Lakkundi

Lakkundi, also referred to as Lokkugundi, was a major city before the 14th century and is now a village in the Gadag District of Karnataka, India. By the 10th century, it was already a major economic and commercial centre, hosting mint operations for South India. It was mentioned in Kannada and Sanskrit inscriptions and texts. By the 12th century, many Hindu and Jain temples had been consecrated here, along with public infrastructure such as stepwells and water reservoirs. Among the major temples are the Brahma Jinalaya (the oldest), Mallikarjuna, Lakshminarayana, Manikeshwara, Naganatha, Kumbheshvara, Nanneshwara, Someshwara, Narayana, Nilakanteshwara, Kasivisesvara (the most sophisticated and ornate), Virabhadra, Virupaksha, and others. As its importance and wealth grew, Lakkundi became one of the capitals of the Hoysala Empire.

In the 14th century, the city was targeted by Islamic Sultanates as they sought to plunder and establish political dominance over the South Indian Hindu kingdoms. The village of Lakkundi contains over 50 temple ruins, many of which are in poor condition and inhabited by bats. However, the major temples have been restored and are now maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Lakkundi is an important centre for the study of Kalyana Chalukya era Hindu architecture, known as the "Lakkundi school" of architects and craftsmen.

British archaeologists of the 19th century played a significant role in rediscovering Lakkundi and its significance in Indian art history. The ruins of Lakkundi are now a highlight of Indian art history in museums, with some ruins displayed in a local sculpture gallery and sheds near the temples.

Aside from Hindu and Jain monuments, a Muslim dargah dedicated to Zindeshah Wali is also found in Lakkundi. The site attracts visitors from all over the world due to its rich historical and cultural heritage.

As of January 2026, excavation at the Kote Veerabhadraswamy Temple in Lakkundi has revealed Neolithic-era artefacts including a broken gray clay pot, cowrie shells, a stone axe, a cross-shaped pedestal, and a stone pedestal carved with a Jina figure, during an ASI-supervised dig that began on January 16 and involves 34 workers excavating up to five feet deep, while authorities are also engaging residents living on temple land to relocate for restoration, with families expressing willingness to move if provided alternative housing and land.