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Ramanathapura Temples

Ramanathapura

About:

The temples of Ramanathapura stand testimony to the architectural grandeur of the Chola and Hoysala ages, writes B M Ravi Bettasoge.

Hassan brings to one's mind art, culture and history. It has made a name for itself as a tourist destination, a haven of art and as a strong inter-link between the past and the future. The Bahubali statue, the dance forms of shilabhalikas at Belur and Halebidu are an essay in stone. These are identified and are well known as religious places as well. However, Ramanathapura of Arkalgudu taluk has a cultural history spanning several hundred years.

The temples at Ramanathapura were established during the Chola period and rejuvenated during the reign of the Hoysalas. Apart from the fact that it houses different art and architectural styles, Ramanathapura is an important religious centre of South India.

Location info:

Address: Ramanathapura, Arkalgud
District: Hassan
Nearest City:180 KM from Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka.
Best time to visit: Jan - Dec

Climate/Weather:

Pleasant climate through out
Summer 40 (max) & 22 (min) Degrees Celsius
Winter 32 (max) & 10 (min) Degrees Celsius

History:

Sri Rameshwara, Pattabhirama and Agasthyeshwara temples stand testimony to the grand architecture of the Chola and Hoysala ages. Moreover, Vahnipushkarani, a beautiful fish pond, is the main attraction of the place. From time immemorial, devotees have been visiting these temples, considered as the epicentre of spirituality.

However, the saddening part is that neither the elected representatives nor the officials concerned are paying due attention to the development of temples with great historical and cultural backgrounds. Ramanathapura, which once attracted tourists from all over the country, is now left with few visitors. Moreover, assurances given by the chief minister and the officials concerned to rejuvenate the temples have remained as mere hollow promises.

Every year, throughout the Margashira month, Subramanya Rathotsava is held at Ramanathapura when thousands of devotees from different regions of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Maharashtra come to the village to pay their tribute to the deities. But the lack of basic amenities seems to pose a major hurdle to the devotees.

The historically prominent Agasthyeshwara temple has a rich cultural background too. It is a true representative of art, music and culture of its time. The temple is also a model of broad thinking, intellectual maturity and guru-shishya parampara. The Agasthyeshwara temple is also famous for its historical background and its portrayal of the emotional landscape of the society and the strength of religion. Every wall of the temple has a tale of its own to tell. The temple architecture and the surrounding environment prove conducive to the same.

At the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is a huge Shivalinga. Apart from this, the temple also houses Mahaganapathi, Parashurama, Laksmi Devi, Chamundeshwari and other deities. Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, on his recent visit to the temple, had directed the officials concerned to prepare a plan to rejuvenate the temple at an estimated cost of Rs 3.5 crore. However, now after the survey, a report has been submitted to the State Government

Interesting things to do:

Take plesure of viewing the unique style of Temple Architecture.

Interesting things to Visit:

All the major attractions in Hassan are situated few kilometers away from the main town. And most of them are religious in nature. Halebid, Belur and Shravanabelagola are the most important ones. The temples have some magical work of carvings that make them nothing less than a marvel
 

Mobile range info:

 

How to reach?

Nearest Railway Station:Hassan has its own railhead which is around 2 km from the city center. Connection with Mangalore, Mysore and Bangalore is good with regular trains. There are express trains like Mangalore-Bangalore express which has a stop at Hassan.

 

Nearest Airport:Nearest airport is in Bangalore which is at a distance of 187 Km from Hassan. Bangalore being one of the metro cities in India, it recieves flights from all corners of India and of all major operators. It takes around 5 hrs to cover the distance by road. You can either take the sevice of KSRTC buses that are regular between Bangalore and Hassan or you have the option of hiring a taxi.

 

Road Transport:Hassan is connected with good network of roads to nearby areas like Belur, Halebid, Shravanabelagola and to all other major cities of Karnataka. Hassan is an important tourist destinations so KSRTC runs regular buses between Bangalore (222 Km) and Mangalore (194 Km).

 

Nearest Visiting places:

The famous nearby areas like Shravanabelagola and Belur.

Nearest Petrol Pump:

 

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Best of all in Hassan are Hotel Hassan Ashoke, Hotel Suvarna Regency, Hoysala Village resort, and Hotel Southern Star.

 

Things to carry:

 

Tips & Suggestions:

Easiest way of traveling inside the city is by hiring a taxi. Auto rickshaws are also available in good numbers. Buses are regular inside the city but are crowded.

