bangalore – GOPS Creativ

Sep 09

by GOPAN NAIR in travel, Wonders of Nature 4 comments tags: agumbe, bangalore, chikmagalur, forest, gopan, gopan g nair, gops, gops photography, gops.org, hills, karnataka, king cobra, Kundadry, rain, rain forest, research, sringeri, temple, trek, trip, udupi, village, Vishveshwarayya

ANOTHER RAINY DAY IN AGUMBE

The earthy aroma that wafts into the air when rain kisses the dry soil after a prolonged dry spell, known as ‘petrichor,’ holds a captivating allure. This delightful fragrance, stemming from the Greek words ‘Petra’ (stone) and ‘Ichor’ (the fluid flowing through the veins of Gods), is deeply intertwined with our ancestral reverence for rain as a life-giving force. Scientifically, this phenomenon occurs as raindrops stir the earth’s pores, releasing minuscule bubbles of plant oils, bacteria, and ozone into the atmosphere. While excessive ozone can pose risks to human health, the amount released during this enchanting event is negligible, allowing us to relish the revitalizing essence of petrichor without concern. I believe we’re straying from our main topic. Let’s shift our focus to places where rain is a daily occurrence. In the northeastern part of India, there’s ‘Cherrapunji’, which was previously known as the wettest place on Earth and still holds the Guinness Book record for the highest recorded rainfall in a location. Nestled in the heart of the Western Ghats, the lesser-known gem of ‘Agumbe’ has earned the title of the ‘Cherrapunji of South India’ owing to its intimate relationship with rainfall. The lush tropical rainforest of Agumbe is […]

Sep 26

by GOPAN NAIR in Indian architecture & Heritage, travel 2 comments tags: Achutaraya, bangalore, day, empire, ganesh, getaway, gopan, gopan g nair, gops, gops photography, gops.org, idol, Le Pakshi, Lepakshi, linga, naga, one, shiva, temple, trip, Veerabhadra, Vijayanagara, Virupanna

BANGALORE WEEKEND GETAWAY SERIES : LEPAKSHI TEMPLE

The term “Le Pakshi” in Telugu translates to “Rise, Bird”. This name originates from the epic Ramayana, where Lord Rama encounters the dying Jatayu and grants him the blessing to ascend to heaven. The ancient Hindu scripture Skandapurana identifies Lepakshi as one of the 108 significant Shaivite pilgrimage sites in Southern India. Another narrative suggests that Lepakshi was derived from ‘Lepa + Akshi’, signifying ’embalmed eye’. Lepakshi, situated around 120 km north of Bangalore, is a perfect destination for a weekend getaway. This small village in Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh, India, is located just 15 km away from Hindupur. The renowned Lepakshi Temple, dedicated to Lord Veerabhadra, a form of Shiva, was constructed during the reign of the Vijayanagara Kings (1336–1646). The temple, constructed in AD-1530 on a small hillock resembling a tortoise, is famously known as Kurma Saila. According to historical records, the temple was commissioned by two siblings named Virupanna and Viranna, who served as Governors during the rule of King Achutaraya. An intriguing tale surrounds the temple’s construction, involving Virupanna, the treasurer of the Vijayanagara Kingdom. While the King was absent, Virupanna managed the funds for the temple’s development. However, upon the King’s return during the […]

Aug 29

BANGALORE WEEKEND GETAWAY SERIES : BHOGA NANDEESHWARA TEMPLE

Bangalore city and its surrounding areas boast numerous captivating destinations perfect for a weekend getaway. Among these is the Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple, a stunning architectural marvel nestled at the base of Nandi Hills, approximately 55 kilometers from the city center. The quaint Nandi village is located 18 kilometers beyond Devanahalli (home to Bangalore International Airport) along the Bangalore-Hyderabad Highway. According to the archaeological survey of India, the original temple was constructed in the years 806-810 AD, following the typical Dravidian style by Bana Queen Ratnavali. It came under the patronage of various dynasties such as Gangas, Cholas, Hoysalas, Pallavas, Vijayanagara kings, and even Tipu Sultan in later periods. The temple has been altered by different rulers until the area fell under British control in 1799, following the demise of Tipu Sultan. There are a pair of significant shrines within the temple compound. The Arunachaleswara temple, situated in the southern corner, was commissioned by the Gangas of Talakad (<Read about it by clicking here), while the Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple, located on the northern side, was erected by the Chola Kings. A sculpture depicting a king can be observed within the temple complex, thought to be that of Rajendra Chola. The Bhoga […]

