Things To Do Karkala

Karnataka India

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Places To Visit In Karkala

Anekere Lake

A beautiful attraction in Karkala, Anekere Lake is a large water body with a historic significance. Once built as a tank in 1262 by the King Pandyadeva, it supplied the city with drinking water for over eight centuries. Today, this ancient 12th century Anekere spreading over an area of 7 acres is full of clear water and adorned with beautiful white lilies.

Located in a small village on the outskirts of Karkala, Attur is a popular destination mainly renowned for its St. Lawrence Church. It is said that the current church is 3rd church that was rebuilt after the damage of the previous two structures, the first one being destroyed by Tipu Sultan. It is considered that the second church, located near Nakre of Karkala was quite old and thus it was decided to reconstruct it at other site. While searching for a place, the parishioners carried the statue of St. Lawrence and stopped at Attur to quench their thirst at Pushkarni Pond. The parishioners couldn't lift the statue until they decided to build the church at the site and hence the church was erected. Today, this admiring building, nearly 200 years old is a main attraction of the place as well as a religious center for many devotees regardless of their religion. January is a perfect time to visit the church. Read More

One of the most worshipped Jain temples in Karnataka, Chaturmukha Basadi is an ancient temple depicting beautiful architecture. Established nearly about 1432 AD by Vir Pandya Deva, the complex sits deftly on a rocky hill of the town. Adorned with 108 pillars supporting a big slab of granite forming the flat roof of the temple, the complex gets its name from its four entrances located in each of the four directions all leading to the garbhagriha. Do visit the place to explore its splendid history and design. Read More

This temple was once served as a Jain Basadi offered to be built by a Jain king during 1567. The legend goes by as when once Sringeri Jagadguru Sri Narasimha Bharathi Swamiji visited Karkala, he was welcomed warmly by the king. However, Swamiji conditioned his stay with the construction of a temple dedicated to Lord Almighty. Thus the king gave his Basadi to Swamiji and installed a magnificent stone sculptured idol of sleeping Lord Vishnu. Founded in a lake near a village named Nellikar, the idol seems to be carved out of a single black stone. The temple also houses several such splendid and fine sculptures of Basadi and is protected under Archaeological Survey of India. Read More

Hiriangadi is a popular destination in Karkala housing a group of ashrams and holy shrines. The place is best renowned for its Neminath Basadi Complex surrounded by a rocky extension of Sahyadri Mountain ranges. This complex is adorned with several famous shrines including Adinath Swamy Shrine, Bhujabali Brahmacharya Ashram, Ananthanath shrine, Padmavathi basadis, Lord Mahavir shrine and Chandranath Swamy shrine etc. A 60 feet tall Manastambha is one of the main attractions of the complex. One can also witness the tombs of Jain priests Gowri temple, Stone Age structures and Kanthavara temple located near the complex. Read More

Ramasamundra Lake is a favourite picnic spot among locals and travellers. It is believed to be created during last quarter of 14th century. The pond is said to have healing properties and is believed to have never gone dry. The pond was said to be created in the memory of Ramanatha, the son of King Veera Bhairava and brother of Veerapandya.

One of the most celebrated temples of Karkala, the temple is dedicated to 'Lord Shri Srinivas' and 'Utsava Murthy'. The temple organizes a grand procession once a year where Lord Shri Srinivas is carried out in golden mandap. It is said that prayers made here with honesty are fulfilled with miracles. If you are lucky, you can witness one of the many cultural programs of folk dance and music that are held here quite often glorifying the rich culture of the temple. Read More

If you are visiting Karkala, this is a must-visit attraction. In fact, this statue of Bahubali or Gomateshwara is the 2nd largest statue of the kind. A remarkable souvenir of the rich past of the place can be clearly witnessed here in the form of this architectural wonder. It is believed to be built around 1432 AD by a Pandya Dynasty king namely Veerapandya Bhairava Raja, then ruling king. The statue was created to commemorate Prince Bahubali who spent 12 years meditating while denouncing all the worldly pleasures. An auspicious occasion of Maha Masthakaabhisheka is held every 12 years during which the statue is bathed with saffron paste, milk and water. Read More

Located opposite to Shri Venkatramana Temple, Veer Maruthi Temple was originally constructed in year 1539 and renovated in year 1972. Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the temple houses a huge statue of Lord towering over 15 feet. It is believed that the statue was uncovered from beneath the grounds of Anekere near Karkala. The statue is quite different from the usual with left hand placed on the hip while right hand pointing towards sky, legs in walking motion, eyes with angry expression and hair waiving in the air. It is also said that Tipu Sultan was an ardent devotee and had offered a silver ornament which can still be seen around the neck of statue. An annual recital of Sri Ram jai ram Jai Jai Ram is recited in the month of December. Read More

Venur is a small town located in the proximity of Karkala on the banks of River Gurupur. Once served as the capital of Ajila Dynasty, Venur today is a popular spot housing owing to its major attraction of a statue of Bahubali, about 35 feet high. Created in the year 1604 AD, by King Thimmanna Ajila, the statue is standing on a platform without any support and is smallest of all four statues of Bahubali in the state.