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The local Kanchi

Tekal has temples that have stories to tell

APATHY It is sad to see that the authorities neglect such a historical temple

When I decided to visit Tekal, I expected that it would be a memorable one. I set out early morning and after Hosakote, changed the route at Malur to Tekal. I knew I had reached my destination when the rocky hills welcomed me.

I decided to visit the historic Varadarajaswamy Temple first. The narrow lane took me to the shrine. My enthusiasm turned to disappointment on seeing the 50-foot gopura. Like other temples in this area, the statues on the top of the gopura are either missing or the structure was incomplete. The reason was unknown. I saw some inscriptions near the entrance and they harked back to the 13th Century. The dark corridor leads to the sanctum sanctorum and the deity was the four-foot image of Varadaraja Swamy.

Tenkanchi

Tekal can be compared with the famed Varadarajaswamy temple in Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu and it was called Tenkanchi (Southern Kanchi) in ancient times. Later, it was shortened to Tekal. The local lore is that the deity, as a boon, fulfils the wishes of the devotees and that's why the name Varadaraja.

According to the priest, the idol was installed by the great sage Bhrigu who used to come here every day to worship the deity. On the left side is a hall surrounded by the stone mantaps and there are some inscriptions on Tamil in front of it. On the right side are shrines of Lakshmi and the navagrahas which are crumbling. It is sad to see that such a historical temple is neglected both by the authorities and the Archaeological Department.

The Hemadri hill is nearby from where you can see the fort walls and the watchtower. There are no steps to climb and the rocks get very hot as the day progresses. Mid-journey, you see a small pond and a cave too. And at the hilltop you can see the ruins of the fort which was built by the Vijaynagara emperors, way back in the 14th Century. From here the entire town looks like something right out of a picture postcard.

Don't miss the Someswara and Anjaneya temples at the bottom of the hill. On the other side of the town, which is about two kilometres from here, is the Kurmadri hill, full of caves.

TRAVEL TIPS

Tekal is 65 km from Bangalore. To reach here, take Bangalore Hosekote road (NH 4), after Hosakote travel towards Malur. Tekal is situated on Malur-Bangarapet road.

Food and water have to be carried, but please be sensitive to the environment and don't leave behind litter

Accommodation: If you wish to stay, there are hotels available in Bangarpet (12 km from Tekal).

SOUMYA NARAYAN ACHARI

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