Banavasi, an ancient city surrounded by the Varada River on three sides and dense forest was once the capital of the mighty Kadambas. Maharaja Mayurasharma considered to be the greatest king of this dynasty is venerated for his incredible contribution to literature, art, architecture and the Kannada language. In fact, the earliest inscriptions in... Continue Reading →
Hangal, the former bastion of the Kadambas, the Hoysalas, the Kalyani Chalukyas and the Vijayanagara Empire is best known for the 'Lotus of Hangal', a breathtaking architectural and structural marvel in the Tarakeshwara Temple. This centuries-old temple was built by the Kadambas in the 5th century with additions by the Hoysalas in the late 10th... Continue Reading →
Galageshwara Temple built at the edge of the Tungabhadra River can be best described as poetry in stone. This awe-inspiring masterpiece of the 11th century has several inscriptions within the temple mentioning Maharaja Vikramaditya VI of the Kalyani Chalukyas, the musical genius Mokari Bharmayya and even the legendary sculptor Jakanachari. The temple has an... Continue Reading →
Located at a little distance from the Sri Halagundi Basaveshwara Temple is the 11th century - 12th century (inscription is dated as 1010 CE) Virupaksha Temple built by the mighty Rashtrakutas and later renovated by the Kalyani Chalukyas (Western Chalukyas). Lakkundi is one of those rare historical sites in India that has a unique architectural... Continue Reading →
One of the finest examples of the Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas (Western Chalukyas) and the Marathas is the Purada Siddeshwara Temple in the ancient town of Haveri. This place of great antiquity has been mentioned in the Mahabharat and is revered for its spiritual and religious potency. Also known as Siddeshwara Temple, this west-facing temple is... Continue Reading →
Lakkundi is a treasure trove of edifices built by the mighty Kalyani Chalukyas (Western Chalukyas), the Hoysalas, the Seunas (Yadavas of Devagiri) and the Vijayanagara Empire. Though a sizeable portion of the temples constructed over centuries were looted, desecrated and flattened to the ground, the temples that managed to survive the savagery exude grandeur, charm... Continue Reading →
One of the lesser-known architectural masterpieces of Lakkundi is the Kumbareshwara Temple built in the 11th - 12th century. This edifice is yet another excellent example of the famed Lakkundi school of architecture favoured by the Kalyani Chalukyas. The temple is designed as a trikutachala (temple with three sanctums) with a shared mandapa and ranga mandapa. Interestingly,... Continue Reading →
Just behind the splendid Kashi Vishweshwara Temple is the equally beautiful Nanneshwar Temple. This excellent example of the famed Lakkundi school of architecture truly does justice to the unique style shaped by the Kalyani Chalukyas in the 11th - 12th century, The temple sits on a raised platform and is an ekakuta (single shrine) unlike... Continue Reading →
Lakkundi, a treasure trove of ingenious stepwells, temples, halls, dharmashalas and palatial quarters built by the Kalyani Chalukyas (Western Chalukyas), the Hoysalas, the Seunas (Yadavas of Devagiri) and the Vijayanagara Empire is renowned for its unique architectural style. The Lakkundi school of architecture is perhaps the finest illustration of an artistic harmony of architectural styles... Continue Reading →
Lakkundi, famous for the splendid edifices of the Kalyani Chalukyas (Western Chalukyas) is revered for its spiritual potency and finds mention in both the Ramayana and Mahabharat. This remote village in Gadag district has the best illustration of the unique Lakkundi school of architecture (also known as Western Chalukya style of architecture) shaped by the Kalyani Chalukyas in... Continue Reading →
Sahastradhara, one of the most mesmerizing tirthasthalas of Maheshwar is best accessed by boat from the heart of the ancient city. Sahastradhara derives its name from the Sanskrit words sahastra which means thousand and dhārā which means streams or watercourses. According to the Puranas, Ravana, Lord of Lanka chanced upon the serene waters of the Rewa River while... Continue Reading →
One of the oldest temples in Maheshwar also known as Gupta Kashi is Shri Raja Rajeshwar Sahasrarjuna Temple, a little distance away from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. As the name suggests, this temple is dedicated to the mighty Raja Kartavirya Arjuna or Sahastrabahu Arjuna (the thousand-armed one). Raja Kartavirya Arjuna is believed to be... Continue Reading →
The sacred city of Maheshwar is dotted with many temples of great antiquity, of tremendous spiritual potency and of philosophical and literary excellence. It will be perhaps difficult to find even one place in Maheshwar that has not been mentioned in the Puranas and has not witnessed exemplary erudition. One of the oldest temples... Continue Reading →
Maheshwar, named after Lord Shiva is dotted with ancient temples, innumerable Shiva Lingas carved at the ghats and decorative chhatris on the banks of the sacrosanct Rewa River that are perfect for meditation and to catch a glimpse of the mesmerizing rising and setting sun. One of the most beautiful temples built by Punyashlok... Continue Reading →
On the eastern side of Jaleshwar Mahadev Temple separated by the sangam of Rewa River and Maheshwar River, is the ancient Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple. This temple like the Jaleshwar Mahadev is situated atop a hill in the midst of stunning natural beauty and offers a beautiful view of the Narmada River and Maheshwar River through... Continue Reading →
Considered by scholars, yogis, tapasvis and saints to be one of the most important tirthasthalas of Akhanda Bharat, Maheshwar is a religious, cultural, intellectual, historical, artistic and architectural powerhouse. A local saying, 'नर्मदा नदी से निकलने वाला हर कंकर (पत्थर) शंकर का रूप होता है |' that literally translates to each and every pebble that... Continue Reading →
Maheshwar, the revered city of Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar located on the banks of the sacrosanct Rewa River is a treasure trove of Akhanda Bharat's history, culture, art, literature, music, architecture and heritage. This tirthasthala of immense spiritual and religious potency has been at the centre of many important events from the Vedic Period. This city named... Continue Reading →
One of the lesser-known architectural masterpieces of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty is the Maladevi Temple located on the eastern edge of a steep slope overlooking the Manosarovar Talab in Gyaraspur. As this late 9th century temple is hardly a kilometre away from Hindola Torana, one can question if these two temples though built at different times... Continue Reading →
Since the ancient times, Vidisha has been written about as a city of unparalleled art, architecture, literature, culture, opulence, riches and knowledge. The influence of the earliest dynasties that ruled over north and central India is seen in the remnants of sculptures, temples, halls and other structures across Vidisha. One of the lesser-known dynasties... Continue Reading →
One of the finest examples of the early Pratihara style of architecture in Central India is the Mahadeva Temple in Amrol village. This ancient temple is likely to have been built in the 8th century by either Nagabhata I or Vatsaraja. The temples built by the Pratiharas in Gwalior are considered by historians to be... Continue Reading →
One of the oldest temples of the Konkan coastal stretch is the Ambernath Shiv Temple located at Ambernath about 50 km from Mumbai. Ambernath literally means Lord of the Sky or Space and interestingly, this temple does not have a roof over the sanctum sanctorum! Locals believe that the presiding deity may have been named... Continue Reading →
Sonamukhi, located in Bankura district is home to some of the most exquisite terracotta temples built in Bengal that are widely considered to be far superior to those seen in nearby Bishnupur. Sonamukhi derives it names from the powerful local deity Swarnamukhi Devi with Swarna meaning gold and mukhi meaning face and literally means gold face or golden face.... Continue Reading →
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