Hangal

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Hanagal
ಹಾನಗಲ್ಲ
Hangal
—  town  —
Hangal Tarakeshwara temple
Hangal is located in Karnataka
Hanagal
Location in Karnataka, India
Coordinates: 14°46′01″N 75°07′34″E / 14.767°N 75.126°E / 14.767; 75.126Coordinates: 14°46′01″N 75°07′34″E / 14.767°N 75.126°E / 14.767; 75.126
Country  India
State Karnataka
District Haveri
Lok Sabha Constituency Haveri
Elevation 555 m (1,821 ft)
Population (2001)
 • Total 25,011
Languages
 • Official Kannada
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 581 104
Telephone code 08379
Vehicle registration KA-27
Website www.hanagaltown.gov.in

Hangal also spelled as Hanagal (Kannada: ಹಾನಗಲ್ಲ ) is a town in Haveri district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is 75 km away from Hubli-Dharwad.It is on the left bank of the Dharma river, and has ruins of some fortification on the river bank. The town has a huge lake near Billeshwara temple called Anekere. This town is named Viratnagar of Mahabharath. famous Cultural sport of the hangal is "HattiHabba" The town has the huge Tarakeshwara temple. Other temples in the town are the Ganesha temple, Virabhadra temple, Billeshwara and Ramalinga temples.[1] And a famous Veerashaiva Kumaraswami matha located in this town.

Contents

History [edit]

Hangal Tarakeshwara temple first half

Hangal was also known as Hanungal.[2]

Hangal was the capital of the Hangal Kadambas,[3][4][5][6] feudatories of the Kalyani Chalukyas. It is mentioned as Panungal in early records and identified by tradition with Viratanagara of Mahabharata days. It was once the headquarters of a district called Panungal-500.

Kadambas [edit]

Main article: Kadamba Dynasty
  • Kadambas is an ancient dynasty of south India which primarily ruled the region of the present day state of Goa and nearby Konkan region (part of modern Maharashtra and Karnataka state). The early rulers of this dynasty established themselves at Vaijayanti or Banavasi in 345 AD and ruled as independent rulers for more than two centuries.
  • The Kadambas, the earliest known dynasty to patronize Jainism was that of the Kadambas who ruled around 485 A.D. This is evident from Kamalajinalaya built near Banavasi by Ravivarma. There were several other Jaina monuments built under Kadamba patronage. Parsvanatha temple at Kuppatur built for Kadamba queen Maladevi and Jaina temple built in Hangal,[7] fort are two such examples.

Kadamba of Hangal [edit]

Main article: Kadamba of Hangal

Western Chalukyas [edit]

Hangal attained significance under the Kalyani Chalukyas[8] who were the chief powers in the Deccan (10th–12th century). Chalukyas were renowned for their architectural (Gadag style) innovations, built out of the grey green chloritic schist of the region. For example the monuments (temples) at Mahadeva Temple, Gadag, Hangal and Lakkundi. So Hangal comes under the core area of Western Chalukya.

The Western Chalukyas (in 973) rose to power by defeating the Rashtrakutas with the help of Kadambas.[9] Then Kadambas chief Chatta Deva was allowed by Taila II to rule Banavasi, he (during 980 - 1031 AD), consolidated his domain in the western Tungabhadra river basin under Chalukya shelter.


Hoysalas [edit]

Hangal gained importance during the rule of Kalyani Chalukyas (10th to the 12th century), and later came under the Hoysalas[10] with the decline of the Chalukyas. Bileshwara temple at Hangal is in the Hoysala style.

Tourism attractions [edit]

Hangal large domical ceiling in the main hall at Tarateshwara temple
Hangal Tarakeshwara entrance to Garbhagudi
Hangal Tarakeshwara domical ceiling
Pillars at Hangal Tarakeshwara temple

At Hangal there are many historical temples, those are related to Chalukyas and Hoysalas. Tarakeshwara temple, Veerabhadra Temple, Billeshwara Temple[11] are very attractive.

Tarakeshwara temple [edit]

Hangal has a huge structure with wonderful series of images and polished tall Chalukya pillars.[12] The Tarakeshwara temple[13][14] (mid-12th century),[15] dedicated to Shiva.

The outer walls of the temple are articulated with both Dravidian and nagara style of miniature shikaras.

The temple is famous for its very large domical ceiling in the main hall, which rises, in concentric circles of cusped mouldings, and then, at the apex, falling again in a great rosette or pendant.

  • Kirtimukhas are wonderfully done, including Scenes from the Ramayana on these walls.
  • The open hall contains (at its centre), a most intricately carved, domical corbelled lotus ceiling.
  • The rock is carved in the form of a lotus[16] and is 30 feet in diameter, is a octagonal piece of stone supported on 8 pillars.
  • The temple consists of a sanctuary with a great adjoining pillared hall.
  • Pillars are lathe-turned have bell-shaped section. There are plenty of decorative art on pillars, having elephants carved in such a way that a visible space separates the trunks from the pillar. A simple diamond shaped motif that are carved in bands around pillars are done in different sizes and minor variations.
  • Nandi pavilion resting on 12 pillars and leaning balcony seating.
  • The columns are lathe turned (have geometric shapes).
  • Both halls have stepped pyramidal roofs.
  • The outer walls are decorated with carvings of miniature temples.
  • There are memorial stones carved with religious (Mastigallu)and military scenes(Veeragallu).

