MODULE 2

HERITAGE WALK AND CRAFTS CORNER

 I. HERITAGE WALK :

        VISITING OF HISTORICAL PLACE CHITRADURGA FORT :

The fort was built in stages between the 11th and 13th centuries by the dynastic rulers of the region, including the Chalukyas and Hoysalas, later the Nayakas of Chitradurga of the Vijayanagar Empire. The Nayakas of Chitradurga, or Palegar Nayakas, were most responsible for the expansion of the fort between the 15th and 18th centuries. The fort was taken over for a short while by Hyder Ali at Chitradurga in 1779. The fort was captured by the British forces twenty years later, when they defeated his son Tippu Sultan. The fort is built in a series of seven concentric fortification walls with various passages, a citadel, masjid, warehouses for grains and oil, water reservoirs and ancient temples. There are 18 temples in the upper fort and one huge temple in the lower fort. Among these temples, the oldest and most interesting is the Hidimbeshwara temple. The masjid was an addition during Hyder Ali's rule. The fort's many interconnecting tanks were used to harvest rainwater, and the fort was said to never suffer from a water shortage.

The fort is managed by Archeological Survey of India. It is open from dawn to dusk. Visitors are   

required to buy entrance tickets at the ticket counter and then explore the fort. Few guides are available at the entrance of the fort. Exploring the fort requires climbing. The fort is not disabled-friendly. The best time to explore the fort is in the morning when the temperature is comfortable hotel managed by Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation is located near the main entrance. The fort is located at a distance of about 180 kilometers from Bengaluru.

Folk legend links the hills surrounding the fort to the epic Mahabharata. It is said that a man-eating giant named Hidimbasura lived on the Chitradurga hill and had terrorized everyone around. When the Pandavas came with their mother Kunti in the course of their exile, Bhima had a duel with Hidimba.

Chitradurga Fort is locally known as Elusuttina Kote (meaning the fort of seven circles) and is one of the country’s strongest hill forts. The fort originally had to have had 19 gateways, 38 postern-gates, 35 secret entrances and 4 ‘invisible’ entrances. Many of these have gone out of existence now. The doors were made of strong and thick wooden beams fastened with iron plates. The soaring ramparts are hewn from rock complement the craggy landscape and were designed so that each line of fortification overlooks others below. Zigzagging pathways slowed down enemy soldiers and prevented the use of battering rams. The doors of the main gateways were, in addition, bristling with iron spikes to ward off elephants.
Chitradurga fort is famed for its sophisticated water harvesting system. Interconnected reservoirs collected and stored rainwater, which overflew from each tank flowing into other tanks below it. Such an effective system ensured that the fort never ran out of water. After filling all these
tanks, the water used to flow to the moats round the fort-walls.
Temples in Chitradurga Fort: The fort has numerous temples like the Sampige Siddheshwara, Hidimbeshwara, Ekanathamma, Phalguneshvara, Gopalakrishna, Anjaneya, Subbaraya and Basava. A big piece of bone has been kept in the Hidimbeshwara Temple and is shown as the tooth of the demon Hidambasura, and a cylinder of iron plates, six feet high and ten feet in circumference, as the bheri or kettle-drum of Bhima. A figure of Hidambasura is sculptured on the Vimana. In the Siddheshwara Temple also is kept a piece of bone much larger than that kept in the Hidimbeshvara temple, which also is believed to be as the tooth of Hidambasura.
Onake Obavva Kindi: A must-see in this fort is the Onake Obavvana Kindi, named after a brave woman Obavva. It is connected with the famous attack of Haidar Ali on Chitradurga. Haidar’s forces were unable to enter into the fort, in spite of a long siege. They soon found a small crevice through which they could get into the fort. It was a very narrow crevice, hardly admitting a human being in a kneeling position. Obavva hid there and saw the enemy trying to get inside. Displaying remarkable courage, she grabbed oaken (a pestle) and killed each soldier getting inside.

Chitradurga is a major tourist hub in Karnataka. The city is famous for its 15th-century fort, which is locally known as Kallina Kote or Stone Fortress. This is formed of two Kannada words: 'Kallina' means "Stone's" and Kote means "Fort".

II. CRAFTS CORNER

Paper crafts are known in most societies that use paper, with certain kinds of crafts being particularly associated with specific countries or cultures. In Caribbean countries paper craft is unique to Caribbean culture which reflect the importance of native animals in life of people.

In addition to the aesthetic value of paper crafts, various forms of paper crafts are used in the education of children. Paper is a relatively inexpensive medium, readily available, and easier to work with than the more complicated media typically used in the creation of three-dimensional artwork, such as ceramics, wood, and metals.[3] It is also neater to work with than paints, dyes, and other coloring materials. Paper crafts may also be used in therapeutic settings, providing children with a safe and uncomplicated creative outlet to express feelings.

Arts and craft activities help instil a sense of achievement and pride in children, boosting theirself-confidence. The opportunity to create whatever a child desires helps foster creativity. A child will learn to make correct and effective decisions by facing and solving artistic challenges

Paper-craft activities are one of the art and crafts activities that help kids to indulge in creativity and expression. When it comes to defining the art of paper-crafts, it can be said that paper-craft is any activity that involves making objects out of paper. But why paper craft for kids?

• Paper-craft may not involve many complicated tools like paint-brushes, sketch pencils, and knowledge of using them. It only requires paper that is approachable and familiar to every kid. 
•  Paper-craft activity is less expensive, as you may use any approachable paper-like waste-papers, newspapers, old books, and magazines.
• Paper-craft activities also strengthen the geometrical knowledge of kids.

In today’s world, kids are more connected to technology. Their everyday life is filled with various electronic gadgets around them, but is art and craft really not required for children these days? Despite the various learning opportunities provided through technology, art and craft can still be a great activity to:

# Explore creativity.

# Enhance focus.

# Build motor activities (hands, fingers).

# Express their emotions.

# Widen their imagination.

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