Ancient temples in Lakkundi, North Karnataka, India

Exterior decoration motifs
at the Brahma Jinalaya
temple

Karnataka is known for its beautiful old temples. Some of the lesser  known temples are located in a place called Gadag. Gadag is a small village in North Karnataka and you will likely pass it on your way to Hampi from Hubli.

I could not visit Gadag during my last trip to Karnataka. But I certainly have it in my list of places to see. My cousin went there last year. She saw some absolutely beautiful temples during her visit.I wonder why not many people know about Gadag. I am sharing some temples from a place called Lakkundi which is around 11 kms from Gadag. Gadag is very well connected. A number of government buses ply from all over Karnataka to Gadag. Gadag also has a railway station.

Lakkundi has a Jain temple, Brahma Jinalaya, dedicated to Mahavira, it happens to be one of the oldest and largest Jain temples in Lakkundi. This temple is beautiful. I think the temple's name comes from Brahma's figure inside the temple. This temple dates back to 1007 AD, and was built by Attiyabbe, wife of Chief Nagadeva during the reign of Kalyana Chalukya ruler, Irivabedange Satyashraya. This temple's construction style is of the Karnataka’s Dravida style. This style flowered even more under Lakkundi's temple builders.

Brahma Jinalaya Jain Temple Lakkundi

Brahma Jinalaya Jain Temple

Neminatha-Jain Tirthankara, Brahma Jinalaya temple

Brahma's statue in the temple

A couple more temples that she visited were the Nanneshwara temple and Manikeshwara temple with a massive stepwell. In fact the temple looks smaller in comparison!

Nanneshwara temple, Lakkundi, Karnataka

Nanneshwara temple, Lakkundi, Karnataka

Manikeshwara temple with a massive stepwell, Lakkundi, Karnataka, India

Manikeshwara temple stepwell

A small temple next to the
Brahma Jinalaya temple