A visit between Dawn to Dusk! A visit to all three Ranganatha Swamy Temples on the same day between sunrise and sunset! Aren’t you excited right now to go on Triranga Darshan in one day! It is believed a visit to three Sriranganatha Swamy temples between dawn to dusk called “Triranga Darshan”
Bharathiyam was first conceived on March 14, 2000, as a seed idea — long before India’s cultural heritage found a home online. Though the domain was registered on that very day, its deeper blossoming required 25 years of experience, inner churning, and karmic purification.
Moksha Ranganatha Swamy: The Gateway to Liberation
Moksha Ranganatha Swamy: The Gateway to Liberation
Moksha Ranganatha Swamy Temple at Rangasthala (also called Thippenahalli or Dinnehosahalli). Over time, Rangasthala has come to be called a Moksha Sthalam — a place where devotees believe the journey of worship culminates in liberation. Legend, Etymology, and the Path to Moksha The name “Moksha Ranganatha” itself reveals the temple’s spiritual purpose.
The Divine Child Who Blesses Couples with Children
The Divine Child Who Blesses Couples with Children
In the serene village of Dodda Mallur, near Channapatna in Ramanagara district, stands one of the most enchanting temples of Karnataka — the Sri Aprameya Swamy Temple, home to the rare and beloved deity of Ambegalu Krishna, the crawling child form of Lord Sri Krishna.
Deepavali — The Festival of Light and Inner Illumination
Deepavali — The Festival of Light and Inner Illumination
The word Deepavali comes from Sanskrit — Dipa meaning “lamp” and Avali meaning “a row.” Thus, Deepavali means “a row of lights.” But beyond the luminous lamps and joyous celebrations, lies a profound spiritual symbolism
Vedic Stories Sacred Stories of the Vedas – Light from the Dawn of Time The Vedas are not mere scriptures — they are living rivers of wisdom flowing through the ages. Hidden within their hymns and mantras are stories that reveal the origins of creation, the deeds of devas and rishis, and the eternal play of dharma.
Every civilization is born, grows, declines, and often disappears into the pages of history. Yet Bharat, the land sanctified by rishis, rivers, and the rhythm of Sanātana Dharma, stands apart. It is not merely a civilization of the past but a living continuum that has nourished countless generations, adapting to time yet never losing its eternal pulse.
Indian history remembers 1857 as the “First War of Independence,” but decades earlier, in a small principality of Karnataka, a fierce rebellion shook the foundations of British power. The Kittur Uprising of 1824, led by Rani Chennamma, was not just the resistance of a queen, but the collective defiance of an entire people. Farmers, soldiers, merchants, and villagers alike rose in unison to defend their sovereignty, making Kittur one of the earliest centers of organized anti-colonial struggle.
The Seeds of Rebellion
Kittur was a prosperous kingdom under the rule of Mallasarja Desai. After his death in 1816, his widow Rani Chennamma assumed leadership. When their only son died young, the queen adopted a boy named Shivalingappa to secure succession. But the British East India Company, invoking the Doctrine of Lapse, refused to recognize the adoption and laid claim to Kittur.
For the people of Kittur, this was not just a legal dispute but a direct assault on their dignity, heritage, and freedom.
Rani Chennamma’s Defiance
Unlike many rulers who hesitated before British power, Rani Chennamma displayed extraordinary courage. She openly opposed the Company’s interference, declared Shivalingappa the rightful heir, and mobilized her court and people to resist. The queen’s charisma inspired loyalty far beyond the palace walls — her call to defend Kittur resonated with farmers, traders, artisans, and soldiers alike.
When British officers attempted to enforce their claim, Chennamma refused to yield. Negotiations failed, and the conflict quickly escalated into armed confrontation.
The Battle of Kittur
In October 1824, British forces marched toward Kittur, expecting an easy victory. Instead, they encountered a kingdom united under its queen. Rani Chennamma’s generals, including Sangolli Rayanna, led fierce resistance.
The first clash shocked the Company: British officers like St. John Thackeray were killed, and colonial troops suffered heavy losses. The victory electrified the region — Kittur had defied the empire.
But the Company regrouped. With reinforcements and superior weaponry, they laid siege to Kittur. Despite valiant defense, the fort eventually fell. Rani Chennamma was captured and imprisoned in Bailhongal, where she lived until her death in 1829.
The Spirit That Continued
Though the queen was confined, the fire of resistance did not die. Sangolli Rayanna, her loyal general, continued guerrilla warfare against the British, rallying villagers, disrupting supply lines, and keeping the flame of freedom alive until his capture and execution in 1831.
For the people, Chennamma remained a living symbol of courage. Folk songs, ballads, and stories preserved her memory, ensuring that her defiance was never forgotten.
Why the Uprising Matters
The Kittur Uprising was remarkable for several reasons:
Led by a woman: At a time when colonial narratives dismissed Indian women as passive, Rani Chennamma stood as a warrior-queen who defied empire.
Collective unity: This was not just the ruler’s war but the uprising of an entire society — farmers, soldiers, and common people fought side by side.
Pre-1857 rebellion: It showed that Indian resistance to British rule began much earlier than popularly recognized.
Moral example: Chennamma fought not for personal gain but for dharma — the right of her adopted son, the sovereignty of her land, and the dignity of her people.
The Message of Kittur
The legacy of Kittur teaches that freedom is not granted; it is defended. It reminds us that when dharma is threatened, even small kingdoms can shake vast empires. The uprising of 1824 is a testimony to the power of collective courage — when rulers and subjects unite, no force can break their spirit.
As the saying goes in Karnataka folk tradition:
“Kitturina Rani, dhairyada simhe — Rani Chennamma, lioness of courage.”
Her roar still echoes through history, reminding India that dharma protects those who protect it.
Conclusion
The Kittur Uprising of 1824 was not a lost battle, but a spark that lit the path of freedom. It inspired later revolts and sowed seeds of resistance across southern India. Today, Rani Chennamma stands as one of the earliest icons of India’s struggle for independence, her name carried proudly in song, memory, and spirit.
In honoring her, we honor the entire people of Kittur — farmers, warriors, women, and children — who rose together in defiance, proving that even against mighty empires, unity in dharma is the strongest weapon.
“When you are born with a question in your soul, the answer becomes your life’s work.”
Venkatesham is the founder and guiding spirit behind Bharathiyam — a digital dharmic initiative dedicated to reviving, preserving, and sharing the timeless soul-wisdom of Bharat.
Born into a traditional family rooted in simplicity, reverence, and moral strength, his life bridges two worlds — the outer world of technology and digital communication, and the inner world of silence, reflection, and spiritual seeking.
The articles and essays featured on Bharathiyam are not recent creations, but part of a lifelong body of work that began more than two decades ago. Many of them were originally written between 2000 and 2020, stored quietly as Word documents — reflections, insights, and learnings collected through years of sādhanā, study, and service. These writings are now being published in their original spirit, dated according to when they were first composed.
Alongside Bharathiyam, he continues to nurture two interconnected literary trilogies exploring dharma, family, and the soul’s journey — expressions of the same inner quest that began long ago and continues to unfold through his work and life.
