Need of the Hour - 2

                                               Harvest, Save Rain Water

  The following video explains about the importance and necessity of saving rain water. Imagine when such practices are prevalent and followed in desert regions, why can't we at least try the same in other places.

   Video Courtesy : You tube and Ted.com .
   Further reading about Anupam Mishra :http://www.ted.com/speakers/anupam_mishra.html

   It is not only about  harvesting rain water but also preserving and following our simple traditional practices. There are so many stepped tanks across our country built during the reign of various kings. Except a few of these tanks, the remaining are almost in ruins which is a sad state for all of us because we have failed in preserving and maintaining whatever was already built for the good of us.

Completely Neglected Stepped Tank

Beautiful Tank with no Maintenance

Tank not in use

Clean Tank  with usable Water

   The above tanks are located in 4 different villages out of which the first three villages have canal system because of which these tanks are neglected. The last village had the tank cleanly maintained since the canal was far away from the village and hence this water is being used for drinking.

    During an interaction with a village local, on inquiring about why the tank was not being maintained, he replied saying nobody is interested in doing so. And he had also taken an initiative in cleaning up the tank. We were glad to hear him say that. He also told us that the water stored in the stepped tank was a savior for the cattle and other purposes during severe drought period (2000-2002) when the canals and lakes dried up.   

    Rain water harvesting is not at all a new technique for us. It is an age old practice which disappeared in the wake of  modernization. We waste so much energy on wrong things rather than preserving and doing simple things which can prove wonders. Nowadays, lakes in the cities have become a dump yard for sewage water and other harmful pollutant. Many lakes have vanished to become layouts, apartments, multiplexes and other buildings. Some time back, Bangalore had around 400 lakes in and around. But today, very few are in shape.  Bangalore gets around 900+ mm rainfall (15 times more than the golden desert, Rajasthan) annually, but water is pumped from a distance of about 140 kms from Mysore region (catering  to about 80% needs of Bangalore). Thankfully, now it has become mandatory to have rain water harvesting system for new buildings which is a positive action and a good move, but this has become another avenue for corruption and wrong practices.  

    Water is precious, hope someday we realize this and take a serious path towards harvesting rain water. Just maintaining rivers, lakes, ponds, stepped tanks, wells and other water bodies would do a world of good for everyone.

     Instead of quoting "Water is precious, use it wisely", which we don't seem to really understand, it would be better to re quote the same to "Water is precious, waste it wisely" in today's world. At least then, we hope some change will occur in a positive way.

Hariharapura

   'Hariharapura' is a sleepy village situated in K R Pete taluk, Mandya district. Hariharapura is an erstwhile town of Hoysala during the reign of Vishnuvardhan (11 th century AD). The entire village had to be shifted to the current location due to Hemavathi back water project. There are two temples in the village built during the Hoysala period.

   We visited Varahanatha Kallahalli, another village with a Hoysala temple dedicated to Varaha, Lord Vishnu's third avatar (form of Boar). But the temple has been pulled down for a complete makeover and a temporary shelter was made for the Lord. It may take about 2 more years for completion. The sculpture is supposed to be incredible and huge. But one can still enjoy the back waters of Kannambadi very close by to the temple. Hereon, we moved towards our destination of Hosaholalu.

The Inscriptions

Kannambadi Back Waters

      While we were driving towards Hariharapura ,we found a ruined temple of which we wanted to have a look. The temple was in complete ruins, There was no maintenance whatsoever. But there was a recently built temple for Basava (Nandi) close by this ruined temple. We found an interesting herostone lying near by. We could not gather any more information about the temple.

The Temple Entrance

The Temple

The Hero Stone

    Finally we reached Hariharapura and drove towards the priest's house. The priest was more than willing to guide us about the temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Harihareshwara. The Lord Harihara is a combination of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The temple has undergone continuous renovation under various kings. There are two compartments in the temple dedicated to Lord Harihara and Lord Eshwara. The sculptures are intricately carved and  the Shiva Linga has the image of Lord Ganesha's trunk which has to be observed keenly.

Harihareshwara Temple

Front View

Lord Ganesha

Garbhagriha

Mantapa

Shiva Linga and Nandi

Lord Harihara

Note Nandi and Garuda

Linga with trunk

Decorative

       From here, the priest took us to another temple dedicated to Chennakeshava. The Lord Chennakeshava is the family god of the Hoysalas. This temple is also in a ruined state with absolutely no maintenance. The idol of the temple has been shifted to another location and a new temple has been constructed. The interior is quite a Hoysala masterpiece.

