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Voykit pocket guide · India
Lakkundi
Half-day stop from Gadag or Hubli: see the Chalukya temples and stepped wells, then move on. No need to stay overnight.
Lakkundi is a small village in Karnataka with over 50 temples and stepped wells (kalyani) from the Kalyani Chalukya and Hoysala periods. Most structures are in ruins, but the stonework and Jain basadi are worth a detour if you are travelling the Hubli–Hospet road. The nearest base is Gadag, 11 km away.
- Country
- India
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- Avoid
- Apr–Jun (extreme heat), Jul–Sep (heavy rain)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹1,500–2,500 (day trip from Gadag) · Mid ₹3,000–5,000 (with auto hire and lunch) (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Fire and ambulance 112
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Auto-rickshaw Gadag–Lakkundi return | ₹300–500 |
| Bus Gadag–Lakkundi one way | ₹15–25 |
| Vegetarian thali at Gadag | ₹100–200 |
| Tea at roadside stall | ₹10–20 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- HBX · Hubballi Airport
- 71 km (44 mi); taxis and buses to Gadag, then auto to Lakkundi44 mi (71 km); taxis and buses to Gadag, then auto to Lakkundi
Typical fares
- Gadag → Lakkundi auto
- ₹300–500 return (check)
- Gadag → Hubli bus
- about ₹100, 1.5 h
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk: most temples are within a 1 km (0.6 mi) radius. An auto-rickshaw from Gadag costs about ₹300–500 return (check).Walk: most temples are within a 0.6 mi (1 km) radius. An auto-rickshaw from Gadag costs about ₹300–500 return (check).
See and do
Known for
- Kalyani Chalukya and Hoysala temple architecture
- Brahma Jinalaya (Jain basadi)
- Stepped wells (kalyani)
- Manikeshwara Temple
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Gadag | Auto-rickshaw or bus, 11 km (6.8 mi), about 20 minAuto-rickshaw or bus, 6.8 mi (11 km), about 20 min | About 30 min |
| Dambal | Auto or bus via Gadag, about 15 km (9.3 mi)Auto or bus via Gadag, about 9.3 mi (15 km) | About 40 min |
| Itagi | Auto or bus via Gadag, about 20 km (12 mi)Auto or bus via Gadag, about 12 mi (20 km) | About 1 h |
| Pattadakal | Bus or car via Badami, about 100 km (62 mi)Bus or car via Badami, about 62 mi (100 km) | About 2 h |
| Aihole | Bus or car via Badami, about 110 km (68 mi)Bus or car via Badami, about 68 mi (110 km) | About 2.5 h |
| Badami | Bus or car via Gadag, about 80 km (50 mi)Bus or car via Gadag, about 50 mi (80 km) | About 2 h |
Sleep
- Gadag town
- 11 km (6.8 mi) from Lakkundi; lodges like Durga Vihar, Anand Lodge, Hotel Sainath Residency, Keshav Clarks Inn6.8 mi (11 km) from Lakkundi; lodges like Durga Vihar, Anand Lodge, Hotel Sainath Residency, Keshav Clarks Inn
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | ನಮಸ್ಕಾರnamaskāra |
| Thank you | ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳುdhanyavādagaḷu |
| How much? | ಎಷ್ಟು?eṣṭu? |
| Where is the temple? | ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ ಎಲ್ಲಿದೆ?dēvasthāna ellide? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- No accommodation in Lakkundi itself: base yourself in Gadag or Hubli.
- Temples are in ruins; wear sturdy shoes and carry water.
- Small eateries serve only vegetarian snacks; plan lunch in Gadag.
Lakkundi is a quiet village; standard precautions apply. Watch for uneven ground at temple ruins. Heat and dehydration are the main risks.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Lakkundi yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Kalyani Chalukya and Hoysala temple architecture
- Brahma Jinalaya (Jain basadi)
- Stepped wells (kalyani)
- Manikeshwara Temple
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Lakkundi, revision 5300665 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5300665
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/lakkundi). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.