Santa Claus at temple festival

A boy in a Santa Claus cap, among others witnessing decorated elephants carrying Hindu idols, at Pala, Kottayam Dot.

Temples of Bhatkal

We found the 16th century temples of Bhatkal rather serendipitous. We were driving from Udipi to Murudeshwar and wanted to stop at Bhatkal on the way to see some ancient mosques and other heritage sites. quite accidentally we saw the Jattappa Chandranath basadi on the way. This was being restored by ASI. The junior staff of ASI were very helpful and above all enthusiastic about the heritage. They guided us to the other temples too

 ASI is in the process of restoring these temples. It must be an uphill task as they are in very bad condition. Some of them are inside private property where modern houses have come up.

More Mahishasura mardhinis

Kailasanatha Temple,Kanchipuram 8th Century?

Baijnath Temple, Himachal Pradesh 

Yoga Narasimha Murthy from Kulathupuzha

This is an exhibit from Keralam - a museum of History and Heritage, Trivandrum. This image of Yoga Narasimha murthy is made of Jack fruit wood (Varikka Plaavu) and was recovered while renovating the Kulathupuzha sastha temple. Dated 14th Century

Narasimha in Thirukkurungudi

On a madapam pillar at Thirukkurungudi, Azhagiya Nambi temple. Thirukkurungudi in Naguneri Taluk, 10 Kms from Vallioor and about 25 Kms from Thiunelveli. The entire temple has been renovated by the support of the TV Sundaram Iyengar family who hail from this village. 

Ravana shaking Mount Kailash - Murudeshwar

This picture of Ravana and mount Kailash was taken in Murudeshwar. Around the temple of Murudeshara a philanthropist had constructed what looked like a religious theme park. This included a walk though exhibition built into an artificial cave. This is one of the several episodes depicted in the cave. 

16th Century Jain Temples of Bhatkal.

We found the 16th century temples of Bhatkal rather serendipitously. We were driving from Udipi to Murudeshwar on NH 17  and wanted to stop at Bhatkal on the way to see some ancient mosques and other heritage sites. Quite accidentally, we saw an acient looking structure on the way. This was the Jattappa Chandranatheswara basadi, being restored by ASI. The junior staff of ASI were very helpful and above all enthusiastic about the heritage They guided us to the other temples in the town.

All temples were built around 1500 C.E. mostly funded by rich merchants or association of traders. 

1. Jattappa Chandranatheswara basadi - this temple is located on one of the main roads close to commercial establishments and schools. There are two blocks connected by a columned porch. As you enter from the road you see the two tiered main block with sloping stone roof and another structure which looks like a bell tower.The entrance has ornate dwarapalakas, more like the Hoysala style. The three-celled Garbagriha had only the peethams. The steps to the upper tier were missing. The temple faces East and has a deepastambham in front. There are two tablets with inscriptions on either side of the porch. The compound was well maintained by the junior staff of ASI.

Dwarapalaka

View of the temple from the roadside 

2. Parshwanath Jain temple. 


Without proper guidance,we would have missed this temple as this was tucked in between shops in the commercial area.





















A typical deepastambham greets you as you enter. The temple itself is small and has a pair of dwarapalakas on either side. The main idol is Parshwanath, but there are two other deities. The turned pillars are similar to the ones in Chandranath basti. On the compound we also found nagas, hero stones and inscribed tablets. A distinct ornate window on the North was a unique feature.

Nagas,

Ornate stone window