Yadgir (Yadagiri Kannada: ಯಾದಗಿರಿ) is a town and the administrative headquarters of the newly created Yadagiri district in the Indian state of Karnataka. On 10 April, 2010, it was officially declared as 30th district of Karnataka State. It is also the administrative headquarters of Yadgir taluk, one of the three taluks of the district.

Geography

The town is spread over an area of 5.6 sq. km. Bhima River flows through Yadgir town.

Overview

Yadagiri, historically known as Yetagiri, it is dotted with many historical monuments and has a majestic hill fort with three rounds of fortifications. There are three ancient temples, medieval mosques, tanks and wells on top of the hill. The barren landscape below offers a magnificent view. A tank, the Sanna Kere is located in the heart of the town.

In Yadgir several spiritual places are located like Mayllapur Mallayya, Gurmitakal Mata Manikeshawri Yadgir is one of the spiritual heritage.

History

The town was under the Western Chalukyas in the ancient period. The name Yadgir (Yadgiri, historically known as Yetagiri) is derived from its early medieval rulers. Yadavs from the present-day Andhra Pradesh. A certain Mohammed Kasim was said to be a strong chieftain who ruled Yadgir for a long period after defeating the Yadavs, though there is no historical evidence to support it. Later, it came under the reign of the Bahamani Sultanate, the Bijapur Sultanate and finally, the Nizams of Hyderabad. A major economic development of the city took place under Philip Meadows Taylor, the administrator of the principality of Shorapur.

Transport

Yadgir is well connected by road and railways.

Railway:

Yadgir has its own railway station. It is one of the largest railway station in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region. It has the broad gauge railway which lies between Mumbai and Chennai. It comes under South Central Railway under Guntakaldivision. It has its own railway branch. The city is connected to Gulbarga, 71 km away, by both road and rail. And from Raichur its distance is 69 Km .It is actually located in between two districts.Transportion no problem in yadgir dist. Yadgir is well connected to the cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Tirupati, Trivendram, Nagercoil, Pune, Coimbatore, Kanyakumari, Salem, Dharmavaram Jn, Lokmanya Tilak, Solapur, Bidar, Gulbarga, Raichur, Bellary, Hospet, Gadag, Hubli-Dharwar, Belgaum, Bagalkote, Bijapur.

Road:

State Highway 15 passes through the city connecting to Bijapur and Hyderabad. Important cities connected through buses from the city are Bangalore, Hubli, Dharvad, Belgaum, Vasco da Gama, Hyderbad, Bellary.

Courtesy: Wikipedia

Photo Gallery:







Photos: Manohar,Mayur,Girish,Sandesh,Pavan,Praveen (Sutthona Banni Team-Sirsi)
Information Courtesy: Wikipedia

Bijapur (Kannada: ವಿಜಾಪುರ) is a district in the state of Karnataka in southern India. The city of Bijapur is the headquarters of the district, and is located 530 km northwest of Bangalore. Bijapur is well known for the great monuments of historical importance built during the Adil Shahi dynasty.

History

The city established in the 10th–11th centuries by the Chalukyas of Kalyani was referred as Vijayapura (City of victory). The city came under the influence of the Khilji Sultanate in Delhi by the late 13th century. In 1347, the area was conquered by the Bahmani Sultanate of Gulbarga. By this time the city was being referred as Vijapur or Bijapur

In 1518, the Bahmani Sultanate split into five splinter states known as the Deccan sultanates, one of which was Bijapur, ruled by the kings of the Adil Shahi dynasty (1490–1686). The city of Bijapur owes much of its greatness to Yusuf Adil Shah, the founder of the independent state of Bijapur. The rule of this dynasty ended in 1686, when Bijapur was conquered by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. In 1724 the Nizam of Hyderabad established his independence in the Deccan, and included Bijapur within his dominions. In 1760, the Nizam suffered a defeat by the Marathas, and ceded the region of Bijapur to the Maratha Peshwa. After the 1818 defeat of the Peshwa by the British in the Third Anglo-Maratha War, Bijapur passed into the hands of the British East India Company, and was assigned to the princely state of Satara.

