The city of Pondicherry

The year was 2008. And it was our(4 friends') first cross-border (state) venture. And it was Tamil Nadu. With our base station as Chennai, we had one day to discover Pondicherry. I was more keen on looking at it as a former french colony, and kept my eyes open to look for the influence they had left back.
In front of one such building:

Driven by these intentions and concluding that the best way to accomplish them would be to wander on its streets, we hired bicycles from a local cycle shop. And I was right! There was no better way it could have been done, with the time-factor ticking away. The good old buildings and amazing architecture urged us to lock the images within us - eternally.

Pondicherry - with a perfect blend of Old Tamil traditions, disciplined city structure and a spicy French touch provided a good day off. If you are the kind who likes French cuisines, you can probably relax and spend time at one of the French cafes there. And not to forget the famous Aurobindo ashram, which was founded by Sir Aurobindo Ghosh. The ashram has a good collection of books as well.

The best part of the times I'd spent here would definitely be
> cycling on the streets - with aged architectural splendors surrounding our ride; old governmental buildings, specifically French ones.
> admiring the immensity of the ocean, which by the way appears all of a sudden, out of nowhere in the city of Pondicherry.. like a door opening to salvation!

Another travel account

Bylakuppe

It’s a mini Tibet out there. Monks of age as small as 6-7 years can be found. The monastery is also a home for aged monks. This is one of the regions provided as shelter to the fleeing Tibetans. The Namdroling Monastery. Neatly maintained, you feel like you are in Tibet (minus the Himalayan ranges). When we arrived at the place, pleasant sounding prayers were in full swing, with monks chanting. Also, all of them equally astonished to look at us (– the visitors) as we were to look at them!

Many parts of the temple is built by gold, for which it is known as The Golden Temple – includes a massive statue of The Buddha and 6 other monks. The walls of the monastery are filled with beautiful and colorful paintings mostly depicting the life and stories of The Buddha. I tried to look around to find someone to get an explanation. But could not. Their dedication is worth an appreciation when it comes to preserving and propagating the teachings of Buddha to followers.

Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta

It was surprising to feel a sudden decline in temperature as we moved up the Gopalaswamy hill, which is located near Gundlipete in Chamarajanagar district. It is the home of Lord Gopalaswamy (do observe the idol - is very divine and different, full of life). Water trickles down at the entrance of the garbha gudi for which it is prefixed “Himavad”, it is worshiped as the holy water. On one side of the hill, you find plain land and villages and the other side with mountains resembling the tea plantations of Munnar, with sun rays piercing the clouds onto the hills.

Talacauvery
Located in Brahmagiri, it is the place where River Cauvery (worshipped as a goddess - Lopamudre) takes birth. Talacauvery is a neatly maintained religious and tourist spot.

With the bit of gyan obtained from the pujaari – “Lopamudre was the wife of Agasthya muni. Like all sages, he set out on journeys for Loka-kalyana, with a nirbandhana on Lopamudre that she should stay at Brahmagiri. And somehow, with time, she decides to move forward and does. People around in Brahmagiri plead her to stop. So, during this time between her start of flow and stop by the local people, it is not known where she flows or how she flows – and is thus known to flow as Guptagaamini. After a distance, Cauvery reappears in Bhagamandala”. There is a small temple of Agasthya muni within the premises of River Cauvery’s origin.
Brahmagiri amidst the clouds holds with it, a breath-taking scenic view and it gave me a second chance to be a part of the clouds! Bhagamandala has a temple of Lord Bhagamandaleshwara. Temple's architecture is influenced by Tibetan style. “Triveni Sanagama” – the sangama of rivers Cauvery, Kannika and Sujothi can also be seen here. It was all dried up with very less water.

Kodagu

Well, what can I say about this part of the world! Words can’t describe and colors can’t paint! The smallest district in Karnataka, but tremendously huge in beauty - with misty mornings and drizzles at least once per day! There is no particular place that I can describe, but the city of Madikeri was not very impressive. It is the surrounding towns that catch you. One aspect to look out for – the towns and its people close the day as early as 8 – 9 pm (you will not find a single shop open, nor a house that has burning lights). Each patch of land is beautiful and green with coffee estates. Those who are passionate about driving (and don’t mind the road curves) will have a great time here. Just start your engine and move – anywhere! Reward – Fresh air and nature’s best looks!
If you get a chance, you can visit the neatly maintained estates. The place gives a hard time for school-going children who live here. They commute everyday on foot to attend schools and colleges.
A great break from the city’s buzzing life; I missed it for almost a week. Coorg holds my hometown (though this was only my second visit in life till date) and that makes me a proud Coorgi! (not those native Kodavas)

Belur

Indian mythological epics and the related history/stories have no boundaries. It would probably take several decades to compile all of them and several years to read and remember them! There are also several moral stories like that of "The Buddha and Angulimala" which we were taught in school..there are many things to be learned from these historical stories. Hoysalas have provided all of it in the form of a compact(relatively) Belur temple. It stunned me! The intricate work, the depiction of stories from Mahabharatha, Ramayana; Bahubali; charm of Shilabalikas; sculptures conveying message; gods and godesses..and even fashion for that matter! (High heels, hair styles, attire that existed in their era etc) Not even an inch has been left blank on the walls of Belur temple! You name it, they have it! However, some parts are incomplete and many more damaged during attacks.

Darpanasundari(Lady with the mirror)- she and the name itself has fascinated me ever since I came across a stamp on her. Elegance on stone!

This picture below reveals a universal truth: When a man reaches adolescence, the ugliest of women (the sculptor uses a donkey's face in place of a woman's) look gorgeous and sensuous! There is an equivalent saying in kannada as well.(But again..I think Beauty is in the eyes of the person who sees it..it is a matter of perception). Also, I have realized that the persona and inner self of a human being are more important. Each one accepts the happier part of the other person. But, it is also equivalently necessary to accept their vices. Appearance and external beauty remains today, perishes tomorrow. Every decision we make today, we ourselves have to reap tomorrow- good or bad depends on individual's approach in life. There are numerous such minute sculptures that deliver immense reality.

To end this article I would just like to add on that it is necessary to preserve heritage centers like these. Many parts of the temple have been damaged- some by the Mughal attacks and the rest by locals. This sculpture depicting Arjuna's archery skills..to shoot the fish's eye..focusing on the fish's reflection in a pool of water is damaged heavily. Reason- People thought that if they strike the strings of Arjuna's Dhanassu it would give out musical sound similar to that in Hampi! And so...plop! goes his bow!


Superb architecture/craftsmanship and it probably needs a couple of visits to learn and notice all the intricate details of this temple.