Dambala is a village in the gadag district of the state of Karnataka, India. It was an ancient center of Buddhism and remained so as late as the 12th century.^[1] Dambal is at an elevation of 590 m (1,940 ft).^[2]

As of 2001 India census, Dambala had a population of 10,095 with 5,166 males and 4,929 females and 1,815 Households.^[3]

Under the rule of the Mauryas and Satavahana, the teachings of Buddha flourished in Karnataka. Buddhist relics are found scattered around the town.^[4]

In a temple of the Buddhist deity Tara in Dambal, there is an inscription dated 1095 AD, a temple built by 16 merchants for the deity Tara and a vihara for Buddhist monks. Although Buddhism was assimilated by the growing popularity of Hinduism, there was a Buddhist centre in Dambal as late as the 12th century.^[5]

There are three Hindu temples here. The Doddabasappa Temple is of the Western Chalukya architectural style and has a twenty-four pointed stellate plan for the vimana with so many star points that it almost becomes circular in appearance.^[6] Each right angle is divided into four 22.5 degrees angles. Then each angle is again divided and covered with intricate carvings.^[7]

Recently discovered the temple well locals call it as Jappadbavi

Kappata gudda hill is very near to Dambal, the famous Kappata Malleshwara Temple is about 5 miles from Dambal.

• North Karnataka
• Tourism in North Karnataka
• Gadag
• Lakkundi
• Mahadeva Temple (Itagi)
• Vesara

• History of Indian Art
• Rahman, Mahbubur (2012). "Architecture". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
• Deccan-herald: Dambal
• Dambal a religious symphony
• Dusty Dambal? Think again!