March 31, 2017

Sirsi- A Hidden Gem



Nestled amidst the interiors of Karnataka, the old town of Sirsi is known for its hidden attractions apart from the famous cardamom plantations and beetle nuts. Though it doesn’t command the popularity of Karnataka’s other treasures, Sirsi is definitely an offbeat destination amidst the numerous ones in the state. Located in the outskirts of the town, one of the oldest temples at Banavasi, the natural rock formation at Yana and the numerous sculptures at Sahasralinga are the major attractions Sirsi.

Madhukeshwara temple in Banavasi is at the end of a long street lined with old houses built in traditional architecture. The temple belongs to the Kadamba period, but has undergone numerous renovations and alterations in its architecture as it was under the rule of Chalukyas and Sonda kings in the later years. Believed to have been built in the 9th century, the temple has a nice open courtyard, tall stambhas (poles) and a couple of shrines. Though the temple was dedicated to Vishnu when it was first built, the shrine now houses a linga with a huge nandi sculpture in front. The numerous ornate pillars are another highlight of this ancient temple. Despite being devoid of many sculptures on its exterior walls, the naga sculptures, the ornate stone cot and the inscriptions in Brahmi characters are  quite an attraction. Kadambotsava is a major festival here held during the month of December.





Sahasralinga is in a different directon from Sirsi and a winding road leads to it. Here, river Shalmala flows past numerous shivlingas that have been chiseled on rocks in the river and its bank. Shivlingas and nandi (bulls) sculptures in various sizes and shapes are beautifully carved. Post the rains, when the water level goes down, one can have a closer look at these stone works. It is believed that there are about a thousand shivlingas in the surrounding area and were created by King Sadashivaraya.





Yana rocks are enroute Kumta from Sirsi and have a wonderful road that leads through a forest patch. From the base, it is a two kilometer walk to the huge rock formations called Bhairaveshwara shikhara and Jagamohini shikhara.  Though the initial stretch is through a wooded path past tall trees and flowing waters, the last few meters require a steep climb of steps. The intimidating rocky outcrops stand a hundred feet tall and are the major ones of the numerous rock formations scattered around this jungle. At the base of Bhairaveshwara rock is a temple that shrines a shivlinga which is beleieved to be a natural formation. To the left of the rock, a fleet of steps lead up to a cave, a spacious one with a tall ceiling. As per legend, Lord Shiva hid here in the cave to escape the wrath of Bhasmasura, a demon. The cave enshrines the shivlinga below and one can walk around to exit the cave on the other side. The view of Jagmohini shikhara on the way out from the cave is beautiful, as it stands tall amidst the greenery. There are numerous bee hives clinging on to the external walls of the rocks. The place becomes a hub of celebrations during Shivaratri. 





The colourful Marikamba temple is a popular one in Sirsi town. Unchalli falls, 30 Kms away from Sirsi is another major attraction during the monsoon.



Travel Tips:
  • All the destinations are far from each other, please take into consideration the commutation time while planning your visit.
  • It gets quite warm as the day progresses. Visit places such as Sahasrlinga and Banavasi early in the morning to avoid the heat.

Navigator:

Located in Uttara Kannada, Sirsi is 145 Kms from Shimoga, 62 Kms from Kumta and 80 Kms from Gokarna. The nearest railhead is at Talguppa (54 Kms from Sirsi) and the nearest airport is at Hubli (110 Kms from Sirsi). There are buses plying from Shimoga, Kumta And Davangere to Sirsi.

Food and Accommodation:

Apart from the food stalls at all the mentioned attractions, there are small basic restaurants in Sirsi town. Sirsi is a small town and it is ideal to make it as a day trip while visiting Kumta or Gokarna. Sirsi however does have basic stay options in its town limits.

