Swami's Thoughts and Explorations: History

Showing posts with label History. Show all posts

Saturday, 27 December 2008

Book Review: South Indian Shrines by Jagadisa Aiyar P V.( An Excellent Read ! )

Temples in India are not just a place of worship, it is a repository of the times, people, rule and economy it was built around.

While visiting these ancient temples we come across many inscriptions, most of which are not in a language commonly used or ancient ones. These inscriptions always generate a curiosity in us to know what these numerous inscriptions hold in them. The most frustrating part of knowing the information is that the priests in most of the temples are not aware of what is written.

The eagerness to have information about these inscriptions led me to do some "Site" searching on the web. What I came across was not less than a goldmine.Good things come in small packages it is said and for me it came in a book written during 1920's by Mr. Jagadisa Aiyar PV titled South Indian Shrines. This book illustrates and enumerates several inscriptions of ancient South Indian temples in plain English. Being full of inscriptions including the ones which have vanished due to passage of time and of blind renovations carried out in our temples can be still found in this book.

Not being in print for a long time and nearly lost, this treasure was brought to life by Asian Educational Services (A publisher involved in reviving old and lost books on Subcontinent) and is now available in print in major bookshops.

A boon for any Epigrapher interested in Indian temples and is a must buy for an amateur epigrapher like me.

The book has some rare (bit hazy) photographs of south Indian temples but the vivid explanation of the inscriptions with the background is what makes this so special.

This is really a worthy contender for our bookshelf.

The book has some rare (bit hazy) photographs of south Indian temples but the vivid explanation of the inscriptions with the background is what makes this book so special and a worthy contender for your bookshelf.

Rather than me telling in detail about this book, I would like you all to have a read.

You can also buy these book online also at sites like A1Books.co.in, Amazon.com,Flipkart, Gobookshopping.com, Rediff Books. I got mine from Rediff Books Site.

There is also a limited preview of this book on Google books:

http://books.google.co.in/books?id=NLSGFW1uZboC&printsec=toc&dq=south+indiAN+shrines+%5D&source=gbs_summary_s&cad=0

I am sure that you will love this book!

Happy Reading !

Friday, 18 January 2008

My visit to an Ancient Temple - Basavanna Temple Mamulpet

This time my visit to the temple was by sheer luck

Tucked Inside the corner of the Busy Avenue Road, Right in Middle of Mamulpet (literally as it on the Middle of the Road) is the ancient temple of Basaveshwara / Basavanna. I came to know about this temple during my periodical visit to Mamulpet for buying Incense Sticks (The place is very famous for Incense Sticks)

Previously I just went past the temple without having much interest.

But after my previous visit, I read a article in The Hindu which stated the place where Kote Venkateshwara temple (Fort Area) stands there used to be a Shiva temple which was shifted to Mamulpet.

After reading this article I could make out that it was the same temple as the structure of the temple in Mamulpet is very old.

The Excerpts and link of the Article:

http://thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/08/29/stories/2002082900270200.htm

"Kote Venkataramanaswamy temple was built by Chikkadevaraya in 1690 and the Basaveshwara there was shifted to Mamulpet. Possibly, they forgot to shift the scenes from Girija Kalyana on the sanctorum walls along with Basaveswara. "

This time I made up my mind that I will have a visit to the Temple. But due to circumstances I had to visit the place during noon. To my disappointment the temple was closed and I gave up the thought.

I went ahead with my primary task of purchasing. After returning from the shop to my Amazement I saw that the temple door Open. I approached the main door and enquired the Security Guard there about the place.

Looking at my curiosity may be, he took me inside and showed the Idol. Later I came to know that door was opened just for few minutes for the purpose of shifting some Materials inside. I really felt lucky to have got a chance to see the Lord and thanked the Lord and Security Guard.

Description of the Temple:

What remains of the temple is just the main structure (A Hall) containing the Sanctum Sanctorum. The main beauty or the specialty of the temple is the Shivlinga is placed between the horns of the Nandi and Nandi is in the Main Sanctum Sanctorum itself. Once this temple may have been a big structure but now it stands a single structure in middle of the road (Basavanna Road after the Temple).

If you are in the vicinity of Avenue Road Area, Do try to visit this forgotten Heritage of Bangalore.

Landmark : Near NSK shetty's Incense Maker in Mammulpet ( Ask for Basvanna Temple in Mammulpet) Off Avenue Road . Near from KR Market Bus Stand

Compilation of Links on Bangalore's History and Heritage

My Visit to An Ancient Temple - Chokkanathan Temple , Domlur

Continuing on my curiosity and liking for exploring the hidden and forgotten heritage sites of Bangalore An article in Deccan Herald prompted me to visit a temple in Domlur .