In 1848 the territory of Satara, along with Bijapur, was annexed to Britain's Bombay Presidency when the last ruler died without a male heir. The British carved a new district by the name Kaladagi. The district included present-day Bijapur and Bagalkot districts. Bijapur was made the administrative headquarters of the district in 1885, when the headquarters were moved from Bagalkot. After India's Independence in 1947, the district became part of Bombay state, and was reassigned to Mysore state, later Karnataka, in 1956. The former southern taluks of the district were separated in 1997 to form Bagalkot District.

The citadel, built by Yusuf Adil Shah, a mile (2 km) in circuit, is of great strength, well built of the most massive materials, and encompassed by a ditch 100 yards wide, formerly supplied with water, but now nearly filled up with rubbish, so that its original depth cannot be discovered. Within the citadel are the remains of both Hindu temples and old mosques, which prove that Bijapur was an important town. The fort, which was completed by Au Adil Shah in 1566, is surrounded by a wall 6 m. in circumference. This wall is from 30 to 50 ft (10 to 15 m) high, and is strengthened with 96 massive bastions of various designs. In addition there are ten others at the various gateways. The width is about 25 ft (8 m); from bastion to bastion runs a battlemented curtained wall about 10 ft (3 m) high. The whole is surrounded by a deep moat 30 to 40 ft (10 to 12 m) broad. Inside these walls the Bijapur kings bade defiance to all comers. Outside the walls are the remains of a vast city, now for the most part in ruins, but the innumerable tombs, mosques, caravanserais and other edifices, which have resisted the havoc of time, afford abundant evidence of the ancient splendour of the place.

Badami, Aihole, and Pattadakal, near Bijapur, are noted for their historical temples in the Chalukyan architectural style.

Cities & Towns in Bijapur District

• Basavana Bagevadi
• Bijapur
• Indi
• Muddebihal
• Sindgi
• Talikota

Attractions

Bijapur is rich in historical attractions.

• Gol Gumbaz: This is the most famous monument in Bijapur. It is the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah (ruled 1627–1657). It is the second largest dome ever built, next in size only to St Peter's Basilica in Rome. A particular attraction in this monument is the central chamber, where every sound is echoed seven times. Another attraction at the Gol Gumbaz is the Whispering Gallery, where even minute sounds can be heard clearly 37 metres away. Gol Gumbaz complex includes a mosque, a Naqqar Khana (a hall for the trumpeters) (now it is used as museum) and the ruins of guest houses.

• Ibrahim Rauza: This is the tomb of Ibrahim Adil Shah II (ruled 1580–1627), the fifth king of the dynasty and, like the Mughal emperor Akbar, known for religious tolerance. Built on a single rock bed, it is noted for the symmetry of its features. It is said that the design for the Ibrahim Rauza served as an inspiration for that of the famous Taj Mahal.

• Jumma Masjid: Built by Ali Adil Shah I (1558–80) is one of largest Mosque in the region. It has a large hall, elegant arches, and an excellent dome with thirty-three smaller domes surrounding it. It has an exquisite copy of the Quran, written in gold. Elaborate entrance gate was built by Emperor Aurangzeb.

• Malik-e-Maidan (The Monarch of the Plains) the largest medieval cannon in the world. Being 4 m long, 1,5 m in diameter and weighing 55 tons, this gun was brought back from Ahmadnagar in the 17th century as a trophy of war by 400 oxen, 10 elephants and tens of men. It was placed on the Sherza Burj (Lion Gate) on a platform especially built for it. The cannon's nozzle is fashioned into the shape of a lion's head. It is said that after igniting the cannon, the gunner would remain underwater in a tank of water on the platform to avoid the deafening explosion. The cannon remains cool even in strong sunlight and if tapped, tinkles like a bell. In 1854 the cannon was auctioned for Rs. 150 but the sale was cancelled in the end.