March 29, 2017

Chikmagalur- Where Coffee Took Root in India



“Could you please slow down, so that I can photograph the coffee seeds?” I asked my driver. “Sure, let me pluck a few for you”, he replied as he braked. He quickly plucked a few, opened one and put in my hand. “This is the coffee bean that we crush to make coffee powder, but it is not yet ripe”, he said as we drove down the dirt track past more coffee plantations. We were in Chikmagalur, often referred as the birth place of coffee in India.

When the sufi saint Baba Budan smuggled seven coffee seeds from Yemen to India and planted them across the hills of Bababudan giri in Chikmagalur, he must not have foreseen what that would lead to. From the tumbler filter coffee to the cappuccinos, all made their way from here. While coffee is now cultivated across Coorg, Kerala, Nilgiris and other parts of India, Chikmagalur is where coffee was first planted in India and is presently one of the major coffee hubs in the country. Chikmagalur is cosily nestled amidst the hills of Baba Budangiri with unending vistas of undulating hills and deep valleys. It is also known for its trekking routes such as Mullayanagiri and Kudremukh.

The 12th century Hoysala temples slowly gave way to beautiful landscapes as I rode into Chikamagalur late in the afternoon. When in coffee land, smell the coffee first. The aroma of coffee led me to Coffee Yatra, a museum dedicated in educating about the history, cultivation and types of coffee in India. A video takes you through the procedure of how a coffee bean ends up in a cup. I was also taken to their laboratory where they test and experiment coffee beans to learn more about this seed of gold.


Further away from the museum and a short ride from Chikmagalur led past areca nut plantations to Ayyanakere Lake.  The serene lake surrounded by hills remains isolated and has a surreal setting. A lone fisherman went about his daily chores on the gleaming waters of the lake. There were hardly any visitors except for a few local boys and the lone security guard. However, the lack of visitors were compensated with numerous birds fluttering around, mostly river terns. I strolled around for a while, chatted up with the boys and waited for the sun to set to capture the frame. Ayyanakere lake looks absolutely gorgeous as the sun goes down the horizon. The placid waters, dusky sky and silhouettes of hills in the backdrop form a mesmerizing frame. As I got up and walked out after the sun set, the guard came up to inform that more facilities are lined up in the next few months. A resort along with a line of amenities is scheduled to come up shortly. Yes, Ayyanakere lake does lack facilities, but a host of activities might take off the sheen of this beautiful lake. It seems like the lake would put up a different frame when I go there next time.



Hirekolale is a nice lake, a short ride away from Chikmagalur town. Secluded and serene, Hirekolale lake is engulfed by nature and remains fairy unexplored. My visit early in the morning was ideal to spot numerous avian fauna. With the tall hills in the background, it looked quite similar to Ayyyanakere, albeit the charm.



It was a cold ride in the morning through the sprawling coffee plantations to Mullayanagiri, the highest peak in Karnataka. Apart from the estates, the meandering roads offered intermittent vistas of distant hills and deep valleys. Seethalayanagiri is a vantage enroute with lovely vistas apart from a small shrine. Despite the roads being almost a dirt track with a steep gradient for the last stretch of two kilometers, the mesmerizing panoramic vistas more than make up for it. Mullayanagiri stood intimidating and what caught my attention was the zig zag path that led up to its summit. Despite the sun blazing, it was cold and windy all the way, and the views got better with the elevation. Distant hills engulfed in mist and open lands intercepted by shola forests form the backdrop for the shrine atop. The red brown road that sneaks its way amidst the greenery stands out. Though the walk down was faster, the ride down past the treacherous road was precarious.






Intermittent viewpoints such as Kavikal gundi showed up between the coffee plantations as the road led from Mullayanagiri to Baba Budangiri. I rode beyond the few commercial establishments at Baba Budangiri to Manikyadhara waterfalls. The meandering road past the beautiful views led to the steps that took me down to the falls. Manikyadhara is probably at its best during the rains. However, the falls was true to its name as the drops glistened against the blazing sun. Gaalikere can be seen as you ride down from the falls to the dargah. The dargah of Baba Budangiri is an underground one and quite popular too. Dripping with water, I walked around the underground damp dargah where the saint and his disciples rest.





