Belur and Halebidu : A journey to the heritage of South India

What happens when you throw in a pack of girls together? It results in fun, more fun
and lots of fun. This was the case as we six ventured out to Shravanbelagola, Belur
and Halebidu The drizzle and the cold breeze created a mesmerising effect as we
whizzed through the highway in our Innova. Our first stop was Shravanbelagola.
Climbing 600 steps barefoot was refreshing and therapeutic. We girls could not stop
ourselves from clicking numerous photographs of the breathtaking views as well as
posing in front of the camera which resulted in some awesome snaps.

The single stone statue of Gomateshwara, at Shravanbelagola is a marvel among

stone sculptures.
As we proceeded to Belur, our conversation shifted to travelers and their ways. While
few are backpackers, many others spoke about the essence of traveling in a group.
The interactions, the learning that we get from our fellow travelers is invaluable. Also
the need to get back home after a trip was considered as vital by many. For, it’s your
home that acts as the base giving you the strength to spread your wings wide.
Belur and Halebidu inscriptions comprise of stories of Indian mythology. The rich
Indian heritage is ingrained in these inscriptions that date back to the 16th century.

While the Belur inscriptions are known for feminine beauty, the Halebidu inscriptions
are based on Ramayana and Mahabharata. The vision and artistic creativity of the
sculptors of the period deserves the praise and accolades given by everyone. As we
made our way from one inscription to the other we were astound by the detailing in
each one of them. Innovation, creativity and mesmerizing beauty are few among the
many words that describe the architecture of Belur and Halebidu.

Rain, coupled with beautiful photography, proved to be the highlight of our trip and
kept us engaged throughout. As we made our way back to Namma Bengaluru, we
were proud of the rich history and culture of our country. A single thought was in each
of our minds - A day dedicated to history is a day well spent.