Mahakuta Group of Temples, Karnataka

Mahakuta Group of Temples, Karnataka

Mahakuta Group of Temples is a Hindu temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Mahakuta village near Badami in Bagalkot district of Karnataka state, India. The temples in this complex also reflect the prominent features of temples in this region which merge the best features of the Dravidian and Nagara styles of temple building.

History

The temples are dated to the 6^th or 7^th century CE and were constructed by the early kings of the Chalukya dynasty of Badami. The dating of the temples is based on the style of architecture which is similar to that of the temples in nearby Aihole and the information in two notable inscriptions in the complex: the Mahakuta Pillar inscription dated between 595–602 CE (written in the Sanskrit language and Kannada script) and an inscription (written in the Kannada language and script) of Vinapoti, a concubine of king Vijayaditya, dated between 696–733 CE.

The Mahakuta Pillar inscription, dated variously between 595–602 CE records a grant made by Durlabhadevi, a queen of Pulakeshin I (the father of king Mangalesha). The queen supplemented an earlier grant with an endowment of ten villages, including Pattadakal and Aihole to Lord Mahakuteswara. In addition, the inscription provides important information about the Chalukyan lineage, their military expeditions, their conquests and early monuments.

The pillar goes by the name Dharma Jaya Stambha (Pillar of victory of religion) and is on exhibition at a Bijapur archaeological museum. The other inscription, ascribed to Vinapoti, a concubine of king Vijayaditya, is inscribed in the porch of the Mahakuteswara temple. It describes a grant of rubies and a silver umbrella to the deity Mahakuteswara in addition to a piece of land.

The Temple Complex

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/12/mahakuta-group-of-temples-temple-complex.html

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 5 Kms from Nandakeshwar, 6 Kms from Badami Bus Stand, 6 Kms from Badami, 10 Kms from Badami Railway Station, 26 Kms from Pattadakal, 39 Kms from Bagalkot, 39 Kms from Aihole, 115 Kms from Hubli Airport and 453 Kms from Bangalore. This temple complex is situated close to historical Badami town.

Location | Photos