I was told about Jhari falls (also referred as Buttermilk falls) by my host at Henry Corner. At Attigundi between Mullayanagiri and Baba Budangiri, I hired a jeep to lead me down the dirt track and through coffee plantations to Jhari falls. Though I had initially contemplated about visiting this falls, the first glimpse of the same made me realize the decision was a good one. Cascading over rocks, the tall falls looked absolutely beautiful. Despite being done with the monsoons, the falls tumbled and flowed beautifully down the rocks. However, the only downside was the crowd.


The ride to Kemmanagundi through Bhadra wildlife sanctuary was probably the most exciting one. Laced with beautiful views, forest patches and streams, it would be modest to call the road a dirt track. Though I was warned by my host, I did take that adventurous ride through the forest stretch of Bhadra. While initially it was a winding one past coffee plantations, it turned into a treacherous mud track for the remaining part. The interesting ride ended at the check post near Kemmanagundi, from where I headed to Kalhatti falls. This short stretch on cemented roads lined with tall trees and coffee plantations is an absolute delight and haven for riders. A detour led to the popular Kalhatti falls, where water flows next to a shrine. Though not an impressive one, it is claimed that a trek behind the shrine leads to a much bigger falls. However, the trek through the coffee plantations was futile, as it led nowhere. Though numerous falls small popped up, the big one remained elusive.





Z point, a detour from Kemmanagundi is one of the prominent attractions here. Shanti waterfalls enroute is beautiful, despite being a small one. The trail to the Z point goes along the edge of the hills past the tall grass. It is a long trail and the views of the hills all along are gorgeous. As the sun set, the tall trees and coffee plantations made lovely frames. Shortly later, I rode back to Chikmagalur, a lonely cold ride in the dark through the winding ghat sections.



The best possible way to spend the evening in Chikmagalur is to walk through M.G.Road. Explored the streets of Chikmagalur, and though shopping was never on my cards, couldn’t resist buying a packet of coffee as I headed back to my room.

Travel Tips:

While taking the jeep to Jerry falls, negotiate hard.
Avoid taking the road from Baba Budangiri to Kemmanagundi, if you have a four wheel vehicle, it would be a tough one and time consuming.
Visit Mullayanagiri early in the morning to avoid the blazing sun.
There aren’t restaurants or stalls near places such as Mullayanagiri, Ayyanakere, Hirekolale and Z-point.
Namma Angadi is a good option to buy coffee and spices.

Navigator:

Chikmagalur is 243 Kms from Bangalore, 151 Kms from Mangalore and 61 Kms from Hassan. The closest major airport is at Bangalore (264 Kms). The nearest major railhead is at Hassan. There are frequent buses from Hassan and Mangalore to Chikmagalur.

Food and Accommodation:

There are numerous restaurants in Chikmagalur town. Soundarya restaurant is a good vegetarian restaurant. Chikmagalur has a wide range of stay options from budget hotels to luxury resorts. I stayed at Henry’s Corner, a wonderful mid range option which offers all the basic facilities and is recommended. Mr. Antony, the host is quite helpful and always welcoming.


March 28, 2017

10 Adventurous Destinations for Adrenaline Junkies around the World

A holiday trip is, more often than not, a memory that is treasured and cherished for the lifetime. We tend to spend a great deal of time in planning the minute details with a lot of zeal. And it is rightfully so! The adventure we look forward to is worth the effort, totally!

If these words have excited the adrenaline junkie in you, you are in the right place. Packed with a travel insurance, a daring adventure into the woods or perhaps, a skydiving feat from a plane is the perfect detour from your routine. If seeking such thrills is your cup of tea, read on to find out about ten such crazy destinations for your next vacation:

Croatia
If you are looking for an unparalleled kayaking experience, Croatia is the place to be. With over thousands of small islands, it offers grade III and IV kayaking along with rafting.

Victoria Falls, Zambia
This place is renowned around the globe for bungee jumping. If you are a true adventurer, this one is a must-have on your bucket list.

