An ancient temple town whose roots can be traced back to 4000 BC, Banavasi is tucked away deep inside the forests of the Western Ghats. Located in the Uttara Kannada district, the town is located on the banks of the Varda river.
The Story Behind The Name The name Banavasi comes from the words Bana’ and Vasi’, which mean forest’ and spring’, respectively. The town literally sprung up from a forest and thus got its name. Banavasi is acknowledged as being one of the oldest towns in Karnataka and is referred to in the Mahabharata. Why The Place Is Famous The town owes its popularity to the Madhukeshwara temple. Built in the 9th century, the temple draws a large number of pilgrims.
Best Time To Visit Banavasi The best time to visit this temple town is during the month of December, when the state government organizes a huge event known as the Kadambothsav. The event is a cultural extravaganza with classical dance forms like the Yakshagana and music performances. In fact, the town is a centre for the Yakshagana art form.
How To Reach Banavasi Banavasi lies 374 km away from Bangalore. The nearest airport at Hubli lies 100 km away. Haveri, the railway station closest to Banavasi, is located at a distance of 70 km. Commute is never an issue as the town is well connected