Where history enthralls - Belur and Halebedu

I consider myself vulnerable and open to seduction.. when it comes to history, art and architecture…and so when the talk of a picnic arose..I quickly put Belur & Halebedu on that list to be seduced and mesmerized (yet again) and return as the lovelorn smitten one (yet again)!

And the grand family picnic commenced in a van that had more luggage, food that outnumbered the passengers in the vehicle. And once the journey commenced, my rumbling tummy switched on “travel mode” which essentially meant that a sumptuous breakfast would have to be the first stop! So while we were debating and strategizing on how to save time, we ended up unleashing a culinary onslaught at the restaurant…there is something in the air that makes you overeat and step up the adventure quotient when it comes to travel meals..and I relished the South Indian magic of crispy dosa tangoing with filter coffee.

Tummies full, we started to the first destination of  Halebedu temple at Hassan..a 1000 year old temple that sits amongst the rustic village landscape of Hassan..its architecture astounding and its carvings incredibly intricate…it needs time to soak in the history and meaning of each of the exhibits at the temple. Yet again, it is a beacon of the superiority of the generation that lived before us – devoid of the “automation” that we so proudly believe to be the talisman of our generation – they have constructed structures that are still so beyond the reach of our abilities – in beauty, in size and in stability – these structures have literally stood the test of time, invasion and seasons!

While the sun glistened and brought alive the massive monolithic bull (nandi) – our bodies surrendered to the fury and rushed into the comfort of our van..a sumptuous meal at a local restaurant and we landed at the next jewel at Hassan – Belur temple! And barring the new age “gopuram” that ostentatiously rises above the entrance gate, it is as beautiful and as massive a temple grounds as Halebedu..a vast expanse of stone columns, temples, pond and pillars! We rested our tired and lazy bodies inside the temple – the stone cooling our aching feet with its cold touch and the beautiful carvings lighting up with each ray of sun that entered the sanctum! We ambled around the temple – sitting one time, laughing another - unwinding and awing every moment of time spent at this magnificent historic site.

And as we unwillingly started the walk back, the sun unveiled its glorious self one last time before it set into the horizon! A spectacular performance in yellows and bright crimsons and the pillars of Belur playing its part to the brim – complementing and blending into the last frame that we took home as a token – of the warmth of a family picnic, of the beauty that resides at Belur and of the memory of a day well spent.