• Uppali Buruj, Built around 1584 by Hyder Khan, is an 80-foot-high (24 m) tower standing to the north of Dakhani Idgah in Bijapur. This is a spherical structure with stone steps winding round the outside. Top of the tower offers a commanding view of the city. This is also known as "Hyder Burj", "Upli Burj". On top of Upli Burj there are two guns of huge size. The parafeet this tower which was used for monitoring purposes has been fenced now. One needs to climb the circular stairs to reach the top. However except for this tower there is very little evidence of the citadel wall in this area due to rampant construction.

• Chand Bawdi, Ali Adil Shah (1558–1580) built this tank near eastern boundary of Bijapur. When there was large influx of people into Bijapur after the fall of the Vijayanagar empire, and new settlements came up within the walled city raising the need for better infrastructure and providing water supply. This has a storage capacity of 20 million litres. Later it became a model for many other tanks constructed in the city. A grandeur complex came up around it, which was mainly used to house the maintenance staff though members of the royal family occasionally used it for recreation. He named this after his wife "Chand Bibi".

• Asar Mahal, The Asar Mahal was built by Mohammed Adil Shah in about 1646, which was used to serve as a Hall of Justice. The building was also used to house the blessed relic - the holy hairs from the Prophet's beard. The rooms on the upper storey are decorated with frescoes and the front is graced with a square tank. Here women are not allowed inside. Every year there is urs (festival) held at this place. In front of the hall, one can see three tanks the bigger tank, which is at the centre is about 15 feet deep however the other two are comparatively smaller in size as well as depth. Behind Asar Mahal one can still see the remain of the citadel. Just a kilometer away behind Asar Mahal, one can still find the old mosque which is on top of the citadel wall. There is a big entrance with arc below this mosque. Many stones have inscriptions. The site is under maintenance of Archeological Survey of India.

• Gagan Mahal, which means Sky Palace, is built with a 21-meter façade and four wooden massive pillars, has a majestic central arch. Sikandar Adil Shah, in silver chains, surrendered to Aurangzeb in 1681 here.

• Barakaman (Ali Roza-II) A mausoleum of Ali Roza built in 1672. It was previously named as Ali Roza, but Shah Nawab Khan changed its name to Bara Kaman as this was the 12th monument during his reign. It has now seven arches and the tomb containing the graves of Ali, his queens and eleven other ladies possibly belonging to the Zenana of the queens.

• Among the other historical attractions at Bijapur, some notable ones are the Anand Mahal, Jod Gumbaz, Sat Manzil, and Jal Manzil.

Geography

Geographically, the district lies in the tract of the Deccan Plateaus. The lands of the district can be broadly divided into three zones: the northern belt consisting of the northern parts of Bijapur Taluks of Indi and Sindagi; the central belt consisting of Bijapur city; the southern belt consisting of the rich alluvial plains of the Krishna Rivers parted from the central belt by a stretch of barren Trap. The northern belt is a succession of low rolling uplands without much vegetation, gently rounded and falling into intermediate narrow valleys. The upland soil being shallow, the villagers are generally confined to the banks of the streams and are far away from one another. The Don Volley has plains and consists of rich tracts of deep black soil stretching from west to east. Across the Krishna River is a rich plain crossed from west to east by two lines of sandstone hills. Further south towards Badami and southwest to east by two lines of sandstone hills. Further south towards Badami and southwest of Hunagund, the hills increase the number and the black soil gives way to the red.

Demographics

Bijapur is bounded on the east by Gulbarga district, on the southeast by Raichur District, on the south and southwest by Bagalkot District, and on the west by Belgaum District, and by the Maharashtra of Sangli on the northwest and Sholapur on the north, Sangli on the north-west (both of Maharastra state).

For administrative purposes the district is divided into six taluks.

• Bijapur
• Basavana-Bagewadi
• Indi
• Muddebihal
• Sindgi
• Babaleshwar

Transport

Bijapur is connected only by Rail and Road. An Air port has also got sanction. The helipad at the Sainik School is used only when government guests or public office bearers visit the district and is not open for general public. The state owned run buses to all parts of the district. Private tour operators also run luxury bus services to Bangalore, Hubli, Dharwad and Belgaum. Travelers can book tickets online through.

Bijapur is a Broad gauge station of South Western Railways, with direct train connections to Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Hubli, Sholapur and Shirdi.

The public transport of the district is managed by the State Road Transport Corporation which runs local buses within city limits as well as villages within the 15 km radius. The frequency of these buses are higher in comparison to the buses which ply on longer routes. Tata Sumo, Tata Indica and are used as taxis by local operators. Autos and Tongas are still popular mode of local transport in the city. Cycle Rickshaws are used only to transport materials and people hardly travel by them.

Tourism

Best Time to Visit : October to March (During Winters)

Air – The nearest airport is at Belgaum (205 km). Indian and Jet airways flight operators connect Bijapur to the rest of India.

Rail – Bijapur is well connected by rail with Bangalore and other major cities of India (Bombay, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Hubli and Solapur). It has its own railhead that is located just 2 km from the main town.

Road – The main stand in Bijapur is near the southwestern side of the citadel, near the city center. Bus services to Badami (2 hours), Belgaum (5 hours), Gulbarga (4 hours), Bidar (7 hours), Hubli (4½ hours), and Sholapur (2 hours) are frequent.

Excursions: Alihole – 110 km, Saint Basaveshwara Pilgrim – 67 km, Basavana Bagevadi – 43 km, Alamatti – 56 km, Badami – 60 km, Gulbarga – 145 km, Bidar – 256 km, Bangalore – 530 km, Mysore – 650 km.

This is one the best website which has all the information about Bijapur history, Kings who ruled the city and historical monuments.

Best website about Bijapur history : http://golgumbad.com/

Art and culture

Navaraspur was the auditorium of the Adil Shahs, it is about 10 km outside the city limits. The ruins of the site are still visible. Every year the local administration organizes the Navaraspur Festival to attract tourists. Great personalities like Bhimsen Joshi, Ustad Alla Rakha, Zakir Hussain, Mallikarjun Mansur, Gangubai Hangal and many more have performed in this festival.

• Shri Shiddeshwar Temple situated at the heart of the city is a holy place for Hindus which is also a very beautiful tourist place to visit. During Makar Sankranti an annual fare is organized by Shri Siddheshwar Temple. This fair is well known for the cattle market which is organized outside the city limits. Farmers from neighboring villages and even some parts of Maharastra come to trade in cattle. During this period fireworks display will be held.

• The Kittur Rani Chenamma Theatre still stages dramas by professionals. However due to the decrease in the patronization the drama companies are closing down. Ninasam, (Shri Nilakanteshwara Nataka Sangha), an experimental theatre troupe started by visit Bijapur and show case their art during the Ninasam "Tirugata" (meaning: Wandering in Kannada) Kandgal Hanumantharayara Ranga Mandira on the station road, serves as the centre of art of culture. During summer many workshops on theatre are held at this auditorium under the sponsorship of the local administration.

Land of cyclist ಸೈಕಲಿಸ್ಟಗಳ ಕಣಜ

Cycling talent of Karnataka needs a special mention. Off late Bijapur district has produced some of the best known road cyclists in the national circuit. Premalata Sureban was part of the Indian contingent at the Perlis Open '99 in Malaysia. In recognition of the talent of cyclists in the district, the State Government has already laid a cycling track at the B.R. Ambedkar Stadium here, spending Indian Rupee ₹.40 lakh. Bijapur cyclists won many state level contests. (Asif Athar, Geethanjali Jothappanavar top among men and women respectively.) State government has taken steps construct an international-level velodrome near Bhutnal tank, 8 km from Bijapur city.

