South India’s Western Ganga Dynasty, with their capital in Talakad, had in 470 gained control over the Kongu region in modern Tamil Nadu, and the Sendraka (modern Chikkamagaluru and Belur), Punnata and Pannada regions (comprising modern Heggadadevanakote and Nanjangud) in modern Karnataka.
King Durvinita had ascended the throne in 529 after waging a war with his younger brother, who his father, King Avinita, had favored.
Some accounts suggest that in this power struggle, the Pallavas of Kanchi had supported Avinita's choice of heir and the Badami Chalukya King Vijayaditya supported his father-in-law, Durvinita.
It is known from the inscriptions that these battles had been fought in Tondaimandalam and Kongu regions (northern Tamil Nadu) prompting historians to suggest that Durvinita fought the Pallavas successfully.
Considered the most successful of the Ganga kings, Durvinita is well versed in arts such as music, dance, ayurveda, and the taming of wild elephants.
Some inscriptions sing paeans to him by comparing him to Yudhishtira and Manu—figures from Hindu mythology known for their wisdom and fairness.
During Durvinita's rule, the hostilities between the Pallavas and Gangas had come to the fore and the two kingdoms have fought several pitched battles, but Durvinita had defeated the Pallavas in the battle of Anderi.
Though the Pallavas had sought the assistance of the Kadambas to the north to tame Durvinita, the Gummareddipura inscription states that Durvinita had overcome his enemies at Alattur, Porulare and Pernagra.
It is possible that these victories enabled him to extend his power over the Kongudesa and Tondaimandalam regions of Tamil country.
He may have also made Kittur his capital.
Although the early Gangas are worshipers of Vishnu, Durvinita has a Jaina guru called Pujyapada and his court is attended by several Jaina scholars.