This blog is on perhaps the oldest and ancient temple in Bangalore encompassed by congested vicinity of Domlur.

The notes in article which heightened my curiosity were :

The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu built by the rulers of Chola dynasty who were mainly followers of Lord Shiva
The Lord is known as Chokkanathan, a name attributed to Lord Shiva
The main idols in sanctum sanctorum are made of Saligramam, a rarity
Historically, it also tells the reign of the Chola dynasty

I decided to visit the temple. But there was a problem. Majority of people I knew in Bangalore didn’t seem to know about the temple. But finally after lot of enquiry I got a fair indication on the location of the temple from one of my friends in Domlur.The temple was at a high base and seemed to be renovated recently. After climbing small steps we reached the entrance. Near the entrance there was a portrait depicting the state of the temple as on 15th August 1947 (India’s Independence Day). Only a mound with entrance existed then.

The idol is small but very beautiful and the place has some thing special about it. There is also a very old Anjaneya temple near the Chokkanathan temple which is worth visiting. The head of Anjaneya is said to be at the level of Lord Chokkanathan’s feet.

The temple had suffered the ravages of time but now has been restored.

I would request all those, who are interested in cherishing and preserving our ancient heritage to visit the temple at least once

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Brief History of the Temple and Domlur:

Tombalur (the present Domlur) alias Desimaanikka Pattinam in the region of Ilaippakka Nadu (the present city of Bangalore) of the country the Thadikaipaadi (Karnataka).Renamed as Rajaraja Chola Valanaadu after Chola Conquest later renamed Rajendra Chola Valanaadu during Rajendra Chola era.

Temple was constructed by a Tamil Chettiar named Thiripuraanthakan of Talakkaadu and his wife Chettichchi Parpathi in the 10th Century.

(Reference: Epigraphia Carnativa Vol 9)

Landmark to visit the temple : The Road Besides Steve's Gym on Airport Road (Domlur) opposite New Shanti Sagar leads to the temple.

Update: Now the temple has become famous and can be easy to locate once you reach BDA complex in Domlur

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Please find below the link to the Deccan Herald article and other Links :

http://archive.deccanherald.com/Deccanherald/apr192004/metro9.asp

http://www.vishnutemplesofkarnataka.info/Bang/Chokanarayana.htm

My Visit to an Ancient Begur Temple - Sri Panchalingeshwara Temple

When One thinks of Bangalore , the first thing that comes to mind is a Hi-Tech city.But behind this Glamor and Glitz there exists a city full of rich heritage waiting to be explored and cherished.

I will be taking up different aspects (Temple and Monuments), Which I have explored or will be exploring in this blog.Let me start with my visit to one of the oldest temple in Bangalore , rich in History and spirituality

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My Visit to ancient Temple of Sri Pancha Lingaeshwara Temple,Begur

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Entrance to the Main Hall of the Begur Temple

It all strted when I stumbled upon an article of this temple while surfing on the web for Bangalore history. The article was very informative and briefed me on the oldest mention of the word "Bengaluru" which is found in an inscription at this temple of "Begur".

Reading the article tickled my inquisitive cells and I decided to explore more on the temple.

In the beginning I faced some problems in pin-pointing the location but as usual the web came to my help, by providing a link to another article that had loads of information. The information I needed and more . I immediately got motivated to visit the place which was off Hosur Road (on Begur Road,Bommanahalli)

The Journey Begins....

On a misty Sunday Morning, Me and my friend embarked upon the "exploration" on a bike . After taking the turn for Begur road off Hosur Road, we understood that we are going to have a rough ride ahead.

It seems there was a road among potholes and not the other way around. After a lot of maneuvering and inquiring, we finally reached the place. From a distance itself the temple had a look of antiquity.

The entrance to the temple was through a small gopuram. (Which has been replaced by a new one now).The proximity to the Begur lake added to the Charm.The temple basically consists of 5 Shiva lingas, each having its own specialty with its own special meditation spots..

The surroundings gave us a soothing feeling of serenity and warmth.Fortunately we reached at the time when Aarthi (Showing of Burning Camphor to the God) was to be performed for all the lingas.

After the Aarthi got over , we inquired about the temple past.The priest (the 15th Generation of the Priest Family of Temple) informed us about the temple . It is believed to be more than 1000 years old and received the patronage of Gangas , Cholas and all the dynasties that followed.

The environment encompassing the temple is of peace and serenity. One really feels calm and cool just by visiting the place esp. in the early mornings. Far from the crowd and congestion of the city , the temple is a wonderful, peaceful and serene place to visit .

There are few places where you get the feeling of Peaceful Bliss and this is one of those places.The place where you can speak to your inner self and get a kind of unexplainable comfort. Do visit this place when you can get time.

