Glimpses of Badami Dynasty Mahakuta Temple Complex

Mahakuta is a group of temples which lies within the ancient Mahakuta. These are fine piece of architecture made with Dravida style Architecture, admiring the great Chalukya dynasty of Badami. All the constructions were made in 6th and 7th centuries, and all of them were build with Dravida and Nagarra style. Both of these styles are unique and irrelevant to each other, which make them unique of its own kind. These temples are build by early sovereign of Chalukya empire. During this construction the architectures combines the basic plan of one style with characteristics of other style.

A natural spring is flowing through mountains also flows though this temple complex. This natural mountain spring brings fresh water into the Vishnu Pushkarni water tank. This water tank is well known as the Papavinasha Tirth means the ablution tank. Many shrines takes a holy deep in this tank for Papamukti. In all temples here Mahakutesvara temple and Mallikarjun temple largest amongst all of them. There is also one small construction which is present at the centre of Pushkarni tank, there is a Shiva Ling in it, well known as a Panchamukhi Shiva ling (Shiva ling with five faces). Each face of this Shiva ling facing to all directions. This temple has a ancient script written on a pillar of Mahakuta temple. This was written in 7th century by the queen of Pulakesi I, Durlabhadevi. The pillar which has inscription written on it is well known as a Dharma Jaystambha, means pillar which makes the statement of victory of religion. This Stambha is now has been placed in exhibition at Bijapur Archaeological Museum.

Best Time to Visit Badami

You can visit this place at any time of year but in winter temperature becomes low. Winter occurs in January and lasts till March. This is the best time when you can enjoy the pleasant whether condition, which suits you well.

During summer the mercury level reaches 45 degrees, and humidity is at its highest level. That's why it is better to avoid such extreme whether conditions. The summer season lies between the month of march and last till June.

In this part of the country monsoon brings the rainy season in July and keep bringing showers till the month of September. Sometime brings flood situations which might be dangerous sometime.

 

Varah at Mahakuta

How to Reach

By Road

This place is well connected by road you can easily get public transport to Badami which is further connected by rail and by road also.

By Air

If you choose the by air option, you can get direct flights from Hubali which is at minimum distance from this place. 

Konark Sun Temple Chariot of Lord Surya

Main Building of Konark Surya Mandir

India has many sun temples amongst them Konark Sun Temple is one of the best sun Temple of India. And this sun temple is included in the seven wonders of India, which was surveyed by NDTV. The Surya god is referred to as Sun. Anthem in Vedas describes the celestial body as the source and admirer of all lives on earth. The origin of the worship of the Surya is several centuries old. This temple is architecture in Orrisan style of Ganga dynasty. This temple is one of the most popular temple in India and also included in world heritage site list by UNESCO. According to the Stories about this temple, mention that this temple was build by Samba, son of Lord Krishna.

Wheel of Konark Surya Mandir

The work Konark taken from the Sanskrit, actually it is combination of two Sanskrit word Kona and Arka. Kona means angle and Arka means Sun. This beautiful temple is located at fair distance from the Lord Jagannath, Puri at 35 kms; the temple is approximately 65 kms from the Bhubaneswar city. European sailors named this temple as 'The Black Pagoda'.

Side View of the Mandir

The entire building was designed in the form of large Chariot of Lord Surya, haggard by sever horses, and the Chariot twelve pairs of amazingly decorated wheels. Shadows of these wheels can give you the precise time of the day. The roof of this temple is pyramidal shape, and has 30 meter height.
 

Horse of Chariot

This place also feature two more temple as Mayadevi Temple and Vaishnava Temple

Mayadevi Temple :- This temple is located at the west of the main temple, also known as temple no 2. This Mayadevi Temple have been dedicated to one of the wives of Lord Surya. But presence of images of sun as Parsvadevata indicates it was dedicated to Surya Devata.

Vaishnava Temple:- This is small temple facing southwest corner of the main temple was discovered in 1956. This temple is also called as temple no 3. Features images of Balarama and two parsvadevatas of Varaha, Trivikrama were provide its Vaishnava affiliation.

Time to visit Temple

Open from sunrise and closes at sunset.

Entrance Fee:

Tourist from Indian subcontinent should have to pay Rs. 10/- per head.

And other tourist have to pay Rs. 250/- per head.

Map of Konark Surya Mandir

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Mahudi Jain Mandir an Unknown Historical Jain Temple in India

Ghantakarna Mahaveer Mandir

Mahudi is beautiful village located in Mansa near Sabarmati river of Gandhinagar in Gujrat. This village is just 35 k.m. Away from the Gandhinagar. This village is famous for its Jain Mandir which is dedicated to god Shri Ghantakarna Mahaveer, and center for Jain devotees. Yognistha Acharya Bhagwant Shrimad BuddhiSagarsuri Maharaj Sahebji' does penance for a long period of his life and had laid the foundation stone of this new temple in 1917. The ancient Mulnayak Bhagawana Padmaprabhu was formally reinstalled by the Yognistha Acharya Bhagwant Shrimad BuddhiSagarsuri Maharaj Saheb' and Mahudi reclaims its title Mahudi Tirth.In ancient time this villages is known by the name of Madhupuri. Many historians suggest that this place is nearly 2000 years old, the inscription in Bramhi also suggest its antiquity.

