Bidanur Fort (Shivappa Naik’s Fort)- Nagara

Worth a stop when traveling through the Sagar-Hosnagar road you can just see it from the outside state highway and you certainly won't miss it. The very sight of the fort when you are driving your way makes a sure stop for you to visit the fort. It’s in size not much huge but still it had its own identity since Keladi-Kings time. The majestic fort of Bidanur that could survive the rampage of time and humans is one of the stupendous examples of Karnataka history.

  What leaves you amazing about Bidanur Fort is that, unlike other forts in India, which are usually built on hills or with water bodies surrounding it on all sides, the Bidanur Fort is built on an elevated ground, merely few meters high. Still one can get an excellent view of several miles in all directions, especially the Western Ghats. There is no natural frontier like hilly terrain or water around the fort.

The fort built of stone masonry is almost ovoid on plan having a series of bastions at regular intervals. Above the masonry wall raises the thick parapet with a series of musket holes. Some parts of the fort that stand strong, speak volumes about the glory it enjoyed in 17^th century. Inside the lofty outer walls of the fort, is hidden many treasures of the glorious past. The fort witnessed the ups and downs faced by the Keladi kings.

The entrance of the fort is marked by a slope pathway that leads you to the huge gateway with two round bastions on either side. The moment you enter inside you can see vast green pasture spread as far as your eyes can see. The courtyard inside shows signs of a former guard room. The fort is entered through a steep ramp leading to the main entrance from the north. The gateway is flanked by two bastions and has a sally port on the left side. Inside the third wall is a large open court facing which there is a terrace overlooking the fort. There are more slope path ways than staircase to climb the fort unlike you see in many other forts.

Basically you can see some ruined construction identified as the "Darbar Hall" of Shivappa Nayaka, a temple area in the centre, twin water ponds inside the fort and many more. There is a dry well, few tiny caves like structures which were probably meant for safe exit of royal family in case of invasion, and several watch posts. The fort walls had collapsed at several places and are being reconstructed using red brick.

As you explore, you can come across a broken cannon lying on the ground unlike some of the forts which only have steps, this fort has drivable path inside to most of the places, most probably to move the cannons mounted wheels and don’t forget to see four grinding stones that were used to grind food materials in those times. What makes these grinding stones, made of granite, eye-catching is its huge size. They are placed on the opposite side of each other and are supported by other granite boulders from the bottom.

Devagange, a bathing place of the royalties of Bidanur Keladis, is an engineering marvel and must visit place. It is really amazing to note the engineering techniques of those times. The water flowing from the hills above was collected in seven ponds with different shapes. These ponds were used for bathing by the kings and queens of Bidanur. Most captivating of all are the two lakes shaped like a lotus and a star with fountains in the center.

A steep ramp provided at the extreme end of the open courtyard abutting the outer fort wall leads to the observatory tower. The depression further south of the octagonal well seems to be a storage tank to the south east of which is a huge mound probably enclosing a huge rubble structure. Beyond this mound and the observatory is another structure, now in ruins having a vast opening towards south considering its isolated and exclusive location, this seems to be the place where the queens and their attendants were accommodated. On the whole, the structural remains scattered inside the fort, though in ruins, represent the meticulous post medieval layout of fort.

BRIEF HISTORY: Nagar is situated about 16 km. from Hosanagara town. Before attaining historical importance, this place was called Bidarahalli (anciently known as Bidnur) named after a small village. It shot into prominence during the reign of Hiriya Venkatappa Nayaka (1592-1629 A.D.) of Ikkeri kingdom when he annexed this region during his campaign and regularized worship in the Sri Nilakanthesvara temple. However, it attained the status of a capital from the time of Virabhadra Nayaka (1629-1645 A.D.) who succeeded Hiriya Venkatappa Nayaka .Due to the sudden attack of Islamic forces under Ranadulla Khan of Bijapur Sultanate, lkkeri was razed to the ground in 1560A.D. inspite of Virabhadra Nayaka's efforts to contain the onslaught.

