Musafirkhana, Santhebennur

..continued from Ramthirth Pushkarni of Santhebennur.

July-25, 2019
We went around the Pushkarni checking out the stepped sides and its nine Mantapa. This stepped tank was built for the Rama temple situated across the road. However, when one sees this monument, it seems that the Musafirkhana is part of the Pushkarni. While the water tank was constructed by Kenga Hanumantappa Nayaka, a Palegar under Vijayanagar empire, the arched building was constructed by the Muslim rulers. It seems the intention of placing the building was to cut off the Pushkarni from the temple. Well, that's my opinion.

A board at the entrance of this monument describes it as follows:
Musafirkhana and Honda
The large pond (Honda) has its sides veneered with granite steps. Out of eight towers at the cardinal points, only six are intact in various stages of preservation. The most striking feature of the pond is its ornate pavilion built on a square plinth with an arched entrance which has a flight of steps leading to the first tier. The first tier is an open pavilion with slender pillars at the periphery and austere railings in between. Towards the cardinal directions are elegant arched pavilions supported by heavy stone, Pushpa Potika, corbels. The second tier is repetition of the first one over which moderate eaves support a heavy parapet with slender minarets. The inter-spaces pierced with arches topped by foliate merlons. Two rows of elephants, swans and Gandaberundas (mythical twin headed bird) adore the pavilion. The ribbed dome jutting out at the center is topped by a final and its neck is decorated with lotus petals bordered by Guldastas. The Musafirkhana built on the western side as a spacious structure of granite having a large pillared hall with pointed arches probably as a prayer hall as well.

 Beautiful columns and arches grace the building's interior. It was cool in here, the walls were thick enough to insulate the air inside from the warm air outside.

Another view of the columns and arches.

Vasanta Mantapa as seen from one of the arches.

This east-facing building has only one open face. On the western wall is this flight of steps.. to no where. At some point of time this building was converted into a mosque. A caretaker here told me that a Rama temple existed here before this building came up. Hmm.. Right besides these steps is an interesting inscription in English.

The plague reads as follows:
This building is a Musafirkhana and cannot be used as a Musjid. Any violation of the purpose is punishable.

The plague has been damaged somehow. Won't be surprised if it was an act of some vandals.

The two pillars flanking the facade of this building are handsome. The architecture is from Bijapur, Gulbarga or Golconda. Such massive columns can be seen at tombs and mosques out there.

The building's terrace can be accessed from the flight of steps from its interior. Unfortunately the staircase entrance was gated and locked. A view of the Pushkarni would have been nice.

A long time wish of Santhebennur finally came true. From here we head to Rama Devasthana, just across the road.
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