Talagunda
title: "Talagunda" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["hindu-temples-in-shimoga-district"] topic_path: "society/religion" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talagunda" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Talagunda |
| settlement_type | village |
| image_skyline | Praneshwara Temple Talagunda.JPG |
| image_caption | Pranaveshwara Temple (4th century) at Talagunda |
| pushpin_map | India Karnataka |
| 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 | Shimoga District |
| established_title | |
| unit_pref | Metric |
| 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 | 577 450 |
| area_code_type | Telephone code |
| area_code | 08187 |
| registration_plate | KA-14 |
| :: |
| name = Talagunda | native_name = | native_name_lang = | other_name = | nickname = | settlement_type = village | image_skyline = Praneshwara Temple Talagunda.JPG | image_alt = | image_caption = Pranaveshwara Temple (4th century) at Talagunda | pushpin_map = India Karnataka | 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 = Shimoga District | established_title = | established_date = | founder = | named_for = | government_type = | governing_body = | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_rank = | area_total_km2 = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | population_total = | population_as_of = | 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 = 577 450 | area_code_type = Telephone code | area_code = 08187 | registration_plate = KA-14 | website = | footnotes = Talagunda is a village in the Shikaripura taluk of Shivamogga district in the state of Karnataka, India. Many inscriptions found here have provided insights into the rise of the Kadamba Dynasty.
History
Talagunda was earlier known as Sthanakunduru and it was an agrahara (a place of learning- ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ ಕೇಂದ್ರ). This is the earliest known agrahara found in Karnataka. Built at the time of Gouthamiputa Shathakarni (ಗೌತಮಿಪುತ್ರ ಶಾತಕರ್ಣಿ). An inscription found at Talagunda indicates that Kanchi was a major centre (ghatika) for learning, especially of the vedas taught by learned brahmanas. It indicates that 32 Brahmins were relocated from a place called Ahi-kshetra to Sthanagundur by Mukanna (or Trinetra), thereby creating an agrahara.. Mukanna was an ancestor of Mayurasharma, the founder of the Kadamba Dynasty. The word Ahi means snake or Naga in Sanskrit. Nagas were a group of ancient people who worshiped serpents. The word khsetra means region in Sanskrit. This implies that Ahi-kshetra was a region of Nagas. This could mean that the region was populated originally by Nagas, Nairs, Bunts of Kerala and Tulu Nadu who claim Kshatriya descent from the nagas trace their origins to this place.and historically and traditionally, Balligavi and Talagunda are recorded as important Jain centres and significant places of learning.
Education was imparted at Talagunda for eight centuries and the subjects that were taught included vedas, vedanta, grammar and philosophy. The Kannada language was taught at primary level and clothing and food was provided to the students and teachers.
Inscriptions
A temple dedicated to Pranaveshwara (Hindu God Shiva) is located in Talagunda. Next to it is located a stone slab containing inscriptions. In front of it is a pillar containing inscriptions in Sanskrit. The pillar inscriptions were written in the mid 5th century CE during the reign of Śāntivarman (a descendant of Mayurasharma). The author of this inscription was Kubja, the court-poet of Śāntivarman. He engraved the inscriptions himself to prevent any other engraver from committing mistakes. [[File:Talagunda Pillar inscription (455-460 AD) at Talagunda.JPG|200px|left|thumb|The famous Talagunda pillar inscription (450-460 A.D) that details the rise of the [[Kadamba Dynasty]].]] Kubja, describes these inscriptions as a kavya thus: The inscriptions indicate that Mayurasharma, native of Talagunda, was accomplished in vaidika and went to the Pallava capital, Kanchipuram to study scriptures, accompanied by his guru and grandfather Veerasharama. There, having been humiliated by a Pallava guard (horseman), in a rage Mayurasharma gave up his Brahminic studies and took to the sword to avenge his insult. The inscription vividly describes the event thus: ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Talagunda_pillar.JPG" caption="A view of the Talagunda pillar"] ::
Notes
References
References
- Dr. Jyotsna Kamat. (2007-12-21). "The Kadambas of Banavasi".
- B. L. Rice, p482
- Dr. Jyotsna Kamat. (2007-12-20). "The History of Agraharas".
- [https://books.google.com/books?id=K0RHOwAACAAJ Maclean's Manual of the Administration of the Madras Presidency]
- Hampa Nagarajaiah (1999). ''History of the Early Ganga Monarchy and Jainism''. Bengaluru: Ankita Pustaka. ISBN 8187321164.
- F. Kielhorn, ‘Talagunda Pillar Inscription of Kakusthavarman’, EI 8 (1905-06): 31-33 (inscr); Sheldon Pollock, [incomplete reference], p. 116.
- D. C. Sircar, p. 86
- Sheldon Pollock, p135
- Kamath (2001), pp. 30–31
- Ramesh (1984), p6
- Kamath (2001), p31
- Moraes (1931), p15
- Federico Squarcini, p98
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