(Cont ..)

Around at 11 AM we started returning from Ghati to Dodballapur. After enquiring the local people about Lepakshi we came to know that there was a direct bus (Private Travels) from Dodballapur to Lepakshi. So we got into that bus at around 12 PM. I think ticket price is so economical, it is just 35 R/- per head. We reached Lepakshi crossing all the red soil roads with out much trouble. But route is not great at all. Bus cruised in very moderate speed as the route is not so great. Both of sides of the route we can see nice greenery paddy fields ones enter in Andhra Pradesh state. Sun was high up and showing off himself at his best. I was totally exhausted and hungry.

As mentioned in others travelogues there were no hi-fi restaurants or even hotels to have lunch in Lepakhi. One should be careful to plan the lunch/dinner while visiting this place. The best place I can suggest to have lunch or dinner in this trip is at Hindupur. You can find some what better hotels in Hindupur. Point to note here is “Don’t expect nice Andhra style foods though Hindupur is a Town in Andhra”. Hindupur just serves typical Karnataka style food.

At last we had our lunch in small hutch which villagers regarded as the best hotel in the village. It was unforgettable meal I had in my life; they served white rice with Dal and some chutney. I think it was unlimited meal but we had only ones I remember. Healthy part of it is he charged just 10 R/- for it and it is the biggest surprise I had in the whole trip. This hotel is located just in the right corner for the entrance street of main temple.

Then we quickly headed towards main temple with out wasting any time. The temple was on top of a hill (Kurmasila) and some of the parts of temple are half built. But as a whole it’s a wonderful peaceful place where we can see the fantastic architecture and scriptures. People like me; who are in love with history about places have to take a guide for sure. I feel archeology department can still spend some more money to develop this village and improve tourism here. This temple was constructed by “Virupanna” in the 16th century. Veerabdra is the main god in the temple and idol is such a huge one.

One should marvel at the art and scriptures in the temple, it reflects the talent and brilliance of our ancestors in many aspects say art, culture and vaastu etc. I was totally enthralled while watching the “Floating pillar” and a special painting of Lord Sri krishna on top of a roof. The specialties of that paint is that – Stand at any side of the paint and observe it, Bala krishna’s eyes in the painting will stare at you only. We can many best mural paintings here; include many Hindu gods, musicians, painters and some other famous personalities (kings) in the history.

This temple is again an added credit to Vijayangara Samrajyam – Sri Krishna Devaraya. It reminded me my visit to “Hampi”. One should gawk at the beauty of the paintings and carvings. The monolithic Nandi situated outside the village facing towards the Siva linga in main temple is quite famous and most of us know about it. The talent of the architect who made this nandi is that – One can see the Siva linga in main temple from this Nandi itself. Nandi here is 15 feets tall and 27 feets high, it is the largest monolithic Nandi in the world.

In the evening at 4 PM after visiting this monolithic Nandi we reached Hindupur by a local bus and from there we got into Banglore direct bus. The route from Hindupur to Bangalore is quite good. Really I should thank our guide who gave clear history picture about the temple who reminded us the Jataayu pakshi story in Ramyana, Ideal man and woman characteristics, designs of Dharmavaram series and Vijayanagra dynasty’s glory.

One can stay in AP tourism guest house if looking for accommodation. The best travel route I can suggest is to reach Hindupur from Bangalore and then take some local vehicles from Hindupur to Lepakshi as Lepakshi is just 15 KM from Hindupur.

History Reference: http://www.anantapur.com/travel/lepakshi.html

Lepakshi consists of three shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and 'Virabhadra'. On one of the hillocks near the place is known as "Kurma Saila" (tortoise shaped hill), are located the temples of 'Papanatheswara', 'Raghunatha', 'Srirama', 'Veerabhadra' and 'Durga', of which the Veerabharadra temple is the most important.

Veerabhadra temple is a notable example of the Vijayanagar style of architecture. A reference is made in the 'Skandapurana' to Lepakshi as one of the hundred and eight important 'Shaiva Kshetras' (shrines). Though the temple of Veerabhadra is claimed to have been constructed by Saint 'Agastya' himself, it was developed into the present exquisite shrine by 'Virupanna', the treasurer of the Vijayanagar Kings.He conceived the idea as he found the image of Veerabhadra.

He executed the plan in the absence of the king and used the treasure when he was away at Vijayanagar. When the construction was almost finished and it was being supervised the king returned and found the treasure empty. The king ordered, as a punishment to this heinous crime, that he should be blinded. The treasurer being a loyal person carried out the punishment spot with his own bands.

Even today one can see two dark stains upon the wall near the 'Kalyana Mandapa', which are said to be the marks made by his eyes, which he himself dashed against the wall. The builder did not survive for a long time and the village is called "Lepa-akshi Lepakshi", i.e., a village of the blinded eye.

The temple is divided into three parts - the 'Mukha Mandapa', (also called 'Nitya Mandapa' or 'Ranga Mandapa'), the 'Artha Mandapa' and 'Garbha Griha', and the 'Kalyana Mandapa', with 38 carved monolithic pillars in grey sandstone is unfinished. These three form a triangle with a common Mandapam.

