Mysterious Magical Trees, Savanur

Savanur is famous for its Archaeological site, Baobab tree (Local says Dodda Hunse Mara) is one of them which is well maintained by ASI. This is the only place in the state of Karnataka or rather in whole India which boasts of having three big Baobab trees on the outskirts of the town. These are special trees with girth varying from 12.63 - 15.70 meter and height varying from 16.40 - 18.50 meters. Specialty of these trees is that they have a huge base (girth) with branches tapering at the top, giving it a bottle shape.

Parts of the tree is said to have medicinal properties. These trees are famous in different parts of the world for its medicinal use. Local people believe that the any food item kept under these trees remain fresh for long duration.

The Baobab Tree is one of the oldest trees on earth with some trees living to be over 1000 years old originally from Africa .Baobabs have massive cylindrical trunks, up to three meters across, covered with smooth, reddish-grey bark, green palmate leaves, dark brown floral buds or spectacular flowers with white petals. The large, dry fruits of the baobab contain kidney-shaped seeds within an edible pulp.

These are said to be more than 5000 years old and according to mythology Lord Krishna brought the seeds of the same from Africa and planted them here. These are planted in a triangular shape and stand together closely. The state government has put up a fence to protect the trees and a board briefly describing the history of the trees, which also gives the statistics about height and girth.

 The fruit is nutritious, possibly having more vitamin C than oranges, and exceeding the calcium content of cow's milk. The dry fruit pulp separated from seeds and fibers is eaten directly or mixed into porridge or milk, and is also known as "sour gourd" or "monkey's bread". In Malawi, the fruit pulp is used to make a nutrient-rich juice. In Zimbabwe, the fruit is known as mawuyu in the Shona language and has long been a traditional fruit. In the coastal areas of Kenya, baobab seeds are called mbuyu and are cooked with sugar, colored, and sold as a snack. Mabuyu is also the term used in Tanzania for seeds of the calabash gourd, which are prepared in a similar fashion.

BAOBAB TREES HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF PROVIDING NUTRITION AND HEALTH FOR HUMANS AND THEY ARE REVERED AS “THE TREE OF LIFE” BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE HEALING PROPERTIES OF THE FRUIT, LEAVES, SEEDS AND BARK.

Kargodu falls

Kargodu falls, which has elevated the beauty of forest with the crystal clear water, gushing down the rocky path, is providing a magnificent view to the visitor. We planned to visit this unidentified waterfalls so as per our plan we started our morning with great breakfast, hot tea and Akki Rotti were right combination to get us going in full spirit, after a short bike ride we reached Kargodu village, we parked our vehicles and initial stretch goes through Areca plantations and later crossed a small bamboo bridge over a small stream.

 Then we trekked on grassland plateau and then we entered the forest passing through a small hamlet towards the valley. Without taking rest we forwarded, the weather was extraordinarily favorable. We soon reached thick woods of the higher region and found ourselves enveloped by a virgin forest of gigantic elegant trees.

 The beauty of this forest is inexpressible a certain anxiety nevertheless fills the wanderers souls. The deep stillness of the forest eerie rushing of the wind through these huge trees needles and sublimity of nature’s powerful forces made an impression on me that I will never forget.

 Further our journey goes through many bushes thick bamboo roofed forests. Once we saw the waterfall none of us could speak the tough trek were forgotten it was worth everything I thanked god being alive to see one of his wonderful creation the thundering waterfall was mesmerizing getting cool showers from the fall all our tiredness vanished.

 After running over a stretch of rocks to this place the brook tumbles downward around 80 feet with tremendous force into a rock basin where the water scattered in a million droplets come together again and then flows tranquilly into a small ravine. It is with difficulty that on climbs down into the base of the falls but however arduous the scrambling down just as rewarding is the sight one finds below. It was an authentically splendid scene all around stood rocks luxurious adorned with handsome plants and shrubs. It seems god might have taken the place for a masterpiece of tasteful gardening.

 When illuminated by the sun, streams of waterfall forming a bright silver band down over the rocks producing an uproar that is doubly frightful in the beautiful space and the dark green leaves plantains adorn the waterfalls. We felt so good watching the falls it was like gallons of milk pouring down the hill time stood still everything around was mute except for the sound of the waterfall.

 After we had enjoyed the stately tableau for long time we pulled ourselves away from the beautiful sight with great reluctance headed back the same way it was quiet quick we reached back in one hour. Throughout our journey was filled with hundreds of vibrant butterflies fluttering, Beautiful pebbles in grass bright like shining pearls, Colourful Mushrooms ,Evergreen forests, flowing very pure water in the brook, So many chirping birds and little variety of species, Romancing trees, Green covered hills and valleys all around it was a very wonderful experience. 

