Note to Self (Poem)

"

Smiling to outsiders and shouting on my insiders, 
working for my outer image & undermining relationships, 
One can't play a bully's game and act as a victim too, 
One question & my game's afoot for the devil says boo, 

Accustomed to pamper and folly,  in quest of negativity,  why the anger? 
Reserves of patience run out,  why fight these pangs of hunger? 
A seething fear or frustration forces me to be bad,  but resist it, 
For God's sake,  I am a man and not the clown in Stephen king's 'IT'. 

Tempted to lash the tongue at my beloved,  but no,  don't do, 
A mother's affection & father's pride look with love to me too, 
One good word,  one gentle smile,  no overthing would go a great way...
For the few seconds I live before death,  I intend to make merry! 

Let a thousand hands pray for my failure & let a million minds accuse me of sarcasm,  

May all my good deeds be misunderstood and cast into the unknown fathom,  

But deep in my heart,  with my conscience clear,  alone & alive... 

I endure, live and move on that no power of this mortal earth could deprieve.  

"

Witnessing the Chalukyan legacy...

Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal - located in the district of Bagalkot of Karnataka constitute a single World Heritage site. They are an excellent architectural source of the past, albeit on a lesser scale of size, if one were to compare with Ajanta and Ellora.

Badami, also called Vatapi was once the capital of Chalukyas (c.6th-8th Centuries). As per a myth, the Great Sage Agastya vanquished the demons Vatapi and Ilvala here. Located almost one and half hours away from the district head-quarters, the town is well connected by road. The railway station is 4kms away from the town's centre. There are 4 cave temples here dedicated to Saiva (Cave 1), Vaishnava (Caves 2 & 3) and Jaina (Cave 4) traditions. The carvings on the walls of the caves are simply exquisite! A dancing Lord Shiva as Nataraja along with a rather short Lord Vinayaka in the first cave and the simply marvelous relief of Lord Vishnu as Bhu-Varaha saving Bhu Devi in the second cave are captivating and iconic! The Red color of the hill adds a certain charm to the experience. The third cave, perhaps the largest has many panels of Lord Vishnu in some of his avatars. Various Jaina motifs are depicted in the fourth cave. Abutting these cave temples, on the banks of the almost dried Agasthya Lake are two separate temples, jointly called as 'Bhootanatha Temple Complex', dedicated to Lord Shiva. The ruins of the Badami fort on a hill and few smaller temples are located nearby. It is very easy to cover all these adjacent places. I planned a single day such that in the morning I was able to cover Bijapur/Vijayapura and in the evening - Badami!

Bhu-Varaha Panel, Cave 2, Badami

Into the Chalukyan capital  - Badami

Located almost 30kms from Badami, Pattadakal/Raktapura 'the coronation city'  has a cluster of temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in various forms. The frequency of busses from Badami to Pattadakal and Aihole is very less, so people rely on autos. The architecture here is a mixture of North Indian (Nagara/Rekhi) and South Indian (Dravida) styles, and is the zenith of early Chalukyan temple building. Garuda motif was liberally used to decorate the welcoming archways of Garbhagrihas - a Chalukyan rarity since the Garuda is associated mostly with Lord Vishnu rather than with Lord Shiva. The temple carvings here are iconic, and are drawn from Mahabharatha, Bhagavatam and other puranas. A Pillar inscription by Chalukya Mangalesha describes various temple grants. The biggest temple here is Lokeswara/Virupaksha temple named in honor of Lokeswari, a Chalukyan Queen.

Pattadakal

Pattadakal

Aihole is much farther from Pattadakal, and there are an estimated 120 temples in and around this little village. In fact there are so many monuments littered here and there in the village that one could not walk for at least 10 feet without stepping into an ancient temple or stepping on an old rock. Temples here like Durga temple, Ladkhan temple, Chakra temple evidently belong to a much earlier era and appear to be simple constructions unlike at Pattadakal. However, the must visit place here is a rock-cut and carved temple of Lord Shiva, called RavanaPhadi - some of the grandest reliefs are found here - pinnacle of Chalukyan rock art - Arhdanaadeeswara, Hari Hara Panel which depicts Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu as equals and a fine carving of an almost skeletal Bhrigu Maharshi having a darshan of Lord Shiva and Parvati as watched by three primary river goddesses. But, the piece de resistance is this - a ten handed Lord Shiva dancing in joy, surronded by Godess Parvati, Skanda/Kumara (partly defaced), Lord Vinayaka and watched by the Saptamathrikas! It was spellbinding!

Lord Shiva dancing, Ravan Phadi Cave

 

Inside Ravan Phadi Cave

En route, I stopped at Mahakuta - Dakshin Kashi, considered as the original Vatapi. The Malaprabha river was gently flowing by. Perhaps some 1400 years ago, Chalukya Pulkesin II could've proudly looked at the same river after defeating Harshavardhana and Pallava Mahendravarman. Even if he does somehow visit Badami today, he'd look at his own monuments with the same pride!






