Ancient Chalukya Shri Someshwara Swami Temple - Historical landmark in Laxmeshwar - Gadag, India

It has an elegant piece of history. A temple complex that is a public place also. Very much approachable from the Bus station.

It's easy to find and road leading to temple from the main road is well. Although the temple has entrance from 3 different direction, out of which one which is holds the main tower is closed. Temple hosts a unique sculpture of Shiva sitting on Nandi along with Parvathi, which is said to be bought from Sourastra, hence also called "Sourastra Somanatha". A mirror is kept behind the idol so that devotee can see the Parvathi sitting at the back of Shiva. The temple is restored with the help of ASI and financial support of Infosys foundation. You will find number of small temples around main temple all belong to different eras, being from Badami Chalukya to Vijayanaga. A large well is just behind the temple, with steps to access the bottom of the same. You will also find lot of inscriptions in the campus.

Shree Someshwar temple is oldest Shiva temple in township, but this temple quite special that other shiva temples around because here in this temple idle Shiva and paarvati are on Nandi, the temple architecture is so beautiful but most of carvings outside temple are damaged, turned pillars are highlight.

This is a major historic Hindu temple complex in Lakshmeswar town of Karnataka, about 40 kilometers southwest of Gadag-Betigeri city between Hampi and Goa. Though a small town now, it once was a major city before the 14th-century. Inscriptions and regional literature suggest that Laxmeswar was already a prosperous town by the 7th-century CE. The Someshwara temple is complex that was built over time. The earliest firm evidence is an inscription from 1102 CE found here that states a dedication to the Svayambhu-Someswara temple. It also mentions a Vedic college with students boarding (sala, ghatika), one run by Mahendra Pandita. More interesting in the inscription is the mention of a collaboration between the school attached to this temple and a Vedic college in Gujarat (now lost), along with manuscripts bhandara and exchange. Another inscription states that a priest and his students escaped the destruction of Somnath temple in Saurashtra in Gujarat, then resettled here. This led to an expansion of the temple and the building of fortified wall around the temple complex. The complex has many shrines, mandapas and a pushkarini (water tank/well). The Hindu artwork here is exquisitely detailed, highlighting all major traditions: Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism and Vedic deities. The spire of the Somesvara temple here has been restored a bit (it was partly torn down during a raid and plunder in the 15th century). The spire (Shikara) illustrates the Vesara architecture, while the overall floor plan follows the square and circle principles for Hindu temples, as found in Sanskrit texts. The photos I have posted are with GPS- and date-stamped exif data. I own them. I release them into the public domain with CC0 1.0 Universal dedication. You may copy, download, use, modify, distribute them without asking for permission, and without attribution, even for commercial purposes. They are free. For even better view, visit this Indian monument.

Temple restored by Infosys foundation. Many stone sculptures lying around. Carvings are great. There is huge well next to temple. KSTDC make honest efforts to attract more tourist. Currently it's more like pilgrimage destination for local people.

Need to maintained But nice garden view

Sudha Murthy mam made some renovations but the local people are not maintaining it. Even the temple is not swept properly. Gram panchayat is waste there. No place nearby to buy coconut, flowers for God. We have to go to market for that. This temple has history but nothing is taken care of. No place to sit for visitors

Those with architectural interest, have a flair to know more about history this a must hold a place in their itinerary. Temple that was built during the 6th century stands as a testimonial proving engineering skills and flawless execution. Historians say this temple was raided initially by the Muslim dynasty and destroyed the artefacts. It further lost glory due to the apathy of politicians and misuse of commoners around led to the dilapidation of this treasure. However, Mrs.Suda Murthay, from Infosys with her philanthropic act pumped in funds as restoration. The conservative efforts have been fruitful though few damages cannot alter the wrongdoings.