 It was that moment of happiness, joy and ecstasy that everyone unanimously exhibited after being amalgamated with nature for just two days!! Of course the real life out there in wild is calling us to fuse to make us realize the true happiness. 

Mattigatta Waterfalls

Trekking can bring in a sense of peace and will experience the immense natural value of our surroundings. We do all this for a sublime sense of peace and tranquillity that should not elude us.  The natural landscape was at its very best and a showcase of waterfalls amid rich and dense jungles is on offer in Uttarakannada.

 On the first weekend of November, four intrepid souls set out from different places to the Western Ghat, Driving in the early morning through mist choked roads, stopping only for morning breakfast along the way we were grateful to reach the small village where we began our trek. We parked our scooter in a field at the edge of the. Just a few kilometers into to our destiny place consists beautiful waterfalls, crystal clear pools and mountain peaks offering unparalleled views of the countryside. Our sense of adventure was kindled by the uncharted and untested route ahead of us.

 The day was warm and sunny, perfect for a trek. As the trek started the initial moments went in just trying to capture every bit of the view surrounding us and realizing the fact that it was a pretty steep climb.  The falls are located not too far from the village but still it’s isolated. 

 We began walking in mud track leading from the village to the mountain range beyond. While passing the road we had seen waterfalls form long distance. The initial trail wound through the dry hill road until we came to the Hedge’s house where the trail began. We located the cool mountain stream which was to serve as our navigational aid. The downhill path passes through arrack-nut plantation once we entered the forest zone the trail started to ascend and become steep.

 Frequently, I would look down and see what I thought was the end of our descent to the streambed. Light would shine through the trees and the trail appeared to start going downhill. I was getting so fatigued by the difficult trail and heavy pack. We started by using the strong jungle vines and small plants guiding us down the base. The climb was exhausting and I would have panicked about my team in few times.

 The final climb towards the streambed was riddled with steep sections of rocks. When we arrived at stream, everyone was thrilled. It presented a new challenge that I wasn't sure we could withstand. Our efforts were rewarded by beautiful views of the waterfalls.

 After hopping around the stream-bed boulders for a while we came upon a narrow pass. The width of the stream was very narrow I was a little shocked to realize that we would have to scale the side of the gorge to reach the base of the waterfall. My team has done some climbing with bare feet after a few meters we continued by using small vines and crooks in the rocks.

 Shortly thereafter the trail seemed to end in a deep pool formed by the increasingly narrow gorge. I took off my pack to swim through the slot canyon in an attempt to see whether we could continue along the stream.

 I took a long swim against the cool water, the water was deep. Lucky for us it was rather less volume otherwise I don't think we all would have been able to make successful to reach the bottom of the waterfalls. Although it’s slippery under the falls might end up falling on the rocks. We all had refreshing bath under the falls getting drenched under the waterfalls and showered with cool and refreshing water.

 Mattighatta waterfall is actually a string of few streams mainly Hasehalla stream on the low hills surrounding and the entire stream dwindling and relief to see such a large pool of water falling from 350 feet height  and further pass into a narrow river canyon. The Hasehall stream flows down in three steps. Even in the month of December, the river had enough water to make the waterfalls majestic. The high rising rocks on either sides adds to the beauty of the falls.

 The base had thigh-deep water. Reaching the base of such a beautiful waterfalls in such a remote location was a very fulfilling experience. During rainy season, Mattighatta falls could easily add more arms: a nondescript section seen at the top of the rocks could easily turn out to be majestic falls by itself.

 When we reached the base of the waterfalls we felt a deep sense of accomplishment for doing something what we didn't think we were capable. We immediately quenched to pond, the rushing water pounded on our weary muscles like a sort of massage, giving us renewed vigour.  After having fun on those smooth giant rocks spending some time in the water we proceeded back to the tumultuous noise of the city looking forward for a weekend again to be in the lap of nature.

 On return the walk was not an easy walk we had to climb all the way steep up and then reached back to the village. One of my dreams came true to spend quality time in the laps of the Nature and also discover uninhabited and undiscovered land in Western-Ghat.

The Mystery of Soorya Temple - Kalkere, Haveri

The trail to Golden Era...Part 1

Sunday morning was very pleasant with bright sun in sky. On a fresh early morning we started our journey to visit few historical places surrounded to Haveri.  As per our plan first we visited to Kalkere village it is a small picturesque village historically it was an imperative place, as good number of temples and inscriptions have been found in the village.

 There are three beautiful temples in this village they are Somesvara temple, Basaveshvara (Jayasingesvara) temple and Lakshmi (Bhairavi) temple. The Basaveswara temple is the most important structure at Kalkere, which is full of ornamentation practically represents the whole Hindu pantheon are the finest examples of master craftsmanship.

