Marco Polo Marco Polo travelled the Silk Road, a medieval trade route connecting Europe to Asia, between 1271-95, spending seventeen of those years in China as a prominent figure in the flourishing Mongol empire under Kublai Khan. His account is very important for understanding commercial activities during the late 13th century. He has also described…
Vesara Style of Temple Architecture Vesara style of temple architecture emerged and flourished mainly in the Karnataka region. It is a hybrid form of temple architecture formed by an amalgamation of the northern Nagara style and the southern Dravida style of temple architecture. It uses the plan and shape of the southern India temples, whereas…
About Chennakesava Temple, Somanathpura, Karnataka  Channakeshava temple is also known as Somanathpura Temple. It is one of the oldest shrines located in Somanathapura town in Mysore district, Karnataka. The temple is dedicated to Krishna in three forms, i.e., Janardhana, Keshava and Venugopala and is renowned for its intricate carvings, artcraft, stunning architecture, and beautiful sculptures….
A court poet of the Parmara king Sindhuraja (r. 990s CE). Padmagupta is the author of a Sanskrit epic, “Nava-shahshanka-charita.” The epic depicts the romance between Parmara King Sindhuraja and the Naga princess Shahshiprabha. Due to this work, Padmagupta is known as ‘Parimala Kalidasa’. It is written in Vaidharbhi style, generally using short and light…
Basavanna was a poet, social reformer and philosopher of the Lingayat sect in the Shaiva tradition. He served as Chief Minister of the Kalachuri king Bijjala. Beliefs: Condemned social discrimination, rituals, superstition and sacrifices, prevalent in Brahmanism. Promoted non-violence. Rejected temple worship: He preached to people to be the temple by purifying one’s body and…
Varkari Movement The Varkari Movement is a significant spiritual tradition that originated in Maharashtra, India, in the 13th century, as panth during bhakti movement. This movement is centered around devotion to Lord Vitthal, also known as Vithoba. Varkari Movement brings together people from various backgrounds in a mutual journey of faith and devotion, marking an…
Ramanujacharya (1017-1137 CE) Ramanujacharya was born into a Tamil Brahmin family in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu, during the rule of the Cholas. Ramanujacharya is revered as a social reformer and Vedic philosopher. Ramanuja was originally known as Lakshmana/ Llaya Perumal but later came to be known as Ramanuja. He was a South Indian Brahmin and…
Halebidu Halebidu is a city located in the Hassan District of Karnataka, India, is a gem for those intrigued, artwork, and structure. Once the regal capital of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century, Halebidu, which means ‘Old city’, is renowned for its extraordinary temples, with the Hoysaleshwara and Belur Halebidu temples status as testaments…
Sharangdeva was a 13th–century musicologist from Kashmir. Due to the Muslim invasion of Kashmir, he migrated to the Yadavas kingdom in Deccan and settled there. He worked as an accountant in the court of the Yadava king Simhana. He authored Sangita Ratnakara. It is a Sanskrit work on music drama. It means “Ocean of Music…
Sant Dnyaneshwar Sant Dnyaneshwar, a name that resonates with devotion and enlightenment, remains one of the most revered saints in the annals of Indian spirituality. Born in the 13th century, Dnyaneshwar was a Marathi saint, poet, philosopher, and yogi. During Bhakti movement, he has significantly contributed to the Marathi language’s literary and spiritual landscape. His…