":"2020-12-21T12:12:00.002+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-12-21T12:12:39.718+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Madhya Pradesh"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Temples of India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Udayagiri Caves"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Udayagiri Caves: 5th Century Cultural Beauty of Madhya Pradesh"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"398\" title=\"Varaha avatar where Lord Vishnu rescues bhudevi from the clutches of demon king Hiranyakashyapa\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Varaha avatar where Lord Vishnu rescues bhudevi from the clutches of demon king Hiranyakashyapa\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-J3O6g-68g90\/X945LwaMV9I\/AAAAAAACJfM\/inMzZT6pHGgnA4JU8acCr-KhamyHuAppACLcBGAsYHQ\/s16000\/Varaha%2Bavatar%2Bwhere%2BLord%2BVishnu%2Brescues%2Bbhudevi%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2Bclutches%2Bof%2Bdemon%2Bking%2BHiranyakashyapa.jpg\" border=\"0\" data-original-width=\"800\" data-original-height=\"506\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThey contain some of the oldest surviving Hindu temples and iconography in India. They are a 5th century cave wonder. Many relics and sculptures from this place can be found in museums across the country. I am talking about the twenty rock cut caves at Udayagiri in Madhya Pradesh.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ELocated just 60 kms from the capital city of Bhopal, Udayagiri caves is a group of temples and monasteries from the Gupta era that were carved out of a hill. These rock-cut caves contain iconography of Vaishnavism, Shaktism, Shaivism and Jainism. While Jainism is limited to only one cave, the other 19 caves are dedicated to Hinduism. \u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\"630\" height=\"354\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pU7tGQTsc8A\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EUdayagiri, which literally means ‘sunrise mountain’, was following Surya tradition since 3rd century BCE. During the prime of Buddhism at Sanchi, Buddhism made its way to Udayagiri in the 2nd century BCE. And these rock-cut caves were built under the patronage of Chandragupta II in the late decades of the 4th century. By then, Hinduism had firmly planted its roots at Udayagiri.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe iron pillar located in the courtyard of Quwwat-ul-Islam at the Qutb Minar site in Delhi and the Udayagiri lion capital that is located today in the Gwalior Fort archaeological museum are believed to be from the land of Udayagiri. There are inscriptions on these that give us insight into the rich past of Udayagiri. Even the Heliodorus stone pillar located at Vidisha has inscriptions that talk about the historical richness of this land.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe Udayagiri caves are a beautiful example of classical Gupta-era art. 9 caves are dedicated to Vaishnavism, 7 to Shaivism, 3 to Shaktism and 1 to Jainism. Caves 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 13 have the most sculptures. Cave 19 is the largest.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe highlight of Udayagiri has to be Cave 5. It has been described as the iconographic centre-piece of Udayagiri. Dedicated to Vaishnavism, it contains the colossal Varaha avatar relief panel where Lord Vishnu rescues Bhudevi from the clutches of demon king Hiranyakashyapa whol had held her captive in the deep bowels of the cosmic ocean.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECave 6, which is dedicated to Shaktism, Shaivism and Vaishnavism has the carving of Goddess Durga as Mahisasura Mardini where she is slaying the buffalo demon Mahisasur. This is one of the earliest representations of this Durga legend in a cave temple. A seated Ganesha to the left of this cave entrance is one of the earliest known Ganesha reliefs.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECave 13, which is dedicated to Vaishnavism, has a large Anantasayana panel of Lord Vishnu in resting position.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EWhile caves 5, 6 and 13 are the most dramatic, the other caves are also worth visiting. In fact, I would recommend visiting Cave 5 first and then slowly make your way up to the top of the hill for a 360 degree view of the forested hills and valleys near Udayagiri.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"839\" title=\"Cavalier Varaha saves Bhudevi at Udayagiri Caves, Madhya Pradesh\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Cavalier Varaha saves Bhudevi at Udayagiri Caves, Madhya Pradesh\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3870759460-5.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ETemple and culture lovers, history and archaeology students and enthusiasts and regular tourists are bound to enjoy the riches of these 20 odd rock-cut caves at Udayagiri. Some of the work depicted here is truly extraordinary and will take us on a trip down the lane of our rich culture. A beautiful site that is highly recommended to visit on your \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/03\/8-top-heritage-destinations-of-madhya-pradesh.html\"\u003Enext trip to Madhya Pradesh\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EHow to reach there:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EBhopal (60 kms away) is the nearest airport and railway station. From Bhopal, one can hire a cab or a self-drive rental to visit Udayagiri caves.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther nearby tourist attractions:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/04\/sanchi-stupa-on-back-of-200-rupee-note.html\"\u003ESanchi Stupa\u003C\/a\u003E: One of India’s key heritage monuments and an UNESCO world heritage site\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E2) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2010\/06\/bheem-betika-of-prehistoric-structures.html\"\u003EBhimbetka rock shelters\u003C\/a\u003E: An UNESCO world heritage site and home to some of the oldest known rock art in the Indian subcontinent\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E3) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/11\/bhojeshwar-temple-bhojpur-largest-shiva-linga-in-india.html\"\u003EBhojpur\u003C\/a\u003E: Home to the largest Shiva lingam in the world\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E4) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/04\/taj-ul-masajid-bhopal-largest-mosque-india.html\"\u003ETaj-ul-Masajid\u003C\/a\u003E: One of the largest mosques in Asia\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E5) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2010\/06\/bhopal-city-of-lakes.html\"\u003EBhopal\u003C\/a\u003E: The beautiful city of lakes that is known for its greenery, culture and food\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E6) Chanderi: The historical city famous for its sarees\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E7) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/03\/hidden-bundlekhand-kingdom-called-orchha.html\"\u003EOrchha\u003C\/a\u003E: The hidden capital of the Bundelkhand kingdom\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E8) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2009\/09\/khajuraho-of-history-temples-sculptures.html\"\u003EKhajuraho\u003C\/a\u003E: The 10th century erotic art temple wonder\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/867878046906204800\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/12\/udayagiri-caves-cultural-gem-madhya-pradesh.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/867878046906204800"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/867878046906204800"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/12\/udayagiri-caves-cultural-gem-madhya-pradesh.html","title":"Udayagiri Caves: 5th Century Cultural Beauty of Madhya Pradesh"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-J3O6g-68g90\/X945LwaMV9I\/AAAAAAACJfM\/inMzZT6pHGgnA4JU8acCr-KhamyHuAppACLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-c\/Varaha%2Bavatar%2Bwhere%2BLord%2BVishnu%2Brescues%2Bbhudevi%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2Bclutches%2Bof%2Bdemon%2Bking%2BHiranyakashyapa.