Jan 24

by GOPAN NAIR in Indian architecture & Heritage 4 comments tags: bahubali, bangalore, Bhadrabahu, Brahmadeva, cave, chandragiri, chandragupta, Chikkabetta, Doddabetta, gomateshwara, gomateswara, gopan, gopan g nair, gops, gops.org, hill, india, Indragiri, jain, jainism, maurya, monolithic, mysore, photography, pillar, route, SHRAVANABELAGOLA, south, statue, stone, tour, Tyagada, vindyagiri

A TRIP TO SHRAVANABELAGOLA

“THERE IS NO ENEMY OUT OF YOUR SOUL. THE REAL ENEMIES LIVE INSIDE YOURSELF; THEY ARE ANGER, EGO, PRIDE, CURVEDNESS, GREED, ATTACHMENTS AND HATRED” :- Lord Mahavir Bahubali, according to Jainism, is revered as the epitome of a man who overcomes selfishness, jealousy, pride, and anger. The 57-foot monolithic statue of Gomateshvara (Bahubali) at Shravanabelagola holds great significance as a pilgrimage site for Jain followers. Shravanabelagola translates to “White pond of the ascetic” and is situated amidst two hills. The larger hill is known as Indragiri/Vindyagiri (Doddabetta) while the smaller one is called Chandragiri (Chikkabetta). One can observe over two millennia of Jain history at this location. Emperor Chandra Gupta Maurya (340 – 298 BC) chose to live out his last days as a Jain monk at Chandragiri. He had successfully expanded his empire to encompass various regions of the Indian subcontinent, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Balochistan. The Maurya kingdom thrived under the wise counsel of the renowned philosopher Chanakya and also benefited from their alliance with Macedonian king Alexander and his descendants. Chandragupta Maurya, in his later years, made the decision to adopt Jainism under the guidance of his spiritual mentor Bhadrabahu. He then moved to Shravanbelgola in 298 BC […]

Jan 22

by GOPAN NAIR in Indian architecture & Heritage 6 comments tags: architecture, bangalore, curse, dunes, gopan, gopan g nair, gops, gops photography, gops.org, hoysala, karnataka, kaveri, Kirtinarayana, mysore, mysterious, photography, river, road, route, sand, talakad, talakkad, talakkadu

GREAT INDIAN ARCHITECTURE SERIES :: MYSTERIOUS TALAKAD

They say ‘fact is stranger than fiction !!’ Talakad, located near Mysore in India, is a historical site that was once home to more than 30 temples, now buried under sand. The massive sand dunes that cover the area have sparked numerous myths and legends among the locals. Ongoing excavations have led to the recovery of several temples from the sand dunes. The photos included were taken by me at the same location, with a 24-year gap between them. The first picture shows us standing on the partially visible Mahadwara (grand entrance) of the Kirtinarayana temple, which has since been fully recovered and restored (as shown in the picture below). Talakkad was established by the Ganga Dynasty during the first millennium CE, and subsequently by the Tamil Cholas from the 11th to the 12th centuries. The town later fell under the control of the Hoysalas in the 12th century. It was later conquered by the Vijayanagar rulers and the Maharajas of Mysore. Talakkad was engulfed by sand over 400 years ago, leading to various theories surrounding this enigma. According to scientific research, it may have been an ecological catastrophe triggered by a series of earthquakes. There is also a belief […]

Jan 21

by GOPAN NAIR in travel 2 comments tags: 1984, bangalore, gopan, gopan g nair, gops, gops photography, gops.org, greenery, lake, new, old, photography, ulsoor, vintage

ULSOOR LAKE, BANGALORE IN 1984 AND TODAY

ULSOOR LAKE, BANGALORE, photographed from the same spot within a gap of 30 years . The first picture was photographed by me in 1984. The famous Ulsoor Lake of Bangalore. The sepia tone came naturally due to the ageing of film. Those were the days of peace & tranquility in Bangalore…! Captured with a Yashica Electro-35 film camera. Let’s have a look at the same place today (Jan-2015), photographed from the very same location. I was happy to notice that nothing much has changed around the lake during these 3 decades, though most of the city’s greenery has been eaten up by concrete jungle..! The Public Utility Building built in 1973 was the tallest building those days, which is still visible today in the background.

ANOTHER RAINY DAY IN AGUMBE

BANGALORE WEEKEND GETAWAY SERIES : LEPAKSHI TEMPLE

BANGALORE WEEKEND GETAWAY SERIES : BHOGA NANDEESHWARA TEMPLE

A TRIP TO SHRAVANABELAGOLA

GREAT INDIAN ARCHITECTURE SERIES :: MYSTERIOUS TALAKAD

ULSOOR LAKE, BANGALORE IN 1984 AND TODAY

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