by Vijay Lingayat We always feel that Belagavi does not offer any places of historical value which are worth visit (as one visits the 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 the city of old Belagavi. Just a few places I have managed to see - [caption id="attachment_34700" align="aligncenter" width="600"] VitthalDev Mandir, Vitthaldev Galli Shahpur Belagavi[/caption] 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 a dilapidated condition, which certainly seems most ancient. Also, in Shahapur Khade Bazar we find Mahadev temple and Maruti temple. [caption id="attachment_34701" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Balaji Mandir Belagavi[/caption] Adjacent to the Nucleus Mall there is a small temple and an old well (which is not visible from the outside). [caption id="attachment_34702" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Jattimath at Ramling khing Galli Belagavi[/caption] The name of that well is Baragada Bhavi (12 pulley well ) at Hutatma Chowk and people used to fetch water from that well as far as they lived in Ganapat Galli as well. [caption id="attachment_34703" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Lokmanya Granthalaya Khanapur Road Belagavi - Now Demolished) [/caption] 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) [caption id="attachment_34705" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Rangubai Palace Ramling Khind Galli Belagavi[/caption] [caption id="attachment_34704" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Rangubai Palace Ramling Khind Galli Belagavi[/caption] 3. Ganapat galli watchtower, school nearby. [caption id="attachment_34706" align="aligncenter" width="450"] General Library Tower Ganpat Galli Belagavi[/caption] 4. Jain basti’s in Kore Galli Shahapur (looks ancient), Hosur Basavn Galli, Shetty Galli. Remarkable about these basti’s are the towers built in front of these, stone carving is beautiful. [caption id="attachment_34707" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Jain Basti's in Belagavi[/caption] [caption id="attachment_34708" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Jain Basti in Sheri Galli Belagavi[/caption] [caption id="attachment_34709" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Hindwadi[/caption] 5. Saraswati Vachanalay and Kreeda Bhavan, Kore Galli Shahapur. [caption id="attachment_34710" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Saraswati Vachanalaya Shahpur[/caption] 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 a new building. [caption id="attachment_34711" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Kalmath on Kalmath Road Belagavi[/caption] [caption id="attachment_34712" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Poornananda Bhavan Tilakwadi Belagavi[/caption] [caption id="attachment_34713" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Raghvendra Swamy Math Tilak Chowk Belagavi[/caption] 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 be seen. 8. Dak bangla, near goaves. People talk about 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 the government irrigation department. Also, in Kacheri Galli there is one old building which people say was used as a jail in old times, these days this is being used for government offices. [caption id="attachment_34714" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Ram Mandir Acharya Galli Shahpur Belagavi[/caption] 9. Shahapur saraf katta. This is now completely extinct, as it was removed as a part of the master plan some 15 years back. There used to be a number of old Jewelry shops there. I have heard people from all over India used to come to Shahapur saraf Katta to buy Jewelry 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. [caption id="attachment_34715" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Dargha-e-Hadhrat sayed umar al-Basheban at Bhendi Bazar Belagavi[/caption] [caption id="attachment_34716" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Jamiya Masjid - Khade Bazar Belagavi[/caption] 11. There are many structures and monuments in the Cantonment Area and places of worship. [caption id="attachment_3990" align="aligncenter" width="418"] St.Mary's Church Camp Belagavi[/caption] 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 the preservation and restoration of these invaluable structures.
