OLLIT EXPEDITIONS

Name: OLLIT EXPEDITIONS
Address: JP NAGAR 7th Phase, Bangalore, 560078, IN
Telephone: +917676946184

Home
India
Bangalore
OLLIT EXPEDITIONS

OLLIT - One Life Live It, Is a byproduct of our love for people and places.

OLLIT is a travel company, committed to offering bespoke and hand-crafted travel experiences.

19/02/2025

Memories from the recent past! We organised a curated expedition stitching experiences around heritage, archeology, coffee and coast to our guests. Along the landscapes of Mysore, Chickmanglur and Coastal Karnataka.

06/02/2025

Calukyas of Vatapi - Interaction to the sacred landscapes of Calukyas - Lajjagauri

The goddess Lajjagauri is primarily revered and immensely popular among common folk for bestowing progeny. The visual antiquity of the goddess in her typical form can be traced back to the early centuries of the Common Era. However, archaeologists have traced her precursors back to the proto-historical phase (Copper Age).

The worship of Lajjagauri was particularly prominent in the western part of the Indian subcontinent. The historical visual representation of the goddess is enigmatic; she is often depicted sitting in a squatting (utkitasana) posture with exposed genitalia. She is mostly headless, with a blossomed lotus in place of a head, and her raised hands are sometimes free or, in some depictions, holding a lotus, a linga, or Ganapati.

During the early medieval Deccan (c. 6th century CE onward), especially in northern Deccan (southern Maharashtra and northern Karnataka), the goddess began to receive greater attention and took center stage in religious worship. It was observed that the early Chalukyan rulers venerated Lajjagauri. During their reign, temples were built, and images of the goddess were installed, becoming an integral part of worship alongside other deities. As a result, in the adjoining regions of Badami, Pattadakal, and Aihole, numerous shrines dedicated to Lajjagauri can be found. These shrines are commonly located in distinct landscapes—secluded places, high-altitude hilly forest regions, valleys (kolla), and, most importantly, near natural water springs or small riverine.

One of the surviving shrines of Lajjagauri is Siddhankolla, located in close proximity to Aihole and Pattadakal. Here, the image of Lajjagauri is carved onto the surface of a natural cavern, with a perennial water spring flowing nearby, making Siddhankolla a particularly sacred and vibrant site. It is said by the archeologists and art historians that goddess in due course of time took various names like Shakambari and Banshankari

05/02/2025

Day 3: The Sacred City of Pattadakal

Our journey into the sacred city of Pattadakal began with a storytelling session, unfolding the myths and legends that shaped this once-thriving spiritual and architectural hub. As we walked through this UNESCO World Heritage Site, we traced how Pattadakal became the culmination of Chalukyan temple art, blending artistic innovation with imperial ambition.

At the Sangameshvara Temple, we saw early Dravidian experiments in scale and design, while the Papanatha Templeshowcased a seamless fusion of Nagara and Dravidian styles, its walls narrating epic tales from the Mahabharata, Ramayana, Pancatantra, and Puranas—a true case of decoding narratives in stone. The Kashi Vishweshvara and Mallikarjuna Temples, though smaller, held remarkable artistic details, while the Virupaksha Temple, built to mark a Chalukyan victory, stood as a masterpiece of mature temple art, where divine figures, celestial dancers, and mythological beings came alive through sculpted precision.

Midway, we stepped into a local home for a heartwarming meal, where flavors, hospitality, and stories intertwined. The day concluded with a visit to an ancient quarry site, where the stones of these grand temples were sourced, and a prehistoric cave site adorned with 1,500-year-old paintings, offering a glimpse into civilizations that came long before the Chalukyas.

From sacred stories to sculpted epics, imperial artistry to prehistoric echoes, this day was a journey into the past—one where every carving had a story waiting to be heard.

03/02/2025

Day 2 - Calukyas of Vatapi Tour Our day began at Siddanakolla, a quiet sanctuary where one of the earliest Shiva shrines stands. Here, we explored the intriguing presence of Lajja Gauri, a unique fertility goddess symbolizing abundance. This site set the stage for conversations on Deccan cult deities, and what these depictions reveal about spiritual life in early Chalukyan times.

At Badami Cave Temples,we traced the evolution of rock-cut architecture, unraveling the artistic brilliance behind each sculpture. Discussions flowed about the imperial aspirations of the Chalukyas, the Chalukya-Pallava contestations, and how the region became a battleground for power and culture. As we stood before larger-than-life depictions of Vishnu, Shiva, and Jain Tirthankaras, we examined the symbolism and artistic shifts that defined Chalukyan temple-making. A pause from history led us to a warm home-cooked meal, hosted by a local family—a perfect reminder that culture isn’t just about monuments, but the people who keep traditions alive.

In the afternoon, we explored the Bhootanatha Temple, where water and devotion merge at the banks of Agastya Lake. Climbing up to the Upper and Lower Shivalayas, we traced the story of Badami’s monumental heritage, spanning over 1,500 years of art and architecture. At the Kappe Arabhatta Inscription, we dived into the world of early Kannada literature and intellectual thought.

As the day drew to a close, we reached the Malegitti Shivalaya Temple, perched high above the rugged landscape. With the soft glow of sunset casting golden hues over the ancient stone, we took in a breathtaking view of Vatapi—where history, myth, and time seemed to converge. A perfect ending to a day steeped in stories, architecture, and reflections on a glorious past.

Have you watched a sunset from an ancient temple? Tag a friend who’d love this experience!

Follow for more journeys into the past.

31/01/2025

Day 1 - Part 2 - Calukyas of Vatapi - Interaction to the sacred land of Calukyas - Aihole. Complex Hill

02/02/2022

Nagala Trek - Trails of waterpools (February 12-13)

Join us next weekend to trek in the pristine forests of Eastern Ghats.

If you are the old school adventurer who likes to carry rations and cook with stream water

If you are new to treks and want to get a raw experience of outdoors

If you like sleeping under the stars with water streams and cicada lullabies

If you like to wake up to the soundscapes of the birds

If you like playing in the open waters and invoke the child in you, then....This is for you!!!

Note :

* Wearing life jackets before entering the water is mandatory, even if you are olympic swimmer. Not bargain on that :)

* Strictly no alcohol

* Soaps and shampoos are not allowed. The chemicals wil be toxic for our tiny friends in the water :)

* You'll have to carry tents and rations required for cooking

* There are no toilets in the forest. We use cat hole method.. ie.. dig up a small hole using twig/stick attend nature call, cover it with mud and dry leaves..

Cost : 6500/- incl gst

Inclusions

Transportation
Breakfast x 2, Lunch x 3, Dinner x 1
Life Jackets
Tents (Twin Sharing)
Insurance
Certified Outdoor Guides (1 Male, 1 Female)

Exclusions

Dinner on 11th and 13th
Refreshments during journey
Anything apart from inclusions

For booking Call : 7676946184/9008009955

Address

JP NAGAR 7th Phase
Bangalore
560078

Telephone

+917676946184

Website

http://www.ollit.co/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when OLLIT EXPEDITIONS posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to OLLIT EXPEDITIONS: