Koppal district

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Koppal
type= district
district_

district_image_desc = Taluk-level map of Koppal district
latd =15.35
district_lat_m =
longd =76.15
district_long_m =
state_name = Karnataka
division_name =
taluk_names = Koppal, Gangavati, Yalburga, Kushtagi
hq = Koppal
leader_title = Deputy Commissioner
leader_name =
area_total = 7190
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 1196089
population_density = 166
postal_code =
area_telephone = + 91 (0)
vehicle_code_range = KA-
district_timezone = IST (UTC +5:30)
website=www.koppal.nic.in

Koppal district (Kannada ಕೊಪ್ಪಳ) is an administrative district in the state of Karnataka in India. The district headquarters is Koppal. The district occupies an area of 7,190 km² and has a population of 1,196,089, which 16.58% were urban as of 2001. [ [www.censusindiamaps.net/page/India_WhizMap/IndiaMap.htm] ] The Koppal district was formed after split of Raichur district.

Koppal district has four talukas, Koppal, Gangavati, Yalburgi, Kushtagi.

In the past Koppal was referred to as 'Kopana Nagara'. Hampi, a World heritage center, covers some areas of Koppal District. It is situated approximately 38km away. Anegundi, is also a famous travel destination.

History

Koppal, now a district headquarters is ancient Kopana a major holy place of the Jainas, has two Ashokan inscriptions at Palkigundu and Gavimatha. It has a hill fort. It was the capital of a branch of Shilaharas under the Chalukyas of Kalyana. Mundargi Bheema Rao and Hammige Kenchanagouda died fighting against British here in June 1858 (during the 1857 rising series). Palkigundu is described as the Indrakila parvata of epic fame and there is an ancient Shiva temple called the Male Malleshwara.

Kinhal 13 km away from Koppal is famous for its traditional colourful lacquerware work.

Reference :

www.gazetteer.kar.nic.in/dist_book.asp?pre_post=1&kan=2

www.gazetteer.kar.nic.in/data/gazetteer/postind/Kar_Handbook_2005_Chapter14.Pdf

Tourist Attractions

Most notable of the many buildings dating from this period [ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Chalukya_architecture] ] are the Mahadeva Temple at Itagi in the Koppal district, the Kasivisvesvara Temple at Lakkundi in the Gadag district, and the Mallikarjuna Temple at Kuruvatti and the Kallesvara Temple at Bagali, both in the Davangere district.The Mahadeva Temple at Itagi has been called the finest in Kannada country after the Hoysaleswara temple at Halebidu (Cousens in Kamath (2001), p 117)] Other monuments notable for their craftsmanship include the Siddhesvara Temple at Haveri in the Haveri district, the Amrtesvara Temple at Annigeri in the Dharwad district, the Sarasvati Temple in Gadag, and the Dodda Basappa Temple at Dambal, both in the Gadag district.

Reference : www.templenet.com/Karnataka/kalyani_chalukya.html

The Mahadeva Temple

Soapstone is found in abundance in the regions of Haveri, Savanur, Byadgi, Motebennur and Hangal. The great archaic sandstone building blocks used by the Badami Chalukyas were superseded with smaller blocks of soapstone and with smaller masonry.Cousens (1926), p 18] The first temple to be built from this material was the Amrtesvara Temple in Annigeri in the Dharwad district in 1050 CE. This building was to be the prototype for later, more articulated structures such as the Mahadeva Temple at Itagi.Foekema (2003), p 49]

The 11th-century temple-building boom continued in the 12th century with the addition of new features. The Mahadeva Temple at Itagi and the Siddhesvara Temple in Haveri are standard constructions incorporating these developments. Based on the general plan of the Amrtesvara Temple at Annigeri, the Mahadeva Temple was built in 1112 CE and has the same architectural components as its predecessor. There are however differences in their articulation; the "sala" roof (roof under the finial of the superstructure) and the miniature towers on pilasters are chiseled instead of moulded.Foekema (2003), p 57] The difference between the two temples, built fifty years apart, is the more rigid modelling and decoration found in many components of the Mahadeva Temple. The voluptuous carvings of the 11th century were replaced with a more severe chiselling.Foekema (2003), p 56]

The Mahadeva temple at Itagi dedicated to Shiva is among the larger temples built by the Western Chalukyas and perhaps the most famous. Inscriptions hail it as the 'Emperor among temples'.Kamath (2001),pp 117–118] Here, the main temple, the sanctum of which has a "linga", is surrounded by thirteen minor shrines, each with its own "linga". The temple has two other shrines, dedicated to Murthinarayana and Chandraleshwari, parents of Mahadeva, the Chalukya commander who consecrated the temple in 1112 CE.cite web|title=Emperor of Temples' crying for attention
url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/06/10/stories/2002061003760500.htm|author=Rao, Kishan|publisher=The Hindu|date=2002-06-10|work=|accessdate=2007-11-09]

Kuknur

In Karnataka their most famous temples are the "Kashivishvanatha" [ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashtrakutas] ] temple and the Jain Narayana temple at Pattadakal, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.cite web|title=Reclaiming past glory |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/feb272007/spectrum1437452007226.asp|author=Vijapur, Raju S.|publisher=Spectrum|work=Deccan Herald|accessdate=2007-02-27] Other well known temples are the "Parameshwara" temple at Konnur, "Brahmadeva" temple at Savadi, the "Settavva", "Kontigudi II", "Jadaragudi" and "Ambigeragudi" temples at Aihole, "Mallikarjuna" temple at Ron, "Andhakeshwara" temple at Huli, "Someshwara" temple at Sogal, Jain temples at Lokapura, Navalinga Temple at Kuknur, "Kumaraswamy" temple at Sandur, at Shirival in Gulbarga and the "Trikunteshwara" temple at Gadag which was later expanded by Kalyani Chalukyas. Archeological study of these temples show some have the stellar (multigonal) plan later to be used profusely by the Hoysalas of Belur and Halebidu.Sundara and Rajashekar, cite web|title=Society, Religion and Economic condition in the period of Rashtrakutas|url=http://www.ourkarnataka.com/history.htm|author=Arthikaje, Mangalore|publisher=1998–2000 OurKarnataka.Com, Inc|work=|accessdate=2006-12-20] One of the richest traditions in Indian architecture took shape in the Deccan during this time and one writer calls it "Karnata dravida" style as opposed to traditional Dravida style.cite web|title=Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Transformation, the Karnata Dravida Tradition, 7th to 13th Centuries |url=http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0004-3648(1999)58%3A3%2F4%3C358%3AITAFAT%3E2.0.CO%3B2-F|author=Hardy, Adam|publisher=JSTOR|work=Artibus Asiae, Vol. 58, No. 3/4 (1999), pp. 358-362|accessdate=2007-11-28]

References

See also

* Koppal (Lok Sabha Constituency)