Yoganarasimha Temple - Baggavalli

Baggavalli village near Gondedahalli has a very unique 12^th century Hoysala temple relics of past glory! It is said that Baggavalli originally known as Bhargavapura in inscriptions and the village was an Agrahara on its past. The structure was built during the Hoysala king Ballala-III period. (1239 AD) and it seems to be the oldest temple and most neglected temple on this village.

Baggavalli is a Village in Tarikere Taluk in Chikmagalur District which is 17.2 km distance from its Taluk Main Town Tarikere .Last weekend Rajesh Sir chosen to visit this place so I and two of my friends joined him and as his plan we reached this place by 3pm. This temple built in Hoysala-Vesara –Style, temple refers to grant of Amritapadi.

 

Temple is popularly called Yoganarasimha but actually the dedication of the structure was made to Keshava. The temple is star shaped in plan and has a Vesara Sikhara.

 

This Trikuta temple consists of Girbhagraha, Sukhanasi and Navaranga, elegantly decorated pillars and doorjambs are attractive. The deity in the sanctum sanctorum is Keshava, which is about 1.52 meters in height. The temple is one of the few examples of simple star shaped structures.

Shrine of Lakhsmi, Stands near by which is simple square structure, Yoganarasimha sculpture is also found in the same structure; besides Shanmukha Ganesh and Lakshmi Narayana figures are found.

Kundadri Hill - Agumbe

 

Glorious and enchanting mountain provides the perfect escape from the hectic pace of the hum drum of everyday life. Kundadri Hill is a gigantic monolithic rock formation about 3200 feet above sea level.  Surrounded by dense evergreen forests, it is a lovely place for trekking and best place to me once in a while from my place.

 

Road to Kundadri is very narrow, ideal only for small vehicles can reachable it is steep and has sharp turns but road is in very good condition and it leads to a Jain temple perched atop the hill.  The view from top is all worth it. Aria took us all the way up and down and I enjoyed my visit to this place during early morning and evening time.

 

Kundadri named after the Jain monk, Kundakundacharya who was said to have practiced severe penance here. Camping at Kundadri Hills on a full moon night is an exhilarating experience.

 

The gorgeous hill overlooks the panoramic Western Ghats. It is clothed with splendid evergreen forests.  A seventeenth century Jain temple is situated on the hilltop amidst the serenity that belongs to the mountains. Beside the temple there are two ponds with placid water. 

Sirimane Waterfalls -Kigga

 

One exceptionally beautiful waterfall hidden in the mountains near the village of Kigga and it would attracts us, so one fine day myself and two of my friends were planned to visit this wonderful place. We got up early in the morning and reached to Kigga by bus and began our walk in a fine village road next to the Kigga temple. It needed a long walk to reach the waterfalls at the same time financial issue so we preferred to walk instead of hiring private vehicles.

 

Walking in the shade of the forest was much cooler, must the humidity was energy sapping.  After weaving in and out of forest we reached the waterfalls nearing the mid- afternoon with tiring legs.

 

Water levels were up from recent rains giving us quite a show it was a small waterfall, hidden in some trees. There was little time to not concentrate fully on what were ahead, rocks, thronging bushes and low lying bamboo.

 

The waterfalls quite popular with the local population and people often go there for a picnic in the weekend. There are several trails you can follow, with short walk allowing you to reach picturesque places.

 

We had a refreshing bath with sort of adventures and filled some food to our empty stomach, the rocks were burning and clothes soon dried on them. We rested in the coolness for a while, before we set off to the again. Almost immediately after visiting the falls, we left the falls and began a one more trek nearby this and we soon arrived at the Kigga bus stop at late evening, completing a nice traverse of this beautiful property those of us who enjoyed this wonderful treasure to have for it.

Sangamanatha Temple - Koodala Sangama

 

Koodala Sangama is the most historic place since around 800 years. The famous rivers Krishna and Malaprabha merge here. Formerly it was known as Kappadi sangama where Basaveshwara’s teacher Ishanaguru lived. It is located about 15 km from the Alamatti Dam in Bagalkot District.

 

Kudalasangama has the Sangamanatha temple, built originally in the Chalukyan period. This renowned temple situated on the river bank, at the confluence of the Krishna and the Malaprabha rivers. The current structure showcases the Jain style of architecture. The temple consists of a porch, Navaranga and the main shrine.

 

The shrine is dedicated to Lord Sangameshwara, in the form of a Linga. The entrance to the shrine is flanked by beautifully carved pillars, with figures of animals and flowers. The idols of Basaveshvara, Neelamma, Nandi and Ganapathi have been placed in the Navaranga.

 

In front of the temple, in the midst of the river, is a small stone Mantapa with a Shivalinga in it, and lofty cement concrete dry well has been built around it to protect it from submersion.

Koodalasangama is associated with the great 12th century poet and reformer Basavanna. The Aikya Mantapa or the holy Samadhi of Basavanna, the founder of the Lingayat faith along with a self-born Linga is found here.

Chelavara falls (Embepare falls) – Cheyyandane.

 

I was ambivalent when I decided to go Chelavara falls because I already visited this place quite a few times and also it was not my actual plan it’s just I kept it for optional. Finally lack of time we dropped some other place and headed to Chelavara falls

 

The Chelavara falls has to be reached through a winding journey through the hills and the journey to the base of the Chomakund hills. The Hilly road to falls was also very nice with coffee plantations on both sides.

 

After a 100 meters downer walk we reached base of the falls. The speculate view of the water gushes from the top amidst forest, covered by the green coffee plantations, from the height of 70 feet single rock. It is also called as Embepare by the locals meaning Tortoise Rock.

 

After spending enchanting time under the splendid backdrop of Chelavara falls we reached the top of falls with some trekking path and saw the aerial view of the falls, near to this there is one more place where stream of water gushes out in separate path creating its own fall.