JOIN USKudalasangama, which means confluence of rivers, is a two-hour drive from Hospet passing through scenic locales.
Whether it is the lush green farms that grow bajra or the beautifully laid out sunflower plants or even the rock formations in red sandstone, there is not a moment of boredom in the journey.
Located about 15 km from the Almatti Dam in Bagalkot district of Karnataka,Kudalasangama is the place where the Krishna and Malaprabha rivers merge.
This makes it a scenic locale with teeming waters’ all around the temple complex.
It is mainly known for the aikya mantapa or the holy samadhi of Basavanna, the founder of the Lingayat faith along with a linga, which is believed to have been self-manifested.
Age-old remnants
With a history that dates back to well over 800 years, this place is the perfect combination of cultural heritage and natural beauty.
An ascetic Jathadeva had set up an educational institute in the ancient times and Basaveshwara was one of his disciples, who spent his childhood in Kudalasangama and later became an ascetic. His numerous tenets are all dedicated to the main deity Sangamanatha.
A great saint
Lord Basava, a great prophet and social reformer was born in Bagewadi (Basavana Bagewadi), a small village in Bijapur district, in North Karnataka.
He was a great saint and is considered Guru by many who also believe that he is an incarnation of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s greatest devotee.
He started a new religion, Lingayatism meaning ‘the brave followers of Shiva’. Born to a pious couple, Basava became a revolutionary who taught that right conduct is heavenly.
His words convey simplicity and contain the very essence of the moral codes of all the religions of the world and all his teachings come in the form of written passages called vachanas.
While it was customary to write religious and ethical texts in Sanskrit, Basavanna began to write them in kannada, the language of the common people to make sure his philosophy and teaching reached a wider audience.
A Shiva linga with a small stone stupa stands just in front of the Temple.
During the festival of Mahashivratri, thousands of pilgrims take a dip at Kudalasangama before going to the Shiva linga to seek blessings of Lord Shiva.
The Sangamanatha Temple is built in Chalukya style and consists of a porch, navaranga and the main shrine.
The idols of Basaveshvara, Neelamma, Nandi and Ganapathi have been placed in the navaranga.
The door frame of the main temple is richly carved with floral designs and animal figures and enshrines the linga famed as Sangameshvara or Sangamanatha.
While you are here do not miss the boat ride on the river as it gives you a scenic ringside view of the entire temple complex and is refreshing.
Also try out the famous local ‘karadantu’ sweet in Amingad town enroute to Kudalasangama. This place is well-connected by NH-13.