South Africa
South Africa is a haven for wildlife safaris. You should visit Umfolozi Park, a place famous for Rhinos and Nyalas.

Fiji Islands
Located in the south Pacific, this travel destination is widely popular for scuba diving. It has earned the sobriquet of ‘Soft Coral Capital of the World’.

The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
An adventure on a similar line, this place offers a host of activities like snorkeling, surfing in addition to kite surfing and body surfing.

Wollongong, Australia
Another destination from down under, Wollongong is the place to be for an ultimate skydiving experience.

Bali, Thailand
Bali is graced with scenic natural beauty with awe-inspiring volcanic mountain ranges. A must visit for nature lovers!

Yosemite National Park, US
If you are looking for a quick getaway while you are on business in the US, this is a great option. It is massively popular amongst rock climbing enthusiasts.

Nepal
This tiny mountainous nation is home to the tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest. This one’s a must if trekking and mountaineering is what you are looking for.

Vancouver, Canada
Another one from North America, Vancouver is a great place for a range of activities such as kayaking, hiking, and mountaineering in a single location.


Now that we are all well versed with some of the great adventure destinations across the globe, let's strike something important off from our bucket list too. That’s travel insurance. With a proper international travel insurance plan in place, you can secure total peace of mind while you are away on an adventure. Make sure that you choose a right travel policy that covers all your requirements so that you are not in trouble in case of any untoward incident. If you are taking a trip with your spouse or family, it is advisable to get a group policy rather than an individual one. This will help you save on insurance premium. In addition to this, if you are lucky enough to go on a multi-trip adventure to the same place, get an annual travel policy! That’s it. You are all set for your adventure, bon voyage!


P.S.- This is a collaborative post.

March 27, 2017

Expert tips on how to maintain budget travel while in Japan


Though Japan rarely gets ranked as one of the best Asian tourist destinations, the fact is that it has a lot to offer especially for people who may be searching for a location where the old Asian civilization and modernity meets. Besides, the Japanese are considered to be among the world’s most hospitable people, and this aspect makes a visit to this Asian country well worth it.

You can visit the country at any time of the year, and you are assured of enjoying every bit of your vacation or business visit. Meanwhile, any tourist location regardless of how exquisite it can be, often presents its challenges. With Japan, visitors can find their budgets running out of control, and this is an aspect that must always be kept under check.

You can make your visit to Japan more comfortable especially if you make adequate arrangements that can see you having quality time without compromising your finances. By applying some of the following tips on how to travel to Japan on a budget, you can surely have a wonderful time, and that is what most people are often after. 

Use bus countryside travel over the high-speed rail

Kumano loop bus runs between important travel destinations in Wakayama, Japan

The best way to enjoy Japan is to visit its expansive and interesting mountainous interior. Cross-country rail travel can give you the best experience however the cost can at times be overwhelming.
Instead, you can opt for bus travels, and the advantage is that many Japanese bus companies offer travel services to the interior locations and their prices are within reasonable range for visitors who are on a budget. For instance, Willer Express offers travel costs of about $100-$150 for three trips, and they can be booked at any time and used non-consecutively for two months.


The buses are also clean, have state-of-the-art facilities like reclining seats and head blinds to block excessive light. The buses also cover many popular destinations such as Kyoto, Hiroshima, Nagoya, Osaka, and many other places that are frequented by visitors. Bus tickets can be purchased online, and picking them over the speed rail trains equates to massive budget savings. 

Visit budget style restaurants

Mister Donut cafe on April 22 2012 in Okayama Japan

Food is the other factor which drains many people’s money when they are on vacations. The good thing about Japan is that the quality of food is so impressive unlike the “junk food” which many western tourists prefer while at home.

In Japan, basic meals such as rice bowl, tasty meat, miso soup, and green tea for a single person goes for about ¥100- ¥150, which converts to about $1-$1.5. For bigger and somehow fancy meals, you will have to pay more money in the range of $4-$, which comes in good quantity too.

