Lakshmeshwara

Lakshmeshwara ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೇಶ್ವರ
Someshwara temple complex at Lakshmeshwara
Lakshmeshwara Location in Karnataka, India
Coordinates: 15°08′N 75°28′E / 15.13°N 75.47°E / 15.13; 75.47Coordinates: 15°08′N 75°28′E / 15.13°N 75.47°E / 15.13; 75.47
Country	India
State	Karnataka
District	Gadag
Taluk	Shirahatti
Lok Sabha Constituency	Haveri
Elevation	634 m (2,080 ft)
Population (2001)
• Total	33,411
Languages
• Official	Kannada
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	582 116
Vehicle registration	KA 26

Lakshmeshwara (Kannada: ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೇಶ್ವರ )is a town in Shirahatti taluk, Gadag district, in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is about 50 km from Gadag and 55 km from Hubli.^[1] Lakshmeshwara is an agricultural trading town.

There are many important temples in this historic town, including the Shiva temple, the "Someshwara Temple". There are two ancient Jain temples (Sannabasadi and Shankabasadi) in the town, as well as a notable Jamma Masjid. Lakshmeshwara is also home for many smaller shrines, a dargah, the Kodiyellamma temple, the Mukha Basavanna shrine, and a gigantic idol of Suryanarayana.

History

Lakshmeshwara is famous for prolific culture and literature. It is a place with rich heritage in Karnataka hence it is called as Tirulugannada Nadu. Many kings have patronised the place.

Lakshmeshwar or ancient Huligere or Puligere^[2] was the capital of Puligere-300.^[3] Puligere means pond of tigers. There are theories of the origin of the name Lakshmeshwara: from King Lakshmanarasa who was ruling Puligere or from the temple called Lakshmi-Lingana gudi, which means the temple of Lakshmi.

Other names include Purigere, Porigere, Purikanagar and Pulikanagar.

Adikavi Pampa wrote his famous poetry in Lakshmeshwara.

Many Jain saints and writers have flourished here.^[3] They include Devachakra Bhattaraka, Shankanacharya, Hemadevacharya, Padmasena, Tribhuvana Chandra Padmita and Rama Dvacharya.

Kannada inscriptions

At the Someshwara temple complex, there are many Kannada inscription.^[4] Over 50 stone inscriptions (records) show the cultural importance.

• The Kannada (Kannadiga) poet Kayasena of Mulgund, who wrote in the Bharmamrita, was a disciple of Narendrasena II of the Lakshmeshwar inscription of 1081.
• Lakshmeshwar inscription of the reign of Jagadekamella II.
• Two Jain Inscription of Mulgund and Lakshmeshwar
• The Lakshmeshwar inscriptions (in Kannada dated January 13, 735), during 733–744 CE Vikramaditya II was the son of King Vijayaditya who ascended the Badami Chalukyas throne following the death of his father.

Jainism

Jainism related to Lakshmeshwara has long history.^[5]

• At Lakshmeshwara, during the period of Kirtivarma II, the Jinalaya built by Kumkuma Mahadevi.
• Kalyani Chalukyas most important Jinalayas Brahma Jinalaya at Lakkundi, Charantimatha at Aihole and Sankha Jinalya at Lakshmeswar. The Sankha Jinalaya at Lakshmeshwara is dedicated to Neminatha (as per many inscriptions this was an important Jinalaya). Sendraka Durgashakti, a feudatory of Pulakesi II is said to have given gifts to this temple. An inscription of Vinayaditya (dated 686 A.D.) refers to a grant to Jain acharya of Devagana and mulasangha.
• Epigraph dated 729 A. D. of Vijayaditya mentions a grant to Niravadya Pandita who was to house pupil of Sri Pujyapada. Another inscription of Vikramaditya II (dated 734 A. D.) mentions gifts to Sweta Jinalaya.
• The Jaina monument of the Rashtrakuta period found Lakshmeshwar.

Someshwara temple complex

The most important monument at Lakshemshwar is the Someshwara temple complex (11th century).^[6] The temple complex with three main entrances is surrounded by high walls look like a fort. It is a splendid specimen of Chalukya architecture.

In middle of the temple complex, there is a Someshwara temple, surrounded by many small temples mainly dedicated to Shiva, along the compound wall, built with granite, some halls in the complex meant for resting devotees.

