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Halebid
Halebid
(Karnataka)
Carved in stone
Halebid is one of Karnataka's open secrets. Although supposedly on the well-worn tourist path, I have seldom met people who have actually been to Halebid. And the ones who have seen the place well, they've been there, done that, and said little about it.
Capital of the Hoysala Empire which flourished in the 12th and 13th centuries, Hale Bidu (Old City) is the most apt of several names that are tagged on to this little town in Karnataka. Another ancient name was Dwarasamudra gateway to the sea indicating the numerous water bodies that must have been in the vicinity at the time. A town one can walk about in should one choose to do so, Halebid is still one of those deserted places that unexpectedly comes upon you round a bend in the road, and surprises you with its charm. It is surrounded by fields which now cover the area of what used to be a large tank providing irrigation to the surrounding areas.
On clear days, from the road one can see the Gomateswara statue at Srava?nabelgola looming in the distance. Owing to its proximity to Bangalore, most people do Halebid as a day-trip, so ironically it's a great place to spend a couple of days since few people stay the night.
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Eternal views
A visit to Sravanabelgola, an important Jain pilgrimage centre, about one hour from Hassan, is easily done if you?re in the vicinity. The most important ? indeed world-famous ? edifice is the giant monolithic statue of Gomateswara, carved out of granite in 981 AD. Sixty feet is striking enough, but the setting adds its own drama.
Gomateswara peers over the walls of the temple compound, down over the barren Vindhyagiri Hills, past a circle of palm trees coloured by the occasional flaming red gulmohur, and out on to the fields of Hassan. On clear days, Gomateswara can even be seen from the road that connects Hassan with Halebid. The big event in Sravanabelgola is the Mahamastakabhishekha ? when the statue is anointed with thousands of litres of milk. The event is held once every 12 years; the next is due in 2005. Most of the accommodation in Sravanabelgola is run by a local Jain organisation. Sri Charu Keerthi Bhattarkar Swamiji Jain Mutt (Tel: 08176-657258, 657235; Tariff: Rs 65-600) has budget accommodation for pilgrims in Sravanabelgola, close to the bus stand. The mutt has over 100 rooms (doubles, triples, 4-, 9-bedded) and dormitories. Altogether, 1,000 people can be accommodated. Make sure you get furnished rooms! Pure vegetarian food is served only from 9.30 am to 6 pm. Central bookings are done at Sravanabelgola Digamber Jain Mujrai Managing Committee, Sravanabelgola, Hassan District. Tel: 08176-657258. Raghu Hotel (Tel: 08176-657238; Tariff: Rs 75-200), located on the main Sravanabelgola Road, has 15 rooms, a restaurant and arranges taxi and guide. |
Content Source:
Outlook Traveller
Contributed by:
Dhanu Nayak
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