Hosaholalu

The second of October was fortunately a Thursday, the entire team had planned a mass CL on Friday, I had a long weekend at my disposal. We planned to visit Sharavanabelogala this time. Among all the places around Mysore, its tough to accommodate Sharavanabelogala in any of the circuits. So, it had to be Sharavanabelogala and Melukote.


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I had TWO other tasks on agends.

ONE – The roads are good and driving is a pleasure, and I was taking driving lessons for Bro.
TWO – My cousin’s kid wanted me to visit Shravanabelogola and Gommatagiri for long and check if Gomateshwara has started wearing his Pants, at least now.

We had planned to start at 6, but started at 8:30(still good….). I hate paying a visit to the Petrol Bunk early in the morning, on the day of travel. But, it was not a necessity this time. We drove along Mysore –> SH17 –> Pandavapura -->you see a big welcome banner of Shravanabelogola and Gomateshwara -> take a left -> keep driving till KR pet.

The town was full of activity. Due to the lack of sign boards, we stopped-by at the main circle here to inquire, if we were to go straight or take a right to reach Shravanabelogala. But, we were also advised to take a left first(why left now?) visit a Hoysala style temple which is just 2kms away and then proceed to Sharavanabelogala.

And so we did.

HosahoLalu

It can be easily spotted, Hosaholalu is a small village, and it reminded me of Aihole.


Hosaholalu Laxminarayana Temple

This temple is of the trikoota structure with deities being LaxmiNarayana – the main deity, LaxmiNarasimha in the right Sanctum and VenuGopala in the left Sanctum.


The outer walls have carvings of Vishnu and his incarnations. Below it is 6 levels/stripes of intricate carvings with Horse, Peacock, Swan and depictions from Ramayana and Mahabharata. I love watching those monotonous continuous running strips. I could easily get the stories, as Mom and Bro are always good at those, unlike me. In fact even up to 7th std, I found it confusing and difficult to recall if Arjuna belonged to Ramayana or Mahabharata. :-P

Remember reading it somewhere that, ‘The new style of Hoysala temples have 6 strips of carvings running around the temple, while the old style has only 5 strips running’.


I however failed to spot the Hoysala Emblem – Sala fighting with the lion, which I we usually see on the Hoysala style temples.

Side View........
Back View........

It was 11:15 AM and we had't even thought of Breakfast. The Hotels in such villages prepare tasty stuff most times. So, it was for the Dad & Bro to look for a decent, clean place, first taste and then buy take aways’ for us.

We continued towards Sharavanabelogala, searching for a pit stop. It was a hot and we were in search of shaded region. And we happened to drive through a place lined by trees and a fresh water stream flowing parallel to the road! What more could any one ask for. A breakfast to remember …….

Day 4 : Aihole

12/10/2006 - 6:30 AM

Its 6 AM on NH216. The sun is calm and I'm trying to figure out a crude oil outlet - peeping into the gauge and indicators, trying to figure whether the reserve would suffice the entire days drive. We drove into the country roads. A glimpse through the wind shield proved me wrong. We were welcomed by a romantic drizzle...!

Rolls of grass frames on either sides passed through; the stretches covered completely by Sunflower gardens, forest weeds and ferns, looked exhilarating. Looking forward to being wowed by the scenery en route, we drove. Single lane roads, totally deserted, cool breeze, and the sun trying to wake himself up. Roads minus potholes and humps, added to the good drive. Lit by the morning sun, nature displayed its gorgeous palette.

We drove towards Aihole via Aminaghada, famous for its 'KaraDHantu'. A stop here for a tank fill, and for a few 'kilos' of the world famous Karadanghu. One 'should' take this route to Aihole and should never be missing a stop here. A feast to your salivary glands and gastric juices! Blessed were we. :-)

Streaming lines of brush strokes, within the frame of my moving window; A pit stop now and then, when a temple was see in the frame.

This set the tone for a brilliant day!! The air was energizing.....

The first temple the reddish structure suddenly emerged from within monotonous greens, which had masked them all this while. We were indeed excited! The first monument which caught my sight - a huge Basava under a Tamarind tree, made us spellbound. We were at the 'Tara Basavanna Temple'.


Wherever one looks, it's temples that meet the eyes. Intricately carved, rich in detail, quiet and peaceful. Mute witnesses of a bygone era.

Sunlight flooded the sight, sisps of shifting clouds, dotted with houses and temples, adding to this were long line of back packers. We were nearing our first destination, famously known as the "Cradle of Indian architecture" - 'Aihole' has over a hundred temples scattered around the village.

# The Hutchimalli Temple - out in the village - has a sculpture of Vishnu sitting at-top a large cobra; dates back to the 6th Century.

# The Ravalphadi Cave - Temple celebrates the many forms of Shiva. Not-to-be-missed is the Konthi Temple Complex (kwanthi Gudi), the Uma Maheswari Temple, the Jain Meguti Temple and the two-storeyed Buddhist Temple.


# The oldest temple here is, perhaps, the LadKhan temple dating back to 450 AD, built by early Chalunkyas. It was built originally as panchayat. On the roof of the temple
is another shrine. There is a Chalukyan royal emblem and a stone ladder outside.

# The Durga Temple(640-680 AD) is notable for its semi-circular shape, elevated plinth and the gallery that encircles the sanctum. It was built by Vikramaditya II. The interior is filled with fascinating carvings - Narasimha, Harihara, Ardhanarishwara, Mahisasura Mardini can be seen…In this same complex, is the first model of an intricately carved lathe-turned pillar.



# Megutthi Temple was built by Ravi Kirthi, the poet in the court of Chalukya Pulakeshi 2nd. Its a jain temple with Mahavira in the Sanctum. Climb up the stairs and you'll come across a tranquil, smiling Buddha carved on the ceiling.

All the temple are maintained by, Archeological Survey of India. The temples are surrounded by manicured green lawns and beds of well tended flowers.

This is Aihole, the earliest Capital of the Chalukyas. Today, a picturesque village nestling on the banks of the river Malaprabha and overflowing with clusters and clusters of the most beautiful temples.....

We drove further, unfolding some incredible views. Yellow hue on the grass caused by the carpet of wild flowers; a perfect spot to catch on some lost reading, but was not privileged to do so. :-(Collected a few memorabilia as usual - Stones and plants and ferns and Bonsais to fit into natural mural; some flowers and leaves to preserve between sheets.