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Nowhere else in India can you find such a profusion of monuments as in
Karnataka. No wonder then, that Karnataka has been called the ‘Cradle of
Stone Architecture’ in India.
The
magnificent World Heritage Sites at Hampi and Pattadakal,
the exquisite temples at Belur, Haleibid and Somnathpur,
the cave temples of Badami, Aihole and the stately forts,
domes and minarets of Bijapur resurrect Karnataka’s historical
and cultural affluence. These peerless wonders are eloquent reminders of
a rich heritage.
Hampi
Often
called the ‘World’s largest Open-air Museum’, Hampi was the capital city
of the powerful South Indian Vijayanagar Empire. Founded by Harihara and
Bukka in 1336, it fell to the rulers of Northern India in 1565 after the
battle of Talikota, and subsequently lapsed into decline and
abandonment.
The
once-proud city of victory is now a city of desolation. However, the
ruins of these historical monuments have stood the ravages of man time
and still evoke memories of regal splendor.
Amidst
an awesome boulder-strewn landscape along the banks of the Tungabhadra
River, Hampi was one of the glittering showpieces of India’s might in
the 15th century. There were opulent palaces, marvelous
temples, massive fortifications, baths, markets, aqua ducts, pavilions
and stables for royal elephants. The city’s merchants traded in
diamonds, pearls, fine silks, brocades, horses and much more.
Anegundi
Just
across the Tungabhadra River is the fortress town of Anegundi,
pre-dating the Vijayanagara Empire and its capital city. More ancient
than Hampi, Anegundi lies in the mythical kingdom of Kishkinda, ruled by
the monkey-king Sugriva of Ramayana fame. Anjanadri Hill, near Anegundi
and its tranquil environs are dotted with forgotten temples and
fortifications. The dilapidated Huchppayana Matha Temple, near the
river, is worth a peek for its black-stone lathe-turned pillars and fine
panels of dancers. The other places of interest are the sacred Pampa
Sarovara, Aramane (a ruined palace) and the Ranganatha Temple.
Badami
Picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills,
the exquisite sculptures and the rust-red sandstone cliffs of Badami
tell many a tale of yore. At the end of a flight of steps are four
ancient rock-cut caves replete with carved pillars and bracket figures,
all hewn out of red sandstone on the precipice of a hill. The first
sculptural embellishment to dazzle the eye is the 18-armed Nataraja
striking 81 dance poses. Overlooking the caves is the Agastya Theerta
Tank, its banks dotted with a cluster of Boothanatha temples.
Banashankari
En
route to Badami is a quaint hamlet taking its name from the
goddess Banashankari. The highlight here is the Dravidian style temple
dedicated to Banashankari- a form of Parvathi highly revered by the
weaver community. The idol depicts the powerful eight-armed goddess
seated on a snarling lion.
Mahakuta
Once a great centre for the Shaiva cult, Mahakuta is surrounded by
hills. The
Mahakuteshwara Temple
dedicated to Shiva features a natural spring pond called Vishnu
Pushkarni. The temple is surrounded by several small shrines with a
wealth of carving in their walls, some of them sating back to the
Chalukyan era.
Pattadakal
With its beautifully chiseled temples, this World Heritage Site on the
banks of the
Malaprabha River
bears testimony to the richness of Chalukyan architecture. Pattedakal
reached its pinnacle of glory under the Chalukya kings and was once used
as a ceremonial centre where kings were crowned and commemorated. It has
a cluster of 10 major temples- with the 8th century
Temples of Jambulinga, Kaadasiddheshwara and Galaganatha with
their curvilinear spires at the entrance to the site. The
Sangameshwara
Temple
dating from the reign of King Vijayaaditya (696-733 A.D) is the earliest
temple in the complex.
Aihole
A tranquil village on the banks of the Malaprabha River, Aihole
is acclaimed as the cradle of Hindu temple architecture. There are
hundreds of temples in the villages and fields nearby. The most
impressive one is the
Durga Temple
with its semicircular apse, elevated plinth, and a gallery encircling
the sanctum. The
Lad Khan
Temple, which is one of the earliest temples, was originally a
royal assembly hall and marriage mantapa chosen as the abode of a Muslim
prince, Lad Khan.
The
Huchimalli Temple
with a square sculpture of Vishnu sitting atop a large cobra, the
Ravalphadi
Cave Temple
celebrating the many forms of Shiva, the Konti Temple Complex,
the Umamaheshwari Temple, the
Jain Meguti Temple
and the two-storied Buddhist Temple are other sights truly worth a
visit.
Lakkundi
Southeast of Gadag, in the hamlet of Lakkundi, are 50 stunning
temples and 29 inscriptions dating back to the kalyana Chalukya period.
The most ornate and spectacular of these is the Kashi Vishwanatha
Temple. The
Jain Temple
dedicated to Mahavira is one of the largest and oldest shrines here. The
Archeological Survey of India also maintains a sculpture gallery here.
Kittur Chennamma Fort
Located on the Pune-Bangalore Highway is the town of Kittur with its
dilapidated palace, monuments, statues and horse tongas (rickshaws). The
Kittur Chennamma Fort stands as testimony to the great freedom struggle
led by Rani Chennamma.
