Architectural Marvel of Odegal Basadi...

The first temple you encounter as soon as you enter the first fort of Vidhyagiri hill is Odegal Basadi. Odegal meaning support stones, the temple stands completely with the support of the stones arranged at an angle to the raised temple platform. Its a great architectural marvel, to construct a temple of its kind decades back.

The temple said be built in 10th century by Chamundaraya, is a thrikuta basadi, with three sanctums  dedicated to Adhinatha, Shanthinatha and Neminatha Thirthankara. Like in any Hoysala temple, the mahamadapa which houses the three sanctum has a raised circular platform at the centre with pillars around. These circular platforms in Hoysala temples were used by Shantala, queen of Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana to dance with devotion in front of the lord.

Check our the complete Mahamasthakabhisheka Series here.

Gullakayajji and the story of A Cup of Milk!!!

Facing the majestic idol of Bahubali on the Vindhyagiri hill is this black stone idol of an old lady, Gullakayajji. A small temple dedicated to a lady with a cup in her hand. Its been standing here ever since the majestic idol of Bahubali was carved.

 After the completion of the carving of the Bahubali idol, Chamundaraya arranged for the first Mahamastakabhisheka, the grand celebration. People gathered in thousands to have a glimpse of the idol which everyone was speaking about. An idol which was one of the best of its times. Chamundaraya had no limits to his pride, of getting the idol carved. Vessels of milk were carried up the hill to perform the ritual. The ceremony started and the milk was poured on the idol vessel after vessel. To everyone's surprise, the milk never reached the foot of the idol, it flowed down the head, face, chest and disappeared as a miracle before reaching the foot. More milk was poured to wet the idol, but everything went vain. Nobody could trace what the reason was. An old lady carried a cup of milk and wished to offer the blessing of the lord by pouring the milk on the idol. People laughed at her, but later allowed. To the surprise of everyone, a cup of milk poured by the old lady gushed from the idol's head like a stream past the feet and flowed down the hill to form the pond of milk at the foot of the Vindhyagiri Hill. So did the temple town get its name Belagola or Bili Kola meaning white pond or milky pond in Kannada. This incident broke Chamundaraya's pride, his pride of getting one of the biggest and beautiful idols carved. He immediately bowed down to the idol and asked for his forgiveness, the Mastakabhisheka was done with devotion. 

The pond at the foot hill, which gives the name to this place Belagola

The idol of the lady was carved just in front of Bahubali idol. 

Check our the complete Mahamasthakabhisheka Series here.

Mahamasthakabhisheka Mahotsava 2018 - About the Celebration and the History!!!

'Bahubali', which means 'one with strong arms'

"Bahubali Bhagwanka Masthakabhishek, Masthakabhishek Mahamasthakabhishek"

The song which every jain kid like me knows and recalls the Mahamasthakabhisheka, everytime he/she hears it. 

Mahamasthakabhisheka is a celebration, a festivity which every Jain waits for, a celebration, celebrated once in every 12 years. The celebration, where the 57ft tall Monolithic idol is bathed(abhisheka) with pure water, milk, sugarcane, tender coconut water, khashaya(water with mixed herbs), rice flour, sandalwood paste, saffron paste, turmeric paste ending with sprinkling of fresh flowers so called pushpa rushti.

For me, I have heard about Mahamasthakabhisheka from my great grandmom, grand parents and my parents, the celebrations from 1953, 1967, 1981 and 1993, 2006 which I have witnessed myself. While my grandmom narrated the stories of her homestay in Shravanbeloga for months during 1953 Mahamasthakabhisheka, I myself recall my memories of 1993, when we used to visit our grand parents in Shravanabelagola almost every weekend during the six months long celebration.

