TEMPLE VISIT - LAKKUNDI TEMPLES

Monday 15th April 2019
Lakkundi, Near Gadag.

LAKKUNDI is a place about 12 km from Gadag in North Karnataka. It's paradise of temples as many are built during Chalukyas, Hoysala periods. There is also Jain Temple dedicated to Mahavira, largest and ancient shrines at Lakkundi.

The archeological Survey of India has put a museum, which contains number of sculpture displayed nicely, with lot of information. There is an entry of Rs 25.00 to visit all the temples.

The Chalukyas built a city called Kalyani, which does not exist now, but the architecture of Kalyani Chalukya temples at Lakkundi are delights for architects and archeological enthusiasts.

Among the temples we visited were:

Kashi Vishwanatha/Lord Shiva Temple - is the most attractive of all the temples with intricate designs carved on towers , pillars and doorways.

Nanneshwara Temple - Behind Kashi Vishwanatha Temple also is also beautiful.

Brahma Jinalaya - A Jain Temple/Basadi bui;t in 11th Century by Queen Athimabbe, mother of Ahaniga Masavadi, Ruler of Lakkundi. The temple is dedicated to Bhagwan Mahavira.

Musukina Baavi - We visited one of the popular wells known as Musukina Baavi, excellently carved, unique with proportionate steps.There is also shiva temple attached to wells, visitors are not allowed to walk down the steps.

Lakkundi is definitely an interesting place to visit for lovers of historically and archeological places of interest.

Posted Friday, 26th April 2019

TEMPLE VISIT - TRIKUTESHWARA TEMPLE- GADAG

Monday 15th April 2019
Gadag, North Karnataka

Trikuteshwara Temple is located in Gadag in North Karnataka, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The temple was built between 1050 and 1200 by Chalukyas, designed and built by acclaimed Architect Jakanachari.

The main shrine has three Lingas, representing thriMurthis, Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu.The other shrine is dedicated to Goddess of Learning, Saraswathi. Beautifully carved walls and pillars, wall panels with beautifully sculpted figures and stonework screens, make the temple very attractive.

Sadly Goddess Saraswathi idol is damaged at some period by some vandals, but it is still beautiful with broken hand, one can imagine how much tome the sculpture would have spent to create such a beautiful idol.

In the adjoining temple there are three shrines dedicated to Gayathri, Savithri and Saraswathi.

We spent about an hour wondering about the time, energy and patience to create such a wonderful temple.

Posted Thursday, 25th April 2019

MUSIC PROGRAM - VENKATESH KUMAR

Saturday, 20th April 2019
Sri Rama Navami Sangeethotsava, SheshadriPuram College, Bengaluru.

Sri Rama Navami Sangeethotsava is organized by RamaSeva Samithis at various places in Bangaluru, The Utsava lasts for 30 days and various celebrity musicians are invited to give their performances. Most of the days there classical music program, either Carnatic or Hindustani.

One such program was by Pandit Venkatesh Kumar, who sing Hindustani style both classical and bhajans. He has rich and melodious voice, and talks nicely and says music comes only with constant practice. Whatever the type of music, Hindustani, Carnatic or instrumental, one has to PRACTICE, PRACTICE AND PRACTICE.

He was accompanied by harmonium, mridanga and Tanpura and he sang number of bhajans and few raagas. The program lasted for 2 hours.

Posted Monday, 22nd April 2019 

GENERAL ELECTIONS 2019 - WE VOTED

Thursday, 18th April 2019
Kenneth George School, Bhuvaneshwari Nagara, DasaraHalli Main Road, Bengaluru.

It is the elections for Loka Sabha, seat of central government. 90 crores voters from 29 states voting for 543 parliamentary seats. The elections are organized in seven phases, In Karnataka, it is taking place on 18th and 23rd April. The state of Karnataka elects 28 parliamentarians for Loka Sabha

National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has been in power, for last 5 years, since 2014 with Sri Narendra Modi as Prime Minister. The Bharatiya Janatha Party secured 282 seats in the last general elections held in 2014 and along with alliance partners they had more than 330 seats in the parliament. United Progressive Alliance (UPA) with Congress Party which had been in power for more than 60 years, looting the country with so many scams to their credit.

A nationalist, a selfless and a man with high vision for the country, Narendra Modi is fighting the elections and as the trend and the Modi wave pervades the country, there is necessity of man like him is required for the country. Fearless, shrewd, and a powerful speaker running across the country campaigning. His vision " Development for all " without religion, cast and creed. He intends to come hard on corrupt politicians, who loot the country's resources for self development.

It is high time that people should strengthen Modi's hands for running the country to make it "SHRESTA BHARATH"

We had four votes and as Ravi was out of station, three of us voted as our names are in the polling booth in Kenneth George School. There was a long queue in the morning, We went again at 1 pm, and we finished voting in 5 minutes.

There was feeling of pride as we participated in the democratic process and joined our hands in the nation building.

Posted 22nd April 2019

VISIT TO GANGUBAI HANGAL HOUSE AT HUBBALLI

Sunday, 14th April 2019
HUBBALLI

GanguBai Hangal, (5th March 1913 - 21st July 2009) singing sensation of Hindustani classical music for 75 years, was known for deep and powerful voice.

She has received a number of awards which include:
PadmaVibhushana
Padma Bhooshana,
Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award
Sangeetha Nataka Academy Fellowship,
Karnataka Sangeetha Nritya Academy Award.

Dr GanguBai Hangal Gurukul in Hubballi trains artists in Traditional Guru-Shishya Parampara to become performing artists.

The sad part Gurukul is in a pathetic state, not well maintained and not looked after. one musical instruments lying with dust, the photographs and awards received were all lying haphazard.

However, we paid silent tribute to a great musician of the yesteryears.

Posted Sunday 21st April 2019