<p>Haveri district is known for its rich culture and heritage. It is well-known for its contribution to literature, folklore and communal harmony. The Haveri region also has several places of tourist interest.<br /><br />The district headquarters, Haveri, is home to the 12th century temple called Purasiddeshwaraa. The temple was constructed during the time of Armadi Vikramaditya in 1109 AD. The brilliant architecture of the temple is difficult to describe in words. The Ugra Narasimha temple in the town is also known for its beautiful sculpture.<br /><br />The historic Heggeri Kere is just two kilometres away from Haveri. The tank, spread across 100 acres looks like a sea, when one spots it from the National Highway-4. The tank attracts several migratory birds during winter.<br /><br />Travel 40 kms from Haveri, and you’ll find the Galaganatheshwara temple built at Galaganatha village. The temple has been built in the style of the Kalyana Chalukyas. The star-shaped foundation, the huge Linga all draw attention. The temple has the idols of deities such as Vishnu, Saraswathi, Janardhana, Ganapathi, Surya and Mahishasura Mardhini among others.<br /><br />The famous Someshwara temple that has been built on the banks of the Tungabhadra in Haralahalli of Haveri taluk is also an important tourist attraction. The temple has a mix of Hoysala and Chalukyan architectural styles. The temple has three sanctum santora, but a common navaranga.<br /><br />The Nagareshwara temple in Shiggaon taluk is housed in a big fort spread across 139 acres. The main draw of the temple, built in the Chalukyan style, are the huge pillars, sixty in number. A huge storage tank carved out of a single stone is another attraction in the temple.<br /><br />Forty five kilometres from Haveri is the Ekakutachala Tarakeshwara temple at Hanagal. It has a multi-angular shaped foundation. There are pictorial descriptions of episodes from the Ramayana, Mahabharatha and Bharatha around the temple. The sanctum sanctorum houses a linga.<br /><br />Chowdadanayyapura, 35 kilometres from Haveri is the birthplace of 12th century Vachana composer Ambigara Chowdayya. The ‘seat’ of Chowdayya has been built on the banks of the river Tungabhadra. It is said that Palegars who belonged to the ‘Gutta’ clan built the Mukteshwara temple in the village. The Shanteshwara temple (in nearby Satenahalli), Balambida’s Rameshwara temple, Ratti halli’s Kadambeshwara temple and Chinna Mulgund’s Chikkeshwara temple all mirror the rich architectural legacy of the region. All these temples are in excellent condition, and are well-maintained.<br /><br />Home to peacocks<br />Shiggaon taluk’s Bankapura, 22 kilometres from Haveri, is home to a rare peacock sanctuary. The bird sanctuary spread across 134 acres, is home to over 2,000 peacocks. <br />You can get to watch flocks of them everyday before 7 am or after 6 pm. Bus facilities are available from Haveri and Shiggaon.<br /><br />Kanakadasa’s home<br />Twenty six kilometres away from Haveri and ten kilometres from Shiggaon is Bada village, the birthplace of the great Kanakadasa, a sixteenth century devotee, poet and composer. <br /><br />There is a temple dedicated to the great man here. In the excavations that were conducted nearby, remains of a palace belonging to Kanakadasa, and other artefacts of those times were found. The Kaginele Development Authority is overseeing the development of this region.<br /><br />The Authority was formed by the government in 2007 with the aim of converting Kaginele into a tourist centre of international importance. Kaginele was where Kanakadasa is said to have spent his years, and is 15 kilometres from Haveri. Kaginele houses the Keshava temple, where Kanakadasa is said to have prayed.<br /><br />The tomb of another famous mystic poet Shishunala Shariff is situated 42 kilometres from Haveri. His spiritual mentor Guru Govind Bhat’s samadhi is also nearby. The state government has given the go-ahead to construct a Yatri Nivas for tourists at a cost of Rs 50 lakh here.<br /><br />Sarvagna’s birthplace<br />Then, there is the birthplace of Sarvagna. Abalur, which is in Hirekerur taluk, 40 kilometres from Haveri, was once a Jain centre, and then a Shaivite place of worship post-12th century. The birthplace of the medieval composer Sarvagna is home to many temples. The government installed the statue of Sarvagna here, some years ago.<br /><br />Black buck sanctuary<br />There is a black buck sanctuary near Ranebennur, spread across 125 acres belonging to the forest department. This protected sanctuary has over 6,000 black bucks.<br />The district is a treasure for every tourist, but thanks to a lack of publicity and inadequate information, it has not quite become a major tourist draw.<br />DHNS</p>