Someshwara temple

Someshwara temple with the traditional structures of a temple includes a garbha griha, an ardha mantapa or halfway hall, a navaranga and a mukha mantapa or entrance porch.

The Nandi and Shiva Parvati idols in the temple are exquisitely sculpted. These idols are referred to as Saurashtra Someshwara, as these idols were brought by a Shiva devotee from Saurashtra and installed at Lakshmeshwara.

Open well

In side the Someshwara temple complex, behind the temple there is an open well, meant mainly for the use of the temple.

Jain Basadis

Lakshmeshwara is one of the ancient Jain centres. Many Jain temples are mentioned in the inscriptions.^[3]

Shanka Basadi

Of the two historical Jinalayaa at Lakshmeswar, the more famous is Sankha Jinalaya, also called Sahasrakuta Jinalaya,^[3] in the BastiBana area. This takes back the history of Lakeshmeshwara to the 8th century; though the temple is in Chalukya style it has undergone many modifications and renovations.

Neminath (Shankha is the symbol of Neminath), the 22nd Jain thirthankara, is the presiding deity of this Jain Basadi.

Basadi, which consists of a Garbhagriha, a large Ardhamandapa, larger Mahamandapa and a Rangamandapa.

• The rangamandapa has three entrances (south, north and west). It has a chaturmukha structure in diminutive model, each of which carries three figures. it has a rekhanagara sikhara. The unique feature of this temple is the Sahasrakuta Jinabimba in minute form.
• There is a Manasthamba erected in front of the temple.
• There are ventilated walls in front of the temple, whereas yakshas and yakshis can be found in the other walls. There are many splendid carvings of dancers and musicians.
• Inside the temple one can find the rare monolithic piece of Sahasra Jinabimbas (SahastraKut Jinalay) and the idols of Dharnendra and Padmavathi.
• Many mutilated Jain idols can be found on the wall of a well nearby.
• Adikavi Pampa wrote Adi Purana, seated in this Basadi.
• Basadi is in ruins and renovated; it presents the interest of the Kalyani Chalukyas in Jain architecture.

The other Jinalaya there is a Trikuta dedicated to 'Anantanatha.

Ananthanatha basadi

Another Jain temple at Lakshmeshwara is the Ananthanatha Basadi, built in AD 1250, which is in the middle of the town. This Basadi is an example of the Chalukya style of architecture. The idol of Ananthanatha, one of the 24 Thirthankars, is installed in the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine.

Islamic monuments

During Adilshahi rule (Bijapur Sultanate), they built monuments like Masjid, Darga. They adapted the Indo-Saracenic architectural style. The Jumma Masjid and Ankushkhan Darga are very attractive.

Jumma Masjid

At Lakshmeshwar there is an artistically raised mosque (masjid)^[7] of Adilshahi times.

The Jumma Masjid at Lakshmeshwara which dates back to the time of the Adilshahi rule. The mosque was built in 1617 by Ankush Khan. Jumma Masjid is constructed in Indo-Saracenic style. The massive doors of the mosque are like a fort entrance. The mosque has two tall minars and a large semicircular dome. There are Dravidian style chains hanging across the ceiling of the mosque.

Historical Dargha

Ankushkhan Darga named after Ankushkhan of Bijapur. The Dargha isapp about one km from the KSRTC bus stand Lakshmeshwar at manjalapur. (he was nobel saint of aadil shahi period & descendant of gujrati sayed's his dargah known as syed laal shabaaz bukhari rehmatullah alai). It is as old as Jumma Masjid. It is constructed in Indo-Saracenic architecture style. this daragah is managed by direct lenial descendants sayed shah soofisab bukhari urf Dr dada pacha baba saheb peerzade and family.

Geography

Lakshmeshwar is at 15°08′N 75°28′E / 15.13°N 75.47°E / 15.13; 75.47.^[8] It has an average elevation of 634 metres (2080 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[9] Lakshmeshwar had a population of 33,411. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Lakshmeshwar has an average literacy rate of 62%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 70%, and female literacy is 53%. In Lakshmeshwar, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Also visit

Shigli Western Chalukya Western Chalukya architecture Lakkundi Dambal Kundgol Annigeri Magadi Bird Sanctuary

Sudi Gadag Mahadeva Temple (Itagi) Haveri North Karnataka Tourism in North Karnataka

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lakshmeshwara.

