A popular saying in Kannada goes like this - Kaaliddavaru Hampi Nodabeku, Kanniddavaru Kanakagiri Nodabeku (People who are mobile should visit Hampi and people who are blessed with an eye sight should see Kanakagiri). So true! For, the builders and rulers of Kanakagiri had an eye for good architecture. Kanakagiri, situated in the Gangavati taluk of Koppal district, was the capital of Kanakagiri palegars from 15 to 18 century. The special interest the rulers of Kanakagiri nurtured for construction and sculptural works is evident in the many well-designed temples and forts they built in and around Kanakagiri.
KANAKAGIRI, in Gangavathi taluk, is an ancient place situated on the Gangavati-Lingasugur road, about 13 miles from Gangavati. Kanakagiri means a "Hill of God" and its old name was Swarnagiri with the same meaning. This place was probably the head quarters of the southern viceroyalty of the Mauryas. It is said that Kanaka Muni, a saint, performed penance at this place. Swarnagiri is believed to be headquarters of southern viceroyalty of Mauryas. This town has several ancient temples built by the Naiks of Kanakgiri. Of all the temples, Kanakachalapathi Gidu is the largest and known for its architectural beauty of Vijayanagara era. Kanakachala TempleThe place has several temples built by the Naiks of Kanakgiri, the chief among them being the Kanakachalapathi temple, which is a large one and is of considerable architectural charm; it is a fine specimen of soutn Indian architecture of the Vijayanagara times and has spacious halls and massive pillars. The gopuras and walls have well-executed sculpture. There are in this temple elegantly made statues of Rajas and Ranis in black polished stone and several large wooden statues and plaster models of the mythological figures. On the ourskirts of the town, there is a fine and well-designed royal bath constructed by Venkatappa Naik. According to a popular saying current in the area, "people with eyes must see Kanakagiri and those with legs, Hampi", which means that the Kanakagiri temples are a delightful feast for the eyes and that one must be prepared to go avout rirelessly to see the sprawling ruined capital of Vijayanagara (Hampi). An annual jatra (Fair) associated with the Kanakachalapathi temple, which is held in the month of Phalguna, is largely attended.

The principal deity of the palegars (chieftains) was Kanakachalapathi. A large temple has been constructed in honour of the deity. This temple has a rangamantapa in the middle with the support of 34 pillars and the top portion consists of dolls depicting mythological stories from the epics. The temple has five gopuras (towers) and they can all be spotted from the verandah of the temple. One of the major attractions of this holy shrine is the 30-feet-deep ‘Venkatapathi Bhaavi’, built by Venkatappa Nayak in 1586 AD and meant for the use of king’s family members only. You can’t spot the well till you approach it. The three sides of the well have a Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma shrine. Built in the Indo-Islamic style, the carvings on the walls and roof are fascinating. There is a seven-pillared structure in the temple complex which produces music when you strike it. A lion with two round stone structures inside its mouth stands in front of the well. The lion has been damaged now, and the round structures are missing. The water of this well was also used to tend the nearby floral garden. There still exists a system to draw water from the well. Kanakagiri is also home to other temples dedicated to deities such as Shankaralinga, Panduranga, Basavanna, Veerabhadra, Yallamma and Gajalaxmi. Though this is a historically important place.

This is the temple's sabha-mantapa. A ceremony was in progress.

The hall's top level has a series of plaster models of various gods, goddesses, saints and other heavenly characters.

Hanuman, Laxmana, Rama and Sita.

This photo must be the young Krishna and Gopikas.

Chakra and Shankha on one of the tablets.

the view as seen from the temple entrance. Ruins of fort walls can be seen here.

Venkatappa Baavi, Kanakagiri

Venkatappa Bavi is a royal bath constructed by Venkatappa Naik during Vijayanagara rule. This stepped well is surrounded by an aisle on three sides. It also has a temple and shelter for pilgrims.This place is also called Queen's bath. There are four entrances to enter the well; three are stairways through narrow passages, almost like secret entrances. The fourth one is a regular wide and open stairway. Mohan mama is descending through one of the entrances.

that is Nataraja. A three-headed serpent.

KANAKAGIRI

The pillars are simple yet beautiful, featuring geometric, floral and animal motifs. This pillar has a lotus on one face and on the other face is a seven-petaled flower enclosed in a hexagram. Pillar opposite the hexagram had a Swastika. The entire length of the complex, one long aisle.

Quite a complex design.

The royal balcony, its quite spacious in there.

KANAKAGIRI

the two projecting beams have circular holes, probably to fix the wooden frame with a pulley. A rope through the pulley would help draw water easily.

A canal linking to a small tank ..

While Hampi and Kanakagiri have a similar legacy, Hampi has found a prominent place on the world tourist map, and Kanakagiri remains forgotten.




                                        All info from google
                                          Thank you Google..