Kudalasangama is perched on the meeting point of rivers Krishna and Malaprabha. This temple town is located in Bagalkot district of Bijapur, Karnataka. This place is famous for Sri Sangameshwara temple that dates back to12th century. The temple was built in the Chalukyan Style. This is a famous pilgrimage center for the Hindus. In ancient India this place was known as Kappadi Sangama. This monument is dedicated to the poet and teacher, Basaveshwara, born in the 2nd century. This town was the birthplace of the sage.
He was also known as Ishanaguru.
Sri Sangameshwara temple is beautifully stone carved shrine. Besides the religious significance attached to it the temple is a marvelous piece of art. The temple premises comprise of a porch, the main temple or the navagriha. The key idols that are found here are that of Basaveshwara, Neelamma, Ganesha and Nandi. These idols are installed in the navagriha. The doors are designed with carved animal figures and flowers. These engravings reflect the rich art and architecture of the ancient ages. Several inscriptions have also been preserved at the temple of Sri Sangameshwara. According to one of these inscriptions the temple had been installed in the year 1212. The holy shrine was built for God Achesvara.
According to legends an educational institute was set up by Jathaveda, an ascetic. His disciples included Channabasavanna, Akkanagamma and Basaveshwara. It is said that Basaveshwara had spent his childhood here and at a later stage of his life he attained saintliness. He had composed several sermons. These were dedicated to the principal deity of Sangamanatha. In front of the temple stands a Shiva Linga within a small stone stupa. Across river Krishna there is also a temple dedicated to Neelamma. For the followers of lingayat faith in India Kudalasangama in Karnataka is of prime importance.
Kudalasangama is easily accessible from Bijapur and Bangalore by road. The nearest railway station is Bijapur.
