GOPS CREATIV :: REDISCOVERING MY LOST PASSIONS
Dec 05
by GOPAN NAIR in Indian architecture & Heritage, travel 17 comments tags: ancient, anegondi, anegundi, art, birth, blog, boulder, bukka, burial, cave, chamber, dolmen, gopan, gopan g nair, gops, gops photography, gops.org, Gudda, hampi, hire benekal, hirebenekal, hirebenkal, india, karnataka, Mane, Moryar, Onake Kindi, paintings, rock, rock art, ruins, tungabhadra

HIRE BENAKAL : VALLEY OF THE DEAD !

We had the chance to explore the remnants of a once great civilization in Hampi. Together, we ventured back in time to experience the blend of myth and history in Anegundi. We also delved into the traces of early human settlements in the area and examined the primitive cave paintings at Onake Kindi. Now, let’s journey even further into the past to the enigmatic ‘valley of the dead’, where the history of ancient human habitation peacefully resides. Hire Benakal (also known as Hirebenakal or Hirebenkal ಹಿರೇಬೆಣಕಲ್) is a serene village adjacent to Anegundi, located approximately 50 km from Hampi. This impressive megalithic burial site in Karnataka, India, is believed to be around 3000 years old and is recognized as one of the largest necropolises in the region. Referred to as ‘Elu Guddagalu’ in the Kannada language, which translates to ‘Seven hillocks’, the site comprises approximately 400 megalithic structures (dolmens) that were constructed between 800 BCE to 200 BCE, spanning the period from Neolithic to the Iron Age. The initial documentation of this site dates back to 1835 during the British rule, when Philip Meadows Taylor’s findings were published in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society. While the Archaeology Survey […]
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Jun 01
by GOPAN NAIR in Indian architecture & Heritage, travel 10 comments tags: achyutharaya, ancient, anegondi, anegundi, Anjanadri, Bali, birth, blog, boulder, bukka, cave, dynasty, Gagan Mahal, gopan, gopan g nair, gops, gops photography, gops.org, hakka, hampi, Hanuman, Hazararama, hill, india, karnataka, Kishkinda, Kishkindha, krishnadevaraya, mathanga, Onake Kindi, paintings, Pampa Sarovar, photography, place, Ramayana, Rishimuka, ruins, Shabari, Sugreeva, Sugriva, temple, tungabhadra, Vali, Vali Quila, Vijayanagara, vittala

THE RIVER AND BEYOND… ANEGUNDI

Let’s take a journey back in time as we explore the history spanning over 5000 years. Our story begins with the river Pampa (Tungabhadra), the lifeblood of a great civilization that once thrived in the southern state of Karnataka in India. Anegundi is a serene village located just opposite to Hampi, on the northern bank of the river Tungabhadra; a place where evolution, history, mythology and folklore intertwine. The name Anegundi (or Anegondi, ಆನೆಗುಂದಿ/ಆನೆಗೊಂದಿ) originates from the Kannada language, meaning “Elephant pit.” It was the early capital of the Vijayanagara empire before it was moved to Hampi, possibly deriving its name from the king’s elephant stables that were originally situated here. For more in-depth information about Hampi & the Vijayanagara empire, you can look at [here]. According to experts in earth sciences, the rock formations in this area are estimated to be around 3000 million years old, making it one of the oldest plateaus on our planet. This suggests that it was among the first locations to solidify during the earth’s cooling process. Anegundi has been identified as having traces of early human settlements. The presence of Neolithic (Stone Age) burial grounds and primitive cave paintings in this area attracts […]
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Apr 23
by GOPAN NAIR in Indian architecture & Heritage 14 comments tags: aihole, Badami, bangalkot, Bhaje, cave, caves, chalukya, fort, Ganapatim, gop.org, gopan, gopan g nair, gops, gops photography, hindu, india, jain, karnataka, mahakoota, mahakuta, Malegitti, Nataraja, pattadakal, pattadakallu, RAVALPHADI, RAVANA PHADI, RAVANAPHADI, Shivalaya, shrine, Temples, tour, tourism, vatapi

BADAMI : MAGNIFICENT CAVES OF ANCIENT INDIA

BADAMI, (ಬದಾಮಿ or Vatapi as it was known originally), is a historic temple town situated in the Bangalkot district of Northern Karnataka, India. The town mentioned as ‘Badiamaioi’ by Greek Geographer Ptolemy (150 AD) has been recognized as Badami. Badami served as the seat of power for the Chalukya dynasty, which held sway over various regions of Karnataka from 540 to 757 AD. Located 460 kilometers away from Bangalore, the town of Badami is nestled at the entrance of a gorge shielded by massive red sandstone cliffs on both sides, featuring the picturesque Agastya lake at its center. It is said that the town of Badami derived its name from an asura named Vatapi, who was defeated by the sage Agastya. The Chalukya rulers strategically fortified the hills near the town and constructed numerous temples in the vicinity. The architectural marvels found at Badami, Pattadakkal, Aihole, and Mahakuta serve as prime illustrations of Chalukya craftsmanship. The rock-cut cave temples constructed between the 6th and 8th centuries AD are the most renowned within this group of temples. The celebrated Carnatic recital “Vatapi Ganapatim Bhaje” dedicated to lord Ganesha at Vatapi, was composed by Muthuswami Dikshitar. After the Chalukyas were vanquished by […]
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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 […]
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