On My Visit to Someswara Swamy Temple, Mulbagal (Kolar Dist. Karnataka)

Raja Gopura (Main Tower)

Dwajasthamba before main hall

Scenic surroundings on the way

In Mulabagal, located in Kolar Dist. You will find many old temples with historic significance such as Kurudumale Maha Ganapati Temple (12 kms from Mulbagal), Koti Lingeswara Temple (26kms from Mulbagal), Sri Virupaksheswara temple (3kms from Mulbagal), Sri Subrahmanya temple (2kms from here, located on a hill) and Sri Sripadaraja Mutt at Mulbagil.

Mukha Mandapa (Main Hall)

Sculptures of riders in main hall

Kalyana Mandapa

Main Hall

 Someswara Temple is in the heart of the town and we have go through narrow lanes flanked by small tiled houses. The huge main temple tower reminds the glory of Chola kings who ruled this place and constructed many temples here during eleventh

century. Later this temple was renovated by Vijayanagara kings in 14^th century. The beautiful pillars of Mukha Mantapa (main hall) and Vasantha Mantapa (marriage Hall) are quite fascinating. The marriage hall is decorated with sixty four pillars with carved figures of lions, elephants and deities. The main hall is supported with massive pillars on both sides with beautiful carvings of lotus buds and Yali figures. In the sanctum Lord Shiva installed by Koundinya Maharshi is seen.

Nandi Mandapa

Inner Sanctum

Parvati (Kshamadambal Shrine)

Ganapati idol

carvings on temple pillars

Idol of Subrahmanya in temple premises

Temple pond

 Just facing the sanctum there is a very big Nandi statue. In the inner chamber before the sanctum you will see another small Nandi statue. On the north-west corner of the sanctum is seen the shrine of Shiva’s consort, Parvati, called,Kshmadamba (One who forgives every one).We find two more Shiva Lingams with Nandi idols in front of them. Behind one of the Lingams one can see the carved figure of Sri Kalabhairava. Another shrine for Subrahmanya is seen.  On the southwestern corner of the temple one can see Vasantha Mantapa , with sixty four decorative pillars.  In the temple premises one sees many statues in damaged state.

 The temple tank looks very unclean and needs to be cleaned and those waters may be used for Abhishekam also. Many childless couples visit this temple to pray and do pradakshinams to get their wishes fulfilled. This temple is looked after by the department of the archaeological Survey of India. Just within a reach of few yards you can visit Kolaramma’s temple also.

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         14th May, 2018                                                                Somaseshu Gutala

On my visit to Veeranjaneya Swamy Temple at Mulbagal ( Kolar District, Karnataka)

Entrance Tower to temple

idol of Hanuman on temple tower

Temple Premises

Temple tank

   

Mulbagal is nearly 100 kms from Bangalore and on the way we come across towns like Hosakote and Narasapura  on the highway to Tirupati. The road is quite smooth with four lanes. On both sides one can see fields and trees surrounded by distant hills with heaps of boulders.  The name of the town “Mulbagal” comes from the Kannada word “Mudala Bagilu” which means the eastern door. This town is located at the easternmost end of the Vijayanagara Empire. Many temples constructed by Vijayanagara rulers and Chola kings are seen here. The whole town looks very colorful with flower vendors and fruit stalls.

Main idol in the sanctum

Presiding deity covered with silver shield

Lord Ranganatha's shrine

The lizard idol covered with brass shield

The temple is just near the bus stand .Though the temple entrance looks comparatively small once you enter you will find a very spacious compound with many sculptures of Hanuman on the walls. The main idol, Lord Veeranjaneya carved in black granite stone, is nearly 10 feet tall decorated with flowers and garlands. On the temple tower idols of Hanuman and his retinue with folded hands are seen. On the friezes of the Mukha Mandapa, idols of Vishnu’s ten incarnations and those of Hanuman are seen. According to local legend this temple was more than five thousand years old and the idol of Hanuman was installed by one of Pandava brothers after the Mahabharata war. Arjuna after the war during his pilgrimage visited this place and kept his chariot banner with Lord Hanuman at this place. 

Historically speaking this temple was constructed during the period of Vijayanagara rulers. Just beside the main shrine there are many other subsidiary shrines. Sage Vasistha is said to have installed the idols of Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita here. Sage Bhrigu Maharshi  is said to have installed the idol of Lakshmi Venkateswara here. There are shrines for Lord Chenna Kesava , Lord Ranganatha and Lord Lakshmi Narasimha also. Many pilgrims going to Tirupati visit this temple to obtain the blessings of the Lord before going on Pilgrimage.

