| Bankapura | |
| Settlement Type: | town |
| Pushpin Map: | India Karnataka |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Karnataka, India |
| Coordinates: | 14.9167°N 75.2667°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  India |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Karnataka |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Haveri |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Area Total Km2: | 8 |
| Elevation M: | 578 |
| Population Total: | 20264 |
| Population As Of: | 2001 |
| Population Density Km2: | 2533 |
| Demographics Type1: | Languages |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Official |
| Demographics1 Info1: | Kannada |
| Timezone1: | ISTBankapura |
| Utc Offset1: | +5:30 |
| Postal Code Type: | PIN |
| Postal Code: | 581 202 |
| Area Code Type: | Telephone code |
| Area Code: | 08378 |
| Iso Code: | IN-KA |
Bankapura is a panchayat town in Haveri district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is in Shiggaon taluk, is just 2.5 km from the Pune-Bangalore national highway NH-4, 22 km from Haveri town. Bankapura is about 45 km from Hubli-Dharwad. An historical site, Bankapura is famous for the Nagareshwara temple, Bankapura fort, The Bankapura Peacock Sanctuary. Baada, the birthplace of Kanakadasa is near to Bankapura.
Under the Chalukyas, many temples were built here, but during an invasion by Ali Adil Shah I, the Turko-Persian Sultan of Bijapur in about 1565 most of the temples were destroyed. A fort, now in ruins, at Bankapura houses the Ranganatha Nagareshwara temple, which has 66 pillars carved out of grey stone. There is also a mosque in the fort. The place is of historical significance to Jains. Adipuran, a Jain religious text was composed here.Bankapura fort (454 CE), was ruled by Kadamba of Banavasi, Gangas, Cholas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Chalukyas, Emperors of Vijayanagara, Turko-Persian Adilshahis of Bijapur, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. During the 9th century, Bankapura was in the honour of Bankeyarasa (in 898 CE) who was a feudatory of the Rashtrakuta Emperor Amoghavarsha I. In the 11th century the Kadambas took over, followed by the Hoysalas ruler Vishnuvardhana.
In the Nagareshwara temple, at the entrance to the mukhamantapa, there are large clear inscriptions written in old Kannada.
See also: Mahapurana (Jainism).
It is known from history that the great poet of Kannada literature, Ranna, visited Bankapura to meet Ajithsenacharya, who became his teacher.[2]
Inside the ruined Bankapura fort, conquered by the Turko-PersianBahamanis, there is a temple built by the Chalukyas known as Aravattaru Kambada Gudi. Bankapura is an important historical place where many battles were fought by a succession of rulers. In spite of the vandalism the Nagareshwara temple remains ornate.
See main article: Nagareshvara Temple, Bankapur.
The impressive Bankapur fort area has the eye catching 66 pillared Nagareshwar temple (locals call it as Aravattu Kambada Gudi - means 60 pillars temple in Kannada) was built (in a depression to conceal it from invaders) in the 11th century in Chalukya style (in a depression). There are many well carved pillars. The fort area comprises 139.1acres of land of, which 52.1acres is reserved for the popularly known Mayura Vana, the abode of the peacocks for three decades. As per the 16 inscriptions, has references to the history of this place, it was dedicated to Shiva. The temple also once it was a centre for study and research on Jainism. During rule of Mustafa Khan the temple, the back corners of the temple hall completely damaged including number of carvings in the exterior wall panels but the pillars, the artistic carvings and the ceiling designs are intact.
See main article: Bankapura Peacock Sanctuary. Bankapura is a conservation reserve for peacocks by the Government of India.
India census,[3] Bankapura had a population of 20,264. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Bankapur has an average literacy rate of 59%, lower than the national average of 59.5%; with 58% of the males and 42% of females literate. 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.