Kudalasangama Temple

Kudalasangama takes its name from the “sangama,” or confluence, of the Krishna and Malaprabha rivers at this spot — a geography that made it sacred long before the 12th century, but which was permanently marked by its association with Basavanna, the philosopher-statesman who founded the Lingayat (Veerashaiva) faith while serving as a minister in the nearby Kalachuri court at Kalyana. Tradition holds that Basavanna withdrew to Kudalasangama at the end of his life and attained aikya — spiritual union with Shiva — here, and the site has been the movement’s most sacred pilgrimage centre ever since.

The temple town today centres on the ancient Sangameshwara temple alongside the Aikya Mantapa, a memorial built over the spot associated with Basavanna’s passing, and the modern Basava Dharma Peetha, which functions as an active seat of Lingayat religious life and scholarship. Millions of followers across Karnataka regard a visit here as central to their faith.

The confluence also sits close to the Almatti Dam backwaters on the Krishna, giving the site a striking riverine setting.

Getting there: Kudalasangama is about 24 km from the Almatti Dam and well connected by road from Bagalkot town. The post office serves the temple and ashram complex directly.