Bantwal: Ancient Temple Town of Hosagunda to be National Archaeological Landmark

By Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (RD/CN)

Bantwal, Apr 22: Pristine surroundings, a variety of vegetation, and ancient sculptures that inspire divinity, are all characteristic of Hosagunda, a hillock that holds all the hidden treasures of nature, and will become a national tourist spot very soon.

Hosagunda has the ruins of ancient temples, deplorable memorials, and significant archaeological monuments that convey the history of the region over several hundred acres of lush green vegetation, massive trees which are nearly 500–700 years old and hundreds of interesting aspects that will inspire ideas in the minds of intellectuals, rekindle faith in divinity, and provide solace to those who are tired of the chaos of daily living.  It will indeed teach both spiritual and cultural experience.

Where is Hosagunda?

It’s a small village located in Sagar taluk of Shimoga district, tucked in the Western Ghat’s range and lies about 16 km from Sagar town.  It lies 60 km from Shimoga district headquarters, a village that has historical temples and the seat of royals.  Hosagunda, with its lush greenery is known for its historical and religious significance.  The ruins of the ancient temples and monuments shed light on historical events.  It was the capital of a dynasty that ruled the region for 300 years.

The stone inscriptions that are found in the dense forests of Hosagunda, state that it was ruled by the Santara kings. The ruins of the palaces of the Ganga rulers and excavations in the region state that the region was inhabited by humans in the Iron Age.  Meanwhile, the stone inscriptions that were unearthed recently revealed that a dynasty has ruled Hosagunda since 1110 AD, and king Bhujabala was the first ruler.  It was believed that the Hosagunda kingdom thrived till 1320 AD.

Temple Town

The Umamaheshwari Temple, that was believed to have been built in the 10th century, is significant in the region with aspect to its architecture.  The temple is spacious with 2,400 square feet and is built in the Chalukya style.  Green marbles are extensively used in the flooring in the sanctuary, auditorium, patio, and amphitheatre.  The artistically sculpted pillars and wooden beams on the roof convey the skill of sculptors.  It is significant that the amphitheatre is open from the east, north, and south directions for better viewing.  Figurines are sculpted artistically on the walls in the temple which was known as the ‘Khajuraho’ of Malnad.  The ruins of the temples—Veerabhadra, Mahisha-Mardini, Kanchikalamma, Prasanna Narayan, and Laxmi Ganapati—have been found, and need restoration.

Restoration of Temples

Efforts have been made since 1980 to restore the ruins of temples in Hosagunda.  Malnad Research Academy of Shimoga, with the help of Hosagunda villagers, led by late H D Nagarajappa Gowda, conducted a survey in the region and also a history seminar in order to shed light on the historical significance of Hosagunda.  C M Narayan and his wife Shobha, who migrated to this region, tried their best to restore the centuries old temples.  The couple founded the Umamaheshwara Seva Trust as directed by Narayan’s father Eshwar Shastry and Vedic scholar Katte Parameshwar Bhat.  Accordingly, a Narmada Balaling was sourced from Kashi and installed at Hosagunda in the presence of Swami Raghaveshwar Bharati and Dharmasthala Dharmadikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade.  Arrangements were made to offer daily ‘puja’ to the temple deity and thereby began restoration work.

Restoration work is underway with the funds raised by Umamaheshwari Seva Trust under the overall supervision of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Dharmottana Trust.  It’s the one hundredth temple being restored by the Sri Manjunatheshwara Dharmottana Trust.  UNESCO has also taken an interest in the restoration method of this temple as it was done by carefully removing the foundation stones to build anew.

When the dynasty’s rule ended in Hosagunda 650 years ago, the temples were in a neglected state as the people migrated to other regions.  The inhabited land of Hosagunda transformed into lush vegetation without people.  The structures of temples protected the vegetation and there are trees that date back 500 to 650 years.  The wild vegetation including Anaconda like twines, and hundreds of species of plants, are found in the region in pristine condition.

Over 100 trees located in the region are of interest to the students of botany.  The local residents who have seen widespread felling of trees in this dense forest joined hands with the Umamaheshwari Seva Trust in conserving the vegetation.  The process by the revenue department is underway to transfer the ownership to the forest department.

Rainwater Harvesting and Bio Diversity

Umamaheshwari Seva Trust has been engaged in educating the villagers on practicalities of rainwater harvesting in order to conserve water.  Under the 10-year greenery plan, plants are been planted in the location.  Every year, 108 species of plants that are nearing extinction, are being planted in the nursery.  Ayurvedic medicinal plants are given due importance since the plan was embarked upon three years ago.  The Trust has been engaged in educating rural peasants on the benefits of organic farming, conserving natural ponds, organizing health camps, excavation camps for history study, research facilities for botany students, encouragement to folk arts, renovation of temples in the neighbouring villages, developing basic infrastructure in schools in neighbourhood, and scope for Veda studies.

Narayan Shastry, a native of Dakshina Kannada district, is the man behind the development in Hosagunda.  He was residing in Badekkila, Kedila village, Bantwal taluk.  He is an entrepreneur known in India and abroad.  Shastry bought an agricultural plot in Hosagunda a few years ago, to nurture his passion for farming.

When a group of media persons visited Narayan at Hosagunda, a few days ago, he expressed his various plans of development in Hosagunda through the Umamaheshwari Seva Trust.  He aspires to make Hosagunda a national, historically significant destination where people live in harmony with brethren of different faith and diverse cultures.