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  The Kedareshwara Temple , located in Balligavi (also known as Belagami or Dakshina Kedara) in the Shivamogga district of Karnataka, is one of the most exquisite examples of Hoysala temple architecture . Dedicated to Lord Shiva , the temple reflects the artistic mastery and religious devotion that flourished during the 12th century under the Hoysalas. Balligavi was a significant cultural, educational, and religious center during the Western Chalukya and Hoysala periods , often described in inscriptions as the “ Agrahara of Learning ” and the “ City of Temples .” Among the many temples that once adorned the town, Kedareshwara Temple stands as a jewel of that glorious era. History (In Detail) The Kedareshwara Temple was built around 1060 CE during the reign of the Western Chalukyas , and it was later renovated and expanded by the Hoysalas in the 12th century , likely under the patronage of King Vishnuvardhana . Balligavi itself has a long and illustrious past. It was on...

  With one match still to play, India suffered a series defeat on Australian soil after another batting collapse — this time in Adelaide. Much like in Perth, the Men in Blue struggled to find momentum with the bat, managing 264 runs after being sent in to bat first. Australia, in contrast, chased down the target well to seal the series win. For Indian skipper Shubman Gill, the day began with yet another stroke of bad luck — his 17th consecutive loss at the toss. Put into bat under challenging conditions, India found it tough on a damp surface that had been affected by heavy rain over the past two days, giving Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood plenty of assistance with the new ball. Rohit Sharma tried to steady the innings with a cautious start, but Gill departed early for just 9, attempting to counterattack. Virat Kohli’s lean patch continued, dismissed for a duck for the second consecutive match falling lbw to Xavier Bartlett . Rohit (73 off 97 balls) and Shreyas Iyer (61 off ...

  South Africa crushed Pakistan by eight wickets in the second Test at Rawalpindi on Thursday, leveling the series 1-1 in emphatic fashion. Veteran off-spinner Simon Harmer produced a masterclass, claiming his maiden Test five-wicket haul and reaching a remarkable milestone of 1,000 First-Class wickets . The 36-year-old spinner ripped through Pakistan’s fragile batting lineup on a crumbling surface, finishing with 6 for 50 as the hosts collapsed in the morning session. Resuming on 94 for 4, Pakistan added just 44 runs before being bundled out, leaving South Africa a modest target of 68. Harmer struck early, trapping Babar Azam leg-before for 51 with the fifth ball of the day, ending the Pakistani captain’s hopes of ending his century drought that stretches back to December 2022. Soon after, Harmer removed Mohammad Rizwan for 18 and dismissed Noman Ali for a duck — his 1,000th First-Class scalp in his 235th match. Pakistan’s lower order disintegrated yet again, losing its f...

  Unstoppable Australia — they look every bit the champions they are. With both their all-rounders in destructive form, England learned just how hard it is to stop this Australian side. Even without captain Alyssa Healy, Australia crushed England by six wickets. Ashleigh Gardner scored her second century of the tournament, while Annabel Sutherland fell just short on 98. Their dominant partnership powered Australia to victory with nearly 10 overs to spare, cementing their place at the top of the World Cup points table — and it now seems almost impossible to dislodge them from there. At one point, it looked like England might be the only team capable of troubling Australia in this tournament. They began strongly — openers Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont scored briskly, putting the Australian bowlers under pressure. But when the frontline bowlers had an off day, the all-rounders stepped up. Sutherland and Gardner turned the game around. Sutherland removed Jones for 18 and later dismisse...

  South African lower order scripted a stellar fightback as the tourists take a sizeable first innings lead & then had the hosts in trouble in the 2nd innings . Babar Azam has taken charge during a difficult phase for Pakistan — the team’s hopes now rest squarely on his shoulders. Pakistan’s top order collapsed in the second innings, with Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood failing once again. On the third evening in Rawalpindi, Pakistan reached 94 for 4, holding a slender lead of 23 runs over South Africa, with six wickets remaining. At the end of Day 2, Pakistan seemed to be in control. South Africa’s batting was under pressure, and Pakistan appeared poised to take a significant first-innings lead. However, they were unprepared for the counterattack launched by Senuran Muthusamy and Kagiso Rabada. The last two South African wickets added a remarkable 169 runs. First, Muthusamy put on a 71-run partnership with Keshav Maharaj (30), followed by a record 98-run stand for the tenth...

