Karkala

About Karkala

There is a famous Jain temple in Karkala, which is a witness to a different age dating back a thousand years. The lavish architecture within its simple stone framework, flowing stone sculptures and ample carvings bears the testimony to probably the combined work of talented sculptors, architects and artists long dead.Karkala is surrounded by hills and a lagoon. It is famous for the charming Karkala temple, Jain stupa and a gigantic statue of the Jain god, Gandharva. The temple is situated on the top of a hill with a stone staircase cut into the face of the rock of the rising hill.

The statue of the Gandharva is worth seeing as it is wonderfully carved out of a granite rock that rises to a height of 300 ft. The gigantic rock statue of the Gandharva is unique as it is one of the three such statues into the whole of India.

Gomateshwara, which has a height of 43 ft. Veerapandyadeva, the king of Bairarasa family of Karkala, built this statue in 1432 AD on a rocky hill.

There are life size statues of three Teerthankaras as well as one of Padmavathi Yakshi.

History

The Alupas were the first to rule Karkala, followed by the Santaras who were the feudatories of Alupas for many years. Karkala or ancient Pandya Nagari attained political and cultural importance from the time of Kalasa-Karkala kingdom that was established by Bhairarasa Odeyas between 13th and 16th centuries. The Bhairarasas appear to be the descendants of the Santara chiefs who ruled the western ghats region around the 11th century A.D.

The royal family of Karkala shot to prominence right from the time of the Hoysalas.They were rich and maintained a large army. Despite engaging in wars, peace prevailed in the kingdom and this led to increased cultural activity and development.The first important king was Veera Bhairava, who constructed basadis at Karkala and endowed land and money to numerous temples and basadis. Ramanatha and Veerapandya were his two sons. Ramanatha died during his father’s time.

Interesting things to Visit

You should not miss to see the statue of the Gandharva since it is wonderfully carved out of a granite rock that has a height of 300 feet. Karkala is also known for other towering statues of:

• Gomateshwara
• the three Teerthankaras
• Padmavathi Yakshi.

The rulers of Karkala of Karnataka also constructed the Chathurmukh Basadi and Neminath Basadi and the tall Manasthamba at Hariyangadi.

Nearest Visiting places

Kadiyali Temple

Legend has it that Kadiyali was formerly known as Kadehalli (the farthest village) and was a part of what was known as Shivalli. According to the folklore of Tulunadu, King Rama Bhoja wanted to perform the Putrakamesti Yaga so that he would be blessed with a son. In the course of the preparation for the yaga, when the ground was being ploughed, a sacred Naga (cobra) got entangled in the plough and was killed. To vindicate himself from the sin of killing the sacred Naga, the king consecrated a Shiva Linga, which combined the divine presence of Vishnu in the form of Lord Sheshashayee.

Sri Krishna temple.

udupi krishna Udupi is a divine shrine in the coastal region of Western Ghats. Situated about 60 kms from Mangalore, it is a fairly large and upcoming town that was sanctum of Madhvacharya, the great Sanskrit Philosopher. The famous temple here, has a fascinating idol of Lord Krishna that is richly adorned with jewels. It is the center for education, social and religious activities in the district of South Canara. It is known for the famous Sri Krishna temple. The reasons for its fame are the statue of Sri Krishna installed by the great saint Sri Madhvacharya and the penance and influence of Sri Vaadiraja yathivarenya. Another attraction of this temple is the ‘Kanakana Kindi’ -a small window through which Krishna is believed to have given darshan to his ardent devotee, Kanakadasa

Sri Mahalingeshwara Mahaganapathi Temple, Padubidri

Padubidre (Padu Bidadi), a sacred place with a number of Temples and shrines, is famous for holding Dhakke Bali once in two years. The Mahalingeshwara Mahaganapathi Temple of Padubidri is well known in the Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. Padubidri is located on National Highway 17, 24 kilometres from Udupi and 35 kilometres from Mangalore.

Malpe Beach

udupi krishna Malpe town is about four kms. to the west of Udupi. It is the most important port of the Karnataka coast and is situated at the mouth of the Malpe or Udyavara river. The river is navigable to small cargo boats for about ten kms during high tide. The place has a fascinating natural scenery, and has been a centre of commercial activities for a long time. It is a natural port. There are three rocky islands to the west of it.

St. Mary’s Island

St. Mary’s Isles are a group of small islands lying a little to the north of the port of Malpe 7 kms form Udupi. Vasco-da-Gama landed in 1498 on one of these islands which he called `EI Padron de Santa Maria’. It is from this that these islands got their present name. They are just a few scattered projections of rock rising out of the western or Arabian Sea around Malpe.

Maravanthe

About 42 km from Udupi. The NH-17 is flanked on the left side by the Arabian Sea and on the right side by the Souwparnika River. However, due to continuous sea erosion, the Arabian Sea has come dangerously close to the NH-17.Still the road exists miraculously between sea and river and after this spot, river makes a U turn and goes eastwards and meets sea at Kundapura, after a journey of about 10 km.

