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Banavasi

Banavasi

About:
Located on the border of Uttara Kannada and Shimoga districts, the ancient temple town of Banavasi has been a great religious hub for ages. The fact that it is regarded the most ancient city of India after Varanasi, speaks volumes about rich heritage of Banavasi.

Though Banavasi means 'nestled in the forest', it has a history rivalled by no other town in the entire state. Ptolemy, the ancient Greek geographer, wrote about a place called 'Bansi' in South India. Banavasi is the place where Pampa, the first poet of Kannada, wrote his epic poems. This was the capital of the Kadambas, the first kingdom of ancient Karnataka. This is where the temple architecture of the Chalukyas and the Hoysalas got its basic elements. This was the ancient place of learning to which scholars flocked from other states like Goa and Maharashtra

During its halcyon days, Banavasi was the capital city of the Kadamba kings, the first royal dynasty of Karnataka. The Kadambas established their empire in 345 A.D. and held supreme for two hundred years. The annual December cultural festival, Kadambothsav, is a huge gathering, organized by the state government, and featuring folk dancers, drama troupes, classical musicians, art exhibitions, while drawing together performers, artists, and writers from all of south India.

Location info:
Address:Located on the border of Uttara Kannada and Shimoga districts
District:Uttara Kannada district
Nearest City:Sirsi
Best time to visit: December - Kadambothsav and February - Mahashivarathri

Climate/Weather of Banavasi:
The ancient town of Banavasi can be visited any time of the year except in the monsoon months. Whether is good.

History of Banavasi:
Like Gangas of Talkadu, Kadambas are earliest sovereigns in Karnataka. The early rulers had sway over major part of Karnataka, and parts of Goa and Maharashtra. Talagunda inscription of C450 C.E states that Mayursharma was the progenitor and the dynasty got the name because of the Kadamba tree considered holy which grew at their early house. Recently found inscriptions take their history earlier. But the fact remains that Mayursharma a Brhamin youth, after completion of Vedic studies available locally, went to ghatikasthana at Kanchi, capital of Pallavas. Ghatika or ghatikasthana was an institution of higher learning. For reasons, not stated, Mayura was humiliated by the royalty at the time of Ashwamedha( horse sacrifice). Mayura became furious and decided to take up arms, giving up his Vedic learning. "The hand skillful in handling Kusha grass, fuel, stone, ghee, ladle and vessel (these are all the apparatus handled by the Brahmin priests for Vedic rituals), unsheathed a flaming sword eager to conquer earth" reads the inscription. Thus Mayurasharma became Mayuravarma (a Kshatriya) and became adept in arms. He built up an army and trained them in guerilla warfare. He defeated several chieftains and Bana king. The Pallavas were forced to accept his supremacy. He made Banavasi (in North Kanara District) his capital. His kingdom comprised of hilly region, western coast and Chitradurga district. His son Kanga succeeded him. Bhageeratha and Raghu ruled thereafter.

Interesting things to do:
Capital of the Kadamba Kings who established the first Kannada Empire in c. 345AD, Banavasi town (22 km. from Sirsi) is the site of an annual cultural festival - Kadambotsava held in December. The Madhukeshwara Temple, is famed for its architecture, deriving its name from the honey colored Linga. Of special interest is the intricately carved stone cot, which was actually used by the kings.

Interesting things to Visit:
The prime attraction of Banavasi is the renowned Madhukeshwara Temple built in the 9th century and dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Madhukeshwara temple is an amalgamation of several schools of architecture. The presiding deity of Madhukeshwara is a honey colored lingam dedicated during the period of Mayura Varma, the first king of Kadambas.

Mobile range info:
 

How to reach Banavasi?
Nearest Railway Station:The nearest railway station is 112 km away in Shimoga. Sirsi, 18 km away, is the nearest town.
Nearest Airport:Bangalore
Road Transport:374 kms from Bangalore

Nearest Visiting places in Banavasi:
 

Nearest Petrol Pump:
Sirsi, 18 km away, is the nearest town.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation nearby Banavasi:
No lodging available (Better stay in Sirsi or Jog)

Things to carry:
 

Tips & Suggestions for Banavasi:
n its fertile soil grows rice, sugarcane, arecanut, spices and the famous Banavasi Pineapple.

