Karnataka State Popular Shrines
The Travelers at Karnataka can visit good numbers of shrines, mosques, churches and other hoary sanctums. The Shrines of Karnataka are as follows:
Gokarna: This coastal town draws Hindu pilgrims, Sanskrit scholars, and beach buffs alike. Apart from its famed beaches and the Centre for Sanskrit Learning, it is home to the ancient temple of Mahabaleshwara with its Atmalinga, the Venkatramana Temple, the Ganapati Temple, and the Koti Theertha, a large temple tank where pilgrims perform their ablutions. Other must-sees in Gokarna are the enormous chariots which are dragged along the main street between February and March.
Udupi: Located 370 km from Bangalore is Udupi’s famous Vaishnavite temple is situated is visited by various pilgrims. Once the abode of Madhawacharya, today is bounded by various restaurants and hotels providing scrumptious cuisines. Kanakana Kindi is the famous place for pilgrimage inside the temple.
Mookambika Temple: 130 km from the Mangalore, amid the canopy of Western ghats lies the village of Kollur. The Mookambika temple here is amongst the top 7 famous spots in the region. It is dedicated to the goddess of emotional strength and power.
Dharamsala: Worshipped by both Jains and Hindus, this temple is adorned with the 39ft long statue of Lord Mahavira. This sanctum also has basement where the pilgrims can trace the idols of Shiva and Mahaveera.
Murudeshwar: Nestled on the Mangalore Karwar highway, this destination is hallowed by the presence of Shiva temple and Shiva statue constructed during the Chalukya period.
ISCKON temple: Located 10 km from Vidhana Soudha this temple is built to promote vedic ideology. Solely dedicated to Lord Krishna, this temple reverberates with the positive energy and the Sanskrit chants.
Modabidri: There are 18 old Jain basadis in Modabidri. The teerthankaras and monolithic pillars at this temple is worth visiting. The leaf manuscripts and the 17th century beautifully carved Chowfa palace is the must see spot at Modabiri.
Venur: The town is known for eight basadis and the 11th century remains of Mahadeva. The 11 meter high bahubali statue, dating back to 1604, stands on the Southern bank of the Gurpura river.
Sharavanbelgola: The Sharavanbelgola located 148 drive from Bangalore, has a venerated Jain pilgrim center. The Lord Mahaveera’s statue with the vertical height of 58 ft is the longest Monolithic idol in Asia. Also known as Lord Gomateswara on Vindhyagiri hills, millions of Jain pilgrims visit this sanctum after every 12 years. After the period of 12 years, the anointment or ablution of Mahaabhishekam is carried on grand scale. The anointment ceremony of the head is done with pots of curd, milk, coconut, honey, vermillion, gold, jewelry and turmeric paste.
Karkala: Also known for its 42 ft long statue of Lord Gomateshwara, this sanctum is amongst the major attractions in the region. The Chaturmukha Basadi was 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. Sringeri, where the founder of the Advaita philosophy, Adi Shankara, discovered a cobra sheltering a frog from the torrential rains, has its spiritual centre on the banks of the Tungabhadra river in the evergreen forests of Chikmagalur.
Inam Dattatreyapeetha: The Inam Dattatreyapeetha generally known as the beacon of secularism is worshipped by both Hindus and Muslims. Located on the Baba Budangiri range, this sanctum houses the mausoleum of Hazrath Dada Hayath Mir Kalandar and Dattatreya Swami.
Talacauvery: Thousands of pilgrims flock to this sanctum when the stream of river turns into a fountain head during a particular period. The Talacauvery temple receives good numbers of vacationers from every nook and corner of the world.
Banavasi: Perched in the forested districts of Shimoga and Uttara kannda, the Madhukeshwara temple known for its honey colored lingam is thronged by millions of pilgrims.
Khawaja Bande Nawaz Dargah: The tomb of great sufi saint Khwaja Bande Nawaz daragh is visited by infinite numbers of Muslim as well as Hindu pilgrims. On 15th Lunar day the Urs of Khwaja is celebrated millions of Muslims as well as Hindu pilgrims. The Library of this shrine has more than 10,000 books.
Infant Jesus Church: Constructed in the year 1979, the then Archbishop Lourduswamy put its foundation. This church is dedicated to infant Jesus where the people pray to him to relieve them from all sins, request prayers and seek forgiveness.
Sharanabasveshwara Temple: 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.
Basavakalyan: Dedicated to the social reformer Basavaveshwara, this sanctum is the center of great leaning and spirituality.
Gurudwara Nanka Jheera Sahib: The Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib is dedicated Guru Nanak Dev Ji.. Dating back to the past when the area was under a great drought, the Muslim saints requested him to invoke the blessings of almighty to obtain water. The pool of water started flowing out of the rock which is believed to be the answer to guru’s prayers. Millions of sikhs flock to this city, and offer prayers to their Guru. The water pool here is said to have medicinal qualities which can cure all diseases.
Banashankari: While on a route to Badami , the Banashankari temple lies on the way. Dedicated to the disguise form of Paravati, this temple is quiet famous amongst weaver community. The idol here depicts eight armed goddess seated on a lion, indicates power and strength. There is a large pond in front of the temple known as Harida Teertha. Enclosed from three sides by stone, this pond is revered for its connection with mythology. Annually huge fair is also organized which sees the upsurge of large numbers of pilgrims from different corners of the world.
Kudala Sangama: Nestled in the confluence of Krishna and Malaprbha in Bagalkot, this temple is known for its Chaukyan style, Sangameshwara temple. The 12th century temple located 30 km away from Koodalsangama is also the birth place of Basaveshwara.
Yellamma temple: Perched at an elevation point, Soundatti in Bangalore is mainly visited by pilgrims from Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. it is also known as Renuka Devi Temple.
Siddhaganga: Siddhaganga temple is dedicated to Siddhalingeshwara. Few steps ahead are the six shrines. The Veerashaiva mutt is situated in close proximity to the shrine.
Shivganga Temple: The Shivganga temple ahs four faced hill resembling a Nandi from the East, a Ganesha from the West, a linga from the South and a Cobra from the North. A few steps climb would lead to the Gangadhareshwara cave temple and Honna devi temple.
Devarayanadurga: Set amidst the verdure hills, Devarayanadurga is dotted with the temples like Yoganarsimha and Bhoganarsimha. It is also known for Namda Chilume, a holy Natural spring and a Mahalakshmi Temple.
Nanjangud: Known as the revered pilgrimage center, Nanjundeshwara is famous for massive temple. Built in the Dravadian style, this temple is one of the biggest in Karnataka.
Melkote: Melkote is an important pilgrimage place adorned with the mythological relics and golden niche craving embedded on the pillars. The Cheluvarayaswami temple, built in the 12th century enjoyed the patronage of Maharajas of Mysore and Tipu Sultan. The ‘Gopurams’ here are rose colored and lion’s head in four directions. The Vairamudi festival is held between Match and April every year.
Talakad: Nestled on the banks of the River Cauvery, the Kritti Narayana Temple also known as Vaideshwara temple gets completely buried under sand dunes. The temple comes to life when it is excavated again after 12 years, during the panchalinga darshan.
Saint Aloysius College Chapel: The Saint Alosyius College Chapel was constructed in the year 1885. A line of circular pillars holds a aloft, an arch ceiling, oil painting canvas, depict the life of Aloius Gonzaga to whom chapel is dedicated.
Saint Mary Basilica: The pope in 1974 declared the church as Basilica. This church built in old Gothic style in 1874 is supported by Corinthian pillars, stained glass and colorful oil paintings laciniated on the walls.
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