Honnavar

Hello!!. I’m Amith Bhat residing at Bangalore. Working in IT sector and writing blogs is one of my hobbies.

I am very glad to introduce to you guys, the very beautiful place Honnavar. The western Ghats, greenery all around and the monsoon adds extra beauty to the place. The name is not so popular among the famous travel places, but I am very sure you are not gonna miss to consider this place from your next trip list!!


Where it is?: 

Honnavar is a small city located in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka State. It is under the canopy of Malenadu and covers the part of Konkan Belt.

What are places to visit in Honnavar? : 

Honnavar is the center for many great places to visit like Falls, Beaches, Rivers (Boating), Forts, Temples and lots more. So 2-3 days of plan will cover the most of places and updates your travel diary with ultimate experience.

Let me suggest few places.

Falls

Apsarakonda: 

Name depicts the place where Apsara’s used to take bath.There is a Pandava caves which is of historical significance. According to mythology Pandavas stayed during their Vanavasa

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Apsarakonda Falls

Sunset at Apsarakonda

Jog Falls:

Jog falls is the second highest water falls in India. Very famous among the Kannadiga's as "Jogada Gundi" from Dr. Rajkumar's song. Jog falls is just 60Kms from Honnavar.

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Jog Falls

Jog Falls

Bangara Kusuma:

Another beautiful falls very near to Jog Falls, "Bangara Kusuma". The Falls is visible for around 5Kms of Ghat section road from Mavinagundi towards Honnavar. "Bangara Kusuma" falls is just 35Kms from Honnavar.

Bangara Kusuma

Bangara Kusuma

Beaches

Apsarakonda Beach:

Vast beach with a white sand. Whirling sound of the waves, the tired Sun turning red and ending his day. Apsarakonda is a great sunset point point that you do not want to miss!!

Apsarakonda Beach

Gokarna:

Gokarna is famous for Om beach. The beach is in shape of the Sanskrit letter “Om”. A very
beautiful place to visit. Gokarna is around 50Kms from Honnavar. 

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OM Beach

Murudeshwar:

Beautiful sea view from the Lord Shiva's land is a great place to visit. Murudeshwar is just 26Kms from Honnavar.

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Murudeshwar Beach

Forts

Mirjan Fort:

I have visited this place just few weeks back and believe me it is worth to watch the construction techniques of our ancestors. Constructed in around 15th century by Adil-Shahis. The large rocks used to construct the fort. Another great thing about the place is the place is clean!! Mirjan Fort is around 12Kms from Honnavar.

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View at Mirjan Fort

View at Mirjan Fort

View at Mirjan Fort

Basavarajadurga Fort:

Basavarajadurga fort was constructed during Vijayanagar rule in 1690. Keladi ruler Shiappa Nayaka captured it and named it Basavaraja Durga in memory of Keladi prince Basavaraj. The fort is surrounded by a strong fortification raised by gigantic laterite blocks also this fort has eight ruined mounted guns.

The landing place is at the southeastern part of the island, where there is an architectural entrance made by stones which was also the entrance to fort. The top of the island is a plateau covered with dry grass and trees that can be seen only at the sloping part of the island.

This island has a Hindu temple on its top surface constructed by the ruler between the 16th and 17th centuries. Now people, especially fishermen and boat owners, visit this temple with their families on Makarasankranti day (a Hindu festival) on 14 January to give pooja to Nagadevate (a Hindu god) to protect and guide them from natures forces while working on the sea.

The island has a total area of 19 hectares and an elevation of 45 to 50m. There are a number of fresh water wells. The island can be reached by boat, fishing trawlers by a sail upstream on river Sharavathi. The island lies just 3km from Sharavati Bay. The trip takes about 30 to 45 Minutes from Honnavar.

BasavaRajaduga View

Southmost of Basavarjadurga

Basavarjadurga Surrounding

 Trekking

Yaana:

Yaana is tourist attraction with unusual rock formation. The two unique outcrops (Mohini and Bhairaveshwara) can be reached by trekking about half a kilometer. Yaana is within 50Kms from Honnavar.

