Today we will explore the Shilpa Shastra of Karnataka inspired by Queen Shantala Devi !
Welcome to Belur - Halebidu !
We have explored this UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE earlier ; however what we have not explored is the 400 Bharatanatyam steps and the 242 Hairstyles that are depicted inside the temple on the celestial dancing figurines. Iam yet to start with TRAVEL which is likely to happen only after i fetch a new job ; until then we will continue to explore some of the places we explored earlier with new THEMES.
Queen Shantala Devi ; Wife of Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana is known as THE NATYARANI OF KARNATAKA.
BELUR-HALEBIDU ; The 3D Temple of India depicts 400 Bharatanatyam dance steps and 242 Hairstyles on stones. Located in Karnataka ; Belur and Halebidu is the masterpiece of the Hoysala Dynasty.
It is said that Queen Shantala Devi herself danced right in front of the shrine of Lord Keshava when the temple work began and all the Bharatanatyam dancing figurines you see are inspired by her dance steps.The construction of the temple commenced in 1116 A.D and it took around 103 years to complete this beautifully sculpted temple complex.
Scientifically and aesthetically graceful.
Pictures from 2017 - 2018 Travel !
Below is the sculpture of Queen Shantala Devi - "The Natyarani of Karnataka".
The Ankle Bells of Queen Shantala Devi makes noise when it is windy.
The sculptures are so meticulate for detail that the hair ornament and earrings of dancers actually rotate and beads of perspiration glisten in the Hairs.
The Dancing Sculptures are very graceful.
An Aesthetic experience !
Aesthetics means ABSENCE OF MATERIALISM !
Aesthetics means ABSENCE OF MATERIALISM !
Queen Shantala Devi was considered to be the epitome of FEMININE BEAUTY. The Hairstyles were also sculpted based on Queen Shantala Devi's style statement.
Stone wonders beyond Imagination.
The climax of Indian Stone Architecture.
All the sculptures in Belur and Halebidu are three dimensional, meaning that all sculptures, from the smallest one to the biggest one look alike from all 3 Dimensions.
Exploring the ESSENCE ! An Aesthetic experience !
WHOLENESS is about experiencing all the 400 Dancing Steps and 242 Hairstyles in this MOMENT !
These dancing sculptures follow a particular format.
These sculptures demonstrate stasis, balance, repose and perfect symmetry which hold a fundamental importance in Indian Arts.
These sculptures demonstrate stasis, balance, repose and perfect symmetry which hold a fundamental importance in Indian Arts.
Each and every small sculpture is in the form of Mandala. One can therefore experience Mandala in each of these Bharatantayam Steps !
The concept of Bhanga - Bhangi which is a part of Natya Veda can only be seen in the temples of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
The Shilpa Shastra in Belur - Halebidu Karnataka is the best place to get a glimpse of Bhanga - Bhangi and the 242 Hairstyles of South India.
Bhanga - Bhangi concept in Bharatanatyam is all about maintaining a MANDALA POSITION in Bharatantayam !
Bhanga - Bhangi can be seen only in BELUR-HALEBIDU and a few temples in Tamil Nadu.
These stone sculptures are dancing and singing everyday and every night in front of Lord Keshava. These sculptures have become life - like with dreams frozen in their dance movements.
I have put together all the photos which i took during my 2017 and 2018 trip in this video.
Have tried to capture all the dancing frozen movements that is depicted on stones.
The sacred mountain Shiva Gange (2640.3 feet high) is located at 54 km from Bengaluru city limits. On this mountain is the Queen Shantala Drop Point. Queen Shantala fell from this point ; nobody knows if it was a murder or suicide.
It is believed that this place is HAUNTED and the sound of Queen Shantala Devi's Ankle Bells can be heard at this point even today at Mid-Night ! There is a steel bar indicating that the visitors are not allowed to enter the drop point.
The Haunted Place !
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