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"35, Nagar Palika Station Rd, Swarnkar Colony, Baripura, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh 464001, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"23.5362694 77.7721972"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-4.7739644361788471 42.615947199999994 51.846503236178847 112.9284472"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-5255538475453760842"},"published":{"$t":"2020-11-23T13:56:00.002+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-11-23T13:56:55.805+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bhojeshwar Temple"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bhojpur"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Madhya Pradesh"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Temples of India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"11th Century Bhojeshwar Temple: Home to one of the largest Shiva Lingas in the world"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"472\" title=\"Offering prayers at the Bhojpur Shiva Temple, Madhya Pradesh\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Offering prayers at the Bhojpur Shiva Temple, Madhya Pradesh\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-A9eXoYJ8Ojk\/X7laXTf6-sI\/AAAAAAACJWM\/k3RnNp_aJOoMOurF7CrC0aHjErVzSR7RQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s16000\/Offering%2Bprayers%2Bat%2Bthe%2BBhojpur%2BShiva%2BTemple%252C%2BMadhya%2BPradesh.jpg\" border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"600\" data-original-width=\"800\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIt is one of the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/03\/8-top-heritage-destinations-of-madhya-pradesh.html\"\u003Etop heritage destinations of Madhya Pradesh\u003C\/a\u003E. It is home to one of the largest Shiva lingams in the world. I am talking about the 11th century Bhojeshwar temple that was never completed, but that is used today for religious purposes and festivals. But, why has this temple remained incomplete? What is the story surrounding it? Let’s find out.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ELocated by the banks of the Betwa river in the Bhojpur village of Madhya Pradesh, the Bhojeshwar temple was constructed under the reign of Raja Bhoja, the most celebrated ruler of the Paramara dynasty. Raja Bhoj selected the region around Bhojpur to build a series of dams over 9 rivers and 99 rivulets. Prior to the dams being constructed, there was no village or town in that region. Bhojpur, the dams and the Bhojeshwar temple came about the same time all under the guidance of King Bhoj. \u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ESome people believe that a natural calamity could have halted the construction, but according to Dr. KK Muhammed, the archaeologist who restored the Bhojeshwar temple, says that a mathematical error could have caused the collapse of the roof and subsequently, Raja Bhoj might have stopped the construction either considering it as a bad omen or because they did not know how to fix the roof.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\"630\" height=\"354\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QCZF9tLH8K4\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EI am very happy that the Archaeological Survey of India and its team led by Dr. KK Muhammed restored this temple or else we would have lost a beautiful temple of gargantuan proportions. Such sizes are usually seen in the temples of Greece and is rare to see in India, but the Bhojeshwar temple is one such rare specimen. Be its 65 feet high doorway, 43 feet high pillars or the 40 feet high lingam, everything about the Bhojeshwar temple is massive in size. The lingam, built using 3 superimposed limestone rocks is the star attraction of this temple. It is 7.5 feet high, 17.8 feet in circumference and is set on a square platform whose sides measure 21.5 feet. In total, the lingam platform measures over 40 feet, making it one of the largest Shiva lingams in the world.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe ramp in the north eastern corner of the temple and unfinished architectural fragments in nearby quarry sites show us the extent of the temple plans. If it had been completed, it would have been one of the largest temple complexes in India. But, that was not to be. However, we can all appreciate the vision of Raja Bhoj by visiting this temple, soak in its gargantuan proportions and offer our prayers to Lord Shiva. If you are looking for an offbeat rural getaway or offbeat culture getaway in Madhya Pradesh, the Bhojeshwar Shiva temple at Bhojpur would definitely be a top choice. I love this place and would recommend to all.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"547\" title=\"The 3 level Shiva Linga at Bhojpur Shiva Temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"The 3 level Shiva Linga at Bhojpur Shiva Temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3870536166-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003ETemple timings:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe Bhojeshwar Shiva temple is open from sunrise to sunset. Opening and closing times might vary on festival days.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"472\" title=\"A flower shop outside of Bhojpur Shiva Temple, Madhya Pradesh\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"A flower shop outside of Bhojpur Shiva Temple, Madhya Pradesh\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3870536216-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to stay:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EBhopal city and its suburbs are home to a wide range of properties that cater to a diverse set of budget requirements.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIf you wish to be in the heart of all action, I would recommend finding a property near Taj-ul-Masajid.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIf you wish for some nature and scenic location, find properties located by the lake.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAnd if you wish for some remote and quiet, do look for properties located in the countryside.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EMy favorite property to stay in Bhopal is the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/06\/jehan-numa-palace-hotel-bhopal-royal-address.html\"\u003EJehan Numa Palace\u003C\/a\u003E, a place with oodles of history and that was once Bhopal’s royal boutique address. The same owners have another property called Jehan Numa retreat for those who seek some solitude and quiet time.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Bhojpur Shiva temple - home to the largest shiva lingam in the world\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Bhojpur Shiva temple - home to the largest shiva lingam in the world\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3870536165-6.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to eat:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EBhojpur has a few small restaurants where you can find limited food, snacks and beverages.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIt might be prudent to head to Bhopal in case you seek a much wider food choice or if you have something particular in mind. The street food scene in Bhopal is also worth exploring and experiencing.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"847\" title=\"A pundit of Bhojpur Shiva temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"A pundit of Bhojpur Shiva temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3870536167-5.