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| Nannesvara Temple, Lakkundi, KA thetempleguru.com |
The Nannesvara Temple at Lakkundi, Karnataka, is a remarkably preserved 11th-century structure that continues to stand as an architectural testament to the early phase of Kalyana Chalukya temple building. Now under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the temple retains most of its original form, including the raised platform (jagati), open rangamandapa (pillared hall), closed gudhamandapa (assembly hall), and the sanctum (garbhagriha) housing a Shiva linga. Despite the passage of centuries, the temple remains largely intact, although certain elements—like some of the carvings on door guardians (dvarapalas)—have been defaced or eroded due to natural weathering and historical neglect.
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| Nannesvara Temple, Lakkundi, stone pillar |
Above image: 11th century Nanneswara temple, Lakundi Karnataka. The closed mandapa is relatively plain, except for the polished and carved pillars.commons.wikimedia.org
This temple was among the dozens in this Lakkundi area that were rediscovered in the 19th-century by British archaeologists and scholars such as Henry Cousens. It was an abandoned temple that was then in ruins. The temple has been cleaned up and partially put back together. The mandapa, pillars, sanctum, ceiling, all damaged carvings and plan is original.
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| Nannesvara Temple, KA thetempleguru.com |
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| Nannesvara Temple, Lakkundi, sahasa.in |
Constructed from soapstone, a material innovative for its time and later widely used in Chalukya and Hoysala temples, the temple showcases intricate carvings and a blend of architectural styles. The vimana or tower is three-tiered (tritala), and displays features drawn from multiple Indian temple traditions: Shekhari-Nagara elements from the west and central India, Latina and Phamsana forms from the north, and deep trefoil patterns influenced by the Kalinga architecture of Odisha. The superstructure is crowned with a north Indian-style kalasha, reflecting the temple’s unique synthesis of styles across regions.
The rangamandapa is supported by finely crafted lathe-turned pillars, with some bearing inscriptions. One such inscription mentions a donation by a woman named Devalabbe of the Hebbana family, highlighting the role of local patrons in temple building. The gudhamandapa, also square in plan, is more enclosed and features elaborately carved pillars and wall motifs similar to the vimana. The pitha or base includes a band of elephants (gajapitha) and motifs commonly found in western Indian temples.
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| Step well, Nannesvara Temple, Lakkundi .shutterstock.com/ |
Above image: There are many step wells in Lakkundi town of Gadag District of Karnataka and are close to Manikesvara and Nanneshwara Temples...........
Though some sculptures have suffered damage and certain decorative features are weather-worn, the temple’s overall condition remains stable. Restoration and conservation efforts by ASI have helped maintain structural integrity and prevented further decay. Today, the Nannesvara Temple continues to draw scholars, architects, and visitors interested in early medieval Deccan architecture, serving as a vital cultural and historical landmark in Karnataka’s temple heritage.
https://thetempleguru.com/listing/nannesvara-temple-lakkundi
https://sahasa.in/2022/12/07/nanneshwar-temple-lakkundi-village-gadag-district-karnataka
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nannesvara_Temple,_Lakkundi
https://www.navrangindia.in/2023/11/lakkundi-karnataka-forgotten-land-of.html
