Visit Shree Sharana Basaveshwara Temple In Gulbarga: One Of The Top Tourist Places To Visit In Karnataka (2024)

As much as South India is popular for its natural beauty and plethora of attractions, it is equally famous for its stunning temples. Sharana Basaveshwara temple is one such temple. This ancient temple located in the ancient town of Gulbarga or Kalburgi – the stony land greets a huge number of devotees throughout the year. Owing to the huge attention and love that Sharana Basaveshwara temple receives, it is now considered as one of the top tourist places to visit in Karnataka. It is dedicated to Shri Sharana Basaveshwara who was an eminent teacher, saint as well as a philosopher according to the Hindu religion. He is known to have made many significant contributions to society too. Built in the 12th century by the Lingayat saint Sharana Basaveshwara, this temple also boasts of having a picturesque lake in close proximity. In this article, we have gathered all the necessary about the temple that will make your visit even more memorable. Continue reading to know more! Image Source

Why Should You Visit the Sharana Basaveshwara Temple in Gulbarga?

The Sharana Basaveshwara Temple is one top tourist place to visit in Karnataka. It is known to hold exceptional love and importance in the heart of the devotees. Apart from its immense religious and spiritual significance, the thing that makes the temple stand out even more is because of its characteristically unique style of construction which was not quite common during that time. Its festivals and celebrations are worth a visit too. If you are still searching for reasons to visit the Sharana Basaveshwara temple, then don’t worry as we have prepared a list of compelling factors for you.

1. Architectural Brilliance:

The exotic combination of Hindu and Mughal style of architecture can be seen on the Sharana Basaveshwara temple. One can find influences of both the style due to the different cultures of different monarchs. There is an accommodation of serpent inspired décor (characteristic of Islamic architecture) that is aligned with models of creatures like peacocks (highlighting the Hindu style architecture). Moreover, the temple boasts of intricately carved pillars, stunning mirror work, 36 beautiful arches, extravagant chandeliers and lot more.

2. Rich History:

The origin of the temple is believed to date back to over two centuries as it is known to honor Saint Basaveshwara who belonged to the 18th century. The temple till now upholds the beliefs of Saint Basaveshwara and celebrates his significant work throughout his life.

3. Legends Behind The Temple:

The common legend behind the temple says that the parents of Sharana Basaveshwara, Sangamma and Malakkappa were the role models behind his choice to take the path to break the feudalism present in the society. He wished to contribute and serve mankind, eliminate inequality and bring out the best in the society. Hence, after he passed away, this shrine was built up in his honor with a Mahadasoha Peetha that currently supports several educational institutions.

4. Jatra:

It is the annual fair conducted in the fame of the saint that adds on to the charm of the temple. It is celebrated to commemorate the death anniversary of the saint. A huge crowd gathers in the temple to participate in the festival and pay homage to the samadhi of Sri Saharana Basaveshwara.

Sharana Basaveshwara Temple Timings

Topping the list of popular tourist places to visit in Karnataka, this stunning temple is open on all days of the week. The timings of the temple are as follows:

• Monday 9 AM to 6 PM
• Tuesday 9 AM to 6 PM
• Wednesday 9 AM to 6 PM
• Thursday 9 AM to 6 PM
• Friday 9 AM to 6 PM
• Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM
• Sunday 9 AM to 6 PM

What Is The Best Way To Reach The Sharana Basaveshwara Temple In Gulbarga?

Reaching this popular tourist place in Karnataka is not a difficult task. The Sharana Basaveshwara temple is easily accessible by almost all modes of transport. You can reach by:

By Air: The nearest airport to reach the Sharana Basaveshwara Temple located in Gulbarga or Kalburgi is the Bengaluru International airport. It is approximately 574 km away from the temple. From the airport, you can easily take a bus or hire a taxi, as per your preference to reach the temple.

By Rail: The good news is that Gulbarga houses a railway station. So, you can easily travel by train from most of the neighboring cities. From Bangalore, the train journey to Gulbarga takes around 10 hours. From the railway station, you can easily hire a taxi to reach the Sharana Basaveshwara Temple.

By Road: Gulbarga or Kalburgi is easily accessible by roads too. There are many state transport buses that travel to Gulbarga from many major cities quite frequently. Once you reach Gulbarga, from here you can either hire a taxi or even take an auto rickshaw to reach the Sharana Basaveshwara Temple.

Best Time To Visit The Sharana Basaveshwara Temple In Gulbarga

The temple welcomes all of its visitors with a warm embrace, no matter whenever they come. However, on some of the auspicious days like the annual jatra and car festival, the charm of the temple is extraordinary. Hence, it is recommended to visit during these auspicious days as then you can witness special prayers and traditional rituals of the temple as well.

Where To Stay Near The Sharana Basaveshwara Temple In Gulbarga

If you wish to stay a bit longer in the area, then do so freely without worrying about a decent accommodation because a plenty of good hotels lie in close proximity to the temple. Some of them that you can consider are- Citrus Hotel Gulbarga (about 1.14 km away), Hotel Heritage Inn (about 1.55 km away) and Atharva Hotel (about 3.32 km away).

What Are The Different Places To See Near The Sharana Basaveshwara Temple?

A plethora of other tourist attractions in Karnataka are located close to the temple. Some of the places that you can combine in your visit to double the fun are:

• Gulbarga Fort: Built in the 12th century by the Kakatiya king Raja Gulchang, this granite monument is a popular attraction now. It acts as a good picnic spot as well.
  

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• Buddha Vihar: Situated within the Gulbarga university and surrounded with tranquility and serenity, the atmosphere here is quite peaceful. This monument is considered as a significant Buddhist pilgrimage centre too.
  

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The overall stunning surroundings along with the marvellous stone carving in the temple complex, adds an exceptional charm to Sharana Basaveshwara Temple in general.