Sunday, May 4, 2008

India : Karnataka : The Land of Fragrance - 1

Guys, let's move with me on the trip of Karnataka's most strategic cities, Belur and Halebid. Belur and Halebid were two strategic capitals of the Hoysalas, where stones weave a spell. The enchanting perfume of sandal and agarbattis (incense sticks), the aroma of fresh, roasted coffee beans, the heady fragrance of the "Mysore Mallige" and a thousand roses blooming...Karnataka is land of Fragrance. A relaxed length of the Arabian sea coastline, the majestic rocks of the Deccan, thick, lush tropical forests, an unimaginable variety of trees, plants flowers, animals and birds. And above all, a sense of history and culture that is enriching.

What the Parthenon is to Greece and the pyramids to Egypt, the Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebid are to Karnataka architecture. Belur and Halebid are 16 kms apart, but they have always been referred to in one breath, as belonging together. Yet. upon visiting them, the tourist realizes that the two, though built by the same school (Jakkanna Achari is credited as the architect), are quite different in appearance.

These temples have become rich repositories of ancient Hindu culture, with several thousand of visitors from all over India and overseas coming to witness their intricate and distinctive architectural style.

Both temples are masterpieces, with horizontal friezes, sculptured in succession from the bottom, Stories from the Puranas, the upanishads and other mythological sources have been executed in most exquisite and authentic detail, as have tales from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Each work has significance, a tale to tell.

Tourist Map of Karnataka :

NOTE : Click on the map for enlarge view

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