What to see in Gadag district?

Gadag Jilla was formed in 1997, it was carved out of Dharwad district with Gadag-Betgeri city as the district capital. Gadag district consist of seven taluqas namely- Gadag-Betgeri, Gajendragad, Lakshmeshwar, Mundargi, Nargund, Ron, and Shirhatti. This word is a palindrome in Kannada (ಗದಗ) and English (GadaG). Present day Gadag was a prominent place during Western Chalukyan times. The Chalukyan culture has left a long lasting mark here, as a result this place is home to some of the famous musicians and music institutions. Some of the best examples of Chalukyan temple architecture can be seen in Gadag district such as Lakkundi group of temples, Basavanna temple of Dambal, Veeranarayana and Trikuteshwar temple in Gadag. Gadag has its share of forts too, the most prominent being Gajendragad fort. Gadag-Betgeri city is home to one of the largest statues of Karnataka.

Basava statue, Musukina Bavi, Basava Museum, Kashivishwanatha temple

Gajendragad fort, Dambal Nandi, Srimanthgad fort, Japada Bavi

Cave on Pyati-Kodathgeri hillock, Someshwara temple,
JodKalasha Gudi, Doddabasappa temple

Here's a list of places to see in Gadag district-

1. Jagatjyoti Basaveshwara statue, Gadag - This 116 feet tall statue is situated next to Bhishmakere, the largest waterbody of Gadag city. It was constructed between 2009 and 2015. This standing Basaveshwara is 8' taller than the sitting Basaveshwara of Basava Kalyana in Bidar district. 
2. Veeranarayana Devasthana, Gadag - This temple was built around 1117 CE by the Chalukyan ruler King Bittideva on the advice of his teacher Ramanujacharya.
3. Trikuteshwara Devasthana, Gadag - This temple complex was built some time between X and XII centuries CE by Kalyani Chalukyan rulers. This temple is known for its deity- three ShivaLinga carved from one rock. The complex also has temples dedicated to Someshwara and Saraswathi.
4. Archaeological Museum, Gadag - a government museum showcasing stone scultptural artifacts from Chalukyan to Vijayanagara times.
5. Pandit Putraj Gawai statue, Gadag - Putraj Gawai hailed for a poor family from Devara Hospete in Hangal taluk, Haveri district. His parents Revaiah Venkatapurmath and Siddamma dies when Putraj was 10 months old and later at the age of six he lost eyesight. He was brought up by his uncle Chandrashekharaiah, later joined Veereshwara Punyashrama and underwent formal musical training. He was awarded Padma Bhushan for his contribution to society and musical field.
6. Veereshwara Punyashrama - This school was establieshed in 1942 by Pandit Panchakshara Gawai (February 1892 – June 1944). Dedicated to the upliftment of poor and disabled people, this school specializes in Hindustani music. Pandit Putraj Gawai was trained in this school by Pandit Panchakshara Gawai.
7. Tontadarya Siddalingeshwar Matha - This is a XII Century monastery founded by Tontada Siddalingeshwar Swamiji.
8. Dattatraya Devasthana - This three storied temple is supposed to have been built by King Yakhsa Malla in 1427 CE. The entire temple has been created from a single tree. This temple is situated in Tanga Koot.
9. Sri Ramakrishna Ashram, Gadag
10. St Ignatius Loyola Church, Gadag - this historic church was established in 1918 CE.
11. Jumma Masjid, Gadag - Jumma Masjid was built in 1675 by the Mughal emperor Aurangazeb's general Dilerkhan.
12. Temples of Lakkundi - Lakkundi is about 12 kms from Gadag city on Gadag-Koppal road. Lakkundi, a capital during Chalukyan times, is said to have had 101 temples and 101 wells. The most popular temples are Suryanarayana Devasthana, Nanneshwara Devasthana, Brahma Jinalaya, Kashivishvanatha Devalaya, Manikeshwara Devasthana & Musukina Bavi, Mallikarjuna Devasthana, Virabhadra Devasthana, Someshwara Devasthana, Mallikarjuna Devasthana, Halugonda Basaveshwara Devasthana, Kumbareshwara Devasthana, Virupaksheshwara Devasthana, Allama Prabhu Gudi, and many more. Also there's an archaeological museum close to Brahma Jinalaya.
13. Dodda Basappa temple and Someshwara temple, Dambal - Doddabasappa temple was built in XII century by Western Chalukyan rulers. This temple is dedicated to Shiva, its has a large idol of Basavanna (Nandi). 
14. Buddhist shrine dedicated to the goddess Taradevi, Dambal
15. Japada Baavi, Dambal - a stepped well with little temples. Locals call it Japada Bavi. Japa means meditating and Bavi means well. It's an ancient practice to take bath and start a ritual or meditation while still dripping wet.
16. Dambal lake & fort ruins - Dambal lake is one of the largest in this area. It's a manmade waterbody created during Chalukyan times and later renovated by British government. The lake water is used for domestic and agricultural purposes. On the bank of the lake is Dambal fort which is mostly in ruins now.
17. Tontadarya Siddalingeshwar Math - This XV Century Lingayath Mata was established Yediyuru Sidalingeshwara.  Within the premises of this Mata is a small temple with sculpted pillars. Under this Mata's management are several educational institutions. The Mata also propagates teachings of Jagadguru Basaveshwara,
