Tripurantaka 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. The
temple was built in 1070 CE during the reign of the western Chalukya King
Somesvara II.
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