Hangal

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Hangal | type = town | latd = 14.767 | longd = 75.126
locator_position = right | state_name = Karnataka
district = Haveri
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 555
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 25,011| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone = 08379
postal_code = 581 104
vehicle_code_range = KA-27
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Hangal is a town in Haveri district in the Indian state of Karnataka. The Tarakeshwar temple and the Kumaraswami matha are located in this town.

Hangal, now in Haveri dist. is also a taluk headquarters. It was the "'capitalof the Hangal Kadambas"', feudatories of the Chalukyas of Kalyana. It ismentioned as Panungal in early records and identified by tradition withViratanagara of Mahabharatha days 75 km. away from Hubli-Dharwad, it wasonce the headquarters of a district called Panungal-500.

The Tarakeshwara temple here is a huge structure with wonderful series of images and polishedtall Chalukyan pillars spread over a vast area. The "'Virabhadra, Billeshwaraand Ramalinga etc., are other important temples and the Ganesha temple"'near Tarakeshwara has a northern curvilinear (Nagara) Shikhara.

The town is on the left bank of the Dharma river, and has ruins of some fortification on theriver bank. There is also a famous Veerashaiva Kumaraswamy Matha here.

Reference :

www.gazetteer.kar.nic.in/dist_book.asp?pre_post=1&kan=2

www.gazetteer.kar.nic.in/data/gazetteer/postind/Kar_Handbook_2005_Chapter14.Pdf

THE KADAMBAS OF HANGAL

The Kadambas, the earliest known dynasty to patronize Jainism was that of the Kadambas who ruled around 485 A.D. This is evident from Kamalajinalaya built near Banavasi by Ravivarma. There were several other Jaina monuments built under Kadamba patronage. Parsvanatha temple at Kuppatur built for Kadamba queen Maladevi and Jaina temple built in Hangal fort are two such examples.

Kadambas is an ancient dynasty of south India who primarily ruled the region which is present day Goa state and nearby Konkan region (part of modern Maharashtra and Karnataka state). The early rulers of this dynasty established themselves at Vaijayanti or Banavasi in 345 AD and ruled as independent rulers for more than 2 centuries. In 607 AD, Chalukyas of Vatapi sacked Banavasi and Kadamba kingdom was incorporated into expanding Chalukyan empire. In eighth century AD, Chalukyas of Vatapi were overthrown by Rashtrakutas who ruled supreme in south India till 10th century. In 980 AD, descendents of Chalukyas and Kadambas rose against Rashtrakutas and Rashtrakuta empire fell resulting in establishment of second Chalukyan dynasty (called Western Chalukyas). Chatta Deva, a scion of Kadamba family who helped Western Chalukyas in this coup, re-established Kadamba dynasty. He was mostly a feudatory of Western Chalukyas but his successors enjoyed considerable independence and were almost soverign rulers of Goa and Konkan till 14th century AD. The successors of Chatta Deva occupied both Banavasi and Hangal and are known as Kadambas of Hangal. Later Kadambas kept paying nominal allegiance to other major power brokers of Deccan like Yadavas and Hoysalas of Dorasamudra and thus mantained their independence.

Four different families of Kadambas ruled in southern India which were Kadamabas of Hangal, Kadambas of Goa, Kadambas of Belur and Kadambas of Banvasi.

Tourism attractions

Tarakeshwara temple

Here is a huge structure with wonderful series of images and polished tall Chalukyan pillers.

Very large domical ceiling in the main hall at Tarateshwara temple.

Virabhadra Temple

Billeshwara Temple

Kumaraswamy Matha

Geography

Hangal is located at coord|14.77|N|75.13|E|. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/19/Hangal.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Hangal] ] It has an average elevation of 555 metres (1820 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, [GR|India] Hangal had a population of 25,011. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Hangal has an average literacy rate of 64%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 67%, and female literacy is 60%. In Hangal, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

References