• Lakshmeshwara Someshwara temple complex on Google Maps

References

State of Karnataka Overviews Architecture Cinema Climate Cuisine Demography Economy Education Folk Arts Geography History Media People Sports Transportation Wildlife History Aihole Alupas Amoghavarsha Badami Banavasi Balligavi Belur Chalukya dynasty Chitradurga Nayaka Chitradurga Nayakas Deva Raya II Durvinita Halebidu Halmidi Hampi Hoysala Empire Kadamba Dynasty Kalyani Chalukyas Keladi Nayaka Kittur Chennamma Kingdom of Mysore Mayurasharma Pattadakal Pulakesi II Rashtrakuta Dynasty Sringeri Srirangapatna Tipu Sultan Unification of Karnataka Vijayanagara empire Vijayanagara Vishnuvardhana Veera Ballala II Vikramaditya II Western Ganga Dynasty Geography Cities and towns Districts Rivers Taluks Villages Bayaluseeme Malenadu Karavali Western Ghats Culture Bharatanatya Bhuta Kola Bidriware Channapatna toys Chitrakala Parishat Gaarudi Gombe Ilkal saree Kamsale Kannada Karnatik music Kasuti Khedda Mysore Dasara Togalu Gombeyaata Udupi cuisine Veeragase Yakshagana Mysore musicians Literature Kannada Milestones Epics Medieval Rashtrakuta Western Ganga Western Chalukya Hoysala Vijayanagara Vachana Haridasa Mysore Play Modern Kannada Sahitya Parishat Kannada Sahitya Sammelana Karnataka Noted poets Asaga Gunavarma I Adikavi Pampa Sri Ponna Ranna Devar Dasimayya Basavanna Akka Mahadevi Allama Prabhu Siddharama Harihara Raghavanka Rudrabhatta Janna Kumara Vyasa Chamarasa Nijaguna Shivayogi Ratnakaravarni Purandara Dasa Kanaka Dasa Vijaya Dasa Gopala Dasa Jagannatha Dasa Lakshmisa Sarvajna Shishunala Sharif Krishnaraja Wadiyar III D. R. Bendre Gopalakrishna Adiga K. S. Narasimhaswamy Govinda Pai Kuvempu D V Gundappa G. S. Shivarudrappa People and Society Karnataka ethnic groups List of people from Karnataka Tourism Beaches Dams Forts National Parks Hindu Temples Jain Temples Waterfalls Awards Karnataka Ratna Pampa Award Nrupatunga Award Basava Puraskara Rajyotsava Prashasti Jakanachari Award Varnashilpi Venkatappa Award

Historical Places in Karnataka Aihole Amruthapura Aralaguppe Avani Badami Balligavi Banavasi Basaralu Belavadi Belur Bidar Bijapur Chaudayyadanapura Chitradurga Dambal Dharmasthala Gadag Galaganatha Gokarna Halasi Halebidu Hampi Hangal Ikkeri Kanakagiri Karkala Keladi Kittur Kolar Kollur Kukke Subramanya Kuknur Lakkundi Lakshmeshwara Itagi Mahakuta Melkote Moodabidri Mudgal Murudeshwara Mysore Pattadakal Raichur Shivamogga Shravanabelagola Shringeri Somanathapura Sudi Talakad Udupi

