District: Koppal
Town: Itagi
Temple: Mahadeva Temple
Mahadeva Temple
Mahadeva Temple – Overview
The temple’s carvings, sculptures, pillars and tower stand proof to the immense talent of Chalukyan artists. One of the inscriptions on the walls of the temple calls it Devalaya Chakravarti (Emperor among Temples). This temple is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Mahadeva Temple – Architecture
The temple consists of a shrine connected to a hall by a vestibule. The sanctum of the main temple bears a linga and the rest of the shrines surrounding it bear their own linga. The closed mantapa or hall has a doorway on its either side, the doorway on its west leads to the sanctorum while the other leads to an open mantapa. This open mantapa has 64 pillars and of these 24 are fully built and support the main ceiling while the rest are only half pillars which are constructed from the parapet wall around the mantapa. The stonework on the ceilings and in the halls is interesting while in some places the work appears to be plain and simple.
Mahadeva Temple- Religious Significance
The main deity of this temple is Shiva who is worshipped here in Linga form.
How to Get to Mahadeva Temple
The Mahadeva Temple is located in Itagi which is 35km from Gadag the nearest railway station and 64 km to the west of Hampi. Buses, private transport and even taxis are available frequently from Gadag, Hampi to Itagi. You should make it a point to visit this temple to appreciate its wonderful architecture. The right time to visit Koppal is the rainy season or the winter. Anytime between July and March is ideal.
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