As you climb up the hill, Chikkabetta/Chandragiri and the pond as seen from Vindhyagiri

Shravanbelagola is a Jain pilgrimage in the southern part of Karnataka state of India. Nestled between two hills Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri, the place was called Belagola/Bili gola meaning white pond in Kannada, for the pond it has, later became Shravanabelagola, with the visit of many Jain monks(Shravan) to this place. It is known for the 57ft tall granite Monolithic statue of Gommateshwar Bhagwan Bahubali at the summit of Vindhyagiri.

The first glimpse of the idol as you enter the final fortress.

The history of the statue and celebration dates back to 981AD. Chamundaraya, was the Prime Minister in the kingdom of King Rachamalla of Ganga dynasty. His mother Kalaladevi who had heard about Emerald statue of Bahubali at Paudanapura, wanted to visit Paundanapur to have a look. She vowed of not having even a cup of milk till she saw the statue of Bahubali. While nobody knew where Paudanapura was, some assumed it had drowned and few thought it was in thick forests. With his mother's determined vow to see the idol, Chamundaraya along with his mother and few followers went in search of Paudanapura. While they camped at the foothills of Vindhyagiri during their search, Chamundaraya had a dream. In his dream goddess Kushmandinidevi appeared and told him to shoot an arrow to the boulder at the summit of Vindhyagiri which would highlight the boulder with the statue of Bhagawan Bahubali. Chamundaraya when woke up went with his dream and an arrow was shot at the boulder on Vidhyagiri, which resembled the one seen in his dream. Soon the rock slit and a beautiful image of Bahubali was visible. It was now to be carved into an idol, the hill which was full of pits,stones and thorny shrubs was cleared to get to the top to work. Soon the best of the best sculpturers Harishtanemi  was hired to carve the idol. It took 12 years for the statue to be carved and perform the first Mahamasthakabhisheka in 981AD.
Then after the ritual of bathing the idol once in every 12 years had been practised. Its just not ritual, but this bathing with milk, herbs, saffron and other liquids increases the longevity of the granite idol which has survived the wildest winds, rains and sun over the years.

57ft tall magnificent monolothic statue of Bhagawan Bahubali

Bowing at the foot of this magnificent idol, would wash away all sins.  

The anthills, creepers which grew on this body, while he stood in deep penance

 You need to climb 647 steps to reach the idol. Apart from the Bahubali idol, there are eight small and large temples, four mantaps, two ponds, five gateways or fortresses, three pillars, two arches and 172 inscriptions. These, in Kannada, Sanskrti, Marvadi Mahajani, Tamil and Marathi, date from the late 10th to 19th century A.D.

Travel Tips:
Shravanabelagola is 157 km from Bangalore and 52 km from Hassan
By Road: Shravanabelagola is well connected by direct buses from Bangalore, Mysore and Hassan. You can also take any bus playing between Bangalore-Mangalore, Bangalore-Hassan and get down at Channarayapatna, which is 12km and take another bus to Shravanabelagola. But check prior boarding these buses, as these days the buses are non stop and do not stop in Channarayapatna.
By Train: Shravanabelagola has railway station and there are trains, playing to Bangalore, Mysore and Hassan.
By Air: Nearest Airport is Bangalore Airport which is around 165km.

Accommodation:
There are yatri niwas and rooms for Jain in Shravanabelagola, for non-jain if you are looking for neat and good stay options, stay at Hassan which is 52km.

This is 2006 Mahamasthakabhisheka pic I had clicked then with my Nokia 6600, remember the best camera phone of that time

Mahamasthakabhisheka Mahotsava is scheduled from 17th Feb to 25th Feb 2018. There will be daily rituals for these nine days and then on based on sponsors for next few months, you can call and check at 081762 57258


Check our the complete Mahamasthakabhisheka Series here.

Bahubali - One with Strong Arms!!!

