Ah!! Its Monsoon Season :-)

 

The monsoon is here :-) Now I can more close my eyes in slumber. Now I know that Monsoon showers of arrows must batter my heart. I love this season - When dark clouds cover the sky and start showering raindrops on us, I heard everyone around me saying “Ah!! Rain!  Everywhere water green.

The phrase Expressions of love and happiness cannot be taught. They come to you naturally, isn’t it? Every living entity shows its love for the rains in its own way. Immediately, after the rain plants seem to be thrilled and grow much faster and greener with new branches shot up. I read in story books that peacock dance in the rain on green fields to show their happiness on arrival of monsoons.

Pours a great volume of water during different seasons...

The clouds roll and the wind picks up and when it rains - oh, blissful. It makes me want to take off my shoes and go play in the street. The pleasant smell that accompanies the first rain after a dry spell. The smell of first rain, the cool moist breeze on  face with the sound of raindrops- priceless experience...

Truly, nature has her own way of expressing love and affection to us. During monsoon season, when tiny rain droplets fall to the ground, the sky gives an impression of mother who is shedding tears in joy on meeting her beloved children. Is it sounding my philosophical illusion, I feel its shows the kindness that nature has showered on us by creating monsoon season to enjoy :-)

Happy monsoon! :-)

It's real time to go out for nature trail!
Photos By- Rakesh holla & Ashok S B

Kalleshwara temple - Aralaguppe.

The Aralaguppe stands on an extensive mound and was a place of considerable importance between the 8th and 10th century AD under the Nolambas & pre- Hoysala’s Emperors. Kalleshwara temple is one of the major popular temples in this place and was built by Nolambas style of the 9^th century A.D. It represents the architectural features in which the Nolamba craftsmen show a high order of excellence and that warrant inclusion in an art historical account.

Kalleswara temple was dedicated to Lord Shiva and there is huge Lingam in the Sanctum. The Kalleshwara temple has two attractions which are worth many a visit -The extraordinary ceiling intricately carved and the sculpture of Umamaheshwara.

 

While the Adhishtana is made of granites, the temple's walls and towers are constructed with bricks may be a later day addition. There is an idol of Nandi in front of the main Deity of dark granite, 6 ft. in length and 4ft.in height is at the entrance.

 

 

The wall at a number of places has been ornamented by carved human figures. Its Mukhamantapa ceiling is considered the most beautiful sculpture found in the State which is something to be seen to be believed.  It’s amazing but proved difficult to capture of the nine panels on the ceiling it has in Nolambas style portrayal of wonderful dancing Shiva (Tandaveswara) sculpture with musical accompanists and eight Dikpalas surrounding him depicted with their paraphernalia and vehicles.

 

Another unique feature of this ceiling is the flying Vidyadharas (Gandharvas), Four, with garlands in their hands at each corner of the panel. These garland-bearing Vidyadharas are quite common to Nolamba architecture; a clear evidence of the elegance and comprehensiveness of their style. The Nataraja (Tandaveswara) meanwhile, is a remarkable three-dimensional image, wearing jewels such as the Katibandana and tassels. The dancing lord is accompanied by three Bhutas playing a three-headed percussion instrument. They are also seen with Ayut and other symbols.

 

The northern and eastern lateral shrines contain idols of Keshava and Surya, while the southern one contains the Umasahita mounted over a large stele with a lotus pedestal and a Prabhavali with a couple of flying Vidyadharas. The extraordinary ceiling of the mukhamantapa, with the Nolambas style portrayal of Umamaheshwara at Consisting of garbagriha, antarala, and a mukhamantapa, the temple's sanctum sanctorum is adorned with a huge black-granite Shivalinga.

The outer walls are insipid without projections and recesses, but for the lone niche at the antarala that divides the Vimana from the Mukhamantapa. Pilasters built closer at the temple's interiors however, appears more refreshing.

There is also a small temple in the main temple complex which dedicated to Lord Uma Maheshwara and two more temples dedicated to the Ganapathi and Subramanya. The image of Gajalakshmi on the doorway adds charm to the place. This temple maintained by modern style but not in a systematic way.

Semblance of scenic beauty....

There might not a person who has never enjoyed the majesty and magnificence of waterfalls in this summer season. Waterfalls lend a serene touch to those witnessing them, making them spellbound and completely mesmerized. The water trickling down the hills refreshes both the mind and the body considerably.

This is one of the beautiful waterfalls in the Western Ghats region and it’s very nice in the rainy and non-rainy seasons with lot of different aspects and also one of my favorite waterfalls usually I pursuits to visit in my free time.  This month 8^th a fine Sunday nippy morning we had no other option to go so once again we chose to visit OnakeAbbi Waterfalls.

After a one hour bike ride we parked our bike in a safe place and prayed to God Ganapathi in nearby temple for our safe journey. After getting a divine feelings and ideas in our hearts we turned to walk the following paved path inside the Jungle. The route takes us through unrivalled scenic beauty, thickly forested green so this is one of the beautiful affluent forest regions in the Western Ghats.

 

Within about an hour upside walking inside the thick jungle land we reached the bank of one of the small crystal clear stream and were able to sight the long distance view of the waterfalls from the downstream side. Cascade of waterfalls have a smaller volume of water, falls from a height of almost 500 feet.

 

They descend a series of 2 rock steps. Here water spills over the edge of a very wide rocky surface, this waterfall is covered by rocks on both the sides because of this it named as OnakeAbbi it mean In Kannada language as, Onake means a pounding stick which is used to pound grains in villages.

 

Final walk through stream between small and big rocks was impressive as we reached the immediate bottom of the falls the waterfall seems which falling from the sky height into the beautiful natural pond.  The cool and pleasant atmosphere of the place gave a sweltering heat of the summer a miss. The surrounding areas were full of forests with rocks cover which leads into a deep natural reservoir.

 

We took bath for a long time in the pond and did lot of harmless adventure activities till the evening and had returned back home mesmerizing with the sweet and cool memories. Recent Naxalite activities have been observed in this area and were a threat for nature lovers.