Exploring Hampi Part - 1

From last one year I have been dreaming about Hampi Trip, this August it comes true. According to plan my friend Surej, Sumith , Ravi and Kathik  were also accompany me in this trip, whenever we meet we are start talking about Hampi Trip, but due to some reason they are unable to join me. At last me and Karthik went to explore the great ruined city called Hampi.

 Shiradi Ghat Section

Shri Chowdeshwari Temple in the River bank

Day One 14/08/2014

As per schedule trip begin at sharp 0600hrs from my home town Perla.  I am more worried about the weather condition because if rain starts it’s difficult to take my SLR out from the bag. But God’s sake there was no rain and it was clear sky, at around 0730hrs reached Uppinangadi via Vittal, and Puttur. As usual after taking breakfast headed towards Sakleshpur on NH 48 (Mangalore – Bangalore Hwy.) road condition was good our next destination was Belur. I had already visited Belur on my Belur Halebidu Trip on December 2011 but such a wonderful places will definitely call the tourist again and again, excellent sculptures attracts a lot, so don’t want to miss this opportunity. 

 Straight road to Belur

Near Belur

Belur Town

At 1000hrs reached Sakleshpur and reached Belur via Ballupet at sharp 1115hrs. As soon as entered the premises of the temple Karthik was paused a moment by surprise, because he is visiting first time and he had never imagine the beauty of Belur. 

Temple complex

 Shree Chennakeshava Temple

 Lamp post

The excellent chennakeshava temple complex attracts many tourists from India and abroad. The whole complex built in the style of Hoysala style of architecture with large round pliers inside, only addition is the Dravidian style Rajagopura at the entrance was constructed later by Vijayanagara Kingdom. 

 Karthik posing in front of Chennakeshava Temple

 This complex contains Kappechennigaraya temple and beautiful Pushkarni built in the right side of the main entrance. The credit of the carving of most of the sculptures goes to Jakanachari. A beautiful Garuda Statue also carved in front of the Chennakeshava Temple near the Dwaja Sthambha.

 Round pillars Inside the temple

Gopuram from Inside

 Inside Shree Chennakeshava Temple

 Hoysala Symbol

 Carvings on the wall

 Lamp post

 Kappe Chennigaraya Temple

 Mandapam at Back side of the Chennkeshava temple

 Side View

 Some of the Sculptures inside the temple complex

 Just an example for how rich was the Art and Sculpture of Hoysala

 Varahavathara

Temple Complex side view

 Puskharni inside the Temple

Statue of  Garuda facing in front of Chennakeshava Temple

After spending 45 minutes inside temple complex left Belur and headed towards next destination i.e Halebidu which is just 16Km from Belur. Road condition was good with minimum potholes, it took us half an hour to cover the distance with lots of clicks.

 Village View

My 'Bird posing

Halebidu Temple complex

Around 1230Hrs Halebidu town, large parking area available under the tree shade , Halebidu temple also built in the time of Hoysala kingdom, Hoysaleshwara and Kedareshwara temples and Large ‘Nandi’ (bull), Idole of Ganesha attracts the tourist, a small garden also built outside the temple.

 Inside View

Bull

It’s already 1:15 PM and it’s time to refueling our stomach because after the breakfast at Uppinangadi we consumed only water. So decided to take lunch at Halebidu and find a small Hotel on Banavara Road. 

The Hotel was typical Hassan style food, it offers two types of meals ‘’Mudde Meals (Ragi ball) & Chapati Meals”. I am keen to taste the local food so opt for "Mudde Oota”and Karthik took chapatti Oota. Meals contains rice bowl, along with tasty Subzee, Sambar, dal and Mensinkai Bajji (fried Green chilly using Gram flour paste) apart from this they also served a hot Raagi Ambali (Porridge made out of Raagi). Very tasty and rich in nutrition. 

As per our plan we have to reach Challakere by 6 PM. From Halebidu we have to cover just 175kms to reach there and nothing special to see on the way except landscape. So started leisurely on Banavara Road on NH 234.

Excellent Green fields on both side of the road

At Halebidu we forget to take drinking water so stopped near a small shop, they guided us drinking water will available only in next town called Javagal. On the way we found large crowd in front of a hotel like structure, we stopped to enquire water bottle and found that it was a bar, lot of white clothed village head mens are arguing loudly inside, Karthik asked for 'Water' at Cash counter man says "Quarter also available"..

Empty Road

Once we crossed Banavara Road condition was start to goes poor, because road construction was going on small boulders spreaded all over the road. 

 Roads condition start to poor

 And gone '"Worst"

You can imagine where we are riding

Total Distance between Banavara and Huliyar is around 50kms after "OFF ROADING" 12km just asked about road condtion with a person who was taking care of his buffalo herd near the field, he passed a smile and assured us not worry just 2KM the super road ahead. His words are partially true because after passing 2km super road ahead and we were relaxed and ''Bird trying to hit the needle around 80kmph but just after crossing 3km again worst road appeared. 

 Pomegranate field in both the side

Whole stretch we enjoyed the OFF ROADING. Hence the heavy loaded motorcycle with pillion rider and heavily blowing wind was difficult to balance but once you master the technique it's just a fun.

Wind mill producing electricity

There were no large city comes between these stretch. Only Agriculture oriented small villages stretched on the both side, we really thankful to the villagers because "Every grain in our bowl is filled with sweat of these hard workers".

Once reached Huliyar then there is no road issue, superb tarmaced road accompanied us with lush green field on both sides. While cruising the highway suddenly spotted a Police Interceptor van, they asked to stop, thank God they are not using speed radar, just asked for papers and even did't checked it. 

Seedless Papaya Field.. check the tree size

 On the way an old man was selling Papaya's near the field, he offered Rs. 20 each we took 2Nos, he first taste the Papaya to us and took only Rs.30 from and and gave one more Papaya as bonus.

Sun set in the Sun flower field

At last around 19hrs reached Challakere town and put full stop for the day.