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The Vaishnodevi Experience 2023

My first trip to Vaishnodevi was unimpressive. Climbing was hard, and it only served to highlight how badly out of shape I was, while my in-laws managed to cope so much better. Further, I hadn’t quite realized that the cave experience wouldn’t be the same as I had imagined, since the original cave was only opened at certain times a year, and that we only entered a newly created tunnel, one far easier to access, and hence more manageable with the crowds that thronged the mountain shrine. The resulting experience at the shrine, for barely a fraction of a second, hardly compared to what I had expected / imagined / heard about. So, for me, Vaishnodevi was like any other temple, nothing to write home about, something that was reflected (though not explicitly mentioned) in the blog post I wrote then.
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Skywatch Friday - Silhouettes of Temples at Pattadakal

Pattadakal is on my mind...Its been almost a year since I visited the World Heritage Site, but the memories of the consummate artistic talent are as fresh as if it were yesterday!

Our first glimpse of the temples at Pattadakal .. the temple towers stand out tall against the clear sky..



Pattadakal is the third in the triad of Chalukyan temple architecture. Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal together show the development of temple architecture and building methods between the 6th and 8th centuries AD. While Badami was the capital of the Chalukyan kings, and Aihole drew the scholars, it was Pattadakal which is believed to have been chosen site for the coronation of the royals. The temples at Pattadakal are also among the finest among the three, and no wonder it is today classified as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. 



Even to my untrained eye, it was apparent that here were two completely different styles of temples – some built in the northern style and some in the southern. In the language of architecture, these are the Rekha Nagara Prasada and Dravida Vimanas respectively. 









One only has to look to see the difference, yet, one has to look closer to see the similarities - in the work involved, in the intricacy and attention paid to the details, the talent and creativity of the artisans who built such works of art, and finally, in the Gods these temples were built for!

We spent just a few hours at Pattadakal, something I sorely regret! These temples deserve a day or more, and I could just sit and look at these temples for ever! Look out for more detailed posts coming up!

Fore more beautiful skies from around the world, go to SkyWatch Friday!



Pattadakal  Quick Facts
Getting there:
Nearest Airport: Hubli (about  120 Km )
Nearest Railway Station: Badami (29 Km)
Pattadakal is well connected by road to Badami (29 Km) and Aihole (24 Km).
Where to stay: There is practically no accommodation available at Pattadakal. The nearest city is Badami, where the KSRTC Mayura Chalukya is the best option. There are also other hotels and lodges in Badami. 



Labels:
Location: Pattadakal, Karnataka, India

Comments

  1. Lady FiNovember 25, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    Wonderful shots - love the architectural detail!

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  2. RutasinhasaneNovember 25, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    i sure look forward to views and observation on these pieces of architecture... ruta

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  3. FotoAnnaNovember 25, 2011 at 3:01 PM

    So beautiful and I love the architectural details Anu!!
    Happy SWF and greetings from Holland,Anna :-))

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  4. Lakshmi SharathNovember 25, 2011 at 3:41 PM

    Lovely shots..reminds me of the trip made almost 20 years ago..shd go there again..

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  5. Anu ShankarNovember 25, 2011 at 4:33 PM

    Thanks Lady Fi! its absolutely amazing!

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  6. Anu ShankarNovember 25, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    Thanks Lakshmi! you should def go again! I think i can go again and again there!

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  7. Anu ShankarNovember 25, 2011 at 4:35 PM

    Thanks Ruta! u would have loved the place! It was full of art and architecture students looking at the structures, and drawing and painting them! it was so wonderful! would love to go there someday to draw them!

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  8. Anu ShankarNovember 25, 2011 at 4:35 PM

    Thanks FotoAnna!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Team G SquareNovember 25, 2011 at 8:10 PM

    Wonderful place and nice capture .

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  10. Mridula DNovember 25, 2011 at 8:33 PM

    Lovely captures in the golden light!

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  11. NishaNovember 26, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    Bright sky & lovely architecture. never been to this place. Shall we? Now that the ladies group is building up. :) 
    What say?

    ReplyDelete
  12. NamitaNovember 26, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    lovely pics and description

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  13. Anu ShankarNovember 26, 2011 at 12:26 PM

    Thanks Team G Sqaure!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anu ShankarNovember 26, 2011 at 12:26 PM

    THanks Mridula!

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  15. Anu ShankarNovember 26, 2011 at 12:26 PM

    Thanks Namita!

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  16. Anu ShankarNovember 26, 2011 at 12:27 PM

    Its an amazing place, Nisha! just wait for some of the other pics I have clicked here! and I would love to go again, esp with our gang of girls!!! ha ha!

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  17. PradeepaNovember 26, 2011 at 1:08 PM

    Just spectacular.

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  18. ViyomaNovember 26, 2011 at 11:52 PM

    Beautiful...and what artistic captures you made. Pleasing/. endearing images. 

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  19. PN SubramanianNovember 27, 2011 at 7:06 AM

    Oh! lovely. Your untrained {?} eyes catches heavenly bodies.I have been longing to visit the trio. May be next year. Right now I am touring Kerala.

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  20. Anu ShankarNovember 27, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    Thanks so much, Pradeepa!

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  21. Anu ShankarNovember 27, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    THanks so much Viyoma!

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  22. Anu ShankarNovember 27, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    thanks PNS! you should def go! am sure you will love it! and Kerala sounds great!! am waiting for a chance to explore more of the wonderful state! dont know when i will be able to!

    ReplyDelete
  23. DeepuNovember 30, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    this would help you ,if you are planning for a tour in kerala.
    http://www.msdnholidays.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. DeepuNovember 30, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    These snaps implies there where the best achitechtures in 6th centuries AD.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anu ShankarNovember 30, 2011 at 1:07 PM

    well, they are certainly among the best!

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  26. R.RamakrishnanNovember 30, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    Hi, Loved the images of Pattadakal. Fascinating temple architecture 1500 years ago never ceases to amaze. And there is hardly any crowd.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anu ShankarDecember 2, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    Aah, thats because this pic is from far.... wait till u see the rest of my series.. esp the more popular temples!! thankfully, it was afternoon, so it wasnt too bad, though i had to wait to click pics without ppl in it!

    ReplyDelete

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