Durgamma Temple

On top of the hill in Bilgi is the Durgamma Temple. If we climb the hill rock eastward from Sri Siddeshwar temple, we come to Durga Devi temple.

Two temples on the hill can be seen from anywhere in Bilgi. And Durga Devi, also known as Durgamma by Bilgi people, is the presiding deity of these temples. Durgavvana Gudda or Durgammana Gudda is the name of the hill on which these temples are situated. No one is certain who built these temples, but it could have been the Bilgi Ghorpades, who ruled Bilgi and were Samanths of Jamkhandi Samstana.

Avva, which means mother in North Karnataka, is used to refer to Durgadevi as Durgavva or Durgamma. Durgadevi is a form of Goddess Parvati. And is the Goddess of Power, courage, and strength. Durgadevi is a powerful Goddess.

The deity depicts the goddess Durgadevi sitting on a lion and holding various weapons in each hand. The pictures below are visible.

You can see how these temples look on the hill:

In order to reach this place, one has to climb the hill. Nowadays, they are trying to make the steps. But this is not yet ready. Hill way is a steep flight of steps.  

On the occasion of Durgastami during Navaratri, all Bilgi people visit this temple and offer Pooja here. 

Maal Gambha - ಮಾಲಗಂಬ

Maal Gambha - ಮಾಲಗಂಬ: is a famous place in Bilagi town. From Sri siddeshawar temple, if we climb the hillock towards the north we find Maal Gamba. 

Along with Maal Gamba,  a police wireless station and the tomb of Baba Saab can be found there. Maal Gambha is a long rock poll on top of the hill. It is for lighting the lamp. They put deepa or pranati i.e fire on it on auspicious occasions. This lit lamp is visible to the whole town and also from a very long distance. They say it's visible from Golgummaj of Vijayapura. 

Soon after the marriage, the couple or a boy has to light the lamp on the top of Maalgaamba with oil and cotton grains. It is also said that the light of this lamp is visible when it is viewed from Golgummaj of Vijayapura.

Earlier there was no road to Maalgamba. One has to go through the Hill and forest. Nowadays they made a small road to maalgambha from Shree Siddeshwar Temple. On the way to maalgambha, you can see MelaSiddappa temple. And from this you can see a very nice and awesome view of hillock and Bilgi town.

MaalGambha on the hill 

MaalGambha on the hill 

Wireless Station

Way to MaalGambha

Lit MaalGambha

Way to MaalGambha

MelaSiddappa Temple

Aarettina Bhavi (Six - bullock well) - ಆರು ಯಾತದ ಭಾವಿ

 ಆರು ಯಾತದ ಭಾವಿ:

In Bilgi town, towards the north, another attraction center is Arettina Bhavi (Six - bullock well).  Mainly this well was used for irrigation. The water from the well was pulled by six bullocks Hence the name Aaru Ettina Bhavi- which means Six Bullock Well.

The stone inscriptions in Kannada, Marathi, and Persian were built into the walls of the well register that was constructed by Visajipanta in the year 1708 A.D. However, the top inscriptions of lion and other inscriptions remind us of the architecture of Chalukya. 

The Eastern side of the well comprises a Mahadeva temple, where the shivalingam has been destroyed and few of the items in this precious monument are missing. Also you can see lot of cave-type door entrances in the well. And you cannot make out if you enter in one door where it opens. Its amazing .You can see some pictures of the well.

Shall we join hands to appeal this monument for preservation, renovation, and protection! 

Some more images of Arettina bhavi: