Day 3 - Mullaayyanagiri - Belur - Halebeedu

I had heard/imagined lot of things about Chikkamagalur, Bababudan giri, Mullaayyana giri and other places. When we landed in Chikkamagalur, we had no idea what to see and what to expect. One of our contacts in the city said that since the roads to some of the 'tourist spots' are not very good, it is better to hire a taxi and visit them. Thre were about half a dozen "Tourist spots" and he said that it would take a full day to see all of them. I have visited many 'Tourist spots' in my life and my experience is that always the route to the place is much better than the place itself! The so called tourist spot, though sometimes is very good, mostly turns out to be a crowded place with hundreds of vehicles parked haphazardly in the vcinity and shops selling food stuff, trinkets etc dominating the place. 

We decided to visit just one famous place called 'Mullayyana Giri' close to Chikkamagalur and then proceed to Arasikere via Belur. Mullayyanagiri, though very beautiful, fitted my imagination of a 'tourist spot' perfectly! 

The outskirts of Chikkamagalur captured during my early morning walk

The 'Mullayyana Giri' range. You drive almost till the peak through something worse than city traffic on the winding narrow road, park at a dusty crowded parking lot and climb to the peak. About 300 steps. If you can forget what you just read and only concentrate on what you see around, it is beautiful and breathtaking. I can't do that. Since I knew that the end would be crowded, I got down from the taxi on the track seen at the bottom of this picture and reached the peak climbing 'off track'. Turned out to be a very good decision though I was out of breath, and I thoroughly enjoyed the short trek! 

The 'Kurinji' flower which comes into bloom once in twelve years. This was a bloom year but there was no bloom. Only stray flowering plants. In full bloom the hill range is supposed to look like the picture below, which I picked from the net. 

View from the 'off track' climb

The parking lot below the peak. (From the net) 

View from the top.

One of the 45 'Madanika' sculptures in the Belur Temple.  

A part of the panel. These type of panels form the bottom two rows all around the temple. 

The three of us in front of 'Halebeedu' temple complex.

'Halebeedu' 

Day 2 - Banavasi - Chikkamagalur

I got up early in the morning and found that the dogs had made themselves comfortable on the sofas kept in the corridor. Had no intention of disturbing them. Since it was still dark outside, I just wanted to  do some yoga exercises. But they got up, probably cursed me, went out for a short stroll and since I wasn't objecting, returned to their places on the sofa and continued with their beauty sleep. 

The first hint of day light in the east - Hongirana home stay. 

And then, the sun comes up behind the shrubbery. 

Once it was light enough to see, I went for my walk. Cool, quiet and very peaceful. 

The imposing Nandi at the entrance of the temple in Banavasi. I was very keen to see Banavaasi. I am sure it must have been a very beautiful place. The ancient poet Pampa was so much enchanted by it's beauty, he said  "If one can't be born in Banavasi  as a human, one should be born atleast as a bee or a bird". Though the town as such has nothing much to offer now, the surroundings are still beautiful with numerous lakes, hillocks and greenery. 

Lord Madhukeshwara

Madhukeshwara temple built by Kadambas. The architecture is very similar to the temple at Tambdi Surla in Goa which was also built by the Kadambas. 

Decorative items for sale on the streets of Banavasi - used for decorating the cattle for the cattle fair. 

A posh home stay in a coffee estate on the way to Chikkamagalur. We just took a look around. 

Flowering plant in the estate.

'Halli Berri' a coffee outlet in the estate. One of the best coffees I have ever tasted. 

One for the album, with my wife.

Hilly areas around Chikkamagalur. 

Nice combination - Green fields, Blue lake and dark green hill side. 

Wild flowers by the roadside. 

Day 1 - Hongirana - Sirsi

After considering trips to Jaipur, Kashmir, Chandigarh and Bhutan we ended up with a road trip through interiors of Karnataka. And I am glad that we did. We planned to drive to Namma Bengaluru through Sirsi, Chikkamagalur and Arasikere stopping one night in eachplace. We enjoyed the trip
thoroughly and I decided to put up all the pictures here as usual. Here I go with Day 1. Ponda - Sirsi.

This is how the road was for the 200+ kilometers that we drove the first day. Exactly the way I like it. Even surface, tree lined, shady and cool. Hardly any traffic. You can stop anywhere, get down and stretch,  enjoy the surroundings for a few minutes and start back. 

My wife desired these wild flowers which were on the tree by the side of the road and after a bit of jumping up and down, I could fulfill the desire. 

A culvert on the road serves as our dining table and my wife prepares the buffet spread!

My son seems to be giving his opinion of the buffet. 

The forest department sign board says 'Tigers Present'. We were hoping to share our lunch with one but apparently they are not inclined to partake a lunch of Roti - Bhaji - Curds rice. 

A lotus Pond behind a temple near Yellapur. Looks good from a distance because you dont see the trash around the pond. We stopped because we dont find one easily. But there were many more enroute. 

The Hanuman Temple 

Banyan Tree In front of the temple. 

View from the place where we stayed. 'Hongirana' Home stay near Sirsi. 

Good watch tower but the floor made of strips from the Arecanut tree is likely to give way anytime.

The Home stay is located on an elevated place provoding a wonderful view. About 10 kms from the Town Sirsi and hence very calm and quiet.

The rooms. Basic but good. Nice caretakers Dhananjay and Anujit. They are caring and courteous. The place gives a nice feeling and for our luck we were the only guests that day. The picture shows the rooms. 

Dashavatara Stuti - Vadiraajaswamy - 7 Varaaha.

नीलाम्बुदाभशुभ शीलाद्रिदेहधर खेलाघृतोधधिधुनी-
शैलादियुक्त निखिलेला कटाद्यसुर तूलाटवीदहन ते  ।
कोलाकृते जलधि कालाचलावयव नीलाब्जदंष्ट्र धरणी-
लीलास्पदोरुतर मूलाशियोगिवर जालाभिवन्दित नमः  

Neela = Blue/ Black, Ambu + da = Water + giver, meaning, cloud.

Abha = Brightness or like, Shubha = Auspicious, Sheela = behaviour/nature,

A + Dri = Non + Materialistic, Deha = Body, Dhara = Having, Khela = playfully,

effortlessly, Ahrita = Stolen, snatched back, Udadhi = Ocean, Dhuni = River,

Shaila = That which contains ‘Shile’ (rocks) meaning mountains, Adi = etc,

Yukta = comprising, Nikhila = Entire, ILa = Earth, Kata = Mat, carpet,

Adi + Asura = Very first demon, Toola = Cotton, Atavi + Dahana = Forest + Burning

ie forestfire. Te = A form of addressing Narayana.

Kola = Wild boar, Akrite = Shaped like, Jaladhi = Ocean, Kala = Time,

Achala = Immovable meaning mountains, Avayava = Body parts, Nila = Blue,

Abja = Born in water, meaning Lotus. Danshtra = Tusks, Dharani = Earth, Bhudevi,

here meaning Laksmidevi. Leela = Activities, Aspada = Providing for,

Urutala = Thigh part, Moola = Roots, Ashi (from Ashana) = Eating,

Yogivara = Venerable Sages, Jaala = Group, Abhivandita = Being

prostrated/worshipped by, Namah = Praying ('Te' from end of first verse

to be used before 'Namah' here.)

(you) Having a non materialistic and auspicious body, coloured like a bluish

black water filled cloud and being bright, effortlessly snatched back the entire

earth comprising of oceans, rivers, and mountains as if it is a mat, (and)

destroying the very first 'Asura', Hiranyaaksha, like a forest fire destroying

a pile of cotton

(you) Who has the form of a wild boar, on your tusks the earth containing

oceans, time, and mountains as body parts looks like a Blue Lotus,

your thighs providing space for Lakshmi devi for her activities and (you)

being reverently worshipped/ prayed by great sages who live on a diet of

roots - (My) Prayers to you.

