KARKALA TOURISM | GOMATHESHWARA STATUE & PLACES TO VISIT IN KARKALA

At a distance of 1.5 Km from Karkala Bus Stand, Anekere Lake is a man-made lake situated in the town of Karkala, Karnataka. It is one of the most popular Karkala places to visit.

Anekere Lake is an artificial water tank constructed in 1262 by Raj Pandyadeva for the purpose of bathing royal elephants. Over time, however, the lake's function expanded to provide potable drinking water for the town. This expansive 7-acre lake has served as a crucial source of drinking water for the town for more than eight centuries. Presently, the ancient Anekere Lake presents a picturesque view, embellished with lovely white lilies and filled with crystal-clear water, making it an essential attraction in Karkala.

At the center of Anekere Lake stands a magnificent Jain temple known as Anekere Basadi, which has a history that dates back to 1545 AD. Constructed by Veera Pandya, this temple exemplifies the region's rich .....

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At a distance of 5 Km from Karkala Bus Stand, Durga Waterfall is a scenic waterfall located near Karkala in the Udupi district of Karnataka. It is one of the lesser-known natural gems in Karnataka, and among the must-include places in Karkala leisure packages.

Durga Waterfall is situated along the course of the River Swarna, which originates in the Western Ghats. Commonly referred to as Durga Falls, it is not a waterfall; rather, the water crashes forcefully against the rocks. As it flows downstream, the River Swarna traverses a vast expanse of rugged rocks, providing a stunning visual experience during the monsoon season when the waterfall is at its peak strength.

The name 'Durga' may be connected to the nearby Durga village. Some suggest that the name 'Durga' could also relate to local mythology or the existence of a lookout post or fortress ('Durg') that was constructed in historical times. Nevertheless, there .....

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At a distance of 1.5 km from Karkala Bus Station, 37 Kms from Udupi & 50 Kms from Mangalore, Chaturmukha Basadi is a Jain temple, situated on a rocky hill near Karkala.

The primary deity of the temple is Chandranatha. This temple got its name due to the four doorways in four directions lead to the Garbhagriha. It is entirely built of stone and stands on a raised stone platform. The flat roof is constructed with large granite slabs and the temple has a total of 108 pillars. This temple was committed by Vir Pandya Deva, the King of Bairarava family in 1432 and completed in 1586.

This is the most celebrated temple in Karkala and is referred to in the inscriptions as Tribhuvana Tilaka Jina Chaityalaya and Ratnaraya Dhama. Photography is prohibited inside without prior permission.

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At a distance of 2.5 km from Karkala Bus Station, 37 Kms from Udupi & 50 Kms from Mangalore, Gomatheshwara Statue (Lord Bahubali) is located on a rocky hillock called Bahubali Betta in Karkala. It is situated near Chaturmukha Basadi (about 1 Km).

This single stone 42-foot statue of Gomateshwara is the second tallest in Karnataka, after Shravanabelagola.Veera Pandya Deva, the King of Bairarava family built this monolithic statue in his honor and also installed the Brahmadeva Pillar in front of the statue in 1436.

The Maha Masthakaabhisheka festival, sacred bathing of the statue with saffron paste, milk and water, held in every 12 years. During this period thousands of Jain devotees visit this place to carry out the Mahamastakabhisheka.

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At a distance of 4 km from Karkala Bus Station, 37 Kms from Udupi & 50 Kms from Mangalore, Neminath Basadi is a Jain temple constructed in 1329. It is located very close to Bahubali Betta / Gomatheshwara Statue (about 0.5 Km).

The presiding deity of this temple is Mulnayak Bhagvan Neminath. There is a 54 feet Manasthambha, carved out of single rock, which is installed in front of the Basadi. The complex also houses Lord Mahavir, Chandranath Swamy, Adinath Swamy, Ananthanath and Padmavathi basadis, and the Bhujabali Brahmacharya Ashram.

Chaturmukha Basadi (1 Km), Gomatheshwara Statue (0.5 Kms) and Ramasamudra Lake (1 Km) are nearby attractions.