Photo Gallery:

Gol Gumbaz

Chand Bibi, the regent of Bijapur (1580-90)

The Quran, written in gold at Jumma Masjid

The Gun: Malik-E-Maidan, which means the master of the war front

Ibrahim Rauza

Ibrahim Rauza

Barakaman

Courtesy: Wikipedia

Koppal district (Kannada ಕೊಪ್ಪಳ) is an administrative district in the state of Karnataka in India. In the past Koppal was referred to as 'Kopana Nagara'. Hampi, a World heritage center, covers some areas of Koppal District. It is situated approximately 38 km away. Anegundi, is also a famous travel destination.

History

Koppal, now a district headquarters is ancient Kopana a major holy place of the Jainas. Palkigundu is described as the Indrakila parvata of epic fame and there is an ancient Shiva temple called the Male Malleshwara. There are two Ashokan inscriptions at Palkigundu and Gavimatha. It was the capital of a branch of Shilaharas under the Chalukyas of Kalyana. In Shivaji's times it was one of the eight prants or revenue divisions of Southern Maratha Country. During the First war of Independence Mundargi Bheema Rao and Hammige Kenchanagouda died fighting the British here in June 1858. Kinhal 13 km away from Koppal is famous for its traditional colourful lacquerware work.

Cities & Towns in Koppal District

• Gangavathi
• Kanakagiri
• Kartagi
• Koppal
• Kukunur
• Kushtagi
• Munirabad
• Yelbarga

Geography

The district occupies an area of 7,190 km² and has a population of 1,196,089, which 16.58% were urban as of 2001. The Koppal district was formed after split of Raichur district.

Taluks

Koppal district has following four talukas-

1. Koppal.
2. Gangavathi.
3. Yelbarga.
4. Kushtagi.

Do you want to get more information about Gangavathi Taluk. Then Kindly Visit http://www.gangavathicity.com

Tourist attractions

Most notable of the many buildings dating from this period are the Mahadeva Temple at Itagi in the Koppal district, the Kasivisvesvara Temple at Lakkundi in the Gadag district, and the Mallikarjuna Temple at Kuruvatti and the Kallesvara Temple at Bagali, both in the Davangere district. Other monuments notable for their craftsmanship include the Siddhesvara Temple at Haveri in the Haveri district, the Amrtesvara Temple at Annigeri in the Dharwad district, the Sarasvati Temple in Gadag, and the Dodda Basappa Temple at Dambal, both in the Gadag district.

The Mahadeva Temple

The Mahadeva temple at Itagi dedicated to Shiva is among the larger temples built by the Western Chalukyas and perhaps the most famous. Inscriptions hail it as the 'Emperor among temples'. Here, the main temple, the sanctum of which has a linga, is surrounded by thirteen minor shrines, each with its own linga. The temple has two other shrines, dedicated to Murthinarayana and Chandraleshwari, parents of Mahadeva, the Chalukya commander who consecrated the temple in 1112 CE. Soapstone is found in abundance in the regions of Haveri, Savanur, Byadgi, Motebennur and Hangal. The great archaic sandstone building blocks used by the Badami Chalukyas were superseded with smaller blocks of soapstone and with smaller masonry. The first temple to be built from this material was the Amrtesvara Temple in Annigeri in the Dharwad district in 1050 CE. This building was to be the prototype for later, more articulated structures such as the Mahadeva Temple at Itagi. The 11th-century temple-building boom continued in the 12th century with the addition of new features. The Mahadeva Temple at Itagi and the Siddhesvara Temple in Haveri are standard constructions incorporating these developments. Based on the general plan of the Amrtesvara Temple at Annigeri, the Mahadeva Temple was built in 1112 CE and has the same architectural components as its predecessor. There are however differences in their articulation; the sala roof (roof under the finial of the superstructure) and the miniature towers on pilasters are chiseled instead of moulded.

The difference between the two temples, built fifty years apart, is the more rigid modelling and decoration found in many components of the Mahadeva Temple. The voluptuous carvings of the 11th century were replaced with a more severe chiselling.