<p>Haveri district is known for its rich culture and heritage. It is well-known for its contribution to literature, folklore and communal harmony. The Haveri region also has several places of tourist interest.<br /><br />The district headquarters, Haveri, is home to the 12th century temple called Purasiddeshwaraa. The temple was constructed during the time of Armadi Vikramaditya in 1109 AD. The brilliant architecture of the temple is difficult to describe in words. The Ugra Narasimha temple in the town is also known for its beautiful sculpture.<br /><br />The historic Heggeri Kere is just two kilometres away from Haveri. The tank, spread across 100 acres looks like a sea, when one spots it from the National Highway-4. The tank attracts several migratory birds during winter.<br /><br />Travel 40 kms from Haveri, and you’ll find the Galaganatheshwara temple built at Galaganatha village. The temple has been built in the style of the Kalyana Chalukyas. The star-shaped foundation, the huge Linga all draw attention. The temple has the idols of deities such as Vishnu, Saraswathi, Janardhana, Ganapathi, Surya and Mahishasura Mardhini among others.<br /><br />The famous Someshwara temple that has been built on the banks of the Tungabhadra in Haralahalli of Haveri taluk is also an important tourist attraction. The temple has a mix of Hoysala and Chalukyan architectural styles. The temple has three sanctum santora, but a common navaranga.<br /><br />The Nagareshwara temple in Shiggaon taluk is housed in a big fort spread across 139 acres. The main draw of the temple, built in the Chalukyan style, are the huge pillars, sixty in number. A huge storage tank carved out of a single stone is another attraction in the temple.<br /><br />Forty five kilometres from Haveri is the Ekakutachala Tarakeshwara temple at Hanagal. It has a multi-angular shaped foundation. There are pictorial descriptions of episodes from the Ramayana, Mahabharatha and Bharatha around the temple. The sanctum sanctorum houses a linga.<br /><br />Chowdadanayyapura, 35 kilometres from Haveri is the birthplace of 12th century Vachana composer Ambigara Chowdayya. The ‘seat’ of Chowdayya has been built on the banks of the river Tungabhadra. It is said that Palegars who belonged to the ‘Gutta’ clan built the Mukteshwara temple in the village. The Shanteshwara temple (in nearby Satenahalli), Balambida’s Rameshwara temple, Ratti halli’s Kadambeshwara temple and Chinna Mulgund’s Chikkeshwara temple all mirror the rich architectural legacy of the region. All these temples are in excellent condition, and are well-maintained.<br /><br />Home to peacocks<br />Shiggaon taluk’s Bankapura, 22 kilometres from Haveri, is home to a rare peacock sanctuary. The bird sanctuary spread across 134 acres, is home to over 2,000 peacocks. <br />You can get to watch flocks of them everyday before 7 am or after 6 pm. Bus facilities are available from Haveri and Shiggaon.<br /><br />Kanakadasa’s home<br />Twenty six kilometres away from Haveri and ten kilometres from Shiggaon is Bada village, the birthplace of the great Kanakadasa, a sixteenth century devotee, poet and composer. <br /><br />There is a temple dedicated to the great man here. In the excavations that were conducted nearby, remains of a palace belonging to Kanakadasa, and other artefacts of those times were found. The Kaginele Development Authority is overseeing the development of this region.<br /><br />The Authority was formed by the government in 2007 with the aim of converting Kaginele into a tourist centre of international importance. Kaginele was where Kanakadasa is said to have spent his years, and is 15 kilometres from Haveri. Kaginele houses the Keshava temple, where Kanakadasa is said to have prayed.<br /><br />The tomb of another famous mystic poet Shishunala Shariff is situated 42 kilometres from Haveri. His spiritual mentor Guru Govind Bhat’s samadhi is also nearby. The state government has given the go-ahead to construct a Yatri Nivas for tourists at a cost of Rs 50 lakh here.<br /><br />Sarvagna’s birthplace<br />Then, there is the birthplace of Sarvagna. Abalur, which is in Hirekerur taluk, 40 kilometres from Haveri, was once a Jain centre, and then a Shaivite place of worship post-12th century. The birthplace of the medieval composer Sarvagna is home to many temples. The government installed the statue of Sarvagna here, some years ago.<br /><br />Black buck sanctuary<br />There is a black buck sanctuary near Ranebennur, spread across 125 acres belonging to the forest department. This protected sanctuary has over 6,000 black bucks.<br />The district is a treasure for every tourist, but thanks to a lack of publicity and inadequate information, it has not quite become a major tourist draw.<br />DHNS</p>