Hindu Temples in Karnataka Amrutesvara Temple, Amruthapura Ananthasayana temple Anekere Annapoorneshwari Temple Annigeri Antara Gange Avani, Kolar Badami Cave Temples Balligavi Banashankari Amma Temple Banashankari Temple, Amargol Banavasi Bankapura Begur, Bangalore Brahmeshvara Temple, Kikkeri Bucesvara Temple, Koravangala Bhoganidishvara, Chikkaballapur district Bhutanatha group Chamundeshwari Temple Chamundeswari Temple Chandramouleshwara Temple Chaudayyadanapura Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple Chennakesava Temple Chennakeshava Temple, Aralaguppe Chennakesava Temple, Somanathapura Chitrapur Math Chowdeshwari Temple Devarayana Durga Dharmaraya Swamy Temple Dharmasthala Temple Dodda Ganeshana Gudi Doddabasappa Temple Dambal Durga temple, Aihole Gadag-Betigeri Kalakaleshwara Temple Gajendragad Galaganatha Gaurishvara Temple, Yelandur Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple Godachi Gokarnanatheshwara Temple Halasi Halasuru Someshwara Temple Hangal Harihareshwara Temple Panchalingewara Temple Hooli Hoysaleswara Temple Hulimavu cave Temple Ganesha Temple, Idagunji Ikkeri Ishvara Temple, Arasikere Itagi Bhimambika Kadri Manjunath Temple Kaitabheshvara Temple, Kubatur Kalasa Kalghatgi Kalikamba Temple Kalleshvara Temple, Ambali Kalleshvara Temple, Aralaguppe Kalleshvara Temple, Bagali] Kalleshwara Temple, Hire Hadagali Kamala Narayana Temple Belagavi Kanakagiri Karighatta temple Karikanamma Kasivisvesvara Temple, Lakkundi Kedareswara temple, Halebidu Kedareshvara Temple, Balligavi Keladi Keshava Temple Kodandarama Temple Koodli Kote Venkataramana Temple Kotilingeshwara Krauncha Giri Kudalasangama Kudroli Bhagavathi Kukke Subramanya Temple Kuknur Kumara Swamy Devasthana, Bangalore Kundgol Kurudumale Kuruvathi Basaveshwara temple Lad Khan Temple Lakkundi Lakshmeshwar Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Bhadravathi Lakshminarasimha Temple, Haranhalli Lakshminarasimha Temple, Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli Lakshminarayana Temple, Hosaholalu Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna Maha Ganapathi Mahammaya Temple Mahadeva Temple, Itagi Mahakuta group of temples Mallikarjuna Temple, Basaralu Mallikarjuna Temple, Kuruvatti Mandarthi Mangaladevi Temple Maranakatte Mariyamma Temple Melukote Mookambika Temple Kollooru Mudukuthore Mundkur Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple Murudeshwara Mylara Lingeshwara Temple at Mylara Nandi Temple Nagamangala Nageshvara-Chennakeshava Temple complex, Mosale Navalinga Temple Narasimha Jhira Cave Temple, Bidar Nellitheertha Cave Temple Padutirupathi Panchalingeshwara temple, Govindanahalli Pattadakal Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple Ragigudda Anjaneya Temple Rameshvara Temple, Narasamangala Ranganathaswamy Temple, Bangalore Sadasiva Temple Saundatti Shree Vishnumurthy Temple Shri Vinayaka Shankaranarayana Durgamba Temple Shringeri Shringeri Sharadamba Temple Siddhesvara Temple Haveri Srikanteshwara Temple, Nanjangud Sirsangi Kalika Temple Someshwara Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Shivanasamudra Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna Sudi Talagunda Talakad Tamboor Temples in Tulunadu Temples of North Karnataka Thirunarayanapuram Timmalapura Trikuteshwara Temple Gadag Tripurantaka Temple Turuvekere Udupi Sri Krishna Matha Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi Vijayanarayana Temple, Gundlupet Virupaksha Temple Western Chalukya temples Yediyur Siddhalingeshwara Swamy Temple Yelluru Shri Vishweshwara Temple

