Bad news at Amboli is coming, yesterday afternoon a small landslide happened at the main water falls at Amboli in which one person was killed and 4 others injured.

The deceased identified as Vishwantah Konnur of Ramdurg aged 21 was bathing when a few stones tumbled on him and he was injured along with a few others.

He was admitted to the local hospital where he was advised to to be taken to Belgaum civil hospital.

About 10 kms from the city centre lies Kanbargi (after Auto Nagar) and on atop a hill is a shrine “Siddheshwar Temple”. From the name it is the temple of Lord Shiva built in some sort of cave in the middle of a small hill.

Temple

As seen from KHB layout

Map mentioning the temple route at KHB layout

The place is accessible by road till the end from where one has to climb about 50 steps to go to the top. The place is quite pleasent and beautification works are going on like a garden, a small area with slides etc.

Stairs towards the temple. To climb up use the one on the Right

Entrance to the main shrine

The main shrine

Hall of the shrine is like a cave

View of the Belgaum city from the top

Park

How to go there:

Go to Auto Nagar – Tata power Plant

Take a right next to Tata power plant and go straight

Then later go through a smal street and then take a Left and reach the Karnataka housing board layout.

Go straight you will find a board follow it

Distance: About 10 kms from Chenamma circle

How to go: own vehicle

All Photos: UkMaD

The KLE’s Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC) Musical fountains will be reopened for public.

The musical fountains at the JNMC campus will be open for public on Saturdays and Sundays from 7pm to 8.30pm.

This could be treat for the kids and elders as well, it is holiday time and one can entertain one self here.

Nothing fills up the senses like a night in the forest, a forest that is a hive of activity and colour all year round. Listen to the birds singing their enchanting morning and evening songs, hear the gentle flow of the nearby river, watch and take in the full beauty of the fabulous sunsets (and dawns for the early risers). Breathe in the refreshing forest air filled with rich scents from the exotic plant life.

Let your imagination go wild as you leave behind urban life and travel deep into God’s most beautiful creation, Nature!

Shangri-la Jungle Village is nestled deep into the forests of Uttar Kannada. It is strategically located in a close vicinity to the Anshi National Park, the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and the Karnataka-Goa border.

An opportunity to experience and be a part of the wilderness. A feeling of by being watched by several pairs of eyes from the creatures lurking deep within the forest.

Create some fond memories to live with for the rest of your lives on this, once-in-a-lifetime dream tour you will want to do again and again. A trip guaranteed to leave an everlasting impression on your heart and mind.

There are a number of possibilities once you arrive at the Shangri-la Jungle Village. Being cleverly located near many exciting tourist spots, a number of brief excursions can be made from this place.

The hotel has strategic partnerships with hotels and resorts in this area allows us to help one design an eco-friendly, economic, exciting tour through Goa, Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Anshi National Park, Dudhsagar Falls and Karwar.

30 beautiful, clean and cozy cottages with comfortable attached bath, in the very heart of the jungle

» Fine dining from the very chefs that have become celebrities on the beaches of Goa

» Elephant ride, play area, amphitheater and barbecue topped with abundant refreshing wild breeze

» All travelers are insured in and around the premises

How to reach:

Shangri-la Jungle Village is approachable only by road from Belgaum, Goa and Londa. We can help you book a taxi from either of these stops. If you plan to drive yourself, please zoom the map on right for the location.

Reservations:
By Phone

Please use the numbers on the right to make telephonic reservations. Belgaum: +91 94 481 12010
By Email

Send an email to sales@shangrilajunglevillage.com for booking through email.

Shangri-la Jungle Village

RS No. 12/B, Karambal

Post Anamod, Pincode: 581 453

Taluka: Joida, District: Karwar

Karnataka, India

Phone: 08383-251110 http://www.shangrilajunglevillage.com/

Disclaimer: I got all information from its website. No personal experience of being there.

Belgaum’s most famous holy, picnic and childrens play park Military Mahadev is being renovated.