Just to enumerate particular and unique info about the temple :

Boasts of Five lingas , each having its owns specialties.
One of the Oldest Ganesha idol in south is in the temple
In the temple you will the oldest mention of the world of "Bengaluru" in Stone slab.
Inscription is much older than the famous story of Benda Kadalu.
The slab is in a neglected state and needs immediate attention.
Temple is a Bhaskara Shetra ( Sun God ).
Temple has a rich history and received the patronage of many rulers.

Special Days :

Maha Shivratri : celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Maagha (as per Shalivahana) or Phalguna (as per Vikrama) in the Hindu Calendar (that is, the night before and day of the new moon).

Pradosham : Occurs once in every 15 days and considered most auspicious by Shaivites, almost 2 days before either Amavasya (black moonday) or Pournima (full moon day).

Note : The best time to visit the temple is 7:30 AM in the morning and 6:00 PM in the evening. Temple has a bus stop in its name in Begur . There are many buses which ply from KR Market and other areas to Begur. (343 Series of BMTC Buses Ply on this Route)

Some of the temple's Historic relics are housed in Bangalore Museum (Next to Vishweshwaraya Industrial & Technological Museum)

Noteworthy Inscriptions in Epigraphia Carnatica
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On a stone now in the Bangalore Museum, from temple at Begur

svasti samasta-bhuvana-vinuta Ga.nga-kula-gagana-iiirmruala-t,arapati jaladhi-jala-vipula-valayamekhala-
ka]apalankriteladhipatya-lakshmi-svayamvrita-pati talv-ady-aganita-guna-gana-vibhushana-
vibhu9hita-vibhuti srimad-Ej^yappa-arasar pagevar ellamam nih-kshatram madi Gangavadi
tombhattaru-sasiramuman eka-chchhatra-chchhayeyol aluttam ijdu Bira-Mahendranol kadal endu
Ayyapa-Devange samanta-sahitam Nagattaranam dandu veldode Tumbepadiyol kadi kalegam imb
alidode aneyoj ant iridu sattod adara keld Ereyapam mechchi Irugange Nagattara-vattam gatti Bempur-
ppanneradumam sasana-baidham kalnad itan aviiv endode || Berapuru Tovagiiru Puvina-Pullimangala
Kutanidu-Nalluru Nalliiru Komarangundu Tggaluru Dugmonelmalli-Galafijavagilu Sajamu
Elkunde Paravuru Kfidale initumam polainere-sahitam ittan Ereyapam sevucharan Naga[ttal range
maugajam aha sri

Date about 890 AD
Be it well. When,—a spotless moon in the sky the Ganga-kula praised in all the world, the
self-chosen lord of the Lakshmi of sovereignty over the earth decorated at her waist with a z me of
the wide circle of the waters of the ocean, his greatness adorned with the ornament of these and a
host of countless virtues,—srimad Erejarjparasa, having made all his enemies powerless, was ruling
the Gangavadi Ninety-six Thousand under tbe shadow of one umbrella :—on ordering Nigattara
along with his feudatories and the army to Ayyapa-Deva in order to fight against Bira-Mahendra, fighting in Tumbepadi when the battle was losing ground, going close up among the elephants, he
slew and died.Hearing that, Ereyapa was pleased, and binding the Nagattara crown on Iruga, gave
him the Bempur Twelve, secured by a sasana, as kalnad. Those are as follows :—Benpuru,
Tovaguru, Puvina-Pullimangala, Kutanidu-Nalluru, Nalluru, Komarangundu, I'jrgaluru, Diigmonelmalli-
Galanjavagilu, Saramu, Elkunde, Paravuru, Kudal. Thus rauch, with the fields and
boundaries, did Ereyapa give for the dutiful Naga[tta]ra. Great good fortune,

P:S: A Very useful link www.puzha.com/puzha/selfpublish/1092802792.html

Update:During my second visit to the temple I learnt from the priest that there are two other temples of the same antiquity and style at Nandi Hills. i.e.Bhoganandeeswara temple and Yoganandeeswara Temple.

I have not personally visited these temple at Nandi Hills but will like to do the same in near future. I would appreciate if anyone can share more detailed info and experience on these temples at Nandi Hills.

Swami's Thoughts and Explorations

Saturday, 27 December 2008

Book Review: South Indian Shrines by Jagadisa Aiyar P V.( An Excellent Read ! )

Monday, 11 February 2008

Fantastic Websites on History and General Knowledge

Friday, 18 January 2008

My visit to an Ancient Temple - Basavanna Temple Mamulpet

Compilation of Links on Bangalore's History and Heritage

My Visit to An Ancient Temple - Chokkanathan Temple , Domlur

My Visit to an Ancient Begur Temple - Sri Panchalingeshwara Temple

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