Kalleshwar Temple

About Kalleshwar Temple:

• It is a Hindu temple located in the town of Bagali in the Davangere district of Karnataka.
• It is one of the oldest temples in the region and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. 
• The construction of the temple spans the rule of two Kannada dynasties: the Rashtrakuta Dynasty during the mid-10th century, and the Western Chalukya Empire,during the reign of founding King Tailapa II around 987 AD.
• Architecture:
  • The temple is a single shrine construction with an adjoining hall (mantapa). 
  • The temple, which faces east, comprises a sanctum, an antechamber (or vestibule or antarala, whose tower is called the sukhanasi), that connects the sanctum to a gathering hall (sabhamantapa), which is preceded by a main hall (mukhamantapa).
  • The Shikara of the temple is a perfect example of early Cholan architecture. 
  • The temple houses a large Shivalinga, which is believed to be more than a thousand years old.
• This temple is protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Q1: What is the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)?

ASI was established in the year 1861 by Alexander Cunningham. After independence, it was established as a statutory body under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. ASI is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country. Its activities include carrying out surveys of antiquarian remains, exploration and excavation of archaeological sites, conservation and maintenance of protected monuments etc.

Source: 13th-century stone inscription discovered in Davanagere district