And AAB gets you the FIRST look of the Mahadev Temple after its temple domb from the outside has been newly made and renovated with a lot of carving very similar to that of temples in south India. The same will also be painted later.

The new Look sort of Dravidian Architecture

Old simple Look now has been changed.

Some more changes are also planned to done to the present garden areas and the same will beautified.

All Photos: Team AAB.

By Sujay Nimbalkar – Special Correspondent

Rajhunsgad is surrounded by greenery of farms and fields with rice as a major crop. Yellurgad (Yellur Fort) located within the vicinity of Belgaum Taluka, on hillock with a breathtaking view.It is situated nearly 2,500 ft (762 m) above sea level. According to sources, this Fort dates back to history many centuries ago among different kingdom and its rulers including the Yadavas, Hoysalas, Bahamani, Adilshahi, Peshwas-Marathas.

The fort on top of hill is visible from almost all areas of Belgaum. It is also believed that there existed a secret tunnel from the Belgaum fort upto Rajhunsgad during the ancient period. In this fort, a beautiful Temple of ‘Lord Shiva’ is situated where most of the people staying in and around the villages of this fort visit and pray every Monday. There is Well of sweet water on top of this hill. It is infact an admirable archeology of the past architects and rulers. An awesome view of Belgaum City can be had from this fort.

How to reach:

One can reach Rajhunsgad village on the foot of this hill via- Desur village or from Yellur & Sulga and then climb the fort on kutcha road. Experienced riders can reach upto the entrance of the fort on top on Motorcycles but this path (kutcha road) is too steep for motorcycles. However, this is an excellent place for Trekking.

On an interaction with Sri.Siddharth Hiremath (Poojari) of this Shiva temple in the fort told us that, This Fort in spite of having a rich historic relevance is always neglected by administration. The temple’s maintenance cost is mainly borne by the people of surrounding villages of Rajhunsgad, Sulga, and Yellur etc.

Though  MPs, MLAs and a couple of Ministers along with the administration authorities have visited this ancient fort and have assured for its development as a tourist place, the assurance tends to remain on paper as usual. Moreover, miscreants try to damage the sanctity of the fort including the temple’s premises by dirtying the surroundings etc. People of Belgaum should take note of this fact and come forward to help in preserving the structure of our Belgaum having rich historic relevance.

Photos: Mr.Sujay, Mr. Ravi Vakkund & Mr. Ashok Sankannavar

Children & old ones as well in Belgaum always used to envy people in the metros and other cities that Belgaum has nothing where one can go and relax in the evening. When guests come to Belgaum and they ask, “What’s there to see in Belgaum” the host is in a fix.

Now you need to be, Kote Kere, the Belgaum Lake, which is now being managed by Darshan Udyog Samuha for over sometime, has renovated the entire lake and installed many games and amusement rides for children apart from the famous Boating in the lake.

Recently amusement rides and equipments worth Rs.60 lakhs have been put in place for Belgaumites.

There is a family train, Jumping Ballon, Cortex, Disco Coaster, Happy ride, Dragon ride, Boating, Cricket Zone and gaming console. It also has various food stalls from Chinese, Bhel puri, ice cream to Pav bhaji.

There are benches on the side where one can sit and relax seeing the beautiful lake. If someone special is besides you, then ‘Sone pe Suhaga’. The Kids can have a wonderful time taking all the rides and enjoying themselves. Elders can have a boat ride in a family boat or the peddle couple boats.

Still improvements are begin done with lights etc. the play area open in the evening and the boating in the latter half of the morning.

There are no entry fees as of now and you will have to shell out Rs.10 to Rs.15 per ride or game.

People getting cars, will need to park it opposite the old Vandana Palace road next to the road and there are no parking facilities as such. There are two entrances one next to Kasbekar Metgud Clinic and the other is from the road leading to MalMaruti on the opposite side. Two whellers can be parked at the Kasbekar Metgud Clinic side and a couple of cars can be parked if the others have parked well.

A note while taking kids out there, please apply anti mosquito cream as there are many mosquitoes around and they are huge in numbers and size.

