Dandelli
:
Just 75 km from the railhead Hubli, lies Dandeli, gateway to
the 834 sq. km. Dandeli Game Sanctuary. It is home to rare species
of animals, like barking deer, sloth bear, civet cat, panther,
Flying Squirrel and Malabar Squirrel. Woodpeckers and Hornbills
are some of the birds sighted. Take in the jungle experience
by staying at
the Kali Wilderness Camp, located on the edge of the Kali River.
Ride down the Kali river in a coracle (round basket like boat),
where you can watch crocodiles basking on the banks and water
birds nesting, or take a jeep safari or jungle walk into the
forests.
Ulavi :
Chennabasaveshwara
Temple: Forty two kms from Dandeli, this is a major pilgrim
centre for Veerashaivas, where an annual car festival and shandy
are held in February - March. Nearby are a number of natural
caves with interesting rock formations.
Karwar :
Karwar is 520
kms west of Bangalore. Karwar has one of the most beautifulbeachesin
the country which is said to have inspired Tagore to
pen his first drama. The drive of 160 km from Hubli takes
one through hills first and valleys covered with dense tropicaljungles
and plenty of wildlife. The Kalindi river flows through the
town into Arabian Sea. Motor launches are available for boating
up to the Kali river. You can make boat trips up the spectacular
Kali Nadi from the bridge three km north of town. A stroll
to the bridge to witness the and the spectacular shades of
light in the surrounding Ghats is about as exciting as the
local entertainment get.
Prime Attractions of Karwar
:
Dargah
of Peer Shan Shamsuddin Kharobat
--
The famous Dargah of Peer Shan Shamsuddin
Kharobat, a
Baghdadi Saint is a place of tourist interest for
pilgrims.
Naganatha Temple --
Naganatha Temple is a Temple where
an anthill is worshipped. Kurmagad Island: A visit by launch
to the Kurmagad Island, which has an old fort and a Narasimha
shrine, is a must.
Devbag Beach resort--
Karwar, the district headquarters
of Uttara Kannada is a charming port town, situated at the
mouth of the Kali river. The Kali river bridge, situated
at the confluence of the river and the Arabian Sea, dominates
the town's landscape. Uttara Kannada has sacred pilgrims,
historical towns and some of the most beautiful beaches
in the country. Karwar is said to have inspired the
great poet Rabindranath Tagore to pen his first drama.
Banavasi:
Capital of the Kadamba
Kings who established the first Kannada Empire in c. 345AD,
Banavasi town (22 km. from Sirsi) is the site of an annual
cultural festival - Kadambotsava held in December. The
Madhukeshwara Temple, is famed for its architecture, deriving
its name from the honey colored Linga. Of special interest
is the intricately carved stone cot, which was actually used
by the kings.
Gokarna:
Mahabaleshwara
Temple --
60 kms south of Karwar,
this coastal town has, among other things, an ancient temple
with the Atmalinga. Gokarna is also a famous centre
for Sanskrit learning. The Om Beach and the Kuttle
Beach are nearby. Gokarna carries a lot of significance
to Hindus, Shiva's in particular. It is famous for the ‘Atmalinga’
in the ancient Mahabaleshwara Temple. This is second only
to Vishwanatha Temple at Varnasi in North India.
Om Beach Gokarna
--
With its narrow streets,
traditional houses and temples, the nondescript town of
Gokarna has become the favourite haunt of Hindu pilgrims,
Sanskrit scholars and beach buffs. Locals believe that Gokarna
derives its name from a legend in which Lord Shiva emerged
from the ear of a cow. Literally meaning ‘cow’s
ear,’ this village is formed by the ear-shaped confluence
of two rivers. Adventurous travellers must be prepared for
a bit of cliff-scrambling in this coastal town. Om beach,
one of Gokarna’s five famed beaches, takes the shape
of an ‘Om,’ a spiritual symbol. The other beaches,
wedged between gigantic cliffs that protrude like delicate
fingers into the sea, are Gokarna, Kudle, Half Moon and
Paradise. The drive up the winding path that leads to Gokarna
is a scenic delight with rocky mountains and the Western
Ghats on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other. Here,
you can experience the famed Karnataka hospitality in friendly
guesthouses run by local families.
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