 

Help Line/Phone Number:

Police Station:POLICE DEPARTMENT District Police have started " Garuda " Service from 30-06-2000. Two vehicles in Hassan, 1 vehicle in Sakleshpur, 1 vehicle in Channarayapatna with adequate personnel service is provided to prevent violence, decoity, theft and any other emerging problems.
Nearest Hospital:
Society/Community Phone Number STD Codes of all 8 Taluks of Hassan District: Alur-08170; Arkalgud-08175; Arsikere-08174; Belur-08177; Channarayapatna-08176; Hassan-08172; Holenarasipura-08175; Sakaleshpura-08173

Telephone Numbers of Important Govt. Officers (STD Code : 08172)
Designation Office Residence
Deputy Commissioner 267345 268202
H.Q.A to DC 268402 268107
Superintendent of Police 268410 268228
Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayth. 267534 267056

Ramanathapura Temples Nearest Attraction

Shravanabelagola Temples
Shravanabelagola is one of the most popular Jain pilgrim centers located in the Hassan district of Karnataka state. Shravanabelagola is at a distance of 52 Kms from Hassan town, the headquarters of the Hassan district and 146 Kms from Bangalore. In Kannada (the state language), 'Bel' means white and 'kola' means the pond, an allusion to the beautiful pond in the middle of the town.Shravanabelagola is wedged between two rocky hills - Vindyagiri and Chandragiri. ....more
Belur Archeology
Belur was the early capital of the Hoysala Empire. With Halebidu which is only 16 km away, this is one of the major tourist destinations in Karnataka, India. Belur is located in Hassan district. According to inscriptions discovered here, it was also referred to as Velapuri.Belur is the Chennakesava temple complex which contains the Chennakesava Temple....more
Halebid Archeology
The present day Halebid was earlier known as Dorasamudra. This was the capital of the Hoyasala kingdom, which became prominent in the Mysore area in the 12th-13th century after the Ganga dynasty. The fort and pa;ace no longer exist. Now it is a small village with a group of temples.....more
Shravanabelagola Archeology
Jainism was born in Bihar in East India. When there was a great famine it is said that saint Bahubali along with his followers, came to Karnataka. The ruler of the Murya empire of the time Chandragupta, who considered Bahubali a sint , followed him and also undertook a fast unto death to propagate non-voilance.....more
Belur Historical
Belur in Hassan district (222 kms from Bangalore and 38 kms from Hassan) is famous for its magnificent Hoysala Temple Complex. The Chennakeshava temple here was completed in 1116 by Hoysala Vishnuvardhana to commemorate his victory over the Chola.....more
Doddagadduvalli
About 16km (10 miles) from Hassan on the way to Belur is Doddagaddavalli, a village popular for the 12th century Lakshmi Devi temple.Doddagaddavalli is set in a scenic rural environment. According to the legends the temple was built in 1114 A.D. by a merchant called Kallahana Rahuta, a merchant or high officer in the Hoysala court.....more
Halebid Historical
Halebidu is located in Hassan district in Karnataka.Ketumalla, the chief of staff of Hoysala Kingdom, built this temple during 1121 A.D and attributed to his king, Vishnuvardhana and queen, Shantala Devi. Even then it is learnt that it took 105 years to complete.....more
Harnavalli Archeology
In the 13th century when the Hoysala kingdom was at the peak of it's power, a temple was constructed in every area, its detailed sculptures and decorations.....more
Shrvanabelogola Historical
Shravanabelagola is one of the most popular Jain pilgrim centers located in the Hassan district of Karnataka state. Shravanabelagola is at a distance of 52 Kms from Hassan town, the headquarters of the Hassan district and 146 Kms from Bangalore.....more
Koravangala Archeology
Koravangala is a store house of Hoysala architecture. This scenic village, earlier called Kora Mangala, is home to three Hoysala style temples of the 12th century. All the temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva....more
Hemavati River
The Hemavati River is a very important tributary of the Kaveri River. It starts in the Western Ghats at an elevation of about 1,219 metres[1] near Ballala rayana durga in the Chikmagalur District of the state of Karnataka, in southern India, and flows through Chikkamagalooru, Hassan District and Mysore district before joining the Kaveri near Krishnarajasagara....more
Bisle Ghat Hills
....more
Mosale Archeology
....more