Bherundeshvara Temple, Balligavi
– History
Balligavi / Belagami /
Balagame was called as Baligrama / Dakshina Kedara / Valliggame / Valligrame / Ballipura
in ancient times. The word Balli in Kannada refers to creepers grown in forests
or gardens. Gavi means cave. Balligavi was under the control of Satavahanas in
2nd century CE and under Kadambas in 4th century CE.
Balligavi reached its golden period under Western Chalukyas during the 10th
– 12th centuries CE.
The name Balligavi was mentioned
in an inscription dated to 685 CE dated to Western Chalukyas. Balligavi was
mentioned as Anadi Rajadhani (ancient capital) in medieval inscriptions
attesting its significant antiquity. Balligavi houses six mathas,
three puras (extensions), five vidyapithas (places of learning) and
seven Brahmapuris connected with temples during the rule of Western
Chalukyas. The mathas belonged to Shaivas, Vaishnavas, Jains and Buddhists.
Balligavi is the birthplace of
the great Virashaiva saint Allama Prabhu and is closely
associated with Vachana poet Akka Mahadevi who was born in
nearby Udugani (also known as Udutadi). She was a contemporary of Allama
Prabhu and Basavanna, the founder of the Virashaiva movement. She
was married to a merchant hailing from Balligavi. Allama Prabhu, with Akka
Mahadevi and Basava constitute the Trinity of Veera Shaivas.
Allama Prabhu was born to a
temple performer and grew up in the village. He went insane after the death of
his wife. He came back to his senses after meeting his guru, Animisha. There
are places around Balligavi known as Animishaiyanakoppalu, Giggaiyanachauki and
Ekadanta Ramaiyanagudda, named after the Veera Shaiva teachers Animishaiya,
Goggaiya and Ekadanta Ramaiya. Balligavi is also the birthplace of Shantala
Devi, queen of Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana. Many famous Hoysala sculptors
like Dasoja & his son Chavana, Malloja, Nadoja, Siddoja hailed from here.
As per Archaeological survey
report of Mysore for the year 1911 mentions about six Veera Shaiva mathas in
the village namely Hosa Matha, Aridre Matha, Virakta Matha, Kallu Matha, Kashi Matha
and Samayachara Matha. Most of the Mathas were in ruined state during that time.
The tomb of Allama Prabhu is located in Virakta Matha. This
pillar was erected by Maha Mandalesvara Chamunda Rayarasa in 1047 CE, when
he was ruling over Banavasi-12000, Santalige-300 and Hayve-500. Chamunda Rayarasa
was a feudatory of western Chalukyan King Somesvara I.
The inscription found in the
pillar mentions that the
pillar was erected in front of Lord Jagadekamallesvara. The Lord was named
after Chamunda Rayarasa as he was also called as Jagadekamalla. The
temple mentioned in the inscription is lost completely to the ravages of time.
Only, the
pillar remains from the ancient temple complex. Ganda Berunda was the royal
insignia of the Wodeyar dynasty of Mysore. Later, it was adopted as an official
emblem of the Karnataka Government.
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