Banavasi
Encyclopedia
Banavasi is an ancient temple town in Uttara Kannada District bordering Shivamogga district in the South India
n state of Karnataka
.
state. It has grown up around the Madhukeshwara Temple built in the 9th century and dedicated to Lord Shiva the supreme God in Shaivism
, a major branch of Hinduism
.
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. 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. The coin's discovery supports those seeking classical status for the Kannada language
.
Adikavi Pampa
, the first poet of Kannada, wrote his epic poems in Banavasi.
The town once was the capital of the Kadamba rulers, an ancient royal dynasty of Karnataka. They established themselves there in A.D. 345 and ruled for at least two centuries.
Banavasi lies deep in the rain forests of Western Ghats
with the Varadha 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.
.
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.
Heche karnataka
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
n state of Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
.
History
Banavasi is one of the oldest towns in the KarnatakaKarnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
state. It has grown up around the Madhukeshwara Temple built in the 9th century and dedicated to Lord Shiva the supreme God in Shaivism
Shaivism
Shaivism is one of the four major sects of Hinduism, the others being Vaishnavism, Shaktism and Smartism. Followers of Shaivism, called "Shaivas," and also "Saivas" or "Saivites," revere Shiva as the Supreme Being. Shaivas believe that Shiva is All and in all, the creator, preserver, destroyer,...
, a major branch of Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
.
In 2006, a 5th century copper coin was discovered here with an inscription in the Kannada script
Kannada script
The Kannada script is an alphasyllabary of the Brahmic family, used primarily to write the Kannada language, one of the Dravidian languages of southern India and also Sanskrit in the past. The Telugu script is derived from Old Kannada, and resembles Kannada script...
, one of the oldest such coins ever discovered. 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. The coin's discovery supports those seeking classical status for the Kannada language
Kannada language
Kannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world...
.
Adikavi Pampa
Adikavi Pampa
Pampa , called by the honorific Ādikavi is one of the greatest Kannada poets of all time.He is very famous even today for his philosophical beliefs...
, the first poet of Kannada, wrote his epic poems in Banavasi.
The town once was the capital of the Kadamba rulers, an ancient royal dynasty of Karnataka. They established themselves there in A.D. 345 and ruled for at least two centuries.
Location
Western Ghats
The Western Ghats, Western Ghauts or the Sahyādri is a mountain range along the western side of India. It runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats block rainfall to the Deccan...
with the Varadha river flowing around it on three sides.
It is located 374 km from Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
. The nearest railway station is 112 km away in Shimoga. Sirsi
Sirsi
-Geography:Sirsi is located at . It has an average elevation of 590 metres , and is situated in the heart of the Western Ghats. Sirsi is about 425 km from Bangalore. The nearest airport is located in Hubli, about 102 km from Sirsi....
, 21 km away, is the nearest town. Lodging is provided by some home stays and a tourist complex.
Agriculture
The soil is fertile around Banavasi and rice, sugarcane, arecanut, spices and pineapple are grown there.Attractions
The annual December cultural festival, Kadambothsav, 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 IndiaSouth India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
.
Banavasi has long been a cultural centre, especially the Yakshagana
Yakshagana
Yakshagana is a musical theater popular in the coastal and Malenadu regions of Karnataka, India. Yakshagana is the recent scholastic name for what are known as kēḷike, āṭa, bayalāṭa, bayalāṭa, daśāvatāra . It is believed to have evolved from pre-classical music and theatre during Bhakti movement...
art form. Today local artisans craft and sell the classical folk art Yakshagana masks here.
External links
- Ancient City of Banavasi
- 5th century copper coin discovered at Banavasi
- Bouncing off to Banavasi
- Heche karnatakaHeche karnatakaHeche is a small village and has ancient archeological findings which is located in Sorab panchayat town of Sagar, Karnataka Taluk in Shimoga district in the Indian state of Karnataka.-More on Heche:...
- Coins of the Kadambas of Banavasi
Heche karnataka
Heche karnataka
Heche is a small village and has ancient archeological findings which is located in Sorab panchayat town of Sagar, Karnataka Taluk in Shimoga district in the Indian state of Karnataka.-More on Heche:...