In short, Kote Kere is a perfect place for a relaxed evening with the kids happily playing.

Degaon is 5 kms from Kittur, 10 km from Halasi and 24 km from Bailhongal.

It is famous for Kadamba style Kamala Narayana temple, place with rich archeological find. Name of the place might have originated from its temple complex Devagrama meaning a village of God.

Kamala Narayana Temple was built by the Kadamba queen, Kamaladevi in the 12th century. The sculptures are breathtakingly beautiful. Lions and floral motifs vie with dancing girls for attention.

The temple is rectangular in shape and consists of three cells with the pillared hall running from North to South in front of the shrines on the west side. Each of these shrines is divided into two parts, Garbhagriha and Sukhanasi. The frames of the doorways of the Sukhanasi are carved with creepers. The pieced stone windows which surround the doorways are ‘more ornamental than in any other Kadamba temple. The Garbhagihas have, as in other Kadamba temples, the dedicatory block with the image of Gaja-Lakshmi.

The first cell contains the image of Narayana.

The second cell has the icon of Lakshmi-Narayana with Lakshmi seated on the lap of Vishnu. Garuda and Maruti are standing on either side of this image.

The third cell bears the image of Kamala with two attendants on either side.

The walls of the temple are adorned with niche having plasters surmounted by terraced pyramidal towers in the Kadamba style crowned with a Kalasha. The ceiling has pendant lotuses, all of them artistic pieces of workmanship remarkable for richness of ornamentation and elaboration of details.

Source: Wikipedia
Link: Vijay Itagi

Big B Amitabh Bachchan on his 67^th birthday shared legendary stories and trivia about his trips to various locations in India for his shoots over the years.

A village named Asoga on the banks of river Malaprabha’s very attractive tourist place famous for its temple. This temple was built during the Kadamba kings in the mediveal period. Important sequences from the 70s hit movie ‘Abhimaan’ (featuring Amithabh Bacchan and Jaya bhaduri) were shot near the river Malprabha at Asoga. The entire song ‘Nadiya kinare’ has been shot there.

Nadiya kinaare, Abhimaan – Belgaum This film was very special for Jaya and me because we had produced it. Hrishida was our godfather. SD Burmansaab gave the music and the time we spent with him during the music sittings was unforgettable. The way he’d sing, we failed to bring the essence into our recordings. I always felt that there was some kami somewhere, he would sing so beautifully. The song was shot in a village near Belgaum. Hrishida wanted a village environment with a small temple, a river, a sacred pond with its water capable of uniting two people in love. We found such a pond. Back then, Jaya and I weren’t married. It was a very special time for both of us. Jaya had long, ankle-length hair then.

Source: Bangalore Mirror

Watch the Nadiya Kinare Video

See complete movie Abhiman

Hooli has so many temples; every temple has its own well. Even at remotest location on the hills has couple of temples.

Hooli is about 9 kms from Saundatti.

One of the oldest village in the Belgaum District, it is famous for Panchaligeswara temple. Some of the other ruined temples waiting for conservation and restoration. On the outskirts of Hooli is the Trikuteshwara Temple.

Various temples at Hooli:

Hooli Panchalingeshwara temple:

Architecture of the Hooli Panchalingeshwar Temple is to be adored. It is a protected monument comes under Archeological Survey of India. Earlier people during summer afternoon they used to resting in the shade of this temple. Because the temple is made of stone, it is unbelievably cool even in the scorching summer.

Other than Panchalingeshwara Temple, Hooli has many other old temples; most of them are now in ruins due to negligence. One is amazed by the sculptures and carvings on stone. Most of the temples have their floor dug up for the hunt for treasure.

Other temples at Hooli are Andhakeshwara Temple, Bhavnisankara Temple, Kalmeshwara Temple, Kashi Vishwanatha Temple, Madaneshwara Temple, Suryanarayan Temple, Tarkeshwara Temple, Hooli sangameshwar ajjanavaru, Beerdevar temple Hooli.