Kuknur

In Karnataka their most famous temples are the Kashivishvanatha temple and the Jain Narayana temple at Pattadakal, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Other well known temples are the Parameshwara temple at Konnur, Brahmadeva temple at Savadi, the Settavva, Kontigudi II, Jadaragudi and Ambigeragudi temples at Aihole, Mallikarjuna temple at Ron, Andhakeshwara temple at Huli, Someshwara temple at Sogal, Jain temples at Lokapura, Navalinga Temple at Kuknur, Kumaraswamy temple at Sandur, at Shirival in Gulbarga and the Trikunteshwara temple at Gadag which was later expanded by Kalyani Chalukyas. Archeological study of these temples show some have the stellar (multigonal) plan later to be used profusely by the Hoysalas of Belur and Halebidu. One of the richest traditions in Indian architecture took shape in the Deccan during this time and one writer calls it Karnata dravida style as opposed to traditional Dravida style.

Hideout for Balkrishna Hari Chapekar

In the year 1897 Balakrishna Hari Chapekar, one of the three Chapekar brothers, involved in the shooting of Ryand and Ayrest in Pune, was arrested by one Mr. Stephenson in the district of Raichur. For this arrest the Hyerabad Police received a reward from the Government of Bombay. Balakrishna Hari Chapekar seems to have stayed for more than six months in the hills between Koppal and Gangavathi which were then in the district of Raicur. He attracted a great deal of sympathy from the local people. In spite of the enquiries made by the Government of Bombay, the Hyderabad Police refused to reveal the names of the informers who were responsible for the arrest of Balakrishna Hari Chapekar. Their names have not been mentioned, in the statement of the distribution of rewards. This demonstrates the strong sympathy among the local population for the Chapekars and how deeply were the informers afraid of the revelation of their names. The arrest of Chapekar, which took place at the end of 1898, reveals the movements of Maratha revolutionaries in the State of Hyderabad.

Photo Gallery:

Mahadeva Temple at Itagi in the Koppal district, 1112 CE, an example of Karnata-Dravida articulation with a nagara superstructure

Open mantapa (hall) at the Mahadeva Temple in Itagi, the Koppal district, 1112 CE

Figure sculpture at Mahadeva Temple

Domical ceiling in Mahadeva Temple at Itagi, the Koppal district

9th century old Kannada inscription at Navalinga temple in Kuknur

Courtesy: Wikipedia

Itagi, small temple town in North Karnataka, It is famous for the temple of Bheemavva or Bhimambika It is in Gadag District, Ron Taluk in Karnataka, India. About 13 km from Gajendragad Kalkaleshwara temple. Hundreds and thousands of

Believers throng everyday to this place. People get their wishes fulfilled by a Bhimambika.

Every year here at Itagi Annual car festival will hold, darty Dharma Devaru, it is one of the very famous Jatra in North Karnataka

Itagi Bhimambika Purana

The late Kallinatha Shastri Puranik Wrote Puranas, of which Itagi Bhimambika Purana is well known.

Historical temple

There is historical Shiva temple at Itagi, People call it as Shabhulinga temple.

The temple here is about 1000 years old temple, may belongs to Chalukya, having Shiva linga in the Garbhagruha, people here believed that it is Udbhava linga.

Temple has beautifully carved pillar open hall, but the temple is totally neglected by people and Govt of Karnataka.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) should undertake some Conservation work to protect the monument.

Photo Gallery:

Itagi bhimambika Temple, near Gajendragad

Historical Shiva temple at Itagi

Courtesy: Wikipedia

Dambal is a village in the Gadag district of the state of Karnataka, India. It was an ancient center of Buddhism and remained so as late as the 12th century.

