In the village of Neelagunda near the city of Harapanhallii in the Bellary district of Karnataka lies a small temple of Bheemeshwar. The journey to this temple is rather interesting.

A few kms away from the temple, the road turns onto a small dirt road or a kaccha road.
In the village of Neelagunda near the city of Harapanhallii in the Bellary district of Karnataka lies a small temple of Bheemeshwar. The journey to this temple is rather interesting. A few kms away from the temple, the road turns onto a small dirt road or a kaccha road.
In the village of Neelagunda near the city of Harapanhallii in the Bellary district of Karnataka lies a small temple of Bheemeshwar. The journey to this temple is rather interesting. A few kms away from the temple, the road turns onto a small dirt road or a kaccha road.
To someone brought up in a city, the sights of a village were certainly interesting to see. Kids running about, cattle grazing, sheep getting into the way...

After a few minutes of an extremely bumpy ride, we came across a curious site.
Google maps which we were following until then stopped showing the way. On a closer inspection, we realised that the semi-decent road has ended and we were on a trail worn into ground by people and cattle moving. Puzzled we looked around but the temple was nowhere to be seen.
We decided to look a little further. Now it was a shot in the dark.There was no road as such and we didn't even know where we were headed. Some way off the road became semi-decent again.There,right in the middle of nowhere was a small stone structure looking forlorn and neglected
We decided to look a little further. Now it was a shot in the dark.There was no road as such and we didn't even know where we were headed. Some way off the road became semi-decent again.There,right in the middle of nowhere was a small stone structure looking forlorn and neglected
We decided to look a little further. Now it was a shot in the dark.There was no road as such and we didn't even know where we were headed. Some way off the road became semi-decent again.There,right in the middle of nowhere was a small stone structure looking forlorn and neglected
Now, I am not a superstitious person, but although human beings seemed to have deserted the place, Nandi had not. We observed a bull patiently grazing on what little foliage grew there in the temple premises. He was least bothered by our presence.
Now, I am not a superstitious person, but although human beings seemed to have deserted the place, Nandi had not. We observed a bull patiently grazing on what little foliage grew there in the temple premises. He was least bothered by our presence.
Now, I am not a superstitious person, but although human beings seemed to have deserted the place, Nandi had not. We observed a bull patiently grazing on what little foliage grew there in the temple premises. He was least bothered by our presence.
A lone man, presumably an ASI caretaker glanced up from his phone and went back to it.

The destination was certainly very magical but it was the journey that made it even more special.
A little information about the temple. As per ASI board, the temple was built sometime in later part of the 11th Century AD under the rule of Chalukyas of Kalyana. It is made of soapstone for which the area is pretty famous.
A little information about the temple. As per ASI board, the temple was built sometime in later part of the 11th Century AD under the rule of Chalukyas of Kalyana. It is made of soapstone for which the area is pretty famous.
A little information about the temple. As per ASI board, the temple was built sometime in later part of the 11th Century AD under the rule of Chalukyas of Kalyana. It is made of soapstone for which the area is pretty famous.
A little information about the temple. As per ASI board, the temple was built sometime in later part of the 11th Century AD under the rule of Chalukyas of Kalyana. It is made of soapstone for which the area is pretty famous.
A little information about the temple. As per ASI board, the temple was built sometime in later part of the 11th Century AD under the rule of Chalukyas of Kalyana. It is made of soapstone for which the area is pretty famous.
The interiors have sculptures of Ganesha, Mahishasuramardini and seated Yaksha. The interiors are pretty dark and hence I didn't get a decent photo.
The interiors have sculptures of Ganesha, Mahishasuramardini and seated Yaksha. The interiors are pretty dark and hence I didn't get a decent photo.
The interiors have sculptures of Ganesha, Mahishasuramardini and seated Yaksha. The interiors are pretty dark and hence I didn't get a decent photo.
Adam Hardy in his book The Temple Architecture of India says that although the original plan had four vimanas, only one has survived. The carving is very intricate. Some examples of the carvings.

It's impossible to fathom the kind of effort that went into making this place.
Adam Hardy in his book The Temple Architecture of India says that although the original plan had four vimanas, only one has survived. The carving is very intricate. Some examples of the carvings. It's impossible to fathom the kind of effort that went into making this place.
Adam Hardy in his book The Temple Architecture of India says that although the original plan had four vimanas, only one has survived. The carving is very intricate. Some examples of the carvings. It's impossible to fathom the kind of effort that went into making this place.
Adam Hardy in his book The Temple Architecture of India says that although the original plan had four vimanas, only one has survived. The carving is very intricate. Some examples of the carvings. It's impossible to fathom the kind of effort that went into making this place.
The temple is silent and bells no longer ring. The Linga is still in the gabhagriha but not sure if it is still worshipped. There was no light in there. Not even a tiny lamp.
The temple must have been a sight to behold in its heydays. Although neglected now, it continues to narrate the tales of its glory to anyone who stops by.

It's a little out of the way for sure, but this temple is a must visit place is you are in the vicinity.
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