Page 532 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

530  SOUTHWESTERN INDIA

Environs
Tucked away in the forested
hills at Kollur, 35 km (22 miles)
southeast of Bhatkal, is a shrine
dedicated to the goddess
Mukambika. This is a very
popular pilgrimage.
India’s highest waterfalls, the
Jog Falls, lie 60 km (37 miles)
northeast of Bhatkal. They
can be seen at the head of
the Sharavati river, framed
by jagged pinnacles of rock.

Shop selling religious paraphernalia at Barkur t Gokarna
e Barkur r Bhatkal North Kanara district. 200 km
(124 miles) N of Mangaluru. £
Udipi district. 71 km (44 miles) North Kannada district. 165 km (103 n Tourist Office, Main Rd, Karwar,
N of Mangaluru. £ miles) N of Mangaluru. * 31,800. £ (08382) 221 172. _ Shivratri (Feb/Mar).
_ Navaratri (Sep/Oct). _ Navaratri (Sep/Oct).
Spectacularly situated by
The coastal town of Barkur was Located along a picturesque the Arabian Sea, Gokarna is a
a flourishing port in the 15th highway that follows the favourite with visitors in search
and 16th centuries until its river coastline, this town was an of sun, sea and sand. A charming
silted up. Today, the town’s important port during the little town with two principal
main attractions are its many 16th and 17th centuries. The streets and clusters of traditional
temples with their typical many beautiful Jain and Hindu tile-roofed brick houses, Gokarna
sloping terracotta-tiled roofs. stone temples found here date is also an important centre of
The largest is the from those days Sanskrit learning.
Panchalingeshvara of prosperity. The Mahabaleshvara Temple,
Temple, situated at Standing in the at the western end of the main
the southern end town’s main street, was destroyed by the
of town. Devotees street are the Portuguese in 1714 and then
gather at the Chandranath eshvara rebuilt later in the 18th cen tury.
stepped tank near and Parsvanatha In the sanctuary is a stone linga,
the temple for a bastis. Situated 2 km encased in brass and placed on
ritual bath before (1 mile) to the east, a coiled stone serpent. The floor
worshipping at the Detail of a stone on the other side of the hall in front has an
two east-facing panel, Bhatkal of the highway, intricate engraving of a giant
linga shrines. The is the Khetapai tortoise. Shiva’s birthday (Feb/
other temples include one Narayan Temple, built in Mar) is celebrated here with
dedicated to both Shiva 1540. Its sanctuary and hall are great fanfare. The two great
and Ganesha, and the enclosed within stone screens temple chariots lead a procession
smaller Someshvara and fashioned to imitate wood. through the town’s narrow
Somanatheshvara temples. Finely sculpted guardian streets, while priests chant
figures flank the doorway. hymns in praise of Shiva.
Environs
The little hamlet of Mekkekattu,
8 km (5 miles) north of Barkur, Beaches Around Gokarna
has shrine of painted bhuta Long stretches of beautiful, unspoilt beaches extend along the
figures (local spirits). These are western coast from Gokarna to Karwar, a seaside town 60 km
copies of the originals, which (37 miles) to the north. South of Gokarna are the Half Moon and
were removed to New Delhi’s Paradise beaches, while nearer
Crafts Museum (see pp84–5) Karwar are the lovely Binaga and
and the Folklore Museum in Araga beaches. The gently
Mysuru (see p523), after the curving bays, fringed by palms,
shrine’s renovation in the are still occupied by small fishing
1960s. The vividly painted deity villages where life revolves around
Nandikeshvara, (the winged the sea and the daily catch.
bull) stands in the lower shrine Tourism remains unknown and
while his consort occupies the only a few simple shacks offer Waves breaking against rocks at a beach
upper one. Fierce guardian basic food and shelter. near Karwar
deities crowd a side chamber.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp701–702 and pp716–17

530-531_EW_India.indd 530 26/04/17 11:48 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm