History of Kalgi

India, Karnataka, Karaburagi (Gulbarga), Chittapur, Kalgi are widely known as "Dakshinakashi" and are dotted with 2nd century temples. Known for its intricately carved stone carvings, it is now a hunting ground for people looking for hidden treasures in the sanctuary inside the temple. 

Some Pictures of Kaleshwar 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. 

According to historians, Kalagi had 30 temples with multiple main deities in a vast complex. Most of them were temples of Shiva, but there were also some Jain temples. Many of these temples are in ruins, and the remains of the damaged temple resemble the architecture of Ahall. Jain temples are said to have had idols of Mahavera, Adinas, Nemins, Shantinasa and other Tirthankara. Except for one idol, everything else is 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. 
Karagi is a classic example of officials' terrible insensitivity to preserving historically important places. Ancient temples such as Slyanarayana and Kaleshwar, as well as other archaeological sites on the historical monument list, were under the control of the Karnataka Archaeological Department, but no efforts were made to preserve them. According to locals, archaeological staff and curators rarely visit these temples and other archaeological sites. 

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 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-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 Sri Narayana Temple is abandoned and there is no regular puja, but believers visiting the Kaleshwar Temple detour to the temple and see the beautifully carved statues of gods and goddesses on the outer wall of the temple.
Kalagi Kaleshwara Temple where Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishweshwara and Kaleshwara is stored. Here, millions of India gather to seek bliss and spiritual peace through this Jyotirlinga Darshan, who bestows the bondage of the Maya and the liberation from the relentless entanglement of the world. A quick look at Jyotirlinga will give you a soul-purifying, life-changing experience, and a path of knowledge and Bhakti. Kaleshwara Jyotirlinga has a very special and unique meaning in the spiritual history of India. The benefits gained through other Jyotirlinga Darshans scattered throughout India have a tradition of being brought to believers through a single visit to the Kaleshwara Temple.

Mallikarjun Temple Kalgi

The right side of the temple has collapsed and efforts have not been made to undertake repairs. 
Kalagi is located in the Gulbarga area of ​​Karnataka. This city is about 35 km of Gulbarga. It was popular as Daxinina and Kasi, and Karigi was once developed, especially between the 2nd and 7th centuries. The place is considered to have more than 30 temples, and most of them are dedicated to Siva. Even today, some temples can be seen with Calle. Most of these temples are similar to those of Ahall. Kalgi was once famous for Jain temples dedicated to Lord Mahavira, Adinas, Neminata and other Tirthankara. However, most of these temples are now in a dilapidated state. Unusual Shivering can be seen at Banashankari Temple and Kaleshwar Temple. There is also the Suryanarayana Temple dedicated to Surya. Ratkal, Tengli and Hatcheri are nearby. The closest access points are Hyderabad Airport and Kalaburagi Station.

Kalagi is also famous for the rare Indian Shivaringa in the Kaleshwar Temple. Legend has it that these lingams are located on four floors (below each other). Believers can now set up the Kareswarlinga Darshan on the ground floor. The other lingam downstairs is "Agochara" (invisible). These lingams were consecrated in Kalgi as Jyothishwara Linga in Krithayuga, Someshwara Linga in Trethayuga, Neelakanteshwar Linga in Dwaparayuga, and Kealeshwar Linga in Kaliyuga.
Once in 1982, Shankaracharya from Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam visited Kalgi, Karnataka just because it is equalent place to KASHI VISHWANATH TEMPLE ( Kashi Vishwanath Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in Bishwanasgari, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is located on the west bank of the sacred Ganges and is one of the 12 most sacred Shiva temples, Jyotirlinga.)

Google Map Location For Kalagi Kaleshwara Temple