Chitradurga Fort
Chitradurga, on the highway linking
Bangalore
with Hospet, is famed for its massive
Kallina Kote (Palace
of Stone),
a marvel of military architecture made impregnable by the Nayak Palegars.
It has 19 gateways, 38 side entrances, a palace, a mosque, granaries,
oil pits, four secret entrances and water tanks. Also inside the fort
complex are several temples.
Gulbarga Fort
Built
originally by Raja Gulchand and later fortified by Ala-ud-din Bahman,
the fort encompasses large buildings, mosques, temples, stables,
armories, carriages, towers, cannons and several beautiful courtyards.
The piece-de resistance of the sprawling fort is the 38000 sq. ft.
Jumma Masjid with its elegant domes and arched columns eminiscent of
the great mosque of Cordoba in Spain.
Bidar Fort
This
rugged 15th century fort surrounded by a triple-moat wall
hewn out of red rock, with intricate battlements and an imposing gateway
affords a glimpse of Karnataka’s richly textured history. The Rang
Mahal has elaborately carved wooden pillars, Persian couplets
engraved in tiles and exquisite mother-of-pearl inlay work.
Mysore Palace
All roads in Mysore lead to the Mysore Palace. Built in the Indo-Sarcenic
style with domes, turrets, arches and colonnades, the palace is a
treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the
world. Intricately carved doors open into luxuriously furnished rooms.
The majestic Durbar Hall has an ornate ceiling and many sculpted
pillars. The Marriage Pavilion is adorned with glazed tile
flooring, stained glass windows and domed ceilings. The walled palace
complex houses the
Residential Museum,
temples and Shrines, including the
Shwetha Varhaswamy
Temple.
Bijapur
The
onetime capital of the Adil Shahi Kings (1489-1686), Bijapur is dotted
with mosques, mausoleums, palaces, fortifications, watch towers and
strong gateways.
The
massive Gol Gumbaz dominates the landscape for miles around. It
is the imposing mausoleum of Muhammed Adil Shah and was built in 1659.
Housing the world’s second largest dome, unsupported by pillars, it is
an acoustic and architectural wonder. Its amazing whispering gallery
distinctly echoes the faintest whisper eleven times.
The
jewel of Adil Shahi architecture is the Jumma Masjid, with its
graceful arches, aisles, halls, intricate designs and large crowning
onion dome. What makes it even more special is the priceless Koran
written in letters of gold that is carefully preserved here.
Malik-e-Maidan
is a 55 ton cannon perched on a platform. The head of the cannon is
fashioned into the shape of a lion whose jaws are trying to devour an
elephant. Legend has it that if you touch the gun and make a wish, it
will come true.
Other architectural sites in Bijapur include
Mehtar Mahal, Gagan Mahal, Jala Manzil, Bara Kaman, Upli Buruj and Taj
Bawdi.
Srirangapatna
The
island fortress of the legendary warrior king Tipu Sultan houses the
monarch’s mosque with its twin minarets, the celebrated Ranganatha
Swamy Temple, the Summer Palace, the Wellesly Bridge
and the dungeons where British officers were once imprisoned. Equally
impressive is the ornate white-domed Gumbaz, an imposing
structure with doors of ebony inlaid with ivory and lacquered with
Tipu’s tiger-striped emblem. About 1km to the east of the fort is Tipu’s
Summer Palace, Daria Daulat Bagh, which is set midst a lovely
garden.
Chennakeshava Temple, Somnathpur
Situated in the inconspicuous village of
Somnathpur,
35km from
Mysore,
the exquisitely carved, star–shaped temple with triple towers is a
perfect example of Hoysala architecture. The friezes on its outer walls
have intricately carved rows of caparisoned elephants charging horsemen,
mythological birds and beasts.
Chennakeshava Temple, Belur
On the
banks of the Yagachi River in Belur is a star-shaped
temple with hand lathe-turned filigreed pillars and sculptures.
The
winged figures of Garuda, Lord Vishnu’s carrier, stands at the entrance
facing the temple. The most marvelous specimens of Hoysala architecture,
found exclusively at Belur, are the angled bracket figures depicting
celestial nymphs. The beautiful and expressive nymphs are depicted
singing, dancing or executing daily chores. Equally impressive are the
Temples of Chennigaraya, Viranarayana, Sridevi and
Bhoodevi- all in the same complex.
Hoysaleshwara Temple
The
temple is situated in Halebid, the ancient capital of the
Hoysalas. The temples here are richly carved with an endless variety of
Hindu deities, sages, stylized animals, birds and friezes depicting the
life of the Hoysala kings. The temple complex has a museum which houses
the idols, statues, busts and sculptures excavated by the Archeological
Department.
Bangalore Palace
Modeled on the lines of the Windsor Castle, the Bangalore Palace flaunts
turreted parapets, battlements, fortified towers and arches.
Tipu’s Fort and Palace
Built in 1791, this summer retreat of Tipu Sultan in
Bangalore
is a two-storied ornate wooden structure with fluted pillars, cusped
arches and balconies. It now houses a museum, which contains artifacts
from the Hyder Ali- Tipu Sultan era.
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