Kudalasangama Shri Sangameshwara Temple — Attraction in Karnataka

District: Bagalkot District Town: Bijapur Temple: Kudalasangama

Situated at the confluence of two rivers, namely River Krishna and River Malapraha, the Kudalasangama attracts a lot of devotees every year. It is one of the most important places of Hindu worship.

Kudalasangama – Overview

Kudalasangama is renowned for the ancient Sri Sangameshwara temple which was built in the twelfth century by the Chalukya rulers. Originally this place was known as Kappadi Sangama. Sri Sangameshwara temple is dedicated to Basaveshwara, a renowned teacher and poet born in the second century. Kudalasangama was his place of birth and hence the Hindus believe that this as a very important site. The great ascetic was also known as Ishanaguru.

Kudalasangama – Mythology

An ascetic named Jathadeva had set up an educational institute in the ancient times. Basaveshwara, Channabasavanna and Akkanagamma were his disciples. The saint Basaveshwara had spent his childhood in Kudalasangama and later on he became an ascetic. His numerous tenets were all dedicated to the main deity Sangamanatha. A Shiva Linga with a small stone stupa stands just in front of the temple. During the festival of Mahashivratri, thousands of pilgrims take a dip at Kudalasangama before going to the Shiva Linga to seek blessings of Lord Shiva.

Kudalasangama – Architecture

The temple of Shri Sangameshwara is full of beautiful stone carvings. The name Sangameshwara comes from the fact that this temple is situated on the meeting point of two rivers. This temple has intricate carvings and is a feast to the eyes. The temple has a navagriha or the main temple and a porch. Animal figures and flowers have been inscribed on the doors of this temple.

Kudalasangama – Deities Worshipped

Inside the sanctum sanctorum you will find the idols of Ganesh, Neelamma, Nandi and Basaveshwara. All four deities can be found in the navagriha or the main temple. One of the inscriptions in this temple suggests that it was erected in the year 1212. This holy temple is dedicated to Lord Achesvara.

How to Get to Kudalasangama

The nearest rail head is located at Bijapur. More over you can reach Kudalasangama by road from Bangalore...

This is located in Bagalkot district in Karnataka 6km from NH13, The place is called Sangama since river Krishna and Gathaprabha merge here.You can clearly identify two rivers by their colors. This is an awesome place. There is an old temple of Sangamesvara, which is of the Kalyana Chalukya era. This temple has some nice carvings.  This is an important destination for the followers of Ligayath sect. Besides the temple, the great Saint Sri Jagajyithi Basaveshvara attained the lotus feet of Shiva here. Basavanna vachanas are displayed everywhere in temple complex, which further adds to the beauty of the place. Main highlight of this palace is "The Aikya Mantap" located in middle of river with connected bridge. In main shrine Shivalinga of Lord Sangameshwara is installed. An attractive stone mantapa with a Shivalinga is in the midst of river. This is a unique place. The Basveshwara samadhi at the old sangama was likely to get submerged in dam's back water. The authorities constructed a circular well around original samadhi to the top level of submergence, and provided a bridge to reach the holy place.

Basavanna revolted against then existing caste practices and other social evils. He created a separate cult as Lingayats, which accepted people from all strata of society without laying any emphasis on caste, creed, sex and not recognised untouchability.

There is a huge spacious auditorium named Sabha Bhavana which has a seating capacity for about 6000 people.

There is a wonderful Ashrama, which contain museum in it, which houses the huge collection of sculptures related to Lord Basavanna and also the ancient history of...

It is a 12 th Century temple of Lord Shiva known here as Sangamanath or Kudal Sangm Deva. It is mentioned that in the 12th century Guru Jathaveda Muni Sarangamath had set up an education centre here and Basaveshvara, Channabasavanna and Akkanagamma were students. Basaveshvara spent his boyhood here and, after his return from Kalyana, he is said to have become one with the God at this place. The vachanas composed by him are dedicated to the presiding deity here, Sangamanatha.

Sant Shri Basaweswar ( AD 1105 - 1168). Is the Founder of Lingayatism.

Notable places to see here are - **The Aikya Linga of Basaveshwara **The Mahamane Campus of the Basava Dharma Peetha **The Poojavana, a mini forest with neat paths amidst the trees. **The Sabha Bhavana. Colossal, it is a spacious auditorium with a seating capacity for 6,000. The exquisite doorways on the four sides - named after Gangambike, Nilambike, Channabasavanna and Akka Nagamma , is surrounded by the huge grey dome in the centre. **The Basava Gopura. Tall, it is slated to house the Basava International Centre. The 200 ft (61 m) high symmetrical tower is imposing. **Museum. The Ashrama, meant for visitors to stay, also has a museum with a collection of sculptures related to Basavanna and the history of Karnataka state. The Aikya-Ling Mandir is unique. It is concrete cylindrical well right inside the river at the confluence of River Krishna and River Malaprabha. Here at this spot in AD 1168, Shri Basaweswar became 'aikya with Lord Shiva. A Shiv Linga at the spot reminds us of this 'Aikya'. It's blissful experience visiting this place- truly a place to submerge in...