Poetry in Stone - 2

Temples all over India represent the rich cultural heritage. The ancient temples are richly carved and they behold ones attention for their craftsmanship.

One such little known temple is in Padavali (State: Madhya Pradesh). This temple located inside a small fort is a architectural gem. This externally simple looking temple is a treasure trove from inside. The carvings are examples of master craftsmanship.

These numerous tiny carvings are in the ceiling or on the walls close to the ceiling. These carvings depict stories of Lord Vishnu.

There is another temple close by at Mitavali (State: Madhya Pradesh) with totally different style of architecture from the above. This circular temple is a Lord Shiva temple and very unique in shape.

Here the carved circular double pillars are noteworthy.

For more visit ABC Wednesday

and My World Tuesday

[Read Posts...]

Ekambareshvara Temple, Kanchipuram

There are many beautiful temples in Kanchipuram (State: Tamil Nadu). Here, the Ekambareshvara Temple is one of the largest temple and dates back to sometime between 16th to 17th centuries. The temple was constructed by the rulers of Pallava Dynasty and improvised by other dynasties.

The tall tower on the Southern entrance is 180 feet in height. This was erected by Maharaja Krishnadeva Raya of Vijayanagara Dynasty.

The temple has a huge hall with thousand pillars. To the North of the mantapa is a tank; west of the mandapa is the main shrine which contains the Earth Lingam (a form of Lord Shiva). There is a 3500 year old mango tree to the west of the main shrine. The tree produces four different varieties of mangoes.

[Read Posts...]

Nandi at Chamundi Hills, Mysore

The Nandi located at the top of Chamundi hills in Mysore (State: Karnataka) is bulit sometime in the years 1659 – 1673. The creation of this huge image of Nandi attributed to Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar, the Maharajas of Mysore.

This is the third largest image of Nandi in India. Carved out of single mammoth boulder it is about 16 feet in height and 24 feet long.

The Nandi is in sitting position with its left foreleg folded is on a 4 feet high platform. Many sequences of bells and garlands are carved beautifully over the Nandi.

According Hindi mythology considered as Lord Shiva's vehicle, the Nandi is in actively worshiped. This is an open shrine exposed to the elements of nature.

Direction: This shrine can be reached by climbing 1000 steps on the hill. Alternatively on the main road to hilltop, take right at the “View Point” junction. From this junction it is 2kms.

[Read Posts...]

Poetry in Stone - 1

Temples all over India represent the rich cultural heritage. The ancient temples are richly carved and they behold ones attention for their craftsmanship.

One such architectural gem is Kailashnath Temple of Kanchipuram (State: Tamil Nadu). This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is surrounded by 64 small sub-shrines. They adorned with the sculptures of the Lord Shiva in different poses, representing a picture of different aspects of mythology.

The above image is a scene from battle field where Lord Shiva is fighting the evil forces.

The above image depicts the Lord in a dance form. The image above can be seen is the picture below at the top in a smaller form.

At the base of the platform one can see the ancient inscriptions used in those days. On either side of these sub-shrines are lion pillars.

[Read Posts...]

Kailashnath Temple, Kanchipuram

There are many beautiful temples in Kanchipuram (State: Tamil Nadu). One such architectural gem is Kailashnath Temple. This temple is unique in its architecture.

In the late 7th century this temple was built by Pallava dynasty rulers Rajasimha and his son Mahendravarman.

It is an early structural temple, built of sandstone. The walls and sikhara of this temple are filled with great sculptures, and paintings. This temple of Lord Shiva has a four-storeyed octagonal sikhara.

A temple wall encloses the temple complex. The inner and outer walls of these shrines are adorned with fresco paintings while the walls of the main temple are profusely decorated with sculptures. There are all together row of 64 small shrines in the inner walls.

[Read Posts...]

Kanchipuram, City of Thousand Temples

Kanchipuram (State: Tamil Nadu) is located at a distance of 75 kms from Chennai. This city was the capital of the rulers of Cholas and Pallava between the 6th and 8th centuries had over a thousand temples. But now only hundred are still around and all of them are worth a visit.

Apart from its temples, this small town is also famous for best silk and cotton sarees woven from pure mulberry silk in the country.

Some of the temples that I have seen here are:

• Kailasanath Temple
• Varadaraja Perumal Temple
• Vaikunta Perumal Temple
• Ekambareswarar Temple
• Kamakshi Amman Temple

We shall explore this place in more details.

[Read Posts...]

Jalakanteswara Temple, Vellore

This large Jalakanteswara Temple in Vellore (State: Tamil Nadu) is located in the Vellore Fort, near the north wall of the fort. This ancient temple was built around 1566 in the Vijayanagar style. Jalakanteswara means “Lord Shiva residing in the water”.

The temple has a Nataraja Shiva deity on the northern altar, and on the western altar is a Shiva-linga. The temple has 2 court yard, one is inner prakara and the other is outer prakara. The outer prakara has huge Gopuram on the southern side which is 30m (100ft) high, seven-storey made of blue granite. Temple has some beautiful sculptures on the ceiling and some richly, carved pillars and monoliths.

