by Vijay Lingayat
We always feel that Belagavi does not offer any places of historical value which are a worth visit (as one visits city of Vijapura/Mysuru), but in fact there many places which have definite historical value. We often move around these places but never try to see and learn about their when/who constructed them, any other major events or personalities related to them, sculpture, wooden carvings, paintings, and most importantly if any old photographs available with them which may throw light on city of old Belagavi.
Just a few places I have managed to see –
VitthalDev Mandir, Vitthaldev Galli Shahpur Belagavi
1. Vitthal Dev Galli temples: There are 6-7 Vaishnavite temples are situated here. Some temples are in good condition because still some Brahmins and Marwadi’s visit and perform poojas, except one which I guess (Murlidhar temple) adjacent to Dr. Javali’s hospital is in dilapidated condition, which certainly seems most ancient. Also, in Shahapur Khade Bazar we find Mahadev temple and Maruti temple.
Balaji Mandir Belagavi
Adjacent to the Nucleus Mall there is a small temple and an old well (which is not visible from outside).
Jattimath at Ramling khing Galli Belagavi
My father used to tell us the name of that well as Baragada Bhavi (12 pulley well ) at Hutatma Chowk and they used to fetch water from that well in their childhood since they lived in Ganapat Galli then.
Lokmanya Granthalaya Khanapur Road Belagavi
2. Old stone-built houses in Tilakwadi, Hindwadi, near BogarVes, Shahapur, and Hosur (especially Rangubai palace in Ramling Khind and a house near Nath Pai garden on Deshmukh Road)
Rangubai Palace Ramling Khind Galli Belagavi
Rangubai Palace Ramling Khind Galli Belagavi
3. Ganapat galli watch tower, school nearby.
General Library Tower Ganpat Galli Belagavi
4. Jain basti’s in Kore Galli Shahapur (looks ancient), Hosur Basavn Galli, Shetty Galli. Remarkable about these basti’s are the towers built infront of these, stone carving is beautiful.
Jain Basti’s in Belagavi
Jain Basti in Sheri Galli Belagavi
Hindwadi
5. Saraswati Vachanalay and Kreeda Bhavan, Kore Galli Shahapur.
Saraswati Vachanalaya Shahpur
6. There is some old Maths, like Kalmath in Kalmath Street. There was one math called Karanji Math in Kore Galli Shahapur, but today this is completely extinct and is being replaced by new building.
Kalmath on Kalmath Road Belagavi
Poornananda Bhavan Tilakwadi Belagavi
Raghvendra Swamy Math Tilak Chowk Belagavi
7. Rajwada compound in Madhavpur Vadagaon. I have heard some interesting things about the people who lived here who were Sansthanik’s. I have also heard that still today there are some war weapons and some structures can been seen.
8. Dak bangla, near goaves. People talk various strange things about this place (like, some say this bangla was used by dacoits). No one knows exactly about this place. Looks like a haunted house. Today this place is being used by government irrigation department. Also, in Kacheri Galli there is one old building which people say was used as jail in old times, these days this is being used for government offices.
Ram Mandir Acharya Galli Shahpur Belagavi
9. Shahapur saraf katta. This is now completely extinct, as it was removed as a part of master plan some 15 years back. There used to be number of old Jewelery shops there. I have heard people from all over the India used to come to Shahapur saraf katta to buy Jewelery in old times.
10. Masjid’s and darga’s. The prominent one which comes to my mind is Belagavi Khade Bazar masjid and darga besides DCC bank and another darga near police headquarters.
Dargha-e-Hadhrat sayed umar al-Basheban at Bhendi Bazar Belagavi
Jamiya Masjid – Khade Bazar Belagavi
11. There are many structures and monuments in Cantonment Area and places of worship.
St.Mary’s Church Camp Belagavi
This list can be comprehensively updated by citizens. I am sure these will an eye-opener for everyone about Belagavi’s glorious past. People must learn about preservation and restoration of these invaluable structures.