Sharanabasaveshwara Shrine Dedicated to the Hindu saint and reformer Basaveshwara, the temple is a popular year-round pilgrim centre for Hindu devotees. A chariot festival which draws thousands of pilgrims is held in Basaveshwara's honour near the Gulbarga tank
- The temple, constructed two centuries ago, draws devotees from all communities
- The samadhi of social reformer Sharanabasaveshwara is at the temple
- The temple dome was damaged in a raid by the Razakaars, the private army of the Nizam
- It was repaired and a Pancha Loha Kalasa was installed
The temple, constructed aesthetically two centuries ago, is a monument to communal amity: the temple draws not only devout Veerashaivaites but also Muslims and members of other communities.
Gulbarga is known for its diverse culture. However, Islam dominates, as the region was under the Mughal rule for a long time. In a region identified as communally sensitive, the Sharanabasaveshwar Temple has stood as a symbol of communal harmony and bonded different communities.
The mortal remains of the 18th social reformer and saint Sri Sharanabasaveshwara, who devoted his life to serve those in need, are in a samadhi at the temple.
Gandhiji's visit
Mahatma Gandhi visited the temple when he came to know that the Razakaars, the private army of the Nizam who ruled the Hyderabad Province (Hyderabad Karnataka was part of the province before its liberation and merger with the then Mysore State), had attacked the temple. The Razaakars, who were angry that the temple was used by those against the rule of the Nizam as a meeting place, had raided the temple and damaged the dome, causing resentment among devotees.
It is 60 years since the damaged dome was reconstructed and a "Pancha Loha Kalasa" installed. Gold (1.10 kg) was donated by Chennabasavamma Thayi and Neelamma Thayi Nisti, sisters of Dr. Appa, and the "kalasa" was covered with gold plates.
Even before an appeal for donations for the project was made, members of different communities started making contributions. Prominent among those who have come forward are contractors Navaroze and Neville Irani, (Rs. 1 lakh), and industrialist S.S. Patil Kadaganchi (Rs. 51,000).
| Distance:- |
600 km North West of Bangalore
Bidar - 120km, Bijapur - 160km
Basavakalyan - 80km, Hyderabad-220km
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| By Road:- |
There are frequent buses from Bangalore and Hyderabad to this city. They are 610 and 225 kms away from Gulbarga respectively. |
| By Air:- |
Hyderabad Airport is the Nearest Airport to Gulbarga City. which is 225kms from the city. |
| By Rail:- |
Gulbarga city has a Central Southern Railway Station. There are Daily trains from Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad to this city |
| Route:- |
There are frequent buses from Bangalore and Hyderabad to this city. They are 610 and 225 kms away from Gulbarga respectively. |
| When to go:- |
Any time of the year except summer. |
| Tourist offices:- |
KSTDC(bookings and info) Badami House, NR Square, Bangalore Tel: 080-2275869, Fax: 2352626 Email: kstdc@vsnl.in |
| Where to stay :- |
Hotel Panchami International Dr. Jawali Complex Supermarket Gulbarga - 585 103
Tel: 08472-241111 - 15
Tariff Range: Rs. 325/- to Rs. 1000/-
Hotel Pariwar No. 1-73/1, Station Road, Gulbarga - 585 102 Tel: 08472-221421 - 23
Fax: 08472-455452
Email: hotelpariwar@yahoo.com
Tariff Range: Rs. 295/- to Rs. 950/-
Hotel Aditya No. 2-224, Main Road, Opposite Public Garden, Gulbarga - 585 105 Tel: 08472-224040 - 44 Fax: 08472-435661
Tariff Range: Rs. 325/- to Rs. 825/-+Tax
Hotel Santosh Bilgundi Garden, University Road,
Gulbarga - 585 105 Tel: 08472-247991 Fax: 08472-447991 Tariff Range: Rs. 275/- to Rs. 731/-
Hotel Raja Rajeshwari MSK Mill Road, Vasantha Nagar, Gulbarga - 585 102 Tel: 08472-225881, 222088, 432393, 456335 Tariff Range: Rs. 230/- to
Rs. 700/-+Tax
Hotel Southern Star S-B Temple Road,
Supermarket, Gulbarga - 55 101 Tel: 08472-224093 Tariff Range: Rs. 350/- to Rs. 600/-
Mohan Lodge MSK Mill Road, Gulbarga - 585 102
Tel: 08472-20294, 221184 Tariff Range: Rs. 250/- to Rs. 400/-
Hotel Prashanth Opposite Railway Station,
Gulbarga - 585 101 Tel: 08472-221681, 420616,
422351, 52 Tariff Range: Rs. 120/- to Rs. 350/-
Hotel Shri Nagarjun Old Jewargi Road, Gulbarga - 585 102 Tel: 08472-222855, 228181 - 84
Tariff Range: Rs. 218/- to Rs.285/
Uday Lodge Station Bazar, Thimmapuri Circle,
Gulbarga - 585 102 Tel: 08472-220009, 223046
Tariff Range: Rs. 200/- to Rs. 260/-
Hotel Sanman Behind New Vadiraj Bhavan, Main Road, Gulbarga - 585 101 Tel: 08472-222801, 223940, 41 Tariff Range: Rs. 260/- +Tax
Hotel Surya Santhosh Complex, Opposite Santhosh Talkies, MSK Mill Road, Gulbarga - 585 103 Tel: 08472-223546, 225595
Tariff Range: Rs. 170/- to Rs. 200/-
New Vadiraj Bhavan Lodge Main Road, Gazipur,
Near Supermarket, Gulbarga - 585 101 Tel: 08472-420526 Tariff Range: Rs. 150/- |
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