There are many budget restaurant chains that you can visit, and the famous ones include Sukiya, Matsuya, Mister Donut, MOS Burger, Yoshinoya, and CocoCurry House Ichibanya. These restaurant chains are present in major cities, and you can simply select a certain meal by pointing at its menu picture. This is user friendly and works pretty easy even with people who have limited knowledge of Japanese language. 

Purchase the Grutt pass for more sightseeing at a massive discount 

Credit: http://cometojapankuru.blogspot.jp/
Tokyo has a handful of beautiful art galleries and museums, and the best way you can enjoy them is by purchasing the Grutt pass. The pass costs about ¥2000 (about $20), and it includes admission fees and discounts to over 50 art galleries, museums and other attractions based in Tokyo. The pass can be bought at Tokyo Tourist Information Center, LIBRO, Ueno Park Information, and at many other locations too.

You can best use the pass if you are planning to stay in the country for four weeks or more. The schedule would enable you to visit many locations and enjoy exciting places such as the National Museum of Nature and Science which presents a beautiful display of Japan’s history, modern science, and much more. 

You can cut the accommodation expenses if you take your time and engage in broad search

Credit: Japanexperterna.se
Tourist accommodation prices in Japan are considered to be among the highest in the Far East, and this is because many people are visiting the country and building owners find no other option but to hike accommodation prices.

The trick to getting a budget friendly accommodation while in Japan is to restrict your search to areas that are less frequently visited by foreigners. Online guides such as Lonely Planet can lead to affordable hostels, hotels, and ryokan (guesthouses). Japanese’s understanding of English language is very limited, but the local’s hospitality can help bridge the gap especially if you acknowledge the existing communication barrier.


P.S.- This is  a guest blog by Carolyn Ballard and all the pictures have been bought by her.

Bio Info:

My name is Carolyn Ballard. I’m a passionate traveler and the founder of DesToDis as well. I created the blog with the main aim to share guidelines, tips and my personal experiences on all things travel. By this way, I hope to inspire and help people to wander around the world safely and easily.

Website:http://www.destodis.com
Twitter:https://twitter.com/destodis




March 17, 2017

Under the Canopy!


A beautiful stretch amidst the coffee plantations of Chikmagalur. December 2016.

March 15, 2017

Hoysala Temple Trail- Belur, Halebidu and more


Hoysala was a prominent South Indian empire which ruled most part of present day Karnataka from the 10th to 14th century. Belur and Halebidu were their capital during those years. Hoysalas played a huge role in temple architecture and are known for their numerous temples built around the towns of Hassan, Belur and Halebidu. The architecture is referred to as Hoyasala architecture and the major features include extensive sculptures and carvings of various mythological characters, ornate pillars, raised platform and star shaped towers. Hoysala emblem shows a soldier fighting a tiger and can be seen atop most of the temples. The major temples include Chennakeshava temple at Belur, Hoysaleshwara temple at Halebidu and Chennakeshava temple at Somnathpura.

Chennakeshava temple, Belur

Chennakeshava temple in Belur dedicated to Vishnu is the most celebrated of all Hoysala temples and a masterpiece in Indian architecture. Belur or Velapuri as it was earlier known was the first capital of Hoysala empire and the temple here was built in early 12th century by King Vishnuvardhana to commemorate his victory over the Cholas of Talakad. Built in typical Hoysala architecture, the star shaped temple sits on a raised platform, has innumerable carvings and sculptures, lathed pillars and a few other temples within the large courtyard apart from a pushkarni (pond) and a dance hall. Built of black soapstone, it has a flat roof and is devoid of gopurams (towers). The carvings, motifs and friezes are extensive, intricate and breathtakingly beautiful. The sculptures of various mythological characters, deities, figurines, dancing ladies, door keepers and animals adorn the exterior walls and the interiors of the temple. The entrance to the inner sanctum has beautiful carvings of incarnations of Vishnu chiseled above the door.  The sanctum has numerous ornate pillars and the ceiling displays astounding art work. Mohini pillar, Narasimha pillar, sculptures of Darpanasundari (Lady with mirror) and Garuda are exquisite specimens of intricate stone work. Chennakeshava temple is undoubtedly one of the finest pieces of craftsmanship in India and holds a distinct name amongst the architectural creations in the country. The carvings and sculptures are so stunning that one could gaze at them for a long period in oblivion as the stories in stone slowly unfold. The other temples within the complex are Kappe Chennigaraya, Saumyanayaki, Veera Narayana and Ranganayaki of which Kappe Chennigaraya and Saumyanayaki have beautiful carvings and ornate pillars. The premise also has a wide display of unearthed sculptures lined up on one side.











