Thursday, May 28, 2020

Manikeswara Temple, Lakkundi, Karnataka

Manikeswara Temple, Lakkundi, Karnataka
Kasivisvesvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Lakkundi Village near Gadag Town in Gadag District of Karnataka. This Temple along with its stepped Kalyani (Step Well) is one of the famous tourist attractions of Lakkundi. The temple is protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India. The Temple is located at about 250 meters from Lakkundi Bus Stop.



The Temple
This is a Trikuta (triple-celled) temple. Shikhara of all the cells are lost. The main cell houses a Shiv Linga. The Shiva Linga is made from Saligrama Stone. The common mandapa is fronted with a porch supported on four front pillars. Perforated panels are present on either side of the antarala door-jambs of all the cells. External walls are devoid of any sculptures. Miniature shrines are present on the south and north vimanas.



There is a stepped well called Muskina Bavi (Veiled Well) dated to Chalukya period can be found next to the Manikeswara Temple. There are steps on three sides of Kalyani and the approach to the mandapa of the temples forms a bridge on the fourth side. The tank is artistically built with small canopied niches inside the walls of the well enshrining lingas. The well actually begins beneath the temple and extends outward. There is an entrance to the well just next to the temple.




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