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Mohini Shikhara

Bhairaveshwar Shikhara

Backwaters

Boating at Sharavathi Backwaters:

The boating will be the most joyful part of your journey. The calm Sharavthi river backwaters, green
surrounding and the open boat will make you to feel heaven!!. Boating starts from Honnavar,within a kilometer from stay. Below snaps speaks itself about the boating.

Snaps from Boating

Religious

Idagunji :

Idagunji Ganesha temple is an ancient temple with a history of more than 1500 years.It is believed that Narada has established the temple at the start of Kaliyuga. Idagunji is just 15 Kms from Honnavar.

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Ganesha Idol at Idagunji

Ganesha Temple at Idagunji

Gundabala:

Known as "Yakshagana Kaashi"  meaning the holy place for Yaksha Gaana  (Yaksha Gaana is a traditional form consists of dance, song, costume and dialogues). Yaksha Gaana seva will be performed 6 months a year (From December to June)  Gundabala is also famous for Aanjaneya temple.

Reda more...

Gundabala Temple

Still from YakshaGaana

Gokarna

Gokarna is a small temple town on the western coast of India in the Kumta taluk of Uttara Kannada district of the state of Karnataka. The main temple and deity is Lord Shiva, who is also known as Mahabhaleshwara. This temple houses what is believed to be original image of Lord Shiva's lingam (Atmalinga). Gokarna is around 50Kms from Honnavar.

Gokarna Temple

Murudeshwar:

Famous for the Shiva Temple and Asia’s second largest Shiva Statue. The statues depicting Bhoo-Kailasa will definitely take you to a different land. Murudeshwar is just 26Kms from Honnavar.
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Aerial view of  Shiva Statue

Murudeshwar Temple

Raama Teertha:

Raamateertha is located around 3Kms from Honnavar.It is believed that Sri Rama, Sita and Laxmana had a holy dip in the tank during their exile period. Water from two different sources (Raamateertha and Lakshmana Teertha) falls into water tank. Water tank is around 40 steps below ground level.

Rama Teertha and Lakshmana Teertha

Karikaana Parameshwari:

Karikana Parameshwari Temple is located at thick forest about 13Kms from Honnavar.The history says that Shri Shidhara Swamiji installed this Parameshwari idol.Journey through the green forest with  cold breeze is a awesome experience.

Karikanamma Temple

View from Karikanamma

Chaturmukha Basadi:

Chaturmukha Basadi is located near Gerusoppa and to reach there you need to walk through a dense forest of about 2Kms. It is believed that the sculpture was crafted in around 14th century. As the name depicts, it has four entrances with Dwarapalakas  at the doors.

Basadi is located at 34Kms from Honnavar, on the way to Jog Falls.

Chaturmukha Basadi

How far is Honnavar? :

• 450Kms from Bangalore and night journey on bus is preferable. (click for map)
• 200Kms from Mangalore. (click for map)
• 180Kms from Hubli (click for map)
• 175Kms from Goa (click for map)

How to Reach Honnavar? :

• Availing the private vehicle if you are coming in a group is a good option.
• Plenty of private and Government buses are available from Bangalore, Hubli and Mangalore
• Konkan Railways connectivity is available from Mangalore to Goa. 

Where to stay? :

Lodges are available near to National Highway at very reasonable prices.

Travel Assist? :

Let me give you an idea about how your plan should be:

As Honnavar is a centre place for all the places, you can cover these spots route wise.

Route A: Honnavar => Apsarakonda => Idagunji => Murudeshwar
Route B: Honnavar => Yaana => Mirjan => Gokarna
Route C: Honnavar => Gundabala => Bangara Kusuma => Jog Falls

You can avail boating at Honnavar itself.

If you have any difficulties, we are always here to help you out :)

You can contact me by mailing your queries to amitbhatfb@gmail.com 

If you are looking for a Travel Package, please fill in the below form. We shall revert back with the best option that suits you:)

Travel Assist

Request you to keep the places you travel clean!!