Chennakeshava temple is 39 Kms from Hassan

Hoysaleshwara temple, Halebidu

Earlier known as Dwarasamudra, Halebidu was the second capital of the Hoysalas for more than 200 years. Hoysaleshwara temple here is undoubtedly the most popular temple built by Hoysalas and has the most elaborate carvings and sculptures across all Hoysala temples.  One of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture, Hoysaleshwara temple is the labour of marvelous craftsmanship. The temple was built in the 12th century by Ketamala for the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana and his wife, Queen Shantala. Apart from the mythological characters, deities, figurines and animals carved on its exterior walls, the temple also has numerous carvings, friezes and motifs in the form of stories and war like scenes at its base which are breathtakingly beautiful. One can also spot numerous designs and patterns all across the shrine which forms a part of the architecture.  The temple rests on a star shaped platform and has two shrines inside, dedicated to Pataleshwara and Shantaleshwara, both forms of Shiva. The shrines are connected by a long passage. The insides of the shrines are adorned with numerous lathed pillars, intricate carving and sculptures on the ceiling. The inner sanctum too has extensive sculptures on its door.  Outside, two large sculptures of Nandi (bull) inside mantapas (halls) face the shrines. As you walk around this large temple, the exquisite and extensive carvings with magnificent detailing unfold depicting numerous mythological stories carved in stone. The premise also has an archaeological museum which displays numerous sculptures.











Hoysaleshwara temple is 30 Kms from Hassan

Kedareshwara temple, Halebidu

A short distance away from Hoysaleshwara lies Kedareshwara temple built in early 13th century by King Veera Ballala II. It is built on similar lines as Hoysaleshwara and has numerous sculptures and carvings depicting various mythological characters, deities and animals on its exterior walls. The rich friezes, ornate pillars and carved ceiling are the other major attractions of this temple.



Kedareshwara temple is 31 Kms from Hassan

Basadihalli, Halebidu

To the south of Hoysaleshwara temple lies Basadihalli, which houses three Jain temples, Parshwanatha, Shantinatha and Adinatha, all of which were built during the 12th century. Parshwanatha temple is the most attractive of all the three, with numerous ornate pillars, extensively carved ceiling and an 18 feet tall Parshwanatha idol. Santinatha temple has fewer carvings but has numerous pillars apart from the 18 feet tall Santinatha idol. Adinatha is a smaller shrine between the other two with a small idol and carved pillars.




Basadihalli is 31 Kms from Hassan

Kalyani at Hulikere 
  
Surrounded by houses and a short distance away from Halebidu lies the Kalyani at Hulikere. The beautifully designed tank has numerous steps along with twelve small sanctums. The sanctums have nice carvings etched on them.


Hulikere is 36 Kms from Hassan

Chennakeshava temple, Somnathpura

In the nondescript village of Somnathpura lies one of the magnificent Hoysala temples. Built in the 13th century by Somnath, one of the commanders of Hoysala kingdom, Chennakeshava temple is one of the best examples of Hoysala architecture. Built on a raised platform, there are three shrines dedicated to Keshava, Venugopala and Janardhana- all are forms of Vishnu. The outer walls are decorated with intricate carvings and detailed sculptures of various mythological charactyers, door keepers, dancers and scenes from mythology. The inner sanctum has lathed pillars and beautiful sculptures of deities.




