# Hooli Fort

- **Country:** India
- **Coordinates:** 15.783300, 75.116700

Hooli, historically known as Mahishpatinagar and sometimes referred to in the context of Hooli Fort, is an ancient town located in the Belagaavi District of Karnataka, India. Situated approximately nine kilometers from Saundatti, this settlement is one of the oldest in the region and rests atop a hill that once featured a fortified structure. The name Hooli is derived from the term PooValli, meaning a flowery ear ornament, reflecting its cultural heritage. While often associated with a ruined fort, the site is primarily renowned today for its dense concentration of historical temples rather than a single standing military fortress.

The town flourished under the rule of the Ratta dynasty of Saundatti and the Patwardhans of Ramdurg, with significant architectural contributions from the Chalukya era. Many of the structures, including the prominent Panchalingeshwara and Trikuteshwara temples, originally served as Jain Basadis before being adapted or rebuilt. The Panchalingeshwara Temple, a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India, is celebrated for its exquisite stone architecture and ability to remain cool even during scorching summers. The site also features the Hari Mandir, which highlights the influence of the Sant Culture and Nath tradition.

Currently, Hooli exists as a historically rich village where numerous ancient temples stand in various states of preservation. While the Panchalingeshwara Temple remains a key attraction, many other structures have fallen into ruins due to long-term negligence, though they still display amazing sculptures and carvings. The supposed fort atop the hill is now largely ruined, serving as a testament to the area's layered past rather than a functional defensive structure. Despite the decay of some elements, the location remains a significant site for understanding the architectural and religious evolution of northern Karnataka.

![Photo of Hooli Fort](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/Panchalingeshwara_temple_Hooli_1.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hooli (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)