Chandramouleeswara Temple Hubli- Forgotten Magnificence

I had not explored Hubballi at all until my cousin googled and wanted to see this temple. Our cabbie had no idea, nor did we. I tried to convince him that it might have been the Channa Basaveswara temple on the Unkal Lake and not the one in Unkal Circle, as he contended. But, the boy held his ground, and pointed out that the elevation of the temple looked drastically different; he even showed me some googled pics. Those were enough to convince me and the historian-in-the-family to go for it. After asking for directions from nearly ten people, and losing our way in the by-lanes and narrow alleys, we found this magnificent edifice of 10th-11th century vintage! It was late Western Chalukyan, and had some additions made by the Hoyasala or even the Vijayanagara rulers! We thought we'll pay respects to Lord Siva on a festive day, but lost ourselves so much that we didn't regret having to give up our original plan of watching the orange sunset from Nripatungabetta. We thought we'd missed it, but got a breathtaking view from an unexpected location. The sunset pics will find place in a different post. 

Karnataka Pilgrimage Day 1 : All’s well that ends well (including two ‘pots’ of ‘gold’) Part- II

           After a point, we entered into the Kudremukh National Park, home for the cheetah, spotted deer, bison and other animals.  Dilip alerted us to look around the surroundings to spot some wildlife.  It rained consistently and mist greeted us after a certain point.  Alas, time was too insufficient to even think of photography. We downed the window-glass and let the bliss overtake us.  Wow!  After a while we spotted a tail.  Whose could it be?  Of a fox? Or a wolf?  Oh no, it is a dog’s!  Suddenly Dilip found a small snake crossing the road (I could not see it, to my dismay).  The forest was dense and pleasant.  Memories of my trip to Darjeeling four years ago came to my mind.  Suddenly I looked at the watch: 4.30 p.m.  At inopportune times, we remember unpleasant things. 

....................to the Banks of Godari Ganga

Hmm, come summer, come mangoes!

                             Early on Tuesday morning, we headed for Bhadrachalam. We reached Vijayawada to pick up Uncle’s elder brother who was eager to have the blessings of Lord Rama. On his suggestion of a ‘shorter route’, we got stuck on narrow village roads for nearly an hour and a half, but I got the chance of clicking a tree full of tender mangoes and a flock of sheep.  I also saw a standing crop of corn- I just loved it, even if our ‘Driver Mama’ got annoyed.

The flock of sheep that excited me but annoyed my uncle

                To reach Bhadrachalam, we crossed the Godavari bridge beyond which we spotted the temple tower. Excitedly I began to sing, “Adigo Bhadradri, Gouthami Idigo Choodandi” (Yonder, we can see the  Bhadradri and here, we can see the Godavari).