 This temple was renovated and enlarged by Raja Todarmal, the Finance Minister in Akbar’s Court. The statue of Todarmal and his wife are seen carved on the temple wall. One can see the idol of a lizard on the wall covered with a brass shield and pooja is done to this idol every day. People believe that whoever touches this idol will be freed from the bad effects of a lizard falling on their body. The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. The temple is closed from 12.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. in the afternoon.

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8th May, 2018                                                                    Somaseshu Gutala

AT New Woodlands Hotel, Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai

   

                                                               Outer View of New Woodlands Hotel

Outer View of Function Hall

Visitors' Lounge

Painting near Reception Counter

Inside view of Executive Room

Executive Room

During our short trip to Chennai we put up at this hotel which is centrally located with all adequate facilities at reasonable rates. The new Woodlands Hotel  is one of the famous hotels established nearly seventy years back by Sri Krishna Rao. Many temples and offices are just within a radius of five to ten kms from this hotel. Many cabs and autos are available from this place. Many places of interest such as Kapaleeswara temple (2 kms), Sri Parthasarathy Swamy temple (4kms) and Marina Beach (3kms) are very near. Chennai Central Railway Station is just 6 kms and Chennai International Airport is 16kms away from this hotel.

 In this pure vegetarian three star hotel comprising 175 spacious rooms on four storeys, one can have a traditional feel along with modern comforts. The spacious hotel premises with large gigantic trees around create a refreshing atmosphere. There are different types of rooms like A/C cottages, A/C deluxe Suit, A/C Standard Rooms, A/C Executive Rooms with varying prices depending on our needs and luxuries given. The rooms are quite large with facilities like free wifi, airport shuttle, complimentary breakfast, mini-friz, writing desk, cupboards, safe deposit locker, T.V. electric kettle, telephone and room service. Every morning a complementary newspaper is given.  Hot water facility is given for a few hours both in the morning and in the evening. Room service starts at 6.30 a.m. in the morning. But as most of the people in Chennai get up early, room service may be started at least by 5.30 or 6.00 a.m. in the morning. In the rooms a writing pad with some stationery material may be kept along with a questionnaire for feedback from the customers.

Vrindavan Restaurant

Banquet Hall

Parking Space

Wedding hall

 This hotel meets the various needs of travelers and tourists in many aspects since it has a marriage hall, a function hall and spacious lawns to arrange functions in open space also. In the hotel premises there is a pretty small Krishna temple with many beautiful paintings where one can sit and pray. Other attractions of this hotel include a swimming pool, a pizza stall, currency exchange facility, doctor-on-call, a book shop, a gift stall, a beauty parlor, men’s saloon, laundry facility and a florist’s shop. This hotel has two restaurants to cater to the tastes of customers. At Krishna restaurant one can have many varieties of South Indian and North Indian dishes in  A/C rooms with all facilities. In Vrindavan, a multi-cuisine restaurant, one can have South Indian, North Indian, Continental and Chinese dishes along with many beverages, soft drinks and ice creams. The paintings of Krishna leelas give a traditional ambiance to this restaurant. Krishna Restaurant is open from 6.45 a.m to 10.30 p.m. at night. Vrindavan Restaurant functions from 7.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m. In both these restaurants service is very prompt and the surroundings are hygienic and cleanly maintained. The rates of meals are a little bit high and if you wish to have a simple type of meal at lesser rates you can go to Saravana  Bhavan just on the opposite side of the road. The check-in and check-out timings are from 12.00 p.m. to 12.00 noon. This hotel is one of the top rated properties in Chennai and many celebrities and politicians visit this hotel for holding meetings and enjoying parties. Two more branches of this hotel are located in Chennai : Woodlands, Narada Gana Sabha, Mowbray's Road ,and Woodlands Mathura, 2nd Floor, Tarapore Towers, Mount Road. In Bangalore 'The Woodlands Hotel Pvt.Ltd.' is located on Raja Ram Mohan Raj Road, Bangalore-560025.

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  May 1st, 2018                                                            Somaseshu Gutala

How Can I ?

A Painting by Dr. G.R.K.

                          1.        How can I gauge thy age, Immortal Soul !   
        

                                      Bound down to earthly years, we boast

                                      Of our deeds, lagging far behind our goal

                                      Moving around in circles with pride we gloat.

