Amruteshwara Temple, Annigeri
Did you know that the remarkable Amriteshwar temple of the core area of Western Chalukya architectural activity is in Annigeri an important political and cultural center iduring 11th and 12the centuries?
The Amriteshwar Temple in Annigeri known for its remarble architectrue is ascribed to the legendary sthapathi (architect) Jakhanacharya. The temple is in the middle of the ancient Annigeri town.
Historical linkage of the Annigeri and the temple is traced to six inscriptions varying from 1157 to 1208 AD; the earliest is dated to 1157; the next to the west of the south gateway of the temple is dated 1189; the third is dated 1200; the fourth, which is very long, is dated 1202; the fifth on a pillar in the south gate way is dated 1207; and the sixth to the east of the south gateway is dated 1208. Annigeri as town has even an inscription dated to 1071 and then in 1161 attributed to the Kalachari Chief Bijjala who overthrew the Western Chalukyas and made it his capital,; the capita;l was then governed by Dandanayaka Shridhar. Inscriptions of Bijjala's son Someshwar (1167-1175) are also found at Annigeri; it probably remained under Kalachuris at latest till 1175. In 1184 the western Chalukya king Someshwar IV (1182-1189) taking advantage of the religious dissensions between the Jains and the newl formed Lingayats at the capital Kalyan successed for a shortime in re-establishing the semblance of Chalukyan sovereignty. In 1184 Someshwara's fuedatory Dandanayaka Barmarasa is mentioned as governing at the capital Aniigeri who probably built the Amriteshwar Temple in 1196.
Amriteshwara Temple is built of black stone (soap stone) of considerable size with a roof supported on seventy six pillars. It is a ekakuta temple with one shrine and two halls. All of the temple is beautiful but especially the large openhall which is well conserved. The open halls have carvings of mythological figures of Ramayana and Mahabharta on its walls. The well-executed sculptures, finely crafted carvings on walls, pillars and the tower make it a good example of complete Western Chalukyan art which speaks volumes about the taste of the Chalukyan artisans. The shrine's garba Griha or cella is defied with a Shiva Linga called Amriteshwara. The Amruteshwara Temple was to be the prototype for later, more articulated structures such as the Mahadeva Temple (Itagi) at Itagi built in 1112 AD.
Annigeri is also the birthplace of the great Kannada poet, Adikavi Pampa.
Many other temples are also seen at Annigeri, such as: The Ramalinga Temple; the Banashankari Temple; the Gajina Basappa Temple; the Hire Hanuman Temple; Puradhireshwar Temple; and the
Kambada Hanuman Temple. It also has a derasar (Jain Basadi) dedicated to Parshva, the 23rd Tirthankara in Jainism.
Every year, during December and January, Amruteshwara temple is the venue of a ratha or chariot festival when an idol of Lord Amruteshwara is taken out in procession in a Ratha.
The temple in Annigeri is located 20 km west of Gadag en route to Hubli and 35 km from Hubli.
- Narasipur Char
