Holy
Pilgrimage – Temples in Karnataka State
Kundgol Temple, Karnataka
Kundgolalso spelled as Kundagol (Kannada: ಕುಂದಗೋಳ ) is a panchayat town in Dharwad district in the Indian state of Karnataka.
Introduction
Kundgol is Located in Dharwad District of Karnataka is about 14 km south-west of Hubli and 32 km south-west of Dharwad.This town is the birth place of Rambhau Kundgolkar (popular as Pandit Sawai Gandharva), a well known Hindustani musician. Gangubai Hangal, Bhimsen Joshi were his disciples.
History
Kundagol also comes under the core area of Western Chalukya Empire. The existence of 11th century Shri Shabhulingeshwara temple supports this claim.Prior to 1948, Kundgol was a non-contiguous part of the princely state of Jamkhandi.
Hindustani music and Kundgol
Rambhau Kundgolkar, popularly known as Sawai Gandharva, was born here in 1886.- Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi
According to Gangubai Hangal, Late Abdul Karim Khan visited Dharwad in 1900 and taught Sawai Gandharva, a guru who produced many great disciplines like Dr Hangal and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi. The Nadgir family of Kundgol is known for patronising Hindustani music.
To cater to the needs of cultural activities the Dharwad city boasts of a opera house Savai Gandharava Natyagraha named after the great Hindustani Musician Savai Gandharva the native of Kundgol town near Hubli, on the Hubli - Bangalore rail line. The great celebrity in Hindustani music of the modern times. Dr. Smt. Gangubai Hangal also hails from this place and a resident of Hubli.
- Dr. Smt. Gangubai Hangal
Tourism
- Shambhulinga Temple
On the side of the door steps of the temple, carvings of the Lion face a long scroll issuing from its mouth.
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati. Although damaged, the exterior of the temple is decorated with lotus and kirtimukha faces and apparently hundreds of Brahmanical images.
This temple was a victim of Muhammadans. It was repaired by a former chief (During 1808-9).
Transport
There are KSRTC buses from Hubli and Dharwad and nearest towns to Kundagol. This town is also connected by Railway network and it's Railway Station code is KNO.Kurudumale SomeswaraTemple. Karnataka
Kurudumale, a place in the Kolar district of Karnataka state, India, is known for its Ganesha temple built by a Vijayanagara kings. This place was believed to be the place where Devas would descend from the heavens for recreation on earth. The ganesha temple is considered to be very powerful. Many people start new jobs or new work only after taking the blessing of Lord Ganesha.There is another temple dedicated to Shiva called the Someshwara temple which is also situated in Kurudumale. The interesting thing about this temple is that it is built of a rock without any foundations. Another interesting thing is the architectural style of the temple; this temple is considered to be older than the Ganesha temple and was built during the Cholas period. Half of the temple has different style of carving, believed to have been done by artist Jakanachari and the other half is believed to have been carved by his son Dankanachari. The part of the temple supposedly built by Dankana's has statues and carvings which are more intricate and sophisticated. Ganesha temple in Kurudumale, situated on the same road as that of Someshwara temple, but here a huge Ganesha idol is being worshipped from ages unknown. It is said that the Ganesha statue was being worshipped in an open field, until Krishnadevaraya built a temple around it. Its too huge to imagine (14 ft in all), bigger than the Dodda Ganesha of Basavanagudi
Kuruvathi Basaveshwara temple, Karnataka
Shri Kuruvathi Basaveshwara temple at Kuruvathi (Kannada: ಕುರುವತ್ತಿ) is one of the ancient and historical temple at the extreme south-western corner of Huvina Hadagali taluk, Bellary District, North Karnataka, India. This temple is on the bank of Tungabhadra river river, 10 km from Halavagalu and 2 km from Mylara and 36 km from Ranebennur and 326 km from Bangalore.
History
Origin
Kuruvathi (Kannada: ಕುರುವತ್ತಿ) got its name because the Lord Basaveshwara/Nandi came here to heal the kuru (Kannada: ಕುರು) — the wounds of the devotees.Shri Kuruvathi Basaveshwara is one of the forms of Nandi. The holy temple (Kannada: ಕುರುವತ್ತಿ) is dedicated to Nandi who is in the form of a bull. It is believed that Lord Nandi came here in search of Lord Shiva (Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy), found him on the bank of Tungabhadra_River, sat in front of him and started worshiping him from then on.
