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Around Mysore

So here is a bit of hodge podge of small temple towns and other such things that I saw only briefly. They include Srirangapatnam, Melkote (a very nice place), Somnathpur, and Belur. Melkote of these was the best. There is 12th century Hindu temple at the top of a hill in a very quiet, remote village. Somnathpur was okay. Belur was truly astonishing, but it's just one temple in an otherwise very ordinary town. The detail in the carvings at Belur was mind-blowing, much more impressive than the much loathed Khajuraho and certainly up there with Palitana and Mt. Abu. Srirangrapatnam: eh, don't bother.
Belur, but not the old temple.
Belur, but not the old temple.		 I got a guide, and he pointed out the fine details in this 12th century temple.
I got a guide, and he pointed out the fine details in this 12th century temple.		 And as he pointed them out, i dutifully snapped away
And as he pointed them out, i dutifully snapped away		 On the road to Belur
On the road to Belur		 More
More		 Very beautiful carvings
Very beautiful carvings
They made it of some kind of soft rock that is then hardened in the sun
They made it of some kind of soft rock that is then hardened in the sun		 He told me that during Muslim conquests, they would bury the temple in sand to keep it from being destroyed.
He told me that during Muslim conquests, they would bury the temple in sand to keep it from being destroyed.		 A tree
A tree		 Carving at Somnathpur
Carving at Somnathpur		 Decorated cows in the village by Somnathpur
Decorated cows in the village by Somnathpur		 Pilgrims preparing for pilgrimage
Pilgrims preparing for pilgrimage
Nice little shack by Melkote
Nice little shack by Melkote		 Carving detail, Melkote
Carving detail, Melkote		 We like these hangings in doorways
We like these hangings in doorways		 The temple in Melkote. You must, of course, walk up barefoot
The temple in Melkote. You must, of course, walk up barefoot		 Melkote town from the temple
Melkote town from the temple		 Vulture
Vulture
Sun baked idols
Sun baked idols		 Srirangapatnam, not that it matters.
Srirangapatnam, not that it matters.		 Melkote tank
Melkote tank		 Again
Again		 Thrilled to be photographed
Thrilled to be photographed		 Up at the temple now. Very nice carvings.
Up at the temple now. Very nice carvings.
Not exactly sure where this is.
Not exactly sure where this is.		 Stairway again
Stairway again		 Not sure
Not sure		 Now we're in Srirangapatnam
Now we're in Srirangapatnam		 Again
Again		 Again
Again
Some tombs
Some tombs		 India sure is big on tombs.
India sure is big on tombs.		 Nice birds
Nice birds		 Classic baked India shot
Classic baked India shot		 More nice birds
More nice birds		 We don't remember where this is.
We don't remember where this is.
Surrounding countryside from the top of Melkote temple
Surrounding countryside from the top of Melkote temple		 Beautiful gopuram
Beautiful gopuram		 Nice colors, great detail
Nice colors, great detail		 I love this carving
I love this carving		 g1/31/233431/3/92727848.JtuciZSn.jpg Very life-like details
Very life-like details
More tombs
More tombs

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