There is Ganesha temple near Tarakeshwara temple, which has a Nagara style (northern curvilinear) Shikhara.

Jain Temple in the Fort [edit]

Hangal temple at horticulture department
Hangal temple at horticulture department

The Jain temple at Hangal in the fort[17] area (at horticulture department premises). It is mostly built after AD 1150.[18] The temple is beautifully decorated but there is need of conservation and restoration. The temple has Hoysala style[19] of architecture. The temple was built on a stepped plan. It has an open hall and sanctuary but both do not have their superstructure now. The sculptural decoration (includes flowers, garlands, torana, animals, birds and gods) upper portion of the wall is elaborate. The temple walls are decorated with thin pilasters. The open hall has lathe turned pillars.

Veerabhadra Temple [edit]

Veerabhadra Temple,[20] located in the Hangal Fort, is a beautifully carved temple. There is a crying need to carry out conservation and restoration work by the Archeological Survey of India.

Billeshwara Temple [edit]

Hangal Billeshwara temple
Hangal Billeshwara temple

The Billeshwara temple is in the Hoysala style. The main attraction in this Temple are its elaborately carved jambs of the doorframe of the garbhagudi. At the lower end of each one (right and left sides of the doorframe) there are 5 carved figures - Manmatha is in the central projection, Rati is at his side with Daksha (the goat headed god) and both are flanked by attendants. It consists of a sanctuary face (incomplete), the outer walls are decorated with designs that look like temple towers and it also has a carved decoration consisting of diamond shaped depressions. The square panels have - carved into them - serpents with intertwined tails, animals, musicians, and foliage.

Kumaraswamy Matha [edit]

Hangal Kumaraswamy Matha

Demographics [edit]

As of 2001 India census,[21] Hangal had a population of 25,011. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Hangal has an average literacy rate of 64%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 67%, and female literacy is 60%. In Hangal, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.


Transport [edit]

Hanagal is approximately 370 km from Bengaluru and 40 km from Haveri City. This town can via reached Bengaluru-Chitradurga-Haveri-Hanagal route also via Dharwad-Hubli-Shiggaon-Hanagal route. The nearest rail head is Haveri railway Station, its Railway Statio code is HVR.

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ "Alphabetical List of Monuments - Karnataka - Dharwad". Retrieved 2008-10-17. 
  2. ^ "Oriental Numismatic Society Newsletter, Gold coins of Hangal Kadamba ruler Shantivarma (1075-1094 AD) in the name of Western Chalukya ruler Jayasimha II Jagadekamalla". Retrieved 2009-03-12. 
  3. ^ "Handbook of Karnataka, History". Retrieved 2008-08-11. 
  4. ^ "The Kadambas of Hangal". Retrieved 2008-08-11. 
  5. ^ The Kadamba Kula. By George Moraes, Moraes M.George. Retrieved 2009-03-09. 
  6. ^ "THE SOUTHERN INDIA , THE KADAMBAS OF HANGAL". Retrieved 2008-08-11. 
  7. ^ "General view of a small ruined Jain temple in the Fort, Hangal". Retrieved 2008-10-17. 
  8. ^ "Hungul. A temple. [Tarakeshwara Temple, Hangal.], by William Henry Pigou, c. 1857,". Retrieved 2009-03-13. 
  9. ^ "THE KADAMBAS OF HANGAL". Retrieved 2009-03-13. 
  10. ^ "Hungul. Detached temple, with lintel of the doorway. [Hangal.]". Retrieved 2009-03-20. 
  11. ^ "Hungul. Detached temple, with lintel of the doorway. [Hangal.]". Retrieved 2009-03-20. 
  12. ^ "Hungul. A temple. [Tarakeshwara Temple, Hangal.]". Retrieved 2008-10-17. 
  13. ^ "Alphabetical List of Monuments - Karnataka - Dharwad, Dharwad Circle, Karnataka". Retrieved 2009-03-13. 
  14. ^ "The Architectural Antiquities Of Western India". Retrieved 2008-10-17. 
  15. ^ "Hungul. A temple. [Tarakeshwara Temple, Hangal.], by William Henry Pigou, c. 1857,". Retrieved 2009-03-13. 
  16. ^ "General view from the south-west of the Tarakeshvara Temple, Hangal". Retrieved 2009-03-13. 
  17. ^ "Monuments list". Retrieved 2009-03-30. [dead link]
  18. ^ "View from the north of one of the Jain temples in the Fort at Hangal". Retrieved 2009-03-30. 
  19. ^ Indian Temple Architecture By Adam Hardy. Retrieved 2009-03-30. 
  20. ^ "Karnataka Temples". Retrieved 2009-01-12. 
  21. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01. 

External links [edit]

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Historical Places in Karnataka
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