About Saundatti ( Sugandavarti / Savadatti )

Savadatti (Kannada: ; also known as Sugandavarti and Savadatti) is one of the oldest towns in Belgaum district in the south Indian state of Karnataka. It is a celebrated pilgrimage centre located 78kilometres from Belgaum. Savadatti is also the name of the taluk (sub-district), which was previously named Parasgad. There are several ancient temples in Saudatti. The historical name of the Savadatti was Sugandavarti. It was the capital of the Ratta dynasty (from 875-1230), until the capital shifted to Belgaum. 18th century Savadatti fort was built by the Sirasangi Desai with 8 bastions. Savadatti fort has a Kadasiddheshwara temple, surrounded by four bastions. Around the Kadasiddheshwara temple in the inner chajja of the prakara there is a row of beautiful carvings of geometrical patterns with over two hundred designs, some painted. Renuka sagara is a reservoir for the Malaprabha River adjacent to Saundatti, formed by the Navilatirtha Dam. The name Renuka sagar because of the...