The temple has beautiful Kalayana Mandapam. The carvings in this pillared hall are some of the most impressive in India. The outer pillars have sculptures of rearing horses and dragons. The inner pillars have sculptures of yalis, which are lion-like creatures.

[Read Posts...]

Nimishamba Temple, Ganjam

Ganjam (State: Karnataka) is located at a distance of 17 kms from Mysore. Here is the famous Nimishamba Temple on the banks of river Cauvery.

This ancient temple was built by Mummadi Krishanaraja Wodeyar, king of Mysore. The presiding deity of this temple is Goddess Parvati. Idol of the Goddess is carved in black stone. People believe that she will grant your wish in a minute.

Other idols inside the temple are Lord Shiva, Ganesha, Surya Narayana and Hanuman. There are sculptures of Goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati at the entrance on either side of the main tower.

Route: On the Mysore - Bangalore highway near Srirangapattana town, a road towards right leads to Ganjam.

[Read Posts...]

Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore

The historical Chamundeshwari Temple of Goddess Durga is located on the top of Chamundi Hills about 13 km from Mysore (State: Karnataka).

The original shrine was built sometime in the 12th century by Hoysala rulers and its tower was probably built in the 17th century by the Vijayanagar rulers. The temple tower is seven story tall and is decorated with intricate carvings.

On top of the sanctum is a small tower that can be seen from outside the temple. Around the temple are small beautiful carvings of Goddess in black stone. They are present both on inner courtyard as well as outer walls of the temple.

When in Mysore, even though outside city the visit to the temple is really worth.

[Read Posts...]

Chamundi Hills, Mysore

The Chamundi Hills with an elevation of 1000 meters is located close to Mysore (State: Karnataka) as many interesting sites. The temple top cab reached either by vehicle or by climbing around 1500 steps. From the top you can get a panoramic view of the Mysore and surroundings. At the top of the the hill are few temples. most prominent among them is the temple of Goddess Chamundeshwari.

En route to the top, one can see

• the large monolithic statue of Nandi the Bull.
• the statue of Demon Mahishasura.

At the top temple of Goddess Chamundeshwari

We started from Mysore to the Hills at around 7:00 a.m in the morning. It was drizzling on the the way. And at the top the temple tower was covered by mist. On the way we saw group of horse riders.

[Read Posts...]

Golden Fort, Jaisalmer

Golden Fort in Jaisalmer (State: Rajasthan) is the most magnificent site. Built in 1156 by the Bahtti Rajput ruler Jaisala, and reinforced by later rulers, the fort crowns the 80 m - high Trikuta Hill. This is one of the oldest living fort, where one quarter of the old city's population is still residing in it.

The fort has 99 bastions around its circumference and is protected by three walls. The lower wall is of solid stone blocks which reinforce the loose rubble of which Trikuta hill is composed. The second wall snakes around the fort. Above is the view of the fort from one of the havelis located outside the fort at a quite good distance.


The fort is entered from first Fort Gate and a series of massive gates via an enormous stone paved ramp, leads one to a large courtyard. In the courtyard one can see the former Maharaja's seven story Palace, Rajmahal. This square was formerly used to review troops, hear petitions and present extravagant entertainment for important visitors.


Within the fort walls, there are seven beautifully carved Jain Temples built between the 12th and 15th centuries.

The fort looks especially magical when it is lit up at night.

[Read Posts...]

Chausath Yogini Temple, Jabalpur

This temple is located on a hill top in Bhedaghat is 21 kms from Jabalpur (State: Madhya Pradesh).

This temple is approached by a series of 150 plus steps. The temple in the center dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati was built by the Kalchuri dynasty in the 10th century AD.

This temple complex has an open circular courtyard around the temple atop a hill. In circular fashion there is a row of 64 idols of attendants of Goddess Durga called Yoginis around the temple. These beautiful lawa stone idols were plundered and disfigured by Moghul invaders.

[Read Posts...]

Varaha Temple, Khajuraho

The Varaha Temple is located in front of the Lakshmana Temple is one of the oldest temple in Khajuraho (State: Madhya Pradesh). Belonging to Western Group of Temples it is one of the smallest and beautifully carved temple at Khajuraho. It is built some time by the rulers of Chandela dynasty between 930 and 950 A.D.

The stands elevated above the ground with 14 short pillars that support the high pyramidal roof capped with an kalash. It has a huge monolithic image of the standing Varaha (the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu). The image is made out of sandstone and measures 2.6 meters long and 1.7 meters high. It is unique from other images of Khajuraho as the stone shines like burnished metal.

The entire body of the divine creature is carved in low relief along with the figures of more than 600 gods and goddesses of the Hindu religion.main shrine of the temple has four subsidiary shrines at the corners of the temple platform. The temple has columned halls with balconies, an entrance porch, and the inner sanctum.

[Read Posts...]

