Saturday, December 29, 2012

Wide Arenas of Cholan Empire

It was a long awaited trip to visit these temples of Cholan Empire and with all the logistical difficulties we somehow managed to travel to all the major temples of Cholan Empire. That it was a season of Shabarimala and the most of these temples are very much alive, there were more tourists than expected, and I barely managed to get some shots without too many people in it. Of course it took a lot of time to get some half decent shots. That the temple complexes are so big, it gave a perfect setting for me to click and stitch some panoramic shots. Here are some of them.

(click on the pictures for the enlarged view)

12th Century Airavatesvara Temple built by Rajaraja Chola II at Darasuram

Airavatesvara Temple looking North

Airavatesvara Temple looking North-East

Carvings on the Main temple complex of GangaiKonda Cholapuram

11th Century Siva temple built by Rajendra Chola I  at the Gangaikonda Cholapuram

Ruins inside the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple

The rear wall of the Siva Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram

The temple complex looking East of the Brihadeeswara Temple, Tanjavur

The wider arenas inside the temple comples of the Big Temple, Tanjavur

10th Century Brihadeeswara Temple built by Raja Raja Chola I at Tanjavur

Rear side of the Brihadeeswara Temple (looking North)
Tanjore Maratha Palace Complex built by Tanjavur Nayak Kingdom in 17th Century

(C) Srikanth Parthasarathy

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Hoysala temples of Mosale and Anekere

Posted below are some of the panoramic shots from the heritage sites Mosale and Anekere. 

The Nageshvara-Chennakeshava temple complex (also spelt Nagesvara and Chennakesava) is an elegant example of Hoysala architecture of the early 12th century. It is located in the village of Mosale, about 10 km from Hassan city, in Hassan district of Karnataka state, India. The temple was build in 1200 A.D. during the reign of Hoysala King Veera Ballala II. 

The twin temples - Nageshvara and Chennakeshava




Sri.Channakeshava Temple at Anekere, is beautifully restored under the able Guidance of Sri. Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Sri.Veerendra Hegde. The entrance of the temple is beautifully carved with pillars and place to sit. The temple is built in Hoysala style and has a big open space around the temple. On the top of the temple, one can find finely carved Kalasha which is unique in its style and is of the biggest in size.

Anekere Channakeshava Temple

(C) Srikanth Parthasarathy 2012