Banavasi
—  village  —
Madhukeshwara Temple at Banavasi
Banavasi Location of Banavasi in Karnataka and India
Coordinates	14°32′03″N 75°01′04″E / 14.5341°N 75.0177°E / 14.5341; 75.0177Coordinates: 14°32′03″N 75°01′04″E / 14.5341°N 75.0177°E / 14.5341; 75.0177
Country	India
State	Karnataka
District(s)	Uttara Kannada district
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Codes • Pincode • 581 318 • Telephone • +08384

Banavasi (Kannada: ಬನವಾಸಿ) also known as Konkanapura is an ancient temple town in Uttara Kannada District bordering Shivamogga district in the South Indian state of Karnataka .Huen Tsang the Chinese traveler-monk who was in India between 630-644 C.E, visited Konkanapura called Konkanapulo(referred in Chinese scripts)or Banavasi.

History[link]

Banavasi is one of the oldest towns in the Karnataka state.^[1] It has grown up around the Madhukeshwara Temple built in the 9th century and dedicated to Lord Shiva^[2] the supreme God in Shaivism, a major branch of Hinduism.

Coin of the Kadamba king who calls himself on the coin "sri dosharashi," thought to be Krishnavarma II (ruled c. 516-540). The reverse of the coin has the legend shashanka, which means "moon." The Kannada letters and another coin can be seen in the entry for Kadambas of Banavasi

In 2006, a 5th century copper coin was discovered here with an inscription in the Kannada script, one of the oldest such coins ever discovered.^[3] The Directorate of Archaeology and Museums said that the coin's inscription in archaic Kannada proves beyond doubt that Banavasi had a mint in the 5th century.^[4] The coin's discovery supports the due claim for Classical status for Kannada language.

Adikavi Pampa, the first poet of Kannada, wrote his epics in Banavasi.

The town once was the capital of the Kadamba rulers, an ancient royal dynasty of Karnataka.^[5] They established themselves there in A.D. 345 and ruled South India and Cambodia(Ankor Vat was built by Surya Sharma turned Surva Varma of Kadamba dynasty)for at least two centuries.^[6]

Location[link]

Madhukeshwara Temple

Banavasi lies deep in the rain forests of Western Ghats with the Varada river flowing around it on three sides. It is located 374 km from Bangalore. The nearest railway station is 112 km away in Shimoga. Sirsi, 21 km away, is the nearest town. Lodging is provided by some home stays and a tourist complex.^[7]

Agriculture[link]

The soil is fertile around Banavasi and rice, sugarcane, arecanut, spices and pineapple are grown there.

Attractions[link]

The annual December cultural festival, Kadambothsava, is a huge gathering, organized by the state government, and featuring folk dancers, drama troupes, classical musicians, art exhibitions, while drawing together performers, artists, and writers from all of south India.

Banavasi has long been a cultural centre, especially the Yakshagana art form. Today local artisans craft and sell the classical folk art Yakshagana masks here.

Gallery[link]

• 

  Madhukeshwara Temple

• 

  Nandhi

• 

  Bed made up of Stone

• 

  Elephants in the Entrance

See also[link]

• Kadambas of Banavasi

References[link]

1. ^ Kamat, Jyotsna (August 6 2006). "Ancient City of Banavasi". http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/archaeology/banavasi.htm. Retrieved 2006-08-17. 
2. ^ "Banavasi- 'Kadambothsav'". BangaloreBest.com. http://www.bangalorebest.com/discoverbangalore/sightseeing/banvasi.asp. Retrieved 2006-08-17. 
3. ^ "5th century copper coin discovered at Banavasi". Deccan Herald. February 5 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-06-14. http://web.archive.org/web/20060614050035/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/feb72006/state171017200626.asp. Retrieved 2006-08-17. 
4. ^ "5th Century copper coin found at Banavasi". Chennai, India: TheHindu.com. 2006-02-06. http://www.hindu.com/2006/02/06/stories/2006020609090400.htm. Retrieved 2006-08-17. 
5. ^ Kamat, Jyotsna (August 5 2006). "Kadambas of Banavasi". http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/deccan/kadamba.htm. Retrieved 2006-08-17. 
6. ^ "South Indian Coins - The Kadambas of Hangal". Archived from the original on 2006-08-15. http://web.archive.org/web/20060815104329/http://www.med.unc.edu/~nupam/postg1.html. Retrieved 2006-08-17. 
7. ^ http://www.banavasitourism.com/where-to-stay.html

External links[link]

• Ancient City of Banavasi
• 5th century copper coin discovered at Banavasi
• Bouncing off to Banavasi
• Heche karnataka
• Coins of the Kadambas of Banavasi

Heche karnataka