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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