|
|
Dharwad : An Introduction |
| The twin cities of Hubli-Dharwad are located at a distance of around 430 kms from Bangalore the capital of Karnataka state. The climate is hot and wet during the summer and rainy seasons and pleasant during winter. The twin cities have a history behind them dating back to the Hoysala period. Dharwad is the administrative capital of the Dharwad district and Hubli serves as the commerce center. Dharwad is a quiet, pleasant, and fast growing city in the northern part of Karnataka. Together with Hubli , which is a city twenty-two kilometers away, Dharwad forms a twin city.
|  |
|
Places of Interest in Dharwad |
 |
Two fort gates :The fort is said to have been built in 1403 A.D. It covers an area of 76 acres with a permieter of about 2515 yards. Originally it had only one entrance and later on one more gate was added. The first gate may was built using lime mortar. It is 121/2 height and 111/2 width. The arch and the sides are built with granite stones in lime mortar and iron. The doors are made of strong wood and are 3? in thickness. There is a small door to its left side, for individuals to enter. The second gate is 13' in height and 15' in width. Its massive wooden doors are 4? thick. dressed granite stones with cement mortar. |
| Banashankaridevi temple :Assignable to 11th - 12th century A.D., this temple facing east has two shrine chambers one facing east and the other facng south with a common navaranga in the centre with pillared porches corresponding to the shrines, containing kakshasanas. The shrine facing east houses a sculpture of Goddess Banashankari while the other contains a linga on a pedestal. The door jamb of th egarbhagriha has panchasakaha and the lintel contains Gajalakshmi. The top of the lintel is adorned with miniature dravidian sikharas with Ganesa, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshvara on it. |
| Shankarlinga temple :Assignable to 11th - 12th century A.D., this temple facing east has two shrine chambers one facing east and the other facng south with a common navaranga in the centre with pillared porches corresponding to the shrines, containing kakshasanas. The shrine facing east houses a sculpture of Goddess Banashankari while the other contains a linga on a pedestal. The door jamb of th egarbhagriha has panchasakaha and the lintel contains Gajalakshmi. The top of the lintel is adorned with miniature dravidian sikharas with Ganesa, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshvara on it. |
| Amruteshwara temple :Assignable ot 11th 12th century A.D. this temple facing east has a garhagriha, an antarala, a navaranga, a sabhamandapa and nandimandapa all lying on the same axis. The main temple is surrounded by a prakara piereed by an entrance on the sourthern side which has a direct access to the navaranga.The door jamb of the garbhagriha has pancha sakhas and the lintel contains Gajalakshmi. The door jamb of the navaranga has navasakhas and are beautifully carved. |
| Basavannadeva temple :Assignable to 11th - 12th century A.D. this temple facing east ha a garbhagriha, an ardhamandapa a navaranga and a nandi mandapa. The garbhagriha houses a linga on a pedestal. The lintel portion of the garbhagriha is adorned with Ganesa, Nataraja, Surya and Vishnu. The navaranga is supported by 4 highly polished pillars at the centre. A flight of steps lead to the navaranga from the southern side. On the front side of the entrance of the navaranga adorns a sculpture of Mahisamardhini. On the closed entrance fo the navaranga in the eastern side is a seated nandi facing the shrine. |
 |
Chandramouleshvara temple :Assignable to the 12th century A.D. this temple facing east, has a garbhagriha with a pradakshina patha, an antarala and a mukhamandapa in sarvatobhadra form. Originally it must have housed the image of Chaturmukha linga, which is now kept on the western side of the mukhamandapa. Most of the door jambs in the temple have pancha sakhas with dwarapalas. Chauribearers, Rati Manmatha are shown at the bottom on either side. |
 |
Ulavi Shree Channa Basaveshwara Temple :This is a very beautiful and religious place admist the western ghats. its lies between Dandeli and Karwar. Near town is Kumbarwada which is 30 KM from here. Its around 55 Km from Dandeli. mythology says Channabasaveshwara cousin of saint Basaveshwara lived here some centuries ago. along with the temple there are many caves around where the saints did Tapasya . its 550 Km away from Bangalore. Lush green and clam environment makes it cool spot.information added by Murali from Bangalore. |
| Dattatreya Temple :Dattatreya Temple, one of the most revered places in the region is dedicated to Lord Dattatreya. The deity is believed to be the incarnation of Hindu trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. In the temple, the chief deity Dattatreya is displayed with three heads.Positioned at Gandhi Chowk in Dharwad, the shrine can be conveniently approached from all the corners of the city. The temple is usually known as Dattana Gidu. |
|
