A few days back we had been to Mosale Hosahalli in Hassan district, Karnataka. This small hamlet about 12 kms from Hassan city holds two unique identical temples noted for its rich architectural value. Constructed on the lines of Hoysala architecture, the twin temples are dedicated to Nageshwara and Chennakesava respectively standing side by side, a few feet apart.
As we move around the temple, exclusive carvings of Gods and Goddesses can be seen on the outer walls. The temples were built in 1234 A.D under the patronage of Veera Ballala II, the grandson of Vishnuvardhanaraya. Though the temples have survived for more than 800 years, the sculptures on the outer wall has been heavily damaged. As we were going around the temple one of the tourists out of dejection said, “We Indians are victims of PROBLEM OF PLENTY, we have never learnt to safeguard or showcase our archaeological treasure.”
I too had to agree with what she said, but are we really so???
There are countries which create theme parks to attract tourists from all over the globe, some countries organise electronic music festivals like “Tommorowland” with drug and sex solicitation to pull tourists to load their treasury. Even more we have known countries which promote sex tourism to enhance their revenue.
We have the architectural grandeur which is centuries old with delicate carvings that can never be recreated. This treasure is neither protected nor projected to the world. Amazingly we are unaware of them, for example many in my own state Karnataka know only about Belur, Halebidu and Somanathapura as the Hoysala architecture treasure, while there are many like Belavadi-Veeranarayana Temple (1200A.D), Haranahalli-Chennakesava Temple (1234A.D), Koravangala-Buccheshwara Temple (1173A.D), Doddagaddavalli-Lakshmi Temple (1114A.D), Arasikere-Iswara Temple (1220A.D), Nuggehalli-Lakshminarasimha Temple (1246A.D), Javagallu-Sridhara Temple (1250A.D), Govindanahalli-Panchalingeshwara Temple (1250A.D), Hosaholalu-Lakshminarayana Temple (1250A.D), Basralu-Mallikarjuna Temple (1234A.D), Kikkeri-Brahmeshwara Temple (1171A.D), Nagamangala-Saumyakesava Temple (1170A.D), Kambadahalli-Panchakoota Basadi (900A.D), Amruthapura-Amruteswara Temple (1196A.D). Aralaguppe-Chennakesava Temple (1250A.D)..... many more.
It is so unfortunate there are no proper sign boards to guide the few enthusiastic travellers who read about them and make a plan to visit these enchanting places. Also the roads leading to these ancient structures are badly maintained. The locals are also least bothered they want the administration to take the initiative.
I was pulled towards the monuments of Hoysala era and loved to visit them. I read a lot about them too and in one such book titled “Hoysala Sculptures in the National Museum, Copenhagen” written by Prof. Shadakshari Settar, there is a mention of how our valuable sculptures were moved to Denmark. The author writes with heavy heart that the locals in early 20th century were lured by a Danish art collector. A beautiful idol of Sri Ranganatha Swamy from a temple in Heragu, Hassan belonging to 10th century was loaded on a bullock cart with the help of locals and was taken to Malabar Port in Kerala by enticing the locals with a pair of sun goggles and 32 Anna's(Rs.2.) The magnificent idol still remains in the museum at Copenhagen, Denmark. Prof S. Settar does not forget to attach the picture of the idol in his book.
Could this too be the PROBLEM OF PLENTY for us to help load our treasure to some shameless looters???
No comments:
Post a Comment