Asters

.........

Dharwad a major textile manufacturing center?

That was news to me when I read Malabar Days. This interesting blog by Nick Balmer, a descendant of a British officer who was incharge of Dharwad jail, gives you a glimpse into textile manufacturing activity in Dharwad and Hubli 180 years ago.

Industries related to textiles in this region I know are; Garag where khadi is woven in two handloom units at Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha and Bhoruka Textiles Limited at Sattur.

Apart from these two there's nothing (I know) that can connect Dharwad to textile manufacturing. I spoke to few long-time residents of Dharwad and learnt that there were people who were into textile business many years ago and many such merchants shifted to gold trading.

.........

Spell as you speak

Some years ago, in Manish complex, right above the elevator button I saw a hand-written sale notice of household items posted by a resident, an Iranian who was planning to move back to Iran. One of the items was "Cut". Few minutes of thinking, could not figure out what "Cut" could be. I decided to check with the Irani. I rang his door bell, he himself answered.

me: I saw your list of items. What is "cut"?

Irani: Cut... you sleep on it ...cut ...bed.

me: Oh! You mean cot?

Irani: Yes yes cut. You interested to buy my cut? Good condition.

me: No thanks!

:)

.........

Ulavi Basaveswara Gudi

Ulavi Basaveshwara Gudi is situated on a hillock. This shrine's history goes back to 12th century i.e. Basavaeshwara's time. Back then the  was known as Basappana Gudda, it is said that a shrine existed here since then. The hill gained importance when Basaveshwara's sister Nagalambike and her son Chennabasaveshwara camp here during their journey from Kalyana (in Bidar district) to Ulavi (in Uttara Kannada jungles).

Here are few events from Nagalambike and Chennabasaveshwara's journey:
Sharanas in a bid to escape Bijjala's persecution leave Kalyana en mass; Bijjala's soldiers chase the Sharana's group with an intention to finish them off; the Sharanas are followed from Kalyana to Kadrolli (between Belgaum and Dharwad); Sharanas and Bijjala's soldiers clash at Kadrolli (on the banks for river Malaprabha); Sharanas win the battle and Bijjala's soldiers turn back. Sharanas form two groups, each lead by Channabasaveshwara and Dohara Kakkayya and take two different routes to Ulavi. Dohara Kakkayya and his wife Bhistadevi injured during the battle die near Alnavar, that place is known as Kakkeri. Even to this day, a fair called Bhistadevi Jatre happens every year at Kakkeri. Gangambike attains aikya near Itgi, on the banks of river Malaprabha. Channabasaveshwara's group (Nagalambike is part of this group) arrive at Dharwad and camp at Basappana Gudda (present day Ulavi Basaveshwara Hill); the group celebrates the battle victory; during the stay Channabasaveshwara and Nagalambike advice nearby village people to develop Basappana Gudda shrine; the group proceeds to Unkal (near Hubli) and then to Yellapur. Kakkaya's group also arrives at Yellapur; having regrouped they cross Kali river and reach Ulavi. Nagalambike continues to travel south with her journey ending at Yennehole at Tarikere (near Bhadravathi).

Coming back to the temple..

Ulavi Basaveswara Gudi Mahadwara

A peaceful temple; it's silent here most times. The temple shikhara is 8-sided with each of the sides dedicated to a Shivasharana. You can see statues of Allamaprabhu, Chennabasaveshwara, Akkamahadevi, Siddalingeshwara, Jagadguru Renukacharya, Siddrameshwara, Neelambikedevi and Basaveshwara.

In the Garbhagudi is a marble statue of meditating Shankara.

It is said that Monday is Lord Shiva's day. Monday mornings on my way to office, I stop here for a minute to pray. It would be good way to start the week with Lord Shiva's blessings.


This temple seems to be an old one. Going back to the days when walking, bullock carts and horses were the only modes of transportation, traveling pilgrims would live under this shelter. They would spend few days and then move on to another temple.


Four pillars would mark one compartment which would be occupied by a family. Every compartment had a nest in the wall for an oil lamp. The floral painting and the text on the wall are of course recent additions. Every compartment has one proverb.


The temple is well maintained and who ever is in charge takes real good care. This temple has four elephants- two big ones outside at the entrance and two small ones at the inner temple entrance. This particular elephant looks as though it's angry...

Statue of Shivasharane Akka Nagalambike, sister of Basavanna and mother of Channabasaveshwara. She was well known as Akkanagamma.

This is a Bilva Patri tree. It is said that Lord Shiva likes Bilva Patri leaves and it's quite common to see at least one tree in every Shiva temple's premises.


There's also an ancient mango tree, two or three tamarind trees and plenty of coconut trees. And I'll mention about birds which live amongst these trees. If you are a resident of Dharwad and not been here, do make it a point to see this temple. You'll like it.

A short walk from the temple are two ancient artifacts- 1. pair of feet embossed in stone in mark of Channabasaveshwara's visit to this place and 2. a hero stone in memory of the battle between Sharanas and Bijjala's soldiers..

Channabasaveshwara's holy feet

Shelter housing the herostone

head of the hero-stone

figure inside the mantapa must be Bsaveshwara

battle scene

battle scene

.........

Sunday afternoon at Botanical Gardens

Heard on BBC2

Briton Becomes First To Walk Amazon River

.........

Insects 'eye' saw

.........