Balligavi

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 Kendra, Valliggame and Valligrame. A place of antiquity, it is known for its ancient monuments. Balligavi was an Ancient Jain Hub of South Before the 12th century inscriptional records mention the presence of more than twenty basadis during this period. 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.