Kalakeshwara Temple, Gajendragad, Karnataka

Kalakeshwara Temple, Gajendragad, Karnataka

Kalakeshwara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Gajendragad Town in Gajendragad Taluk in Gadag District in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple is also referred to as the Kashi of the South or Dakshina Kashi. It is one of the lesser known pilgrimage site of North Karnataka. The Gajendragad Town is situated in the midst of hills and mountains.

Legends

A miracle happens in this temple every year during Ugadi (New year of Kannadigas). It is said that the priest of the temple makes a limestone mixture and a painting brush is placed close to this mixture a day before the New Year. It is said that when the priest opens the temple next day morning, the temple is painted on its own.

The Temple

The temple is situated on the hills and can be accessed through flight of steps. The temple enshrines the presiding deity, Kalakeshwara, in the form of Udhbhava Linga. There is a separate shrine for Veerabhadra in the temple premises. The Athare Gange is a small reservoir, situated at the entrance of the temple. The water from the reservoir continuously falls on the Peepal tree throughout the year and no one has been able to identify the source of the water.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 5 Kms from Gajendragad, 5 Kms from Gajendragad Bus Stand, 27 Kms from Ron, 32 Kms from Kushtagi, 35 Kms from Aihole, 44 Kms from Badami and 116 Kms from Hubballi Airport. The temple is situated at about 5 Kms from Gajendragad on Kushtagi to Ron route.

Location