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther nearby tourist attractions:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/04\/sanchi-stupa-on-back-of-200-rupee-note.html\"\u003ESanchi Stupa\u003C\/a\u003E: The 2300 year old heritage monument and a UNESCO World heritage site\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E2) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2009\/09\/khajuraho-of-history-temples-sculptures.html\"\u003EKhajuraho\u003C\/a\u003E: The UNESCO world heritage site that includes many temples built by the Chandela dynasty. Also, famous for its erotic art\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E3) Bhimbetka rock shelters: It houses some of the oldest known rock art in the Indian subcontinent. Also, a UNESCO World heritage site\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E4) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/03\/hidden-bundlekhand-kingdom-called-orchha.html\"\u003EOrchha\u003C\/a\u003E: The erstwhile capital of the Bundelkhand kingdom and an offbeat cultural destination\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E5) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/04\/traditional-chanderi-sari-madhya-pradesh-india.html\"\u003EChanderi\u003C\/a\u003E: Famous for its sarees, but is also known for its Bundela and Malway history\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E6) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/04\/taj-ul-masajid-bhopal-largest-mosque-india.html\"\u003ETaj-ul-Masajid\u003C\/a\u003E: The largest mosque in India and one of the largest mosques of Asia\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E7) Udayagiri Caves: 4th century heritage gem of the Gupta empire that is home to some of the oldest surviving Hindu temples and iconography in India\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E8) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2010\/06\/bhopal-city-of-lakes.html\"\u003EBhopal\u003C\/a\u003E: The city that was once ruled by Begums and that is fondly referred to as the ‘City of Lakes’\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E9) Mandu: Historical city that has historical treasures dating 3000 years\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E10) Pachmarhi: A gorgeous hill station and one of the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/03\/discover-these-hidden-gems-of-madhya-pradesh.html\"\u003Ehidden gems of Madhya Pradesh\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/5255538475453760842\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/11\/bhojeshwar-temple-bhojpur-largest-shiva-linga-in-india.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/5255538475453760842"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/5255538475453760842"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/11\/bhojeshwar-temple-bhojpur-largest-shiva-linga-in-india.html","title":"11th Century Bhojeshwar Temple: Home to one of the largest Shiva Lingas in the world"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-A9eXoYJ8Ojk\/X7laXTf6-sI\/AAAAAAACJWM\/k3RnNp_aJOoMOurF7CrC0aHjErVzSR7RQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-c\/Offering%2Bprayers%2Bat%2Bthe%2BBhojpur%2BShiva%2BTemple%252C%2BMadhya%2BPradesh.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Bhojpur, Madhya Pradesh 464551, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"23.1002079 77.579742799999991"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-5.2100259361788446 42.423492799999991 51.410441736178846 112.73599279999999"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-7432834587075218804"},"published":{"$t":"2020-11-19T21:24:00.003+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-11-19T21:24:44.314+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bangalore Weekend Getaways"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Belavadi"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Day Trips from Bangalore"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Karnataka"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Offbeat Hoysala Temples"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Temples of India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Temples of Karnataka"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Belavadi Veeranarayana Temple: The Hoysala Gem with 108 Lathe Turned Pillars"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"472\" title=\"The gorgeous Veera Narayana Temple at Belavadi, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"The gorgeous Veera Narayana Temple at Belavadi, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wSxCGuzFOm0\/X7P46j91GFI\/AAAAAAACJTk\/ZophDUYlMG4qtqQJfwVg4wgxSo9y_kaXwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s16000\/The%2Bgorgeous%2BVeera%2BNarayana%2BTemple%2Bat%2BBelavadi%252C%2BKarnataka.jpg\" border=\"0\" data-original-width=\"800\" data-original-height=\"600\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAllow me to take you to yet another offbeat temple gem from the Hoysala era. This temple from the 13th century is a trikuta (which means it has three shrines) and it is one of the largest temples built by the Hoysala kings. It is located at the place where the Pandava prince Bheema killed the demon Bakasura to protect the villagers. On the day of the summer solstice, the rays of the morning sun fall directly on the idol of Lord Veera Narayana deep in the garbha griha.\u0026nbsp; This amazing temple that I am talking about is the Veeranarayana temple and it is located at Belavadi, a small village just a few kilometers away from the world famous temples of Halebid and Belur.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"472\" title=\"Carved elephant at Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Carved elephant at Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040424126-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAs you park your vehicle in front of the temple and by the lane of pretty little village houses, you will notice the elephants that greet you right at the temple entrance. The jagli katte (or relaxation arena) right behind these elephants is one of my favorite areas of the temple as this is where you can put your feet up, enjoy the rustic atmosphere, the cold breeze and have a nice conversation with your family and friends while being surrounded by oodles of art and culture.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"322\" title=\"108 lathe turned pillars inside Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"108 lathe turned pillars inside Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040424270-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAs you cross the jagali katte, you enter a mahadwara mantapa with a massive door. This door opens into the main temple complex where you are greeted by two more elephants, but these elephants are much larger in size and are much more ornate. 108 lathe turned pillars (some of them look like pineapples) greet you once you cross these large elephants. To your left is the shrine of Venugopala and to the right is the shrine of Yoganarasimha. And these lathe turned pillars and the two shrines together make the sabhamantapa and they then open into the mukhamantapa in the East. As you go further east, you come across some more lathe turned pillars, ornate pillars and the main shrine belonging to Lord Veeranarayana.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EJust before I entered the sabhamantapa beyond the ornate elephants, I couldn’t stop but notice that this temple was not built on top of a jagati (raised platform) like the other Hoysala temples. As it predates most of the other Hoysala temples in the region, it’s architecture is quite unique.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"383\" title=\"Beautiful lathe turned pillars at Belavadi Veera Narayana temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Beautiful lathe turned pillars at Belavadi Veera Narayana temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040424298-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAs you explore the temple slowly taking multiple pradakshinams (circumambulations), you will realize that this Veeranarayana temple has 3 different styles of architecture owing to its 3 different states of development. \u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe first part of the temple is the shrine of Veeranaryana (East facing) and the pillars around it. This part is fairly simple in terms of architecture and is devoid of any carvings on the exterior walls. Even the carvings in its interiors are limited to the roof of the sukhanasi and the prabhavali.