page_title: Bagalkot district
section_title: Tourism
hierarchical_section_title: Bagalkot district / Tourism
caption_attribution_description: English: This image was taken at Mahakuta, in en:Bagalkot district, Karnataka state, India. The Mahakuta group of temples were consecrated in the 6th-7th century time period by the Badami Chalukyas. The main shrine, the Mahakutesvara temple (also spelt Mahakuteshvara) in the dravida style is painted white. The Sangamesvara temple (also spelt Sangameshvara) in nagara style is by its side. The water tank is fed by a natural mountain spring.
context_page_description: Bagalkot district, is an administrative district in the Indian state of Karnataka. The district headquarters is located in the town of Bagalkot. The district is located in northern Karnataka and borders Belgaum, Gadag, Koppal, Raichur and Bijapur. The new Bagalkot district was carved out of Bijapur in 1997 via Government of Karnataka directive Notification RD 42 LRD 87 Part III. The bifurcated Bagalkot district consists of nine taluks — Badami, Bagalkot, Bilagi, Guledgudda, Rabkavi Banhatti, Hunagund, Ilkal, Jamakhandi and Mudhol.
  Historically, Badami, which is part of Bagalkot was the capital of the Chalukyan Empire of South India under Pulakeshin I, who conquered the district in 550 CE. Bagalkot's Badami taluk remained the seat of the throne of the Chalukyas from 550 CE to 753, when Chalukya king Kirtivarman II was overthrown by the Rashtrakutas.
  Remnants of Chalukyan art and architecture are important tourist attractions in Bagalkot. Pattadakallu has many UNESCO World Heritage temples built by Vikramaditya II, while Aihole, which lies on the banks of the Malaprabha River, is an important temple town with over 140 temples belonging to both the early and later Chalukya times.
context_section_description: Badami
  Badami Cave Temples
  Badami taluk remained the seat of the throne of the Chalukyas from 550 CE - 753 CE, till Chalukya king Kirtivarman II was overthrown by the Rashtrakutas.
  Pattadakal
  Pattadakal has many UNESCO World Heritage temples built by Vikramaditya II.
  Mallikarjuna temple is in dravidian style while Kashi Vishwanatha temple is in nagara style at Pattadakal, built around 740 CE.
  Aihole
  Aihole, which lies on the banks of the Malaprabha River, is an important temple town with over 140 temples belonging to both the early and later Chalukya times.
  Kudalasangama
  Kudalasangama, where Basavanna's samadhi is located.
  The 12th-century social reformist Basavanna, known for his crusade against caste exploitation, was born in Basavana Bagewadi.
  Mahakuta Mahakuta group of temples
  The Mahakuteshwara temple dedicated to Shiva, is built in the Dravidian style.
  Naganath Temple, located in a forest on the way to Mahakuta, is one of the early Chalukya temples dedicated to Shiva.
  Mahakuta was once the epicenter of shaiva cult and is surrounded by hills.
  Banashankari Amma Temple
  Here, an annual fair and festival is held during January & February.
  The temple in Banashankari is dedicated to Banashankari or Shakambari, a form of Parvati. It is located at Cholachagud, popularly called Banashankari.
  Mudhol
  Mudhol is the birthplace of poet Kavi Chakravarti Ranna.
  Mudhol was one of the 9-gun princely states of British India.
  Mudhol is famous for a breed of dog known as the Mudhol Hound.
caption: Mahakutesvara temple and Sangamesvara temple, Mahakuta
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