  After Bangladesh, Pakistan became the second team to be knocked out of the ICC Women’s One-Day World Cup. On Tuesday in Colombo, Fatima Sana’s side suffered a crushing 150-run defeat (via the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method) to South Africa in a rain-hit encounter. Persistent rain interrupted play several times, forcing the umpires to repeatedly reduce the number of overs. Batting first, South Africa posted 312 for 9 in 40 overs. With multiple DLS revisions, Pakistan’s final target was set at 234 runs from 20 overs — an uphill battle that ended with them managing only 83 for 7. Choosing to attack from the outset due to the shortened game, South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt led from the front with a blistering 90 off 82 balls, hitting 10 fours and 2 sixes. Sune Luus followed up with 61 off 59 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes), while Marizanne Kapp powered an unbeaten 68 off 43 balls (6 fours, 3 sixes). Nadine de Klerk’s explosive 41 off just 16 deliveries, featuring 3 fours and 4 sixes...

  Pakistan’s first innings ended at 333 runs against South Africa in the second Test, and surprisingly, it was the hosts who struggled on the spin-friendly Rawalpindi pitch. Shan Masood’s side lost their last five wickets for just 17 runs. In reply, Aiden Markram’s South Africa reached 185 for 4 at stumps on Tuesday, still trailing by 148 runs. Pakistan resumed the second day on 259 for 5, with Saud Shakeel and Salman Agha continuing from overnight. The pair managed to survive the first hour before Salman fell for 45. Shakeel top-scored with 66, but the rest of the batting faltered against Keshav Maharaj’s spin. Maharaj was exceptional, taking 7 wickets for 102 runs — including five on the second day. Simon Harmer chipped in with 2 for 75, while Kagiso Rabada claimed 1 for 60.  On day one , Abdullah Shafique (57) & skipper Shaan Masood (87) were the main contributors for Pakistan  South Africa’s reply began shakily as opener Ryan Rickelton was dismissed for 14. Mar...

  Bangladesh needed just 12 runs from 12 balls with six wickets in hand. Captain Nigar Sultana was well set, batting past her half-century. Yet, from that position of complete control, Bangladesh suffered an unbelievable collapse — losing five wickets in just seven balls. Four wickets fell in the first four deliveries of the final over, and Bangladesh fell short by seven runs. With this defeat, they became the first team to be eliminated from the World Cup, while Sri Lanka narrowly kept their hopes alive. The match, played at Navi Mumbai, was the first of this World Cup at the venue. Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu was the star of the game, contributing with both bat and ball. She scored 46 runs before returning with figures of 4 for 42 in her 10 overs. Defending nine runs in the final over, Chamari bowled a sensational spell — claiming three wickets and effecting a run-out in four balls — to seal a dramatic win for Sri Lanka. Batting first, Sri Lanka were bowled out for ...

    In cricket, if you can’t finish a match, even centuries, half-centuries, or five-wicket hauls lose their value. That’s exactly what happened to Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Deepti Sharma on Sunday. The first two fought hard under pressure to score half-centuries, while Deepti contributed with both bat and ball — scoring a fifty and taking four wickets. Yet, none of it was enough, as India suffered a heartbreaking 4-run defeat to England in the Women’s World Cup clash at Indore. This loss marked India’s third consecutive defeat, severely denting their chances of reaching the semifinals. Now, India must win both of their remaining matches to stay in contention, while England have sealed their semifinal spot. That leaves just one berth open — to be contested between India and New Zealand. Chasing England’s 288, India had another poor start. Opener Pratika Rawal was dropped early by Charlie Dean but couldn’t capitalize, falling in the third over to Lauren Bell. Ha...

  Shubman Gill’s first match as India’s one-day captain turned out to be a tough initiation. India’s batting collapsed in the opening ODI against Australia in Perth, with the hosts cruising to a seven-wicket win under the Duckworth-Lewis method. Returning to international cricket after 224 days, neither Virat Kohli nor Rohit Sharma managed to make an impact — both dismissed cheaply. Gill himself also failed to score. The rain-hit encounter saw play interrupted four times, reducing the match to 26 overs per side. India, batting first, were bundled out for 136 in 26 overs. The DLS-adjusted target for Australia was set at 131, which they chased down comfortably in 21.1 overs to take a 1–0 lead in the series. The morning began under overcast skies in Perth, making the toss crucial — one that Gill lost again. India were forced to bat first in testing conditions. Rohit struggled for timing and confidence, nicking Josh Hazlewood to slip for 8. Kohli followed soon after, falling for a d...