 We spotted a few who were having a morning session of updating each other with latest worldly matters we interrupted them to enquire about the temple details and the whole group got so excited & few seniors were eager to help and guide us to Basaveshvara temple were in action full swing after half an hour of total excitement with villagers priest opened the temple. As soon as I went inside the main entrance, two virtues of this place caught our attention, cleanliness and calmness of the place. 

 Basaveswara Temple has four cells (Garbhagrihas) with a common Navaranga. The current disposition of images in the Kalakeri temple’s sancta indicates the disruption of an earlier arrangement.  At present main cell has a Shiva Linga and opposite to this cell has a crudely carved Surya figure. The Surya shrine opposite to the front hall is remarkable for its splendid sculpture it’s elaborate and fine carvings attracts the attention of the viewer.

 Approximately 6 feet tall, 77 cm wide and 12 cm thick, the Surya is carved from a single slab of dark green chlorite schist. Such fine grained soft metamorphic stones became the medium of choice of Karnataka’s artisans from the 11th to the 14th centuries, driving an aesthetic revolution in both sculpture and architecture.  An elaborate ornamental archway springs from columns behind the attendants and encircles the principal figure. The fertility of the design the through finish the richness of ornamentation and the hard stone had turned out to be pieces of vax in the hands of master craftsman Mandoja. The Surya image is exceedingly handsome and the sculptor has reached his pinnacle here the perfectly carved is awe inspiring.

 The other two cells don’t have original deities. In that place Naga stones and Vishnu figures are kept which is not original one, Naga-nagini images stand atop comparatively elegant, and much larger, pedestals. These images are mismatched to their pedestals physically, stylistically, and ichnographically. The pedestals bear central images of Visnu’s vehicle, Garuda, in the northern sanctum and Brahma’s vehicle, the Hamsa in the southern one. 

 The Hamsa pedestal in the temple’s south sanctum bears the emblem of Brahma’s vehicle, the goose. Its size and profile are well matched to the Brahma’s base.  In the western sanctum is a Siva Linga, while the occupant of the fourth or eastern sanctum and ties the evidence together. Here stands an extremely fine image of Surya that is a perfect match, both to its pedestal bearing the sun god’s seven horses and, more importantly, to the Museums Brahma!

 It happens that a letter in the Penn Museum Archives identifies just such a temple. Writing to Museum Director George Byron Gordon in 1922, the Brahma’s seller, Hagop Kevorkian, reports that the sculpture was removed in 1835 from “the temple at Kalkerry at Talook Kode, southern Mahratta County India.” in New York might be it. Purchased by the Metropolitan Museum of Art from Kevorkian in 1918—the same year he lent the Brahma to the Penn Museum—this image is not as close a stylistic match. Its inscription, however, associates its maker with the artists of the other two images, and another letter to the Museum Director indicates that the Brahma and the Kesava were brought from India together.  The quadruple shrine Basavesvara temple there was the Brahma’s original home.

 The Surya and the Brahma are essentially the same size with strikingly similar proportions, poses, and renderings of their figures. Their personal ornaments are nearly identical, as are many individual motifs used throughout the two sculptures. A particularly telling correspondence is the complex structure of their framing columns. Even the damaged inscription on the Surya’s base is strikingly like that on the Brahma’s in both orthography and content. 

 Given Kevorkian’s identification of the site; the physical, stylistic, and epigraphic similarities between these two sculptures and the tradition of housing sets of deities in multiple-shrine temples, it is almost certain that the Museum’s Brahma was removed from the Hamsa pedestal in this temple’s southern sanctum. But where is the missing Visnu for the Garuda pedestal in the northern sanctum? A well-known image of Kesava (Visnu). The theft of cultural objects affects developed and developing countries alike. The illicit traffic in cultural heritage is a transnational crime that affects the countries of origin, transit and final destination.

Museum’s Brahma was removed from the Hamsa pedestal in this temple’s southern sanctum.

 

The Navaranga has four niches. At present in one niche original Saraswathi figure is available in damaged condition. Further a huge and very elegantly carved Nandi is available in the Antarala in front of Surya cell.

 The brick work in top of the roof is the remnants of the original shikharas on four Garbhagrihas of the temple and the Hara portion of the superstructure. It may be remembered here that there is no Later Chalukya temple known to have brick superstructure in the country. Therefore, it is not only unique but also contributes to the history of architecture in Karnataka.

 Kalkere village provides a restful escape for those wanting to feel the powerful vibrations from the lord. This unique temple, which contributes to the history of architecture in karnataka, Villagers of Kalakeri took initiative have embarked on preserving and renovating the centuries old Basaveshwara temple.