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 wellsand 29 inscriptions, spread over the period of the later Chalukyas, Kalachuris, Seuna and the Hoysalas.
About Lakkundi :
Lakkundi in Gadag District of Karnataka 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 Kasi Vishwanatha is the most ornate and elaborately furnished. There is also a Jain Temple dedicated to Mahavira, the largest & oldest shrines at Lakkundi. Lakkundi is also noted for its step wells, artistically built with small canopied niches inside the walls of the wells enshrining lingas. There is sculpture gallery maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. The architecture of the Chalukyas of Kalyani are said to be a link between those of the early Chalukyas of Badami and the Hoysalas who succeeded them.
Attractions Of Lakkundi In Karnataka :
Lakkundi is paradise of temples. Lakkundi is located at a distance of 11 km South-East of Gadag in Gadag district. As per the inscriptions, Lakkundi is also called as ‘Lokki Gundi‘ in the inscription; which was a prominent city a thousand years back.
Lakkundi is a place of antiquarian interest, with more than 50 ancient temples scattered throughout the village, 101 stepped wells which are also called as Kalyani and many inscriptions that are built during the rule of the Chalukyas, Kalachuris, Seuna and Hoysalas.
Kasi Vishwanatha Temple is the most ornate and elaborately furnished. Lakkundi is also an important Jain center. There is a Jain Temple dedicated to Mahavira, the largest & ancient shrines at Lakkundi. The architecture of the Chalukyas of Kalyana are said to be a link between those of the early Chalukyas of Badami and the Hoysalas who succeeded them.
Lakkundi is also noted for its steep wells, artistically built with small, canopied niches inside the walls of several wells that enshrine lingas.
The other attraction of Lakkundi is Sculpture Gallery, operated by the Archeological Survey of India.
Lukkundi is a must visit destination for a traveler who is interested in the Archeology.
History :
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 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.
How to reach:
From Bangalore 437 KM
From DHQ Gadag 15 KM
Route : Bangalore-Chitradurga-Haveri-Gadag-Lakkundi.
Road : Gadag is well connected by road from all District headquarters of Karnataka. Upon reaching Gadag, one can take local transport or KSRTC Rural service to reach Lakkundi
Rail : Gadag is the nearest railway station
Airport : The nearest Airport is at Hubli. International Airport is at Bangalore