Sravanbelagola

Sravanbelagola:

This is famous Jain pilgrim center is situated 95 KM north of Mysore. It is known for the 57 foot tall Monolith of the Jain sage Gomateshwara (Lord Bahubali), which stands on top of the Indragiri hill. Nearly 1800 years old, but still looking fresh, the naked statue is symbolic of the renunciation of worldly possessions. 

Gomateshwara

This colossus is ceremonially anointed with milk, honey, silver coins, yoghurt, rice and sugar once in 12 years on the occasion of Mahamastakabhisheka. Lakhs of devotees throng to witness this rare occasion. The last mahamastakabhisheka was celebrated in Feb 8 to 19, 2006

Shravanabelagola, literally meaning the “Monk of the While Pond” is named after “belagola” (white pond), which was created in heart of the town by the milk used for the first Mahamastakabhisekhs of giant statue.

Belagola (White Pond)

Its antiquity dates back to 297 B.C., when Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Mauryan empire and grandfather of Ashoka, the great, renounced his kingdom and came here along with his guru, Bhagwan Bhadrabahu Swami, to become a Jain ascetic. He led a recluse life and breathed his last at the Chandragiri Hill, which is named after him.

Ranganathittu

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary:

Location: 16 KM from Mysore and near to Srirangpattanam.

Entrance gate to Bird Sanctuary

How to reach: You can Bus from Mysore towards Bangalore / Srirangpattanam.

Artificial tree and birds

This bird sanctuary, spread over an area of 675 hectares, is situated on one of the three islets of the river Cauvery. It has migrant birds like darters, egrets (Crane species), spoonbills, white ibis, open bill storks, night herons (Long legged water bird), pond herons etc. Best Time for bird watching is between June and September.

Shivanasamudra Falls

Gaganchukki & Bharachukki Waterfall

Very attractive waterfall, around 90 km away from Mysore. It is situated on the banks of the river Kaveri and is the location of the first Hydro-electric Power station in Asia, which was set up in the year 1902.

With these rafts we can reach very near to falls.

Peoples having Bath in waterfall

The island town of Shivanasamudra divides the river into twin waterfalls. This creates the fourth largest island in the rivers course.

This is a segmented waterfall. Segmented waterfalls occur where the water flow is broken into two or more channels before dropping over a cliff, resulting in multiple side by side waterfalls. It has an average width of 849 meters, a height of 90 m.

The time of best flow are the monsoon season of July to October.

Belur:

Little town set elegantly on the banks of river Yagachi amidst lush surrondings was earlier known as Velapuri. It was chosen as the capital of the Hoysalas, after the sacking and destruction of their capital at Dwarasamudra (Halebeedu), by the Delhi Sultans. The Housalas ruled this region between 11^th and 13^th centuries. The temples and monuments at Belur are indeed the best Hoysala creations, showcasing their amazing architecture and sculptures in full glory.

The Hoysala temples are characterized by typical star shaped ground plan and are usually set on a platform. They are compact, squat structures and are more human in scale as compared to other soaring shrines of the south.

The temples at Belur are carved out of soap stone (steatite), quarried from Tumkur, about 200 km away. This stone is extremely easy to chisel, but attains iron-like firmness when exposed to atmosphere. To maintain the shine of the temple, the stone is treated with a chemical wash and then wax polished once in 10 years.

Halebeedu:

This ancient capital of Hoysala’s was founded in the early 11^th century and was known as Dwarasamundra, after a huge artificial lake of the same name, dating back to 9^th century. Halebeedu was attached by forces of Mohammad Big Tughlak, Malik Kafur (Muslim General), Sultan of Madura. The Hoysalas were forced to relinquish their beautiful capital. The town was then nostalgically referred as “Halebid” or the “Old Capital”. It was never re-occupied again and the Hoysala capital shifted to Belur, Just 16 km away.

Temple

Mother with her Daughter

Hoysala Dynasty is said to be named after the words “hoy Sala”, meaning ‘strike Sala!’, which were called out to Sala, the legendary head of this dynasty, when he was combating a tiger single handeldly. Sala killed the tiger and this act of bravery was immortalized in the royal emblem of the dynasty.

Pillers:

                 

Ceiling:

Beautiful carvings on the corners of the Hall.

Other Gods:

Lord Ganesh in front of Halebeedu Temple

Nandi with his Friend

Other Carvings:

These carvings on outside the entrance of the temple, wall.

Cute Baby (VijayaLaxmi)

Hoysala Rulers:

Nripa Kama II (1026 – 1047)

Hoysala Vinayadita (1047 – 1098)

Ereyanga (1098 – 1102)

Veera Ballala I (1102 – 1108)

Vishnuvardhana (1108 – 1152)

Narasimha I (1152 – 1173)

Veera Ballala II (1172 – 1220)

Vira Narsimha II (1220 – 1235)

Vira Someshwara (1235 – 1254)

Narasimha II (1254 – 1291)

Veera Ballala III (1292 – 1343)

Harihara Raya (vijayanagara Empire) (1242 – 1355)

The Hoysalas built over 150 exquisite temples in southern Karnakata, but the temples at Halebeedu, Belur and Somnathpur are considered to be outstanding.