Chikka Tirupati and Kotilingeshwar (cont..)

This time we were taking precaution not to go out of track. At Lokkur we asked one family (who was waiting for bus to Mallur) about the route. They not only gave the direction but requested to drop them. We took that small family (husband, wife and three children’s) into my 4-seater (Wagon-R). They get adjusted very well, to our surprise the man can understand Hindi quite a well (compared to people we interacted).

At Mallur we dropped them and proceeded to Bangarpeth. Once again at 12:30 we had a small tea break. The road to Bangarpeth was in good condition except some stretches.
We could see lot and lot of bricks making factories during our way. We also discussed of setting up a factory of our own (since the raw material, red soil is available in abundance). But then we could foresee a labor problem in future and dropped our plan. The place definitely had lost 2 emerging entrepreneurs. But who cares ;-)

After another 1 and half hour we reached to Bangarpeth, it has got a major railway station (junction). After enquiring to a traffic cop for Kotilingeshwar we proceeded further. Now our destination was just few kilometers away from us. On route from Mallur to Bangarpeth we found the location is very much similar to Ramgadh (of Sholay). Same mountains made of stone blocks. For a moment we thought of suggesting this site to Mr. Ram Gopal Varma, but as he has already in process of completion his Sholay remake, it would not be of much help to him. Another idea dropped. Though we are never short of it!!

It was around 3 pm when we reached to Kotilingeshwara at Kammasandra a small village situated in Kolar district of Karnataka state. It is about five kilometers from Kolar Gold Fields. This place has the distinction of having the biggest Shivalinga (108 Ft.) in the world and accompanying is a Nandi. This place surrounded by lakhs of small shivalingas spread over an area of 15 acres. So far, around 86 lakh shivalingas have been installed. The entire project involves the installation of one crore shivalingas of various sizes, hence the name ‘Kotilingeshwara’. So devotees, donors go ahead, make the dream possible.
This place also has temple of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh along with their wifes. This is the first time I have been visiting a Brahma temple. I was always wondered why there are not many (actually, hardly few) temples dedicated to great God Brahma who is the creator of this world. I got the answer while hearing to OSHO CD’s. As per OSHO since birth has already taken place why to bother about it. It is thing of the past now we have to move forward. The most important aspect is of life and after that death. Which is being taken care by Vishnu and then ultimatly by Shiva. So we can see Shiva is the most worshiped God. “Death redominates.”

After visiting the main Shiva temple we were out to explore our photography skills. The snap attached is taken in stich mode by Sanjay. After taking many snaps we came out of the temple. There were lot of stalls selling various things; from the shivlingas of various sizes and shapes, photo frames, jewellery etc. We did small shopping there and headed to take our lunch.
There are not many (read as, hardly any) hotels to choose from. So we visited the small hotel within the premises and had dosa and vada.
After the light lunch we are back home. First we went to Bangarpeth and from there asked Banaglore highway. Luckily we got the right directions from the locals and were onto NH-7 (I guess); destination home.

[End]

Chikka Tirupati and Koti-Lingeshwar

Few weeks back we had been to Chikka Thirupati and Koti-Lingeshwar. Two of us planned to visit some place near to Bangalore. Though there was nothing specific in our mind, we just wanted to go out of the mad rush of this hi-tech city.

We started our journey at 8:30 from Hope Farm (near ITPL), took the straight road while coming from Whitefield road (without turning either to Whitefield or to Kadigudi). Without waiting for breakfast went ahead for our short pilgrimage drive. Immediately after 5-6 kilometers we were driving through the fields and the open land with fresh air around us. At 9:30 starving of hunger we stopped at one road side hotel. Had a good filling breakfast along with 2 small cups of tea/coffee. I was reluctant to have water there, but my friend Sanjay told me if you drink the water where you take food (usually) your stomach will not get upset. Not finding any logic behind it, still I drank some water.

After almost 20 minutes of breakfast break we proceeded to Chikka Thirupati. After about 40 minutes we have reached to Hoskote junction and found that we were actually going to opposite direction. In short we lost in between. After some genuine enquires (read as after asking 3-4 guys at different places). We were back on track.

At around 10:30 we reached to Chikka Thirupati (Mini Thirupati). As usual we took the pooja thali for the Balaji. To our surprise the system was different over there. Though compare to Thirupati there was no rush (and commercialization). Some devotees are allowed to enter from the exit door and they can directly go into the inner temple and Poojari will perform the usual rituals for them. Also the coconuts were not directly offerend to Balaji, in fact we had to give the coconut to boys over there to break (also some petty charge for their service).
What we liked over there is no one to push us out of the temple (as in Thirupati); we were allowed peacefully to take the darshan.

It was 11:30 and we had already planned out next destination. Koti-lingeshwar (where 1 crore man made Shiv-linga’s reside). The route told to us was Lokkur-Mallur-Bangarpeth and Kotilingehswar. Also it was clearly instructed to us that some stretch between Lokkur to Mallur is Bad.

(To be Continued…)

First talk

At last i could create my own blog. I have been planning for it for a very long time. But then i though who will read it. Later i discovered that Blog's are read most by the creator himself. Most important part it to express yourself.
So guys here i have arrived, at the scene!!