Kuknoor (also known as Kuknur, Kukkanur or Kukanoor)[1] is a town in Kukanoor taluk in the Koppal District of the Indian state of Karnataka, which is located about 40 km northwest of Hospet and 7 km from the Mahadeva Temple in Itagi. Kuknoor is known for the temples of the Rashtrakutas and Chalukyas in the town, with the most notable being the Navalinga Temple.[2][3][4]
Kuknoor
Kukanooru | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 Navalinga Temples | |
  Kuknoor Location in Karnataka, India  Kuknoor Kuknoor (India) | |
| Coordinates: 15°29′23″N 75°59′38″E / 15.48972°N 75.99389°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Karnataka |
| District | Koppal |
| Named for | Kuntalpura |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 15,718 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Kannada |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 583232 |
| Telephone code | 08534 |
| Vehicle registration | KA 37 |
| Nearest city | Koppal |
| Lok Sabha constituency | Koppal |
| Vidhan Sabha constituency | Yelburga |
| Climate | Tropical (Köppen Aw ) |
| Website | www |
History
editKuknoor was an important town during the Middle Ages, and features many historical ruins, including those of the Navalinga Temples that were completed in the later Chalukya style of architecture during the 8th to 13th centuries A.D. Other important sites include the Kalleshvara and Mallikarjuna temples.[5][6]
Demographics
editAs of the 2011 Census of India, Kuknoor had a population of 18,033, constituting 9,075 males and 8,958 females.[3]
Temples
editKuknur is home to several important temples.
Mahamaya Temple
editMahamaya Temple is located in the center of the town, and is mentioned in the Indian epic Mahabharata. The temple is dedicated to three deities of the Garbhagriha, and features statues of them. Two of the deities are female; Mahakali& Mahamaya, and one male; Kshetrapala. All 3 statues face south, in contrast to the regular orientation towards the north. Statues like these, which face south are often considered to be more powerful.
This temple was mentioned in the Mahabharata, which suggests it was constructed before the 8th century B.C. According to legend, there exists a hidden underground temple dedicated to Kali below the Mahamaya Temple. This temple plays a role in the events of the epic, as it practices Narabali, a type of human sacrifice. In modern history, there were plans to unearth it, however they were cancelled after villagers protested, citing the possible release of evil spirits if it were to be uncovered.
Gudneshwar Temple
editLocated near Kuknoor and surrounded by Tamarind trees, the Gudneshwar (Rudramunishwar) Temple is dedicated to Rudramunishwar, a figure who practiced social welfare work during the 12th century and was later known as Gudneshwar. He has travelled across many places in Karnataka to spread spirituality and social awareness.
Education
editJawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Kuknoor
editJawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) Kuknoor is located near Gudneppanamath and is a premier educational institution. It is funded by the Government of India's Ministry of Human Resource Development. It was established in 1987 to provide education to rural students in Raichur district. The campus covers 35 acres in Kuknoor. The school is affiliated with India’s Central Board of Secondary Education and provides for grades 6-12.
Vidyananda Gurukul Educational trust, Kukanoor
editThis trust is located in Kukanoor, Yelburga Main road. It was founded by RB DESAI in 1921. This institute contains both Kannada and English Medium School 1st to 10th, Diploma, PUC and Degree. It has buildings, infrastructure, a garden and a play ground.
Kuknoor Granite
editHimalayan Blue Granite[7] is mined in quarries in and around Kuknoor.
Transport
editKuknoor is well connected by road to Koppal, Yelburga, and Gadag-Betageri. The nearest major airport is in Hubli.
Bus
editThe nearby city of Koppal provides bus service to major cities such as Bangalore, Hubli, Hyderabad, Bagalkot, and others. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has a bus depot in Kuknoor that runs service to other cities and villages.
Rail
editThe closest railway station to Kuknoor is 12 km away at Bhanapur, while the railway station at Koppal is 25 km away.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Kalyani Chalukyan temples". Retrieved 18 August 2008.
- ^ "KOPPAL TOURISM". Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2008.
- ^ a b Village code= 563400 "Census of India : Villages with population 5000 & above". Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived from the original on 8 December 2008. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ "Yahoomaps India". Archived from the original on 18 December 2008. Retrieved 18 December 2008. Kuknoor, Koppal, Karnataka
- ^ "Kamat's Potpourri: Epigraphist P. B. Desai". Retrieved 18 August 2008.
- ^ "Kannada Inscriptions-Rashtrakuta Dynasty-UPENN-Kannada Influence". 10 November 2007. Retrieved 18 August 2008.
- ^ "Stone Sources India - Himalayan Blue Granite". Archived from the original on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
External links
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