Ancient history
Shri(holy) Kuruvathi Basaveshwara Swamy Temple is around 600 years old, built in accordance with Vijayanagara architecture (Kannada: ವಿಜಯನಗರ ವಾಸ್ತುಶಿಲ್ಪ) during the period (1336–1565)Lord Nandi, also known as Basaveshwara or Basavanna, is believed by followers to be a very merciful, being the fulfiller of every wish made to him by the devotees. He provides the blessing to the people by healing the wounds of their life. Lord Nandi is worshiped here as the main deity. In Kuruvathi, Lord Basaveshwara's idol is 10 feet long and 9 feet high. Here Lord Basaveshwara fulfills the request of the devotees and bless them and their families if one offers prayer to him from Bhakti.
This temple consist of a Garbhagriha, Sukanasi, a Navaranga connecting the sanctum and outer Mandapa and a Rangamantapa. The Mandapa are built on square or polygonal plinths with carved friezes that are four to five feet high and have ornate stepped entrances on all four sides with miniature elephants or with beast. The Mandapas are supported by ornate pillars.
Kuruvathi (Kannada: ಕುರುವತ್ತಿ) is also known as Dakshina Kashi/Varanasi, as the Tungabhadra river flows from east to west, because in Kashi/Varanasi the Ganges river flows from east to west.
The holy mantra chanted here is "Jaya Namaha Pravathi Patheye Hara Hara Maha Deva", "Om Namaha Shivaya" and "Om Shri Kuruvathi Basaveshwaraya Namaha
Shri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple
Shri Mallikarjuna
Swamy Temple is around 900 years old, built in Western Chalukya architecture style
(Kannada: ಪಶ್ಚಿಮ ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯ ವಾಸ್ತುಶಿಲ್ಪ) also known as Kalyani
Chalukya.
Kalyani
Chalukya or Later Chalukya architecture is the distinctive style of ornamented
architecture that evolved during the rule of the Western Chalukya Empire in the
Tungabhadra
region of central Karnataka, India,
during the 11th and 12th centuries. Chalukyan temples fall into two categories
— the first being temples with a common mantapa (a colonnaded hall) and two
shrines (known as dvi kuta) and the second being temples with one mantapa and a
single shrine (eka kuta). Since the contribution of Kalyani Chalukya had very
great prominence during his reign (Chalukya dynasty),
the Lord Shri Mallikarjuna
Swamy Temple is now under the protection of
the Archeological Department.Lord Shiva who killed the deamons at this place and revealed himself in a form of Lingam and is known as Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy. This shrine belongs to Eka kuta category which consist of a Mahamantapa, three Navaranga connecting the sanctum and outer Mandapa and a Rangamantapa, three Dwaar and a Garbhagriha. These three Navaranga have Mahamantapas that are fabulous and spectacularly incarnated by Kalyani Chalukya and these in turn leads us to Sukanasi. This Sukanasi finally leads us to Garbhagriha where Lord Shiva resides. The Shiva Lingam is of 4 feet height.
The Rangamantapa has 12 pillars which are triangular in all three directions and is 8 feet high and 4 feet wide, where we can find Lord Ganesha who is 5 feet tall and Lord Subramanya, Karnataka along with Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy. The ornate pillars that support the roof of the mandapa are monolithic shafts from the base up to the neck of the capital.
There are three entrances. Each of these dwaars are beautifully incarnated with the traditional design that influences the Western Chalukya architecture. The Goddess Shri Bhuvaneshwari's idol is beautifully incarnated on the Main Dwaar.
