Shirsangi Kalika Temple
The Shirsangi Kalika Temple is
dedicated to Goddess Kali in a valley in the Shirasangi, Belgaum district,
approximately 20 kilometres from Saundatti. The place has temples dedicated to
Kalmeshwara and Bhairaveshwara or Kalamma (Kalika).
The Palanquin Festival of Kalamma
is held at the Bannimantapa during
the Ugadi Festival for five days when about 15,000 people assemble.
Cultural and religious programs popularly
known as Shirasangi Utsav are celebrated on the dark-moon day known as Amavasya.
One of the major festivals celebrated here is Ugadi.
The place name is mentioned as Rishishringapura, Pirishingi, or Hirishingi in two records from the same
place dated 1148 of Jagadekamalla and another dated 1186 of Someshwara IV. It
was a noted commercial center.
As per the studies conducted by
the department of archaeology, the Shirsangi Kalika Temple might have been
constructed during the first century.
Shirasangi - In Hindu
mythology
A saint by the name of Vrushya Shrunga was involved in penance in Vrushya Shrunga Tapovan, which is currently the place where the temple of Shri Kalika Devi is. However, demons like Narundasur (Naragun da), Bettasura (Betasur) and Nalundasur (Navalagund) disturbed his meditation. Then the goddesses Chikkumbasura (Chikkumbi) and Hirekumbasura (Hirekumbi) killed these demons heeding the pleas of the ascetic Vrushya Shrunga. The goddesses later settled down here and hence Shirsangi Kalika Temple was erected in Shirasangi.