While we speak mostly about Thirtankaras in Jainism, there was one Lord who was given as important a place as Thirthankara. He was Bahubali, son of Adhinatha, the first Thirthankara of this time. Adhinatha had 2 wives Yashasvati Devi and Sunanda Devi, 101 sons and 2 daughters, of them Bharatha was the eldest and Bahubali the second. While Adhinatha attained Liberation at Kailasa(Ashtapad) in present day Himalayas, he left behind his wealth to this children. Bharatha wanted to gain control of whole of his father's dynasty, without sharing it with any of his brothers. While his other brothers surrendered their kingdom to Bharatha and became Monks, Bahubali was equally powerful as his elder brother and didn't wanted to surrender. Bharath sent his Chakra(wheel) to kill Bahubali, the wheel circled around Bahubali thrice and stood net to him. Bharatha declared a war against Bahubali. Didn't wanting for blood sheds, the two brothers decide to have a peaceful war between themselves.

The first was drushti yudda, were both the brothers stared at each other, the one who blinked first would loose the fight, Babuhali was a strong and tall person, while he easily looked into Bharath's eyes, Bharatha couldn't stare at the taller Bahubali longer and loose the fight. 

The next was jala yudda or water fight, were both were supposed to splash water on each other, the tall Bahubali, defeated Bharatha in no time. 

To end the war was the final fight showcasing each others strength. Bahubali held Bharatha high in the air to throw him down, before he realise what he was doing with his brother just for the materialistic wealth. He gets his brother down slowly, bows to him, gives the kingdom and walks to the woods to meditate. He stand in the wild for a year meditating, anthills, creepers grow on his body, but still something in his mind holds him back from liberation. Bharatha, looking at his brother's state, checks with the monks, what had held him from liberation. Monk says, Bahubali still believed he was standing on his brother's land, which held him back. Bharatha bows to Bahubali, ask him to leave his thought, and the same moment Bahubali attain liberation. 

The three fights, malla yuddha, when Bahubali hold Bharath up in the air, drushti yuddha fight of sight, Jala Yuddha, water fight

From left, Bahubali heading to the wilds after the fight, next Bharatha's wheel which stops next to Bahubali, Bharatha declaring war against Bahubali, last Bharatha bowing down to Bahubali asking him to forget about the materialistic life

Bharatha gets a beautiful Emerald idol of Bahubali carved in his capital Paudanapura. He replicates the creepers, the anthills which grew on him while meditating, and these became the symbol of Bahubali over the years and you can find them in any of Bahubali's idols even today.

PS: Those are the paintings kept at the temple entrance in Shravanbelagola, depicting Bahubali's life, not in the same order though.

Check our the complete Mahamasthakabhisheka Series here.

Jain Dharma!!!

The historic Gommateshwar Bahubali Mahamastakabhisheka Mahotsava at Shravanbelogala is scheduled from 17th Feb to 25th Feb 2018 and so I start my series on Mahamastakabhisheka. I will be narrating many stories associated with Jainism, Shravanabelagola, its Hills, its sculpture, its ponds, its temples and Bahubali the main deity himself over the following posts. To start with, here is the post about Jainism.

Dharma Chakra or the Wheel of Good deeds has 24 spokes representing the 24 thirthankaras. This wheel is installed at the garden at the foot hills of Chandragiri in Shravanabelagola

Jainism is the religion which mainly believes in the principle of Ahimsa or Non-violence. A religion, which is Anaadi, meaning neither has a start nor an end and believe in re-birth. The final goal of life is to cross over the stream of birth and death, to attain liberation. While there are thousands of souls who have attained liberation over the infinite life time, Jains mainly worship 24 Thirthankaras.

