Kanaganahalli
Kanaganahalli Buddhist Site · Kanganhalli · Sannati–Kanaganahalli Complex
Mauryan 3rd c BCE → Satavahana 1st c BCE–3rd c CE·Mauryan–Satavahana Buddhist (Bhima valley)·🇮🇳 Karnataka, Kalaburagi District, Chitapur Taluk, Kanaganahalli village on Bhima River 3 km SE of Sannati, 26 km from Gulbarga, India
About
About Kanaganahalli
Kanaganahalli — mega Buddhist stupa complex (3rd c BCE–3rd c CE) 3 km SE Sannati on Bhima River, Kalaburagi, excavated 1994–2002 by Karnataka Archaeology Dept (K.P. Poonacha). Largest stupa in Karnataka: 22 m dia adhishthana (base) plus second stupa 19 m, with 60+ limestone sculpture panels, 72 inscribed slabs naming Ashoka (Raya Ashoka) with portrait, Satavahana kings, and masons. Contains only surviving Ashoka portrait sculpture with inscription 'Raya Ashoka'. Also yielded brick monasteries, chaityagriha, and votive stupas. Adjacent to Sannati, forms 5 km Bhima Buddhist city.
Why it mattersOnly site with Ashoka portrait inscribed 'Raya Ashoka' — largest Satavahana stupa with royal gallery
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why Ashoka portrait only at Kanaganahalli not Sanchi?
Theories
- 01Kanaganahalli as Satavahana imperial Buddhist atelier for Bhima region
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.3rd c BCE Ashokan phase; apogee 1st c BCE–2nd c CE Satavahana
- Period
- Mauryan 3rd c BCE → Satavahana 1st c BCE–3rd c CE
- Culture
- Mauryan–Satavahana Buddhist (Bhima valley)
- Builders
- Ashoka and Satavahana monastic artisans
- Purpose
- Imperial Buddhist stupa city with Ashoka portrait and Satavahana royal gallery linking Bhima to Deccan trade
- Excavation
- Excavated
3rd c BCE
Ashokan foundation with inscribed portrait
1st c BCE–2nd c CE
Satavahana stupa adhisthana and inscriptions
1994–2002
Poonacha excavations reveal Ashoka portrait and 60 panels
On the ground
Structures & features
16.8354° N · 76.9325° E · 418 m · 2 mapped features
Main Stupa Adhishthana with Ashoka Portrait
stupa22-m stupa base with inscribed Raya Ashoka portrait panel and drum
16.8364° N · 76.9317° ESecondary Stupa and Monastery Complex
monastery19-m second stupa with brick monastery and votive stupa rows east
16.8339° N · 76.9336° E