Cycling to Sri. Mahalingeshvara Temple, Santebachalli and Shanthinatha Basadi, Jinanathapura

 

• 

  Akkana Basadi, Sharavana Belagola

  
  Distance to starting location from Bangalore: ~100 km
• Starting location: Hirisave
• Cycling distance: ~54 kms
• Destination: Sri. Mahalingeshvara Temple , Santebachalli Shanthinatha Basadi Jinanathapura Akaana Basadi, Shravana Belagola
• Road Condition: Most of the route is on SH 08 and beyond 2 kms from Hirisave is with very less traffic. After 8 kms from Hirisave, there is a left turn and after that road is flat and experience best solo ride

Before Start of Bicycle Ride 

Shanthinatha Basadi, Jinnathapura 

After 2 months of rain fury in Karnataka and few practice and Bangalore Marathon, planned for the solo ride a day before the airforce half marathon. 

Plan was to start early in the morning to evade Bangalore traffic till Nelamangala and worked as per plan. 

As usual, stopped at Dhruvathare restaurant on the NH 75 (Hassan highway) and the Hirisave is 30 mins from the restaurant. 

Unfortunately, had forgotten the gloves but luckily had the arm cover as it was very sunny after a week of continues rain due to cyclone. 

On the Way

Cycling to Sri. Mahalingeshvara Temple, Santebachalli
and Shanthinatha Basadi, Jinanathapura

Hirisave is a very small place and found a relevant place for parking the car. Pumped air to the cycle and got started within 10 mins. 

For a change has a bluetooth speaker connected to the cycle and played songs all the way till first destination. Was tracking the ride on the phone and controlled using Apple watch but stopped tracking after first destination, had to restart return as a new trip (and also 4 kms was not tracked on the return).

At the first destination Mahalingeshvara Temple, Santebachalli

Temple was locked and the state of the temple was in bad state. Sarrounding of the temple is also not maintained well.

Someone told to get the priest from the village which is close by. Usually I do that but today, didn't do as I had no wallet and unable to give donation for the priest, if he comes and open the temple.

• Ekakoota Temple.  One  Gopuras are visible from the front and the main temple and Gopura is visible from side. 
• Hoysala temple, with few carvings on the outer walls of the main temple and gopura.

Deities and brief history

Temple was supposed to be build in 12th century and no other data is available neither in internet or on the board put up by ASI near the temple.

Since the temple was closed had to peep inside from the door and get some pictures.

There are some plants growing on the temple and felt bad about neglect of the ASI and also the villagers. On the way back, told this to villager and he said, it used to be well maintained but due to politics, its been neglected.

Village has a new temple and looks like priest and the vilalgers visit there more and this previous piece of history is being ignored.

At the Second Destination Shanthinatha Basadi Jinanathapura

Reached the second destination which is about 17 kms. Jinanathapura is a small village near world famous Shravana Belagola.

Care taker was at the Basadi and was eager to show around the place and was helpful.

Place is very peaceful and this is the first time, saw a hoysala temple/basadi which is non Hindu and constructed for Jain reliegion.

• Kind of Ekakoota Temple, as its only for one main diety and no gopura 
• Hoysala temple, with few carvings on the outer walls of the main temple
• Insite wall of the Basadi is plain and no carvings 
• Periphery has beautiful carvings and also many idols of Jain gods/godessess.

Look for 

• There are four pillers inside the temple, out of the 4, three have well carved idols and the fourth one is empty. Care taken told me, its left empty fot future architects to carve something better.
• Yaksha and Yakshi at the entrance of the main chamber
• Beautiful carvings on the ceiling in the nvaranga
• An interesting idol on outside with Flute ( looked like krishna)

Deities and brief history

Basadi is constructed in 12th century by Recca, he was a minister during rule of Veera Balla II.

Main deity is of 16th Thirthankara, Shanthinatha is the sitting posture.

Care taken told me to visit the Jain Mutt and have lunch. Lunch is given for everyone in the afternoon.  Jain mutt is close to Shravana Belagola which is about a km from Jinanathapura.

Ride Details

Date: 26th Oct 2024 (Saturday) 

Weather: Pleasant weather,  Sunny, max  30 °C

Start Time: 10:10 AM

End Time:  3:45 PM

Ride Time: 3H 48M

Overall Rating for Mahalingeshvara Temple , Santebachalli

2 out of 5

Overall Rating for Shanthinatha Basadi Jinanathapura

3 out of 5

Overall Rating for Akaana Basadi, Shravana Belagola

3 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 Shri Veeranarayana Swamy Temple