Dambal is at an elevation of 590 metres and its population is 21,096

History

Under the rule of the Mauryas and Satavahana, the teachings of Buddha flourished in Karnataka. Buddhist relics are found scattered around the town. In a temple of the Buddhist deity Tara in Dambal, there is an inscription dated 1095 AD, a temple built by 16 merchants for the deity Tara and a vihara for Buddhist monks. Although Buddhism was assimilated by the growing popularity of Hinduism, there was a Buddhist centre in Dambal as late as the 12th century.

Doddabasappa Temple

The Doddabasappa Temple is a 12th century Western Chalukyan architectural innovation in Dambal, Karnataka state, India. The temple is located about 20 km (13 miles) south–east of Gadag city and 24 km (16 miles) south–west of Ittagi in Koppal district. The sanctum contains a Shiva linga, the symbol of the presiding deity, God Shiva. The temple interior is a standard construction and consists of a sanctum (cella), a vestibule (antarala) and a main mantapa (also called navaranga or hall). The vestibule connects the sanctum to the mantapa. The Western Chalukya monuments, regional variants of pre-existing dravida (South Indian) temples, defined the Karnata dravida architectural tradition.

Temple plan

Stellate plan

The temple is based on a very original 24-pointed uninterrupted stellate plan (star shaped) and uses soapstone as its basic building material. Contemporary stellate plans of the Bhumija shrines in central India from where the inspiration for this temple came from, were all 32-pointed interrupted types. No temples of the 6-, 12-, or 24-pointed stellate plans are known to exist anywhere in Karnataka or Maharashtra, with the exception of the Doddabasappa temple, which can be described as a 24-pointed uninterrupted plan. In an 'interrupted' stellate plan, the stellate outline is interrupted by orthogonal (right-angle) projections in the cardinal directions, resulting in star points that have been skipped.

The Doddabasappa temple marks the mature development of the Chalukyan art which originated from basic dravida architecture of South India. Its departure from conventional dravida plan used in the Virupaksha temple in Pattadakal is so extreme that it would be very difficult to find similarities without detailed examination. A star shape is obtained by rotating a square about its centre. The star points form equidistant projections. The angles and re-entrant angles thus formed make the perimeter of the outerwall of the shrine.

The star projections are carried right up the superstructure (tower over the shrine–Sikhara), giving it an exotic look, though it loses strength in comparison to the square superstructures found in conventional dravida plans. The storied arrangement of the superstructure found in dravida plans is not easily distinguishable here. The upper tiers of the seven-tiered (tala) superstructure look like cogged wheels with 48 dents.

Other details

The pillars in this temple are finely chiselled and "complicated" but lack the elegance of those at the Kasivisvesvara Temple in Lakkundi. The entrance to the shrine has above it a decorative architrave with space for images (now missing) of the Hindu Gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Depending on the dedication of the temple, either Vishnu or Shiva would take the central position in this arrangement. The entrance to the sanctum is elaborately decorated on either side with designs that are floral containing tiny images of dancers, musicians and even a mithuna couple (Gemini). In the main mantapa (hall) there are three images, one of the "five headed" Brahma and his vehicle (vahana), the goose, and two images are of Surya, the Sun God. The temple has two doorways each with a porch, one facing south and the other facing east. The east facing door has on either side the remains of what must have been elegant lintel decoration, and an open hall type of pillared extension containing a large recumbent image of Nandi (bull) which faces the shrine.

Photo Gallery:

Twenty-four pointed stellate plan of vimana of Dodda Basappa Temple in Dambal, 12th century CE

Nandi (vehicle of Shiva–bull)facing shrine through eastern doorway

Wall relief in projections and recesses–Kirtimukha, Pilasters and dravida style miniature towers (aedicule)

Half pillar on porch

Courtesy: Wikipedia

Gajendragad or Gajendragarh is a town in Ron Taluk Gadag District, North Karnataka, in the state of Karnataka, India.

Introduction

Gajendragad, Gad means Fort, local people generally call as Gada. It is about 40 km from Gadag and is one of the big town in the Gadag District. Kannada movies shot here, for example Veera Madakari.

