Lakshmeshwara

Lakshmeshwara is a town, and newly created Taluk place along with Gajendragad in Gadag district, in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is about 40 km from Gadag and 55 km from Hubli. It is an agricultural trading town. Lakshmeshwara Temple dedicated to Shiva. There are many important temples in this historic town, including the other 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.

Geography

Lakshmeshwar is at . It has an average elevation of 634 metres (2080  feet).

Demographics

India census, 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 was the capital of Puligere-300. Puligere means pond of tigers. There are theories of the origin of the name Lakshmeshwara: Name itself suggest Lakshmi worshipped Shiva and Did Penance to be Goddess of wealth and main Deity of temple is Shiva.

Other names include Purigere, Porigere, Purikanagar and Pulikanagar.

Adikavi Pampa wrote his famous poetry in Lakshmeshwara.

Many Jain saints and writers have flourished here. 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). 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 step-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. 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.

Image:Large mantapa with lathe turned pillars in Someshwara temple at Lakshmeshwara.jpg, ''Mantapa'' (hall) with lathe turned pillars at Someshwara temple
Image:Close up of vimana and sikhara of the Someshwara temple at Lakshmeshwara.jpg, ''Shikhara'' over the sanctum of Someshwara temple
Image:Steep steps of the Kalyani in the Someshwara temple at Lakshmeshwara.jpg, Step-well at Someshwara temple complex
Image:Steps leading to water in the Kalyani in the Someshwara temple complex at Lakshmeshwara.jpg, Open well at Someshwara temple complex
Image:Someshwara temple complex at Lakshmeshwara.jpg, Someshwara temple
Image:Old Kannada inscription in Someshwara temple at Lakshmeshwara.jpg, Kannada inscriptions at Someshwara temple complex

Jain Basadis

Jainism related to Lakshmeshwara has long history. Lakshmeshwara Jain temples dates back to 7th century CE. Lakshmeshwara is one of the ancient Jain centres. Many Jain temples are mentioned in the inscriptions.

;Shanka Basadi

Shanka Basadi is one of the two historical Jinalayaa at Lakshmeswar. 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. Adikavi Pampa wrote ''Adi Purana'', seated in this Basadi.

;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.

Islamic monuments

During the 16th &17th century 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 where he would run his darbar (today's govt revenue offices). During his period many 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 presidency 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) 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 minarets 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

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History of Karnataka
Shiva temples in Karnataka
8th-century Jain temples
Chalukya dynasty
Western Chalukya Empire
Cities and towns in Gadag district