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"429\" title=\"Intricate sculpting on the walls of Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Intricate sculpting on the walls of Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040424177-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIn the second phase, the shrines of Venugopala and Yoganarasimha was built. One shrine was built on a square platform, while the other is star-shaped. The pillars of this complex merge into the pillars and structure of the earlier complex, thus giving the feel of one temple, but a person with a keen eye for detail will figure out the different architectural elements. Dashaavatar (the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu) can be seen just outside the shrine of Yoganarasimaha. The exterior walls of this temple complex is covered with large size statues of Hindu gods and goddesses, stories from our mythological stories and more. Varaha avatar and Kalingamardana stand out proudly even after 800 years. The gorgeous pillars and detailed roof work are the highlights here.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIn the third phase, the flat roofs of the mahadwara mantapa was built and it was made to mirror the mukha mantapa. This is the simplest part of the temple.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"472\" title=\"Stone elephants in front of Mukha mantapa of Veera Narayana Temple, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Stone elephants in front of Mukha mantapa of Veera Narayana Temple, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040424187-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EEven though the temple was built over 3 different phases, their alignment is so precise that upon entering the temple (270 feet away from the garbha griha of Lord Veeranarayana), you can clearly see the idol of Veeranarayana. May be, that is why on the day of summer solstice, the rays of the morning sun fall directly on the idol of Veeranarayana even though he is located deep into the temple complex.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"731\" title=\"Varaha Avatar on the exterior walls of Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Varaha Avatar on the exterior walls of Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040424261-5.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECompared to the other modern Hoysala temples, the Veeranarayana temple at Belavadi is definitely simple when you think of intricate carvings, but its architecture is unique. It’s lathe turned pillars, pineapple pillars, bell shaped pillars, ornate elephants, roof carvings and overall large temple size make it an architectural masterpiece in the world of Hoysala temples.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"472\" title=\"Beautiful campus of Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Beautiful campus of Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040424288-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAt just 220 kms from Bangalore, it makes for a great day trip or weekend getaway. Do visit this offbeat temple gem from the Hoysala era on your next weekend road trip from Bangalore. I am sure you will really enjoy its rustic ambience and unique architecture. I definitely recommend the Belavadi Veeranarayana temple to all art, culture and temple lovers.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"786\" title=\"Stunning carvings  at Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Stunning carvings  at Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040424198-5.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EGuide services for the temple:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThere are no official guides available at this temple. However, if you strike a conversation with the temple priest, he will share a lot of details about the temple. In case the temple priest is unavailable, there is a temple caretaker from ASI who would give you some basic information about the temple.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Kalingamardana statue at Belavadi Veeranarayana Temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Kalingamardana statue at Belavadi Veeranarayana Temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040424185-6.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EHow to reach there:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThere are two different routes by road to approach the temple. Both of them take about 4 to 5 hours for the one way trip (about 230 kms or so).\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E1) Tiptur – Shimoga route: Bangalore –\u0026gt; Kunigal –\u0026gt; Yediyur –\u0026gt; Turuvekere –\u0026gt; Tiptur –\u0026gt; Arsikere –\u0026gt; Banavara –\u0026gt; Javagal –\u0026gt; Belavadi\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E2) Hassan route: Bangalore –\u0026gt; Kunigal –\u0026gt; Channarayapatna –\u0026gt; Hassan –\u0026gt; Halebeedu –\u0026gt; Belavadi\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe nearest railway stations are Kadur and Birur.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe nearest airport would be Mangalore airport, but the one with the best connectivity would be Bangalore international airport.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"472\" title=\"Elephants and lathe turned pillars greet you at the entrance to Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi, Karnataka\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Elephants and lathe turned pillars greet you at the entrance to Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi, Karnataka\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040424123-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003ETemple timings:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe Veeranarayana temple at Belavadi opens at 8 AM and closes at 6 PM. The temple priest lives in the house right opposite the main temple entrance. So, you can always drop in and check in case the temple is closed.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"472\" title=\"Jagli Katte at Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Jagli Katte at Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040424183-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to stay:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIf you wish for close proximity and something cheap, there are a lot of budget hotels in and around Belur and Halebid.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIf you want something more luxurious, look up the Hoysala Village Resort between Hassan and Belur.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIf you want to stay amidst nature, look up the homestays, hotels and resorts located in Chickamagaluru. Some of these would be farm stays or plantation stays.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"472\" title=\"Beautiful view of Belavadi village from the Veera Narayana Temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Beautiful view of Belavadi village from the Veera Narayana Temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040424121-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to eat:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EYou cannot find anything more than biscuits and tender coconut water. If you seek some better food, you will either have to head to Belur or Halebid.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIf you want high quality dining with good washrooms and ample parking space, I would recommend that you visit \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2011\/05\/hoysala-village-resort-relive-hoysala.html\"\u003EHoysala Village Resort\u003C\/a\u003E that is located between Belur and Hassan.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIf you want to eat in nature, look up the restaurants in and around Chickmagalur.