Help Line/Phone Number:
Police Station:Sirsi
Nearest Hospital:Sirsi
Society/Community Phone Number

Banavasi Nearest Attraction
Basavaraja Durga Island
The Island of Basavaraja Durga is about a km from main land off Honnavar. You can reach the island through boats and small coasters. The landing place is at the south end where there is a ruined fort with eight mounted guns.....more
Darya Bahadurgadh Island
Darya Bahadurgadh Island : Daria-Bahadurgad Island the northern-most island also close to near Udupi or Malpe is famous for its export of processed fish. While on this Island you can visit the Balarama Temple and Malpe's oldest tile factory....more
Devbagh Island
Karnataka's undiscovered gem, Devbagh is a destination with a difference. Pristine beaches, casuarina plantations and an eco- friendly environment beckon the adventurous tourist. SUSHEELA NAIR writes about this romantic getaway which offers complete privacy and solitude....more
Karwar Island
Karwar is a port town situated 100 Km from Goa and 260 Km north of Mangalore. Tucked between the sea on one side and the Western Ghats on the other, Karwar is an unexplored destination.....more
Kurumgad Island
Kurumgad Island is a remote haven, located 4 km into the Arabian Sea from Karwar. This tortoise-shaped island, 6 km from Baithakola in Karwar harbor, offers a beautiful view of the sea. Tourists can enjoy exotic beach walks, nature walks, swimming, fishing, bonfires and barbecues, dolphin spotting, boat rides and snorkeling....more
Sadashivgad Island
Sadashivgad is a small village across the Kali river from the town of Karwar in Uttara Kannada. There is an abandoned fort built circa 17th century, and a temple to goddess Durga. The hill on the island offers spectacular views of the Kali river and Arabian sea.....more
Sanyasi Island
Sanyasi Island:Most of the Island resorts provide a complimentary boat trip to the Sanyasi Island. There is an interesting legends about this Island, in ancient times, a sage sought refuge on this island for penance and hence the name.....more
Gokarna Temples
Gokarna situated in coastal Karnataka is 453 kms from Bangalore and about 55 kms from Karwar, the District headquarters. It is described as a Shaiva Centre, as important as Kashi and Rameshwar. History has it that the Atmalinga brought by Ravana got struck here and his efforts to extricate it resulted in his throwing the coverings of the Linga to Dhareshwar, Gunavanteshwara, Murdeshwar and Shejjeshwar temples (the last places is very near Karwar)....more
Honnavar Temple
Honavar or Honnavar is a port Town in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India. The town is the headquarters of Honnavar taluk.History: The first ever historical reference about the Honavar town appears in the works of the Greek author Periplus (AD 247) and it was called Naour.[citation needed] It was mentioned as the first port of Limurike in Tamil country.....more
Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary
Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the banks of River Kali, amidst thick forests and hills of Uttara Kannada District. The sanctuary is at a distance of 125 kms from Goa, 117 kms from Karwar, 95 kms from Belgaum and at 400 kms from Banglore.Dandeli offers you much more than the sundry outings and picnics.....more
Anshi National Park
Anshi National Park is Karnataka In the district of Uttar Kannada Anshi National Park is located. The scenic beauty of this park is non-parallel. An animal lover will definitely fall in love with Anshi National Park. The flora of this place has been blessed with plants like eucalyptus, bamboo, teak, xylia xylocarpa, silver oak, bauhinia and others.....more
Bhatkal Archeology
The west coast style of south India starts from here. The roofs of the buildings are steep since it rains heavily in the western Ghats. They are mostly wooden constructions as in Kerala. In Karnataka , stone structures are prominent....more
Benne Hole Falls
This glorious water falls is formed from the tributary of river "Aghanashini", which flows in the Devimane Ghats region of the Western Ghats. The height of the falls is about 200ft. Benne Hole means big stream in Kannada. About 21kms from Sirsi to Kumta is place called Kasage, which is 6kms from the waterfalls....more
Burude Falls or Dodmane Falls
This wonderful waterfall is around 20+kms from Siddapur and 55+kms from Sirsi, on Siddapur-Kumta road. The way to get down to the river is through a small creek which is dry in summer. And which will be full in rainy and winter seasons which makes the entry to the waterfall and the valley impossible.....more
Lalguli Falls
On your trip to Karnataka you can choose to visit its cascading waterfalls. The Western Ghats rising to an average of 900m converges into the Nilgiri Hills and offers to Karnataka a plethora of thundering waterfalls plummeting down from great heights.....more
Magodu falls
Karnataka is well known for its cascading waterfalls. Being the eight largest state in India in terms of area, Karnataka not only has historical monuments dating to 7th century but it boasts of beautiful unspoilt hill stations. While vacationing in the remote hills of the Karnataka, you will be taken aback with the breathtaking view the waterfalls in Karnataka offer.....more
