Lakkundi

Lakkundi is also known as Lokki Gundi and it is a place filled with history, striking yet forgotten Hindu and Jain temples, wells, inscriptions and museum .  This village is situated 12 kms South-East of Gadag.

The Chalukayas defeated the Rashtrakutas and built a city called Kalyani, this city does not exist now, but the architecture of Kalyani Chalukya Temples at Lakkundi are a delight for historians, architects and archaeology enthusiasts.  The place is also well known for its tankashale / mint and according to archaeologists and historians gold coins were minted here and the mints were known as Lokkigadyana and Lokkinishta.

Lakkundi has more than 100 ruined temples and sacred wells known as Kalyani or Pushkarni and 29 inscriptions spanning from the rulers of Chalukyas, Kalachuris, Seuna and the Hoysalas.  There are only few of them, which has withstood the test of time and these temples are Kashivishwanatha, Mallikarjun, Halagunda Basavanna, Virupaksha, Lakshminarayana, Manikeshwara, Veerabhadra, Nanneshwara, Someshwara, Neelakanteshwara, Kumbar Siddeshwara or Nadayadeva, Nagaradeva, Vishwantha and Brahma Jinalaya temple.  Outstanding temples among these are Kashivishwanatha, Nanneshwara and Brahma Jinalaya. 

Stepped sacred wells known as Kalyani at Lakkundi are excellently carve and unique with proportionately built steps forming a pattern with Lingas / representation of Shiva embedded in the walls.  The popular wells are Chateer Bavi, Kanne Bavi and Musukina Bavi.  

 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has maintained a museum, which offers a peek into the history of the place.

There is a lake in the village wherein many idols/statues of Chalukya period are found even to this day. These are recovered and housed in the museum.

The annual festival known as Lakkundi Utsav, is celebrated during the month of May.  An award constituted by the Karnataka Government in honor of Queen Attimabbe known as Daanachintamani is conferred during the festivities. 

Temples to visit:

Kashivishwanatha Temple

Nanneshwara Temple

Sooryanarayana Temple

Brahma Jinalaya – Jain Basadi

Other interesting places nearby are Dambal (14 Kms), Gadag (12 Kms) and Itagi (25 Kms).

Place statistics:
Type of place: Historical site
Situated: Gadag district
Distance: 12 kms South-East of Gadag
Transport: Well connected by road.  Nearest railway station is at Gadag.
Facilities: Nil

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