ಕ್ಷಣಪ್ರಭಾ - Kshanaprabhaa

Imagine this. A calm evening of the rainy season. No clouds around. Sun is just about setting. You are standing on the banks of river Tungabhadra , which is not yet at its roaring best as there haven't been enough rains in the season. There is a lone fisherman trying to get the last few scalps of the day so far away from you in the middle of the river that even his presence and his minor movements do not affect the peace that surrounds you. A few parrots fly back home overhead once in a while with their happy chirps. You are staring east. Behind you is an architectural marvel - a temple that is so unique that you can't decide whether to sit and watch the serene flow of the river forever or catch the glimpse of every nook and corner of the intricate beauty of this temple before darkness sets in. You are fighting a battle with the fading light to fill your senses up with these details, but you are also fighting a battle within yourself on whether to capture and hold the beauty ...

The Kalyani Chalukya temple architecture paved way for the even more intricate and beautiful Hoysala architecture. If you want to see how Kalyani Chalukyas have influenced the Hoysalas in this regard, one of the best examples out there is the Nagareshwara Temple at Bankapura,  in Haveri district of northern Karnataka. A couple of angles showing the symmetry of the Nagareshwara Temple This temple is known to many as " aravattu kambada gudi " (temple of sixty pillars) as it has 60+ huge lathe turned pillars across its main hallway. Exotic carvings in the around the main doorway is one distinct specialty of the Kalyani Chalukyas which the Hoysalas probably did not improve upon. This temple gives you (along with the ones at Lakkundi and Dambala) one of the best visual treats around the main entrance you can witness across temples of Karnataka. Main entrance of the Nagareshwara Temple   Couple of views of the exquisitely lathe-turned pillars t...

Here's an attempt at singing praises - of Lord Hanuman, and of the Martyr Lance Naik Hanumanthappa, in two verses of Anushtup with Shleshaartha (multiple meanings for the same verses): भूमिजायाः रक्षणार्थम्  सह्य प्रकृतिविषमताम् । प्रजासञ्जीवनं कृत्वा शैलाटः भूषणोऽभवत् ॥ शिवानुगो मृतुञ्जयः योगिश्शत्रुनिवारकः । महाभक्तश्च पुण्यात्मा हनुमन्नाम चिन्तयेत्॥ Meaning 1: For the safety of the daughter of the earth (Sita), he endured the difficulties of nature (crossing an ocean, no less). The wanderer of the mountains (of Kishkindha) ensured that the King's family was alive (Lakshmana, through Sanjeevini) and became celebrated (worshiped). Follower of Shiva's lineage, and the one who has overcome death (Hanuman is one of the seven immortals), the Yogi is known to be the remover of all enemies. Also a venerated soul and a great devotee (of Rama), one must always think of the name of Hanuman. Meaning 2: For the safety of the daughter of th...