New for Old
Vasantha Vallabharaya Temple, Vasanthapura, Bangalore Rural. You read about 'an ancient monument' , note that it is located on a hillock with valleys around it , its vast extent , of kings , sages ,holy springs, divine dreams and stuff. You get a mental picture . Imagination runs amok. And , you HAVE to visit it. But dreams are made to fall apart .............. Late Chola period temple to Vishnu . Fully redone. Hillocks, valleys all reduced to urban sprawl, so the setting is nothing to sing about. Only the sanctum seems old, and a few bas relief panels on the pillars of the porch. Oil painted walls . And a very new cement Rishi in a small kitschy alcove. Shayanotsavam going on at 10 am ! Ladies singing to a dazzling god on a razzle dazzle swing . Quite an eyeful . Giant sized sweet balls as offering, highlighted with some dancing disco lights focussed on them. The Dwarapalakas are well dressed and decorated, looking quite lovely. (Wanted to photograph the beautiful