Dasavatarastuti - Vaadiraajaswamy 6 - Mohini

Shiksha = Pronunciation (one of the six 'Vedanga's, tools required to learn vedas. The other five being Vyakarana, nirukta, chanda, kalpa, jyotishya) Adi = etcetera, Yuk=Along with, Nigama =Vedas, Dixa = adherance, to stick to, Su = good/great Lakshana = charecteristics, Pariksha -Paritha+eksha = indetail, in all respects + to see, Kshama = expertise, Vidhi sati = wife of vidhi, ie Brahma, meaning, Saraswati, Dakshayani = Daughter of Daksha ie Parvati, Kshamati = Capable of, Skshad Rama = Rama herself, Api = Is also (Capable of), Na = Not, Yat = This, Akshepa = shaking, causing disturbance, VeekshaNa = Seeing, Vidhau = Process (of)

Preksha = The act of seeing, Akshi = Eyes, Lobhakara = Attracting, Laksharasa = water mixed with Haldi and Kumkum, as used in 'Arati', Ukshita = Drenched, Pada = Feet, Akshepa = Placed on the ground, Lakshita = Decorated, Dhara = Earth,
Saa = She, Aksharita = Verymuch ashamed, Atma tanu = one's own body, means son, Bhukshara kari = One who made ashes, Nitila + Aksha = Forehead + eye, Axam anavatu nah = Protect us always or constantly protect us.


Saraswati, Parvati and Lakshmi herself are experts in the process of seeing in detail and adherence to the great charecteristics of pronunciation and other aspects of vedas and though also (being wemen) are experts in the art of shaking other's minds with just a glance, are not as expert as you are (In Mohini avatar) in that art.

You, with the eyes that attract with a glance and feet drenched in 'Laksharasa' which decorate the earth on which they are placed, you, who greatly ashamed the one with eye on the forehead who made ashes of your son (refering to shiva who burnt the god love Manmatha himself but still succumbed to the charms of Mohini), protect us always. 

Dashaavataara stuti - Vaadiraaja Swamy 5 - Mohini

या क्षीरवार्धिमथनाक्षीणदर्पदितिजाक्षोभितामरगणा-
पेक्षाप्तयेऽजनि वलक्षांषुबिम्बजिदतीक्ष्णालकावृतमुखी  ।
सूक्ष्मावलग्नवसनाक्षेपकृत्कुच कटाक्षाक्षमीकृतमनो-
दीक्षासुराहृतसुधाक्षाणिनोऽवतुसु रूक्षेक्षणाद्धरितनुः  ॥ ५

yaa ksheeravaardhi mathanaa ksheena darpaditi jaakshobhitaamaragaNaa

pekshaapta yejaniva lakshmaanshu bimbajita teekshNaalakaavrutamukhi

sookshmaavalagna vasanaakshepa kritkuchakataaksha meekritamano

deekshaa suraahrit sudhaakshaaNi novatusu rooksheNaddharitanu

Yaa = Who ever (Ya is ‘he, who ever’. Here because it is Yaa, it suggests female form)  

Ksheera = Milk. Vaardhi - vaari+dhi = water+ large body - Sea. Ksheeravaardhi= Sea

of milk, Mathana = Churning (inspite of) AksheeNa = Un diminished, Darpa = Arrogance,

Ditija - Diti+ja = Progeny of Diti (Asuras), Akshobhita = highly perturbed (a+ kshobhita = also

means un+perturbed) AmaragaNa = group of gods. Apeksha= Desire, Aptaye = To fulfill,

Ajani = Taken form, Valaksha = Very good, auspicious, qualities, Amshu = Rays,

Bimba jitu= Winning (the) Light, Ateekshna - opposite of teekshna, means very pleasant,

