Tarakeshwara Temple, Hangal – History

Tarakeshwara Temple, Hangal – History

Hangal was called Panungal, Hanungal, Viratakote, Panthipura, Viratapura and Viratanagara in inscriptions. Hangal was the capital town of division Panungal-500 which was part of Banavasi-12000. Hangal was ruled by a feudatory of the Kadambas. The Kadambas was an ancient dynasty of south India which ruled the region of the present-day state of Goa and nearby Konkan region from around AD 485 CE until the 11^th century CE.

Hangal was captured by Western Chalukyas in 12^th century CE. The Western Chalukyas allowed Kadambas to rule Hangal region as their feudatory. The Hanagal Fort was captured by the Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana signifying the end of the Western Chalukyan hegemony in Kannada country. His son Narasimha I and his grandson Veera Ballala II successfully achieved their independence from the Western Chalukyas.

Hangal was finally conquered by the Hoysala King Veera Ballala II at the start of the 13^th century CE. A hero stone (Veeragallu) found in the Tarakesvara temple records the death of a hero who tried to repulse the Hoysala king. The English forces took Hangal from Dhoondia Punt Gocklah, a Maharatta rebel deserter, on 14 July 1800. The Tarakeshwara Temple was initially built by the Kadambas and later rebuilt completely by the Western Chalukyas in the mid of 12^th century CE.