Kapitel 7
Trip to Hassan, Belur, Halebid, Shravanabelagola
Have I already told you about my working schedule? It is persistantly interrupted by some random holidays, like your favourite TV-show gets disturbed by unnecessary advertissment. Unfortunately, I am obliged to take some days off for travelling. Damn, what a pitty; I never wanted to skip a single day teaching the enormously interesting alphabet!!!
My spontanious trip begins with a long noisy journey in a night-train. My first destination was Hassan, where I would meet up with some friends. When I finally arrived in the city at 3 am, I found myself in a spooky, deserted and completly locked down place, which forced me to sleep outside in front of barred doors for the rest of the night. I felt like the richest homeless man wearing a Nike jogging trousers and a trendy Hollister hoodie.
When I was searching for sights in Hassan, the internet suggested to look for other places than Hassan. The internet was subliminally trying to explain that it is not worth to visit and I completely agree with this statement, because Hassan is undeniably ugly, even for Indian standards. Apart from a demolished temple, a lot of rubbish and a lonely pokéstop, there is not much to see. However, this city is highly used as a connection point to change a bus.
Huge admiration began when I arrived in Belur, which is a village near Hassan and which offers a real enjoyment for the touristic eye: Chennakesava Temple. It was built in the 12th century for more than a houndred years. The divers external facade of the temple is decorated by millions of small stone sculptures. While tall Catholic churches are trying to overwhelm the visitor by its size and its superficially painted inside walls, this low temple shines far more work effort and ageless aesthetics from the outside. Never in my 20 years life experience was I so captivated by an ancient building.
My next stop was in Halebid, which also had a temple called Hoysaleswara Temple with a similar architecture. I was truly fascinated a second time.
Shravanabelagola was my last and best stop before I took the bus back home. I have a feeling this small village has more space covered by touristic sights than by houses. Shravanabelagola is situated in between two mountains, on which a temple sits enthroned in each case. One of them embraces the world’s largest monolithic statue. I will definitely return for this golden view, while enjoying the sun set on the mountain.
I personally think that pictures are the way to prove that something is beautiful! Are you convinced?
to be continued…