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"472\" title=\"Bejeweled elephant at Belavadi Veera Narayana Temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Bejeweled elephant at Belavadi Veera Narayana Temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040424125-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther offbeat Hoysala temples nearby:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2011\/06\/doddagaddavalli-lakshmi-devi.html\"\u003ELakshmi Devi temple at Doddagaddavalli\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E2) Chenna Keshava temple at Javagal\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E3) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/10\/nuggehalli-lakshmi-narasimha-temple-13th-century-hoysala-gem.html\"\u003ELakshmi Narasimha temple at Nuggehalli\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E4) Sadashiva temple at Nuggehalli\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E5) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/08\/brahmeshvara-temple-850-year-old-hidden-hoysala-gem-near-bangalore.html\"\u003EBrahmesvara temple at Kikkeri\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E6) Panchalingeswara temple at Govindanahalli\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E7) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/10\/hosaholalu-lakshmi-narayana-temple-offbeat-temple-day-trip-bangalore.html\"\u003ELakshmi Narasimha temple at Hosaholalu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E8) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2015\/01\/somnathpur-keshava-temple-offbeat.html\"\u003EChenna Keshava temple at Somnathpur\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E9) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/09\/aralaguppe-chenna-keshava-temple-hidden-hoysala-gem.html\"\u003EChenna Keshava temple at Aralaguppe\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E10) Chenna Keshava temple at Turuvekere\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E11) Ishvara temple at Arsikere\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E12) Chenna Keshava temple at Anekere\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E13) Mallikarjuna temple at Basaralu\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E14) Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Haranhalli\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"472\" title=\"Gorgeous elephants at the entrance of Belavadi Veera Narayana Temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Gorgeous elephants at the entrance of Belavadi Veera Narayana Temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p4040424122-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther nearby tourist attractions:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2011\/05\/shettihalli-rosary-church-ruins-near.html\"\u003EShettihalli rosary church ruins\u003C\/a\u003E in the Hemavati reservoir\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E2) The hill station and coffee estates of Chickamagaluru\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E3) The wide \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/11\/wide-panoramic-hemagiri-waterfalls.html\"\u003EHemagiri waterfalls\u003C\/a\u003E on the Hemavati river\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E4) The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/11\/melukote-of-temples-rustic-life-iyengars-puliyogare.html\"\u003Etemple town of Melukote\u003C\/a\u003E famous for its Iyengars and delicious Puliyogare\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E5) The Jain pilgrimage site of Shravanabelagola that is home to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/03\/baahubali-worlds-largest-monolithic-statue.html\"\u003Emighty Baahubali statue\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E6) The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2010\/01\/kemmangundi-in-monsoons.html\"\u003Ehill station of Kemmangundi\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E7) The beautiful \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2010\/01\/monsoon-trek-to-hebbe-falls-karnataka.html\"\u003EHebbe Falls\u003C\/a\u003E surrounded by coffee estates\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E8) The absolutely \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/04\/mysore-palace-destination-for-photography.html\"\u003Ephotogenic Mysore palace\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E9) The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/11\/bisle-ghat-butterfly-forest-of-india.html\"\u003Ebutterfly forest of India\u003C\/a\u003E called Bisle Ghat\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E10) The world famous \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/04\/hoysala-sculpting-magic-at-halebidu-karnataka.html\"\u003EHoysaleswara temple at Halebid\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E11) The world famous Chenna Keshava temple at Belur\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E12) Bhadra tiger reserve that is known for its river terns, tigers and leopards\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/7432834587075218804\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/11\/belavadi-veeranarayana-temple-offbeat-hoysala-gem.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/7432834587075218804"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/7432834587075218804"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/11\/belavadi-veeranarayana-temple-offbeat-hoysala-gem.html","title":"Belavadi Veeranarayana Temple: The Hoysala Gem with 108 Lathe Turned Pillars"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wSxCGuzFOm0\/X7P46j91GFI\/AAAAAAACJTk\/ZophDUYlMG4qtqQJfwVg4wgxSo9y_kaXwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-c\/The%2Bgorgeous%2BVeera%2BNarayana%2BTemple%2Bat%2BBelavadi%252C%2BKarnataka.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Belavadi, Karnataka 577146, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"13.28358 75.9971183"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-15.026653836178845 40.8408683 41.593813836178846 111.1533683"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624744958963134273.post-8070349253222930266"},"published":{"$t":"2020-10-08T13:57:00.001+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-10-08T13:57:17.329+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bangalore Weekend Getaways"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Day Trips from Bangalore"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Hoysala Temples"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Karnataka"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Nuggehalli"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Temples of India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unique Cultures"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Nuggehalli: 13th century hidden architectural beauty near Bangalore"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"374\" title=\"The magical sculptures at Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"The magical sculptures at Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HOTrkKzsBNg\/X31hfwPvnUI\/AAAAAAACI6s\/yfij-JYBlI802_JcmBGNMK5-IDgw-FZ8wCLcBGAsYHQ\/s16000\/The%2Bmagical%2Bsculptures%2Bat%2BLakshmi%2BNarasimha%2BTemple%252C%2BNuggehalli.jpg\" border=\"0\" data-original-width=\"800\" data-original-height=\"475\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIt is a 13th century hidden temple gem that is a treat to the eye. It is a richly decorated Hoysala temple built in the trikuta vimana style (3 shrines with 3 towers). And it is just 3 hours away from Bangalore making it a fabulous destination for an offbeat temple day trip from Bangalore. I am talking about the uber gorgeous Lakshmi Narasimha temple located in the Nuggehalli village of Karnataka.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"754\" title=\"Durga dancing with a skeleton_a goblin standing to her left - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Durga dancing with a skeleton_a goblin standing to her left - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965008712-5.