Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara Temple

As per Shivashankar's idea, we were to visit the 'Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara Temple'. It was hardly 2 Kms from the guesthouse. Evenings are incomplete without a round of tea-coffee and we started our evening with it. Harisha helped himself by stealing a chips packet from a shop and innocently stuffed it into Suhas' bag. As everyone slowly walked towards the temple, a grand palatial structure, adorned by huge fountains, confronted us. The men considered themselves lucky to have met Janardhan Poojari - the ex-minister and draftsman of the Kudroli Temple, as soon as we entered inside. Although the fountain was majestic, yet, it splashed us with water and made viewing difficult. Janardhan Poojari ordered for the fountains to be stopped for a moment, especially for us, and it aided Suhas to click a few photographs of Shiva, Bhageeratha and the rest of the Gods. The surroundings were extravagant as well - smaller fountains, sculptures of tigers and cows depicting mythology, an imposing marriage hall and a well-lit Gokarnanatheshwara Temple. The temple doors were laminated, and glittered like gold. Elders felt that everyone needs to show gratitude to Janardhan Poojari, for giving us a tour of the place. That probably was a mistake. The politician that he was, took us all into an air conditioned chamber, and began lecturing us about himself, the growth of the temple, and the miracles associated with it (of how a patient whose both kidneys had failed miraculously recovered after Janardhan Poojari prayed for him at this temple, and how the temple itself was built on soil which was most unfit for any construction). Madhuri and Suhas kept cracking jokes, Navya was in her usual naughty mood, Bharath kept on throwing cashew-nuts into Suhas' mouth, while the others had no option but to listen intently and appreciate the architect of the temple. It was pretty late by the time we were relieved (not to forget the plenty more photos Suhas had to click of the politician).