Gadag District (Kannada: ಗದಗ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ ) had a population of 971,952 of which 35.21% was urban as of 2001. Population increased 13.14% in the decade 1991-2001. The District is bounded on the north by Bagalkot District, on the east by Koppal District, on the southeast by Bellary District, on the southwest by Haveri District, on the west by Dharwad District, and on the northwest by Belgaum District. Gadag District was formed in 1997, when it was split from Dharwad District.
Gadag district has five taluks namely Gadag-Betgeri, Ron, Shirhatti, Nargund and Mundargi.
Gadag district, the core area of Kalyani Chalukyas has many monuments (mainly Shiva temples, Jain Basadis) Kalyani Chalukyas propagated Jainism and built temples (known for architectural beauty).
Historical places in Gadag District
GadagPresence of 11th-12th centuries, Kalyani Chalukyas monuments in the city indicate its historic past. The Temple of Veera Narayana and Trikuteshwara are places of religious and historic importance. Jumma Masjid it consists Hindu Muslim trust. There are two main Jain temples are dedicated to Parshvanatha Thirthankara and Mahaveera.
- Trikuteshwara temple complex
The Trikuteshwara temple was built by the early Chalukyas between 6th to 8th Centuries. The temple bears rich evidence of the majesty of Chalukya Architecture. The temple is dedicated to Saraswathi, Goddess of learning. It is a wonderful structure with its fine architectural beauty.
- Veeranarayana Temple
The legend goes to say that Naranappa better known as Kumaravyasa narrated the great epic before the lord by invoking the blessings of the Lord. The legend says that Naranappa got the inspiration to narrate the epic only during the time he sat before the Lord in a holy posture in a wet cloth dried up. A Brindavan of saint Raghavendra Swami is also built recently in the temple premises. This temple attracts thousands of devotees throughout the year. It is believed that the Veeranarayana Temple was built in the 11th Century. This is a 12th Century Mutt founded by Saint Tontada Siddalingeshwar Swamiji who was an accomplished Yogi. His Samadhi is situated in front of this Mutt.
- Jumma Masjid
The Historic Jumma Masjid is the place where 600 Muslim devotees can offer prayers at a time In the seventeenth, eighteenth centuries, Gadag came under the influence of Mohammada Kings, then Marathas, before being incorporated in to East India Company.
Lakshmeshwara is in the Shirahatti taluk. It is known for historical Hindu, Jain temples and Jumma Masjid. At Lakshmeshwara there is a Someshwara temple complex with so many Shiva temples in side the fort like compound.
Kalyani Chalukyas monuments at Sudi includes Jodi Gopura temple, Mallikarjuna temple, Large Ganesha, Nandi statues, and NagaKunda.
Lakkundi is about 12 km from Gadag. It was once the capital city of Great Chalukyan kings. Lakkundi is famous for 101 stepped wells (called Kalyani or Pushkarni), the multitude of Temples of architectural beauty and the Jain Basadi's. There is sculpture gallery maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Dambal is famous for the Western Chalukya Doddabasappa Temple of 12th century.
Historical Shivaji Fort on Hill and Kalakaleshwara temple
Harti (Gadag district) has many ancient and modern Hindu temples. Shri Basaveshwara Temple and its Jatra (festival) that will be held on last Monday of Shravana Masa is great. It is amazing to watch the procession of Dhyamamma statue on this festival day.
There are other ancient temples such as the Parvati Parameshwara temple (Uma Maheshwara Temple) with ancient stone carvings from Chalukya regime. http://templesofkarnataka.com/navigation/details.php?id=198
Kotumachagi is at the distance of about 22 km from Gadag in this village famous for Someswar temple and Hazarat-Zindashav-Ali darga and Durgadevi temple. This temple Darga is taken care by both Muslim and Hindus without any discrimination of caste. Agriculture is a major occupation in this village. Famous poet Chamarasa, who wrote Prabulingalile, is said to be wrote this famous epic sitting near the lake situated between Someshwara temple and Darga. His birth place is Narayanapura located at a distance of about one kilometer. This village had an Agrahara where Sanskrit classes used to take place.
Biggest Jain temple ever built by Rastrakutas, now called as Narayana temple.
Hombal, a village at distance of 12 km from Gadag famous for its old temples.
Venkatapura is about 15 km from Gadag. The temple is dedicated to lord Venkateshwara.
Beladhadi is about 10 km from Gadag is famous for Shri Rama Temple. The idols of Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita are of unique beauty and were installed by famous saint Shree Brahmananda Maharaj.
Ron has Many historical monuments, those include Anantsayee Gudi, Isvara Gudi Near Anantsayee Gudi, Isvara Temple, Kala Gudi, Lokanatha Temple, Mallikarjuna Gudi, Parsvanath Jain Temple, and Somlingesvara Temple Near Tank.
Beladhadi is a village 10 km from gadag. This village has got a beutifull Shri Ram Temple and every year from ugadi to ram navami it is full of festivals.
Kurtakoti is about 16 km from Gadag is famous for Shri Ugra narsimha temple, Dattatreya temple, Virupakhshalinga temple, Rama temple and Allam Prabhu Mutt. The idols of Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita were installed by famous saint Shree Brahma Chaitanya Maharaj.Kirtinath Kurtakoti, famous critic, Shripad Shastri Kurtakoti famous Keertanakar are also from this place. Agriculture is a major occupation in this village.
Magadi Bird Sanctuary
Magadi Bird Sanctuary : Magadi Bird Sanctuary created at The Magadi tank, It is one of the Biodiversity hotspots of Karnataka, in North Karnataka. The Magadi tank is located in Magadi village of Shirhatti Taluk, Gadag District. From Gadag it is 26 km, it is located on Gadag-Bangalore Road, from Shirhatti it is 8 km, and from Lakshmeshwar 11 km.Bar headed goose : is one of the bird migrates to Magadi wetlands of Gadag District, North Karnataka. Normally birds eat fish, amphibians, molluscs, snakes etc., but Migratory birds eating agricultural produce is both interesting and curious too. winter habitat is on cultivation, it feeds on barley, rice and wheat and damage crops.
Famous personalities
Poets Kumaravyasa and Chamarasa have become legendary by their exceptional works Mahabharata and Prabhulingaleele respectively. Kumaravyasa is one of the most famous poets in the Kannada language. He is the author of Karnata Bharatha Kathamanjari (classic Mahabharatha in Kannada). Kumara Vyasa literally means Little Vyasa or Son of Vyasa. Naranappa popularly known as Kumaravyasa born in the near by village of Koliwada.
Hindustani musician
- Hindustani singer Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, the renowned Hindustani musician Bharat Ratna (in 2008) Pandit Bhimsen Joshi is from Gadag.
Cooperative movement
Kanaginahal is the place where the 'first Cooperative movement in Asia took birth more than a century ago.
The person responsible modernisation and its economic prosperity, it was late Shri K.H. Patil, father of co-operative movement. The sprawling textile mills, Formers' Co-operative Oil-seeds and Rural Technical and Engineering Colleges in Hulkoti are testimony to this.
Wind power generation
Gadag District is also known for Wind Power Generation. Kappatagudda, a treasure trove of medicinal pling Gajendragad also generating Wind Power.
Photo Gallery:
Gadag Region Tourism Circuit
Trikuteshwara Temple complex at Gadag
Jain temple at Lakkundi in Gadag District
In front of temple Kalkaleshwara Temple, Gajendragad
Someshwara temple at Lakshmeshwara
Twin Towered Temple at 
