Saundatti

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Savadatti| type = town| latd = 15.7833 | longd = 75.1167
locator_position = right | state_name = Karnataka
district = Belgaum district
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 610
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 38155| population_density = 2384.69
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total = 16
area_telephone = 08330
postal_code = 591 126
vehicle_code_range = KA-24
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Saundatti (also known as Sugandavarti and Savadatti) is one of the oldest towns in Belgaum district in the south Indian state of Karnataka. It is a celebrated pilgrimage centre located 78 kilometres from Belgaum.Saundatti is taluk headquarter of same name. Previously Saundatti taluk was known as Parasgad.

Temples

The town has temples dedicated to Ankeshwara, Puradeshwara, Nagarkere Mallikarjuna, Veerabhadra, Ulvi Basavaeshwara, Mouneshwara, Dyamavva and Venkateshwara, which is the largest. The Puradeshwara temple in the later Chalukyan style is a trikutachala with three ardhamantapas, a common navaranga and two mukhamantapas.gurlhosur chidambar temple is also thair a hiatorical temple

All three garbhagrihas with pierced windows have shivalingas. The shikhara, now damaged, over the central garbhagriha is in Kadambanagara style and the navaranga pillars are lathe-turned. Inside the niches of the navaranga are images of Parvati and Veerabhadra. This temple has been renovated very crudely. On the day of Ugadi, the rising sun's rays fall directly on the main shivalinga. The outer walls have fine sculptures depicting Hindu mythology and there are inclined chajjas all round. The open mukhamantapa, a later addition, is also in the same style with massive pillars.

The Ankeshwara temple in Desaigalli, built circa 970 is in the later Chalukyan style and is below the ground level. There are steps descending to the mukhamantapa. In front of the temple, there is an inscription carved into the wall by the builder, Ratta Chief Ankarasa. The fort has a Kadasiddheshwara temple, surrounded by four bastions. Around the Kadasiddheshwara temple in the inner chajja of the prakara there is a row of beautiful carvings of geometrical patterns with over two hundred designs, some painted. The Renukasagar of the Naviluteerha Dam touches the low-lying areas of Saundatti. There is a spot called Jogulabhavi here, where there is a temple. Pilgrims take a holy dip here before visiting the Yellamma Hill. This Samadhi is in the area called Ramapur at Saundatti, which is humming with religious activities.

Tourist Attractions of Savadatti

Savadatti Fort

Yallammagudda

The temple of Goddess Yellamma is a popular pilgrimage site for Shakti devotees. Every day, hundreds of pilgrims visit the temple with great devotion. The congregation is especially large, crossing the ten lakh mark on two auspicious days "Banada Hunime" and "Bharathi Hunime". The century-old temple of Yellamma is situated atop Yellamagudda, amidst picturesque Ramalinga Hills about 5 km from Savadatti. Between Savadatti and the temple is the magnificent fort of Parashghad, dating back to the 10th century.

Hooli

Hooli, 9 km from Saundatti, a place with rich antiquity and is perhaps one of the oldest towns in the district. This ancient agrahara town has a number of later Chalukya temples.

;HOOLI PANCHALINGESHWAR TEMPLE

Hooli is a place with rich antiquity and is perhaps one of the oldest towns in the district. One of the striking monuments of the place is the huge Panchalingeshwar temple.