Page 19 - Seniors Toady - September Issue 2020
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miss. Your return train can be boarded from
Hospet itself and so the unnecessary drive
back and forth is not required.
We boarded the Hampi express (overnight
train) back for Mysore this time and eagerly
waited to visit the famed Mysore Maharaja’s
palace, the Somnath and Sri Chamundeswari
temple and new Namdroling monastery.
The palace is absolutely a marvel to behold.
The sheer expanse and opulence leaves one
stunned – the paintings, chandeliers, and the
furniture makes this palace one of the most
magnificent in the country. You can easily
spend the better part of the day here. Next,
we visited the monastery – though a new
construction, it is interesting how the old
Hindu traditions and temples are juxtaposed
Nandi at Brideshwara Temple with the growing Tibetan Buddhist
The famous chariot temple is one of the influence. However it is the superb Somnath
most photographed monuments here, and temple which takes one’s breath away. The
frankly one must visit this complex just intricate carvings on the temple walls are
for that alone. Of course the main temple awe-inspiring, to say the least. This is truly
is outstanding. However, the larger picture one of the gems of India.
here is the expanse of the complex with the
beautiful hills as the backdrop, and it should Bahubali Country
ideally be visited at sunrise or sunset. We had kept a full day to visit the famous
Bellur temples and Hassan. So we took a car
Other Attractions and driver to take us first to Shravanbelagola
Some other places which are a must-visit to visit the gigantic statue of Bhagwan
here are the Virupaksha temple, the stepwell Bahubali. Warning: the climb up the hill is
and the iconic statue of Narsimha. For of about 650 steps and it certainly tested my
the enthusiast the Hazar Rama Temple’s physical fitness – but it was definitely worth
carvings are worth a look. it. The positive energy around revitalises
Hampi now has some nice places to stay you.
and among them is the Evolve Back resort However for me the main place to visit in
by the Orange County group , The Hyatt and that tour was the Kedareswara temple. The
the Shivavilas Palace. I recommend at least stunningly intricate carvings in this Shiva
a one night/ two day stay here and the best temple are unparalleled and absolutely one
way to travel to and fro is by the comfortable of the hidden gems of India. Unfortunately
overnight train. people do not visit this as much as the other
While in Hampi, a short drive away is the two temples of Cheenakeshava and the
magnificent spectacle of the Tungabhadra Hoysleswar. Another outstanding temple
Dam and the gardens – definitely a do-not- would be the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple,
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #15 | SEPTEMBER 2020 19
