2601:646:9881:E6A0:0:0:0:4940 at 08:30, 9 October 2021

2021-10-09T08:30:02Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Kuknoor
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = kn
| other_name = Kukanooru
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Town
| image_skyline = Kuknur Navalinga temples.JPG
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Navalinga Temples
| pushpin_map = India Karnataka#India
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Karnataka, India
| coordinates = {{coord|15|29|23|N|75|59|38|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Karnataka]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = Koppal
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for = Kuntalpura
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total = 15718
| population_as_of = 2001
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Kannada]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 583232
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 08534
| registration_plate = KA 37
| blank1_name_sec1 = Nearest city
| blank1_info_sec1 = Koppal
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank2_info_sec1 = Koppal
| blank3_name_sec1 = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| blank3_info_sec1 = Yelburga
| blank1_name_sec2 = [[Climate of India|Climate]]
| blank1_info_sec2 = [[Climatic regions of India|Tropical]] <small>([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Aw'' )</small>
| website = {{URL|www.yelburgatown.gov.in/tourism}}
| footnotes =
}}

'''Kuknoor''' (also known as '''Kuknur''', '''Kukkanur''' or '''Kukanoor''')<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.templenet.com/Karnataka/kalyani_chalukya.html
|title=Kalyani Chalukyan temples
|access-date=2008-08-18
}}</ref> is a town in [[Kukanoor]] taluk in the [[Koppal District]] of the [[India]]n state of [[Karnataka]], which is located about 40 km northwest of [[Hospet]] and 7 km from the [[Mahadeva Temple (Itagi)|Mahadeva Temple]] in Itagi. Kuknoor is known for the temples of the [[Rashtrakutas]] and [[Chalukyas]] in the town, with the most notable being the [[Navalinga Temple]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.countrywidetravelservices.com/cities/Koppal.html
|title=KOPPAL TOURISM
|access-date=2008-08-18
}}</ref><ref name="censusindia">Village code= 563400 {{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Village_Directory/Population_data/Population_5000_and_Above.aspx |title=Census of India : Villages with population 5000 & above |publisher=Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=2008-12-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208044522/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Village_Directory/Population_data/Population_5000_and_Above.aspx |archive-date=2008-12-08 }}</ref><ref name="yahoomaps">{{cite web|url=http://in.maps.yahoo.com |title=Yahoomaps India : |access-date=2008-12-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218082545/http://in.maps.yahoo.com/ |archive-date=2008-12-18 }} Kuknoor, Koppal, Karnataka</ref>

==History==
Kuknoor was an important town during the Middle Ages, and features many historical ruins, including those of the [[Navalinga Temple]]s that were completed in the later [[Chalukya]] style of architecture during the 8th to 13th centuries A.D. Other important sites include the Kalleshvara and Mallikarjuna temples.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/kar/leaders/pb_desai.htm
|title=Kamat's Potpourri: Epigraphist P. B. Desai
|access-date=2008-08-18
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.ellakavi.wordpress.com/2007/11/10/kannada-inscriptions-rashtrakuta-dynasty-upenn-kannada-influence-on-telegu/
|title=Kannada Inscriptions-Rashtrakuta Dynasty-UPENN-Kannada Influence
|access-date=2008-08-18
}}</ref>

[[File:Old Kannada inscription in the mantapa of Navalinga temple at Kuknur.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Old Kannada inscription at [[Navalinga Temple]]]]

==Demographics==
As of the [[2011 Census of India]], Kuknoor had a population of 18,033, constituting 9,075 males and 8,958 females.<ref name="censusindia" />

==Temples==
Kuknur is home to several important temples.

===Mahamaya Temple===
Mahamaya Temple is located in the center of the town, and is mentioned in the Indian epic ''[[Mahabharata]]''. The temple is dedicated to three deities of the [[Garbhagriha]], and features statues of them. Two of the deities are female; [[Laxmi]] & [[Parvathi]] (Mahamaya), and one male; [[Harihara]], which means half-[[Shiva]] and half-[[Vishnu]]. All 3 statues face south, in contrast to the regular orientation towards the north. Statues like these, which face south are often considered to be more powerful.

The reference to this temple in the ''Mahabharata'' suggests it was built before the 8th century B.C. According to legend, there exists a hidden underground temple dedicated to [[Kali]] below the Mahamaya Temple. This temple plays a role in the events of the epic, as it practices Narabali, a type of [[human sacrifice]]. In modern history, there were plans to unearth it, however they were cancelled after villagers protested, citing the possible release of evil spirits if it were to be uncovered.

===Gudneshwar Temple===
Located near Kuknoor and surrounded by [[Tamarind]] trees, the Gudneshwar (Rudramunishwar) Temple is dedicated to Rudramunishwar, a figure who practiced social welfare work during the 12th century and was later known as Gudneshwar.

[[File:Kuknoor-idols.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Gurbha Gudi in Mahamaya Temple]]
[[File:Kuknur-Inside Temple.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Navalinga Temple courtyard]]
[[File:Kuknur-Navalinga.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Navalinga Temple interior]]
[[File:Kuknur-Temple Gate.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Navalinga Temple gate]]

== Education ==
===Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Kuknoor===
[[Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti|Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya]] (JNV) Kuknoor is located near Gudneppanamath and is a premier educational institution. It is funded by the Government of India's [[Ministry of Human Resource Development]]. It was established in 1987 to provide education to rural students in [[Raichur district]]. The campus covers 35 acres in Kuknoor. The school is affiliated with India’s [[Central Board of Secondary Education]] and provides for grades 6-12.

===Vidyananda Gurukul Educational trust, Kukanoor===
This trust is located in Kukanoor, Yelburga Main road. It was founded by RB DESAI in 1921. This institute contains both Kannada and English Medium School 1st to 10th, Diploma, PUC and Degree. It has buildings, infrastructure, a garden and a play ground.

== Kuknoor Granite ==
Himalayan Blue Granite<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.stonesourceindia.com/Granite-Exporters/Himalayan-Blue-Granite.php |title=Archived copy |access-date=16 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407204024/http://www.stonesourceindia.com/Granite-Exporters/Himalayan-Blue-Granite.php |archive-date=7 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> is mined in quarries in and around Kuknoor.

==Transport==
Kuknoor is well connected by road to [[Koppal]], [[Yelburga]], and [[Gadag-Betageri]]. The nearest major airport is in [[Hubli]].

===Bus===
The nearby city of Koppal provides bus service to major cities such as [[Bangalore]], [[Hubli]], [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]], [[Bagalkot]], and others. [[Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation]] (KSRTC) has a bus depot in Kuknoor that runs service to other cities and villages.

===Rail===
The closest railway station to Kuknoor is 12 km away at Bhanapur, while the railway station at Koppal is 25 km away.

== See also ==
* [[Koppal District]]
* [[Mahadeva Temple (Itagi)]]
* [[Gajendragad]]
* [[Sudi]]
* [[Lakkundi]]
* [[Gadag]]
* [[North Karnataka]]
* [[Tourism in North Karnataka]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Kuknur}}

{{Hindu temples in Karnataka}}
{{Historical places of Rashtrakuta}}

{{Koppal}}
{{Settlements in Koppal district}}

[[Category:Villages in Koppal district]]
[[Category:History of Karnataka]]

Kuknur - Revision history

2601:646:9881:E6A0:0:0:0:4940 at 08:30, 9 October 2021