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Annigeri
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Annigeri is a taluk of Dharwad district in the state of Karnataka, India, located 20 km west of Gadag en route to Hubli and 35 km from Hubli.
Key Information
Introduction
[edit]Annigeri (Kannada: ಅಣ್ಣಿಗೇರಿ)is the place of birth of the famous Kannada poet Adikavi Pampa (Kannada: ಆದಿಕವಿ ಪಂಪ). It is well known for the black stone temple built by the Western Chalukya Empire.[1] known as Amruteshwara Temple.[2] A temple of mythological figures supported by 76 columns, located in the Dharwad district, and has a derasar dedicated to Parshva, the 23rd Tirthankara in Jainism. Annigeri also has temples dedicated to Banashankari, Basappa, Gajina Basappa and Hanuman. There is an ancient Lingayati temple near the railway station.
History
[edit]

Annigeri was an important political and cultural center in the past.[3] Various kings like the Chalukya dynasty, Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri and the Hoysala Empire annexed the town, which once formed part of the kingdoms of the Kalachuris of Kalyanis.
Annigeri was the last capital of the Chalukyas, Someshwara 4 (during 1184-89)[4] and it was headquarters of famous rich province of Belvola-300.[5]
Annigeri comes under the core area of Western Chalukya architectural activity in the modern Karnataka state. The Amrtesvara Temple is the finest examples produced by the Kalyani Chalukyas (Western Chalukya architecture).
In 1157 the Kalachuris under Bijjala II captured Basavakalyan and occupied it for the next twenty years, forcing the Chalukyas to move their capital city to Annigeri in the present-day Dharwad district.
To Provide education at the primary and Vedic levels, Annigeri had five Brahmapuris.[6]
Annigeri skulls
[edit]In 2010, over 100 human skulls were found in a drain at Annigeri. According to the preliminary theories, the area may have been a mass grave around some 150–200 years ago, or it may have been a battle ground.[7] After the discovery, the Archaeological Survey of India officials visited the site, and the government of Karnataka ordered an excavation. After the excavation, 471 skulls were found on a stretch of 15.6 by 1.7 metres (51.2 by 5.6 ft). As of 2011, the archaeologists were searching for any mention of a massacre in the local folklore or history.[8]
Great personalities of Annigeri
[edit]Adikavi Pampa
[edit]Annigeri is the birthplace of the great Kannada poet, Adikavi Pampa.[9]
- Benjamin Loirice first wrote about Pampa and published the Pampa Bharata in 1882.
- Sri S G Narasimhachar brought out Adi Purana in 1900 and
- Kannada Sahitya Parishat published the revised edition of Pampa Bharata In 1931.
- Government of Karnataka established the Pampa Foundation at Annigeri and also
instituted Pampa award.
- The Kannada University Hampi instituted Nadoja award in memory of Pampa.
Tourist attractions
[edit]


Amruteshwara Temple
[edit]The Amruteshwara Temple[10] was built in the Dharwad District in 1050 CE with dravida articulation, and was the first temple made of soapstone.
The large and black stone Amruteshwar Temple is in the Kalyani Chalukyas style. The temple has a roof supported by 76 pillars and carvings of mythological figures on its walls.
The Amruteshwara Temple was to be the prototype for later, more articulated structures such as the Mahadeva Temple (Itagi) at Itagi. Based on the general plan of the Amrtesvara Temple, the Mahadeva Temple was built in 1112 CE and has the same architectural components as its predecessor. There are, however, differences in their articulation.
Car Festival
During December and January, Amruteshwara temple is the venue of a festival.
Other temples
[edit]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
- Kambada Hanuman Temple
Geography
[edit]Annigeri is located at 15°26′N 75°26′E / 15.43°N 75.43°E.[11] It has an average elevation of 624 metres (2047 feet).
Demographics
[edit]As of 2001[update] India census,[12] Annigeri had a population of 25,709. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Annigeri has an average literacy rate of 55%, lower than the national average of 59.5%; with 61% of the males and 39% of females literate. 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.
See also
[edit]- Hero-stone of Rashrakuta period at Annigeri
- Historian unearths sacrificial sect theory on Annigeri skulls
- Western Chalukya temples
- Western Chalukya architecture
- Western Chalukya Empire
- North Karnataka
- Tourism in North Karnataka
- Gadag
- Lakshmeshwar
- Lakkundi
- Mahadeva Temple (Itagi)
- Dambal
- Kundgol
- Kuknur
- Sudi
- Gajendragad
References
[edit]- ^ "The Chalukyan magnificence". Archived from the original on 17 July 2008. Retrieved 30 August 2008.
- ^ "Kalyani Chalukyan temples". Retrieved 30 August 2008.
- ^ "Dharwad (Annigeri) Travel". Archived from the original on 18 December 2008. Retrieved 16 January 2009.
- ^ "Places Around Dharwad". Retrieved 16 January 2009.
- ^ "Chapter XIV, Karnataka, The Tourist Paradise". Archived from the original on 4 March 2009. Retrieved 30 August 2008.
- ^ "Education in Karnataka through the ages". Jyotsna Kamat. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
- ^ Srikant Hunasvadi (2 September 2010). "Theories galore as skulls are found in Annigeri drain". DNA. Archived from the original on 7 September 2010. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
- ^ Girish Pattanashetti (8 March 2011). "At Annigeri, a rare find of human skulls". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 10 March 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
- ^ "Poet Pampa". 17 March 2002. Retrieved 16 January 2009.
- ^ Hardy, Adam (1995). The Amrtesvara Temple at Annigeri. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 9788170173120. Archived from the original on 12 August 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2008.
