Dambal

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  ?Dambal
Karnataka • India
Map indicating the location of Dambal
Thumbnail map of India with Karnataka highlighted
Location of Dambal
 Dambal 
Coordinates: 15°17′46″N 75°46′21″E / 15.296, 75.7726
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
District(s) Gadag District

Coordinates: 15°17′46″N 75°46′21″E / 15.296, 75.7726

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.[1]

Dambal is at an elevation of 590 metres and its population is 21,096.[2]

Contents

[edit] History

Under the rule of the Mauryas and Satavahana, the teachings of Buddha flourished in Karnataka. Buddhist relics are found scattered around the town.[3]

Dodda Basappa Temple at Dambal, 12th century CE
Dodda Basappa Temple at Dambal, 12th century CE

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.[4]

[edit] Temples

There are three Hindu temples here. The Dodda Basappa temple is of the Western Chalukya architectural style and has a star-shaped plan for the vimana with so many star points that it almost becomes circular in appearance.[5] Each right angle is divided into four 22.5 degrees angles. Then each angle is again divided and covered with intricate carvings.[6] Coordinates: 15°30′N, 75°76′E

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ The Buddhist Legacy – Buddhism in Karnataka. Retrieved on 2006-12-18.
  2. ^ Dambal, India Page. Retrieved on 2007-01-25.
  3. ^ Kamat Research Database - Buddhist System of Education. Retrieved on 2007-03-12.
  4. ^ The Buddhist Legacy. Retrieved on 2007-03-12.
  5. ^ Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent. Retrieved on 2006-12-18.
  6. ^ Dodda Basappa temple - 12th century. Retrieved on 2006-12-19.

[edit] External links

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