Balligavi: Village enriched with history
Overview: Balligavi is a small village in Shikaripura Taluk of Shimoga district also known was Dakshina Kedara. Legend says that it was the capital of the demon king Bali and was called Balipura in those times. Balligavi flourished under Kalyani Chalukyas ruling for 200 years. Also serving as the center of learning during the times of Kadambas of Banavasi. The Kedareshwara temple, built in the 11th century in east-west orientation is a Trikutachala or triple-celled temple of Hoysala style. The western cell has vestibule or Sukansi and the northern and southern cells have an Ardhamandapa. In the interior, the Mahamandapa walls are pierced with Devekoshtas while the western and southern cells have Shiva Linga, the northern cell enshrines Vishnu.The artistic wall decor and the general sculptures are of Dravidian architecture. This method is also referred to as Karnata Dravida. Another historic structure in Balligavi is the Bherundeshwar...