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

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

TEMPLE VISIT - VEERANARAYANA TEMPLE - GADAG

Monday 15th April 2019
Visit to Gadag

It was in the morning about 8.30 we left for Gadag (distance of 52 km) from Hubbali and reached around 10.30 am

The narrow road that leads to the temple is not well maintained and one wonders how such a magnificent temple could be there at that spot. Probably, during the course of time, people inhibited the place

After visiting Trikuteshwara Temple, we proceeded to visit VeeraNarayana Temple. The magnificent was built by Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana around 1127. Lord MahaVishnu is main deity at the temple along with other Gods and Goddesses.

King Vishnuvardhana, after the influence of Ramanujacharya, converted to Shaivaism, sect of Hindu religion become ardent follower of Lord Vishnu.

Kannada poet KumaraVyasa wrote Epic Mahabharatha in this temple with divine inspiration of Lord Narayana (Vishnu). The epic was accomplished at a certain pillar in the hall.

The main entrance "MahaDwara", and the tower known as "Gopura" resembles VijayaNagara Model.
The oufit on the deity with "Veera Chakra" signifies that it is "Ready for Battle". Lakshmi and Eagle are consort and companion of the deity, by which it is flanked with.

There are also a beautiful "Arali Mara" in the premises, inside the compound, where one feels freshness of the surroundings.

We spent about an hour in the temple complex and proceeded further.

Posted Friday, 19th April 2019

VISITING PLACES - HUBBALLI -DHARWAD- GADAG - BELGAUM

Sun, Mon, Tue, 14 - 16 April 2019
Hubballi, Dharwad, Gadag, Lakkundi, Kitturu, Belgaum, M K Hubli

It was a casual trip for seeing places, visiting relations and friends.

at Hubballi

Booked for Sat. night train from Yeshwanthpur to Hubballi on 13th night leaving at 10pm. Was dropped at the railway station by Rishi. Reached Hubbali in the morning at 6.30 am and went to RaghavendraVeena's house at 7am.

with Raghavendra's amma

That day visited few places in Dharwad Hubbali, lunch at Basavanna Khanavali. Evening visited Siddharooda Matha, Old BhavaniShankar Temple, visited Raghavendra amma's house.

Monday, 15th April, left for Gadag (distance 52 km) visited Trikuteshwara and VeeraNarayana Temples, lunch at Vidya Prakash  Vailaya's house. Also visited his farm with cows, and then to Lakkundi visited temples and Heritage museum and back to Hubballi.

at Vidya Prakash Vailaya's House at Gadag

at Vailaya's Farm with Nikhil and Nithin

Tuesday, 16th April - Left for Belgaum (Distance of 82 km), on the way, visited Kitturu Rani Chennamma's ruined palace, museum and watch tower and had lunch at Rajashree Sudhir's house at Belgaum. Afternoon, on the way back visited Ashwath Lakshmi Venkateshwara Temple and Gangambike Aikyatha (Samadhi) place in the river Malaprabha at M K Hubli.

at Belgaum with Rajashree Sudhir

Visited MalaAunty (Distant relation) at Dharwad, had Girmit and Tea, returned to Hubballi by 8.30pm.

at Dharwad with Mala Aunty

Wed. 17th April, at 5.30 was dropped by Raghavendra Upadhya at Hubballi railway station to catch Intercity express leaving at 6 am. Reached Yeshwanthpur Railway station at 2.30 pm and reached home by Wuber Taxi at 3 pm.

Posted Thursday, 18th April 2019