Saturday, May 4, 2013

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

12 comments:

magiceye said...

Fascinating to say the least!

Indrani said...

It is a beautiful place full of old treasures. Wish it was promoted more vigorously.

Unknown said...

My God you have visited places..!! Amazing blog you have here..

Easwar Arumugam said...

Maybe, it's one of the monumental temples. nice text, lovely pictures

Rajesh said...

Beautiful. These places definitely deserve more attention.

My Unfinished Life said...

while I have heard of Gadag but for completely different reason, one of our infrastructure development projects was located there!!

the temples are beautiful indeed!!

http://www.myunfinishedlife.com

Anonymous said...

awesome post .. very nice photographs !!

Teamgsquare said...

Lovely place to visit and explore .

Vallabh said...

Beautiful Place.. and nice pictures..

R Niranjan Das said...

Excellent post on temples of Gadag and Lakkundi.

www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.in

RAMANANDA said...


Beautifull temples of Lakkundi, I am proud to born in this village


Manjula, Lakkundi

Ranjana Jha said...

Thank you so much for your comments, indeed India is full of such beautiful yet not so well-known places, it will take a lifetime and maybe more to see all there is to see in India alone!

@ Ramananda, you should be proud to belong to a place that houses such beautiful ancient temples.