Hangal

Hangal may refer to:

1. Hangal (town): A town and a taluk (administrative subdivision) headquarters in the Haveri district of the Indian state of Karnataka.

   • History: Hangal has a rich historical past, having served as the capital of the Kadambas of Hangal, a branch of the ancient Kadamba dynasty, who ruled parts of Karnataka from the 10th to the 14th century CE. It was also an important center during the Western Chalukya and Hoysala periods.
   • Architecture: The town is particularly renowned for its ancient temples, most notably the Tarakeshwara Temple, a magnificent example of 12th-century Chalukyan architecture dedicated to Shiva. Other notable temples include the Jain Basadi, Veerabhadra Temple, and Ramalinga Temple. These structures showcase intricate carvings, pillars, and sculptures.
   • Geography: Situated in the western part of Haveri district, it is surrounded by agricultural lands and forests. The Varada River flows near the town.

2. Hangal (surname): A surname, predominantly found in India.

   • Notable people:
     • A. K. Hangal (Avtar Kishan Hangal; 1914–2012): A prominent Indian character actor in Hindi cinema. Born in Sialkot (now in Pakistan), he was known for his roles as the gentle, often elderly, father figure, grandfather, or uncle in over 200 films from the 1960s to the 2000s. He was also a veteran of the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA). He was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 2006 for his contributions to Indian cinema.

See also:

• Kadambas of Hangal
• Tarakeshwara Temple, Hangal