Temple activities
Priest activities
The priest here is Somashekara who performs the daily puja for the Lord Nandi. This puja is done only by this priest family. There are some special Puja performed during the time of festivals and during Maha Shivaratri. Holige and ghee is served as Naivedya to Lord Nandi. In Kartika a special puja to the Lord Nandi and Mallikrjuna Swamy is made. The maha Rathothsava is on Maha Shivaratri amavasya (new moon) day during February–March.Temple car festival activities
Devotees from all over Karanataka and other near by states in India visit this place during Kuruvathi Theru (temple car festival-Rathothsava) held during the time of Maha Shivaratri. The Lord Nandi idol is kept inside the ratha and then it moves based on the particular Nakshatra named Magha that match at some point of time. This Ratha does not move unless and until Nakshatra matches Magha (nakshatra). Once the Nakshatra is matched, devotees will be able to pull the ratha by chanting mantra "Jaya Namaha Pravathi Patheye Hara Hara Maha Deva", "Om Namaha Shivaya" and "Om Shri Kuruvathi Basaveshwaraya Namaha","Basavanna Dhareye Ninagaru Sariye, Sari Sari Yendavara, Hallu Muriye Bhoupara", "Hatti Halada Mara Sutta Bevina Mara Uttati Vanadalliruva Belli Basaveshwaranige Bhoupara". Later when the ratha starts moving, the devotees then offer flower garlands, coconuts and banana fruits to the Lord Nandi ratha.Prasadam activities
The devotees are provided with Prasadam (food) on the amavasya (new moon) day of every month which is provided by the devotees in form of dana.Terminology
- Theru: Rathothsava
- Mandapa: A porch-like structure through the (Gopuram) (ornate gateway) and leading to the temple
- Mahamantapa: Open pillared hall
- Rangamantapa: Closed pillared hall
- Garbhagriha: Sanctum where the idol of God is placed
- Navaranga or Antrala: Passage that connects to Sanctum
- Sukanasi: Antechamber
- Dwaar: Entrance
Transport
Road
- Bangalore-Chitradurga-Ranebennur-Guttal**-Mylara**-Kuruvathi.
- Bangalore-Harihara-Halavagalu**-Kuruvathi.
- Bellary-Hospet-Harpanahalli-Kuruvathi.
- Dharwar-Hubli-Haveri-Guttal**-Mylara**-Kuruvathi.
Railway station
- Bangalore-Ranebennur-Dharwar: Alight at Ranebennur and board the local private transport.
- Dharwar-Devaragudda-Bangalore: Alight at Devaragudda and board the local private transport.
Airports
The nearest airport is at Hubli. An international airport is at Bengaluru.Lad Khan Temple, Aihole, Karnataka
The Lad Khan Temple, dedicated to Shiva, is a one of the oldest Hindu temples and is located in Aihole in the state of Karnataka, India. It was built in the 5th century by the kings of the Chalukya dynasty It is located to the south of the Durga Temple The temple is named after a muslim prince who turned this temple into his residence for a short period. Aihoḷe is 510 km from Bangalore and 26 km from Hungund by road. Aihoḷe is one of the most notable places in the history of art of Karnataka. Aihoḷe was known as Ayyavoḷe and Aryapura in its inscriptions.
Structure
The temple consists of a shrine (garba griha) with mandapa in front of it. The mukha mandapa is situated in front of the sanctum and consists of a set of 12 carved pillars. The sabha mandapa leads to the maha mandapa and the pillars are arranged to form two concentric squares. The walls have floral patterns on them and the windows have lattice work done in the northern style. Facing the sanctum, a second smaller sanctum is situated above the center of the hall whose outer walls have many carved imagesOriginally dedicated to Vishnu, now the main shrine houses a Shiva Linga with a Nandi. The temple was built in a Panchayatana style, indicating a very early experiment in temple construction. The special feature of this temple is that it starts with a rectangular structure and ends with a square structure. Based on a wooden construction design , the square and rectangular plan has a steep roof, which is an adaptation of wooden styles in stone.
The maha mandapa is open to exterior by large windows between the pillars. The roof above the maha mandapa shows a turret as a first version of the futures towers sikharas and vimanas
Lakkundi Temples, Karnataka
Lakkundi (Kannada: ಲಕ್ಕುಂಡಿ )in Gadag District (North Karnataka) of Karnataka is a tiny village on the way to Hampi (Hospet) from Hubli. Lakkundi 11 km from Gadag in the east. It is 14 km from Dambal and 25 km from Mahadeva Temple (Itagi).
Introduction
Lakkundi, full of ruined temples like Mallikarjuna, Virabhadra, Manikeshwara, Nanneshwara, Lakshminarayana, Someshwara, Nilakanteshwara and many more.Lakkundi is a place of antiquarian interest with as many as 50 temples, 101 stepped wells (called Kalyani or Pushkarni) and 29 inscriptions, spread over the period of the later Chalukyas, Kalachuris, Seuna and the Hoysalas. A great center of Kalyani Chalukyas art, there are several temples of note here. Among them Kasivisvesvara temple, Lakkundi is the most ornate and elaborately furnished. There is also a Jain Temple dedicated to Mahavira, the largest and oldest shrines at Lakkundi. There is sculpture gallery (Museum) maintained by the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India).
