Karkala,Karnataka india

Karkala is a historical town and is best known for the 42 feet tall statue of Bahubali (Gomateshwara) carved out of a single block of granite rock. The statue was erected at the behest of a Jain king in 1432 and is an important pilgrim destination for the Jains. The second most important temple

in Karkala is the Lord Vankatramana temple also known as the Padu Tirupathi and it attracts thousand of devotees each year. Other than the statue, there are many other important temples that attract a large number of devotees. A ceremony called the Mahamastakabhisheka is performed every 12 years where the giant statue of Bahubali is bathed in milk and saffron paste is sprinkled along with turmuric, vermilion and sandalwood powder. The next such ceremony will be held in 2014. It is a must see.

The Karkala Water Buffalo races are a unique attraction specific to the Karkala region. The buffaloes are paired and then they race through the paddy fields. It is an incredible sight watching these regular buffaloes race through these flush fields. It is a sight that must not be missed by any traveller.

So if you''re travelling in the region between November and February make sure you don''t miss out on this bizarre event!

How to get there by Air The closest airport to Karkala is Mangalore 45 kms away.

How to get there by Rail Take a train to Udupi, the nearest railhead to Karkala and then hire a taxi here to reach your final destination. Direct trains are also available to Mumbai, Delhi, Rajkot and Ahmedabad from here.

How to get there by Bus Express and ordinary bus services by organized operators are available on regular intervals from Udupi, Mangalore, Bangalore and Mumbai to Karkala. If you are not bound by a budget you can also hire a taxi to take you to Karkala.

Best time to Visit September to March is the best time to visit Karkala. Avoid the summers as it is far too hot at that time of the year.

Hotels in karnataka Other than the Tourist Home there isn’t much in the form of accommodation in Karkala and the best option is to stay at Moodabidri and drive down to Karkala. You can stay at the Sonas Resort or Pancharatna International.

What to Pack Carry light cottons and don''t forget your camera, to capture all the amazing sights!  Hotels in Karnataka - The hotels and Hotels in Karnataka are placed at strategic locations , with the airport, railway links all in close quarters.

Nearby Places

Udupi is 32 kms from Karkala and the temples draws hordes of devotees as does the beaches. Attur is a village on the outskirts of Karkala and is famous for the St.Lawrence church here. The shrine of St.Lawrence was established in 1750 AD and attracts lots of devotee’s regardless

of their religion.