Belagave

Village in the Shimoga district of the
state of Karnataka. Belagave was the
most important center for the
Kalamukhas, which was an ascetic sect
of devotees (bhakta) of the god Shiva.
The Kalamukhas had an important historical role in southern India between
the tenth and thirteenth centuries,
but they disappeared some time after
that. Their ritual center in Belagave
was the temple of Kedareshvara, which
was Shiva in his form as the lord of
Kedara. Although the Kalamukhas
have disappeared, their presence and
prominence in the region are confirmed
by the inscriptions at this and
numerous other temples.