Hulikere Kalyani (1163 A.D), Hulikere, Arasikere Taluk Hassan District.

BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS COURTESY MR. DEEPAK SETTY of PANDURANGA COFFEE WORKS CHIKMAGALUR

This can be taken as a milestone in the art of constructing Kalyanis or Pushkarinis. This beautiful sacred pool of water is situated in a small village called Hulikere, 5 Km from Halebeedu. In this pushkarini, constructed like a well under the ground level, there are stone stairs up to the mid height from the bottom on all the four sides. Above that level there are 12 sanctums with pinnacles (Shikhara's). Amidst them are also 14 sanctums without peaks are pinnacles. In the place of another possible sanctum there are the down taking steps.

The 12 sanctums of this Kalyani may be most probably representing the twelve Zodiac constellations. While the total number of sanctuaries may be standing for the 27 stellar constellations. So goes the surmise done by connoisseurs. In that case there existed a unique architectural design in this pushkarini representing the celestial sphere and its different constellations. Then this discovery marks a very new astounding fact of the Hoysala architecture. As this great pool is filled ¾ with water during the rainy season, its full beauty is discernible only during the summer season.

Hulikere is 5 kms from Halebidu on Halebidu – Hagare road. Hagare is on Hassan – Belur road. There is a signboard mentioning about the Kalyani which can be easily missed. Take a left here and after a km is the Kalyani.