Karnataka Architecture Marvels

 During Diwali of 2021 we decided to visit some of the architectural places in Karnataka. 

We started our trip on 29-October-2021. Here is the trip itinerary.

• Day 1 -- Bengaluru to Vijaypura (Bijapur)
• Day 2 -- Vijayapura Local Sightseeing
• Day 3 -- Vijayapura to Badami with stop over at Aihole and Pattadakal
• Day 4 - Badami to Hampi with a visit to Badami Cave Temples
• Day 5 -- Hampi local sightseeing, Vittala Temple, Royal Enclosure
• Day 6 -- Virupaksha Temple and Evolve Back Resort
• Day 7 -- Hampi to Bengaluru back

These places provide a window in evolution of temple architecture in Karnataka and is a must visit for anybody interested in anything historical. The roads were decent throughout and not many tolls had to be paid. The petrol prices were probably highest at this time.

Karnataka Architecture Marvels - Day 7 - Diwali 2021

04-November-2021

Finally the trip was done and dusted. We just relaxed in the hotel till the checkout time and then we left for home. It was an event less journey. We arrive back home around 5:20pm.

Karnataka Architecture Marvels - Day 6 - Diwali 2021

 03-November-2021

While in Hampi we stayed in Heritage Resort. Here is my walk around the resort.

We had extended our stay by one day in Hampi and decided to spend the day in Evolve Back Resort. The room would not be ready till 1pm, so we decided to checkout of Heritage Resort and visit the areas near Virupaksha Temple and then go to Evolve Back resort.

The first place that we reached was Sarson Ganesha.

This area has many small temples and ruins spread all over the place. You can spent lots of time here depending on you inclination.

After spending good one hour plus in the complex, we left for Evolve Back Resort. This hotel is extremely expensive and we just wanted to check it out and that's why we went there.

The resort is probably ultimate in Luxury but extremely expensive and for such places, I always wonder, is it worth it?

Karnataka Architecture Marvels - Day 5 - Diwali 2021

 02-November-2021

We got ready and the plan was to do local sightseeing of Hampi. The first destination was Vittala Temple in Hampi.

The next stop was the Royal Enclosure. From history point of view, this is the  most significant site. The first place that you see on reaching Royal Enclosure is Queen's Bath.

The next place to visit was Royal Enclosure which consists of ruins of a city from Vijaynagar Empire.

The next attraction in the same complex is the Lotus Temple. Also in the same vicinity you can find Elephant enclosure as well. After seeing these things, we decided to drive near Virupaksha Temple for our Lunch. There is a very popular restaurant called Mango Tree which is very close to the temple. We went there and had our lunch.

Finally we were back to our hotel. This was the end of the day's sight seeing. We just chilled in our hotel room for rest of the day.

Karnataka Architecture Marvels - Day 4 - Diwali 2021

 01-November-2021

We got ready after breakfast at 08:00am and left for Badami Cave Temples. The hotel was very close to the temple, we arrive in Badami Cave Temples at 08:15 am. There is decent amount of parking near the Cave Temples but be very careful of Monkeys. There are lots of them and it is advisable to not have any edible items in their sight. They jump over the cars, so while driving in and out be very careful. 

Drive to Temples and Stairs and Cave 1 and 2

Cave 3

Cave 4

After visiting all the caves, we walked to Bhoothnath Temple that you can view from Cave 4. It is around one kilometer walk and you also walk through the museum. We did not go inside the museum but went and spent some time near the temple and the lake.

After visiting temples, we drove back to the hotel, checked out and we were on our way to Hampi.

We arrived at our hotel around 2:30 pm. The room was not yet ready, the hotel told us to have lunch while they get the room ready. Rest of the day we spent resting.

Karnataka Architecture Marvels - Day 3 - Diwali 2021

 31-October-2021

08:30 am We had our breakfast early, checked out from the hotel and started towards Aihole.

10:00 am We arrived in Aihole. Aihole has numerous number of temples. We had plan of visiting the most important ones. The first place to visit is the Durga Temple complex. This has many temples and also houses museum.

In Durga Complex we visited following temples.

Durga Temple

Lad Khan Temple

Godar and Chakra Temple

Museum

After this we went to Hucchimalli Temple which is just a short distance away and you can drive right up to the temple.

After Hucchimalli temple, we went to Ravanphadi. This is a temple that has more of a likening to Badami cave temples.

1:00 pm We left for Pattadakal. This was the second site of the day. The temples in Pattadakal are larger and bigger but the area in which these are spread is much smaller.

Kashi Vishveshwar

Sangameshwar

Inscribed Pillar

Mallikarjun Temple

Virupaksha Temple

Galagnath Temple

2:10 pm We finished sightseeing temples in Pattadakal. We started towards Badami. The plan was to reach Badami and rest for the day and then visit Badami temples the next day.

2:30 pm We arrived in our Hotel in badami around 2:40 pm.

Karnataka Architecture Marvels - Day 2 - Diwali 2021

 30-October-2021

This day was for sightseeing in Vijaypura. We had our breakfast at the hotel, got ready and started around 11am and headed straight to Gol Gumbaj which was the primary attraction for the day.

Gol Gumbaj is magnificence of architecture. It is one of the largest domes across the world. The area covered by this dome is largest in the world. The site is primarily a mausoleum. 

The building has some very interesting acoustic qualities.

We spent around two hours in Gol Gumbaz and left the place around 1:30 pm. We were hungry and we went in search of the food. We found a restaurant called Sigri. It was a copy of Barbecue Nation in terms of concept. But the food was decent.

After lunch, we went in search of Bara Kaman. This is the tomb of Ali Roza. It looks like a building that was started but never completed. It was deserted and there was just a security guard.

This place has no parking so you need to search for a parking in the market area and then walk up to this place.

After spending some time in Bara Kaman, we walked up to Gagan Mahal. In is near Bara Kaman. The place is really dilapidated right now and not at all maintained. The lawns of Gagan Mahal are used like a large picnic place by the people.

After Gagan Mahal, we called it a day. It was already around 5pm. We drove back to our hotel. We had dinner and retired for the day.