18. Magadi Bird Sanctuary - Magadi bird sanctuary is about 26 kms from Gadag city. Migratory birds such as Bar Headed Goose, Comb Ducks, Greater Flamingos, Grey Herons, etc. are found here during the winter months.
19. Gajendragad fort - 'Gajendra' means elephant and 'Gad' means fort. The fort is situated on a hill-top plateau which is a kilometer long. The fort walls are built along the edge of the plateau with the main entrance on the southern side. The fort is said to be built by Chatrapathi Shivaji. The fort also under the Ghorpade who were related to Sandur Ghorpade family.
20. Kalakaleshwara temple - Kalakaleshwara temple is situated on the slope of Gajendragad hill range. This place is also known as Dakshina Kashi. Kalakaleshwara is an avatar of Lord Shiva.The temple complex includes a shrine dedicated to Lord Virabhadra and fresh water spring known as AtharaGange. The water drips down the aerial roots of a ficus tree.
21. Temple on a ledge, Chikkadi Gudda - this is a unique temple built on a narrow strip of overhanging rock. This hillock is about a kilometer from the eastern end of Gajendragad town 
22. Hammagi fort - In plan, this fort is rectangular shaped with eight to ten bastions. The fort is mostly ruins, some walls and bastions still remain. The fort area seems to be encroached upon.
23. Kodathgeri fort - a tiny fort on a hilltop plateau.
24. Mundargi fort - This completely ruined fort is situated on the rock hill. Also on the hill slope is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman.
25. Kappatgudda - Kappatgudda hills and valley was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 2013. However, there are reports about mining companies operating in the hills.
26. Shantagiri fort - This fort is situated on a hill top plateau. Probably the structures seen today were built by Maratha rulers but originally might have been established during Chalukyan times.
27. Shrimanthgad fort - This small fort situated on a hillock is near Shirahatti. Within this fort is an ancient shrine dedicated to Havalamma Devi.
28. Shree Jagdguru Fakireshwara Swami temple, Shirhatti - a Lingayath temple and monastery probably established by a Lingayath Guru named Fakireshwara Swami.
29. Someshwara temple, Lakshmeshwar - Lakshmeshwar town is popular for its numerous Hindu temples, Jain temples, wells and Jumma Masjid. The most popular temple is Someshwara temple complex. The deity of the temple is unique and the only one in India.
30. Temples and wells of Sudi - Sudi was a prominent place during Kalyani Chalukyan time. Today, the little village boasts of number of temples such as Jodi Gopura temple, Mallikarjuna temple, Ganesha idol, Nandi statues and a stepped well named Naga-Kunda.
31. Bhimambika temple, Itagi - Itagi Bheemavva temple is about 5 kms from Sudi village. The temple is ancient but it has been modified to suit the crowds that throng every no moon day.
32. Uma Maheshwara temple, Harti - This temple was built by Chalukyas. Harti village is about 15 kms from Gadag.
33. Kotumachagi - Kotumachagi is known for Someswar temple, Durgadevi temple and Hazarat-Zindashav-Ali Dargah. It is said that the XV Century Veerashaiva poet Chamarasa wrote Prabulingalile on Harti lake bank near Someshwara temple. This village is about 22 kms from Gadag.
34. Nagavi - Nagavi village is known for its Yellamma temple. Nagavi is about 10 kms from Gadag.
35. Narayana temple, Naregal - this temple is situated in the narrow streets of Naregal town. The beautiful temple is amidst modern structures, cn be missed easily unless some local people point it out.
36. Shankarlinga temple, Hombal - This small temple has a tall Shikhara making it unique in design. Hombal is about 12 kms from Gadag city.
37. Belavanaki - Belavanaki village is known for its statue of Veerabhadreshwara. Its believed that Belavanki was part of Belavalanaadu-300 or Belvola-300 meaning a region consisting of 300 villages. The village has a number of ancient shrines and temples.
38. Ron - Ron or Rona was called Dronapur in ancient times. In this town are temples built by an ancient architect called Dronacharya. To name a few historical monuments of Ron- Anantshayan Gudi, Isvara temple, Kali Gudi, Lokanatha temple, Mallikarjuna Gudi, Parsvanath Jain Basadi, and Somlingesvara temple. 
39. Nargund fort - Nargund town is situated on Hubli-Bijapur highway. The town's best known identity is its hill. Atop the hill is ruins of a fort which was once under Shivaji's control. Nargund is known for the revolt in 1857 revolt.

You may also want to learn about other districts of Karnataka-

1. Bagalkot district
2. Ballari district
3. Belagavi district
4. Bidar district
5. Bijapur district
6. Chitradurga district
7. Dharwad district
8. Davangere district
9. Gulbarga district
10. Haveri district
11. Kolar district
12. Koppal district
13. Raichur district
14. Tumkur district
15. Vijayanagara district
16. Yadgiri district

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