Sree Veerabadreswara Devastana, Belawadi

September 18, 2010
Our first stop of the day. Belavadi was not on the agenda. We had almost gone past it, we turned back to see the town's main temple. Sree Veerabadreswara temple of Belavadi. Local people call it Belawadi Iranna Gudi. It is an ancient shrine, the structure must be 300 to 400 years old, with a touch of modernity.

The temple is well maintained, rituals are performed daily. The temple remains open through out the day and well after sunset.

Ancient sculptures of a small pillar and a raised bowl can be seen here.

Lord Veerabhadra's deity inside the Garbhagudi.

The entire yard surrounding the temple is watered and swept clean.

Ancient sculptures of serpent gods.

The orange colored structure is also an ancient structure, this is a memorial of the brave warrior queen Mallamma.

If I'm not mistaken, this is the very structure from which Madiwaleswara of Garag is supposed to had appeared and thrown gold coins to people of Belavadi.

This painting of Belawadi Mallamma was created in 2009 by Shri. Erayya S Poojar. The cost of the paintings had been sponsored by Ningappa V Karikatti.

The painting of Belavadi king Raja Eshaprabhu created in 2009 by Shri. Shankrayya S Kenjedimath. The cost of the paintings had been sponsored by Rachappa V Karikatti.

Chatrapati Shivaji's army laid siege to Belavadi kingdom. During a battle Raja Eshaprabhu died and his queen Mallamma took control. However, Belavadi was no match for the powerful Maratha army, queen Mallamma lost and captured. When queen Mallamma was produced before Chatrapati Shivaji, he admired her bravery and reinstated her as queen of Belavadi kingdom. That historical event has been recorded in a small sculpture which is currently at Yadwad Hanuman Mandir.

Our visit was a quick one. We left the temple and headed towards our destination Sogal a pilgrim center known more for its waterfall.

Belavadi is situated close to river Malaprabha. Just as you pass the town the backwaters of Renukasagar comes into view. We stopped on the ramp, just before the bridge across Malaprabha, to get a view of the waterbody and enjoy the fresh cool breeze blowing over the waters.

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