Fort Bhairavadurga

    On a lazy Sunday noon, after a sumptuous lunch at home, we decided to explore a fort situated close to Bangalore. Our target this time was the Bhairavadurga Fort. After gearing up suitably, we drove towards Bhairavadurga. On reaching Hulikal, we stopped by to get directions from a local. He instructed us to drive through the mud road just after passing out of the village and on reaching a mango grove, we could start our trek. We parked our vehicle and headed straight towards the hill base. We came across another local whom on inquiring about the route to the hill top, warned us about the presence of leopards and bears in the dense areas surrounding the hills and advised it would be better if we explored this place during the early hours. He then calmed us down by assuring our safety if we returned before sunset and informed us we had to walk  about a kilometer to reach the base of the hill and then follow the path to the hill top. Since we were already  late, we made an instant and a strict decision of  trekking only up till 5:30 pm and returning to ensure safety. That meant we had about an hour and fifteen minutes as our trek time limit, which we thought would be just enough.

Fort Bhairavadurga

Into the Woods

     As we walked further, the vegetation gradually changed from shrubby to woody and though it was summer, the walk through the woods was quite pleasant. We reached the hill base and also found a path for our trek uphill. We followed the path and all of a sudden, reached a dead end on the path with all sides covered with thorny shrubs. We had nowhere to go further. Somehow, we spotted a small opening in between the shrubs and realized that if we crossed a few yards, from there on the walk would be easy and so we did. We were excited to see a flight of steps that lead to a gateway that was completely engulfed by shrubs.

The Dead End

Under Shrubs

Steps leading to the Gateway

 The Gateway

Shivagange

   After passing the gateway, and walking ahead, it seemed like we had lost our way as there was no path to climb up. Though the upper most tier of fort was in sight, we could not find a way to the hill top. We tried different routes that we thought would lead us to the fort but in vain. Since it was late evening, we decided not to venture further and planned to return.

Area engulfed by Shrubs

Upper Tier

To be continued ...........

Hire-Hadagali /ಹಿರೆ ಹಡಗಲಿ

Hire-Hadagali Temple 

 "ಹಿರೆ ಹಡಗಲಿ " is a busy village located on the State Highway SH 40 which is a link between Hoovina Hadagali  and Ranebennur. Thanks to the ASI staff  for insisting us to visit this temple. This place is home to a beautiful Chalukyan temple dedicated to Lord Kalleshwara. The Art critic Alexander Rea has described this temple completely in his book titled "The Chalukyan Architecture". He summarizes in his book that 'every detail of the carved work is as minutely finished as jewellery'. This temple is locally known has 'Katte Basaveshwara' temple. One of the inscriptions found here also calls it 'Demeswara'.

The South Doorway

Dwarapalakas

Interiors of the Kalleshwara Temple

Goddess Uma-Maheshwari's unique Hair-Do

 Lintel Carving of the Garbhagriha

   The temple is believed to have been built during 10th Century by the Kalyana Chalukyas. It is undoubtedly one amongst the most beautiful temples of Karnataka.There are two entrances to temple (one  facing  east and the other facing south).  The unique feature of this temple is the embossed carvings on the pattikas. The outer walls of the temple are extremely beautiful, carrying heavy carvings of unusual styles and designs.The main temple  houses idols of Ganesha, Sapthamatrikas, Uma-Maheshwari and Bhairava. All the doorways and the pillars are of classical Chalukyan type.  There is a small idol of Nandi inside the temple. Another temple situated opposite to this temple is dedicated to the Sun God Lord Surya and has a huge Nandi in its front, facing the Kalleshwara. 

Heavily decorated Pillar 

Lion capturing a Three Headed Snake

Embossed Carvings on the Pattikas

Goddess Paravathi

Lord Surya Temple

Nandi

Carvings on the outer wall

   The ASI has maintained this temple and its surroundings well and has appointed full time care takers.

Kalleshwara Temple

Natures' Gem with Man made Gem

    Directions from Bangalore: Bangalore -NH4 - Ranebennur - Right Turn  towards SH 40 -

                                                  Hire-Hadagali

    Distance from Bangalore: 370 km

  Places to visit Around: Mylara, Devaragudda, Galaganatha, Chaudayyadanapura, Haveri, Ranebennur,   Bagali, Harapanahalli, Hoovina Hadagali, Kuruvatti, Harlahalli, Dambal, Magala and many more

Reference :  Ourtemples.in

 

Hero Stones - Agrahara Bachahalli

Agrahara Bachahalli, famous for its Huniseshwara temple and the Garuda Lenka Kambhas is also known for a  massive Hero Stone or Veeragallu situated besides the temple. It is housed in a small temple like enclosure and offers protection to the herostone, signifying the importance of the hero. This particular hero stone is made of Soap stone, which is smooth and rarely used in making hero stones, as we have seen. Looking at the many hero stones inside the temple complex premises, it was quite evident that a great battle had been fought and many lives lost in order to save their kingdom. Hero stones are great sources of knowledge in understanding the history and culture of the people involved.  They were made by people closely associated to the Hero (Solider who sacrificed his life for the kingdom) in memory of his bravery and in order to spread a word about the same.

An enclosure with Hero-Stone

 Hero-stone ( material : soap stone)

Hero stones and Garuda Lenka Kambhas Collection

Ganesha idol and Naga Stones

Beautiful Work

Skillfully Done

 Homer, the Greek author of the Iliad, describes in his book about the Hero as a person possessing divine strength or a person blessed by God to have immense power and strength. But in due course, someone who did noble deeds was also considered a Hero. During olden days, in the Hindu culture, only two types of people were held in high regard. The one who attained knowledge through meditation (Bhakti Marga ) and the other who fought war for the kingdom with a lot of strength and valor (Shakti Marga). It was also believed that people falling in these two categories would attain Moksha (Salvation) and reside permanently in Swarga (Heaven). The same is depicted in the second  panel (or the third very rarely) from the top, of all Hero stones. It is generally shown as the Hero or Veera, seated on a palanquin and being carried away by Angels/Apsaras to the heaven.

The first panel from top depicts Prayers offered to the Lord

The second panel depicts the hero being carried away to the heaven by Angels

The third depicts war scenes (Soldier on the Horse)

Related Readings:
1 Team G Square
2 Wikipedia
3 Slide share
4 Book - ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ವೀರಗಲ್ಲುಗಳು (Karnatakada Veeragallugalu ) by Dr. R .Sheshashastri