Kuknur
title: "Kuknur" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["cities-and-towns-in-koppal-district", "taluks-in-koppal-district", "history-of-karnataka"] topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuknur" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Kuknoor |
| native_name_lang | kn |
| other_name | Kukanooru |
| settlement_type | Town |
| image_skyline | Kuknur Navalinga temples.JPG |
| image_caption | Navalinga Temples |
| pushpin_map | India Karnataka#India |
| pushpin_label_position | right |
| pushpin_map_caption | Location in Karnataka, India |
| coordinates | |
| subdivision_type | Country |
| subdivision_name | India |
| subdivision_type1 | State |
| subdivision_name1 | Karnataka |
| subdivision_type2 | District |
| subdivision_name2 | Koppal |
| established_title | |
| named_for | Kuntalpura |
| unit_pref | Metric |
| population_total | 15718 |
| population_as_of | 2001 |
| population_density_km2 | auto |
| demographics_type1 | Languages |
| demographics1_title1 | Official |
| demographics1_info1 | Kannada |
| timezone1 | IST |
| utc_offset1 | +5:30 |
| postal_code_type | 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 |
| blank1_info_sec2 | Tropical (Köppen Aw ) |
| website | |
| :: |
| 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 = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = India | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = Karnataka | subdivision_type2 = 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 = IST | utc_offset1 = +5:30 | postal_code_type = 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 | blank1_info_sec2 = Tropical (Köppen Aw ) | website = | footnotes =
Kuknoor (also known as Kuknur, Kukkanur or Kukanoor){{cite web |url=http://www.templenet.com/Karnataka/kalyani_chalukya.html |title=Kalyani Chalukyan temples |access-date=2008-08-18 |url=http://www.countrywidetravelservices.com/cities/Koppal.html |title=KOPPAL TOURISM |access-date=2008-08-18 |archive-date=20 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120222544/http://www.countrywidetravelservices.com/cities/Koppal.html |url-status=dead
History
Kuknoor was an important town during the Middle Ages, and features many historical ruins, including those of the Navalinga Temples 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.{{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 |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 |date=10 November 2007 |access-date=2008-08-18
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/Old_Kannada_inscription_in_the_mantapa_of_Navalinga_temple_at_Kuknur.jpg" caption="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.
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 has three deities in the Garbhagriha. Two of the deities are female: Mahakali & Mahamaya, and one male: Kshetrapala. 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.
This temple was mentioned in the Mahabharata, which suggests it was constructed 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. He has travelled across many places in Karnataka to spread spirituality and social awareness.
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/Kuknoor-idols.JPG" caption="Gurbha Gudi in Mahamaya Temple"] ::
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d5/Kuknur-Inside_Temple.jpg" caption="Navalinga Temple courtyard"] ::
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/Kuknur-Navalinga.jpg" caption="Navalinga Temple interior"] ::
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Kuknur-Temple_Gate.jpg" caption="Navalinga Temple gate"] ::
Education
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Kuknoor
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 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, Bagalkot, and others. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has a bus depot in Kuknoor that runs service to other cities and villages.
Rail
Kuknoor has a railway station (Kukanur railway station). It was inaugurated in 2025. Other nearby railway station is Koppal railway station. It is 25 km away.
References
References
- "Census of India : Villages with population 5000 & above". Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India.
- "Yahoomaps India".
- "Stone Sources India - Himalayan Blue Granite".
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