Sri Chandramouleswaraa Temple, Arsikere

Chandramouliswara Temple-Arsikere

Grandeur Etched In stone (Part-5)

The ancient Siva Temple at Arsikere with a unique frontal polygonal Mandapa (hall) reflects the architecture and sculpture of the Hoysalas. The ancient temple dedicated to Lord Siva, known as Kattameswara and also Chandramouliswara Temple,

It reflects the grand architectural style of the Hoysalas with a specially designed polygonal ‘Mandapa’ (hall), in the front though modest in size and figure sculpture, is considered the most complex in architecture among surviving Hoysala monuments because of its ground plan: a 16-pointed star shaped Mantapa(hall), in addition to an asymmetrical star shaped shrine, whose star points are of three different types.The archives of 1220 AD refer to this temple as ‘Sri Kalameswara Temple’.

The temple, which faces east like all Hoysala constructions, uses soapstone as basic building material and is an Ekakuta shrine (single shrine) with two Mantapas one open and one closed. All three units are connected to form a unity.

The sanctum (Garbagraha) enshrines a Linga, the universal symbol of God Shiva. The Mandapa is where the devotees gather. The closed Mandapa does not have any windows. The ceiling in the closed Mantapa is divided into nine compartments or "bays" by the four lathe turned pillars that support the ceiling. The entrance is through a "bay" between the two Mandapas.

The outer wall of the vestibule shares the same decoration as the outer wall of the shrine, but is inconspicuous because it forms a short continuation between the wall of the shrine and that of closed Mantapa. Near this temple ‘Malekal Thirupathi’ where the beautiful temple on the name of lord Venkataramana is located.

Malekal Thirupati

Hirimariguppe

Another wonderful place to add to our memories of wilderness was Harimariguppe, it's a very nice place to trek Dinesh Holla sir arranged the trek to this place, we reached village on a Saturday evening the villagers are always friendly and every ready to help one of the villagers was very gladly let us sleep at his place for the night and also arranged for the camp fire., his was starting point for the trek.

Next day early in the morning we four members visited the Bangreballige waterfalls which was nearby, we returned and had bath in a stream and got ready for our trek, initially the trek for an hour or so was little dragging but once we started walking in the grassland things were better cool breeze green valley on one side greenery every where made our trek worthwhile.

This peak was a little different it was a combination of two sharp peaks and from there we could see Kudremukh peak, we relaxed for some time had our lunch and started back on the way back when we had a look behind at the peak it was completely covered with fog and looked very nice a very pleasant trek a soft kind rather to slowly rekindle our spirits...

Kudremukh trek

Kudremukh was a long time dream and it came true this weekend, the whole trip was completely planned and organized by my friend Sudheer Kumar, as per our plan we had to reach Mullodi by evening, unfortunately Sudheer met with an accident and our plans were almost cancelled, but by evening we four of us started on our bikes and reached the base by 10pm.

We halted for night at last house which is 10kms from Kudremukh and this is the starting trek point too, it’s only a short 13min trek and we can reach Somavathi falls second stage from here.

Early morning we started from this house and he had arranged a guide for us, initial one hour trek was very pleasant, we got to see group of wild deer at close range, the whole trekking route was open grass lands and thick Shola forests small streams with cool fresh mineral water, cool breeze walking in the thick Shola forest was heavenly.

A completely unspoilt forest many beautiful colorful birds singing in the forest made us feel as though we were walking in dreamland, in the middle of our journey we saw first step of Somavathi waterfalls in the valley but due to time constraint we couldn't make it to the bottom.

After a long walk we reached the peak, walking in the clouds which was covering the mountains like a thick white woolen blanket and we in the midst wondering if this was heaven watching the beautiful valley and Hirimaryguppe range from Kudremukh was the most pleasurable experience.

A beautiful view from the peak...

Somavathi waterfalls -1st step

A dense Shola forest...

Kudrekmuk is a paradise for bird watchers trekker’s photographers and nature lovers, on our way back we went to ruins of an old British bungalow near the peak; we had a light lunch and started descending the mountain with our heart contented by god's wonderful creations soaking our mind body and soul with beauty of the place.

Painting in British Bungalow...