About Sudi

Gadag district, North Karnataka

HISTORY

Sudi, is a panchayat town in Gadag District of Karnataka, India. It is 50 kms from Gadag, about 30 kms from Badami, 12 kms from Gajendragad and 3 kms from Itagi’s Bhimambika temple.

Sudi’s prominence dates back to the Chalukyan Era. It was an important town of the Kalyani Chalukyas during 1000 AD and belongs to the core area of Western Chalukyas architectural activity in modern North Karnataka. Akkadevi, sister of Chalukya King Jayasimha II served as the governor of the Sudi region. Under her administration, the town flourished as a center of culture and education. Inscriptions discovered in the area revealed that Sudi once housed a prestigious university offering courses in sculpture, fine arts, ethics, drama, and languages.

Once a famous pilgrim centre and an important stronghold of Kalyani Chalukyas, this small town houses important monuments from 10th and 11th CE - the temples of Mallikarjuna and Jodukalasadagudi (twin towered temple) and the step well known as Nagakunda Pushkarani (or the sacred cobra pond).

SIGNIFICANCE

Nagakunda Pushkarani is built from the local sandstone. Its beautifully carved embellished inner walls are perhaps a unique experimental exploration of subterranean architecture and represents the knowledge system of geology and water management systems from the early 10th century.

The intricate carvings inside and outside the entire temple, as well as on the inner walls of the Nagakunda Pushkarini, featuring tower-like pilasters throughout, are truly remarkable. The base of the pond is surrounded by steps, to enable access as the water level recedes.

According to historical records provided by the Archaeological Department officials, the Nagakunda Pushkarani (sacred pond) is considered as one of the grandest creations of the Kalyani Chalukyas.

IMPACT

Under the state government's "Adopt a Monument" initiative, efforts are underway to uplift Sudi's famous monuments and project it as a key destination on India's cultural map
Development and preservation of the step well will further enhance tourism in the region
Restore and preserve the natural water body of the step well, which had a deep cultural and social significance in the region
Restore the natural hydrological balance of the step well and enable potable drinking water to the people living in its surrounding
Conserve and preserve the site for its heritage value both present and future generations

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