Kanakagiri (Kannada: ಕನಕಗಿರಿ, also known as Suvarnagiri) is an historical place in India, situated in Karnataka State, in Gangavati taluk of Koppal district. 20 km north west to Gangavati town.[1] Kanakagiri means a Hill of Gold. The common local saying is that "those who have eyes should visit Kanakagiri and those who have legs should visit Hampi".
Mythology
It is said that Acharya Pujyapada had turned the entire mountain into Gold once. Because of that the mountain later came to be known as Kanakagiri as kanaka means gold.
History
From the 15th to the 18th centuries Kanakagiri was the capital of Kanakagiri palegars (Naiks of Kanakgiri), constructed temples including Kanakachalapathi temple and forts they built in and around Kanakagiri including fort of Hemagudda. It was the capital of the southern area of the Mauryan Empire during the 3rd century BC. During the Vijayanagar period, this was the chief town of the Bedar Rajas. Kanakachalapati temple with its spacious halls and massive pillars is a fine specimen of the South Indian architecture of Vijayanagar times.
Kanakachalapathi Temple
Venkatappa Naik royal bath Kanakagiri
The huge Kanakachalapathi temple built by the Naiks of Kanakgiri,[2] it has beautiful architectural, example of south Indian architecture of the Vijayanagara times and it has got spacious halls and massive pillars. The gopuras and walls have sculpture. In black polished stone there are statues of Rajas and Ranis and plaster models and wooden statues of mythological figures.
There is a royal bath constructed by Venkatappa Naik on the ourskirts of Kanakgiri,.
Fort
Hemagudda Fort, about 20 km from Kanakagiri,[3] next to the Kammatadurga Fort of Gandugali Kumara Rama. The fort was constructed in the 14th century. Celebrating Dasara in the fort has temple of Durga Devi.
Utsav
The event "Kanakagiri Utsav" sponsored by Karnataka Govt.
Annual fair associated with Kanakachalapathi temple in the month of Phalguna.
India
