Lakshmeshwara

Lakshmeshwara is a town, and newly created Taluk place along with Gajendragad in Gadag district,[1] in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is about 40 km from Gadag and 55 km from Hubli.[2] Lakshmeshwara is an agricultural trading town.

Lakshmeshwara
Town/Taluk
Someshwara temple complex at Lakshmeshwara
Lakshmeshwara Location in Karnataka, India Show map of Karnataka Lakshmeshwara Lakshmeshwara (India) Show map of India
Coordinates: 15.13°N 75.47°E / 15.13; 75.47
Country	India
State	Karnataka
District	Gadag
Lok Sabha Constituency	Haveri
Area
• Total	6.95 km^2 (2.68 sq mi)
Elevation	634 m (2,080 ft)
Population  (2001)
• Total	33,411
• Density	4,800/km^2 (12,000/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Kannada
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	582 116
ISO 3166 code	IN-KA
Vehicle registration	KA 26

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.

Lakmeshwar is 52 km from Hubli and 40 km from Gadag.

Geography

Lakshmeshwar is at 15.13°N 75.47°E / 15.13; 75.47.[3] It has an average elevation of 634 metres (2080 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[4] Lakshmeshwara 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.

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[5] was the capital of Puligere-300.[6] 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.[6] They include Devachakra Bhattaraka, Shankanacharya, Hemadevacharya, Padmasena, Tribhuvana Chandra Padmita and Rama Dvacharya.

Someshwara temple complex

The most important monument at Lakshemshwar is the Someshwara temple complex (11th century).[7] 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

Inside the Someshwara temple complex, behind the temple, there is an open step-well. This step-well, being richly carved and ornamented, is of architectural and artistic significance.

Kannada inscriptions

At the Someshwara temple complex, there are many Kannada inscription.[8] 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 13 January 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.

• 
  Mantapa (hall) with lathe turned pillars at Someshwara temple
• 
  Shikhara over the sanctum of Someshwara temple
• 
  Step-well at Someshwara temple complex
• 
  Open well at Someshwara temple complex
• 
  Someshwara temple
• 
  Kannada inscriptions at Someshwara temple complex

Jain Basadis

Jainism related to Lakshmeshwara has long history.[9]

• 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 Pulakeshin 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.

Lakshmeshwara is one of the ancient Jain centres. Many Jain temples are mentioned in the inscriptions.[6]

Shanka Basadi

Historical Jain temple at Lakshmeshwara, Karnataka

Newly built Jain temple at Lakshmeshwara, Karnataka

Of the two historical Jinalayaa at Lakshmeswar, the more famous is Sankha Jinalaya, also called Sahasrakuta Jinalaya,[6] 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 shikhara. 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 the 16th &17th century laxmeshwar laxmeshwar was governed by the general Syed Ankush khan (syed bukhari) under Adil shahi kingdom of Bijapur, He was warrior also pious noble saint so The king appoint and rewarded him this place and surrounding villages as his jagir, He had his fort here at laxmeshwar were he would run his darbar (today's govt revenue offices)During his period many of Islamic monuments came into existence, This saint ankush khan also donated zagir at shiratti to one desai for religious activities and started the fakirswamy tradition, Later syed Ankushkhan settled in a village near laxmeshwar where there's his mausoleum dargah (Bade nana dargah), where thousands of devotees gather every month; every year urus is celebrated by the saints lenial descendants dr d b peerzade and family.

After the fall of adil shahi sultanate 19th century pre and early post independence laxmeshwar was under miraj sarkar (patvardhan) later laxmeshwar was under bombay precedency before the formation of state of karnataka...... :::::: The Dargah (mausoleum) of Sulaiman Badshah Qadri, also known as the "Doodh Nana Valli" is located in the town. The dargah is known as "Doodh Nana" because it is customary for people to bring milk ("doodh") to perform fateha at this mausoleum. The holy man buried here is Sulaiman Badshah Qadri Baba. This Sufi saint is very famous and even his painting photos are sold in different dargahs all over south India.

Bade Nana Dargah

During Adilshahi rule (Bijapur Sultanate), they built monuments like Masjid, Dargah. They adapted the Indo-Saracenic architectural style.

Syed Ankushkhan wali Dargah named after Ankuskhan of Bijapur. The Dargha is about one km from the KSRTC bus stand Lakshmeshwar at manjalapur. It is as old as Jumma Masjid, which is constructed in Indo-Saracenic architecture style.

Jumma Masjid

At Lakshmeshwar there is an artistically raised mosque (masjid)[10] 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. Juma Masjid In the same Street of Dargah Shareef you will find the Juma Masjid, a stone mosque constructed by Syed Ankush Khan in 1617 AD. Even the chains are made of stones. The masjid attracts a large number of tourists and it comes under Archeological Survey of India.

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.

See also

• 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

References

1. http://nammasarkara.in/en/revenue-dept/
2. "Lakshmeshwar". India9. 7 June 2005. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
3. Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Lakshmeshwar
4. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
5. "Karnataka, The Tourist Paradise". Archived from the original on 4 March 2009. Retrieved 25 February 2009.
6. "LAKSHMESHWARA". Retrieved 10 February 2009.
7. "Attention please!, Deccan herald". Deccan herald. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2009.
8. "Full text of "EPIGRAHIA INDICA VOL 16", LAKSHMESHWAR". Retrieved 17 March 2009.
9. "Jaina Monuments in North Karnataka". by Dr. A. V. Narasimha Murthy. Archived from the original on 23 August 2009. Retrieved 17 March 2009.
10. "Karnataka, The Tourist Paradise". Archived from the original on 4 March 2009. Retrieved 10 February 2009.