Chennakeshava temple is 138 Kms from Hassan

Veeranarayana temple, Belavadi

Belavadi is believed to be where Bheema killed Bakasura in the epic, Mahabharata. Built in the 12th century by King Veera Ballala II, the gorgeous Veeranarayana temple in Belavadi is dedicated to Vishnu and is one of the most stunning of all the temples built by Hoysala empire. The entrance foyer is quite an impressive one and is almost as large as a few of the smaller Hoysala temples. Located amidst a beautiful garden, the spread out temple has three shrines and towers with exquisite carvings and sculptures all over. The elephant sculptures near the entrance are absolutely gorgeous stone works. The shrines are connected by halls and passages, and two of them face each other, which makes it unique. While the first passage is an enclosed one, the second is semi open and hence has more natural lighting. The stand out feature at Veeranarayana temple is its beautiful shining ornate pillars which are lined up across the halls and passages.  There are numerous pillars here and the seating areas along the periphery are an ideal place to enjoy the serene setting. The door of the inner sanctums and the ceiling has nice carvings. Except for a raised platform, the temple exhibits all the major features of Hoysala architecture. Though the exterior walls, towers and roofs have extensive sculptures, some portions of the lower part of the shrines has been left blank, which hints that the construction was unfinished.





Veeranarayana temple is 41 Kms from Hassan

Twin temples of Mosale

The narrow winding road goes past open fields, coconut groves and a hamlet before it ends at the twin temples in Mosale. The Nagaeshwara and Chennakeshava temples dedicated to Shiva (left side) and Vishnu (right side) have lathed pillars along with carvings and sculptures on their exteriors, most of which have been either chipped or disfigured over a period of time. However, the sculptures on the gopurams (towers) look beautiful. Nageshwara temple is believed to be more than 850 years old. Both the shrines have a similar design and are built on a raised platform. Both Shiva and Vishnu in one complex is quite rare and that makes these twin Hoysala temples a unique one.




Mosale is 12 Kms from Hassan

Brahmeshwara temple, Kikkeri

Located in a by lane, the beautiful Brahmeshwara temple in Kikkeri faces an expansive lake. Built in late 12th century by an effluent lady, Bommare Nyakiti, the temple has typical Hoyasala architecture with lovely sculptures all over its exterior. It has life size sculptures near entrance door and a huge nandi in the porch entrance facing the shrine.  The temple functions only in the morning and evening, and remains shut during noon.




Brahmeshwara temple is 55 Kms from Hassan

Lakshminarayana temple, Hosaholalu

Dedicated to Vishnu, the temple was built by King Veera Someshwara in mid 13th century. Surrounded by a line of colourful houses, the entrance structure is fairly a new one and can be deceptive if you are looking for Hoysala sculptures. However, as you circumambulate, the temple slowly opens up with its gorgeous carvings and sculptures. Built in typical Hoysala architecture, it has three shrines in its inner sanctum with only the central shrine having a tower. The external carvings are elaborate and depict many mythological stories.



Lakshminarayana temple is 72 Kms from Hassan

Chennakeshava temple, Anekere

Located near Channarayapatna, Chennakeshava temple in Anekere was built in early 12th century. Carvings and sculptures are minimal and the exteriors are devoid of the chisel work, which is a prominent feature of most Hoysala temples. However, it has exquisite carvings on its ceiling and beautiful lathed pillars apart from a nice courtyard. The temple functions only in the morning, but keys to the temple remains with the priest who lives next door.



Chennakeshava temple is 39 Kms from Hassan

Temples of Nuggehalli

The serene Nuggehalli village is known for its Sadashiva temple and Lakshminarasimha temple built in mid 13th century by Bommanna Dandanayaka, a commander of the Hoysala empire. The entrance foyer of Sadashiva temple has numerous pillars which are devoid of carvings. The ceiling has beautiful carvings, but the exterior of the shrine doesn’t have any sculptures. A few blocks away, Lakshminarasimha temple too has numerous tall pillars in its entrance foyer. Though it can look beguiling from the entry portal, the shrine behind is built in typical Hoysala architecture. The shrine sits on a raised platform and has three towers with extensive and detailed carvings all over.




