Karnataka Overview - III
Last Updated on Monday, 18 January 2010 14:22 Written by Manjunath H Sunday, 10 January 2010 18:51
DHARMASTHALA: 
Besides the many Jain basadis and a museum, the centrepiece of this temple town is a 39ft. monolith statue of Lord Bahubali. Dharmasthala, situated 65km east of Mangalore, in Belthangady taluk of Dakshina Kannada district, is a remarkable example of communal harmony and religious and cultural tolerance.
MURUDESHWAR: 
Located on the main Mangalore-Karwar highway, Murudeshwar is sandwiched between the picturesque Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. Its main attractions are its beach, an awesome Shiva statue, and a Shiva Temple built with Chalukya and Kadamba sculptures in the Dravidian style of architecture.
ISKCON TEMPLE: 
(International Society For Krishna Consciousness)
Visit this ornate temple just 10km west of Vidhana Soudha cord road Rajaji Negara Bangalore. Built on a hillock with granite, marble, and Korean glass, this huge cultural complex was established to promote Vedic culture and spiritual learning.
SHRAVANABELAGOLA: 
A short 148-km drive from Bangalore takes you to Shravanabelagola, a prominent Jain pilgrim centre in Hassan district. Shravanabelagola is home to Asia's largest monolithic statue - Lord Gomateswara here towers 58ft.
MUDABIDRI:
Mudabidri is known as the 'Jain Varanasi' of South India. There are 18 Jain basadis in Mudabidri; the oldest of them is the 15th century Chandranatha Basadi, also known as the Thousand Pillars Basadi. The main entrance, which faces the east, opens onto a superb monolithic pillar in front of the doorway.
VENUR: 
The town is famed for its eight basadis and the ruins of a Mahadeva Temple. An 11m high Bahubali statue, dating back to 1604, stands on the Southern bank of the Gurupur river.
KARKALA: 
The towering 42ft. monolith of Gomateshwara standing atop a granite outcrop on the outskirts of the town is the main attraction here. The Chaturmukha Basadi, completed in 1586, has four identical Jain tirthankara images facing in four different directions.
SRINGERI: 
It is believed that this town was named after Rishyashringa, who figures
in the famous Indian mythological epic Ramayana as the chief priest at the sacrifice of King Dasaratha.
TALACAUVERY: 
Set amidst the picturesque Brahmagiri Hills is the source of the Cauvery river with the Talacauvery Temple built around it. On Tulasankramana day (October 17th) thousands of pilgrims flock to the river's birthplace to witness the miraculous rise of the fountainhead..
BANAVASI(VANAVAASI): 
Nestling deep in the forests of the Western Ghats on the border of Uttara Kannada and Shimoga districts, this temple town is located on the Vardha river and is known for its rice, sugarcane, arecanut, spices, and the famous Banavasi pineapple. This is where the eminent poet Pampa wrote his poems.
KHWAJA BANDE NAWAZ DURGAH-GULB
ARGA:
The tomb of the great Sufi saint Khwaja Bande Nawaz, a magnificent building in the Indo-Saracenic style, holds pride of place in the hearts of Muslim devotees. Thousands of Hindus and Muslims visit the durgah each day to pay homage to the saint. It is the venue of an annual urus (festival) attended by nearly one hundred thousand people, both Muslims as well as Hindus..
SHARANABASAVESHWARA SHRINE: 
Dedicated to the Hindu saint and reformer Basaveshwara, the temple is a popular year-round pilgrim centre for Hindu devotees. A chariot festival which draws thousands of pilgrims is held in Basaveshwara's honour near the Gulbarga tank.
MALKHED : 
Malkhed a town 40 kms away from gulbarga was the capital city of Rashtrakootas. It was known as “Maanyakhetha” . Now we can see the glimpses of Rashtrakootas like fort , jain basadi Can be seen here. and here we can see the moola brindavanam of sri jayateertharu who is known as teekacharyaru and he concidered as the first respected critic in the world. he wrote teeka grantha means critics to 37 sarvamoola granthas (books) of sri madhwacharya.
BASAVAKALYAN: 
Once the capital of the Kalyana Chalukyas and the centre of a great social and religious upheaval in the 12th century, Basavakalyan in Bidar district is famed for its cultural heritage
GURUDWARA NANAK JHIRA SAHIB-BIDAR: 
Legend has it that Guru Nanak halted at Bidar at a time when the area was reeling under a severe drought. The Muslim saints requested him to invoke the blessings of the divine in order to obtain water. The crystal clear stream that still flows out of a rock near the Gurudwara is believed to be God's answer to the Guru's prayers.
BANASHANKARI: 
En route to Badami is a quaint hamlet that takes its name from the goddess Banashankari. Built in the Dravidian style, the temple is dedicated to Banashankari, a form of Parvati highly revered by the weaver community
KOODALASANGAMA: 
Situated at the confluence of the rivers Krishna and Malaprabha in Bagalkot district, this pilgrim centre is famed for its Chalukyan-style Sangameshwara Temple. Koodalasangama is associated with the great 12th century poet and reformer Basaveshwara.
SIDDHAGANGA: 
Siddhaganga, a famous pilgrim centre, has a hilltop temple dedicated to Siddhalingeshwara. At the entrance of this temple six shrines can be seen. The Veerashaiva Mutt, an important educational and pilgrim centre, is close by.
SHIVAGANGA: 
This four-faced hill (1368m) resembles a Nandi from the east, a Ganesha from the west, a linga from the south, and a cobra from the north. An arduous climb takes you to the two main shrines, Gavi Gangadhareshwara Cave Temple and Honnadevi Temple.
DEVARAYANADURGA: 
Set amidst hills and dense forests, Devarayanadurga is dotted with hilltop temples like the Yoganarasimha and the Bhoganarasimha. It is also famed for Namada Chilume, a holy natural spring, and the Mahalakshmi Temple at Goravanahalli
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