DHARWAD (ANNIGERI)

Location: 427 kms from Bangalore, Karnataka
Attractions: All Saints Church, Hanuman Temple
Famous For: Delicious 'Pedas'
Also Famous as: An Educational Center
About 75 kms from Belgaum, is the District headquarters of Dharwad. Calm, peaceful with a picturesque beauty, this town still retains its old-world charm. Dotting the town is a number of beautiful churches and temples. Some of the churches not-to-be-missed are the All Saints Church, Basel Mission Church and the Roman Catholic Church.
The temples of Hanuman, Dattatreya, Durgadevi, Dyamavva and Panduranga are also worth a visit. Dharwad is also a famous educational center. Its has two renowned universities, the Karnataka University and the University of Agricultural Sciences.
A few kilometers away from Dharwad are Lakkundi, once an important center for religious training. This town also has exquisite temples in the Kalyani and Chalukyan Style. One of the most magnificent temples is that of Kashi Vishweshware dedicated to Lord Surya Narayana, the Sun god.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

Annigeri: An important political and cultural center of ancient times. Various kings like the Chalukyas, Yadavas and the Hoysalas annexed Annigeri. It once formed part of the kingdoms of the Kalachuris. Situated in Annigeri is the Amruteshwar Temple built in the Kalyani Chalukya style.
This large, black stone temple has a roof supported by 76 pillars and carvings of mythological figures on its walls. Every year, during December-January, this temple is the venue of a festival that attracts many people. Apart from the temple, Annigeri also has temple dedicated to Banashankari, Basappa, Gajina Basappa and Hanuman.

Bankapura: Situated at a distance of 20 kms from the railway station of Yalavigi on Poona-Bangalore line and 30 kms from Hubli, Bankapura has a fort, now in ruins and two ancient temples. Bankapura is named after Bakeyrasa, an officer of King Rashtra Kuta Amoghavarsha-I.
The Ranganatha Nagareshwara Temple here has 60 pillars carved out of Grey stone. The magnificent temple has an exquisitely carved ceiling. The Sidheshwara Temple is another notable temple here.

Dambala: Famous for its grape ands guavas, Dambala lies 75 kms from Dharwad. It boasts of many fine temples, the best being the Dodda Basappa Temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Dodda Basappa Temple belongs to Kalyani Chalukya period. It is renowned for its multigonal stellar shape.
It contains one of the most beautifully designed doorsteps that can be seen in any temple in western India. This doorstep is exquisitely engraved with festoons, rosettes and small marvelously carved pillars and walls. Also at Dambala was situated a Buddhist shrine dedicated to the Goddess Taradevi.

Gadag: A famous center of Kalyani Chalukyan Art, Gadag is situated about 75 kms from Dharwad and houses the noted temples of Trikuteshwara, Vira Narayan and Someshwara. The large Trikuteshwara Temple has a principal shrine that consists of three lingas mounted on the same stone.
Inside the temple one can see beautiful stone screens and little figures carved exquisitely. The Vira Narayan temple has a huge 'gopuram' built in the Vijayanagara style of architecture.

Gudda Guddappara: Situated on a steep hill, the village of Gudda Guddappara is famous for a large fair held in November in honour of Malhari, an incarnation of Shiva who killed the demon, Malla. His temple is at the top of this hill.

HOW TO GET THERE

Air: The nearest Airport is Belgaum (100 kms)
Rail: Hubli is the nearest railway junction.
Road: Dharwad is connected by road to: Bangalore (427 kms.), Goa (140 kms.), Belgaum (140 kms.)
Local Transport: Auto Rickshaws, Tongas, and Bus Service.