Kudalasangama is the most historic place since around 800 years. The famous rivers Krishna and Malaprabha merge here. To improve this historic place, Government has established a Kudala Sangama Development Board and provided nearly Rs. 45 Crores to develop this place has one of the most sought piligrim centre.
About Kudalasangama :
Kudalasangama, around 800 years old, is a pilgrimage centre for the people of the Lingayath faith. It is situated on the confluence of the Krishna River and Ghataprabha River, which further flows towards Srisaila, considered as a pilgrimage centre in Andhra Pradesh.
Moreover, Kudala Sangama Development Board has been formed by the Government for the improvement of this historic place. Apart from this, Government has also invested around INR45 Crores to develop this place.
Kudalasangama (also written as Kudala Sangama) (Kannada: ಕೂಡಲ ಸಂಗಮ) in India is an important center of pilgrimage for people of the Lingayat faith. It is located about 15 km from the Almatti Dam in Bagalkot district of Karnataka state. The Krishna and [[Malaprabha River] rivers merge here and flow east towards Srisaila (another pilgrim center) in Andhra Pradesh. The Aikya Mantapa or the holy Samādhi of Basavanna, the founder of the Lingayat faith along with Linga, which is believed to be self-born (Swayambhu), is here. The Kudala Sangama Development Board takes care of the maintenance and development.
Attraction of Kudalasangama in Karnataka :
Kudala Sangama (Kudalasangama or Koodalsangama or Koodalasangama) is in Bagalkot District of Karnataka. It is a famous pilgrim place for Veerashaivas. Here is the confluence of two big rivers Krishna and Malaprabha. The holy samadhi, Aikya Mantapa is situated here. The Mantapa is under water, but is well protected. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Sangameswara, worshipped in the form of a ling. The temple is an ancient monument built in the Chalukyan style architecture.
This place is closely associated with the 12th century poet and social reformer Saint Basaveswara. Basavana Bagewadi is another important place in the locality. Bagalkot Railway Station and Belgaum Airport are the nearest railhead and airport respectively.
Features Kudalasangama in Karnataka :
- Kudala Sangama Sukshetra is in Bagalkot District, Hunagunda Taluka, at the confluence of two big rivers Krishna and Malaprabha
- It is just 8 Kms from Sangam cross on the National Highway No. 13. Hunagunda, Iilkal, Bagalkot are nearby towns and many buses ply from these places to Kudala Sangama.
- Kudala Sangama is an Old Shaiva Kshtra mentioned in Shivapuranas Sri Sangameshwara being the main deity. In 12th century this holy place shone with full glory, with a big educational centre of Kalamukha tradition.
- It is here Lord Basava, the great prophet and socail reformer for educated, had revelation and preapred the blue rpint of a new religion. Later on it is here he spent his last days and became lingaikya-merged with God.
- Sri Sangameshwara Temple, Lord Basaveswara’s holy Samadhi (Aikya Mantap), Basava Dharma Peeetha’s Mahamane Campus are the places worth seeing.
- On the other side of the river Krishna is the holy samadhi of the lady saint Neelambike, wife of Sri Basavanna.
History Kudalasangama in Karnataka :
An inscription in the temple of 1213 A.D. records a gift to the god Acheshvara. Another stone record of 1160 A.D. refers to land grant to deities, Kaleshvara and Achesvara.
It is believed that in the 12th century Jathaveda Muni Sarangamath had set up an education centre here and Basaveshvara, Channabasavanna and Akkanagamma were students. Basaveshvara spent his boyhood here and, after his return from Kalyana, he is said to have became one with the God at this place. The vachanas composed by him are dedicated to the presiding deity here, Sangamanatha.
Location and architecture :
The place is a village about 19 km from Hungund. Close by is the holy pilgrim centre and the renowned temple of Sangameshvara, on the river bank, at the confluence of the Krishna and the Malaprabha rivers. Formerly it was known as Kappadi sangama where Basaveshwara’s teacher Ishanaguru lived.
The temple consists of a porch, navaranga and the main shrine. The idols of Basaveshvara, Neelamma, Nandi and Ganapathi have been placed in the navaranga. The door frame of the garbhagriha is richly carved with floral designs and animal figures. In the shrine is the linga famed as Sangameshvara or Sangamanatha.
In front of the temple, in the midst of the river, is a small stone mantapa with a Shivalinga in it, and lofty cement concrete dry well has been built around it to protect it from submersion.
On the east, across the river Krishna, stands the Neelamma’s temple. She was the consort of Basaveshvara. Here also a high cement concrete dry well has been built around the structure to protect it from the waters.
How to Get to Kudalasangama :
The nearest rail head is located at Bijapur. More over you can reach Kudalasangama by road from Bangalore and Bijapur.