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.

Chalukyan trail..

Badami or Vatapi (Sanskrit form) was the capital of the early Chaulukyas.Pulakeshi1, one of the early kings of this dynasty built a strong fort at Badami & made it his capital in the year of 547 A.D., & from that time onwards the later kings of this dynasty built rock-cut & structural temples here for about three hundred years .

Me& my cousins decided to visit Badami museum & fort. Last 2 times when I visited I had missed this place.First we visited the Museum but as luck goes it was closed, so we decided to finish Fort Mountain, we started to climb in a very beautiful path which was surrounded by red mountains.

After few minute of walk one side of our way after few steps path just ended between 2 big rocks, squeezing through that narrow path, after a small adventure we were able to reach next part of that rock.

There we could see 2 beautiful 1 & 2 stairs towers at a very small distance, it was really a paradise even 2-3 new couples relaxing proved my guess. Without disturbing them we climbed 1st tower which was little risky & relaxed for a while.

After spending some time in this place we returned back & joined our old pathway. Once again after few minutes’ walk we took one more left deviation which ended near a ruined single temple. The location of this temple was enchanting as it is built on a spur of the rugged hills which overlooked the town of Badami.

Next we entered another part of the fort, we were little scared because one big group of monkeys were sitting in our path we put all cameras, bottles inside our bags & picked few sticks and started to walk, sensing that we were not disturbing them or harm them they were enjoying their afternoon nap.

After crossing monkey’s terrain we reached another side end of the fort. There we could get the clear view of one of the oldest & beautiful temple Malegitti Shivalaya (Early 7th century) in Badami.

Finally we reached top of the hill. There we could see many old ruined houses & temples. One beautiful ruined temple was on edge of the peak. We almost burned because of extreme heat so planned to spend our rest of targeted time in this temple. This temple consists of 2 parts namely Garbagriha & Mukhamantapa.

The basement consists of molding one of which is thicker & has Ganas carved on it. The wall of the temple consists of plasters at regular intervals. Inside the Garbagriha was empty. The tower over the Garbagriha is a typical Dravidian Sikhara & by its small size looks elegant.

We all climbed the top (Sikhara) of the temple sort of escapade .Sitting atop of the temple & watching an amazing beauty of the valley, the scenic view of in front Big lake & Cave mountain was mesmerizing we almost traveled back in time to Chalukyan era .................

Banashankari Temple-Badami

Banashankari Temple is a highly revered shrine situated at Banashankari,Badami - the historic capital of Chalukyas.. The temple was originally built by the late Chalukyas of Kalyan. The present temple, built in17th century, reflects typical Dravidian style of architecture, the temple has been considerably modernized in the present times. First we had a grace of goddess Banashankari The presiding deity of the temple is Goddess Banashankari, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati.

This was the second time I was visiting this place, previous visit of mine was futile due to the place being very crowded and i didn't get to see much around the place, so this time i planned to visit Badami and places around me and my brother left from my uncle's place quiet late as it was extremely hot we reached the around 5 in the evening though it was evening the sweltering heat was unbearable.

We had Masala Soda(Goli Soda) a thirst quencher which reminded me of my school days where it was a regular refreshing drink but long forgotten, due to many soft drinks and cola flodding the markets these days our good old soda is long forgotten.

The temple enshrines a black stone idol of goddess, seated on a snarling lion. The goddess is depicted with eight arms after spending some time we came out, Me & my bro climbed nearby beautiful Mantapa which stands opposite of Harida Teerth pond. Harida Teerth is a large pond in front of the temple, is enclosed on three sides by stone Mantapas with inner colonnades.

We climbed that Mantapa sort of help of small holes & supporting stones. This is a 5 stage Mantapa during the festival time lamps are lit. The annual festival held here in January-February is a major draw. During the festival, the temple deity will be placed in her chariot to ride in procession around the vicinity.

We climbed top level of this Mantapa & spent some time till dark, sitting atop the temple and & taking into the beauty of surrounding was really a fantastic experience in this environment where you can meditate for some time and pray to the God peacefully, in case I visit this place again I thought I would sit atop and spend more time in this place, finally on our way back we had our masala soda and tender coconut again and returned home still dazed by the superb architecture and beautiful surroundings....

Huligemmandevi Kolla Waterfalls

After long tiring weeks of work we planned a trek to badami though i had visited this place this time it was with my cousins as planned we first went to Mhakuta where we visited goddess Mahakuteshwara temple later we went to Huligemmandevi kolla waterfalls, as like many falls which I have seen I had imagined it to be a very big fall after good rains,

but when we reached this place I was in for a big surprise though it was a Big waterfall with enough water it was falling from a glorious height water spraying from almost 300ft surrounded by red rocky mountains it was a different kind of pleasure watching this very different from any other falls seen till now, one more amazing thing was we could go behind the fall it was like a screen a sheet of water covering with a small temple and a large cave to be screened by pearls like a curtain an amazing splendid view!

Right time to visit this place is from august - November, a cool dip in this herbal water is an added pleasure,

Later we visited Pattadakallu temple which contains a group of 10 major temples surrounded by minor shriners & plinths each depicting the architecture of the Chalukyas of Kalyani. Overall a pleasurable trip with a unique waterfall to add to our experience.

Jai Hanuman...

Mallikarjuna Temple, Mahakuta

My first visit was to the famous Mahakuta temple which is surrounded by hills and cool atmosphere, located 14 kms away from Badami, in Bagalkot District.This place is famous for the Mahakuteshwara Temple, the temple dedicated to Shiva.

It was built in the Dravidian style, In the courtyard, there are 15 small temples with intricate sculptures. The temples, built by Chalukyan dynasty, are dated to the 6th or 7th century. This place is often called Dakshina Kasi because of its religious importance.

Mahakuta was once a great center of shaiva cult. Now only in one temple poojas are performed.Here,the principle temple is devoted to Shiva of Mahakuta, or Mahakuteshwara, and another to Mallikarjuna - another aspect of Shiva.

There is also a natural spring pond called Vishnu Pushkarni near the Mahakuta temple. This restored temple complex of about two dozen Shrines dedicated to Shiva, is built around a large spring-fed tank which is within an enclosed wall. On the old gateway to the south-east, one can see figures of Bhairava and Chamunda.

There is a Lingam in the sanctum, surmounted by a storeyed tower with an octagonal domed roof. The best carvings can be seen on the basement frieze, which has fine scroll work and figures from the epics. In the wall niches one can see large figures of Shiva, including that of Shiva as Ardhanarisvara (half man and half woman).

On the other side of the tank one comes across the Mallikarjuna Temple which has a similar structure. It has fine specimen of carvings at the entrance and on the ceiling of the columned Mandap inside, depicting Hindu Gods and Goddesses and Mithuna Couples (couples in love).

Inside the enclosure, there are various smaller shrines, with fine wall carvings of Shiva with Parvati, Brahma and flying couples with lotuses. This is a worth visiting place.