Manipal

Manipal, 3km east of Udipi, is a progressive industrial and educational centre famous for its Medical college
.The house of Vijayanath Shenoy is a small museum displaying Household objects in a typical architectural setting.

Malpe

Located about 6 kms to the west of Udupi, at the mouth of the Malpe or Udyavara River, Malpe is an important natural port of the Karnataka coast. The place has fascinating natural scenic view. Malpe beach here is a favourite holiday
spot with its peaceful surroundings and natural beauty. The uninhibited St. Mary’s Island, just a boat ride away has a beach and an impressive geological formation of basalt rock pillars into the sea. There are three rocky islands; Daria-Bahadurgad the northern-most island is famous for its export of processed fish.

Brahmavar

Brahmavar located about 13 kms north of Udupi is an ancient cultural centre. The three main temples here are 9th century Mahalinga temple, Gopinatha temple and the Janardhana shrine.
The image of the deity in the Gopinatha temple is Hoysala architecture.

Kollur

Kollur is located about 80kms from Udupi. The famous temple of goddess Mookambika is located here on top of Kodachadri hill, at the foot of the Western Ghats. Though the temple has a long history, the present building was erected in 1616 by Venkatappa, one of the Ikkeri Nayakas. The goddess takes the form of a ‘Jyotirlinga’ incorporating aspects of Shiva and Shakti. It is a famous pilgrimage centre attracting lot of devotees.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

• Hotel Shreshta(Tel: 08258-731853)
• Hotel Suhag(Tel: 08258-731991)
• Hotel Swagath(Tel: 08258-730755)
• Hotel King’s Court(Tel: 08258-730827)
• Hotel Tulsi(Tel: 08258-701291, 292, 455)

Location info

• Address:

• District: Udupi

• Nearest City: Udupi

• Best time to visit: Any time

How to reach Karkala

• Nearest Railway Station:The town is far from air and rail terminals. The nearest services are located at Bajpe in Mangalore and Indrali in Udupi.

• Nearest Airport:The town is far from air and rail terminals. The nearest services are located at Bajpe in Mangalore and Indrali in Udupi.

• Road Transport:National Highway 13(Karkala-Mudabidri-Mangalore)

Things to carry

All the essential things like food water.

Helpline & emergency contacts

• Police Station:100

• Nearest Hospital:At the Nearest City.

• Society/Community Phone Number

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Karnataka. 4G is reliable in Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, and along highways. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Bandipur, Nagarhole, and certain Western Ghats sections. Most hotels, resorts, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Karnataka cuisine ranges from coastal seafood to Udupi vegetarian to Coorg’s pandi curry. Dosa, idli, bisi bele bath, and filter coffee are iconic.

Climate & weather

Karnataka has a varied climate from the humid coast to the dry Deccan plateau and cool Western Ghats. The best time to visit is October to March, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 30°C depending on region. April–May is hot across most of the state (up to 38°C). The southwest monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rain to the coast and ghats but transforms the landscape — this is the best time for Jog Falls and Coorg’s lush greenery. Hill stations (Coorg, Chikmagalur) remain pleasant year-round. Bangalore has a moderate climate throughout.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.

Best time to visit Karkala

October to March is the best time to explore historical sites in Karnataka — pleasant weather for walking and exploring. Early morning (6:00-9:00 AM) or late afternoon (3:00-5:30 PM) offers the best light for photography and comfortable temperatures.

Timings & opening hours

Typically 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected sites have specific hours — usually sunrise to sunset. Some monuments may close earlier.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry fee: ₹10-₹30 for Indian nationals, ₹100-₹500 for foreign nationals (varies by monument significance). Camera fee: ₹25-₹50 for still cameras. Video camera: ₹100-₹200. ASI monument passes and composite tickets may be available.

Duration needed

1-2 hours for a basic visit. History enthusiasts and photographers may want to spend 3-4 hours exploring the site in detail.

Safety tips

Do not climb on fragile structures or enter cordoned-off areas. Some monuments have uneven floors and staircases — watch your step. Carry water as some sites have limited facilities. Beware of monkeys at some locations — do not carry open food. Keep valuables secure.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest railway station depends on the site’s location. Nearest airport varies. The site is typically well connected by road from the nearest town.

Things to do at Karkala

Explore the historical structures and ruins, admire the architectural details, photograph the monuments, learn about the site’s history through interpretive signage or guides, and appreciate the craftsmanship of ancient builders.

Frequently asked questions

Is the site protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)? Many major historical sites in Karnataka are ASI-protected monuments with designated entry fees and visiting hours.

Are there guides available? Licensed guides are available at major historical sites and offer valuable insights into the history and architecture.

What is the best time to avoid crowds? Early morning opening time (typically 6:00 AM) is the least crowded. Weekdays are quieter than weekends and holidays.

Quick facts

• Type: Destination
• State: Karnataka
• Category: Archaeology