Lakkundi also has a Darga of Zindeshah Wali.
History
Main articles: Western Chalukya architecture and Western Chalukya temples
Lakkundi is
known for the temple
archietecture and
Danachintamani Attimabbe (patronage for Kannada
literature and Jainism).Other name for Lakkundi was called as LokkiGundi in the inscriptions.
Lakkundi was ruled by later Chalukyas, Kalachuris, Seuna and the Hoysalas.
The Chalukyas who wrested power from the Rashtrakutas (9th-10th centuries), made Kalyani their capital. Nothing remains of this city now. Most of the later Chalukya temples are preserved in Lakkundi,
The Jaina temple at Lakkundi near Gadag forms the next step in the improvement of Kalyani Chalukyas style introducing a greater ornamental effect in the treatment of the surface.
In the 12th century, the Kalyani Chalukyas style of architecture reaches its maturity and culmination. Kasivisvesvara temple, Lakkundi, Mallikarjuna at Kuruvatii and Mahadeva Temple (Itagi) are the finest examples produced by the later Chalukya architects.
The architecture of the Kalyani Chalukyas of Kalyani are said to be a link between those of the early Chalukyas of Badami and the Hoysalas who succeeded them.
Temples
At Lakkundi all the temples are made of green schist and the outer walls and entrances are very richly decorated. The shikhara is an in-between-style type and the parapet and the artistic division of the wall with pilasters is typical of the south-Indian style.Currently Lakkundi has about 50 temples of various stature and antiquity. Some of the temples of note are Halagunda Basavanna Temple, Laxmianarayana Temple, Mallikarjuna Temple, Manikeshwara Temple, Nadayadeva Temple, Nagaradeva Shrine, Neelakanteshwara Temple, Suryanarayana Shrine (of Sun God facing the Kashi Vishweshwara Temple ), Someshwara Temple, Virabhadara Temple, Vishwantha Temple, Virupaksha Temple. Most of them are dedicated to Lord Siva and his various aspects.
Gadag, the district center itself have a few attractive temples. Trikuteshwara Shiva temple is impressive with its intricately ornate pillars, screens of carved stones and friezes.
Attimabbe
Attimabbe built a Jain temple at Lakkundi to which the king (Satyasraya) provided a golden Kalasa.Attimabbe, known as Danachintamani is a well known personality of the Kalyani Chalukyas period. She made 1000 copies of great poet Ponna's Santi purana and distributed as Sastradana.
The Brahma jinalaya was constructed by Attimabbe. Attimabbe wife of Nagadeva who was the chieftain and soldier of Chalukya King Ahavamalla and mother of Ahniga Masavadi who was ruling Lakkundi for some time.
Attimabbe sheltered the poet Ranna.
Inscriptions
Lakkundi is also a treasure house of many important Inscriptions (about 29).- The inscriptions of the Kalyani Chalukyas king Irive Bedanga narrates in
- The inscriptions of the Kalachuri King Sovideva (1173 A.D.) reveals the donation of gold to a Basadi by Gunanidi Keshava.
- The important inscriptions of Kalyani Chalukyas Somashekara VI (1185 A.D.), reveals the donation for conducting Ashtavidharchana. And other 12th century period inscription mentions the donation of land to Tribhuvana tilaka Shantinatha. Also an inscription mentions the existence of Jain saints Mulasangha Devanga.
Tourism
Lakkundi is known for the Chalukya style temples, stepped wells and historic inscriptions. Owing to its uniqueness, sometimes these temples are simply referred to as Kalyani Chalukyas Temples.Lakkundi is often a gem missed by majority of tourists. One take the trouble of making visit to Lakkundi is rewarded with one of the fine architectural feasts of the Kalyana Chalukya period (c. 10th century CE).
Brahma Jinalaya (Basadi)
Brahmajinalaya stands as the testimony of the high rank in the Karnataka temple Archietecture.Brahma Jainalaya was built by queen Attimabbe is the largest of many Jain temples in Lakkundi. This Basadi is dedicated to Mahavira, the most revered saint of Jainism.
