trek to Sri Ramlingeshwara Devastana part-2

...continued from trek to Sri Ramlingeshwara Devastana part-1.

This spot, a big granite mound, is approximately ⅔ way of the 4 km path. This is another landmark in the route. On this rock is a small temple built of granite blocks. To my knowledge this little structure is as it was when I saw it a decade ago. 

Across the granite mound, the path enters jungle area again. This forest is connected to the main jungle on the slopes of Machigad hill. 

On the left hand side of this path is a valley through which a stream flows. The stream would be sight to behold during rains and a few days after the rains. Now its a meagre flow, yet it flows. This spot is where wild animals come for a drink of water. During the previous visit i.e. October 2010, I remember hearing a wild boar grunt somewhere on this stretch. I thought I was imagining things until one of my colleagues said he felt hearing the same. Also, if one waits silently and watches, exotic looking birds can be ssen. Two times I saw birds with long tail feathers. Probably a jungle fowl. Even 

A grassy clearing in the thick forest. One might see hares or deer here, if lucky. However these grassy slopes are a boon to farmers living around here, they let their cattle graze here. Some even get their goats and sheep.

This bend is another landmark a this spot connects Machigad hill and Ramteerth hill. To the left is Ramteerth and to the right is Machigad. To the right are some rocky mounds (see inset), they are like seats for those like to rest before they start trekking the uphill stretch.

The continuously ascending path towards the summit where the temples are situated. 

In between there's a rock-bed with veins. The texture looks like elephant hide. The dark color and vein like formation is an indication that this rock is igneous. After this spot is a S-bend, then the temple comes into view.

Ramlingeshwar Devastana profile comes into sight. The summit is just a couple of hundred meters now. To the right is a crude little structure similar to the one seen about a kilometer before.

The dirt path continues on to the left. One can either go that way or just climb up the rock... I chose the latter. 

Looking back at the way I came. The taller mound in the background is Machigad. From here the fortification walls are not visible, every bit is concealed in the vegetation. 

From where I stood, directly in front of me was a series of square holes. Also signs of rock being quarried at this very spot were visible which definitely are ancient. Probably dating back the time Ramteerth temples were constructed.

This is said to be built during Goa Kadamba rule i,e in the XII Century CE. Architecturally Ramlingeshwar temple is similar to Buvaraha Narasimha group of temples at Halasi, so its highly possible they were built around the same period of time.

The water pond comes into view now. The temple builders plan included a source of fresh water and space for a flower garden. The bigger temple is east-facing and the smaller one is north-facing. The third temple in the background is also north-facing.

The water pond holds enough water to last for a year. Going by other photos of this place, the pond is deeper in the center. Half the perimeter of the pond is rocky and the other half is dirt which is convenient to grow flowering plants. BTW, the other name for this shrine is Rameshwar. 

The summit is a small plateau... if you look around the temple there are slopes in every direction. 

What a lovely sight this is, so peaceful. The dark rock surface, the two temples, a water pond and a tree, The small tree near the smaller temple wasn't there during my previous visit. It looks like a 2 to 3 year old tree.

The third temple which is a stone's throw away is incomplete. Probably it's construction was commenced years after completing the main temples here.

This place is truly an unique one. I can't remember another historical place like this... this reminds me of Chadragutti fort summit. At the summit are water tanks, shelters for guards and rampart walls but no temple.

We are yet to the see the inside of the temple and the hill surroundings. We'll see them in the following part trek to Sri Ramlingeshwara Devastana part-3.

.........