Essays, Commentaries, Jottings, Photography, Videos – In the Light of Sri Aurobindo
Text by Beloo and Suhas Mehra; some photos by Suhas Mehra, some taken from the website of IIACD (International Institute for Art, Culture and Democracy). Continued from Part 2 In this final part of the series, we zoom in on the magnificent mural paintings of the Veerabhadra Swami Temple at Lepakshi. Many of the murals... Continue Reading →
Photos by Suhas Mehra, text by Beloo and Suhas Mehra. Continued from Part 1 After experiencing some of the splendour that fills the compound of Swamy Veerabhadra Temple, let us now proceed toward the interior of the mandir. As noted before, according to the earliest inscriptions available, the present temple is about 500 years old,... Continue Reading →
Photos by Suhas Mehra. Text by Beloo and Suhas Mehra. “Le Pakshi!” said Lord Rama to Jatayu. Grief-struck Rāma and Lakshmana had been desperately searching for Sita when they met Jatayu. Sita had mysteriously disappeared one afternoon when both the brothers were gone in chase of a golden deer. (Rāma had gone first, but then... Continue Reading →
Continued from Part 9 Royal Enclosure (Photos by Suhas Mehra, text by Suhas and Beloo Mehra) If you were a visitor to Hampi during the times of the mighty Vijayanagara emperors, wanting to see where the kings and queens, princes and princesses lived and from where they ruled the great empire, you would go to... Continue Reading →
Continued from Part 8 Lotus Mahal, Queen's Bath, & Stables (Photos by Suhas Mehra, text by Suhas and Beloo Mehra) A little walk from behind the Hazara Rama temple brings you to the great Royal Quarters of the mighty Vijayanagara Emperors who ruled from Hampi. A visit to Hampi would not be complete without... Continue Reading →
Continued from Part 7 Hazara Rama temple (Photos by Suhas Mehra, text and quotes selection by Beloo Mehra) यावत्स्थास्यन्ति गिरयः सरितश्च महीतले | तावद्रामायणकथा लोकेषु प्रचरिष्यति || "As long as the mountains and even rivers flourish on the surface of the earth, so long the legend of Ramayana will flourish in this world... [Valmiki... Continue Reading →
Continued from Part 6 Chakratirtha, Tungabhadra River and Kodandarama temple (Photos by Suhas Mehra, text by Beloo Mehra) Not far from Vittala temple, a short walk along some semi-paved/stepped rocks and you will soon find yourselves entering into a cave-like rock formation. A few minutes later as you come out out of this cool shady... Continue Reading →
Continued from Part 5 Raghunatha Temple and Malyavanta Hill One of the lesser-known but most beautiful places to visit in Hampi is the Raghunatha temple on top of the Malyavanta Hill. During our trip to Hampi in 2018, we spent some time on top of this hill. The 360-degree view from there is... Continue Reading →
Continued from Part 4 Sri Krishna Temple After a tour of the remarkable Vittala temple in previous part, we now move on to another masterpiece, the Krishna temple of Hampi. The Krishna temple at Hampi -- which is now in ruins, though some renovations were underway when we visited -- was built by King Krishnadevaraya... Continue Reading →
Continued from Part 3 Vijay Vittala Temple "Spirituality is indeed the master-key of the Indian mind; the sense of the infinite is native to it." (Sri Aurobindo, CWSA, 20: 6) In our last part we wrote about Virupaksha Temple, situated on the banks of Tungabhadra River. Vijaya Vittala temple is north east of... Continue Reading →
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