Oct 19, 2019

Nityananda Mandir and Mahasati Devalaya, Mastikatta

July 28, 2019
We were on the way from Dharwad to Gokarna, started early morning with a plan to return before dark. Our cab driver Prakash, a regular on these roads, drove consistently. We stopped for tea at Yellapur and continued our journey with the next stop here. It was my uncle's decision to stop at this temple.. he said that earlier almost every vehicle and traveler would stop at this temple while traveling on this route.

The two temples are situated right next to Karwar-Hubli highway. They are ancient shrines with  modern buildings.

Shri Guru Nityananda Mandir

Sri Mahasati Devalaya
This is the interior of Mahasati temple. This architecture is usually seen in Western Ghats and Coastal Karnataka.

Inside the Mahasati Devalaya are a pair of lion idols, heads raised proudly.

In the past, ghat road roads were narrower and vehicles lacked features like power steering so driving was relatively strenuous activity. So it was a good idea to stop every now and then.. stop at temples to strengthen one's mind while some preferred tea breaks.

For us it was a nice short break from sitting in a compact vehicle, a chance to breathe fresh air and stretch our limbs.
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2 comments:

  1. So nice! Yes modern buildings, but now these are specimens of a time when such buildings were made. It is already coming close to being called a "heritage building". It has influences from many sources, and local ingenuity to use them freely at will to create such an architecture. Glad to learn that it was one of those shrines where people used to stop.

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  2. Indeed, they are close to earning the heritage status. Regards to the people who have been striving to maintain these temples.

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