Kala And Thirthankara

While Hinduism believe in Yugas, we call them kala, Awasarpini Kala and Uthsarpini Kala. Awasaripini signifying deterioration, Uthsarpini recovery. 6 kalas or periods, deteriorate from 1 to 6, with the reduction in physical appearance and happiness. While 1st(Sukhama Sukhama - very good), 2nd(Sukhama - good) and 3rd(Sukhama Dashama - Good bad) have the best of luxury, without suffering and best illustrated by Kalparuksha, a wish granting tree, without even the need for farming. 4th kala, chaturthakala(Dukhama Sukhama - Bad Good) is the transition from good to bad, where bad takes over good. 5th(Dukhama- bad) the present kala and 6th(Dukhama Dukhama - very bad) which gets even worse. After the end of Awasarpini kala, the direction gets reversed and the goodness recovers gradually from 6th to 1st. As per Jainism it is in the 4th kala, that the 24 thirthankaras are born, a transition from good to bad, when there is need for a teacher to guide you and get out of the worst. Its said the first thirthankara teaches the world with 6 things, Asi(Protection), Masi(Writing), Krushi(farming), Vanijya(Trade and commerce), Vidhya(knowledge), Shilp(crafts) to the people, which was not known and needed in the first 3 periods.
Adinatha is the first Thirthankara of the present Awasarpini kala, while Mahavira is the last. While most people call Mahavira the founder of Jainism, we believe him to be the follower of Jainism and as a thirthankara. There were thirthankaras in the past chaturthakalas and there will be in future chaturthakalas as well, which makes the religion Anaadi. 

Our first prayer Namokara Mantra 

Namo Arihanthanam - Bow to Arihanth(Lord just below attaining liberation)

Namo Siddhanam - Bow to Siddh Parameshti(Lord after attaining liberation)

Namo Aayariyanam - Bow to Acharyas(The leaders of the group of Monks)

Namo Uvvajyayanam - Bow to Upadhyayas(The teachers in the group of Monks)

Namo Loye Savva Sahunam - Bow to Sarva Sadhu(All the Monks)

As per Jainism its only in human life and in chaturthakala a person can get liberation. Liberation can be attained only after nullifying your good and bad deeds. Yes, you will have to enjoy and finish your good deeds as well to attain liberation. Thirthakaras go through the life like a normal human, childhood, youth, a jain monk, and just before attaining liberation he is in this Arihanthavastha, a state where he is in the air and dedicates this last days preaching all the living things in the universe, the monks, the humans, animals. This gathering is called Samavasharana. The Samavasharana headed by the Dharma Chakra moves from place to place, preaching. And finally the soul of the Thirthakara leaves the body to attain liberation to become Siddhathma. 

Here is the glimpse of Samavasharana at the Samavasharana Mandir in Shravanabelagola. It is on the top floor of Yatri Niwas opposite to Dharam Chakra.

Travel Tips:
Shravanabelagola is 157 km from Bangalore and 52 km from Hassan
By Road: Shravanabelagola is well connected by direct buses from Bangalore, Mysore and Hassan. You can also take any bus playing between Bangalore-Mangalore, Bangalore-Hassan and get down at Channarayapatna, which is 12km and take another bus to Shravanabelagola. But check prior boarding these buses, as these days the buses are non stop and do not stop in Channarayapatna.
By Train: Shravanabelagola has railway station and there are trains, playing to Bangalore, Mysore and Hassan.
By Air: Nearest Airport is Bangalore Airport which is around 165km.

Accommodation:
There are yatri niwas and rooms for Jain in Shravanabelagola, for non-jain if you are looking for neat and good stay options, stay at Hassan which is 52km.


Check our the complete Mahamasthakabhisheka Series here.

Navratri Celebration - 2K17

Dasara Bombe Habba, Navaratri, Golu, Durga Pooja, the 10 days celebration is celebrated and known by different names in India. 

And we celebrate it as Dasara Bombe Habba, the arrangement of dolls. This is our 7th year of Navaratri at home and the arrangement it getting better, year after after with the increasing collection of my dolls. So here it is for this year's celebration.

And this last pic has my daughter's best of waste project, the lighthouse, made of paper cup, tissue roll, gems ball cap, bead and sea shells. How is it?