The Shikara

Entrance

The Pillar

Empty Garbhagriha

Decorative Door Frame

Mantapa

Chennakeshava Temple

    This place requires serious attention and maintenance. While visiting, this place can be clubbed with Hosaholalu . The Temple priest lives in the same village and is quite friendly and helpful.

  Directions from Bangalore: Bangalore - SH1 7- B R Koppala - Right turn - Pandavapura - K.R Pete - Left turn - Travel about 8 kms - Hariharapura.

Distance from Bangalore : About 135 kms

Trip date: 28 Nov 2010

Places to visit around : K R Pete, Pandavapura, Tonnur Kere, Melukote, Nagamangala, Hosaholalu, Kikkeri, Govindanahalli and many more.

Related Posts:
1. Shree Malleshwara Temple, Machalaghatta
2. Shree Kalleshwara Temple, Angur
3. 100 Must visit lesser known temples of Karnataka  

Buddhist Chaityalaya , Aihole

        'Aihole'  was a centre for Buddhism and Jainism even before the Chalukyas ruled this place. There are two cave temples in this region dedicated to Buddha and Mahavira. We were unable to  visit the latter due to time constraint. We visited the Buddhist Chaityalaya (temple), situated on Megutigudda .

Megutigudda

    This cave temple is unique  in the sense that it is partly built and the remaining elected in the rock. This temple belongs to 5 th century AD. It is a two storeyed structure and the pillars are quite simple. There is a small cave near the temple having  inscriptions in Kannada.

Well Laid Steps

Final Climb

Buddhist Chaityalaya

Buddha

Door Frame

Empty Garbhagriha

Inscriptions

View of Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple Complex

To be continued

Legends of Yana, A trek in Uttara Kannada

      "Dreams come true", yes that's what I realised when we reached this place. I have been dreaming about this place since the day I came to know about it. Although this trip was not planned, when the tourism board on NH17 directed us towards Yana, there was a brief discussion. After a while, we reached the last part of the motorable road towards Yana. Roads were under construction meaning the trek distance had reduced ( how sad ).

The Drive

Roads in the Woods

   As we  proceeded, we came across a few houses and small streams. At the start point, there was not a single soul to guide us expect for the board notifying this is forest area and  stated a statutory warning. Our walk began and we crossed few small streams, beautifully colored butterflies and various other forms of life. We did not realize the distance we had trekked since the surroundings were so beautiful and beyond imagination. Lost in the woods, we had also forgotten about not having had our breakfast.

Stream

Cloud

Mighty Spider

Common Jezebel

     About Yana: "Yana" means 'travel' or 'journey'  in Kannada.Yana is one of the a natural wonders of the forests of Western ghats (Sahyadris) and is also a prominent pilgrimage centre. Yana is situated in Kumta Taluk , Uttara Kannada District. Yana is famous for its rock formations (black crystalline lime stone ,whose sides have roughened due to constant exposure to air ). It is said that there about 61 such different rock formations, among which 2 are very popular and sacred. The two popular rock formations have been named as 'Bhairaveshwara  Shikara' and 'Mohini Shikara'. Mohini Shikara is about 90 meters tall and is long, sharp and slender , whereas Bhairaveshwara Shikara is large and broad. There is a natural cave inside the Bhairaveshwara Shikara, which houses a natural Shiva Linga called Bhairaveshwara and water drips from the  rocks over the head of the linga, which is described as Gangodbhava .

About the Place (Sthalapuranam)

Mohini Shikara

Bhairaveshwara Shikara

Nature

The Mighty Shikara

Entrance to the Temple

Statutory Warnings

Intricately Carved Venugopala

         Apart from the greenery and rock formations, the  legend associated with this place  is quite impressive. The most popular and accepted legend of Yana however is that of the Bhasamasura (Demon). The legend says that it was here that the demon acquired a boon from Lord Shiva that anyone on whose head he places his hand would reduce to ashes. After securing the boon , he threatened Lord Shiva that he would place his hand on Shiva's head. He chased Lord Shiva to this place and to save Shiva, Vishnu appeared as Mohini, an enchanting lady of marvelous beauty who challenged Bhasamasura to dance as she does if he wants her to be his own. When he agreed and danced as she did, she trickily placed her hand on her head, and the demon did the same to be reduced into a pile of ashes, which is today known as the Mohini and Bhairaveshwara Shikaras.

 Rock Formations

   This place comes to life during the festival of Maha Shivarathri. During this time, an annual jatra is  held here. Sirsi is the best option for accommodation .

Trip date : Dec 2008
Places to visit around : Unchalli falls , Sirsi , Kumta , Gokarna , Devi mane Ghat , Vibhoti falls ,Mirjan Fort and Many more . 

References Used :A traveler's Guide to "Shri Bhairaveshwara Yana " , a book in Kannada .