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At a distance of 1 km from Karkala Bus Station, 37 Kms from Udupi & 50 Kms from Mangalore, Sri Venkata Ramana Temple located in Karkala is popularly known as Padu Tirupathi, which means Tirupathi of West. This temple is more than 550 years old and houses the ancient idol of Lord Srinivasa of Tirupathi.

According to legend, a family of Gowda Saraswat Brahmins brought Lord Venkat Ramana's statue from Goa, settled in Karkala and built a temple. When the rulers of Mangalore attacked the temple, the temple was destroyed and idol was lost.

It is said that the devotees had a dream directing them to go back to their place where they were directed to receive an idol of Lord Srinivasa from a saint. Their dreams come true when a Brahmin stranger gave them an idol of Srinivasa which he brought from Tirupati. The Lord is name Tirupati Chappara Srinivasa and all the poojas here are performed as in Tirupati.

The Laksha Deepothsava festival, Annual Chariot festival and Chakrotsava .....

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At a distance of 1 km from Karkala Bus Station, 37 Kms from Udupi & 50 Kms from Mangalore, Sri Ananthashayana Temple is an ancient temple located in Karkala. This temple is dedicated to Lord Ananthapadmanabha (another form of Lord Vishnu). This temple is situated near Sri Venkata Ramana Temple (about 1 Km) & Chaturmukha Basadi (about 1 Km).

This temple was originally a Jain Basadi in 15th century. During that time, Sringeri Jagadguru Sri Narasimha Bharathi Swamiji came to Karkala and the Jain King gave him a warm welcome. But Swamiji said he will stay only if there is a temple with Lord installed in it. The king gave the Jain Basadi to His Holiness Sringeri Swamiji and installed a stone sculptured of Lord Vishnu.

The magnificent idol of Lord Vishnu is carved out of a single black stone with Lord Brahma coming out of Vishnu's navel, and Sridevi and Bhudevi at his feet.

This temple is under the protection of Archaeological .....

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At a distance of 6 km from Karkala Bus Station, 34 Kms from Udupi & 52 Kms from Mangalore, St. Lawrence Church is located in Attur, which is about 8 kms from Karkala. The church built in 1845 is very popular in this region.

Attur Church situated in the outskirts of Karkala town. Placed amidst placid greenery, the Attur parish has a rich history with its origin tracing back to 1759. Moreover it is known for its miraculous history.the church is a place of worship and belief for all, irrespective of caste and creed. People from all walks of the society come here to offer their prayers to St Lawrence.

The Attur Festival celebrated in January is major festival of the church which attracts several thousand devotees.

Mass Timings : Daily Mass at 6.30 AM,Saturday 4.30 PM, Sunday 7.30 & 10.30 AM

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At a distance of 35 Km from Karkala, Venur or Venooru is a small village in the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, India. Located on the banks of River Phalguni, it is one of the most frequented places to visit as part of the Karkala pilgrimage packages.

Once a prominent center of Jainism, Venur is located along the Dharmasthala-Moodabidri-Karkala route, which is part of the coastal religious circuit in Karnataka. It served as the capital of the Ajila Dynasty, which ruled from 1154 AD to 1786 AD. The primary attraction in Venur is the monolith of Bhagawan Bahubali, also referred to as Lord Gomateshwara. This single rock statue of Gomateshwara was erected in 1604 CE by the Jain ruler Timmanna Ajila, a direct descendant of Chamundaraya, who constructed a similar statue at Shravanabelagola.

The statue, standing at 35 feet tall, faces westward and is positioned on a high platform along the banks of the river .....

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At a distance of 2 Km from Karkala Bus Stand, Ramasamudra Lake, also known as Rama Lake, is a picturesque freshwater lake located in the small town of Karkala. It is one of the most popular tourist places in Karkala.

Ramasamundra Lake is a hidden treasure that attracts both residents and visitors in search of a peaceful retreat. It is thought to have been established during the last quarter of the 14th century in honor of Ramanatha, the son of King Veera Bhairava and sibling of Veerapandya. The pond is reputed to possess healing qualities and is believed to have never dried up. The lake is a primary source of drinking water for the town of Karkala and its neighboring regions.

Nestled at the base of the Western Ghats, the lake is enveloped by verdant forests and hills, making it a favored spot for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers. The lake's crystal-clear waters create a captivating setting, encouraging .....

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