Halaekote ruins

March 8, 2013
Halaekote (also called Halekota) means old fort; the village by this name is situated between Tekkalakote and Siurguppa. The village itself is situated on the plains between two hillocks, one large and the other small. This hill is the larger of the one; what is seen here is just one end of the hill, behind the scene it grows westwards.

We abandoned the climb even before we reached  ¼ way up. However we got a good look at the ruins and did not expect to anything more. The walls are very similar to the fort walls at Anegundi - they could be built during Vijayanagara times.

We reached Halekota village, folks told us about the ruins on the smaller hill and few youngsters agreed to accompany us. The climb was short but very steep, hot weather and hunger made the climb tiring. Half way up the hill is this little cave temple dedicated to Veerabhadreshwara.

After a short break we continued our way to the top until we reached a gateway at the summit. From here we could see both sides of the hill. There wasn't much to see but it confirmed the existence of the fort on both hills and the plains between them.

Our guides look like soldiers watching over the plains stretching to the east.

Seems like construction activities were abandoned before completion.

One of the guides wanted to show an engraved pair of human feet on a rock; marked in the circle and enlarged in the inset.

Wall in ruin on one side of the gateway..

..and a natural wall on the other side. Indeed a perfect site for a gateway.

Engraving of Hanuman with Sanjeevani Betta. Lifting a mountain is a left hand job for Vayuputra :)

Our guides suggested we go round the hill. However, we dropped the idea because there was no more ruins on the other side. Also, we were hungry and had two more forts ahead of us.

Back at the village, our cab was parked in the temple compound. The temple is ancient but the heavy makeup conceals its real beauty.

Two hero-stones found within the temple compound.

We thank our guides and move towards Siruguppa, eager to find a khanawali and appease our hungry tummies.

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Varavina Malleshwara Devasthana

March 8, 2013
Varavina Malleshwara temple is about 4 kms east of Tekkalakote, the road passes through paddy fields. The moment we entered the place, it was like seeing a scaled down version of Hampi sans river. The scattered ruins, the architecture and the presence of a Frangipani tree was very much Vijayanagara style. It is said that the place was known as Devara Kallu ~ God's Stone when it was built. It was around 9AM, we were the only visitors. As you see the temple is situated on the hillock.

The hall on the left is the Kalyana Mantapa and the on the right is the main Gopura. Notice the pillar design, its quite different from the ones I've had seen earlier.

A pleasant surprise; a goshaala with half dozen calves. I love the look on their faces.

Gopura is brick and mortar.

The doorway is flanked by various sculptures. Just outside the doorway is a image could be a scene from Ramayana; Rama aiming an arrow at the golden deer while living in exile.

The presence of Damaru, Trisula and Nandi indicates lord Shiva here.

As we step in it felt as though we had entered from the back door. On our left was the care-taker's house. I wonder why those three tigers are painted... had Tipu donated money to this temple's maintenance.

On the left, after the tower is a long hall for pilgrims to camp. On the right is the temple.

Doorway to Sabha Mantapa. Well, I wish to meet the guys who painted..

Garbhagudi at the end of this aisle and to the right is Nandi (see inset).

A collection of hero-stones.

side entrance

This temple doesn't seem to have any kind of order, little confusing. Main Gopura is on the eastern wall but the Garbhagudi faces west and what seems like a south-facing side entrance must be the main entrance.

A mural resembling a human rib cage.. very strange piece of work indeed.

We could see half dozen small temples like these close to the base of the hills, on the plains. The larger structure on the right is a modern structure, a shed to park the temple chariot.

This shelter could serve as lodge for pilgrims or shops.

A short video by Malatesh.

I don't remember seeing any signage here, not much of information available. Having done with this holy place we head towards Udegola and Nittur to see Ashoka's rock edicts.

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