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EBuilt in 1246 by Bommanna Dandanayaka, a commander under the Hoysala king Vira Someshwara, the Lakshmi Narasimha temple is one of the many temples situated in Nuggehalli village. It is said that this village was called Vijaya Somanathapura in ancient times and gained importance as a place of learning during the time of Bommanna Dandanayaka. \u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\"630\" height=\"354\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/prlZUEF2TNI\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThis agrahara like village is surrounded by the Lakshmi Narasimha temple, the Sadashiva temple and the Pancha lingeswara temples. In between these temples are the traditional looking houses of its denizens and green farms and water tanks in the yonder. Overall, it is a very peaceful setup and makes for a fantastic rustic temple holiday.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"410\" title=\"(L to R) - Garuda, Venugopala, Dharani - Varaha, Pradyumna - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"(L to R) - Garuda, Venugopala, Dharani - Varaha, Pradyumna - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965008320-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EComing back to the Lakshmi Narasimha temple, it looks like a ekakuta temple from the front, but is actually a trikuta with two additional shrines jutting out from the sides. So basically one tall tower and two shorter side towers. Like other Hoysala temples, the Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Nuggehalli is also built on an elevated platform called the jagati. Steps lined with elephant sculptures take you to the front of the temple, which is a newer open mantapa. This plainly decorated open mantapa connects to a closed mantapa that is deeply domed in the center and that is supported by four lathe turned pillars that are iconic Hoysala in terms of temple architecture.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"783\" title=\"Bhairava with goblin to his left - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Bhairava with goblin to his left - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965008639-5.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe central mantapa is connected to the 3 shrines (Lakshmi Narasimha, Venugopala and Keshava). While the main shrine (Lakshmi Narasimha) has a vestibule and a sukanasi, the other two shrines (Venugopala and Keshava) have no vestibules and are directly connected to the central mantapa. The sukanasi and the central mantapa are full of beautiful carvings and stunning ceiling work. \u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\"630\" height=\"354\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MjsRtkyFk0s\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EWhile the inner half of the temple is beautiful, it is the exterior walls that captivate everyone’s attention with their stunning sculptures, bas-reliefs and intricate work. Similar to the other Hoysala temples, the Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Nuggehalli follows a similar carving protocol.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"472\" title=\"(L to R) - Kalingamardana with a nagini on each side, Lakshmi dancing with 8 hands, Purushottama - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"(L to R) - Kalingamardana with a nagini on each side, Lakshmi dancing with 8 hands, Purushottama - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965008321-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EStarting from the base where the wall meets the jagati, the first horizontal is made up of elephants, followed by horsemen, foliage, Hindu epics and Puranic scenes, makara (imaginary crocodile like beast) and hamsas (swans). Above these horizontals are the large sculptures depicting stories from the different avatars of Vishnu, a few belonging to goddesses and some belonging to Lord Shiva.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"854\" title=\"Indra on his airavat and other sculptures - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Indra on his airavat and other sculptures - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965008934-6.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAbove these large sculptures are more designs, temple like structures and more intricate carvings all the way upto the top of the vimana. In simple words, every inch of the exterior of this temple is carved with stories and scenes from Hindu mythologies or with interesting shapes and designs. The carving is so impressive that the temple looks magnificent when viewed from any angle.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"480\" title=\"(R to L) - Mahisasuramardini, Mohini with cobra in her hands, Adhokshaja - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"(R to L) - Mahisasuramardini, Mohini with cobra in her hands, Adhokshaja - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965008324-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe large sculptures capture everyone’s attention as they are at your eye level when you stand on the jagati. And they feel even more interesting as we can decipher many of them from the various Hindu mythological stories we have head and learnt from our childhood. The credit for these large sculptures goes to Baichoja and Mallitamma, two well known Hoysala sculptors. \u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"897\" title=\"Rati and Manmatha with a horse headed musician to their right - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Rati and Manmatha with a horse headed musician to their right - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965009311-6.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EWhile there are a good many sculptures on the exterior walls of the Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Nuggehalli, my personal favorites are Goddess Durga dancing with a skeleton, Varaha avatar, Kalingamardana with a nagini on each side, Lakshmi dancing with 8 hands, Mahisasuramardini, Tandav or dancing Ganesha, Arjuna shooting the matsya yantra with oil below while Draupadi holds a garland, Lakshmi Narayana, Yoga Narasimha, Vamana receiving gift from king Bali while Shukracharya is protesting, Amaranarayana seated on Anant Nag, Trivikrama with river Ganga, Ugra Narasimha, Sun god with Aruna and his 7 horses, Indra and Sachi on the Airavat elephant during the Parijat battle and Krishna and Sathyabama borne by Garuda whose left hand holds the Parijata branch.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"472\" title=\"Beautiful carvings on the exterior walls of Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Beautiful carvings on the exterior walls of Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965008634-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThere are close to 120 such amazing sculptures. While the above list happen to be my favorites, it does not mean that the other sculptures are ordinary. Each sculpture is special and conveys a unique story. May be, other temple and culture lovers will find the other sculptures to be more interesting. \u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Dancing Ganesha or Tandav Ganesha at Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Dancing Ganesha or Tandav Ganesha at Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965008640-6.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThankfully, most of these sculptures and carvings have stood the test of time, be it wars, rain, sun, wind, etc. and hence even after close to 800 years, these sculptures still tell us the stories that the artisan of the 13th century wished to convey. \u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"409\" title=\"(L to R) - Arjuna shooting the matsya yantra with oil bowl below and Draupadi holding a garland to the left, Narasimha standing and Kalingamardana\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"(L to R) - Arjuna shooting the matsya yantra with oil bowl below and Draupadi holding a garland to the left, Narasimha standing and Kalingamardana\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965008319-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Nuggehalli is that hidden Hoysala gem that will appeal to all kinds of visitors, be it temple, art or culture lovers, good old tourists, students and connoisseurs. It’s close proximity to Bangalore makes it a perfect Sunday day trip destination from Bangalore. Whether you visit by motorcycle or in a car, you will love the temple, the Nuggehalli village and the surrounding farm based countryside. It is indeed a special offbeat destination near Bangalore. I highly recommend it!