History of Kalagi Kaleshwara Temple
India,Karnataka,Kalaburagi(Gulbarga),Chittapur, Kalgi is popularly known as "Dakshina Kashi", is dotted with temples dating back to the 2nd Century. A place known for intricately carved stone sculptures has now become a hunting ground for people in pursuit of hidden treasure in the sanctum sanctorum of temples.
Some Pictures of Temple
Kaligi has many ancient temples and Jain basadis, but unfortunately no detailed archaeological study or excavations have been made in the village, which was a rich and well developed city with a population of more than three lakhs during seventh century.Kalgi is in Chitapura taluka, 60 kms from Gulbarga. It has five Later Chalukyan temples. Among them, the Mallikarjuna temple standing in the heart of the village built by Bana Mahamandaleshvara Vira Gonkarasa in 1163 A. D. is a beautiful piece of architecture, erected by a team of 12 sculptors headed by Ramoja. This Temple is referred to in inscriptions as Gonkeshwara temple. Gonkeshwara temple has now become Mallikarjuna temple and to it's left is Siddheshwara temple, both belonging to the 12th century. The important temples in kalgi are the Suryanarayana temple & Kaleshwara temple on the north bank of Kalgi stream.
Historians say that Kaligi had 30 temples with more than one presiding deity in the sprawling complexes. Most of them were Shiva temples, but there were also a few Jain temples. A majority of these temples are in ruins and the remnants of the damaged temples resemble the architecture of Aihole. The Jain temples believed to have had the <149>idols of Mahaveera, Adinath, Neminth, Shanthinatha, and other Tirthankaras. Except one idol all others are missing.
One unidentified defaced idol of a tirthankara carved in polished black stone is intact in the sanctum sanctorum of the Jain temple near the Banashankari temple. But the Jain temple itself is in a state of neglect. It is used by the local people as a cowshed.
Kaligi is a classic example of the rank callousness of the officialdom to <149>maintain places of historical importance. Although the ancient temples, including the Suryanarayana Temple and Kaleshwar Temple, and other ruins were in the list of historical monuments under the control of the Karnataka Archaeological Department, no effort has been made to preserve them. According to the local people, officials from the Archaeological Department or the curator seldom visit these temples and other ruins.
It is because of the devotees and the local people that the Kaleshwar Tank and the natural springs adjacent to the temple are intact.
The <149>most appalling is the failure of the State Archaeological Department officials to put up even a board proclaiming that these monuments are protected. The only notice-<149>board which is visible is the one put up decades ago by the then Hyderabad Government proclaiming it as a protected monument. The State Archaeology Department has not even cared to change it.
The beautiful temple of Suryanarayana is in ruins and although there are no regular poojas there, devotees visiting the Kaleshwar Temple make a beeline to this temple to have <149>a glimpse of the wonderfully carved images of gods and goddess on the outer walls of the temple.
The right side of the temple has collapsed and efforts have not been made to undertake <149>repairs<149>.
Kalgi is situated in Gulbarga District of Karnataka. This town is around 35 km east of Gulbarga. Popularly as Dakshina Kashi, Kalgi was once a well developed city - especially between 2nd and 7th centuries. It is believed that the place had more than 30 temples, most of them dedicated to Lord Shiva. Even today, ruins of several temples can be seen at Kalgi. Most of these temples resemble those of Aihole. Kalgi was once famous for Jain Temples dedicated to Lord Mahavir, Adinath, Neminath and other Tirthankars. However, today most of these temples lie in dilapidated state. Some rare Shivalings can be seen in Banashankari Temple and Kaleshwar temple. There is also a Suryanarayana temple here, dedicated to Surya. Ratkal, Tingli and Hatcheri are the nearby places. Hyderabad Airport and Gulbarga Railway Station are the nearest access points.
Kaligi is also famous for the rare set of Shiva lingas in India, which are housed in Kaleshwar Temple. According to legend, these lingas are arranged in four floors (one beneath the other). Presently, devotees can have the darshan of Kaleshwar Linga installed on the ground floor. The other lingas beneath the ground floor are "agochara" (invisible). These lingas were consecrated at Kalgi as Jyothishwara Linga in Krithayuga, Someshwara Linga in Trethayuga, Neelakanteshwar Linga in Dwaparayuga, and Ke<149>aleshwar Linga in Kaliyuga.
In 1982, the Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam visited Kaligi
