Kasivisvesvara Temple, Lakkundi, Hindu temple in Lakkundi, India.
Kasivisvesvara Temple is a Hindu temple in Lakkundi that contains two sanctums facing opposite directions. The larger shrine holds Shiva as its primary deity, while the smaller one is dedicated to Surya the sun god.
Lakkundi, the historic Lokkigundi, grew after 973 CE when Taila II of the Chalukyas of Kalyana defeated the Rashtrakuta Karkka II, and flourished under his son Satyasraya Irivabedanga from 997–998 CE. The Kasivisvesvara temple is generally dated to the early 11th to mid 12th century; Dhaky and Meister place it between 1020 and 1030 CE, while Adam Hardy holds it was completed before 1087 CE. In 1192 CE a Sanskrit inscription of Hoysala king Ballala II reaffirmed the town's importance.
The temple walls display detailed stone carvings depicting stories from Hindu texts. These works show the skill of craftspeople who shaped this region's artistic traditions.
The temple stands south of Lakkundi village, about 12 km from Gadag-Betageri on National Highway 67; the nearest railway station is in Gadag city. The two sanctums face each other across a shared mandapa, so walk through the hall to see both shrines. The raised platform, lawn and walled compound are open ground; the smaller domed shrine sits apart to the left.
This temple blends three major architectural styles of Indian temple design into a single structure. The rare combination of Nagara, Vesara, and Dravida elements demonstrates the creative range of builders from this era.
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