Just About Everything

Varadharaja Vishnu temple Kanchipuram In continuation to my earlier post on Kanchipuram, the temple city of Tamil Nadu , India, here are the fourth and fifth temples (out of the  five beautiful temples that depict the time periods and sects).These pictures are courtesy Soma Jha:   4) Varadharaja Perumal Vishnu Temple - This temple was built during the Chola regime and later the Vijaynagar kings added the magnificent 100 pillared hall. The hall has sculptures depicting scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharatha. This temple is one of the masterpieces of the Vijayanagara architecture. Varadharaja sculptures on the walls of the temple Stone chain at the Varadharaja temple 5)  Thiruparruthikundram Jain temple : The Trilokyanathar Jain Temple was built in 1387. This temple is known for its beautiful paintings. These paintings were done much later... in the 17th century. Varadharaja Perumal temple sacred tank Thiruparruthikundram Jain t...

Kasivisvesvara temple, with the Sun temple far right, Lakkundi, Karnataka In continuation to my earlier post on the beautiful ancient temples of Lakkundi , I am posting another beautiful temple from Lakkundi. This 11th century temple in Lakkundi, Gadag, is dedicated to lord Shiva. This temple is also known as the Kashivishvanatha temple. This is one of the most elaborate and beautiful temples of Karnataka. The interesting part of this temple is how it connects to another temple, the Surya temple. The Surya temple is known as Suryanarayana temple, and as the name suggests it is dedicated to the Sun God. The interesting thing to note is that usually the Sun temples face east but Suryanarayana temple faces west. I will post some pictures of the Surya temple in my next post. Kasivisvesvara and Surya temples are connected Beautiful doorway Kasivisvesvara Shiva temple Elaborate work on the doorway of the temple Simple and beautiful work ...

Exterior decoration motifs at the Brahma Jinalaya temple Karnataka is known for its beautiful old temples. Some of the lesser  known temples are located in a place called Gadag. Gadag is a small village in North Karnataka and you will likely pass it on your way to Hampi from Hubli. I could not visit Gadag during my last trip to Karnataka. But I certainly have it in my list of places to see. My cousin went there last year. She saw some absolutely beautiful temples during her visit.I wonder why not many people know about Gadag. I am sharing some temples from a place called Lakkundi which is around 11 kms from Gadag. Gadag is very well connected. A number of government buses ply from all over Karnataka to Gadag. Gadag also has a railway station. Lakkundi has a Jain temple, Brahma Jinalaya, dedicated to Mahavira, it happens to be one of the oldest and largest Jain temples in Lakkundi. This temple is beautiful. I think the temple's name comes from Brahma's figur...

Hazararama temple, Hampi, Karnataka One of my personal favourites, this temple was dedicated to Vishnu in the form of Rama. The name Hazara-Rama has been derived from the thousands of Rams carved on the temple walls. I absolutely love the carvings on the walls, especially the carvings on the pillars inside the temple. Carvings on the walls Hazara-Rama Temple, Hampi Carvings on the walls of Hazara-Rama temple, Hampi Hazara-Rama temple, Hampi Pillars with exquisite carvings inside the temple Hazara-Rama temple, Hampi, Karnataka

Happy new year. Wishing everyone a very happy, prosperous, and peaceful year ahead. This post is in continuation to my earlier posts on my trip to Hampi. The Zanana enclosure, Hampi This walled area in the Hampi temple complex, houses the basement of a large palace building, three watch towers, Lotus Mahal, the woman's guards' quarters and a water pavilion. Basement of  a large palace within the Zanana enclosure Women's guards quarters, Zanana enclosure, Hampi Lotus Mahal, Hampi Carvings on the walls of Lotus Mahal, Hampi Lotus Mahal (above) -It is a mix of Indian and Islamic architecture. We were not allowed to go inside Lotus Mahal, but this two storied structure is indeed beautiful. I believe this is where King Rama Raya met with scholars. I have put up the pictures of one of the three watch towers (below) Women's guards' quarters - This building is interesting, it has no windows; there are only ventilators at the top. Our guide inf...