I had been lucky enough to visit bombe of my friends and relatives over the years, be at Dubai or Thane or Hassan, so this year was no different. We shifted to Pune this March and one of my friends informed me of bombe in my neighbourhood. And believe me, I never wait for an invite to visit bombe, so I was there to see this beautiful arrangement,

After Bombe, here is about this year's Durga Pooja celebration.

While there are many Bengali Associations arranging Durga Pandals in Mumbai and Thane, I was not sure of any in Pune. But then one of my friends told me about Shivanjali Mangal Karlay on Nagar Road and Rohi Villa in Koregaon Park. 

 Shivanjali Mangal Karlay had this beautiful Durga idol along with life size ladies, representing the power of Durga.

 And this is of Rohi Villa at Koregoan Park, one of the rich Durga pandals. This pandal also has a flea market and food court. 

If you stay in Pune, don't miss to visit them next Durga Puja. That's it for this year's Navratri post, hope you all like it.

Kaas Plateau - Our Own Valley of Flowers...

Had been busy with festive celebrations and our vacation to Bangalore-Mysore-Chennai-Mahabalipuram-Pondicherry. So was my blog neglected since last few months. Am back with one of my favourite posts of a wonderful trip to Kaas.

Kaas Plateau was in my visit list since couple of years, and finally we made it this Sept. Known as the Valley of Flowers of Maharashtra for the wild flowers that bloom during Sept and Oct every year, this plateau in western ghat became a part of UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2012 and over the years the visitor count has been growing.

The pic was clicked sitting on the rocks, no flowers or sapling were spoiled while clicking the pic..

Kaas Plateau in Satara District is around 135km from Pune, we wanted to plan a day trip along with Thoseghar Falls and Sajjangadh Fort, but a delayed start and with few break downs, we were on Mumbai - Bangalore highway by 10. We had booked online for the entry to the plateau which is under forest authority. It was 1-4PM slot and accordingly we planned to have lunch on the way and reach Kaas. We stopped at Vittal Kamat for lunch, the food is ok especially for Kamat group. Plateau is on the other side of Satara city, so you need to cross the city. The uphill starts just at the end of the city and its another 20km drive before you reach the plateau. The rout becomes heavy on traffic during peak, since we visited at the start we didn't get any traffic except after reaching the plateau.  Even the stretch as soon as you reach the top of the hill is beautiful, with wonderful shades of green stretch. At the ticket counter you can show the online ticket and drive to parking area. Parking area is almost a km from the first entry gate and shuttle bus is available from parking to the plateau. Here are the beautiful flowered we got to see,

Suichi Bhaji  - Dipcadi montanum

Nilima - Murdannia Simplex

Gulabi Terada - Impatiens oppositifolia

  

Seetechi Aasave - Utricularia Purpurascens

Gend - Eriocaulon sedgwickii

Gend - Eriocaulon sedgwickii

Undri  - Linum mysurense

Chavar - Hitchenia caulina 

Bud of Abhali - Cyanotis tuberosa

 Lal Terda - Impatiens oppositifolia

 Lal Terda - Impatiens oppositifolia

Hubby Posing at one of the lakes in the plateau

I lost my Cannon Mirrorless few months back and these were the pics I clicked with my Vivo V5S, I guess my phone too has done a good job, but missed by DSLR for these Macro shots. Its really disheartening to see visitors clicking pics laying on the flowers. Even though there are authority people and locals warning from spoiling the flowers and saplings, people are in their own world. 

Few things to know before you visit Kaas,

1. Book your entry online on their website here, Morning and evening slots are pleasant, even afternoon slot are ok if it drizzles. 

2. The stretch of flowers changes over the 2 months, you can buy this book Flowers of Kaas Plateau which gives you detailed information on the flowers which bloom over the 2 months along with their botanical names. Our visit was too early as per authority and were told the blooms are at their best during early Oct. 

3. The vehicle parking place is almost a km from the plateau entry and there are shuttle buses which play between the plateau and parking, don't hesitate to ask for lift if you find anybody driving empty from parking. 

