The BHAP - My Dream Circuit! (Badami, Hampi, Aihole, Pattadakkal)

[Venkatesh Krishnan]

Vitthala Temple - Continued..

Behind the Vitthala Temple, we saw a structure called Thulabharam (Weighing Scale). It is said that during festival times, Sri Krishnadevaraya would give away Gold and other precious items to his weight.

Sri Krishnadevaraya Thulabharam




There were few structures away from us. We were too tired to walk till that place.





There were trees with different 'Greens'





The Tungabhadra can be seen from this place. It was flowing in a 'Horse Shoe' formation.




There was a structure atop a hill. We were told that it was a 'Watch Tower'. We could see several such structures in Hampi




On our return we went to a Sri Rama Temple atop a hill. Pooja was going on there. Just couple of Days back (on 12th April 2011), Shri Ram Navami was celebrated.




It was 2 PM and we went back to Hotel Mallige for Lunch and Break. Evening we planned for the Famous Virupaksha Temple & Temple Complex next to it...

 

[Venkatesh Krishnan]

Immediately on reaching Hampi, we wanted to go to Navabrindavanam, which houses Nine Gurus of Shri Raghavendra Swami. More information can be had from this site. Information about Navabrindavanam, Gurus of Shri ragavendra, Route Maps, Photo Galleries, Stotras, Pooja Videos and more...


The Brindavanam is situated in an island formation amidst river Tungabhadra. from a place called 'Anegundi' There are two ways to reach this Anegundi.

From raichur go to gangavathi.
From gangavathi, go to anegundi. It is small town,
You can get local bus from gangavathi.

From Hampi you have to go to place in hampi called thalaharikottha.
Go to anegundi by crossing the river thungabdra.


We took the second route. Actually a Road Bridge was constructed but it fell down.
We could see remains and incomplete structures. People transport Bikes on a small Boat.
It is a bit risky way. Otherwise we had to take a 45 KM each way trip on bad road.





From across, we had to take a auto to another ferry point which takes us to Navabrindavana. Overall it was a sort of 'adventure'.

We saw a Mandapa on the River Tungabhadra. People said it was for a 'Mistress' of Krishnadevaraya.
They both use to spend their evenings / nights by singing etc.
(I think it was lifted straight away from Movie - Sri Krishnadevaraya by NTR )




The Boat we travelled was a bit bigger than one from Hampi. The terrain in the river was very 'Rocky'



From the Boat alighting point we had to walk along the river. It was sandy / rocky.



The Entry point to Navabrindavanam



The Navabrindavanams. That day also happened to be a Thursady. Which is very auspicious for Gurus. We were very much contended to have darshan of Gurus on a Thursday and Tamil New Year. We sought their grace!



On return from the Brindavanam to go back to anegundi, we had to wait under a thatched temporary waiting point




contd....

 

[mukeshus]

Nice pics there sir.

So how long did the trip took from Bangalore?

How was the road condition?

 

[Venkatesh Krishnan]

I was waiting for exactly same travelogue . I also planning to do the same one.
BTW nice snaps.

Thanks JazzSelect!

Just for curiosity!. When you have named yourself JazzSelect, you ride a Punto! Any reason? (I own a Jazz Select)

Nice pics there sir.

So how long did the trip took from Bangalore?

How was the road condition?

Thanks Mukesh! Updating a separate post on these questions..

 

[Venkatesh Krishnan]

THE ROUTE CONDITIONS

Actually, I was not so aware or keen on keeping a well informed log. I give the details below out of my memory.

Day 1 - Chenai - Bangalore - Chitradurga - Hospet - 721 KMs
Chennai to Blr - 4 Hrs. - Excellent Roads
Blr - Chitradurga - 4 Hrs - Excellent Roads
Chitradurga - Hospet - 3 Hrs - Bad Roads & Night Drive

Day 2 - Hospet - Hampi - Hospet - Hampi - 70 KMs
Good Roads


Day 3 - Hospet - Aihole - Pattadakkal - Badami - Hospet - 300 KMs
Bad to Good Roads (More about the Roads in the travelogue).


Day 4 - Hospet - Hampi - Hospet - Bellary - Hiriyur - Bangalore - Chennai 721 KMs
Excellent Roads(More about the Roads in the travelogue).

 

[Venkatesh Krishnan]

Day 2 - Hospet - Hampi - Hospet - Hampi - 70 KMs -- EVENING SESSION

It is advisable to explore Hampi either in the early morning or late evenings, owing to the rocky terrain. It will be not only be pleasant during these timings, but also would take lesser energy out of you

We started the evening with a Darshan of Lord Virupaksha!

Temple and the Market Place


Temple's Car (Ratha) was in making



We were near the temple. After this I did not take pictures though they allowed to take pictures of Deities in the Sanctum Sanctorum(this is not common anywhere else, especially in South India)


After darshan we went to the Tungabhadra Bathing ghat. (can you idenfity the bull amidst the river!)




contd.....

