Skip to main content

Featured Post

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.
3 comments

Shveta Varahaswamy Temple, Mysore Palace

There are 12 temples inside the Mysore Palace complex. Some of these are ancient ones, which stood long before the palace was built, while others are relatively recent, having been built by the royal family in different periods. Among these, it is the Shveta Varahaswamy Temple which is the most prominent, since it is located right next to the present entrance to the palace.

Varaha over the main doorway





Varaha is the third avatar or incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the family deity of the Wodeyars. He appears in the form of a wild boar,bringing out the earth (Bhu-devi) from the ocean. The idol being made of white stone, He is called ‘Shveta (white) Varahaswamy. It is said that the idol was brought from Srimushnam in Tamilnadu, by Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar (1672-1704), and consecrated at a new temple in Srirangapatna, which was then their capital. In 1809, the deity was brought to Mysore and consecrated in this temple by Diwan Purnaiah as per the wishes of Krishna Raja Wodeyar III.




The temple is built in the typical Hoysala style of architecture with intricate work over the doorways and pillars. 




There is also a separate shrine for the goddess. 



One of the interesting things about this temple are the paintings representing the Ramayana and Bhagavata on the walls of the pillared hall. Unfortunately, cameras aren’t allowed inside the temple, so I have no photos of these. Instead, here is a depiction of the Dashavatar (the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu) over the doorway…

Narasimha... killing the demon Hiranyakasipu

Narasimha in a different pose... as Lakshmi Narasimha accompanied by smaller ircons of Dashavatars... the one on the left is Vamana. I cant identify the one on the right. Looks a bit like Garuda. 

Some of the Dashavatars/.. the central one is Rama. see the smaller icons of Matsya, Kurma and Varaha

I am sharing this post today with SkyWatch Friday. True, there isnt much of the sky in these pics, but standing in the palace complex, looking around, the temples with their majestic gopurams were the most visible on the skyline! For more beautiful skies from around the world, visit the Skywatch page. 

Labels:
Location: Mysore Palace, Sayyaji Rao Road, ಮೈಸೂರು, Karnataka 570001, India

Comments

  1. ErcotravelsSeptember 6, 2013 at 12:08 PM

    Wow, Gorgeous! Indeed, extraordinary architecture...like your tour.
    Really, you have an Amazing Blog, Anu! I glad that found your blog and continually enjoying your new posts and/or a follower at your blog. but now I hope, you'll be a follower and commenter. Indeed, I have also very informative and interesting blog..Have a nice day..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarSeptember 6, 2013 at 1:27 PM

      Thanks so much. I havent been able to see a lot of blogs recently, but when i start to catch up, I surely will read yours. hope to keep seeing u here.

      Delete
  2. SteffiSeptember 6, 2013 at 2:56 PM

    Very beautiful photos for SWF!Have a nice weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  3. RajeshSeptember 6, 2013 at 9:09 PM

    Beautifully covered. I have been wanting to do this for long now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarSeptember 7, 2013 at 2:44 PM

      Thanks Rajesh! would love to read your impressions of the temple too.

      Delete
  4. R Niranjan DasSeptember 9, 2013 at 10:00 PM

    Wonderful architectures. Nice shots.

    http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in/

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks so much for stopping by. Please leave a comment for me so that I will know you have been here....

Popular posts from this blog

Gokarna Part II – The Five Lingams

We continued our Gokarna trip by visiting four other Shiva temples in the vicinity, all connected to the same story of Gokarna. The story of Gokarna mentions the Mahabaleshwara Lingam as the one brought from Kailas by Ravana, and kept at this place on the ground by Ganesha. (See my earlier post- Gokarna – Pilgrimage and Pleasure). However, the story does not end here. It is believed that, in his anger, Ravana flung aside the materials which covered the lingam- the casket, its lid, the string around the lingam, and the cloth covering it. All these items became lingams as soon as they touched the ground. These four lingams, along with the main Mahabaleshwara lingam are collectively called the ‘ Panchalingams’ . These are: Mahabaleshwara – the main lingam Sajjeshwar – the casket carrying the lingam. This temple is about 35 Kms from Karwar, and is a 2 hour drive from Gokarna. Dhareshwar – the string covering the lingam. This temple is on NH17, about 45 Kms south of Gokarna. Gunavanteshw
8 comments
Read more

The Power of 8 - The Ashta Dikpalas and Ashta Vasus at Khajuraho

The four cardinal directions form the axis on which a temple is built, and are thus the basis of temple architecture. Leading from them are the eight directions, which are believed to be guarded by the eight guardians, or Ashta Dikpalas . In the temples of Khajuraho, great care has been taken by the sculptors to carve the Ashta Dikpalas on the walls, both inside and outside. They not only guard the temple, but also look over us as we circumambulate the shrine, protecting us by their presence. They are augmented by the Ashta Vasus , celestial beings which represent natural phenomena. Together, they enhance the idea of the temple as cosmos, enfolding within it, all the aspects of nature, both, on earth, as well in space.
4 comments
Read more

Rama Temple, Gokarna

To my right , the waves rush to the shore, eager to merge with the sand. To my left, the same waves crash against the rocks, their spray diverting my reverie as I ponder over the beauty of nature, and wonder what first brought people here. Was it this beauty that encouraged them to build a temple here, or was it the fresh, sweet spring water flowing from the hill here that made this place special? No matter what the reason, I am glad my auto driver brought me here. We are at the Rama temple in Gokarna, just a few minutes away from the Mahabaleshwara Temple, yet offering so different a perspective.
2 comments
Read more