Parsvanath Temple, Khajuraho

The Parsvanth Temple built in 950 - 1150 A.D belongs to the Eastern Group of Khajuraho Temples (State: Madhya Pradesh). This is one of the three Jain temples built by rulers of Chandel Dynasty inside the walled enclosure. (Click on the image for bigger view)

Measuring 20m x 11m, it is the largest among the Jain temples in Khajuraho. It is also one of the magnificently carved Jain temples in India. The walls of the temple have three bands of graceful sculptures depicting Hindu Gods.

The sculptures on the walls of this temple have been carved with great precision. More figures can be found on the outer face of the sanctum, depicting 'apsaras' (heavenly nymphs) in a variety of poses.

In the sanctum there is idol of Parshvanatha, a Jain Tirthankara.

[Read Posts...]

Nadi Narasimha Temple, Dodda Mallur

This small temple is located right on the banks of a river Kanva. If one gets out of the temple from one of its entrance they can get down into river. The deity of the temple is Lord Narasimha. As it is on the edge of river (nadi) the name of the temple is "Nadi Narasimh". But we had been here in peak summer and river had dried up. (Click on images for bigger view)

The temple is belied to be 1000 years old, but it might have been renovated some 300 years back. The brick wall seen above is not part of the temple. It is an enclosure build around the temple to provide shade.

The towers of the temples have beautiful sculptures and they have been painted. If on one side of the temple there is river, on the other three sides are sugarcane field, vegetable field and coconut garden.

How to Reach: It is located at a distance of 70 kms from Bangalore on State Highway 17 en-route to Mysore. There is a diversion to the right, 2 kms after Channapatna. After passing through a railway Crossing on this road, a mud road will lead to the temple.

[Read Posts...]

Nandi Shrine, Khajuraho

The Nandi Temple in Khajuraho (State: Madhya Pradesh) is a small temple opposite to Vishwanath Temple. Both the temple built in 1000 A.D belong to Western Group of Temples with their entrance facing each other. It has a large stone image of Nandi. (Click on the image for bigger view)

It is an open square pavilion resting on twelve pillars. It has a pyramidal roof of receding tiers of steps with minimal carvings at the top. The noteworthy decoration on its facades is a bold elephant frieze on the basement.

[Read Posts...]

Ganesh Mandir, Jhansi

Inside the Jhansi Fort is the Ganesh Temple used by the royal family for the worship. (Click on the images for bigger picture)

This is a simple temple built in a very small area very close to the gate. In Jhansi (state: Uttar Pradesh) this is one of the most popular temple. The wall behind the temple is the inner walls of the fort. A tour of fort is not complete without a visit to this temple.

[Read Posts...]

Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Khajuraho

The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple in Khajuraho (State: Madhya Pradesh) is the finest example of architecture of the medieval period in India. Belonging to Western Group of Temples it is the largest and most ornate Hindu temple at Khajuraho. It is built by King Vidyadhara of Chandela dynasty in 1050 A.D. (Click on the image for bigger view)

The main spire rises to a height of 31 m and is surrounded by 84 miniature spires. Other features of the temple are columned halls with balconies, an entrance porch, and the inner sanctum. Inside the sanctum is a marble linga representing Shiva.

Decorating the sides of the temple are numerous statues and the inner sanctum also has large number of ornate statues. Many of the side panels depict Shiva in the presence of apsaras, consorts, and other divinities. Most of the sculptures have economy of drapery but are effusively patterned with ornaments and flower motifs.

Its ornate gateway is very attractive with carvings on it.

Above is the front view of the temple when Sun rays fall on it. The people around it give us the sheer size of the temple.

[Read Posts...]

Javeri Temple, Khajuraho

The Javeri Temple built between 950 - 1150 A.D belongs to the Eastern Group of Khajuraho Temples (State: Madhya Pradesh). This is one of the three Hindu Temples built by rulers of Chandel Dynasty in this group. (Click on the image for bigger view)

This temple is a architectural gem. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Its ornate gateway, the makara torana, and slender shikhara are especially noteworthy.

Like every other temple in Khajuraho, even this temple is also famous for the band of sculptures around the temple.

This is rear view of the temple.

=

[Read Posts...]

Vishwanatha Temple, Khajuraho

After visiting the other group of temples in the morning session, we visited the Western Group of Khajuraho Temples (State: Madhya Pradesh) after lunch. Most of the temples of this group are enclosed by a compound wall known as Western Group Khajurho temple complex. (Click on the image for bigger view)

One such temple is Vishwanatha Temple built in 1000 A.D located towards the northeastern corner of the complex. This magnificent temple is built by the rulers of Chandel Dynasty, is one of the largest temple in Khajuraho.

The external wall of temple has more than 3000 exquisite sculptures. The band of sculptures on the walls represent musicians, dancers and deities. Inside the garbha graha there is marble Shiv linga.

There are images of deities set into the outside walls. On one of the walls there is a four-armed dancing Lord Ganesh, holding an axe and broken tusk in his proper right hands, and with his proper left hands holding a laddu (sweet) and extended in a boon-granting gesture.

The above image is rear view of the temple.

[Read Posts...]