On #Mytravels @ Badami, Pattadakal, Aihole, 
14th-15th of June, 2019. 


 

Deccan's Grandeur (On Bijapur)

(Poem)



Dark clouds gather over the great lofty dome,
for the city was once the Adil Shah's home.
Wonderful acoustics match the general gloom,
and green gardens cover the past doom.

Gol Gumbaz

A straight road connects the past and the present,
and the weather swings that's not ever so pleasant.
At one end, the Black Taj of South India is a dusky beauty,
wherein lays the generous Ibrahim, fighter of poverty.

Ibrahim Rousa

The Great Mughal conquered the city,
the once great Agra of the South left in a state of pity!
This monstrous cannon was the reason for the fall,
yet, Bijapur remains, amidst the rubbles, standing tall!

Malik E Maidan

On #Mytravels at Bijapur, also called Vijayapura.
13th of June, 2019.
 

Bijapur/Vijayapura was the capital of Adil Shahi Sultanate (c.16th-17th Centuries). Gol Gumbaz (first para and first picture) houses the remains of Muhammad Adil Shah II, and with the outer dome's external diametre at 44 metres, is one of the largest domes of the world. Ibrahim Rousa (second para and second picture), the place where 'Abla Baba' 'Jagat Guru' Ibrahim Adil Shah II is buried, is considered as the 'Black Taj of the Deccan/South India'. The monstrous cannon called 'Malik E Maidan' (third para and third picture) was utilized by the Mughal troops under Aurangzeb who finally conquered Bijapur city in c.1658-1659 CE. The city also has other interesting monuments like Jod Gumbaz, Bara Kaman, Sangeet Mahal, Upli Burz etc and is called as 'Agra of South India'.

Me at Hampi (Part-II)

Sasivekalu Ganesha

Kadlekalu Ganesha

(continued…2^nd day at Hampi) I’ve started the next day with the darshan of another huge monolithic idol of Lord Vinayaka called ‘Kadlekalu Ganesha’. At a distance of almost two kilo-metres towards Kamalapura, there are two small temples – Veerabhadra Swamy Temple and Chennakeshava Temple. A must visit place here is an underground Siva temple called Prasanna Virupaksha. Although not exactly under-ground, it is located on a slightly ditch-dug trench like platform. It is damaged but the mandapa has wonderful carvings.

Lotus Mahal

Elephant Stables

Another group of monuments including the Lotus Mahal and Elephant-Stables are located very far from here, slightly deviated from the road. To visit them, just like the Vittala temple, you got to buy a ticket. I was the first tourist of the day and it was a wonderful experience! Two watch towers guard the elaborate compound wall and in the centre are the gigantic, connected Elephant-Stables. Excavations are still going on around here and trespassing is prohibited at certain places. Farther northwards, there are many ruined Jain and Hindu temples with some of the finest carvings. At the exit point, there is a temple dedicated to SriRanga along with an inscription.

Hazara Ramalaya

Carvings inside Hazara Ramalaya

Hazara Ramalaya - purely on the basis of this temple alone, Hampi could have been declared a World Heritage Site! On the walls of this magnificent monument, there are terrific carvings – tales from Ramayana, perhaps the best in Vijayanagara! Time seems to stand still at this place and one full day is still not enough to appreciate the intricacy and expertise of these carvings. Turushkawada and a Masjid are to the south of this temple. A high-raised platform adorned with carvings of warriors and dancers called ‘Mahanavami Dibba’ used for social ceremonies along with a step well & the Queen’s Bath stand nearby. Finally, I’ve got to visit the ASI museum at Kamalapura. I’d advise to visit this museum first to have a broad idea about what to see at Hampi. En route, I saw an old temple dedicated to Anantasayana Mahavishnu temple between Kondanayakahalli and Hosapete. It was built by Sri Krishna DevaRaya, modeled on the basis of Srikakulandhra MahaVishnu temple. It isn’t properly maintained.

Dancers on Wall, Maha Navami Dibba

This is the end of my Hampi visit. As I took my more than uncomfortable but reserved seat on the Karnataka Sariga buss to Bijapur whose Sultans were once arch rivals of Vijayanagara, I was drenched in the grandeur of this once great city! It started raining heavily….or are they tears in my eyes!
 

Anantasayana Mahavishna Temple

On #Mytravels @ Hampi-Vijayanagara, 
11th-12th of June, 2019.

The Pain of a Wait...

Another day is set to end, and there is still no sign of her beloved King,

caught between hope and despair, she latches on to the doomed swing.

If thoughts could speak, she could've crafted an epic tale of longing,

If looks could burn, the entire forest will go down, her grief acknowledging.

No gentle breeze could move her ear-ring & no rains of joy to cover her tears,

no flowers of wonder to adorn her hair-bun, no gods to answer her prayers.

Day after day, the promising future of bliss appears bleak,

and night after night, only the charm of the past stays without a break.

Like spiders, people wove stories on her enchanted beauty,

kings fought & artists imagined - all for her, as if it's their duty.