4. Be hydrated and light as you need to walk around a bit and there are no food stalls to serve any snacks or even water in the plateau. 

5. Carry rain jackets or umbrella, as its at its best in monsoon and can start pouring anytime.

6. Wear walking shoes with enough grip as the plateau becomes too slippery even with slight drizzle.

7. Lastly be a responsible traveller to walk only on the pathway or rocks and not to spoil the beauty, the place offers.

Manacha Paanch Ganapathi of Pune...

Going on with my posts on the Ganesh Chaturthi, here is my next post on Manacha Paanch, the five most auspicious Ganapathi idols around the ancient city of Pune. The five Ganapathi's in the order of preference they proceed on the last day of ten day festival for immersion. 

After our morning visit to Dagadusheth Halwai and Kasaba Ganapathi for the welcome procession on Ganesh Chaturthi, we wanted to visit Manacha Paanch the same evening, but whole of Shanivar peth was so crowded that we visited few of other pandals and planned to visit the Manacha Paanch some other day. Last Saturday after dinner we thought of driving to Shanivar Peth. We reached Shaniwar Wada by midnight, the main gates were still open for the crowd who walked around the fort visiting the Ganapathi Pandals. We sat there and clicked few pics of the so called haunted fort of Pune and walked towards Shivaji Road. Even at 12, the roads were filled with devotees, especially the Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapathi. So here is the list of 5 Manacha, 

Kasba Ganapathi

The first of the five Manacha is Kasba Ganapathi, the presiding deity(gramdevata) of Pune. Years back when the city of Pune revolved around Shaniwar wada fort and its markets, Kasba Ganapathi temple was the presiding deity, for the royal Peshwa family and the natives. Said to be commissioned by Jijabhai, Shivaji's mother, the temple is in Kasba peth. The pandal is a replica of the main Kasba temple itself which is an old wooden building with great wood works.

Tambdi Jogeshwari

While few say its the Kasba Ganapthi which is the Gramdevata, others believe the Goddess at the Tambdi Jogeshwari as the Gramdevi. Being the oldest temple in the vicinity, the idol is said to be swayanbhu(which has appeared on its own). Its said, looking the popularity of the temple and the visiting devotee count, Lokmanya Tilak initiated to install the Ganesh Pandal at the temple and gave it the second place in the Manacha Paanch. The idol resides in a beautiful silver mantap, on tortoise. Tambdi Jogeshwari is in Budhwar Peth

 

Guruji Tahim

The third of Manacha is Guruji Tahim which is very close to Tambdi Jogeshwar in Budhvar Peth. Started by two Hindu and Muslim families Bhiku Shinde and Ustaad Nalban, it signifies the unity between the two communities. The Guruju Tahim Ganapathi is Balaganapthi sitting on his vahan(vehicle) mouse. 

Tulsibaug Ganapathi

Located in Tulsibaug market, the fourth Ganapathi is Tulsibaug Ganapathi. This is the biggest of all five and is beautifully adored with silver and gold ornaments. The decor is so rich and vibrant. The pandal is no big, but just covering the idol, hence you get a very close view. 

  

Kesariwada Ganapathi

The last of the Manacha, is the Ganesha at Kesariwada, which relates to Lokmanya Tilak's Kesari Magazine and signifying the revolution of Sarvajanik Ganesh Uthsav. It had three idols this year, the main silver idol, the immersible idol and the third was the tree Ganesha(the one unpainted in the tub next to the silver idol). The tree Ganesha, eco friendly ganesha with seeds, which turns into plant, once dissolved. The temple has the idol of Lokmanya Tilak and the paintings on the walls depicting his life. Its the building which was the residence of Tilak and now houses Lokmanya Tilak Museum.

Though all the five idols are immersed every year and its the new idol which adores the pandal the next year, the features and the beauty of the idols remain the same and you can easily make out each of the them by their look.