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Aihole
Cradle
Of Indian Architecture Located 43 Kms from Kudala Sangama, Aihole
was the ancient capital of Chalukyas. Famous as the cradle of
"Indian Architecture", Aihole has over a hundred temples
scattered around the village.
There are about 125 temples divided into 22 groups scattered all
over the villages and nearby fields. Most of these temples were
built between the 6th & 8th centuries and some even earlier.
Badami
The
capital of the Early Chalukyas, Badami is picturesquely situated
at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills, Badami is famous
for its cave temples - all hewn out of sand stone on the precipice
of a hill.
The largest and most ornamental is the third cave temple dedicated
to Vishnu. Overlooking the cave temples is a reservoir dotted with
temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva.
Belur
Southern
Banaras Belur, the temple town is located 34 kms from Hassan.
Famous for its exquisite temple, Belur is known as the Dakshina
Varanasi or Southern Banaras.
The serenity of Belur is attributed to the celebrated Chennakesava
Temple built by the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 A.D to
commemorate his conversion from Jainism to Vaishnavism.
The main structure of the temple, which is star-shaped, is a
homogenous architectural unit on a raised platform. Inside, even
in the darkness, you can see the hand-lathe turned shining
pillars, each unique in its own splendour.
Bijapur
The
ancient town of Bijapur, dotted with mosques, mausoleums, palaces
and fortifications, was the capital of the Adil Shahi Dynasty.
Once the capital of the Adil Shahis, it was a city that
"exceeded anything of its kind in Europe".
Even today, it retains its dignity and royal grandeur. Still
strongly Muslim in character, Bijapur has many places of
historical, cultural and architectural interest. Even though many
of the structures were damaged by Aurangazeb, Bijapur remains a
must-see town.
Halebid
Located
17 kms from Belur,
Halebid was known as Dwara Samudra, the wealthy capital of the
Hoysalas. The great city of Dwarasamudra flourished as a Capital
of the Hoysala Empire during the 12th & 13th centuries.
During the reign of Veeraballala II, the grandson of
Vishnuvardhana, it reached the greatness of its zenith.
Veeraballala II extended his empire from sea to sea between the
Cauvery & Krishna rivers. Halebid has several strikingly
beautiful Hoysala temples and Jain shrines.
Hampi
Hampi,
the land of surprises was founded in the middle of 14th Century by
two local princes, Hakka & Bukka. The Vijayanagar Empire came
to be celebrated for its might and wealth and as a show piece of
imperial magnificence.
Vijayanagara is such that the pupil of the eye has never seen a
place like it... " So eulogized Abdul Razaq, a Muslim envoy
who visited Hampi.
Mysore
Located
770m above sea level and 140 Kms from Bangalore, Mysore, the
imperial city, was the erstwhile capital of the Wodeyars. Also
known as the city of Palaces, Mysore has never failed to mesmerise
the tourists with its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent
palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad
shady avenues and sacred temples.
Pattadakal
Situated
on the left bank of the Malaprabha River, Pattadakkal is a World
Heritage Centre. The town has 10 major temples representing early
Chalukyan architecture.
This place reached its pinnacle of glory under the Chalukyas from
the seventh to the ninth centuries functioning as a royal
commemorative site. The biggest temple here, dedicated to
Virupaksha, has a massive gateway and several inscriptions.
Shravana
Belgola
The
Most Revered Jain Pilgrimage Wedged between two stark rocky hills,
the legendary pilgrim centre of Shravan Belagola and shrine of the
Jains since early times is 150 km from Bangalore, 52 km from
Hassan and 80 km from Mysore. Shravanbelagola is one of the oldest
and most important Jain pilgrim centres in India.
Sriranga
Patnam
The
name translates to "the city of Sri-Ranga" the main
deity of this tempe town. This town is an island in the river
Kavery and was the old capital o the ruler Tippu Sultan -
nicknamed the Tiger of Mysore. At the heart of this twn is the
temple dedicated to Sri Ranga, whom Tippu used to worship (though
h was a muslim by faith). The granite statue in reclining posture
is both long a is part of three such unique temples. The other two
similar stutues can beseen in Tiruvananthapuram (capital of Kerala
State) and Srirangam (Tamil Nadu).The town is full of forts,
palaces and ruins, standing testimony to the fiercewarrior that
Tippu Sultan was, as the King of Mysore in the 18th century. Two
lines of fortification, separated by water between them and also
beingan island in the river Kavery, made his capital an extremely
tough target for-the British to fight with.
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