\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Amaranarayana seated on Anant Nag - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Amaranarayana seated on Anant Nag - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965008577-6.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EThings to keep in mind while visiting Nuggehalli:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E1) You will have to remove your footwear while entering the temple and most of the temple floor gets hot during the afternoon. Hence, it is best to visit the temple either in the early hours of the morning or around 4 pm.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E2) Do remember to carry a bottle of drinking water and some snacks with you at all times as you might not find a shop in the vicinity.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"496\" title=\"Hidden Hoysala Gem - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Hidden Hoysala Gem - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965008906-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E3) Toilets are not available. So, you might have to use the fields or request some villager to let you use the facilities in his house.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E4) Tripods are not allowed without prior permission, but you can use your DSLR and phone cameras. I think a drone might also require special permission or may be you can request the ASI guard posted at the temple.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E5) There are no tourist guides available at the temple, but there are a few banners that give you good details of all the temple sculptures and they mention them in serial order. The ASI guard and temple priest can also give you some additional information.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Trivikrama with the river Ganga - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Trivikrama with the river Ganga - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965009553-6.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EHow to reach there:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe nearest airport would be Bangalore international airport, about 144 kms away.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe nearest large railway stations would be Bangalore (144 kms away), Hassan (50 kms) and\/or Tumkur (109 kms). The nearest small railway stations would be Channarayapatna and Tiptur.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"709\" title=\"Yoganarasimha with two consorts and Garuda and Prahalada below - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Yoganarasimha with two consorts and Garuda and Prahalada below - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965009842-5.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EChannarayapatna or Tiptur would be your nearest bus station. From here, you either have to take a not so regular bus, many shared cabs or a full cab to Nuggehalli village.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIf you are riding or driving from Bangalore, the route would be Bangalore –\u0026gt; Nelamangala –\u0026gt; Kunigal –\u0026gt; Yadiyur –\u0026gt; Hirisave –\u0026gt; Nuggehalli. The route from Bangalore to Hirisave would be a 4-lane highway, while the route post that would be a quieter 2 lane state highway flanked by lush farms and water bodies on either side.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Ugra Narasimha with Prahalada below - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Ugra Narasimha with Prahalada below - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965009603-6.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003ETemple timings:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe temple opens at 8 AM and stays open till 11 AM. And it again opens at 4 PM and stays open till 7 PM.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECertain festivals and village events can alter these timings a bit. It is best to check with locals, who in all probability will direct you to the temple priest, who will guide you with the exact timings.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe above timings are only applicable for the garbha griha or inner sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The outer area of the temple with access to most of the statues, carvings and architecture depicted here stays open between 8 AM and 6 PM.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"435\" title=\"Each layer of the temple is carved - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Each layer of the temple is carved - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965008785-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EBest season to visit:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Nuggehalli is open all year round. The rains and the winter months are ideal if you care for lush background and pleasant weather.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAs the temple is located in the middle of a small village, rituals can be more elaborate during festivals and hence they are worth watching and attending.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"593\" title=\"Venugopala (left) and Padmanabha standing (right) - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Venugopala (left) and Padmanabha standing (right) - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965009736-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to stay:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EChannarayapatna and Tiptur would be the nearest cities in case you are looking for decent budget accommodation.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EFor luxurious accommodation, you might have to head to Bangalore.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"410\" title=\"Janardana, Lakshmi Narayana and Parasurama - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Janardana, Lakshmi Narayana and Parasurama - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965008988-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIf nature is your thing, head to the coffee estates in and around Chickmagalur or Sakleshpur.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EHassan also has some quality resorts in case that type of accommodation interests you.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Surya with adoring rishis, accompaniments and guards. A chaya on each side and Aruna driving the 7 horses on the pedestal, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple,Nuggehali\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Surya with adoring rishis, accompaniments and guards. A chaya on each side and Aruna driving the 7 horses on the pedestal, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple,Nuggehali\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965009347-6.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWhere to eat:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe nearest town to find some good food would be Channarayapatna.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIf better quality restaurants are your preference, try the many restaurants located between Hirisave, Yediyur and Kunigal on the Hassan – Bangalore highway. Most of these places will be open longer hours, have ample parking facility and have good quality restrooms.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"839\" title=\"Lakshmi Narayana and other sculptures at Nuggehalli Lakshmi Narasimha Temple\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Lakshmi Narayana and other sculptures at Nuggehalli Lakshmi Narasimha Temple\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965009118-5.