Shivakashi Valley seems to be a place which was once densely covered by trees. At this location you can find the marks left by monsoon springs and waterfalls. Based on stories heard from village elders there used to be tigers once upon a time. Stories were told where some village folks hunted them off decades ago. The location otherwise is dotted with few temples and well. Tigers may have disappeared, but you will still be lucky to find monkeys eating the figs from few remaining trees.

How to Reach: Catch a NWKRTC bus from Belgaum to Nargund via Yargatti & Manoli.

Source: Wikipedia

Thanks Vijay Lingayat for the link.

Belgaum is not only surrounded by nature but also by ancient monuments. One such place is Halshi.

Halasi also called as Halsi or Halshi, is a town in Khanapur Taluk, Belgaum District. It is 14 km from Khanapur and about 25 km from Kittur. It is famous for having been the capital of a branch of Kadamba Dynasty. The town is rich in historical monuments and temples and is near Khanapur.

Halshi, 14 km from Khanapur town, which was the second capital of the early Kadambas and a minor capital under the Kadambas of Goa (980 AD – 1250 AD), is one of the ancient towns in Belgaum district with rich antiquity and many monuments.

Halshi derived its name from “palasha” in Sanskrit. During the period of the early Kadambas, it was a centre of confluence of Jainism, Vaishnavism and Shaivism, and served as headquarters of Halasige-12,000 province constituting parts of Belgaum and the undivided Dharwad districts. Ancient temples dedicated to Bhoo Varaha Narasimha, Kapileshwar, Suvarneshwara, Kalmeshwara, Hatakeshwara (Gramadevata), Gokarneshwara and a Jaina basti built by the Kadamba rulers are found here.

The Kadambas were known for their own style of temple building. The dynasty was founded by Mayurasharma in about 4th century AD. It was believed that Mayura was the first king of the dynasty and was the ruler during the time of Pallava King Vishnugopa of Kachipuram. After losing to North Indian Emperor Samudragupta, Vishnugopa’s army had weakened. Mayura seized the opportunity, formed his own army and drove away the Pallavas from Kannada territory.

The Jaina temple now standing at Halasi cannot go back to a period earlier than 11th century A.D.

The temple of Bhoo Varaha Narasimha with two garbhagrihas (inner shrines) facing each other is a large complex built in the later Chalukyan style stands on a star-shaped platform. Originally, the temple had one shrine, housing a two-handed crude image of Narasimha, which was replaced by four-foot long idol of Narayana (sitting). The temple archak, Vishnu Venkatesh Parpattedar, says the idol of Narasimha is “swayambhu” or “udbhava” (natural creation), now seated on the left side of Narayana. There is also an idol of Goddess Lakshmi on His right side. The temple has two entrances from the north and south, whiles the garbhagriha facing the east, has an ardhamantapa doorway with fine pierced windows on either side. The navaranga has octagonal granite pillars and a circular dancing dais in the centre and the ceiling has an inverted lotus motif. Only the main shrine of Narayana has shikhara built in the Kadambanagar style, which was later renovated. Facing Narayana is the other garbhagriha with five-feet standing idol of Varaha installed in 1186-87 by Vijayaditya III. It also has a beautiful idol of Suryanarayana (Sun God) sculpted by the legendary Jakanachari. A stone inscription in Nagari script is also found. As per government records, the temple were built by Shivachitta, and Matayogi installed the idol of Ananta-Viravikrama Narasimha at the instance of the king’s mother in 1169 AD. However, the devotees believe in the legend that it was built by the Pandavas [of the Mahabharata] overnight who worshiped Lord Vishnu here while in exile. However, the archak says it was built some time during the 3rd or the 4th centuries but the exact date is not known. A few more temples are found within the premises of the main temple, but they area in a state of neglect. There are also cracks in the front wall of the main temple which needs immediate repair. Vishnu Venkatesh Parpattedar, who belongs to the ninth generation of the family which has been maintaining temple mainly by its own resources.

Source: Wikipedia, The Hindu
Link source: Vijay