Main Entrance Mahudi

Side View of Mandir

Padma Prabhu

Mahudi witnesses lakhs of devotees each year. The force behind this is the faith of devotees in Lord Shri Ghantakarna Mahavir Dev. Shrimad Buddhisagarji Maharaj Saheb felt the need of a powerful jain deity where people could pray. An idol was made from the river side rock and Shrimad BuddhiSagar Maharaj Sahebji made this idol lively by putting “Praan” into it. Since then this is the prime Destination of Jain devotees because they believes that this idol has miraculous power in it. You can find the similar idol placed at Vijapur Jain Temple which is just few k.m. Away from this place.

Sukhadi which is Distributed in Pilgrims

The “Prasaad” called “Sukhadi” which is made up with pure Ghee, jaggery and wheat. And it is mandatory to eat this “Sukhadi” inside the “Mandir” and it is prohibited taking it outside the temple premises, as it is consider as inauspicious.

Map of Mahudi

Map of Mahudi

Nearby Places

Vijapur

Vijapur 10 km from Mahudi. Vijapur is a municipality city in Mehsana district. Its the Birthplace of Shrimad Buddhisagarsuriswarji Maharaj Saheb. This is also prime destination of Jain Devotees.

Aglod Manibhadra Vir Temple

It is just 20 km away from Mahudi. Situated nearby from Mahudi, In Aglod, you can see Main temple Mulnayak is Shri Vasupujya Swami and Manibhadra Vir (deity) Temple, which surrounded by natural habitat and an amazing greenery.

Kotyark Temple

This temple is just 1 km away from Mahudi. A nearby temple of lord Krishna known as Kotyark Temple.

Madhumati River

This place is also just 1/2 km from Mahudi. In Mahudi Village itself one of the tributary of Sabarmati river naming Madhumati famous for its beautiful landscape and scenery.

References 

wikipedia.org

Halebidu, Beautifully Carved Hoysaleswara Temple in Karnataka

Halebidu is a small town located in Hasan district of Karnataka. This place was the capital city of Hoysala Empire during 12th and 13th centuries. This temple complex contain most beautiful carved temples in India. The word Halebidu, which is the name of this town, has special meaning as “ruined city” because this place was attacked in early 14th century by Mughuls from North India and Malik Kafur. Many beautiful temples are situated in this village; these beautiful temples are build as per Hoysala architecture. Halebidu was previously known as “Dwarasamudra”, and it was also known as the capital city of Hoysala Empire. The temples in this town were built during 11th century and was constructed by Katamala for King Vishnuvardhan and Queen Shantala Devi. These temples took more than hundred years to complete.

Dancers and Musicians Depicted on the walls of Temple

The famous Laxmi Narayan Sculptor

Shantala Devi was considered to be an ultimate sign of beauty. Many historians believe that she was a musician  and a great Bharatnatyam dancer. Many sculptors were inspired by Shantala Devi and other courtesans. Historians suggest that Shantala Devi had a great influence over the Hoysala administration and religious reforms during Visnuvardhans Empire. The King was influenced by Saint Ramanuja Charya, who was the devotee of Vaishnaism, and the queen herself was influenced by Jainism.
India features many temples like Halebidu, those are not much popular amongst people. These destinations has great importance in Indian history.

Hoysaleswara Temple

This is one of the temples located in this village. This temple is constructed with monolithic soapstone. This temple is located on the Southern side and is dedicated to “Hoysaleshwara”. Walls of this temple depict endless Hindu mythology (scenes of Ramayana and Mahabharata), animals, Shilabalikas and birds.

 Scenes of Mahabharata Depicted on the Walls

Shantaleswara Temple

This temple is located on the northern side and stands on black shining soft stone, covered with dancing girls, god, goddesses and animals. This temple was built after the death Shantala Devi. It took 200 years to build and was built by more than 20k skilled laborers.

Animals and Birds

Other Details

Map of Halebidu, Karnataka

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• Town Area: 2.248 sq kms

Climate:

• Summer: 20-35°C.
• Hottest Month: April
• Winter: 14-22°C.
• Coolest Month: December

Ideal Time to Visit

• October to February

How to Reach

By Road

• From Belur 6 km,
• From Hassan 32 km
• From Mysore 149 km,
• From Bangalore 226 Kms (4.5 hours drive)

Getting Here:

• Nearest Railway: Hassan
• Nearest Airport: Bangalore International Airport, Bangalore