It was afternoon when we reached Kudal Sangama. November in North Karnataka is hot. We passed the Sabha Bhavana, it had a huge metal dome shinning in the afternoon sun. I was amazed how the progress was happening in this remote place, unawares that I was going to be surprised no end as we moved on. We lunched at the KSTDC's Mayura Hotel, enjoyed the North Karnataka thali with Katak jolad roti.
We then proceeded to the Sangamanatha Temple. As is customary removed our chappals on the stands and raced through the tiled courtyard our feet blistering due to the heat. There wasn't much rush and we got darshan immediately. I do not remember much about the insides of the temple now. This temple is located at the confluence of the Malaprabha, Ghataprabha and Krishna rivers rendering the place holy. The temple service is on since the last 800 yrs.
I am Marathi and if it had not been for the Amar Chitra Katha there was a rare possibility of knowing about Basaveshwara. He was a social reformer who propagated casteless society and as it always happens this great reformer was reduced to be known as the founder of Lingayat Dharma. It is a pity why we have to make great men Saints and limit their visions by our thoughts. Basavanna or elder brother as he was loving called was beyond all this and his life story enumerates just that.
We were sitting at the edge of the river when we noticed many people walking towards some bridge like structure. We too started walking towards it.
We then proceeded to the Sangamanatha Temple. As is customary removed our chappals on the stands and raced through the tiled courtyard our feet blistering due to the heat. There wasn't much rush and we got darshan immediately. I do not remember much about the insides of the temple now. This temple is located at the confluence of the Malaprabha, Ghataprabha and Krishna rivers rendering the place holy. The temple service is on since the last 800 yrs.
I am Marathi and if it had not been for the Amar Chitra Katha there was a rare possibility of knowing about Basaveshwara. He was a social reformer who propagated casteless society and as it always happens this great reformer was reduced to be known as the founder of Lingayat Dharma. It is a pity why we have to make great men Saints and limit their visions by our thoughts. Basavanna or elder brother as he was loving called was beyond all this and his life story enumerates just that.
We were sitting at the edge of the river when we noticed many people walking towards some bridge like structure. We too started walking towards it.
The top had a dome we took rest a while and took in the beautiful views of the glistening rivers confluencing, yet showing distinct colors. I inquired with a person if there was something there that we were missing. Quite hesitantly he said if you are ready to walk down 9 floors. Then there is a Samadhi that you can see. Wow! a Samadhi in the middle of the river and we were standing at the top projection of it! I was awestruck !! What an engineering marvel.
The story goes like this. When the Almatti Dam was built. The river bed expanded submerging the Samadhi of Basavanna which was supposed to be on the shore. So the engineers built this dry well. It is about 9 floors deep. There was rush near the Samadhi that day but am sure must be a divine experience to sit there in silence on most days. I loved the simplicity of the Samadhi.
The story goes like this. When the Almatti Dam was built. The river bed expanded submerging the Samadhi of Basavanna which was supposed to be on the shore. So the engineers built this dry well. It is about 9 floors deep. There was rush near the Samadhi that day but am sure must be a divine experience to sit there in silence on most days. I loved the simplicity of the Samadhi.
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Later we went to a nearby place which was like a theme park on the spiritual history from the region. It is a modern day depiction and did not really impress me.
We started back for Bangalore and reached Corporation in the morning on 28th Nov 2005.
We started back for Bangalore and reached Corporation in the morning on 28th Nov 2005.
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