Amruteshwara Temple, Annigeri, Karnataka

Amruteshwara Temple, Annigeri, Karnataka

Amruteshwara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Annigeri Town in Annigeri Taluk in Dharwad District in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India.

History

This temple was built in 1050 CE during the reign of Western Chalukyan King Someshwara I. Inscriptions dating back to the reigns of Kalchuri King Bijjala II, Yadava King Bhillama V, Hoysala King Vira Ballala II and Vijayanagara King Achyutaraya can be found in this temple. These inscriptions records the names of the kings & donors, land grants, grants & gifts made to the temple for recital of purana, for worship & offerings to the deity, genealogy of the Hoysala dynasty, gift of income from the taxes collected, ill effects of gambling, and renovation activities & modifications carried out in the temple. Annigeri served as the last capital of Kalyani Chalukyas under Someshwara IV from 1184 CE till 1189 CE as their main capital Kalyani was captured by the Kalachuri King Bijjala II. Annigeri is the birth place of the great Kannada poet, Adikavi Pampa. He was born in Annigeri in 1050 CE.

The Temple

The temple follows Western Chalukyan style of architecture. This temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala, navaranga, sabha mandapa and mukha mandapa. The main entrance of the temple opens to the navaranga. There are two openings on either side from navaranga. One leading to the antrala and the other leading into the sabha mandapa. The sabha mandapa has four doorways on all the four sides.

The roof of the temple is supported by 76 pillars. The doorjamb of the sanctum has seven bands of decoration. The sanctum is square on plan. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Amruteshwara in the form of Shiva Linga. The shikara over the sanctum is crowned with kalasa on top and is of seven tiers. The shikara is adorned with sculptures of Kirtimukhas (demon faces), miniature decorative towers.

All the three major niches on three directions are empty now. The vestibule has a superstructure called sukhanasi. It looks like a shorter extension of the main tower. The mukha mandapa is crowned with a smaller shikara. The exterior of the temple is devoid of any decoration except the carvings of turrets and makara toranas.

Festivals

Rathotsava (car festival) is celebrated here during the Kannada month of Pushya (Dec-Jan).

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1 Km from Annigeri Bus Stand, 1.5 Kms from Annigeri Railway Station, 18 Kms from Navalgund, 23 Kms from Gadag, 37 Kms from Hubballi, 42 Kms from Hubballi Airport and 55 Kms from Dharwad. The temple is situated on Hubbali to Gadag route.

Location