  The Mallikarjuna Temple , located in Pattadakal in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, is one of the finest examples of early Chalukyan temple architecture . This UNESCO World Heritage Site represents a harmonious blend of Dravidian (South Indian) and Nagara (North Indian) architectural styles. Dedicated to Lord Shiva , the temple stands alongside other magnificent shrines on the banks of the Malandi River (a tributary of the Krishna River) , forming part of the sacred Pattadakal temple complex. The Mallikarjuna Temple, along with the nearby Virupaksha Temple, is considered the pinnacle of Chalukyan art and religious devotion, and continues to be a symbol of India’s cultural and architectural brilliance. History (In Detail) The Mallikarjuna Temple was constructed around AD 745 during the reign of Queen Trailokyamahadevi , the consort of Vikramaditya II of the Badami Chalukya dynasty . It was built to commemorate the king’s successful military campaigns against the Palla...

  The Kotilingeshwara Temple, located in the village of Kammasandra near Kolar, Karnataka, is one of the most unique and spiritually significant Shiva temples in India. It is renowned for housing millions of Shiva Lingams (Shivalingas) spread across the temple complex. The temple’s name “Kotilingeshwara” literally translates to “Lord of Ten Million Lingas,” reflecting its grand vision of installing one crore (10 million) lingams as a form of devotion to Lord Shiva. History (In Detail) The Kotilingeshwara Temple was established in the early 1980s by Swamy Sambha Shiva Murthy , a devout follower of Lord Shiva. The temple was conceived with the ambitious idea of installing one crore Shiva Lingams in a single location — symbolizing the omnipresence of Lord Shiva and offering devotees a chance to worship Him in infinite forms. The first Linga was installed by the founder himself, and since then, devotees from across India and abroad have contributed to the installation of more Ling...

  The pattern that has defined the Colombo leg of the tournament continued on Friday — rain once again dictated play. The Sri Lanka vs South Africa match was on the brink of being washed out, but after several interruptions, it was eventually reduced from a 50-over contest to a T20 game. In the shortened match, South Africa delivered a commanding performance, thrashing Sri Lanka by 10 wickets to move closer to the semifinals. Batting first, Sri Lanka managed only 105 for 7 in 20 overs. Under the Duckworth–Lewis method, South Africa were set a revised target of 121 runs , which they chased down effortlessly without losing a single wicket. With this victory — their fourth in five matches — South Africa climbed to second place on the points table with 8 points . Sri Lanka struggled from the outset, losing two wickets for just 37 runs. At 46 for 2 in the 12th over, rain returned to halt proceedings once again. Persistent showers and waterlogging made life difficult for the ground staf...

  Theodore Ernest “Ernie” Els was born on October 17, 1969 , in Johannesburg, South Africa . Known affectionately as “The Big Easy” for his fluid, effortless swing and calm demeanor, Els became one of golf’s most accomplished and respected figures. His career spans over three decades, marked by major championships, global victories, and consistent excellence across continents. Style of Play Ernie Els is celebrated for his smooth, rhythmic swing , considered one of the most technically sound in golf history. His power off the tee , soft touch on the greens , and strategic course management made him a formidable competitor in any conditions. Strengths : Long and accurate driving, graceful iron play, and a calm temperament under pressure. Personality on course : Unflappable, composed, and gentlemanly – a player respected not only for his skill but for his sportsmanship. Career Highlights in Detail Major Championships (4) U.S. Open – 1994 (Oakmont) : Won his first majo...

