Poetry in stone...

The dusty roads led me to enchantment

I stood bewildered and captivated

For I was transported to another era..

An era of courtesans, kings and warriors!

I felt trapped within my soul

Which longed to unleash the dancer in me.

As I gazed with amazement

At the magic of sculpture in front of my eyes!

Mesmerized I let my fingers roam on the carvings

Feeling the sweat of the sculptor

Pour onto the filigree, trellis and detail!

She gazed into the mirror, he fought valiantly

She carried the babe, she played the drums

He stood stoic still...

So many stories wrought upon soap-stone

Which gleamed and glinted in the rain-washed splendor!!

This is dedicated to my recent visit to the Belur ( http://www.karnataka.com/tourism/belur) and Halebid (http://www.karnataka.com/tourism/halebidu) temples built by the Hoysalas.. It took about 103 years to build the temples.