                         2.          How can I know the depths of thy heart?

                                      In shallows caught our way we lost

                                      We pride ourselves in showy styles, too smart

                                      We never realized we had a heart. 

      

                         3.          How can I view the noble heights of thy mind ?

                                      In worldly matters too deep struck down

                                      No spiritual way out we easily find

                                      In trivial pleasures we ourselves drown.

                        4.          Thy Random Musings do reveal thy charm

                                     Sheer verbal gems in poetic form

                                     They make our parched hearts cool and calm

                                     Your tender feelings serve like soothing balm.

                       5.           Our weak vision can’t distinguish This and That

                                      We catch hold of short gains with greedy speed

                                      Our worldly possessions fill us with éclat

                                      Our words and thoughts don’t match with deeds.

                        6.           Like fresh Spring Leaves your thoughts define

                                      True facts of life with vision fine

                                      Effortless flows thy style divine

                                      Like a perennial spring from vales of Rhine.

                       7.            Pearls of wisdom you freely shower

                                      Enthusing our hearts like blooming morn

                                      Your words so soothing shine with power

                                   “ You touched nothing that you did not adorn.”

                       8.           Too deep and difficult thoughts to follow

                                     Simplified and sweetened wisdom in Capsule form

                                     With apt examples   you wrote for us to know  

  

                                     A beacon guiding us to sail smooth and calm.

                      9.           The holy triad writ by Sankara the Great

                                     With noblest thoughts beyond our human grip

                                     In simplest terms and metaphors you state  

  

                                     Along with “Gita” the core of Vedas from God’s own lips.

                   10.            You did infuse new hopes and self-restraint

                                     In thy weekly contributions concise

                                     Your “Fricalls” and “Somvar Sandesh” sent 

                                     Real gems in verbal form to make us cool and wise.

              11.                  You caught the essence of sacred hymns of dawn

                                     And Vedic prayers offered to God’s Holy Feet

                                     Those sounds charged with purifying spell

                                     Transform mankind with noble sensations sweet.

 

              12.                  You gave a lively sketch of celebrities great

                                     About their lives and noble deeds in lucid strain

                                     Inspiring portraits for us to know their state

                                     Great masters of sciences, art and music divine.

             13.                  Yourself an adept in those arts and sciences a lot

                                     With persistent efforts you honed your skills

                                      Blending duty with devotion you ever thought

                                      Not craving for tawdry show and transient frills.

              14.                  Studying life with a keen spiritual insight

                                      In convincing terms you portrayed human strife

                                    “Have faith; do duty and trust in His will and might”

                                      A precious chance, to evolve this God-given life.

             15.                   Your life, an eternal store of noble thoughts

                                     Your words vibrant with feelings of tranquility

                                     A   glimpse of spiritual feel we really caught

                                     Bless us with feelings of peace and equanimity.

           Note : My cousin Dr. G.R.K. authored twenty books in English on various topics of philosophy, general knowledge and social themes. A broad humane outlook coupled with sympathy and affection pervades in his writings. At the same time a rational and logical approach makes his presentation quite impressive and convincing. His style simple and clear with apt comparisons and quotes enriches the themes he dealt with in his prose as well as his poetic works. he is quite active and interacts on various topics through his blogs and face book also. As a multifaceted personality he showed his keen interest and involvement in painting, music and engineering also. His amiable personality gleams through his compositions and views. The greatness  and significance of Indian culture and philosophy found a clear and cogent expression in his books and articles. The three approaches to reach God through the Advaitik view of Brahman, the devotional path of self-surrender and the selfless and detached path of action without hankering after results are very clearly and effectively expressed in his wrtings.

 I have used the titles of some of his books in my poem to highlight his valuable contribution to readers of his books.             


           (Dedicated to my most respectable and beloved brother Dr.G.R.K.)

         25th April, 2018                                                    Somaseshu Gutala

           Ref : 1) Random Musings --- A collection of poems by Dr. G.R.K.      

                   2)   This and That    ---- A book on various interesting persons and                                        things. ( the title perhaps borrowed from Robert
                                        Lynd's book with title "The Book of This and That."
                          Distinguish this and that= the material world and cosmic self

                   3)   Spring Leaves    --- a collection of sayings and aphorisms 
        
                   4)   Pearls of Wisdom --- A book on social and ethical  themes

                   5)   Prasthana Traya Saramu -- A book on Sankara's comments on Gita,
                         Upanishads and Brahma Sutras. ( A translation of Sri Yellamraju
                         Srinivasa Rao's book and "Poornamadha" ( a translation of Yellamraju                            Srinivasa Rao's book on Shanti Vakya of Bhrihadaranyaka Upanishad).

