Mahakuta Temples of Karnataka (Dakshin Kashi)

Last Updated on July 6, 2024 by admin

Mahakuta Temples or Mahakuta Group of Temples is very near to Badami town. Here’s everything you need to know about them.

“Akka, you must visit Mahakuta Temples, you will love it” said my car driver having learned about my fascination for historical architecture while on the journey of historical sites of Badami, Pattakadal, and Aihole. 

After having visited the Badami Cave Temples, I was all gaga about the stunning designs of the sculptures, the precision of the equipment used, and the finishing touches on each carving.

He overheard my enthusiasm and being a local of Bagalkot district, he suggested a visit to the Mahakuta group of temples as it is known as the Dakshin Kashi. His last words struck me, although he did not know why it was called so.

But he promised I wouldn’t be disappointed and it was on the way to Aihole. I agreed and thus we began the journey from Badami to Mahakuta Temples at a distance of 15 km.

About Mahakuta Temples 

It was difficult to imagine what would be inside the complex from the car parking. A big gate opened onto a road with food stalls on both sides of it. With packaged wafer packets dangling on the shops and the noise of goli soda drink making a splash, a slight left into another gate opened a completely different world. 

Near the entrance of the gate, clothes lay flat on the road for drying. I gave a confused look to my car driver who decided to join us to pay respects at the Mahakuta temples. He asked me to be patient but I honestly did not know what to expect next!

I removed my footwear and entered inside another small gate. I was welcomed by the idol of Ganesha in black stone. I saw many devotees entering a temple complex and so without further ado, I walked straight into that temple structure. There were placards all around, not to click photographs in the temple. 

After paying my respects to the Shiva temple, I glanced around the many big and small temple structures in the complex. Now I know why Mahakuta temples are known as a group of temples.

My driver turned into a guide and told me that Mahakuta temples are locally known as the Chikka Mahakuteshwara Temple, and all the temples are dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva. The temple derived its name from Maha meaning ‘great’ and Kuta meaning ‘assembly’.

The assembly here is the numerous Shiva temples, justifying its name as Dakshin Kashi. Mahakuta is an important place of worship for Hindus and a holy pilgrimage for followers of Shaivism. The temple is located in the middle of a forest adjoining hills. The complex also houses many trees.

I kept getting distracted by some shouting noises and wondered if someone was in pain and scared of what was going on. My driver anna laughed and escorted me to a water tank where devotees gleefully jumped and bathed. They probably shouted as they were washing away all their sins!

Mythology associated with washing sins by dipping in holy waters

While the holy waters of River Ganga, are considered extremely pious, more specifically the Kashi Ghat of Varanasi is where people take a dip. River Ganga is an important river culturally and religiously for all Hindus. According to a legend, by taking a dip in Kashi (in this case North India), people can wash their sins away.

While there is a deeper meaning to washing sins away because it is practically impossible to let go of karma by dipping in a river, many devotees believe it and pay annual homage to River Ganga. In case you want to know the deeper meaning then check out this article – Can Holy Ganga wash away my sins?

Beliefs around Mahakuta temples 

Just like Kashi in North India, Mahakuta temples are known as the Dakshin Kashi since it lies in the southern state of India. Unlike the river in the north, the water tank in the Mahakuta temple is fed by a natural spring and is known to have healing properties as well as washing away sins. The water tank is known as Vishnu Puskarini, or Papavinasha Tirth, meaning a tank that washes away all your sins.

Mahakuta Temples Architecture

Mahakuta temples are dated to the 6th or 7th century and were constructed by the kings of the Chalukya dynasty of Badami. The temple had a lot of importance as the Chalukya rulers used to donate a lot of wealth after each war won against the neighboring kingdoms. According to a belief, Mahakuta is a sacred place as Agastya Rishi killed Vatapi and Ilvala.

The dating of the temples is based on the style of architecture which is similar to that of the temples in nearby Aihole and the information in two notable inscriptions in the complex: the Mahakuta Pillar inscription dated between 595–602 CE and an inscription of Vinapoti, a concubine of king Vijayaditya, dated between 696–733 CE and written in the Kannada language and script.

In a corner of Vishnu Puskarini, devotees can reach another Shivling through a narrow channel. One can completely get submerged to cross this channel and can stand on the other side to pray. This small shrine can accommodate 2-3 devotees at once. At one side of the water tank, there is also a small gazebo that houses the four-faced linga. 

It is believed that the temples dedicated to Pinakinata in the north, Rama Linga in the east, Kapilesa in the south, and Mallikarjuna in the west protect Mahakuta temples.

Mahakuteswara Temple

Mahakuteswara is the main temple built in Dravidian style and the only renovated and largest temple among the Mahakuta group of temples. The other dozen small temples are built in Nagara style. All the temples have curvilinear towers over the sanctum. Each temple has the Shivling – a votary object that symbolizes the god Shiva.

The temple consists of a porch contained within a later extension, a mandapa, and a towered sanctuary surrounded by a passageway. The outer walls have finely carved episodes from the war as well as carving of gods and goddesses. The four pillars here are square and massive and are in Chalukyan style. A natya mandapa is at the center. Two pillars of the mukhamantapa have inscriptions.

How to reach Mahakuta Temples

Mahakuta is situated around 460 Km from Bangalore, 15 km from Badami, and 10 km from Pattadakal. The Mahakuta group of temples is located in between Badami and Pattadakal.

By Road

One can reach Mahakuta by taking a local bus from Badami.

By Air

The nearest airport is Hubli Airport, about 120 km away, or Belgaum airport that is 270 km away.

By Rail

Badami is the nearest station, about 15 km away from the Mahakuta temples. Mahakuta can be reached by taking the local bus service from the station.

Best time to visit Mahakuta group of temples

Literature inscribed near the Vishnu Pushkarini states that having a dip in its waters on Lalit Poornima day of Vaisakh month (May month in English calendar) is equal in meri to a long penance undertaken in Kashi. It is also believed that Theerthodbhava (gushing of water) occurs in Mahakuta temple on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti in October similar to the event in Talacauvery of Kodagu.

Summers could be difficult for visitors due to heat and humidity which is at its peak. Monsoon would still have humidity and make the visit uncomfortable. The best season to visit Mahakuta is in winter when it is pleasant to visit all the temples in the Bagalkot area.

Accommodation in Mahakuta

Being a small village, there are no hotels or homestays near Mahakuta. Since most devotees combine their trip with Badami, it is better to stay in Badami and do a road trip that can be completed within half a day.

Sustainable travel tips to visit Mahakuta Temples

• Being an ancient pilgrimage site, respect the structures by not sitting on them. I saw the locals who had used the temple [orch for storing their belongings while they took a bath in the water tank or for drying clothes and I felt really sad as this does not maintain the sanctity of the religious place.
• Like every Hindu temple, devotees are not allowed to wear shoes. Please remove footwear even while entering smaller shrines.
• Do not enter places which are closed off, and always follow the directions given by the temple security.
• Keep your mobile phone away while entering the temple sanctum.
• Throw your garbage in the dustbins located at the entrance of the temple.

Read More posts from Karnataka

• Aihole – The ancient temple town
• Rock-cut Badami cave temples
• All about Belgaum
• Things to do in Nirvana Beach, Kumta

Do Indian temples fascinate you? Read about Trimbakeshwar Temple, a jyotirlinga or Kamakhya Temple that is dedicated to menstruation and fertility, or Chidambaram Nataraja Temple dedicated to the art of dancing. 

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