Periyapatna: A historical town lost in modernization

Overview: I knew this place called Periyapatna as a small town on the way to Madikeri. It happens to be my wife's granny's place as well. So on my recent visit to granny's house, I thought of exploring this small town. It was good to learn that there is more in Periyapatna than just serving as a pit stop point to Coorg. The Granny's place was located at a calm and clean area and was very well maintained with areca nut plantations all around. We visited the Fort which was probably built by the Kodagu rulers of Coorg and then further renovated by Tipu Sultan where he held the Kodava king Dodda Vira Rajendra as a prisoner. The fort walls cover the entire area and there are entry and exit points which lead to Periyapatna lake. I took one of the exit points of the fort and the lake was amazing. The early morning mist added to its beauty and the lotus flowers were blooming on the surface. On the way back I took a leisurely stroll along the streets where houses were built in traditional manner which are difficult to be seen in cities.

In the evening, I took the chance to visit the ancient Chennakeshava temple which was probably built by the Hoysalas in the 12th century. The structure was great but was painted in silver and black which was not too impressive. The temple was locked but we had chance to appreciate the temple from all sides. The temple lies in the state of neglect and needs immediate attention.
From here we went to the two more popular temples in Periyapatna, the Kannambadi Amma and Masanikamma temples which are frequented by the villagers.

Sree Kannambadi Amma temple, Periyapatna

How to reach: Bus: KSRTC buses plying from Bangalore and Mysore to Madikeri have to pass via Periyapatna.
By Car: Travel towards Mysore and after Srirangaptna take the right deviation towards Elvaala to reach Madikeri road. Turn right at Elvaala to reach Periyapatna.
Food/Accommodation: Accommodation is slightly difficult to get in Periyapatna. Though good Homestays are available in Kushalnagar and Madikeri which are not very far. This can also be taken as a day trip from Bangalore and Mysore.
Map:

View Larger Map

The forgotten story of a migration: Nacharamma of South India

This is a story of Nacharamma (fictionised by me to some extent), which is not documented in any inscriptions or ancient texts, but has been told by the ancestors of the community, and also been researched by some historians like M Keshavaiah, Dr Pranarthiharan and a few others.

Overview: Around the early 17th century, the Pilgrims set to sail across the Atlantic to become the first settlers of America. Much before this, a small but no less interesting migration took place in the Southern India of a community called the 'Sankethis'.
It was the summer of 1420 CE, in a place called Sengottai, in Tamil Nadu, along the foothills of the Western Ghats bordering Kerala. The place was flourishing with knowledge of the Vedas where Agraharams were set up. One of the prominent communities of learned people was the Sankethi Iyer community, also known as Sangeethi, derived from the name of the place- Sengottai or Shankotta. Another theory says that they were The group followed Adi Shankara…

Clock Towers of Bangalore

Overview: In the middle of the 18th century, when home clocks and watches were not so common, there was the practice of having huge clocks on top of iconic buildings or religious places having visibility from all the corners. Clock towers were in fashion all across the globe in the 18th to 20th centuries, and some of them had bells as well, which used to ring at every hour. Bangalore too, has had its share of clock towers, though the city has never been known for its clock towers. The iconic Clock tower once stood at the Russell Market in Shivajinagar, which no longer stands today as it was brought down sometime during the middle of the 20th century.
A few standing clock towers can be seen at the City Market, Baldwin Boys school, Jayachamarajendra Polytechnic, Central College, Police training grounds, St John's Church, Corporation office and the newly constructed towers at South End circle and Omkar Hills. Most of these clocks have been provided by HMT.

Know your neighbourhood-3: Madivala, Agara, Koramangala, Bellandur

Overview: Now famous for high rises, branded showrooms and startups, the villages of Madivala, Agara, Koramangala and Domlur are the villages which have seen an ancient past.

Madivala village was a flourishing agrahara under the Cholas and Hoysalas. There is an ancient Chola era temple, which was later expanded by the Hoysalas behind the road opposite to the Silk Board. This Someshwara temple is of high historical importance, with Tamil inscriptions all along the outer walls of the temple. The most important being the 1247 CE inscription which talks about the grants of some lands near the big tank of Vengalur (2nd inscription of the city name after the one in Begur). This inscription is by an official Pemmataiyar of Veppur (Begur) for the deity Sembeshwaram (Someshwara) at Tamaraikkirai (Tavarekere).

Agara is situated at the junction of the ORR and Sarjapura Road, and is in existance since the Gangas. A 870 CE Ganga inscription mentions about the fixing of sluices to 2 tanks (Agara Lake…

the light baggage

Search This Blog