Balligavi | |
|---|---|
town | |
_at_Balligavi_1.JPG) Kedareshvara temple at Balligavi | |
  Balligavi Location in Karnataka, India  Balligavi Balligavi (India) | |
| Coordinates: 14°23′38″N 75°14′38″E / 14.3939°N 75.2439°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Karnataka |
| District | Shivamogga District |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Kannada |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
Balligavi a town in Shikaripura taluk Shivamogga district of Karnataka state, India, is today known as Belagami or Balagame. Its ancient names are Baligrama, Dakshina Kedara, Valliggame and Valligrame. Dakshina Kedara means Kedarnath of the South. A place of antiquity, it is known for its ancient monuments. Balligavi is located 72 km from Shivamogga city and 21 km from Shikaripura town and 2.3 km from Shiralakoppa in Shikaripura taluk. Balli in Kannada means creeper or vine.
Archaeologically, Balligavi dated from the Satavahana-Kadamba era and the Chaturmukha linga (four faced linga) here is in that style. The area came under the Banavasi province of the Kadamba Dynasty in 4-5th century AD. Important Kadamba inscriptions like the Talagunda inscriptions, near Balligavi have been collected by the Archaeological Survey of India.[1]
- ^ The Talagunda inscription gives the most plausible explanation to the birth of the Kadamba kingdom and the reasons surrounding the coronation of Mayurasharma as the founder of the kingdom, Dr. S.U. Kamath, Concise history of Karnataka pp 30