Thalagunda, karanataka
Written by Dr.sanjana.p. Souparnika
Thalagunda is a village in the Shikaripura taluk of Shivamogga district in the state of Karnataka, India. The village has been referred as Sthala-Kundura, Sthana-Kundur and Sthana-kunja-pura during ancient period. This hamlet is situated about 45 km from Banavasi, 20 km from Soraba and 7 km from Siralkoppa town.
There are many ancient temples in Thalagunda village including pranaveshvara, gangaadhareshvara, trineetra and veerabhadra temples. Praveswara temple is a protected monument by Archeological Survey of India[ASI] due to its historical significance.
According to the inscription found in the pillar of pranaveswara temple, it can be assumed that the temple was worshiped by earlier rulers including the Satakarnis. The temple dates back to the Satavahana period. However the current findings of architecture denotes that it is not of the Satavahana period but of the early Kadambas although explorations around the temple premises had revealed brick structure of the Satavahana period.
Pranaveswara temple
The temple is a small square building consisting of a garbhagriha and a sukanasi. There is a huge Shivalinga inside the sanctum. The garbha-griha doorway jambs are carved out of Kadamba inscription stones, the entrance doorway construction style denotes that it is of a later period, perhaps of the eleventh century CE.
Thalagunda inscription pillar
The Talagunda pillar inscription of Kakusthavarman is a well known epigraphic record in Sanskrit found in the ruined pranaveswara temple. The pillar is located in front of the Pranavalingeshwara temple. The inscriptions are engraved on hard grey granite and dated to between 455 and 470 CE. It throws light into the history of Kadamba dynasty and the reign of king Śāntivarma in northwest Karnataka.
The pillar is 1.635 metres (5.36 ft) high with a 0.4 metres (1.3 ft) square top. It is octagonal shaft that slightly tapers and narrows as it goes up. The width of the octagonal face is 0.178 metres (0.58 ft). The inscription is found on all faces, but on 7 of the 8 faces, it consists of two vertical lines that start at the bottom of the pillar. On the eighth face, we can find just one short line.
The inscription consists of 34 poetic verses that respect the chanda rules of Sanskrit. It is the earliest epigraphical evidence found in Karnataka about the existence of a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva in Talagunda, the construction of a temple water tank, and the practice of worshipping the Shiva Linga before about 450 CE.
The inscription unravels the glory of Kanchipuram as a center (ghatika) for advanced studies in ancient India, where the already learned Brahmin Mayurasarman from Talagunda goes with his counsellor to study the whole Veda. It also throws light into the cultural values and customs prevailed in the 5th-century India with the mention of “music” and goddess of wealth (Lakshmi) and speaks about the practice of marriage between north Indian and South Indian empires.
How to reach Thalagunda:
The nearest railway station is Shivamoga .You may reach Manglore or Bangluru by flight and may reach Shivamoga by train or bus service. Approximately a one and half hour journey from Shivamoga by cab may help you reach Thalagunda[77.5km].
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