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Karnataka’s coastline spread across the districts of Uttara Kannada, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada, famed for its pristine beaches, also hosts numerous pilgrimage destinations. These scenic pilgrimage spots aren’t just spiritually satisfying, but gives travelers an opportunity to learn about the underlying cultural context of these regions.
This coastal belt of Karnataka which stretches for 225 kilometers, is bound by the Konkan to the north, the Western Ghats to the east, the Kerala Plains to the south, and the Arabian Sea to the west.
Gokarna is a coastal town that draws Hindu pilgrims, Sanskrit scholars, and beach buffs alike. Apart from its famed beaches and the Centre for Sanskrit Learning, it is home to many ancient temples. Gokarna is home to the legendary temple of Mahabaleshwara which houses the atma linga of lord Shiva.
The Venkataramana temple, the Ganapati temple, and the Koti Theertha tank are also frequented by pilgrims. Tourists throng to the temple town during the Shivaratri festival in February to witness the procession of the enormous temple chariots.
Murudeshwara, located on the main Mangalore- Karwar Highway, is sandwiched between the picturesque Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. Its main attraction is the Shiva temple next to the beach, built in the Dravidian style of architecture along with a towering statue of Shiva. The temple, located on a hillock offers a magnificent view of the sea.
Located in Honnavar, on the banks of Sharavathi River, is the famous Idagunji Ganapathi temple which receives lakhs of devotees each year. The Ganapathi here is known as Panchakhadya Priya (meaning ‘Ganapathi who is fond of five eatables’). The idol here is a Dwibhuja Ganapathy; a two handed Ganesha, in a standing posture holding modaka (a sweet) and padma (Lotus) in his hands.
This temple town located on the banks of the Varada river, is known for its rice, sugarcane, arecanut, spices, and Banavasi pineapple. It is where the poet Pampa wrote his poems. The Madhukeshwara Temple, famed for its architecture, derives its name from the honey coloured lingam in the inner sanctum of the temple.
Sahasralinga literally translates into ‘one thousand lingas’. The name is derived from the numerous lingas that have been carved on the rocks along the banks of the Shalmala river of which most can be clearly seen when the water level is low. Interestingly, there is a similar Sahasralinga in Siem Reap (also known as Kbal Spean) very close to the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
Located on an island in the Nandini river, this temple is situated east of Mangaluru in Kateel . The temple dedicated to Goddess Durga Parameshwari is in the form of an Udhbhava Moorthi (naturally formed). The pillars of the temple also have beautiful sculptures.
Moodabidri is known as the “Jain Varanasi ‘’ of South India. Basadis or Jain temples are found all over Dakshina Kannada district but the ones here have greater significance and are considered as most ornate. Along with Venur and Dharmasthala, Moodabidri is one of the main centres of Jain pilgrimage in Dakshina Kannada. There are 18 Jain basadis in Moodabidri. The finest of these is the 15th century Chandranatha Basadi, also known as the Thousand Pillars Basadi.
Set in sylvan surroundings on the Western Ghats, this well known pilgrimage center is an interesting amalgam of faiths. It is arguably the most visited religious place in Karnataka. The Manjunatha temple is a prominent Shaivite center that is administered by a hereditary Jain family, the Heggades. The Jain Tirthankara and lord Manjunatha (Shiva) are worshipped on the same consecrated ground. Irrespective of caste, creed, or religion, pilgrims are given free meals. During the annual festival, Laksha Deepotsava held in November-December, one lakh lamps are lit and literary/ religious discourses are held.
Mangaluru has the ancient 10th century Mangala Devi temple dedicated to Goddess Shakti in the form of Mangaladevi. The presiding deity, Mangaladevi, in the central shrine is in a seated posture. The Dasara celebrations here attract lots of devotees.
The Kadri Hill is famous for the 11th century Kadri Manjunatha temple dedicated to lord Shiva. It is believed to be the oldest Shiva Temple in Mangalore. The temple has tanks around natural springs and laterite caves known as the Pandava Caves. The bronze image of Lokeshvara and Guatama Buddha in the Dhyani posture point to its Buddhist origins.
Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara temple is dedicated to lord Shiva and is built by Sri Narayana Guru, the great philosopher, saint and social reformer from Kerala. The temple built in the Chola style has a huge statue of Nandi at its entrance. Navarathri and Shivarathri are the two big festivals celebrated at this temple. The Dasara festivities at the temple are popularly called Mangaluru Dasara.
Located in the Bunder area, this mosque portrays the life stories of Prophet Mohamed. Believed to be established by Arab Muslim traders during 644 AD, this mosque surpasses all others mosques due to its pure Indian architecture style. It is probably the only mosque in Karnataka made entirely of wood.
The St Aloysius Chapel was constructed in 1885. A line of circular pillars holds aloft an arched ceiling. Oil paintings on canvas bonded to the ceiling depict the life of Aloysius Gonzaga to whom the chapel is dedicated. The Chapel also has beautiful paintings done by Br. Anthony Moschemi of Italy.
Ullal is home to the famous dargah of Saint Syed Mohammed Sharif Al Madani, who is believed to have come here from Madina around 400 years ago. An urus (festival) is held once every five years and attracts thousands of devotees.
Built in the 8th century, dedicated to goddess Rajarajeshwari and situated on the banks of the river Phalguni, this temple was developed by many dynasties which ruled over the region. The idol of Goddess Rajarajeshwari is completely moulded from clay with special medicinal properties.
Nestled between hills, this pilgrim center is famous for the temple of Kukke Subrahmanya. The epics narrate how the divine serpent Vasuki and other snakes took refuge under lord Subrahmanya, in the caves. A ritual dance called Nagamandala is also performed here.
Thousands of devotees journey to this temple town to offer prayers to lord Krishna. The Krishna idol here can only be viewed through a 9 holed window called the Navagraha Kitiki.
There is a beautiful water tank nearby called Madhwa Sarovara with a little mantapa in the centre. The image of lord Krishna is taken on a float during festivals.
Udupi is a famous centre of Sanskrit learning, and the language is imparted through the Ashta Mathas (8 Maths) which are located around the temple.
The towering 42 feet monolith of lord Gomateshwara, (the biggest one after the monolith at Shravanabelagola) standing atop a granite outcrop on the outskirts of the town, is the main attraction here. There is also a 700 year old stone temple dedicated to Lord Ananthapadmanabha (a form of lord Vishnu) apart from the St. Lawrence Church at Attur, a catholic church christened after St. Lawrence, built in 1839.
Kollur lies amidst the green canopy of the Western Ghats, on the base of Kodachadri hill. The Mookambika temple here, is one of the seven most sacred spots of salvation and is dedicated to the goddess of emotional power and strength. The temple has a gold plated crest and copper roofs. Adi Shankaracharya, the great philosopher, is said to have visited this temple to perform penance. He is also believed to have consecrated the idol of goddess Mookambika.