On 10th Sep 2016, swayam sevaks of Hosa Road Valay set out for a day's outing
and Sahal. The Sahal along with families and children turned out to be a memorable
day for all of us.
We started Saturday early morning in a bus with a team of 30, including families
and children. The early morning fresh breeze only added to the excitement as we
headed towards Kolar, eastwards, in the direction of rising Sun. We were out of
city before the city's hustle began.
The journey was a pleasure with children singing Songs, playing riddles and puzzles.
They sang the songs learnt in Balbharati. The elder one's were not behind as everyone
joined in with theirs skills in Singing, poem recitation and some history discourses.
Through the journey children bonded with each other and became friends, so did the
elder ones, some of us were meeting first time. We reached our first destination
Kolaramma Temple.
Kolaramma Temple
A 2000 year old temple of Durga, is just one of many wonders in India.
The temple has two different structures, inner one and outside one.
The inner temple having sanctum looks very old and is dated much much older,
per swami inside it belongs to Treta yuga - laid down by Parashurama.
You can easily notice it is definitely much older than the peripheral structure.
The peripheral temple has been built and developed later during Gangas and Cholas.
The Deity MahishAsuraMardini's image is seen through mirror in the Sanctum(Garbhagudi).
After seeking blessings and admiring its history, we spent some more time in the premise
having breakfast. The pleasure of having breakfast with everyone amidst the heritage is an
experience in itself. We headed further to AntarGange
AntarGange.
is a freshwater spring, the source not known. Water flows from a sculpted Basava’s
mouth into a pond. AntarGange has Kashi Vishweshwara Temple. The walk up to the pond
climbing steps is surrounded by beautiful nature. Around AntarGange children had
acquaintance with langurs, feeding them bananas and biscuits. We moved onto Kurudumale.
Kudumale ( Now called Kurudumale)
has 2 temples - one of Kudumale Ganapathi and other one is Someshwara ( Shiva and Parvathi).
Legends have it that the sitting Ganapathi is from Satya Yuga and was without temple,
Only Vigraha being worshipped in open - during following Yugas. The temple for it was
built only recently, 500 years ago by Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara empire.
1100 years old Someshwara temple is of Chola era, later maintained by Chalukyas,
Hoysalas and Vijayanagara kings. The temple has signature of - father son duo-
legendary Shilpkars Jakanachari and Dankanachari. Outside the Someshwara temple
is also a Ganesha Vigraha in the open without any roof. Even this is considered
to pre-date recorded history.
We gathered in a park nearby and had lunch. Children took turns to serve the food
back to those who had served them. Following lunch we spent an hour playing games.
Boudhik on significance and Sahal was delivered by Arvindji,
Sahal helps us increasing bonding, provides an opportunity to experience our
heritage and which in turn helps us be connected to our roots and also strive
in protecting it and building the nation.
After boudhik everyone joined in for Dhvaj pranam and prarthana.
It was an eventful day so far. The best part was left for the end.
We headed towards Avani.
Avani
is an important tourist destination of historical Significance and heritage near kolar.
Avani means earth, named after Sitadevi - daughter of earth. Legends have it that
Sitadevi was in exile here in Valmiki's Ashram. It is this place Lav-Kush were born
and also had battle with their father.
Avani has a Ramalingeshwara temple. Similar to history as other temples around here,
the Ramalingeshwara is the Shivling installed and worshipped by Rama in Treta Yuga.
The recent 1000 year temple around it got built during Cholas.
This one is a sprawling complex. There are also temples dedicated to
Sitadevi, Ganapathi and Subramanya.
The later developments could also see Vijayanagara pillar mantap type constructions.
In the backdrop of the sprawling temple premise are picturesque hills with rocks.
There is a pond next to the temple. We had refreshing lime drink next to the pond.
The eventful day had come to an end as we started our journey back home.
The day's experience made us feel proud of the great legacy we had witnessed.
It also made us humble. We could relate to Arvindji’s words. It was as if one big
family emotionally bonding with one another and with the heritage we had come across during the Sahal.
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