Since Ikkari was becoming a centre of political and economic crisis Virabhadm Nayaka abandoned it. He built a formidable fort with beautiful palaces at strategically important point in Bidnur and made it his Capital in 1639 A.D. Virabhadra Nayaka was succeeded by Sivappa Nayaka (1645-¬1665 A.D.) who ascended the throne at Bidnur (or Venupura). During Sivappa Nayaka's time this place was buzzing with vibrant political activity. He improved and enlarged it. His successor ruled from here till it was annexed in 1763 A.D. by Haider Ali who renamed Bidnur as Haider Nagar. Now it is called as Nagar only. Haideri gold pagodas were struck here in the mint established by Haider Ali. During the Mysore War it suffered badly due to burning. Tipu Sultan rebuilt the palace and its surroundings. However, it never regained its lost glory and slowly it was abandoned to its present condition.

Maloorugundi Waterfalls - A Day I will never forget…

The Malooru Gundi is the perfect destination for anyone who is adventurous and for anyone who wants to go where most others wouldn't.  This trip was one of the best hikes in life time; it has beautiful scenery of the Western-Ghats and ends at a breathtaking waterfall.

On initial stretch we crossed few mist kissed grasslands and later through thick jungles where sun never reached, every moment we spent in the rain-forest was a moment to reflect upon, making the day even more surreal and after walking for an hour of medium toughness level terrain, finally we made to reach top of the waterfalls.

After spending lot of time in first smaller level of the waterfalls we hiked down to next level called Malooru gundi. At initial waterfall we encountered a unique beauty and its majesty only heightened as we journeyed to the next level of the waterfall. 

We had some stunning views out over the top of the waterfalls and we were heading down towards the Maloorgundi. We reached the base having risky climb catching hold of strong branches that leap all over the rock-strewn hills. This region was pretty dangerous because of the thick vegetation and steep ravines. While climbing down the moss makes staying on feet especially difficult.

We reached MalooruGundi falls, which was one of the best falls in terms of overall rating that I have visited the way we approached it, the surroundings, the looks etc. We unsuccessfully tried getting under it, and the closer we got to it, the faster it pushed us away. I stood looking at it for some time trying to capture it forever in my mind.

All we enjoyed the sheer beauty of the falls the sheer power with which the water was flowing down and it seemed that it would pull you away along with it and throw you into the gushing black rock hitting water below although we tried to reach close as the rocks near the base are sharp and very slippery.

 Malooru falls is actually a string of few falls in the Ktkr River on the low hills surrounding.  They offer some nice hiking and a relaxing setting.  Malooru falls is in a SV Wildlife Sanctuary and contains the impressive waterfall where the entire stream flows through 25 meters widen rock slab and drops from a height of 35 meters and further pass into a narrow river canyon.

I want to say MalooruGundi as a Niagara of the state; the water fall was downright breathtaking. We caught a couple of brilliant shots of the falls, and the roaring of the waterfall was so loud that we were barely audible to each other. The water fall-down into the pond, and throughout maintained a white rage, splashing dews and sprinkling water into all of us. It was really wet and there was a lot of mist and the lens kept fogging up. There are not many places like this anywhere in the world, and certainly not in Karnataka.

Later we planned to check out the third and largest waterfall in further down. Our guide told we can’t approach any further level but he willing to try once. So we continued up to the jungle land and after 15 minutes dangerous lynching walks on these mountains are incredible at one place we find one open place from highest level. From the open space we had a fantastic views looking out onto waterfalls northeast wild region relatively unknown and here it drops from the height of 85 meters to downer ledge and it was very impressive to sight.

This is Malabar giant squirrel living in India. This one I saw in a forest Reserve is considered as the most beautiful of all squirrels in India. It is a large tree squirrel species which is listed as an endangered species.

We took a slightly different route back to the top of the waterfall and few of my teammates forced our team to discover one more view of this waterfall from opposite side rocky hill. We were spellbound when we had a close view of the waterfalls, from midst of the jungle, standing on a trail that never existed, that slipped all the way into the ferocious falls.

