Praveen Reddy
KALABURAGI: Amidst the mandir-masjid debate, a controvery has now erupted over the presence of a temple in the Bahamani fort here, built by Hasan Gangu Shah in 1347 after some evidence was reportedly found. Locals are now demanding that the temple should be restored.
The Someshwara temple in northeast side of the fort, which is in the heart of the city, is believed to have self-manifested. The temple and its pillars, both inside and outside, have engravings of Lord Shiva and dancing beauties. A step well is also present in front of the temple.
There are also carvings of Lord Ganesha, Nandi, Shiva-Parvathi, elephants and peacocks which indicate Hindu architecture.
The Hindu Jagruti Sena has now demanded that the temple be renovated. The activists also staged a protest in front of the deputy commisioner’s office.
Kalaburagi was the first capital of the Bahamani sultans and the fort of spread over 70 acres. The fort has the world’s longest cannon, Jamia masjid, besides other Islamic structures and tombs.