Someshwara Temple, Lakshmeshwara

Karnataka, Gadag, Bengaluru

Lakshmeshwar a small city in Gadag district, in the Indian state of Karnataka and represents the high point of an eclectic art which, in the 6th and 12th centuries under the Chalukya dynasty, achieved a harmonious blend of architectural forms from northern and southern India. Somesshwar Temple flourishing religious center during the days of the Chalukyas. As per an inscription dated 1102 CE where god is referred as Muddesvara and later the god is referred as Svaymbhu - Somanatha or Dakshina-Somanatha. It is believed that the idols of Shiva, Parvathi and Nandi were brought by an ardent Shiva devotee from Saurashtra. Hence, the temple is also referred to as Saurashtra Someshwara. The temple has beautiful idols of Chaturbhuj Ganapati and goddess Mahishasurmardini. There is a very big well behind the temple and the water of the well is used for pooja and for temple use.

Architecture

There are three entrances to the Someshwara temple. The high walls of the Someshwara temple lend a feeling of a fort. It is a superb specimen of exclusive Chalukya art and architecture. The principal deity that is worshipped in the temple is Lord Shiva. There are many small temples surrounding this big temple. The temple's hall, navaranga, entrance porch or mukha mantapa has beautiful stone carvings. The beautiful idols of Shiva Parvati and Nandi have been exquisitely sculpted.

Picture courtesy : commons.wikimedia.org

Darsan Info

Temple timings : From 9:00 AM To 1:30 PM and from 4:30 PM To 7:30 PM

Darsan Dresscode

Clean and conservative clothing is preferred.

Culture

Lakshmeshwara is an agricultural town. Earlier Lakshmeshwar was known as Purigere, Puligere, Hurigere, Huligere and Purika-nagarat. The earliest reference of the city comes in an inscription of the time of the Badami Chalukya king Pulakesi II (610-641 CE). After the Badami Chalukyas, it came under the Rashtrakutas ruling from Manyakheta. One inscription of the Rashtrakuta king Dhruva (780-793 CE) is found here. After the Rashtrakutas, Western Gangas ruled over this region. After the Western Gangas, Lakshmeswar came under the Western Chalukya dominion. An inscription at Annigeri informs that the Cholas invaded the Western Chalukya dominion during the reign of king Somesvara I and ravaged southern provinces and destroyed the city of Pulikara-nagara, (Lakshmeswar). The inscription asserts that the Chalukyas defeated the Cholas and stopped further incursions. In the last the town came under the Vijayanagara sovereign. During their times, many disputes between the Jains and Hindus were reported. When the town came under the Mughals and other Muslim rulers, various Mohammedan buildings were constructed here. Other places of interest are the Jamma Masjid, the dargah, the shrine of Mukha Basavanna and a very big idol of Suryanarayana.