Alva's Nudisiri - 2017

Contributed by: Vishwesh. K.

Prides of Karnataka thru’ Philately - BELUR – Darpana Sundari.

BELUR in Hassan District of Karnataka, India was the capital of Hoysala Empire. The main attraction in Belur is the Chennakesava Temple, dedicated to Chennakeshava – a Vishnu God. The temple is surrounded by the Kappe Chennigraya temple built by Shantaladevi, the Queen of King Vishnuvardhana.

The Vijayanagar kings built the entrance in the Dravida style. The deity in the temple was considered by them as one of their Kuladevata (family god).

The temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. The temple was built to commemorate the King Vishnuvardhana’s victory over the Cholas at Talakad. The façade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures and friezes with no portion being left blank. The workmanship includes elephants, lions, horses and sensuous dancers. There are a number of ornate pillars inside the temple.

DARPANA SUNDARI (a Lady with Mirror) carved on the walls of Belur temple is one of the major attraction in complex.

This temple alongwith the temple in Halebidu and the Jain monument at Shravanabelagola are being proposed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

The workmanship of BELUR was commemorated by the India Post by Releasing a pictorial cancellation of the DARPANA SUNDARI on 2nd Jan 1978.

Contributed by K.Sridhar, Life Member. DKPNA

Prides of Karnataka thru’ Philately - HAMPI Stone Chariot

HAMPI in Bellary, Northern Karnataka, India is the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. It continues to be an important religious centre and the Group of Monuments at Hampi are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There were many important sites at and near Hampi. One among them is VITTALA TEMPLE, which is most extravagant Architectural showpiece of Hampi. The temple is built in the form of a sprawling campus. The presiding deity of the temple is Vittala, a form of Vishnu.

The highlight of Vittala temple is its impressive pillared halls and the stone chariot. The stone chariot located inside the campus is almost an iconic structure of Hampi. The fact is a shrine built in the form of a temple chariot. The stone shrine was built with many giant granite blocks with the joints smartly hidden in the carvings and decorative features. The chariot is built on a rectangular platform and all around this platform is carved with mythical battle scenes. The four giant wheels were attached with axis shafts and brakes. Floral motifs decorate the wheels. The stone chariot represents the sparkling creativity of the artistes of the 15th century.

The India Post, commemorated the Heritage site by:

• Releasing a 70p stamp on 15th March 1967
• Releasing the pictorial cancellation of the Stone Chariot on 2nd Jan 1978

Contributed by K.Sridhar, Life Member. DKPNA.