Satodi falls
From Yellapur, take the highway towards Hubballi (Hubli) [opposite direction of Magod Falls] and then turn left towards Ganesh Gudi (do not confuse this for Ganesh Gudi near Dandeli) immediately after the petrol bunk. An arch at the beginning of this road is a good landmark for the road to Sathodi Falls.....more
Shiv Gange Falls
Shiv Gange Waterfall is situated on the border of threee taluks of North Kanaradistrict(Sirsi, Yellapur, Ankola). The water falls plunges from about 200ft, providing a picturesque view and pleasand trek. In the middle of the river is Ganesha temple, on the upstream.....more
Unchalli Waterfalls
The river Aghanashini, originating from the Western Ghats, makes a spectacular waterfall called Unchalli. The spot is around 30 km from Sirsi and 35 km from Siddapura. Jeep is the best mode of transportation. Buses operated by Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation will arrive up to Heggarani, from where one has to walk a few kilometers.....more
Vibhooti Falls
Vibhooti is one of the beautiful waterfalls of the Western Ghats. It is about eight kilometers from Yana, in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka. The adjoining areas of the waterfalls are dotted with huge rocks, apart from a lime stone rock structure from which Vibhooti got its name.....more
Waate Halla / Hole Falls
This beautiful waterfall is at few kilometers distance from Unchalli Falls. A tributary to the Aghanashini River makes this wonderful falls some 30km away from the Sirsi Town falling from a height of around 100+feet....more
Kali River
The Kali River or Kalinadi is a river flowing through Karnataka state in India. There are many dams built across this river for the generation of electricity. The river has its origin in the Western Ghats and flows westwards to join the Arabian Sea near the town of Karwar....more
Bhatkal Beach
Indian Beach Tours, offers a look-in into the beautiful and attractive Bhatkal Beach, located in Karnataka, India. Indian Beach Tours offers information about Bhatkal Beach, located in Karnataka, in India.....more
Karwar Beach
Karwar is the capital of Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka, India; it is a small seaside town situated on the west coast of the Indian subcontinent. The town lies about 15 kilometres south of the Karnataka-Goa border. Karwar is a port town situated 100 Km from Goa and 260 Km north of Mangalore.....more
Kudle beach
One of the most beautiful and safest beach of gokarna to swim (Expert Swimmers only). The best place to visit this place is from December to March, ,most of the people who visit this place is gohras and gohris. please take enough water and food as the food and water avilabe near the beach is not so good, the best place to buy is from gokarna town.recently two students from manipal got drowned here.....more
Murudeshwara Beach
Murudeshwara is a town in the Bhatkal Taluk of Uttara Kannada district in the state of Karnataka, India. "Murudeshwara" is another name of the Hindu god Shiva. Famous for the world's tallest Shiva statue, this beach town lies on the coast of the Arabian Sea....more
OmBeach
Gokarna is about 200km north of Mangalore (7 hr by bus) and 56km southwest of Karwar on the seashore. According to the Gokarna Purana, "By mere entrance into this Ksetra (holy place), one becomes liberated from hundreds of sins, including even brahma-hatya (the killing of a Brahmin)......more
Attiveri Bird Sanctuary

Attiveri Bird Sanctuary is around 15 km from Mundgod in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka. from Hubli-Dharwad it is 43 km away.Spread over an area of about 2.23 sq km, the sanctuary is located in and around the Attiveri reservoir. The part of the sanctuary surrounding the reservoir has riverine and deciduous forests.....more
Kadra Dam
Kadra Dam is situated in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka state in India. The dam is constructed across river Kalinadi. The dam was primarily built as hydroelectric project for supply of water to turbines of electric power generating station....more
Kodasalli Dam
Kodasalli Dam is constructed across Kali river also called Kali nadi, flowing in Joida taluk of Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka state in India. Karnataka Power Corporation had built this dam and the electric power generating station successfully serves the purpose of a Hydroelectric Power station....more
Supa Dam
Supa Dam is built across Kalinadi ( Kannada ) or Kali river in state of Karnataka in India. The dam is situated in Joida taluk of Uttara Kannada district. The power house at the foot of the dam has two electricity generators of fifty megawatt each. The electricity generated is supplied to different parts of Karnataka.....more
Yana Hills
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Banni falls

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Island of Mallikurve
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Murudeshwar Temples
....more