Cycling to Sri. Lakshminarasimha temple, Viganathe and Sri. Chennakeshava temple, Aralaguppe

Sri. Chennakeshava Temple, Aralaguppe

Distance to starting location from Bangalore: ~120 km
Starting location: Turuvekere
Cycling distance: ~50 kms
Destination: Sri. Lakshminarasimha Temple, Vignasanthe and Sri. Chennakeshava Temple, Aralaguppe
This was an incredible trip as the saying goes "Its neither the destination nor the journey but what matters is the company". First long distance ride with Aditya and Madhu. Have done High Altitude treks with both but Cycling was a different experience.
This was part of our preparation for the upcoming 14 days winter trek (Annapurna Circuit) in Nepal during the year end.
Road Condition: Road condition is overall good.

Before Start of Bicycle Ride

Sri. Lakshminarasimha Temple, Vignasanthe

Last cycling trip was about 2 months back, original plan for cycling this year was 2 trips a month and visit ~30 Hoysala Temples.

Preparation for Wipro Bengaluru Marathon and US trip got more focus and missed cycling for a while.

Now that have planned for the annual trekking trip to Nepal, roped in other trek buddies and convinced them to cycle to improve endurance!

Manchinabele Dam, Near Bangalore

A week back got together and we went for a 30 kms cycle to Manchinabele Reservoir. It was a good warm up session and helped to set the stage for a longer ride.

During the break during this trip, kind a challenged for a longer ride and without second thought both buddies agreed for the trip.

Planned was to ferry all the cycles in Aditya's car with carrier. Though per Aditya, carrier was not used for 5+ years, we could load all 3 cycles and good to go!

Cycling to
Vignasanthe and Aralaguppe

On the Way

Starting from Turuvekere to Vignasanthe is mainly on the state highway to Tiptur, very thin traffic.

From Vignasanthe to Aralaguppe absolutely stunning landscape and low traffic rural roads.

Be aware of the google maps bug, in Aralaguppe. Though we were literally next to temple (100 mts), google maps was prompting to cover a distance of 7 kms to reach the temple. When you reach Aralaguppe village, check with locals for directions to temple.

At the first destination Sri. Lakshminarasimha Temple, Vignasanthe

Sri. Lakshminarasimha Temple, Vignasanthe

Doesn't seem that ASI (Archeological Survey of India) has taken responsibility of this temple very well.

Though locals told and we saw the temple was dismantled and integrated again, there are no boards from ASI on the details of the temple.

Surprising and sad part as that the temple had a loud speaker and was playing and announcing about the locals in the speaker.

Temple seems be incomplete from outside with hardly any carvings or layers in the periphery. Per Wikipedia, this temple was one of the last constructed during the end of Hoysala kingdom amidst the threats/invasion from Muslims.

There is a inscription on stone close to the door in HaLe Kannada (Old Kannada), per local "All the 'matter' is in the writings, if you can read then you will get the gist of it". None of the local knew the history or details of the temple. By the way the original name of the village per inscription was "Igganasante".

Trikoota Temple. With three shrines and one Shikara (Gopura). Temple has Jagathi (Platform)
Incomplete Hoysala temple, with hardly any carvings on the outer walls and neither the layers of Elephants and others on the periphery.
Single gopura with Kalasa (Water pot) on the sanctum sanctorum of Sri. Narayana has mesmerizing carvings and "Missing" the Hoysala icon of Sala fighting the Lion.
Look for

exquisite carvings on top part of the door of each sanctum - Specially the Venugopala (Krishna with flute)
Garuda on the pedestal of Sri. Narayana.

Temple has four lathe turned pillars and navaranga. Some of the Bhuvaneshwari or top part of the ceiling has carvings.

Deities and brief history

Sri. Narasimha Swamy, Vignasanthe
The temple was built in 1286 CE, by three brothers named Appayya, Gopala and Madhava, during the rule of the Hoysala king Narasimha III.

The three deities are

Sri. Venugopala (Krishna with flute) - Left
Sri. Lakshmi Narayana (Vishnu with Lakshmi) - Center
Sri. Narasimha - Right

All Deities are very exquisite to see and divine. Daily pooja happens and all deities were decorated with flowers.

Priest of the temple was very dedicated and was preparing the food outside the temple for the prasada (offering to god).

Check out the pictures of Sri. Venugopala below.

At the second destination Sri. Chennakeshava Temple, Aralaguppe

Sri. Chennakeshava Temple, Aralaguppe

After about 20 kms cycling on the beautiful village roads we reached Aralaguppe. Luckily we had stopped to refill water in the village and the shop owner said, temple is few hundred meters away and we need not go 7 kms as par google.

Temple is simply superb and very well maintained. At the entrance, there are details of the temple is a board and we met 1. ASI person in-charge of the person, from Bihar and had minimum interest and knowledge of the temple and 2. Police Personal deputed at the temple by tourism department. Police personal was kind enough to turn on the lights inside the temple and explained to his best knowledge.

Cop also apologized for not allowing us to take pictures inside the temple and suggested to take pictures outside.

Ekakoota Temple. With single shrine dedicated to Sri. Chennakeshava and One shikara (gopuras). Temple has Jagathi (Platform)
Its typeical Hoysala temple, with exquisite carvings and six layers (Elephant, Horse, Lions, Idols from Epics, Makara and Hamsa) idols all around.
One side of the temple is extended post Hoysala and looks odd.
Biggest gopura on the sanctum sanctorum has mesmerising carvings and

"Missing" the Hoysala icon of Sala fighting the Lion.
Also missing the Kalasa on the Gopura

Look for exquisite idols of

Vishnu's Dashavatara
Krishna dancing on the Snake (Kalinga Mardhana)
Connected Wagons to carry people
Dancing Ganesha

Deities and brief history

Sri. Chennakeshava Temple,
Aralaguppe

Temple was supposed to be built in 13th Century but couldn't find the person who built it or during ruling of which king it was built. Neither the board nor internet could get answer. If you know, please share it.

Couldn't take pictures inside. 6ft tall Sri. Chennakeshava is the main deity and induces spiritual tranquility.

Bhuvaneshwari (Ceiling art) around the Navaranga has unique and exquisite carvings.

On the way back

Returned to Turuvekere and had decent food at "Raghavendra hotel". Supposed to be the best hotel in the town.

Tried to load the cycles in the carrier but each time, carrier would slip down and created some tension on what would happen if cycles fall on highway. Removed the font wheel of all cycles and loaded within the car.

For next trip, need to check and have a stable bicycle carrier.

Ride Details:

Date: 18th Nov 2023 (Saturday)
Weather: Mostly Sunny and Occasional clouds, max 31 °C

Start Time: 9:45 AM

End Time: 3:00 PM

Ride Time: 3H 31M

Overall Rating for Sri. Lakshminarasimha Temple, Vignasanthe

2 out of 5

Overall Rating for Sri. Chennakeshava Temple, Aralaguppe

4 out of 5

5: Excellent - Plan your ride ASAP
4: Must Try - Add to your bucket list
3: Average - If you are close by then visit
2: Unrewarding - Look for another destination
1: Don't take a chance - Not worth it

Pictured and Videos from Sri. Lakshminarasimha Temple, Vignasanthe