But nothing matters to the one who waits....

none could truly comprehend her poignant traits!

The joy of friends and a chirping Koel or a Golden Deer -

things that mattered once are bitter and bereft of cheer.

Still, the alluring angel scans the horizon with her bedazzling eyes....

In Quest of love, even the pain of a wait has some evident highs!

Based on the oil painting by Raja Ravi Varma - 'Sakuntala', which I saw at the Government Museum, Chennai-Egmore. I think it's a replica, as I'm not certain if it's the original one. 
11th of May, 2019.

Me at Hampi (Part-I)

"The city of Bidjanagar (Hampi-Vijayanagara) is such that the pupil of the eye has never seen a place like it, and the ear of intelligence has never been informed that there existed anything to equal it in the world."                                                                               

-                               -  Abdur Razaq, Ambassador and traveller from Persia, 15^th Century.

Gopuram of Virupaksha Temple

Of all the historical places that I’ve visited, Hampi holds a special place in my heart and has an evident emotional connect. It was here that the Telugu language was enriched by the Ashtadiggajas (Eight Poets) patronized by SriKrishna DevaRaya, the greatest of Rayas, even as brutal battles were fought with firstly, the Bahmans and later, the Deccan Sultanates mostly for the control of Krishna-Tungabhadra Doab. And on a hot June day when the entire country is obsessed over the arrival of the deceptive South West Monsoon, I visited this wonderful place.

Virupaksha Temple as viewed from Hemakuta Hill

Regular City busses ply from Hosapete bus station (nearest city) to Hampi via the village of Kamalapura. The eye feast begins once the buss deviates from the main road at Kamalapura and takes left. Two hillocks with ruins littered here and there pass by. Finally, as I got down, the sight of the towering Gopuram of Virupaksha temple beckoned me. Virupaksha, a form of Lord Shiva is the family deity of the Rayas. The temple has a separate tank and Mandapam ensconced within it. Slightly damaged mural paintings dot the roof and walls of the temple. A very fine straight road connects the temple with Matanga Hill and Monolithic Bull. From the top of the Matanga Hill/Hillock, one could have a clear view of the entire ruins and temples at Hampi. Dotted with pillars and little mandapas on both sides, the walk from the Virupaksha temple towards Matanga Hill on that almost empty road had a rustic medieval aura to it, that I’ve felt like the Great Telugu Poet Srinadha, walking, about to be felicitated by the King of Vijayanagara, DevaRaya-II.

Inside Vitthala Temple

A tiring walk of 1.75 Kms from Virupaksha temple, towards the right side of the hill, passing through little shrines, past the small but snake like Tungabhadra river, King’s Balance and Sugriva Temple, brought me to the Vitthala Temple. En route - after some distance, I could not find proper sign boards for the temple, and this was a minor complaint. This temple is an outstanding monument! The two outer Gopurams of the temple are mostly damaged, but once inside, the feel is terrific. Two major mandapas adorn the temple, complete with rich pillar work and ornamentation. In the centre of the temple complex is the iconic Garuda Ratha (Garuda Chariot). Another Central Sabha Mandapam, – famed for it’s musical pillars and acoustics was under repair and renovation. The guards told that the actual reason for it’s closure was that too many eager & unsuspecting tourists were unknowingly damaging fragile pillars by hitting them repeatedly to listen music!

Pillar inside Vitthala Temple

Then, I’ve returned to the Virupaksha temple and trekked the Hemakuta Hill/Hillock which was to the right side of the temple. Many Jain & Hindu temples dot the hillock, roamed by groups of monkeys and langurs, including a temple dedicated to Mula-Virupaksha Raya, sort of father deity of Virupaksha. It is a treat to watch the Sun-Set from Hemakuta. Next to the hillock is a carved monolithic four handed idol of Lord Vinayaka called ‘Sasivekalu Ganesha’ (Sasivekalu=Mustard Seed). Farther eastwards across the road, adjacent to each other are the monolithic Urga-Narasimha and the 3 metres high Badava Linga. Their proximity suggests a recurring concept of Vijayanagara – that of equality between Saiva and Vaishnava traditions.

Ruins of Krishna Bazaar

Shri Krishna Temple

From there, I took another road for the walk back, and got to see the beautiful, partly damaged Krishna Temple. According to an inscription inside the temple, during the famous Kalinga Campaign, SriKrishna DevaRaya  brought an idol of Lord Shri Krishna from one of his conquests and installed it here. Opposite to this temple is the sprawling ruins of Krishna Bazaar – a place where ornaments and precious stones were traded commonly like vegetables and fruits during Vijayanagara times (allegedly). I could’ve been tempted to search the place for any of such treasures, but alas, my little knowledge of history meant that there are no such mundane treasures here, after the loot of the city following the Battle of Rakshasa-Tangadi (c.1565 CE).  Only the treasures of heritage are left. (...to be continued)

BadavaLinga

Ugra Narasimha

On #Mytravels, Hampi-Vijayanagara, 

11th and 12th of June, 2019.