As per local legend Lord Shiva and Parvati were married on the spot where the Kalyana Mandapa stands. The temple is surrounded on all sides by an outer enclosure. A second inner enclosure contains the main portion of the temple. Its finest parts are the 'Natya' (Dancing) and 'Ardha' (worship) Mandapas. The former is decorated with superbly sculptured pillars on, which are carved life-size representations of musicians and dancers in various poses displaying spirit and vigour. The Kalyana Mandapam is a standing monument to the exuberance of Vijayanagar art but it is left unfinished.

The best specimens of the Vijayanagar style of sculpture and mural paintings are found in the Natya and Kalyana Mandapams (dance and wedding halls). These sculptures depict puranic episodes like those of 'Ananthasayana', 'Dattatreya', 'Chaturmukha Bramha', 'Tumburu', 'Narada' and 'Rambha'.

Jayaho Song MP3 Download(All Slumdog Millionaire Songs)

Screaming out loudly with my heart (Dil se) “Jayaho Rehman” …That’s how I can convey my Congrats to my pacifier. It is the proudest moment for Indians like me. It’s not only my acclaim but also the entire globes.

A R Rehman(Allah Rakkha Rahman) proved again the best musician in the world; holding two Oscars in his hands in the 81 Acadamy Oscar Awards function for categories Best Original score and Best Original song.

There may be 1000 critics to talk about “Slumdog Millionaire”, but I strongly feel it unveiled many true facts about India, What’s wrong in that? We are like that hence we are...I am strong enough to accept the true fact. Why should we hide ourselves? Keeping all these discussions aside A British director - Danny Boyle’s Vision about India in the form of “Slumdog Millionaire” won the 8 Oscars out of 10 nominations in best categories including Best Picture, Best Direction, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score and  Best Original Song.

When A R Rehman got Golden globe award for his “Jayho” song from this movie and when I came to know that he was nominated for 3 Oscars for this film I strongly decided that; he will definitely get at least one. But I am pretty sure; all this happened only due to a British Director for this film. If it would have been directed by other than British man; keeping the technical crew for the film as same as now I don’t think it would have happened. But what ever the reason our talent got reputation globally. Rehman is the first man who received 2 Oscars in a same Acadamy awards function. This is enough! He proved it.

According to me Rehman has given so many better scores in many Indian films prior to Jayho; but he got no reputation for any .But this time every thing is only due to British director. Rehman has spelled his music combining Kawaali and sufi tunes.Every body are pleased with his rocking scores.

Gajini – Behka Behka ; Tumeri Aduri;Roja,Sakhi,Guru,Mumbai ,Jeans,Taal,Rangeli – Tanhai ,Premikudu,Premadesam – Mustafa, Hello doctor,Iddaru – Sasivadane, (Narumugane -Tamil)

I don’t know who invented this concept of celebrating a day in view of particular occasion. Among all the days apart from national important days really Valentines Day is the best and special for most of us. Irrespective of the people in love and those are not in love everybody are eager looking for this day Feb 14.

Love it is almost married... so the sharing hearts really feel the good ness of it especially on this day. The way expressing their love especially on this special day may differ from one to other. It may be single rose, bouquet, garland or it may be Kiss or a hug. The one who is in ones heart should know better reasons and affection about them. So not even to propose but also to express their love Valentines Day is the best day for nay body.

Love it is different – it is unique, it may be between mother and child, God and devotee and between a Lady and a Gent. Where ever it is Love is love.

If love can be replaced, if it has jealous, if it is insecure, if it has no kisses and hugs then it won’t be Love at all.

We let our heart to go where it loves; it may go near your heart. But we know who will stop and who would catch and keep it in their hands. Love it is aches for body, tears in eye but still Love is Love we can’t live with out it. Though we know that it is in some other place but we know it is in safe place. It is damaged to get it healed it came to you. So keep it safe and make it heal.

I want to dedicate this post to just my heart and soul as it is in some others heart …Happy Valentines Day.

Started on my pulsar at 5:30 from koramangala to Silkboard to pick up my friend Chandu to reach majestic by 6 AM. Lucky to have the very early hour’s darshan at Madiwaala ayyappa temple we reached Majestic bus terminal around at 7:15AM. Quickly had idly and once Teja reached that place we found the direct bus to Ghati from KSRTC bus terminal and got into it with out keeping high expectations about seats. Surprisingly the bus is so clean and perfect in condition. With just around less than 20 people bus started its trip. It was good enough speed we reached Ghati around at 11 AM.

It is a remote place from Dodballapur and the temple is the only visiting place. It’s a very old and famous temple. God here is Subramanya and Narasimha swamy in the same idol. Temple is on a small hillock which we can’t even identify once we reach there. We can see many small “Nagendra idols” and we can see a silent pond back of the main temple There we can see beautiful peacocks in the temple premises along with few other birds.

It’s really a nice feeling for me to travel in a local bus to visit local place with local faces all around me. It’s all a magic sound for me listening to local peoples slang in the local language. I like it.

The best part of the Ghati I like is the idol here; it is having two Gods in the same rock facing back to back. One God is Subramanya swamy which will be faced our side and back side Narasimha swami was made visible for us in a mirror. According to local people word this God is famous for giving boons to people in terms of marriage and kids. People, who come here seeking marriage or kids in their life, will be surely blessed with what they want.

Date : 24-Jan-2009