Lakshmeshwara
Town/Taluk
Someshwara Temple, Lakshmeshwara
Someshwara Temple, Lakshmeshwara
Lakshmeshwara is located in Karnataka
Lakshmeshwara
Lakshmeshwara
Location in Karnataka, India
Lakshmeshwara is located in India
Lakshmeshwara
Lakshmeshwara
Lakshmeshwara (India)
Coordinates: 15°08′N 75°28′E / 15.13°N 75.47°E / 15.13; 75.47
Country India
State Karnataka
DistrictGadag
Lok Sabha ConstituencyHaveri
Area
 • Total6.95 km2 (2.68 sq mi)
Elevation
634 m (2,080 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total36,754
 • Density5,300/km2 (14,000/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialKannada
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
582 116
ISO 3166 codeIN-KA
Vehicle registrationKA 26

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] 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 15°08′N 75°28′E / 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: 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.[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 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.[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.

Jain Basadis

Jainism related to Lakshmeshwara has long history.[9] 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.[6]

Shanka Basadi
Historical Jain temple at Lakshmeshwara, Karnataka

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 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 minarets and a large semicircular dome. There are Dravidian style chains hanging across the ceiling of the mosque.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Department of Revenue". nammasarkara.in. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018.
  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. 1 2 3 "LAKSHMESHWARA". Archived from the original on 7 October 2009. 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". MANAGER OF PUBLICATIONS,DELHI. 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.
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