Gajendragad is a pilgrimage destination, due to its Kalakaleshwara temple. It is famous for the following

• Beautiful very long Hill strip,
• Historical Fort,
• Kalakaleshwara temple,
• Market for Javali / Dress Materials for marriage and festivals
• Handloom, Gajendragad Kubusa Kana.

History

History of Gajendragad

Gajendragad is surrounded by the Historical places associated with Badami Chalukyas and Western Chalukya and the places are Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal, Mahakuta, Banashankari, Sudi, Mahadeva Temple at Itagi and Kudalasangama. Rastrakuta Monuments at Kuknur. Gajendragad Fort was built and renewed by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Ghorpade

Founder of the Ghorpade family was Shri Valabhasinh Cholaraj Ghorpade, the second son of Raja Cholaraj Ghorpade of Mudhol.

The Royal families of Kapsi and Gajendragad owe their origin to Vallabhasinha and the Chiefs of Sondur are descended from the third son of Cholraj.

Treaty of Gajendragad

After the 2nd Mysore War, Tippu Sultan had to engage in an armed conflict (during 1786-87) with the Marathas and the Nizam. The war concluded with the treaty of Gajendragad. And Tippu proved superior. Tippu Sultan pleaded in vain with the Marathas and the Nizam that they should all ally against the British.

The fort and Taluka of Gajendragad which was taken by Fate Alikhan was retaken by Government. Half the province was surrendered to the Nawab (Nizam A. D. 1786-87) according to Treaty of Gajendragad. Remaining was made over to Dawalatrao Ghorpade (Rs, 50,001 was taken from him).

Tourism

The pilgrim Kalakaleshwara temple, proper is a huge mountain with the temple carved into it. This is a weekend destination which could be wound up in a day’s time. One can see many windmills lined on the hill opposite the hill on which the temple is located. Besides a beautiful view awaits you after the visit to the temple from the hill.

Kalakaleshwara temple

A little known pilgrim of North Karnataka. Gajendragad is a small town lying amidst hills, in one of which is encapsulated Kalakaleshwara temple of Lord Shiva (known as Dakshina Kashi), who is worshipped in the form of Kalakaleswara. There are some large steps that lead you up to the temple. It is a traditional temple with Udhbhava Lingu. There we can find God Virabhadra temple also in the same premises. But one would definitely be amazed at the story in which the significance of the destination lies. Just outside the temple exit is a small square water reservoir called AtharaGange. It is an evergreen water resource that constantly falls along the roots of Peepal tree into the pond all throughout the year. It is said to be flowing even in the peaks of summer season and has an unknown root.

Mythology

More amazing is the story attached to this destination that has taken a few lives too. These were the daring people who wanted to try and learn more about a miracle that happens on the previous night of Ugadi, New Year of Kannadigas. The pandit/pujari of the temple prepares a solution of limestone, and keeps it ready for application along with a brush, inside the temple. The next morning, the jobs done. But the temple is painted on its own and this happens without fail every year. A hookah that is also kept along with it seems to be used when seen the next morning.

Legend has it and so do elderly people that there used to be a bell equivalent to the size of soaked kidney beans that fit into 22 gunny bags. In the 1970s, it so happened that the bell vanished all of a sudden towards the heavens, ringing and sounds of the bell echoing and resonating in into the blue skies. And then there was an epidemic of plague that spread across the place, which people blame was due the bells act of vanishing.

Windmills and poachers drive wolves away

Windmills set up to generate wind energy, are posing a threat to the very existence of rare hyenas and wolves at Gajendragad.Earlier Gajendragad was recognised as a safe haven for highly endangered species like the Indian grey wolf and striped hyenas, but then came wind farming and windmills with huge noisy fans and human traffic to maintain these machines. It drove away these species from their habitat.

Photo Gallery:

Nature in front of Kalkaleshwara Temple, Gajendragad

Gajendragad Fort

Windmills in front of Kalkaleshwara Temple, Gajendragad,

Courtesy: Wikipedia