Karnataka - Tourism & Wildlife - Karwar @ whatisindia.com

KARWAR
Karwar, the port town on the banks of the Kali Nadi river is situated 519kms north -west of Bangalore. It is the administrative head quarters of North Kanara District in Karnataka. Karwar is an ideal place to relax.Once an important trade centre of the British, French, Portuguese and the Arabs, the charming town is complemented by glorious weather and an excellent beach which is said to have inspired Rabindranath Tagore to pen his first play. The charming town is complemented by glorious weather and the area is very picturesque with hills and valleys of the Western Ghats covered with dense tropical jungle on the way to Hubli. Karwar located 518 kms from Bangalore is known for its fine muslin. The best time to visit Karwar is December to May.

How to get there:
Air: The nearest airport is at Goa (Dabolim Airport), though entry points are also at Belgaum and Mangalore.
Rail: Karwar is on the Konkan railway connecting Mumbai with Goa and Mangalore. Some fast trains do not stop at Karwar.
Road: Karwar Bus stand is on the southern edge of the town centre. Road distance of nearby cities: Bangalore: 520 kms, Belgaum: 167 kms, Mangalore: 273 kms, Goa: 100 kms.

Ankola
Located 37kms south of Karwar, is a small town with 15century ruined walls of king Sarpamalika's fort and the ancient Shri Venketaraman Temple. Near the temple there are two giant wooden chariots carved with scenes from the 'Ramayana'.

Gokarna
The Coastal town of Gokarna is a famous pilgrimage centre as well as a centre of Sanskrit learning, 56kms from Karwar. It is famous for the Mahabaleswar Temple with the 'Atmalinga' (a revered Shiva lingam) dedicated to Lord Shiva. There is a enormous chariot, which is taken out in a procession on Shiva's birthday in February. The Tambraparni Teertha (River) here is considered sacred to perform obsequies of the dead.

Gokarna is also famous for its beautiful deserted beaches like Kutle, Om, Half moon, Paradise etc.. which rival Goan Beaches.

Yana
Situated 60kms from Karwar, Yana or Bhairavakshetra is a deserted town ship and an important pilgrim centre with unique rock formations. Located in a beautiful valley, one has to trek a distance of about 10kms by foot amidst thick forest to reach Yana. It is a popular rock climbing haunt. There is a shrine of Bhairaveswara on a hillock 100metres high. A fair is held here during Shivaratri.

Ulavi
Ulavi, a famous pilgrim centre is located 75 kms from Karwar (via Kumbarawada). Thousands come here to pay homage to the samadhi of Veera Shiva Saint Channabasavanna, who took refuge here from the army of 'Kalachurias'. Ulavi 'Jatras' attracts devotees from all over.

Honnavar
Honnavar, situated 90 kms from Karwar, has a Portuguese fort. There is also a fort in Basavaraja Durga Island, amidst the sea which can be reached by a sail upstream on river Sharavathi. Geresoppa the old capital of the Queen Chanabhairavi, 30 kms from here has a beautiful 14th century Chaturmukha Basti. The boat trip to Gerosoppa with coconut groves and lush greenery covering the banks, is memorable.

Dandeli
Located 93 kms from Karwar, Dandeli is a popular holiday resort and an industrial township. The wildlife sanctuary here in an area of 207Sq.Kms abounds with a variety of rare animals. The watch tower inside the sanctuary are inaccessible during the monsoon months of June to October. This forest region is famous for its paper, plywood, teakwood and Ferro-manganese factories. The cave with Shivalinga-like laterite formations is also worth a visit.

Lushington Falls
110 kms from Karwar, the famous Lushington Falls or Keppa falls is located in Siddhapur Taluk on the Shimoga border. The falls where the river Aghanashini thunders down from the height of 116 meters is named after a District Collector who discovered it in 1845.

Magod Falls
The Magod is 125 kms from Karwar. The river Gangavathi emerging from the Western ghats takes a leap into a chasm of 183metre (600 feet) down, in a series of cascades over the cliffs presenting an enchanting sight.

Bhatkal
Bhatkal located 135 kms from Karwar was the main port of Vijayanagar empire in the 16th century. The ancient town has temples of Vijayanagar style and many interesting Jain monuments. The 17th century Hindu temple here in Vijayanagar style has beautiful animal carvings. 16 kms away is the shore temple of Shri Murdeshwar. The temple attracts a lot of devotees and tourists.

Banavasi
Located 140 kms from Karwar on the left bank of the Varada river, Banavasi is a temple town mentioned in the Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Once the capital city of Kadambas, the main places of interest here are the Madhukeswara temple, the ruins of a Buddhist stupa, the Veerabhadra temple and the several idols and the Jain icons.

Reference:
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