Category: Karnataka

Karnataka · Travel

Photo essay: Aprameya Swamy Temple, Doddamallur, Channapatna

Rashmi Gopal Rao3 Comments

Driving through the busy Bangalore Mysore highway, it is common for one to encounter several interesting sights spanning history, architecture, craft, culture and religion.  The region is famous for several ancient temples dedicated to forms of Lord Vishnu as well as Lord Hanuman.  The Aprameya Swamy Temple located in the little village of Doddamallur in Channapatna taluk… Continue reading Photo essay: Aprameya Swamy Temple, Doddamallur, Channapatna

Karnataka · Travel

Kinnal craft: a heritage of wooden toys near Hampi

Rashmi Gopal Rao3 Comments

It is the time of the year when festivities have begun and there are celebratory vibes all around.  Markets abound in colour and cheer.  It is also a time when you find little stores in nooks and corners all around Bangalore retailing clay and wooden toys.  Yes. it is the season of Navratri and “Gombe… Continue reading Kinnal craft: a heritage of wooden toys near Hampi

Karnataka · Travel

Corporation Bank Heritage Museum (Coin Museum) – Udupi: a numismatists’ delight

Rashmi Gopal Rao3 Comments

Did you know that when all digits on the serial number of a currency note are the same (like ‘555555’ or ‘777777’) it is a type of fancy note? Or if there is a pointed star under the year of a coin, it has been manufactured in the Hyderabad mint? Well, it is unlikely that… Continue reading Corporation Bank Heritage Museum (Coin Museum) – Udupi: a numismatists’ delight

Karnataka · Travel

Photoessay: Southadka Shri Mahaganapathi Temple, Kokkada

Rashmi Gopal Rao10 Comments

Located about 3 km from the village of Kokkada in Belthangady Taluk is a special temple of Lord Ganesha, the Southadka Shri Mahaganapathi Temple.  Yet another temple dedicated to the Lord of Beginnings in Dakshina Kannada district, this one is located just under 300 km from Bangalore. The unique feature of the temple is that there… Continue reading Photoessay: Southadka Shri Mahaganapathi Temple, Kokkada

Karnataka · Travel

Photo essay: Bengaluru flower market, K R Market

Rashmi Gopal Rao21 Comments

As mentioned in my previous posts, visiting flower markets in any city is my favourite and always on my ‘to do’ list.  Last month, I decided to visit the flower market in namma Bangalore, as it was quite sometime since I visited last.  Well, I was in for a pleasant surprise as the market had… Continue reading Photo essay: Bengaluru flower market, K R Market

Karnataka · Travel

The basket makers of Bangalore: weaving a livelihood through generations

Rashmi Gopal Rao9 Comments

For those of you well versed with Bangalore and its famous K R road, the sight of a several basket makers and their humble ‘stores’ a little off the pavement is a familiar one.  Sitting on the pavement, weaving baskets, mats and the like, an entire line of them can be found as you reach… Continue reading The basket makers of Bangalore: weaving a livelihood through generations

Karnataka · Travel

Sri Dharmaraya Swamy Temple: a historical landmark of Bengaluru

Rashmi Gopal Rao9 Comments

It is a well-known fact that when the city of Bengaluru aka Bangalore aka Bendhakaluru was formed, there were four towers or “Kempegowda gopuras” that were designated as the outer boundaries of the city.  However, given the pace at which the city has grown since then, the significance of these four towers today, is more… Continue reading Sri Dharmaraya Swamy Temple: a historical landmark of Bengaluru

Karnataka · Travel

Togalu Gombeyata: traditional form of puppetry – of art, drama and song

Rashmi Gopal Rao9 Comments

“When we perform in an all women squad, I always essay the role of ‘Bhima’” said Gouramma an established leather puppet artist from a remote village in Ramnagar in Karnataka.  The glint of pride in her voice was unmissable as she narrates how this art has been an integral part of her life.  Her parents… Continue reading Togalu Gombeyata: traditional form of puppetry – of art, drama and song

Karnataka · Travel

Photo essay: Ramalingeshwara group of temples, Avani

Rashmi Gopal Rao6 Comments

As mentioned in several of my earlier posts, India is a treasure trove of magnificent temples and ancient monuments.  There are several such ‘hidden gems‘ in the form of beautiful, ornate temples dating back centuries in and around the bustling IT city of Bengaluru.  Yet another addition to this wonderful list is the Ramalingeshwara group of… Continue reading Photo essay: Ramalingeshwara group of temples, Avani