As mentioned in several of my previous posts, Bangalore offers several offbeat sights which form for exciting day trip ideas. If you are a fan of art, architecture and ancient temples, Gulur and Kaidala which are just 6 km apart and about 75 km from Bangalore must be on your list. Located in Tumkur district, this is an easy drive from Bangalore which you can complete in less than 2 hours one way.
Entrance to the Gulur Ganesha temple
A sleep village in Tumkur district, Gulur is synonymous with the Gulur Ganesha temple located right in the middle of this little hamlet. Dedicated to the Lord of Beginnings, this temple has a colourful tower and a Garuda Khambha (pole) in front of the temple.
Inside the temple the idol of Lord Ganesha is made up of black stone and is replete with positive vibes.
What struck me was another, rather massive idol of Lord Ganesha in the making. It was being meticulously prepared in the temple complex and the artists said it would be ready in the next two days then. On speaking to the locals, I realized that every year a large idol of the Lord is crafted using clay from the local lake. The construction of the same starts on Ganesh Chaturthi and ends on Balipadyami (Deepawali). The idol is then worshipped for a month before it is immersed. This tradition has been in existence since decades and still continues.
Gulur is replete with greenery and a short drive into the village is sure to treat to you to some scenic sights.
About 6 km from Gulur is Kaidala, known for the famous Chennakeshava temple. The temple is believed to have been built in the 12th century and is crafted in a fusion of the Dravidian, Hoysala and Vijayanagar schools of architecture.
With intricate sculptures and brilliant caraftsmanship, legend has it that the idol of the temple was made by celebrated sculptor Amarshilpi Jakanacharya when he was over 80 years old and is believed to be his last creation.
It is one of the very few temple idols facing west making the temple extremely rare and unique. The idol is a picture of calm, grace and magnificent beauty and compares to the idol in the Chennakeshava temple of Belur.
The pillars are highly decorated and the ornate carvings on each on of them makes the temple a must visit. Some captures as under:
To read about other such architectural gems click here and here.