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIf you don’t mind traveling a little bit more, try Hotel Madihalli Naveen, located just outside of Tiptur for some quality local dishes and snacks. \u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIt might be prudent to keep some drinking water and snacks with you at all times, especially if you plan on exploring the temple at leisure.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"804\" title=\"Indra and Sachi on the elephant in the Parijata battle - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Indra and Sachi on the elephant in the Parijata battle - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965008907-5.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther lesser known Hoysala era temples nearby:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E1) Sadashiva temple at Nuggehalli\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E2) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/08\/brahmeshvara-temple-850-year-old-hidden-hoysala-gem-near-bangalore.html\"\u003EBrahmeshvara temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Kikkeri\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E3) Panchalingeswara temple at Govindanahalli\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"884\" title=\"Vamana receiving gift from Bali with Shukracharya protesting - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Vamana receiving gift from Bali with Shukracharya protesting - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965009624-6.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E4) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/10\/hosaholalu-lakshmi-narayana-temple-offbeat-temple-day-trip-bangalore.html\"\u003ELakshmi Narayana temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Hosaholalu\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E5) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2015\/01\/somnathpur-keshava-temple-offbeat.html\"\u003EChenna Keshava temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Somnathpur\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E6) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/09\/aralaguppe-chenna-keshava-temple-hidden-hoysala-gem.html\"\u003EChenna Keshava temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Aralaguppe\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E7) Chenna Keshava temple at Turuvekere\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"376\" title=\"(L to R) Vishnu seated in Padmasana holding bowl of sweets in right and kalasa in left hand, Hari, Hanuman, Lakshmana, Kothandarama\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"(L to R) Vishnu seated in Padmasana holding bowl of sweets in right and kalasa in left hand, Hari, Hanuman, Lakshmana, Kothandarama\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965008322-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E8) Ishvara temple at Arsikere\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E9) Chenna Keshava temple at Anekere\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E10) Mallikarjuna temple at Basaralu\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E11) Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Haranhalli\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E12) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2011\/06\/doddagaddavalli-lakshmi-devi.html\"\u003ELakshmi Devi temple\u003C\/a\u003E at Doddagaddavalli\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"731\" title=\"Krishna and Sathyabama borne by Garuda whose left hand holds the Parijata branch - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Krishna and Sathyabama borne by Garuda whose left hand holds the Parijata branch - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965009033-5.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOther nearby tourist attractions:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2011\/05\/shettihalli-rosary-church-ruins-near.html\"\u003EShettihalli rosary church ruins\u003C\/a\u003E in the Hemavati reservoir\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E2) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/11\/wide-panoramic-hemagiri-waterfalls.html\"\u003EHemagiri Falls\u003C\/a\u003E – a wide waterfall on the Hemavati river\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg width=\"630\" height=\"382\" title=\"Mesmerizing sculpting at Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Mesmerizing sculpting at Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965009236-4.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E3) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2012\/03\/jayamangali-blackbuck-reserve-at.html\"\u003EJayamangali blackbuck reserve at Maidenahalli\u003C\/a\u003E – a great wildlife getaway super close to Bangalore\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E4) The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/11\/melukote-of-temples-rustic-life-iyengars-puliyogare.html\"\u003Etemple town of Melukote\u003C\/a\u003E famous for its Iyengars and their delicious puliyogare\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E5) The Jain pilgrimage site of Shravanabelagola that is home to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/03\/baahubali-worlds-largest-monolithic-statue.html\"\u003Emighty Baahubali statue\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E6) The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2011\/02\/incredible-world-of-toys-at-channapatna.html\"\u003Etoy town of Channapatna\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cimg title=\"Lord Brahma standing on the lotus - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" style=\"border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; background-image: none;\" alt=\"Lord Brahma standing on the lotus - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli\" src=\"https:\/\/photos.beontheroad.com\/img\/s\/v-10\/p3965009234-6.jpg\" border=\"0\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E7) The riverine island and temple town of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2017\/04\/srirangapatna-of-river-islands-vishnu.html\"\u003ESrirangapatna\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E8) The absolutely photogenic \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2019\/04\/mysore-palace-destination-for-photography.html\"\u003EMysore palace\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E9) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2015\/02\/ranganathitu-bird-sanctuary-nesting.html\"\u003ERanganathitty bird sanctuary\u003C\/a\u003E – a haven for birds on the Cauvery\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EThis post is the copyright of www.beontheroad.com. Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. \n\nIf you are seeing this post on a site other than beontheroad.com, please bring it to the notice of Sankara, the owner of beontheroad.com at sankaracs at beontheroad dot com. \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/feeds\/8070349253222930266\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/10\/nuggehalli-lakshmi-narasimha-temple-13th-century-hoysala-gem.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/8070349253222930266"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1624744958963134273\/posts\/default\/8070349253222930266"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.beontheroad.com\/2020\/10\/nuggehalli-lakshmi-narasimha-temple-13th-century-hoysala-gem.html","title":"Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Nuggehalli: 13th century hidden architectural beauty near Bangalore"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Sankara Subramanian"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07774568520785842987"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HOTrkKzsBNg\/X31hfwPvnUI\/AAAAAAACI6s\/yfij-JYBlI802_JcmBGNMK5-IDgw-FZ8wCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-c\/The%2Bmagical%2Bsculptures%2Bat%2BLakshmi%2BNarasimha%2BTemple%252C%2BNuggehalli.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Nuggehalli, Karnataka 573131, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"13.0052496 76.475106"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-15.304984236178845 41.318856 41.315483436178845 111.631356"}}]}});