This Basadi is perhaps one of the earliest examples of temples in this area built of a kind of fine textured chloritic schist as distinct from the hitherto used sandstone of this region. The new material, because of its less thick quarry sizes and tractability, reacted on the workmanship, with the result that the masonry courses became reduced in size and the carvings more delicate and highly finished. The temple, perhaps built in the latter half of the 11th century, has a five-storeyed vimana, square on plan from the base to the sikhara, and had originally a closed square navaranga in front, though an open mandapawas added in front later on.
Basadi has a well fastened Mukha mantapa. and Open hall proped by central pillars decorated with beautiful carving. The Garbagudi holds the idol of Vardhamana Mahavira Tirthankara.
The central bay of the navaranga is a larger square than the peripheral eight around it. The second storey, as in the Jaina temple at Pattadakal, is functional and has an antarala-mantapa in front over the vestibule of the lower storey. This raises the total height of the vimana considerably.
Kashivishvanatha Temple
Kashi Vishweshwara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is meticulous for its carvings on the towers and the doorways. The heavy circular pillars were made using some kind of lathe.A great deal of care has gone into the construction of the Kashivishvanatha temple in Lakkundi which deifies Shiva. This temple has a unique feature: a small surya shrine faces the main shrine on the west. There is a common platform between both which must have been an open mandapa originally. Hence the Kashivishvanatha temple has an entrance on the east side and south side of the mandapa. The entrance doorway and the towers are covered with close intricate carving. The shikhara is in the North-Indian style and it looks like a lathe must have been used to make the complex circular pillars.
Nanneshwara Temple
Stepped wells
There are numerous ancient wells in Lakkundi, of which the Chateer Bavi, Kanne Bavi and Musukina Bavi are popular for their carvings architectural beauty. Most of the wells are carved with tiny Siva shrines in the form of niches into the walls.
Manikesvara Temple with Stepped Kalyani is one of the Tourist attractions of Lakkundi
At Lakkundi there is a stepped well of the Chalukya period next to the Manikeshwara temple.[9] On 3 sides of the Kalyani there are steps and The approach to the mandapa of the temples forms a bridge on the fourth side.
Weaving of Ambasi panje
Contrast bordered Lungi (Ambasi Phadiki Dhadi Panje) woven at Lakkundi,[10] the Dhoti (Lingi), daily wear woven with a contrast border using traditional motifs.Transport
Lakkundi is well connected by road. It can be reached by coming to Gadag or Koppal. There are KSRTC buses from all over karnataka to Gadag and Koppal. It is 11 kms from Gadag and 50 kms from Koppal. The nearest Railway station is in Gadag city. Once you get dropped at the Lakkundi bus stand, you can practically cover all the temples and other monuments on foot. Nevertheless you can hire a local taxi for better convenience. There are more than 15 Hindu and Jain temples in this town which was a prominent city a thousand years backNanneshwara Temple located to its north is worth a visit. This temple looks like a simple and small replica of the much elaborate Kashi Vishweshwara Temple. Probably the Nanneshwara Temple was built as a prototype before the grand Kashi Vishweshwara Temple was executed.
Stepped wells
There are numerous ancient wells in Lakkundi, of which the Chateer Bavi, Kanne Bavi and Musukina Bavi are popular for their carvings architectural beauty. Most of the wells are carved with tiny Siva shrines in the form of niches into the walls.
Manikesvara Temple with Stepped Kalyani is one of the Tourist attractions of Lakkundi
At Lakkundi there is a stepped well of the Chalukya period next to the Manikeshwara temple. On 3 sides of the Kalyani there are steps and The approach to the mandapa of the temples forms a bridge on the fourth side.
Weaving of Ambasi panje
Contrast bordered Lungi (Ambasi Phadiki Dhadi Panje) woven at Lakkundi, the Dhoti (Lingi), daily wear woven with a contrast border using traditional motifs.Transport
Lakkundi is well connected by road. It can be reached by coming to Gadag or Koppal. There are KSRTC buses from all over karnataka to Gadag and Koppal. It is 11 kms from Gadag and 50 kms from Koppal. The nearest Railway station is in Gadag city. Once you get dropped at the Lakkundi bus stand, you can practically cover all the temples and other monuments on foot. Nevertheless you can hire a local taxi for better convenience. There are more than 15 Hindu and Jain temples in this town which was a prominent city a thousand years back
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(My
humble salutations to the great devotees
, wikisources and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the
collection )
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