Yesterday, 2nd March 2011, was a memorable day for me. I, along with my wife Pankajam, had the chance to have a bird’s eye view of the great cultural traditions of the Chalukya empire which ruled certain parts of the present Karnataka and nearby areas during the period 5th to 7th century AD. We visited Kudal Sangama, Pattadakal and Badami.

Along with Comrades G.B.Salakki, Asst. General Secretary, BSNL Employees Union and S.R.Makandar and P.R.Aurangabad, union leaders we started from Bijapur at about 0900 hours. We passed through  the fields on both sides where jowhar, maize and other similar crops were being cultivated. We also saw cultivation of sugar canes. The sunflower plants with their big yellow flowers were a beautiful sight.  

After about two hours of journey, we reached Kudal Sangama, the place where  the three rivers, Krishna, Malaprabha and Ghataprabha merge together. First, the former two rivers join and a bit later Ghataprabha joins. The entire area is a vast  expanse of water resembling the sea. At the exact spot of the merger there is a monument at the site of the death of Basaveshwara, the saint who lived in the  7th century AD. Basavanna is considered as a Saint, but he was also a social reformer who opposed caste and inequalities in the society. In fact, he was a rebel against the orthodox Hinduism which hunted him down till death.

There is a temple dedicated to Sage Jataveda in addition to the monument of Basavanna. Thousands of people flock here to see the beautiful sight as also to pay their respects to the great rebel of the 7th century. There is a big auditorium here which can accommodate about 25000 persons. An International Auditorium which can accommodate double that number is under construction.

Our comrades of the Telephone exchange Kudal Sangama, welcomed us and showed us all the places of interest. We also took meals there, though early in the day.

Next we moved to Pattadakal. After driving for about two hours we reached there. This is a World Heritage Site and is maintained by the Archaeological  Survey of India.  There are groups of temples here constructed by the Chalukya Dynasty on the 6th -7th Centuries AD. While many small temples have been ravaged by the climate and probably attacks from enemies, many temples still continue to exist with their beautiful architecture  and carvings. The huge granite stones by which the temples were built have also have started degenerating. The area is maintained neat and clean.

When we came out of the temples complex, I was accosted by a small boy of about 10 years with a small books with information  and photos of the temples. Since the information on the book were in Kannada language, which I can not read,  I asked for an English copy, which he collected from another and sold it to me. By the time,  another boy came and wanted to sell more photos to me. I told him No. But he was in no mood to leave me without selling the photos. He persuaded me so much with his eloquence and eagerness, which I could not resist. I had no other way but to purchase the same. He was happy and gave me a smile which I understood as both his satisfaction and thanks to me for buying the book..  Immediately it came to my mind that if our BSNL top-level management, executives, non-executives  and  all had learnt and practised the art of marketing from this small boy, we could have been winners in the telecom sector.  

Next destination was Badami. After about half an hour we reached there. The comrades of the Telephone exchange were waiting there, who received and welcomed us by garlanding etc. Immediately we started for the Cave Temples. These temples are carved in the huge rocks which form the mountains. One has to climb up many steep steps carved in rocks to reach these temples. There are main three caves in the area which we visited. They have been carved on single rocks. Sufficient space is there for many people to sit and pray at the same time. The rocks are carved with the images of Vishnu, Siva etc. in several poses. I climbed up to the top-level, but some of our comrades preferred to sit in the way, instead of climbing all the steps.

These caves are said to be carved in the 5th century onwards. There are other hills nearby where also there are caves. There seems to be a fort  above the hills which helped observation and security.

After some time we reached Hospet Telephone Exchange, where our comrades were waiting. We were given a warm welcome. It was already 1930 hours and our train to Bangalore was at 2030 hours. Hence I suggested Com.Salakki to cancel our programme to visit Hampi. But the local comrades assured that we can just visit the Viroopaksha temple at Hampi , where Sivaratri celebrations were going on and return immediately.  I was not sure about that. Anyhow we started for Hampi. We reached there, saw the large number of people, visited the high Gopura and returned since there was hardly 20 minutes left for the departure of the train. Then it was a race to catch the train covering about 12 miles of  traffic filled road. We reached there exactly by 2000 hours, but there was no train. Of course as usual with the Railways, the train was late; late by 15 minutes. The train came, myself and wife got in to it, our comrades gave us packet of food and water bottles for the journey,and we left.

We thank  Com. C.K.Gundanna, Circle Secretary, Com.G.B.Salakki, AGS, Com. S.R.Nayak, District Secretary, Bijapur and all other comrades for their love and affection shown to us. But the comrades of Hospet made us to give assurance that we will come to  Hospet once again to visit the ruins of Hampi, the capital city of the great emperor, King Krishna Devarayar.

It was a great day for us. Thanks to our comrades of Karnataka.