Temple II: Dharmasthala

As I mentioned, we took a long route to Dharmasthala because the "Kumaradhara" river was inundated. We went in the way to Puthur and took some turns and somehow we reached the National Highway. Then the way is clear. But the way till N H was very fun. It is small road full of guttors, also need to cross another bridge where the river already started flowing through the bridge slowly. I am sure that also will be flooded in half an hour. Atlast by traveling not less than 15 kms extra, we reached Dharmasthala by 2.30 PM.

After reaching their, I enquired somebody over there about the temple. He told me that just five minutes before the temple is closed. Then it will open only after 6.30 PM. So anyway after taking so much struggle, we decided to stay there to have the darshan. So we first had out lunch from the temple itself. The temple is giving free food to all the devotees coming over there. The rain is drizzling all that time. Then we decided to visit the nearby tourist spots.

First we went to the vintage car museum. That was a wonderful experience for all of us. There we can see very old model cars, jeeps, horse chariots etc.. which are in working condition. The cars include the car which was used by our Father of nation - Mahathma Gandhi", Mysore king etc. There we saw the old chariots that were used to carry the dress materials of Kathakali - a unique art form of Kerala- and models of some aeroplanes etc. The point to be noted here is that all these vintage items are in working condition.

Then we came to visit the museum over there. But we saw that it will open only after 4.30 PM. So we decided not to waste time and we went to see the statue of Bahubali. The statue is situated on the top of a small hill where we will be able to see scenic greenary around it. The monolithic statue of Bhagavan Bahubali is situated over there and the hill is called as Rathnagiri Betta. The statue weighs almost 200 tons and 52 feet long and 14 feet wide. The statue was originally situated in Karkala, a place near Dharmasthala and later it is moved to Dharmasthala. We spent some time over there. Also we will be able to see monkeys roaming over there.

Then we cae back to see the museum. The name of the museum is Manjusha museum. After taking entrace tickets, we entered inside the hall. That was an awesome experience for me. The hall contains old sculptures, anciet work of arts, old coins, notes, different equipment used at that time, beutiful stones, different paintings, metallic statues, huge pots etc. I am certain that archeologists will admire this place. You can see different swords, house-hold items, musical instruments, sewing machines, type writers, cameras, handy-cams etc.

After that we came to stand in the queue. Then atlast we entered the temple. The temple is very old and is made in a unique style. We had very good darshan and came out of the temple. Then we finished our dinner from there itself. Oh God, I forgot to mention about the Annadhana Shala (Dining Hall). It is a huge hall with lots of entrances. They made a raised platform on many places for the devotees to sit. All the people will gat a stell plate. Then rise will come in a trolly, followed by the curries. You can even see some statues and designs on the wall. And most importantly, the hall is neat and tidy.

Then we departured from their by around 8.00 PM. On the way, one of the tyres of our qualis got punctured. After replacing that typre with the stepani, we reached Udupi around 10.30 PM. We took room in some lodge.

So next will be about the great town Udupi.....Till then bye...bye...