District: Gadag
Town: Lakshmeshwara
Temple: Someshwara temple
Someshwara Temple
Someshwara Temple – Overview
The beautiful temple of Someshwara lies in the Lakshmeshwara temple which falls under the Gadag district of Karnataka. Lakshmeshwara is an agricultural town. The town has the beautiful Someswhara temple. Other places of interest are the Jamma Masjid, the dargah, the shrine of Mukha Basavanna and a very big idol of Suryanarayana. Out of all these important places, the Someshwara temple is the one that catches one’s attention.
Someshwara Temple – Architecture
There are three entrances to the Someshwara temple. The high walls of the Someshwara temple lend a feeling of a fort. It is a superb specimen of exclusive Chalukya art and architecture. The principal deity that is worshipped in the temple is Lord Shiva. It is believed that an ardent devotee’s wishes are fulfilled here.
There are many small temples surrounding this big temple. All these temples also boast of rich architecture and sculptures that have been so neatly carved. The temple is located at Lakshmeshwar which is about 55 kilometres from Hubli. The temple was built by the Chalukyas during the 12th century and a token of their devotion to Lord Shiva.
The temple’s hall, navaranga, entrance porch or mukha mantapa has beautiful stone carvings. The beautiful idols of Shiva Parvati and Nandi have been exquisitely sculpted. The Badami Chalukyas of Deccan encouraged art and architecture and this is clearly visible in the paintings and art structures of the temple. It was during this time (1050 to 1200 CE) that the Gadag art form was encouraged by King Someshwara I. Around 50 temples were erected during this period. Carved figurines of gods and goddesses have been chiselled beautifully in the temple.
Someshwara Temple – Mythology
It is believed that the idols of Shiva, Parvathi and Nandi were brought by an ardent Shiva devotee from Saurashtra. Hence, the temple is also referred to as Saurashtra Someshwara. The temple has beautiful idols of Chaturbhuj Ganapati and goddess Mahishasurmardini (who slays the demon). There is a very big well behind the temple and the water of the well is used for pooja and for temple use.
How to Get to Someshwara Temple
Once you reach Dambala, there are two routes to get to this temple. You can go to Gadag or Hubli and then proceed to the Someshwara temple. The bus route from Dambala to Shirhatti is around 35 kilometres and from here you can reach Lakshmeshwar. Bangalore is about 384 kilometres. The route from Bangalore to Lakshmeshwar is through Chitradurga and Haveri.
It is possible to reach Lakshmeshwar from Dharwar Hubli via Gadag.
There are private buses as well as KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) buses that ply between Haveri, Gadag and Hubli. The closest railway station is Haveri. There are passenger trains that ply between Hubli and Gadag. If you intend to take a flight then Hubli is the closest airport. Bangalore is the closest international airport. The best time to visit the temple is during the month of March.
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