0 Sudi

I heard about Sudi while researching information about Gajendragad. Until then I'd never even heard the name.

November 2010

Sudi, a village between Ron and Gajendragad, has two ancient temples, two stone Shiva Lingas, a Basavanna, Ganapati and a twin towered temple with a Basavanna and two Halegannada inscriptions.

Mallikarjuna temple


The temple is surrounded by houses. The temple is regularly used for a variety of activities by the village people. Some farmer did not bother to clear the heap of green-gram waste.


An inscription at the temple entrance. A local priest performs pooja everyday.


A little Basavanna sits opposite the sanctum sanctorum.


Architecture is Kalyani Chalukya, similar to the temples of Pattadkal and Aihole.



That's the shikhara.


Very close to Mallikarjuna temple are two eye-catching Eshawara Lingas, a damaged Basavanna, a huge Ganapati and an open well called Nagakunda- all enclosed within a compound.

Flat top Eshawara Linga in a mantapa.


Round top Eshwara Linga.


The Basavanna with a damaged snout.



Lord Ganapati.


Belly is so big and round! The idol gives an impression that tummy is heavy with food. A snake is tied around the Lord's midriff.


Few feet from the Ganapati temple are two idols of two robbers who were punished for their evil deeds. This half buried statue is one of them.


The decorated stepped well. In the ancient times, every temple had one Kalyani. Water is an essential component of pooja items in any temple.


Jodu-Kalasa Gudi ~ Twin Tower Temple.


This temple is located on the outskirts of the village right next to a high school... could be a pre-university college. I was shocked to see trash littered in & around the temple; playing cards, bottles, cigarette butts, gutka sachets, and what not. Utter disregard to the monuments.


However, this beautifully decorated Basavanna is pretty well preserved.


Two thick slabs with Halegannada ~ ancient Kannada inscriptions are defaced badly. Overall the entire temple is neglected.


I sent an email with a photo of the defaced inscription to an ASI official in New Delhi. No response until now.


A close look st the text... neat and well rounded. I cannot write, my mother-tongue, so neatly on a paper :( Makes me wonder how those guys sculpted such neat letters on stone.


Check out the canopy, looks as though it's carved out of wood.



I wish people of Sudi, especially the youth, take an initiative to preserve their monuments which have given an identity to their village.

Videos shot at Sudi.

Sudi coordinates: 15°43'57"N 75°51'57"E

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Detail: Sudi

0 Sri Kalakaleswara Temple

I had stopped here on the way to Gajendragad Fort some time November 2010. Kalakaleswaragudi is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in a rock hill. The temple is about 4km from Gajendragad off Gajendragad-Nargund Road. The temple is a popular pilgrim center in Dharwad and Gadag districts.


The climb from the base of the hill to the temple is about 200 steps. About three-fourth way uphill, two 20 feet tall deepastambas stand. I guess these lamp-pillars are lit up during Sankranthi.



A Basavanna sits in a corner probably noticed only by little kids.


Unique feature of this temple is a waterfall. Water from a natural spring dives down from about 80 feet. Several plants have grown out the gaps in the rocks with aerial rots trying to reach down.


Water drips down two of the plant's roots and collects in a 8'x8' stone-walled tank.


The temple deity is enclosed by stone walls. The enclosure was crowded with just about 60 people. A board proclaimed 'No Photography'. I saw a Halegannada inscription here. The place is congested and I could barely get to see the deities. However I rang the bells, prayed and came out.

This hill range starts near Munvalli and passes through Saundatti, Nargund, Gajendragad and beyond.



In the picture above, you can catch a glimpse of Gajendragad Fort, built by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, sitting atop this hill. Some how this narration is half-hearted ...I hope these videos of Kalakaleswara Temple help. It's an interesting place, better seen when less crowded.

Kalakaleswara Temple Coordinates: 15°45'56"N 75°57'27"E

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Detail: Sri Kalakaleswara Temple

0 Gajendragad Fort

It's been a long time wish to see this hill fort... since college days. I heard about Gajendragad Fort from my engineering classmate Abdul Wahab.

October 2010.

I was one a day-trip with one of my maternal uncles, places for the day were Nargund fort, Sudi, Gajendragad Fort, Naregal and Annigeri. At Nargund we saw Sri Venkateswara temple, had breakfast but skipped the fort. We stopped at Sudi to check out it's lovely temples. About 4 km to Gajendragad town, we stopped at Kalakalesawara temple for almost an hour. At Gajendragad, we had pass through the busy market street to reach the base of the hill. We parked the cab close to the Gorphade mansion, the only way to climb the hill is by foot. The steps leading up the hill looked daunting to mama, he stayed back in the cab.


It's been a while I'd climbed but I went up slow, almost non-stop.


The bastions. The entrance is hidden from this view.


Well used steps. I could see kids and ladies with baskets climbing. I wonder what's their interest was.


Lord Hanuman's idol in the small whitewashed temple about two-thirds way up.


Almost there. The other side of the hill.


That's the entrance to the fort.


Simple but lovely art decorates the doorway.


A five headed snake.


Two lions facing each other.


Architecture typical to temples and forts of Maharashtra. This fort was built during Chatrapathi Shivaji's reign. The Gorphades were the rulers of Gajendragad.


More art work.


Inscription in Marathi ...that's my guess.


Inside the fort, looking towards the gateway. I went up the steps.


A tank carved out in bed of rock. This would be used to store rain water for soldiers' use.


Elephant head. Gajendragad = Gajendra + gad = elephant + fort. Was it supposed to mean as the fort was as strong as an elephant? But what's the idea of this idol in the tank wall. There was no information available, not board or a guide I could see.


I went walking along the wall.


Stopping to admire the view.


Gorphade mansion which had seen better days. Even though it was sunny, I could not feel the heat much because of the constantly blowing wind.


I wonder how workers moved these heavy stones so close to the edges.


The wall went on and on. I'd had a light breakfast and was getting hungry now. I decided to cut my tour of the wall and headed towards the center which is more or less flat open field. The Durgah caught my attention. I prayed, paid some money to the care-taker and got a spoonful sugar as prasad. Now I know why people come here. Few Muslim ladies were picnicking in the shade of a small tree close by ...visitors to Durgah.


A little mosque.


Close to the Durgah was this Deepastamba. From here I could see Kalakaleswaar temple.


From the Durgah I walked towards some ruins which looked like a small fort within the fort. Probably it housed the commanding officer's residence and office. Another water tank carved out of the rock.





The inside of the fort with a fort.


Looks like work some art work was abandoned. I cannot stop marvelling at skill and talent to shape stones back then. I was getting more hungry with every passing moment. I decided to head back.


Another long time wish was to see wind mills real closely. This visit made that wish come true. I spoke to the shepherd from a village close to Belgaum. I was shooting a video, the shepherds dog happened to get into the view, he was so happy to see his dog in the video when I played it for him :)


I said bye to him and then to the fort. I descended much faster then I had ascended. Back at the car I got a good wash and then gulped down water and headed out of Gajendragad towards Naregal. Two dhabas we passed by were closed because of Deepawali. Great! We had control our hunger for another 30 minutes until we reached Naregal.

Gajendragad Fort videos.

Gajendragad Fort Coordinates: 15°44'28"N 75°57'55"E

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Detail: Gajendragad Fort