BHARAT DARSHAN: EXPLORING THE UNEXPLORED: "BHANDARA BASTI: CLIMAX OF THE HOYSALA ARTS" (Episode-9)

In this show of our documentary travelogue on Steemit, "Bharat Darshan: exploring the unexplored", Sukhnidhey Films (www.sukhnidhey.com) takes you to ancient Karnataka, to explore the Vindyagiri mountain, renowned the world over for its monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali Gomteshwar, but few people know that Vindyagiri is also a home to some very ancient treasures, which despite their architectural beauty, engineering accuracy and sculptural wonders have escapes people's attention.

Climbing just a few steps barefoot, on the Vindyagiri mountain, we reach the first such site: the Bhramayaksha (Bhrama Yaksha) temple, or the Brahmadeva temple. In Jainism, each liberated soul, the Tirthankara, has a pair of Guardian deities, the Yaksha and the Yakshi or the Yakshini. The temple is dedicated to Bhramayaksha, the Yaksha of Lord Sheetalnath, the 10th Jain Tirthankar.

The temple is special in that the idol of Bhramayaksha is completely different from the traditional idols in Jainism, or even Hinduism, in that it is literally shapeless, covered in orange-red sindoor. Further, the temple houses numerous extremely ancient idols sculptured with beautiful floral designs. Despite its awe-inspiring treasures, the temple, in a rush to reach the Vindhyagiri peak, is often left unvisited by the devotees. The temple, it is believed, was erected by Rangaiya, younger brother of Girigowda of Hirisave, in 1679 A.D..

Reaching the top, we enter the gateway of the Odegal Basti or Basadi, the second site. The temple is so called as the massive granite structure rests on the mountain top on rigid support props slanting structures, called "Odegals". The temple is indeed an exceptional engineering marvel of the Hoysala times; for the intricate design leaves you in tremendous wonder. The Odegal Basandi is said to have been constructed over a well, and we indeed notice water seeping out from beneath the structure's base stones, indicating the presence of a ground water source concealed within!

We enter the temple, also called the "Trikuta basti", and notice the presence of three Sanctum Sanctorum, or the Garbhgrihas, as they are called, which house beautiful sculptured idols of the Jain Tirthankars Lord Adinath, also called Lord Rishabhdeva, Lord Neminatha, and Lord Shantinatha. The temple is also known for the intricately crafted majestic throne like structures in the sanctum sanctorum on which the idols rest; which are some of the best in the Hoysala arts. The interiors of the temple are formed by plain walls, and simple yet extremely graceful, solid pillars, the flagship of Hoysala architecture: elegance in simplicity.

Again, in the temple premises on the outside lie some ancient inscriptions, which are believed to be engraved by the Kings and ministers who had been to Vindhyagiri to witness this architectural and engineering wonder. Our research team found that that some of the inscriptions had been written in the Devanagari script, which was also very popular and widespread in the north, thereby suggesting that Odegal Basti, and the Vindhyagiri mountain in general, had been a sacred and famous site since the ancient times, visited even by people from as far as the north.

Just beside the Odegal Basad is situated one of the finest examples of the Western Ganga dynasty workmanship- the Tyagad Khamb. This is a pillar, tapered in its design at the topmost point, so elegantly sculptured and intricately crafted with beautiful floral designs that one cannot but wonder at the sheer craftsmanship and dexterity of the Ganga artists and sculptors who have literally lent life to this pillar, or "Khamb". It is said that the pillar can be dated to 10th Century A.D., and the celebrated Ganga minister, also a poet and a scholar, Chamunda raya, or Chavundaraya, used to give away his wealth and possessions to the poor and needy at this pillar, and later left the world at this very place.

These links with Chamund raya are also seen on the lower side of the Tyagad khamba can be seen a finely sculptured image of Chamundraya with his Guru, Shri Nemichandra. Later, an idol of a Yaksha was established over the pillar and a Mantapa was established over it. The Tyagad Khamb, undoubtedly, is one of the finest examples of Ganga workmanship in the world.

Our team also notes the presence of intricate interlocking patterns in the rocks below, these stone locks holding the different structures erected on the Vindyagiri top together, an exceptional Engineering feat of the ancient times! Trekking further to the top, we come across another gigantic rock, intricately sculptured with finely carved images of Jain munis and Tirthankars.

The Vindhyagiri mountain is a treasure trove of many architectural and engineering wonders, and a home to the most exquisite sculptures and arts of the Ganga and the Hoysala dynasties, which now, unfortunately, are seldom praised and even noted, by the people.

This is the story of Vindhyagiri, the forgotten glory.

So, hold your breath, tighten your seat belts and come along with us as we take you to this exciting and forgotten place, gather and document historical evidences on this enchanting journey, studying the architectural features and critically examining the events as described in the ancient Indian texts, and as we see them first hand.

"BHARAT DARSHAN: exploring the unexplored", every thursday at 12pm EST on Steemit