 

[Venkatesh Krishnan]

Day 2 - Hospet - Hampi - Hospet - Hampi - 70 KMs -- EVENING SESSION

If you want to taste International Cuisines in India, don't worry. We have a place were you will get cuisines of the countries in the World! (I do not guarantee anything!!!)

HAMPI SPECIAL Hotel Sri VENKATESHWARA - Serving Israeli, Mexican, Italian, Continental, Tibetan, Chinese!!!!
Poor guy! left other countries just because of Non availability of Space



Disclaimer:- The Name of the Hotel VENKATESHWARA is purely co-incidental
not to be linked with my name. I am not the OWNER

 

[JazzSelect]

Thanks JazzSelect!

Just for curiosity!. When you have named yourself JazzSelect, you ride a Punto! Any reason? (I own a Jazz Select)

While joining to this forum i had booked Jazz Select UT but later i switched over to Punto.

Thanks for sharing route info.

 

[Venkatesh Krishnan]

Thanks JazzSelect

 

[Venkatesh Krishnan]

Day 2 - Hospet - Hampi - Hospet - Hampi - 70 KMs -- EVENING SESSION

HEMAKUTA HILL COMPLEX

Immediately on Completing the Dharshan we went to the Hemakuta Hill Complex which is adjacent to the Virupaksha Temple. The Complex said to have several 'architectural styles' of Temples. It used to be a place where new types of structures were experimented / innovated.

On the way we saw a Mandapa atop a Hill



To begin with, the Hemakuta Hill Complex housed a Mandapa with Vinayaka Statue inside.



The Vinayaka was in a dilapidated condition, with stomach was cut



The Hemakuta Hill Complex Information sheet



On top of another hillock you could see small bumps. They are nothing but our ancestors (Monkeys).
The Hillock looked like a 'frog'!



A huge stone was left unattended. It looked like a Ganesha statue was planned,
might have been left due to some mistakes



This is the famouse 'Shakthi Ganapathi'



Side view of Sakthi Ganapathi



Back view of Sakthi Ganapathi. Notice the 'Female' structure.
It is said that the Ganapathi is sitting on his Mom's lap !



Another Stone formation looked like a lizard / snake's head!!!



contd.....

 

[Venkatesh Krishnan]

Day 2 - Hospet - Hampi - Hospet - Hampi - 70 KMs -- EVENING SESSION

HEMAKUTA HILL (Contd...)

The Hill complex is on a solid rock mountain/hill. It has slopes all the sides on which various styles of temples are situated.

We saw a Foreigner's image was carved out on one of the pillars



This is the famous two storey Mandapam. Another story....
(Ya.. you guessed it right )



Sunset Point from the Hemakuta Hill. The Sun had already set in by the
time we went there :(



Following are various views from the Hemakuta Hill Complex.




With this we completed our Day 2 and retired to room at 9 PM after dinner.

But we still had to explore a lot in Hampi.

Next day we planned to go to Aihole, Pattadakkal & Badami.

 

[mukeshus]

Really nice pics there sir.

It doesn't look like a foreigners carving.

To me it looks like Dwarapalaka.

Thanks for the route details too.

 

[Venkatesh Krishnan]

It doesn't look like a foreigners carving.

To me it looks like Dwarapalaka.

Well ! Now looks so! (May be because of my Photography?)

 

[Venkatesh Krishnan]

DAY 2 - HOSPET - AIHOLE - PATTADAKKAL - BADAMI - HOSPET

We wanted to start at 6 AM sharp so that we reach early to Aihole! But the absence of HVK Sir in our team showed its result!. We started around 7.30 AM after break fast. (Lesson Learnt - Be more strict on timings!).

We considered several routes including Hospet - Koppal - Gadag - Nargund - Badami - Pattadakkal - Aihole - Hospet. I read in some other forum that Badami - Nargund - Gadag road is in shatters.

When we consulted local drivers, they strongly recommended NH13 for up & down because it would save time. We considered the advise and decided to take the following route.

Hospet - Kushtagi - Ilkal - Hungund - (take left) - Amingad - Aihole.

Aihole - Pattadakkal

Pattadakkal - Badami

Badami - Cholachagudda (Banashankari Temple) - Gajendragarh - Kushtagi - Hospet

The day made us to see splendids of the past and took us back to the era of 'Great Art and Architechture'.
The word 'amazing' would describe the feeling to the extent of only 10%


Route map is given below.

 

[Venkatesh Krishnan]

DAY 2 - HOSPET - AIHOLE - PATTADAKKAL - BADAMI - HOSPET

- On the way to AIHOLE

NH13 was on the making when we travelled. It should have been completed atleast upto Hospet.

Tungabhadra Dam is one of the picnic spot. We could not make it. It has huge reservoir.



The Shandy on the way. (The dark heaps are nothing but Chillies!)




Vehicle used to transport Goats!


contd....