The Ancient Town of Banavasi

Pratiksha Hemasagar Sahu

The Ancient Town of Banavasi

Banavasi is said be the oldest town in Karnataka; earlier known as Konkanapura, a temple town. The main attraction is the Madhukeshwara Temple which was built in 9th century.

Madhukeshwara Temple Source: Adventure Buddha

Nestled within the scenic Western Ghats of Uttara Karnataka, the tranquil town of Banavasi has effectively resisted the relentless passage of time. Advika Pampa, the first poet of Kannada, describes Banavasi in a way which makes you want to visit this place.

In the words of Pampa, “It is pure bliss to be born in Banavasi as a human being. If not as a human being, then at least one should be born as a bee or a cuckoo in the garden of Banavasi.”

In Karnataka, close to Sirsi, is the historic temple town of Banavasi. It served as the historic capital of the Kannada empire, which included all of the present-day state of Karnataka. They established Kannada and Karnataka as the first indigenous empires. Banavasi is surrounded by a dense forest, an old settlement, and the Varada River, which surrounds it on three sides.

Banvasi was developed around the Madhukeshwara temple in the fifth century. The early kings of Karnataka, known as the Kadambas, ruled the entire state. With Banavasi as their capital, they ruled for roughly two centuries beginning in 345 AD.

Following the Kadambas, the kingdom passed through the hands of numerous other dynasties, including the Ratrakutas, Chalukyas, Hoysalas, Sonda, Vijayanagar, and Yadavas, who each contributed to the growth of the town. The town's very existence may be traced to 4000 BC thanks to the Hindu epic Mahabharat, which makes reference to it. In the Mahabharata, it was referred to as ‘Vanavasika’. In addition, Banavasi has been found in the writings of ancient foreign visitors and philosophers. A Roman geographer named Claudius Ptolemy spoke about the town's beauty in one of his writings in the second century AD.

Every year, during the Kadambotsava, a three-day festival where musicians and folk artists gather to honour the illustrious past of the town, Banavasi celebrates its long history as a centre of art and culture. One of the earliest such coins ever found, a fifth-century copper coin with an inscription in Kannada script, was also found here. Many carvers, painters, rangoli artists, carpenters, potters, and moulders still work in Banavasi today, carrying on the old customs.

Despite its inspiring past, the town fosters a strong connection to nature because of its beautiful surroundings. During the monsoon season, the region surrounding Banavasi is covered in a lush green blanket, with flooded paddy fields taking over the scene. Pineapples grown in the vicinity of Banavasi are luscious and must be enjoyed with regional food. In the countryside, the town also has a number of tourist destinations, including the Madhukeshwar Temple, the Gudnapur Ruins, and the Kedareshwar Temple at Balligavi. If you seek a blend of nature, history, and picturesque scenery all in one package, your upcoming destination is none other than Banavasi.