HANAGALLU
Hanagallu (hAnagallu) (ಹಾನಗಲ್ಲು),
a talluk head quarters in Haveri district of North Karnataka is a place of historical
and architectural importance. It is located at a distance of about 80 kilometers
from Dharwar city and it is situated on the banks of
Hangal was under the aegis of Kalyani Chalukyas, who have built their own style
of temples in and around it. Later, it came
under the rule of Hoysala dynasty who built the Bileshvara temple in the Hoysala
style. ChaTTadeva, Keerthivarma and Kamadeva are among the more important kings
of the Hangal Kadamba dynasty and they succeeded in extending the boundaries of
their kingdom even though they continued to be under the control of Chalukyas.
The ancient fort of Hangal is made of clay. Only three walls and sixteen bastions
are still standing. ruins of the old palace are to be seen within the fort. The
relics found here after the excavations include baked and painted earthen vessels,
weapons made of flint stones and earthen beads in the shape of areca nuts.
Hanagallu contains many temples belonging to various periods in its history. TaarakEshvara
temple is the biggest and most artistic. This was built by Kalyani Chalukyas and
it makes use of black-green stone. Tarakeshwara temple (mid 12th century), is dedicated to Shiva.
The outer walls of this temple are articulated with both Dravidian and Nagara style
of miniature shikharas. The temple is famous for its very large domical ceiling
in the main hall, which rises, in concentric circles of cusped mouldings, and then,
at the apex, falling again in a great rosette or pendant.
The Jaina temple in
Hanagal (1150 A.D.) is built in the Hoysla style. Veerbhadra, Billeshvara and Ganesha
are other important temples of Hanagal. Kumaraswamy MaTha is yet another attraction
of Hanagallu.
More than twenty inscriptions
installed by Chalukya Vikramaditya-6, Kalachuri Bijjala and many kings of the Kadamba
dynasty are found in Hanagal.
Further Readings and
Links:
1.
Hangal_Tarakeshwara_temple_half_(back).jpg
2.
Hangal
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