Settlements in Gadag district, Karnataka District HQ: Gadag Villages and Towns Abbigeri Adarakatti Adavisomapur Adrahalli Akkigund Alagilawad Alur Amaragatti Amaragol Amarapur Ankali Antur Arahunashi Arban Arishinagodi Ashakiran Asundi Asuti Attikatti Bagewadi Balaganur Balagod Balajinagar Balehosur Banahatti Bannikoppa Baradur Basapur Basapur Basarakod Bastiban Battur Beladhadi Belaghatti Belahod Belavanaki Bellatti Belleri Benachamatti Benahal Benakanakoppa Benakanakoppa Bennihalli Bentur Bevinakatti Bhairana Hatti Bhairapur Bhasalapur Bhavanur Bhopalapur Bidarahalli Bidnal Bijjur Binkadakatti Bommasagar Brahmandapur B-S-Beler Budihal Budihal Budihal Budihal Chabbi Chavadal Chickalagundi Chikkahandigol Chikkanargund Chikkasavanur Chikkawaddatti Chikkmannur Chikkoppa Chilzeri Chinchalli Churchihal Dambal Dandapur Desai Ban Devihal Dindur Dindur Doddur Doni Dundur Dyamhunashi Eklasapur Futagao Badni Gadag (Rural) Gadgoli Gangapur Gangapur Gavarawad Gogeri Gojanur Goudageri Govanakoppa Govanal Guddadapur Guddadbudihal Gujmagadi Gulaganjikoppa Gulaguli Gulagundi Gumgol Gurlakatti Hadagali Hadagali -S- Dambal Hadagali- S-Yavagal Hadali Haitapur Halakeri Halligudi Hallikeri Hammigi Hanganakatti Haradagatti Harlapur Harogeri Harti Hatalageri Hebbal Hesarur Hire Mallapur Hirealagundi Hirehal Hirehandigol Hirekoppa Hirekoppa Hirekopppa Hiremannur Hirewaddatti Holalapur Hole Hadagali Hole Mannur Holealur Hombal Honnapur Honniganur Hosalli Hosur Hosur Huilgol Hulgeriban Hulkoti Hullur Hullur Hunagundi Hunashikatti Itagi Itagi Jagapur Jakkali Jalashankarnagar Jalligeri Jantli Jigalur Jigeri Jyalawadgi Kabalayata Katti Kadadi Kadakol Kadampur Kakkur Kalakapur Kalakeri Kalasapur Kalkeri Kallaganur Kallapur Kalliganur Kallur Kanaginahal Kanakawad Kanakikop Kanavi Kappali Kappatagiri Karamadi Karkikatti Kaujageri Kelur Kerihalli Khanapur Khanapur Kiritageri Kodaganur Koganur Kokkargundi Konchigeri Kondikoppa Konnur Korlhalli Kotabal Kotumachagi Kundralli Kuntoji Kurahatti Kurlageri Kurtakoti Kurudagi Kurugovinakoppa Kuruvinakoppa Kusalapur Lakhamapur Lakkalakatti Lakkundi Lakshmeshwar (Hireban) (Rural) Lingadhal Machenahalli Madaganur Madagunaki Madalagiri Madhalli Magadi Mahalingeshwarapur Majjur Maktumpur Malasamudra Malawad Mallapur Mallikarjunapura Maranabasari Maruthinagar Matarangi Megur Melmath Menasigi Meundi Mudenagudi Mugali Muganur Mulgund (Rural) Mundawad Muradi Mushigeri Mustik0Ppa Myakalzeri Nabhapur Nadigatti Nagarahalli Nagaral Nagaramaduvu Nagarashikoppa Nagasamudra Nagavi Nagendragad Nainapur Narasapur Narayanapura Nargund (Rural) Nave Bhavanur Neelagund Neeralagi Nellur Nelogal Nidagundi Pandurangapur Papanashi Parasapur Pethaban Purthageri Radder Naganur Rajur Ramageri Rampur Ranatur Rudrapur Sambhapur Sandigawad Sankadal Sankadal Sarjapur Sasarwad Savadi Sevalalnagar Sevanagar Shagoti Shantagiri Sheernahalli Shettikeri Shigli Shingatalur Shingatarayanakeri Shirahatti (Rural) Shirol Shirol Shirunja Shirur Shivajinagar Shivajinagar Shyabala Siddapur Siddarameshwara Nagar Sogiwal Somanakatti Somapur Soratur Sudi Sugnalli Suranagi Surkod Suvarnagiri Tallihal Tambragundi Tangod Tarikoppa Tegginabhavanur Timmapur Tippapur Tolali Ullatti Undenahalli Vadegol Varavi Vasan Veerapur Venkatapur Venkatapur (H.S.) Venkatapur (Inam) Venkateshnagar Virapapur Vithalapur Wadavi Wadeyar Mallapur Yalavatti Yalishirur Yallapur Yarebeleri Yattinahalli Yavagala Yerekurubanal

Gadag District Taluks Gadag Shirhatti Mundargi Ron Nargund Tourist places Gadag Lakkundi Lakshmeshwar Dambal Hombal Mulgund Gajendragad Naregal Kotumachagi Sudi Savadi Wildlife Magadi Bird Sanctuary Binkadakatti Zoo Rivers Tungabhadra