                   6)   Bhagavadgita Hridayam ( a translation of discourses from  
                         Sri Yellamraju Srinivasa Rao's book in Telugu on Gita).

                   7)  "Living the right way" -- a practical guide to modern life explaining

                        philosophy of "Gita" based on Edwin Arnold's Gita translation "The                                  Song celestial".

                   8)  Vedic Prayers ---  "Sandhya Vandanam" "Mantra Pushpam" "Gayatri                                Mantra" three booklets on Indian tradition and traditional worship.
      
                   9) "Miscellaneous ", "Portraits" and "So many Celebrities" -- three                                        books on various personalities and eminent people. 

                  10)  "Somvar Sandesh" and "Fri-calls"-- a collection of short passages on 
                          various daily issues and problems with moral messages.  

                   11 )  Eclat ------------------   grand success   

                   12)   Vales of Rhine --- A beautiful valley with many streams, hills,
                                                        forests,romantic castles and churches.   


                                    ****************************************************                                           ( "Do the right thing at the right time in the right spirit, and then
                       leave the rest to God.")---- Dr. G.R.K. (Spring leaves)
                             

                    
                  28th April, 2018                                   Somaseshu Gutala
                      
                                             

              

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On Visiting Dakshinamukha Nandi Teertha at Malleswaram , Bangalore

Outer View of Nandi Teertha Temple

Nandi idol with engraved figures of Shiva and Parvati with family

Flowing water from Nandi's mouth

 

To know the rich cultural heritage of Bangalore you have to visit the older quarters of this historic city. In Malleswaram located in northwestern part of the city you will find a cluster of temples in the middle of the busy market selling many varieties of vegetables, flowers, banana leaves, fruits and whatnot. A complete change from the dusty, crowded multi-storied buildings of I.T. hub.  Small houses with tiny windows in the narrow lanes will make you remember the olden times. It is the locality where many Tamil Brahmin families settled. So we feel a clear resemblance to that of a small colony in a town.

 We saw a small entrance with the idol of a big Nandi on the top of the western entrance. As we entered we saw a small pond in the center within an enclosure. Nobody is allowed to wash their limbs there. We saw many black turtles and white fish in the crystal-clear water. A corridor with many pillars is seen at an elevated level around the pond. A stream of water flows from the mouth of a stone idol of south-facing Nandi perched on a higher level. Just below a Shiva Linga is seen over which water falls from a brass vessel hung over the idol. The stream of water from Nandi’s mouth flowing through a pipe and falling into the vessel over the Shiva Linga collects into the water tank (called Kalyani in Kannada).

The water from Kalyani is evacuated into the open well outside the temple. This water is considered very pure with herbal properties and is taken as holy teerrtham by devotees.   Nobody knows the origin of this water flow. It might be a natural spring behind from where water is flowing through Nandi’s mouth. On the left side of Shiva Linga the shrine of Ganesh is seen and a Navagraha platform is found on the right side. Just behind Nandi’s idol the figures of Lord Shiva with Parvati, Ganesha and Subrahmanya are engraved on gold-coated brass panels. In many temples Nandi is seen at a lower level facing Shiva Linga. But here Nandi is seen above the Shiva Linga.

Devotees standing in front of Shiva's shrine

Black turtle on the steps

fish seen under water

Navagraha Shrine

Ganesh's shrine

Garden in front of the temple premises

This temple is considered to be a part of the nearby Kadu Malleswara temple. According to archeological Survey of India, this Nandi Teertha  temple was built in 17^th century in Maratha style without any decorative designs. The Maratha king, Venkoji, stepbrother of Shivaji built this temple. The temple is below ground level and has no gopuram or tower. For many years it was buried under mud. In 1990’s when construction work was started, it was discovered by chance.  No changes or additions were made to this temple except the western entrance with a huge idol of Nandi on the top of the arch. A beautiful garden with many shady trees adds charm to this historic temple.   The temple timings are from 7.30 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Many special poojas are held during Maha Shiva Rathri and during Kartik month.

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18th April, 2018                                                                Somaseshu Gutala