  Chennakeshava Temple, Belur The Chennakeshava Temple , located in Belur , Karnataka, is one of the most magnificent architectural masterpieces of the Hoysala dynasty . Dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his form as Chennakeshava (meaning “handsome Vishnu”), this temple is celebrated for its breathtaking sculptures, intricate carvings, and artistic grandeur. Standing on the banks of the Yagachi River, Belur was once the capital of the Hoysalas, and the temple symbolizes their devotion, craftsmanship, and cultural brilliance. History in Detail The Chennakeshava Temple was commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala Empire in 1117 CE to commemorate his victory over the Cholas in the Battle of Talakad. It also marked his conversion from Jainism to Vaishnavism under the influence of Ramanujacharya , the great Vaishnava saint and philosopher. Construction of the temple took more than a century , with contributions from successive Hoysala rulers, artisans, and sculptors. The ...

  Alyssa Healy’s sensational form continued as she scored her second consecutive century in the ongoing Women’s ODI World Cup. After her match-winning knock against India in the previous game, the Australian captain struck another commanding hundred — this time against Bangladesh — to lead her team to a crushing victory and secure a semifinal spot. Batting first after winning the toss, Bangladesh managed 198 for 9 in 50 overs. Rubia Haider (44) and Shobhana Mostary (66*) were the only batters to offer resistance as Australia’s disciplined bowling kept the scoring in check. Despite six dropped catches — four of them sitters — the Aussies still restricted Bangladesh below 200. Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Alana King, and Georgia Wareham picked up two wickets each, while Megan Schutt claimed one. In reply, Australia made light work of the chase, cruising to 199 without loss in just 24.5 overs. Healy remained unbeaten on 113, while Phoebe Litchfield provided excellent suppo...

  Pakistan women had a golden opportunity to register their first-ever win over England, but persistent rain forced them to share points with the four-time champions in their ICC Women’s World Cup clash. Led by captain Fatima Sana’s brilliant four-wicket haul, Pakistan took full advantage of the bounce and movement on offer to restrict England to 133 for 9 in a rain-curtailed 31-overs-a-side contest. Chasing a revised target of 113 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis system, Pakistan made a steady start as openers Muneeba Ali (9) and Omaima Sohail (19) put up 34 runs without loss in 6.4 overs. However, the rain returned, and despite multiple inspections, play could not resume. The match was eventually abandoned, dashing Pakistan’s hopes of staying alive in the race for the semifinals. Pakistan remain winless in the tournament, sitting at the bottom of the table with just one point from three losses and this washout. They still have matches left against New Zealand, South Africa, and S...

  South Africa, who had entered the series against Pakistan on the back of ten consecutive Test victories, saw their winning streak come to an end in Lahore. On Wednesday, Pakistan defeated South Africa by five wickets in the first Test. Spinner Nauman Ali was the hero of the match, taking 10 wickets overall. South Africa were bowled out for just 183 on the fourth day. Nauman has now taken 46 wickets in his last five home Tests — 20 against England and 16 against the West Indies. Against South Africa, he claimed 6 wickets for 112 runs in the first innings and 4 for 79 in the second. Shaheen Afridi also made a key contribution with figures of 4 for 33. Chasing 277, South Africa fell well short of the target. Starting the day at 51 for 2, South Africa struggled against Pakistan’s spinners on the turning Lahore pitch. In just the third ball of the morning, Shaheen dismissed first-innings centurion Tony de Zorzi (16). Tristan Stubbs (2) also found it difficult to negotiate the spin a...

  The Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple , located in the coastal town of Gokarna in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka , is one of India’s most revered Shiva temples . Nestled along the Arabian Sea, this ancient shrine is often referred to as the “Kashi of the South” and is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. The temple houses the sacred Atma Linga of Lord Shiva — the same divine Linga that was originally given to Ravana. Gokarna is not just a pilgrimage site but also a spiritual and scenic destination, known for its sacred beaches, rituals, and tranquil environment. History in Detail The legend of the Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple is intertwined with the story of Ravana , the demon king of Lanka, and the Atma Linga , one of the most powerful symbols of Lord Shiva’s divinity. According to the Shiva Purana , Ravana undertook severe penance to please Lord Shiva and obtain the Atma Linga , which could grant him invincible powers. Impressed by his devotion, Lord Shiva granted him...