Nuggehalli is 53 Kms from Hassan

Buccesvara temple, Koravangala

Surrounded by a beautiful garden, Buccesvara temple in Koravangala has some of the best carvings amongst the lesser known Hoysala temples. It was built by Buchiraja in 12th century to celebrate the coronation of King Veera Ballala II.  The temple has two shrines with beautiful sculptures of elephants and figurines near its entrance, intricate carvings on its roof and elaborate chisel work of mythological characters across its exterior. The two shrines dedicated to Shiva and Surya are connected by an inner hall which is adorned with beautiful lathed cylindrical pillars. The carving on the ceiling is the other interesting feature of this beautiful Hoysala temple.





Buccesvara temple is 12 Kms from Hassan

Lakshmi Devi temple, Doddagaddavahalli

Located next to a lake and surrounded by coconut groves in the serene Doddagadavahalli village, Lakshmi Devi temple looks attractive even from a distance. Built in early 12th century by King Vishnuvardhana, this is one of the oldest Hoysala temples. The four gopurams (towers) atop the shrine is definitely the major architectural attraction here. It is devoid of a raised pedestal and carvings on the exterior wall, which are features of Hoysala architecture. Entrance to the inner shrine has wonderful sculptures of elephants and celestial door keepers. The entrance porch has numerous cylindrical pillars and gorgeous carvings on its ceiling.





Lakshmi devi temple is 20 Kms from Hassan

Lakshminarasimha temple, Javagal

With an impressive entrance foyer, Lakshminarasimha temple in Javagal is a popular temple in this small hamlet. Built in mid 13th century by Veera Someshwara, Lakshminarasimha temple has all the features of Hoysala architecture. With elaborate carvings all around the exterior walls, the temple is built on a raised platform and has three shrines which are connected by a closed mantapa (hall). The carvings and sculptures are extensive and are the major attractions of this temple.



Lakshminarasimha temple is 42 Kms from Hassan

Lakshminarayana temple, Adagur

Located in a by lane in Adagur, Lakshminarayana temple is devoid of carvings despite being built in Hoysala architecture. With overgrown shrubs, the temple can be easily missed and remains closed. However, one can enter the premises to have a view of the shrine from outside.



Lakshminarayana temple is 47 Kms from Hassan

Twin temples of Marle

Built in the 12th century, Keshava and Siddeshwara temple located in the tiny village of Marle do not have the charm of other Hoysala temples. While Sidheshwara temple has carvings and sculptures on its exterior wall, Keshava temple has lovely sculptures of elephants at its entrance. Both the temples are located in the same premises.



Marle is 53 Kms from Hassan

The other prominent Hoysala temples known for their gorgeous architecture are located at Haranahalli, Amruthapura and Arsikere.  However, there are many more Hoysala temples in and around Hassan which are not very popular.

Travel Tips:

  • It is ideal to make Hassan the base to explore the temples.
  • Most temples are open only in the morning and evening.
  • At Belur and Halebidu opt for the guides to understand the stories and meaning of various carvings better.
  • Though Belur and Halebidu has small restaurants outside the temple complex, most of the other temples are devoid of shops and eateries
  • Carry sufficient amount of water as the walks can be quite long.

Navigator:

Hassan is 183 Kms from Bangalore, 119 Kms from Mysore and 172 Kms from Mangalore. Located on the Bangalore- Mangalore highway, Hassan is well connected to all major towns in Karnataka and there are numerous buses plying between them. The closest railhead is in Hassan and the nearest major airport is at Bangalore.

Food and Accommodation:

There are numerous mid range and budget hotels to stay in Hassan town. I stayed at Hotel Abhiruchi, which is centrally located. There are numerous vegetarian and non- vegetarian restaurants within the town.

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