Chintamani temple complex, part-2

...continued from Chintamani temple complex, part-1.

The first half of Chintamani temple complex comprises of Kashi Paduke shrine, Rudrakshi Matha and  Lakshmi Narasimha Devastana among other minor shrines. Shrines of this complex are all ancient and most of them are active. After the morning rituals these shrines remain closed until the following day unless it's a festive day or when there's a request for a special pooja. Now we are well past the half way point of the complex. Here's an unnamed temple..

The boulders mark the arrival of the natural rock shelter which is connected to Rama.

I guess this mantapa was made for pilgrims' convenience. Just imagine this place a few hundred years ago.. a group camping in this lodge on the river bank, a makeshift kitchen, washed clothes hanging between pillars, mats spread on the floor, people resting and chatting while kids are scampering around.

Stepping out of the mantapa, we reach the most revered spot of Chintamani. The two blocks seen on the rock are Rama Padha ~ Rama's feet. Some say that this is the spot from where Rama aimed and shot an arrow at Vali the king of Kishkinda.

Next to Rama Padha is an engraved image of a bow & arrow points the direction in which the arrow went. Of these two Padha, the one on the left seems to be ancient while the one on right is relatively new. The new Padha is made of marble and has a lot of details carved into them. Also there's an inscription n Kannada.

The feet has embossed and engraved images depicting humanoids, serpents, sun, stars, geometric figures and other religious symbols. The Kannada inscription's transcription: ವನವಾಸದ ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಇರುವ ಅನೇಕ ತೀರ್ಥಕ್ಷೇತ್ರಗಳ ಪಾವನ ಧೂಳಿಯಿಂದೊಡಗೂಡಿದ ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮನ ಚರಣಾರವಿಂದದ ಪೂಜೆ ದರ್ಶನಗಳು ಜಗತ್ತಿನ ಎಲ್ಲ ತೀರ್ಥಕ್ಷೇತ್ರಗಳ ಪುಣ್ಯವನ್ನು ನೀಡುತ್ತವೆಂದು ಶಾಸನಗಳು ಸಾರಿವೆ.

Right besides Rama's feet is the natural rock shelter. At the entrance of the cave is a memorial stone honoring a couple. They don't seem to be warriors, rather they look like a married couple. Going by the look of the stone, it seems to be of Viajayanagara times.

That's Sridhar posing at the cave's mouth.

During my first visit here i.e. in July 2012, a local guy accompanying us told that Rama did penance here after slaying Vali. However, now people say that this is the place of Sugreeva and Rama's first meeting. That colorful painting wasn't there in 2012. Looks like it was made when Anajanadri Betta became popular and tourists started visiting in large numbers.

Our little guide looks at the painting of the meeting of Rama, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Sugreeva and Jambavan. Whoever painted it has created a master piece. I hope the artist maintain the painting since it is bound to fade with time.

That's the cave's mouth. This place is peaceful and quite cool even in hot summers.

The temple and mantapa next to the Rama-Sugreeva cave. It's the same one seen in previous pictures. This place gives a great view of Tungabhadra. I must visit this place during the months of August-September. That's when monsoon fills up the dam at Hospete and water is let out.

Having done with the temple complex, we descend into the river path and look back at the complex. Usually at this time of the year, gates at the dam are shut barring one or two gates to feed irrigational canals. Close by a group of women from Anegundi were washing clothes. We chose a spot to sit and wet our feet. Cool water is so soothing after walking around in blazing sunlight. Also the gurgling sounds of water flowing through rocks was music.

Another ancient mantapa, surely built during Viajayanagara times. It looks nice from here but the inside is untidy, littered with plastic bottles and clothes. Wish our people learn the basics of public etiquette. 

Turning to the right we can see Rudrakshi Matha.

Back at the complex entrance, Sridhar, I and our guide had sugarcane juice. It felt very refreshing and energized, ready to continue the tour of the day. Our next destination was Malyavanta Raghunatha Devastana.

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