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Annigeri
- ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
External links
[edit]- The Chalukyan Magnificance from the Deccan-Herald
- Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Transformation
- Kalyani Chalukyan temples [1]
- Annigeri skulls
- Annigeri skulls
- In studying Annigeri skulls, a collision of histories
- Annigeri skulls find support in history pages
- Annigeri skulls
- Historian unearths sacrificial sect theory on Annigeri skulls
Annigeri
View on GrokipediaOverview and Administration
Introduction
Annigeri is a taluk headquarters in the Dharwad district of Karnataka, India, situated approximately 20 km west of Gadag and 35 km from Hubballi (Hubli).[5] The town lies in the northern part of the state, serving as an important administrative and cultural center in the region. It is governed by the Annigeri Town Municipal Council, which manages local urban services and development.[6] Historically, Annigeri holds prominence as the birthplace of Adikavi Pampa, the 10th-century Kannada poet revered as the father of Kannada literature for his epic works. The town is renowned for its Chalukya-era architecture, exemplified by ancient temples constructed during the Western Chalukya period, and it briefly functioned as the capital of the Kalyani Chalukyas under King Someshwara IV between 1184 and 1189. These attributes underscore Annigeri's role as a cultural and literary hub in Karnataka's heritage landscape.[2] As of the 2011 census, Annigeri had a population of 28,267.[7]Administrative Status
Annigeri is governed by the Annigeri Town Municipal Council (TMC), the local body responsible for managing urban administration, development, and essential services within the town. The TMC handles key functions including property tax collection, issuance of building permissions, maintenance of public infrastructure, solid waste management, and provision of street lighting and water supply. The council comprises elected members from 23 wards, with elections conducted every five years to ensure representative governance.[7][8][9] As the headquarters of Annigeri taluk in Dharwad district, the town serves as the administrative center for the taluk, overseeing 20 villages and coordinating regional activities such as land revenue administration, agricultural extension services, and rural development schemes under the district collectorate. The taluk office facilitates implementation of state and central government programs, including those related to public health and education infrastructure.[10][11] Annigeri forms part of the Navalgund Assembly constituency (No. 69) in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and the Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency (No. 11). The Navalgund seat is represented by Ningaraddi Hanamaraddi Konaraddi of the Indian National Congress, who won the 2023 election with 86,081 votes. At the national level, the Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency is held by Pralhad Joshi of the Bharatiya Janata Party, securing re-election in 2024.[12][13][14] Post-2011 developments have seen the TMC prioritize infrastructure upgrades, including the ongoing Supa-Annigeri Road upgradation project to enhance connectivity and the continuation of urban renewal initiatives funded by infrastructure cess collections. These efforts address growing demands from the town's population of 28,267 as of the 2011 census, focusing on improved drainage, road widening, and digital service portals for citizen applications.[15][16][7]Geography and Demographics
Geography
Annigeri is situated at coordinates 15°25′N 75°26′E in the northern part of Karnataka, within the Deccan Plateau region.[17] The town encompasses an area of approximately 17 square kilometers.[18] The topography of Annigeri features flat to gently undulating terrain typical of northern Karnataka, with modest elevation variations and an average height of about 625 meters above sea level.[19] It lies near the Varada River, which flows through adjacent districts in the central Karnataka river basin.[20] The climate is semi-arid, characterized by hot summers, moderate winters, and monsoon rains primarily from June to September. Average annual rainfall ranges from 720 to 750 mm, while temperatures typically vary between 20°C and 35°C throughout the year.[21][22] Annigeri is well-connected by road to nearby cities, including Gadag (20 km east), Hubli (35 km southeast), and Dharwad (about 40 km southeast), via state highways. The nearest railway station is in Gadag, facilitating access to broader rail networks.[23]Demographics
As of the 2001 Indian census, Annigeri had a total population of 25,710, with 13,070 males and 12,640 females.[24] By the 2011 census, the population grew to 28,267, including 14,170 males and 14,097 females, reflecting a decadal growth rate of approximately 9.95 percent.[25] This increase highlights steady urban expansion in the town, though recent estimates beyond 2011 are limited due to the absence of a subsequent national census, with the next census expected to commence in 2025. The literacy rate in Annigeri stood at 68.42 percent in 2001, improving to 76.23 percent in 2011, with males at 84.02 percent and females at 68.49 percent, indicating a gender gap in educational attainment that has improved from earlier decades.[7][26] No updated literacy surveys post-2011 were identified in official records, but the town's education levels contribute to its local economy, particularly in agriculture and small-scale industries. Religiously, the 2011 census recorded Hindus as the majority at 18,608 individuals (65.8 percent), followed by Muslims at 9,241 (32.7 percent), with other groups (including Christians and Jains) comprising the remaining 418 persons (1.5 percent).[27] Kannada serves as the primary language, spoken by the vast majority as their mother tongue, aligning with the linguistic profile of Dharwad district.[28] In terms of social structure, the average household size in Annigeri was about 4.9 persons in 2011, based on 5,761 households.[7] As a designated urban town municipal council and headquarters of Annigeri taluk, Annigeri is fully urban, contrasting with the taluk's broader rural-urban mix where surrounding villages support agricultural livelihoods.| Demographic Indicator | 2001 Census | 2011 Census |
|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 25,710 | 28,267 |
| Males | 13,070 | 14,170 |
| Females | 12,640 | 14,097 |
| Literacy Rate (Overall) | 68.42% | 76.23% |
| Sex Ratio (Females per 1,000 Males) | 967 | 995 |