The set-up and effort to trek in them is definitely more worth. Our guide Halappa was very friendly, informative and very knowledgeable about the surroundings. He knew the area well, and kept us all well interested with his interactive approach. I like to thank my friend Shrikanth Datta, my teammates and our Taxi Driver Manoj, for all their vigorously support to make this a successful expedition.

Bheemeshwara Waterfalls

Bheemeshwara is a Shiva temple which is a heaven for nature lovers, for many obvious reasons, mountains of Western Ghats lie vast as far as eyes can see. According to the tale, Shiva Linga was established by Bheema of Pandavas during his Agnaatavasa to honor this deed a temple was built here for his name which is the Bheemeswara Temple. The fascinating Bheemeshwara waterfall formed when Arjuna used his arrow to extract water from the rocks and it’s situated just next to the temple.

This temple located 5kms from the Kogar-Bhatkal road; the initial approach starts with delightful walk through the mud road inside the pristine forests which covers the sky and filial destination goes through paved Stone steps. Its tough approach would cause to safe from crowd; so we can sense here the serenity and calmness inside the temple without any disturbance.

This is the good place for to do meditation here always I feel calm in the lap of nature I feel the cool blowing air, hear the water pouring down over the richly colored rock, perceiving the Sweet birds’ singing so softly that makes to feel relaxed and delighted. I feel calm and inspired in every time I visit, it’s a best place to feel the real tranquility from the restless stress life.

 

The specialty of Bheemeshwara waterfalls is that the water never dries out through out the year. On MahaShivarathri, there will be a huge Puja offered to the Lord by the local people every year.

Bheemeshwara waterfall looks like the ones in the fairy tales - the water cascades from tiny droplet and falls down like a soft silk. Add to this the playful sun’s rays will create an unbelievable tint of piece and beauty. The sight is so marvelous and relaxing that even the worst thoughts and the gloomiest mood disappear in no time.

Shiva temples -Nadakalasi

 

We visited Nadakalasi temples long back which situated in Sagara was one of those forgotten monuments that its name was not part of the list of ancient monuments. The temple complex consists of 2 Shiva temples Mallikarjuna and Nilakantesvara. This temple was built during 1218 AD, when Baleyanna Pergade ruled this place. He was the Mandalika of Hoysala Second Veeraballala. This region was called as Kundanadu or Kodanadu at that time. After Baleyanna this place was ruled by Beeradevarasa. Later, when Vijayanagara Dynasty was established, Samrat Krishna Devaraya gifted this place to Keladi King Chaudappa Nayaka.

 

The temple is a fine example of Hoysala architecture It is said to be constructed by father and son sculptors, Jankana and Dakkana. They are constructed using the stone called `Somanatha Shile’, which was available in the village itself. Both the temples have been built on star-shaped plinth and the roofs are also of star-shape. The whole structure has been constructed on level platform. Each temples has a sanctum and a Navaranga with vast pillared-hall. The pillars are strikingly beautiful and hold a stark resemblance like other Hoysala temples.

 

Neelakanteshwara temple is just next to the Mallikarjuna temple and has only one entrance. The walls on either side of the main entrance have been carved with statues related to Vatsayana Kamasutra. It has a magnificent Gopuram over Garbhagriha where we saw the beautiful Hoysala emblem and a fine statue of Bhuvaneshwari. I and Ashok climbed the top with the help of local boys and took magnificent photos of that.

 

Mallikarjuna temple, the bigger one, is formed of Garbhagriha, Sukanasi, Rangamantapa and Basavamantapa. It has eight circular pillars in the Navaranga, which are carved with pictures of different dance forms and animals. Except Sukanasi, the other frontal part of the temple feature with half walls, this has provided the temple with a unique brightness. The Navaranga has three entrances at three directions.

 

The temple stands out like a marvel against the backdrop of an ordinary village. The surrounding rural countryside is tranquil with lush fields, quiet lakes and very little traffic. Beyond this, our interest was at best casual as we wandered around the temple. We just absorbed whatever we saw. Some sculptures seemed to know more than me & Ashok about ancient practices.