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Gadag District

Gadag District is bounded by the districts of Koppal in the east, Dharwad in the west, Haveri in the south, Belgaum in the north-west, and Bagalkot in the north. The total population of Gadag is close to a million.

Located in the interior of Karnataka, the main geographic feature is the Kappath Hills. The rivers Malaprabha and Tungabhadra run along the district boarder. The climate is semi-arid. Seasonal crops grown are maize, sorghum, greengram, groundnut, sunflower, onion, and chilli during kharif season, and cotton, rabi, jowar, Bengal gram, and wheat during rabi season. Some areas are also used for flower crops and vegetables.

Villages

Hombal

surrounded with hills, is a small village in Gadag District of Karnataka. It was a jain center and several remains can be found here such as the idols of Tirthankar and Nagadevatha.

Hombal is about 10 km north of Gadag. Hombal Railway station is on the Gadag - Badami rail line.

Hulkoti

Hulkoti is located in Gadag District of Karnataka. It is about 9 km west of Gadag, the district headquarters.

Hulkoti Railway Station is on the Gadag-Hubli rail route. Hubli Airport is the nearest airport.

Kurtakoti

Kurtakoti is located in Gadag District of Karnataka. It around 11 km west of Gadag, the district headquarters.

Gadag Junction Railway Station is the nearest railhead. Hubli Airport is the nearest airport.

Sudi

Sudi is located in Gadag District of Karnataka. It is about 42 km north-east of Gadag. Ron, a taluk headquarters, is 18 km west and Nidgundi is 8 km south.

Hubli Airport (93 km) is the nearest airport. Nearest railhead is Gadag Junction Railway Station.

Venkatapura

Venkatapura is a small,unspoiled village located in Madhugiri Taluk of Gadag District. All activities here are centered aroung the famous Lord Venkatesh Temple. Tradition recounts that the Lord had manifested in a rock embedded in cow dung, to please a devotee who was unable to go to Tirupati. Venkatapura, situated 15 km from Gadag offers good ambience and tranquility in picturesque surroundings.

Gadag Railway Station is the nearest railway station. Dabolim (Goa)is the closest airport.

Temples

Kashi Vishwanatha Temple

Kashi Vishwanatha Temple built around the Chalukya period, is the most ornate and magnificent temple in Lakkundi, Karnataka.

This carefully built temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The main shrine and the small shrine dedicated to Surya has a common platform. The temple has entrances on the east side and south side of the mandapam. Main doorway and the towers of the temple are beautifully engraved with sculptures.

Lakkundi is 12 km south-east of Gadag. Nearest railhead is Gadag Railway Station (12 km).

Kasi Visweswara Temple

Kasi Visweswara Temple is situated at Lakkundi in Gadag District of Karnataka. The temple exhibits the typical architectural style patronized by the Kalyani Chalukya rulers. This style is marked by the exquisite carvings embellishing the pillars. The grandeur exhibited by the intricate carvings and decorated artifacts befit the main deities, Lord Shiva and Lord Surya, perfectly.

The sun god, Surya, is depicted here in a perfect picture of magnificence, seated on a chariot driven by seven horses. This particular form of his is well known as Suryanarayana. Another noteworthy specimen of craftsmanship is the window screens, created solely with chiseled stone slabs.

Nearest railhead is the Gadag Junction Railway Station, situated at a distance of about 13 km from Lakkundi.

Maruti Temple

Maruti Temple is located at Kurahatti village in Ron Taluk of Gadag District. Dedicated to Lord Maruti, the temple attracts a large number of devotees from across a wide social strata.

Nearest airport is at Belgaum. Gadag Railway Station is the nearest major railway station.

Sacred Places

Kappadagudda

Kappadagudda 25 km from Gadag, is a hilly area famous for the temple of Kappada Mallesha. Thousands of devotees throng here during the annual car festival. They reach the top of the hill, walking barefoot. This is the unique place where devotees build houses as offering to God Kappada Mallesha. Devotees believe that their desires will be satisfied if they build houses on this hill. The hill is the treasure house of Ayurvedic medicines and manganese ore. There are also the temples of Gali Basavanna, Gangebavi, and Srishailajjara Mutt.

To reach this place, one has to take the Gadag- Mundaragi Road. Buses ply from Gadag, Mundaragi, Shirahatti and other places to the temple.

Lakkundi

Lakkundi is a prominent Jain center, located in Gadag District of Karnataka. It is about 12 km south-east of Gadag.

Lakkundi is a place of antiquarian interest, with numerous inscriptions and ancient temples built during the rule of the Chalukyas, Kalachuris, Seunas and Hoysalas. It houses about 50 temples and 29 inscriptions. The place is believed to have flourished during the reign of the Chalukyas, which is evident from the inscriptions and art works graced in most of the temple walls. As per the inscriptions, Lakkundi was formerly referred to as 'Lokki Gundi'.

Noteworthy of the shrines is Kasi Vishwanatha Temple with awe-inspiring architecture. Lakkundi Brahma Jinalaya, the largest as well as oldest shrine in the region, is an outstanding example of Karnataka style of architecture. Nagarada Shiva Temple, once a Jain Basti (colony), is in the vicinity. Another prime attraction is step-well, with canopied niches inside the walls of the well enshrining the lingas. Sculpture Gallery, operated by the Archeological Survey of India, is an added attraction.

Betigeri to the north, Harlapur to the east and Dambal to the south are the major nearby cities and towns. At a distance of about 82 km is Pattadakkal in Bagalkot District.

By road, Lakkundi can be reached from Gadag Bus Station. Belgaum Airport is the nearest airport and Gadag Junction Railway Station is the nearest railhead.