Spirituality Essays: Sripadaraja Narasimha theertham, Mulbagal, Karnataka ©Sangeeta Venkatesh

If you recall reading about Mulbagal in my previous pieces, the word ‘Mulabagilu’ is derived from the word ‘Mudalabagilu’, which means the eastern door in Kannada. History records that this was a centre for Vedic learning and the Sripadaraja Narasimha Theertham, a monastic institution is testimony to this fact. Before I describe the place, a … Continue reading Spirituality Essays: Sripadaraja Narasimha theertham, Mulbagal, Karnataka ©Sangeeta Venkatesh

The grandeur of Someshwara Temple, Kolar ©Sangeeta Venkatesh 

If you had read my previous piece on the Kolaramma Temple, dedicated to the goddess and presiding deity of Kolar, you would be familiar with the history of Kolar. For a quick recap, Kolar was previously known as ‘Kuvalapura’, and became the capital of the Ganga Dynasty. For as long as they were in power … Continue reading The grandeur of Someshwara Temple, Kolar ©Sangeeta Venkatesh 

Palaces of Bangalore; the Jayamahal Palace Hotel ©Sangeeta Venkatesh

Just north of the city centre, close to the Cantonment Railway Station, Bangalore, is the Jayamahal Palace. This was the summer palace of the royal family of Gondal (Gujarat). The history is obscure, but it is said to have been built in 1903 by Arni Jagirdar (Maratha Brahmins from Arcot district, Tamil Nadu), and it … Continue reading Palaces of Bangalore; the Jayamahal Palace Hotel ©Sangeeta Venkatesh

Temples of Bangalore (Rajarajeshwari Nagar) ©Sangeeta Venkatesh

Shrungagiri Shanmukha It had been ages since I had driven up to the neighbourhood of Rajarajeshwari Nagar, located in the southwestern part of Bangalore, but after seeing the pictures of Shrungagiri Shanmukha Temple, I knew I had to visit as soon as possible. Shrungagiri Shanmukha Temple: This temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan, whom I … Continue reading Temples of Bangalore (Rajarajeshwari Nagar) ©Sangeeta Venkatesh

Belgrade: A Serbian Sojourn: Part 1 ©Sangeeta Venkatesh

As I had written previously, that one can write reams on Belgrade, the capital city of Serbia, has a rich and complex history that dates back over 7,000 years. We spent the Day 1 and the last two days of our ‘Serbian Sojourn’ in Belgrade. Belgrade, in its Serbian form means White City (Beo-grad), a … Continue reading Belgrade: A Serbian Sojourn: Part 1 ©Sangeeta Venkatesh

‘Feel Belgrade’ ApartHotel- A Review ©Sangeeta Venkatesh

This is a much delayed review of the Apart Hotel 'Feel Belgrade', where we stayed in Belgrade last May (May 2022). We were a family of 4 and we stayed for 8 nights in a 2 bedroom apartment. This is a real convenient place-centrally located and within walking distance to the Republic Square in Belgrade. … Continue reading ‘Feel Belgrade’ ApartHotel- A Review ©Sangeeta Venkatesh

Reimagining Indic/ Vedic Calendar with ‘Coolture’ ©Sangeeta Venkatesh

A few days back, I received a tabletop calendar that was totally 'cool'! Well, it is already April, and you might ask me, wasn't it a tad late to receive a calendar in the month of April? Like I have written several times in the past, the Gregorian calendar and January 1st of a year … Continue reading Reimagining Indic/ Vedic Calendar with ‘Coolture’ ©Sangeeta Venkatesh

The majesty of Masrur Rock Cut Temple ©Sangeeta Venkatesh 

In his book, ‘Coronation of Shiva – Rediscovering Masrur’, Prof. Narinder K Singh says. “I travelled some 1800 years back in the history, to find this monolithic temple standing majestically on the top of a hill in the Shivalik hills of Himachal Pradesh. At first sight, it looked like a great ship of rock wrecked … Continue reading The majesty of Masrur Rock Cut Temple ©Sangeeta Venkatesh 

Garuda Temple at Koladevi ©Sangeeta Venkatesh 

One of the most popular articles on my website is the piece on the Vainatheya Temple at Bindiganavile, where I get a number of visitors everyday. I had written that the place was also famous for the fact that this is the only temple where there is a separate sannidhi for Garuda. In all other temples, Garuda … Continue reading Garuda Temple at Koladevi ©Sangeeta Venkatesh 

Kolaramma Temple, Kolar ©Sangeeta Venkatesh 

You would have previously read my pieces on the Koti Lingeshwara Temple, the series on the Mulbagal Temples, the Ramalingeshwara group of temples and Avani Betta, all of which are in the vicinity of the town of Kolar. However, we missed visiting the Kolaramma temple dedicated to the goddess and presiding deity of Kolar, which … Continue reading Kolaramma Temple, Kolar ©Sangeeta Venkatesh