About
Davangere, where the Durgambika Temple is located has a rich history. It was part of the Nolambavadi province of the Chalukya times. It changed hands from Chalukyas to Pandyas, Hoysalas, and the Vijayanagara kings. After the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire, Davangere was for some time under the control of the Palayagar Nayaks. Then the Marathas ruled here for some time. It was then taken over by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan and late by the Mysore Maharajas. During this period, Davangere became an important and prosperous textile center.
It is said that around 200 years ago, a stone was brought from Dugatti Village and installed in this temple and worshipped as Durga Devi. In 1932, this shrine was converted into the beautiful Durgambika Temple. The presiding deity is Durgambika, known variously as Durgamma, Durgambika, and Durgavva.
Who the goddess is
The Davanagere Smart City website lists Durgambika Temple (Durgamma Devastana) among the things to do in the city and places it in the Old Town or Halepet area of Shivaji Nagar. The local daily Prajavani describes Durgambika as the city’s presiding goddess (nagaradevate). The Smart City page repeats the account given above: a stone brought from Dugatti village about 200 years ago was installed and worshipped as Durga Devi, and in 1932 the shrine was converted into the present temple. The deity is known as Durgamma, Durgambika and Durgavva.
The Jatre (temple fair)
The Smart City page says the main festival of the region is the temple fair, or Jatre, held every two years. Prajavani’s report on the fair says it began on a Sunday with abhisheka for the goddess and the kankana dharana ritual, and describes a procession of the ceremonial buffalo (pattada kona) that continued late into the night. The dates of the next fair are announced locally, so confirm them before planning a visit.
Weekly special days
According to the Smart City page, Tuesdays and Fridays are special days each week at the temple.
Timings to visit
06:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Timings are not confirmed on an official website; check with the temple before travelling.
Best time to visit
October – March
Tuesdays and Fridays are special days each week here. The major festival in this area is the temple fair or Jatre held every two years. This would be an ideal time to visit the place.
How to Reach
The Davanagere Smart City website says Bangalore has the nearest international airport and Shivamogga and Hubli are the nearest domestic airports. It adds that Davanagere has its own railway station, that buses run regularly from nearby cities, and that once in Davanagere you can reach the temple by local bus or auto-rickshaw. The distances below come from the earlier version of this page.
About the address: the temple is in Davanagere city (the Smart City page says Halepet, Shivaji Nagar). “Ramnagar / Ramanagara” in the address below is a locality of Davanagere and is unrelated to the Ramanagara area near Bengaluru.
By Air: Hubli Airport – 162 km
By Train: Dhavanagere Railway Station – 6.7 km, Hubli Junction – 176 km.
By Road: Dhavanagere KSRTC Bus Stand – 7.9 km, Hubli – 170 km
Address
Durgambika Temple, Ramnagar, Shri Ramanagara, Davanagere, Karnataka 577003, India.
Also Read Places to Visit in Karnataka
Durgambika Temple Map