  The first Test between Pakistan and South Africa has become finely poised, with the match likely to be decided on the fourth day. Both teams have a chance to win — South Africa need 226 more runs, while Pakistan require 8 wickets. In reply to Pakistan’s first-innings total of 378, South Africa were bowled out for 269. Pakistan then struggled in their second innings, managing only 167, setting the visitors a target of 277 for victory. At stumps on Day 3, South Africa were 51 for 2. The day belonged to the left-arm spinners from both sides. Pakistan’s Nauman Ali took 6 wickets in the first innings, while South Africa’s Senuran Muthusamy claimed 5 in the second. The 39-year-old Nauman also broke Ravichandran Ashwin’s record to become the oldest bowler to take a six-wicket haul in an innings in the World Test Championship. Ashwin had achieved the feat at age 38 against Bangladesh last year. Nauman had taken 4 wickets on Day 2 and added 2 more on Tuesday, dismantling South Africa’s...

  The Women’s One-Day World Cup match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand was washed out due to rain. Batting first, Sri Lanka posted 258 for 6, but rain began soon after their innings ended in Colombo. Play could not resume, and the match was eventually abandoned. Both teams received one point each — a result that benefited India. After the Sri Lanka–Australia game, this was the second consecutive match for Sri Lanka to be washed out by rain. On Tuesday, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and opted to bat. The island nation’s batters started steadily on the Colombo pitch. Openers Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne put on a 101-run partnership. Gunaratne scored 42 off 83 balls with three fours, while Athapaththu made 53 off 72 deliveries, hitting seven boundaries. At No. 3, Hasini Perera contributed 44 runs from 61 balls, including six fours, while Harshitha Samarawickrama, batting at No. 4, made 26 from 31 balls. Later, Nilakshika Silva played an unbeaten knock of 55...

  A perfect start to the Shubman Gill era on home soil. Under Gill’s captaincy, India pocketed the series 2–0 against the West Indies. However, the team’s position in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings remains unchanged. At the start of the series, India were placed third, and even after winning both matches, they continue to hold the third spot on the WTC points table. After a dominant victory by an innings and 140 runs in Ahmedabad, Team India earned 12 points. They added another 12 with a seven-wicket win in Delhi, taking their total haul from the series to 24 points. So far in the current WTC cycle, India have played seven matches—winning four, losing two, and drawing one—to accumulate a total of 52 points. Although the series win didn’t alter India’s ranking, it significantly boosted their points percentage. After the Ahmedabad Test, India’s points percentage stood at 55.56%. Following the Delhi win, it has risen to 61.9%. Notably, qualification for the World Test C...

  Bangladesh came agonizingly close yet again to a famous win, but their hopes sank at the very edge of glory. After dominating the first half of the match and reducing South Africa to 78 for 5, Nigar Sultana’s team faltered in the crucial moments, allowing the Proteas to snatch a dramatic three-wicket victory in the Women’s World Cup clash at Visakhapatnam. Chasing 233 for victory, South Africa were in complete disarray early on. Opener Tazmin Brits fell for a duck in the second over, and despite a brief 55-run stand between captain Laura Wolvaardt (31 off 56) and Anneke Bosch (28 off 35), the batting order crumbled under pressure. From 1 for 58, the score nosedived to 78 for 5 in the space of just seven overs, as Bangladesh’s bowlers and fielders tightened their grip. But the game turned on its head when the experienced Marizanne Kapp and all-rounder Chloe Tryon launched a spirited counterattack. The pair stitched together a resilient 85-run partnership, reviving South Africa...

  South Africa found themselves under pressure at the end of Day 2 in the first Test against Pakistan, trailing by 162 runs after a shaky batting display in Lahore. In reply to Pakistan’s first-innings total of 378, the Proteas reached 216 for 6 at stumps, with Tony de Zorzi (81*) and Senuran Muthusamy holding the fort. While runs dried up for Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam, he made his mark in the field with a spectacular catch at slip. Diving full length to his right, Babar pulled off a stunning grab to dismiss Ryan Rickelton for 71, ending a promising 94-run third-wicket stand with De Zorzi. That partnership had been South Africa’s only substantial resistance of the innings so far. Earlier, opener Aiden Markram managed only 20 before falling to left-arm spinner Nauman Ali, who caused plenty of problems for the visiting batters. Wiaan Mulder (17), Tristan Stubbs (8), Dewald Brevis (0), and Kyle Verreynne (2) all departed cheaply as Nauman finished the day with impressive figure...