Alaka = curls, Avvruta = Covered, Mukhi = Faced

Sukshma+ avalagna + vasana = Tender, soft + perfectly fitting +clothing,

Aakshepa krit = Causing unstability, make very shaken, Kucha = Breasts,

Kataaksha = Sight, side glance, Akshameekrita = Incapacitated,

Manodeeksha =  Determination, Asura = Asuras, demons, Aahrita = Snatched,

Sudha= Nectar, AkshaaNi = Eyes, Nah = us, ours, Avatu = Protect,

Hari tanu = (another) body of hari, meaning Mohini form, Suruksha =

Wicked things (which tempt and drag us towards evil), Ikshanaat = Seeing

You, who, to fulfill the desire of the group of gods highly perturbed by the

un diminished arrogance of the demons, who (the demons) remained arrogant

even after the strain of churning the sea of milk, took the female form having

a face covered by lovely curls and radiating with very pleasant brightness

which would even win over the rays of the pleasant moon,

With perfectly fitting very fine clothes, breasts and the tempting side glance shook

the determination of Asuras (to get nectar for themselves), incapacitated their mind

and snatched the nectar, (you the) other form of Sri Hari, protect our eyes (our

sensory organs and thereby us) from being attracted towards evil.

Dashaavataara Stuti 4 - Vaadiraaja Swamy - Dhanwantari

dhanvantarengaruchi dhanvantareritaru dhanvantaribhavasudha
bhaanvantaraavasatha manvantaraadhikrita tanvantaraushadhanidhe
danvantarangashugu danvantamaajishuvi tanvan mamaabhdhitanayaa
sunvantakaatmahrita tanvantaraavayava tanvantaraartijaladhau


‘Dhanvantare’ = A way of addressing dhanvantari roopa of god, Anga = body,

Ruchi = radiance Dhanvantare = Sun (he who creates ‘Dhanu’ the rainbow)

Ari = enemy, Taru = tree/plant, Dhanvan = desert (making the plants, called enemies,

dry away as a desert does) Tari = boat, Bhava = become,  Sudhaa = ‘amritamaya’,

Bhaanu = Sun (bhanu is sun, Sudhabhaanu ie very pleasant sun, or one having

very pleasant rays, ie, moon) Antara = inside, Avasatha = residing

(chandraantargata roopa) Manvantara = different ‘manvantaras’, Adhikruta = presided,

Tanvantara = (having) body of different from (body, different from our materialistic body)

Aushadha = medicines, Nidhe = wealth of , essence of, (being in and making it -

medicines - effective)

Danu = mother of danavas, Antaranga = heart , Shuk = shoka, sorrow, Udanwantam =

ocean (udu+anwanta = containing water), Aajishu = battlefield, Vitanwan= (one who is)

making it happen, Mama = me, mine, Abdhitanayaa = (daughter of sea) Lakshmidevi,

Sunu = son (Manmatha), Antaka = killer, Atma = (here it is) mind, Hrit = take away,

Atanu = (tanu means lean, atanu is, not lean)  full, Antara = inner, Avayava = body parts,

Tanvantara - Tanu+Antara = another body (vishnu was distributing nector is dhanwantari

form and at the same also appeared as Mohini, another form, hence, tanvantara)

Aarti = deep sorrow, Jaladhau = ocean.

Having a body radiating brightness like a sun (god is brighter than sun, but since humans

know sun as the brightest, here he is compared to sun), (You) who is, to your enemies,

what a desert is to trees (meaning making them whither away), who is residing in

Dhanwantari form within the moon, who takes, by own wish, different forms in different

manwantaras and who is the essence which makes all medicines effective

(in dhanwantari form)

Who, while in the battlefield, creates an ocean of sorrow in the heart of ‘Danu’,

mother of danavas (by destroying danavas), who took away (rattled) the mind of

even the killer of the son of the daughter of sea (Son of Lakshmi devi) manmatha,

shiva, by the full form of your inner organs in Mohini form, You be the boat to take

me across my ocean of deepest sorrow. (samsaara).