An early morning walk in Kempegowda's pettah would not sound welcoming to most Bengaluru folks. But thanks to Poornima Dasharathi's insight, the Pettah Walk turned out to be a comprehensive introduction to Bengaluru's beginnings.

Yelahanka Gate Anjaneya temple. Pic: Poornima Dasharathi

We were scheduled to meet up at 7am near the Anjaneya temple, Mysore Bank Circle. I got there 20 minutes late and was touched that Poornima and the team of enthusiasts were waiting for me near Cauvery Bhavan.

We started off by briefly introducing ourselves. Poornima traced Kempegowda's family from Yelahanka and beyond and provided historical reasons for Bengaluru's location and name. As I imagined the erstwhile fort through Poornima's words, I started appreciating Kempegowda's sagacity to establish a trading center, similar to one at Hampi where trading of agricultural goods to gems and jewels could take place. We visited the 500 year old Anjaneya temple at the Yelahanka gate of the erstwhile fort, saw the Rice Memorial Church built in memory of the early Christian missionary and later visited the Ranganatha Swamy Temple where a inscription validated the supremacy that Kempegowda's Bengaluru enjoyed in the region.

Left- Ranganatha Temple. Right- Chasing landscapes Pic: Poornima Dasharathi

Thank you Poornima and Citizen Matters.⊕

Born and brought up in Bengaluru, currently a Telecom Software Consultant and volunteer for CMCA.

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