Lakshmeshwara is a town located in Shirahatti taluk. This town is situated in the South Indian state of Karnataka.
Lakshmeshwara is about 50kilometers from Gadag District of Karnataka and 55 kilometres from Hubli District, the district of historic importance. Lakshmeshwara is famous as an agricultural town and this town hosts several temples of historic importance.
This town Lakshmeshwara is attracted by the tourists for the large number of Hindu Temples, Jain temples and the mosques. There is one age old temple of Lord Shiva called Someshwara Temple, which is the centre of attraction for the tourists.
There are two historical Jain temples present there. These are Sannabasadi and Shankabasadi. Lakshmeshwara is also notable for the Jama Masjid. Lakshmeshwara is also home for many shrines, a dargah, the Kodiyellamma temple, the Mukha Basavanna shrine, and a gigantic idol of Suryanarayana.
The most important monument at Lakshemshwara is the Someshwara temple complex of 11th century. The temple complex of Lakshemshwara with three main entrances is surrounded by high walls that look like a fort. It is an impressive example of architecture of Chalukya.
In middle of the temple complex, there is a Someshwara temple, surrounded by many small temples mainly dedicated to Shiva, along the compound wall, built with granite, some halls in the complex meant for resting devotees.
Lakshmeshwara in Gadag District of Karnataka is famous for prolific culture and literature. It is a place with rich heritage in Karnataka hence it is called as Tirulugannada Nadu. Many South Indian kings of early period, medieval times and the modern times (British Colonial Rule) have patronised the place.
Lakshmeshwara or ancient Huligere or Puligere was the capital of Puligere. The word "Puligere" means pond of tigers (Royal Bengal Tiger). There are theories of the origin of the name Lakshmeshwara. The name is derived from King Lakshmanarasa who was ruling Puligere or from the temple called Lakshmi-Lingana gudi, which means the temple of Lakshmi. Other ancient names of Lakshmeshwara include Purigere, Porigere, Purikanagar and Pulikanagar. Many Jain saints and writers have flourished here for their doctrines and songs. They include Devachakra Bhattaraka, Shankanacharya, Hemadevacharya, Padmasena, Tribhuvana Chandra Padmita and Rama Dvacharya.
Visiting Information
The nearest airport to reach Lakshmeshwara is Hubli which is 57 km away. Major operators have few regular flights into Hubli from different parts in the country. The nearest railway station is Gudigeri, which is 12 km away and lies on the Pune-Bangalore (Bengaluru) Line. The railway station at Hubli is better connected to all the major cities in India through the railways. Lakshmeshwara is well connected by roads to all the important places in the state. Being a tourist hotspot, it is frequently plied by buses from all over the state and from neighbouring states of India as well.
