facebook
Destinations Road Trips From Bengaluru: Explore The Secret Temple Trails Of Karnataka
Advertisement

Road Trips From Bengaluru: Explore The Secret Temple Trails Of Karnataka

If you love all things ancient, stories of legends and centuries-old architecture, these road trips from Bengaluru are perfect for you.

Advertisement

By: Priyanka Chakrabarti Published: Dec 11, 2021 12:00 PM IST

Road Trips From Bengaluru: Explore The Secret Temple Trails Of Karnataka

Karnataka is said to have 34,000 temples, with Shiva being the most worshipped God in the state. Besides being pilgrimage destinations for believers from around the state and beyond, these temples are the remaining vestiges of the Hoysala dynasty and its remarkable architecture that reflects in each of the 34,000 temples. If you love all things ancient, stories of legends, and centuries-old architecture, you might want to mark the maps for these road trips from Bengaluru. By Shubhanjana Das

6 Road trips from Bengaluru

1. Kollur Mookambika Temple, Udupi

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by G V K MADHAV (@gummadhav) on

Located in the lap of the Kodachari hills and the banks of Souparnika river, this 1,200-year-old temple sits like an ancient artefact. Here, the Mother Goddess or Parvati is worshipped for eliminating a devil named Kamasura. Drawing thousands of devotees during the Navratri, this temple is best visited during the monsoons. A hike up the Kodachari is highly recommended.

Total distance: 430 km

Duration of the road trip: 8 hours 32 minutes approx.

Best time to visit: July-February

Things to keep in mind: The temple opens at 05:00 am and is closed from 01:30 pm to 03:00 pm, before closing its doors for the day at 09:00 pm.

Where to stay: Jyothi’s Residency

Where to stop and eat: Mitra Samaj, Udupi

2. Bhutnatha Badami, Bagalkot

One of the finest specimens of rock-cut agriculture dating back to the sixth century, this temple is located against the backdrop of sandstone caves, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its sandstone shrine is dedicated to Lord Bhutanatha. You can also visit the Badami Cave Temple located close by.

Total distance: 450 km

Duration of the road trip: 8 hours 10 minutes approx.

Best time to visit: July-March

Things to keep in mind: The shortest route to Bagalkot is via Tumakuru, Sira, Hiriyur, Ilkal via NH48 and NH50.

Where to stay: Heritage Resort Badami

Where to stop and eat: The Gateway Lakeside Hubli for Bhatkal Biryani

3. Kedareshvara Temple, Shimoga

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by my unfinished life (@myunfinishedlyf) on

Despite being a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India, the Kedareshvara Temple in Balligavi is one of the lesser-known Hoysala structures. Built in the Trikuta style, this temple was a learning centre in the 11th and 12th centuries. It has three shrines in its north, south, and east corridors with Lord Vishnu’s shrine in the north and Lord Shiva in the south. The Mahamantapa or the six-pillared hall in the temple is perfect for sitting in the deep silence of this ancient temple.

Total distance: 352.5 km

Duration of the road trip: 6 hours 26 minutes approx.

Best time to visit: All around the year, except for the scorching summer months.

Things to keep in mind: Consider visiting the Kunduvada lake in Davanagare on your way to the temple during sunset for a relaxing break.

Where to stay: Royal Orchid Central, Shimoga

Where to stop and eat: Hotel Nalanda, Shimoga

4. Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Bhushan Mate (@bhushanmate) on

Located in the idyllic temple town of Gokarna by the sea, the Gokarna Mahabaleshwar temple, also known as Dakshina Kashi, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The fourth century CE temple is built in traditional Dravidian architecture, now covered in relics of time in the form of moss and visible ruin. The Mahabaleshwar temple, one of the main reasons that earn Gokarna its title of being a temple town, also finds mention in the epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Total distance: 483.4 km

Duration of the road trip: 9 hours 16 minutes approx.

Best time to visit: October to March

Things to keep in mind: We suggest you spend a day or two in Gokarna to explore its white sand beaches and indulge in trekking in nearby places.

Where to stay: CGH Earth

Where to stop and eat: Mythiri Restaurant at Sakleshpur and Hotel Narayana for authentic Mangalorean seafood.

5. Chennakesava Temple, Somanathapura

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Atul Saini (@ancientpriest) on

An important pilgrimage site for Vaishnavis, the Chennakesava temple on the banks of river Kaveri is dedicated to Lord Chennakesava, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. If it is solely Hoysala architecture you are interested in, this temple is not one to be missed. The temple, also known as Keshava Temple, was consecrated around 1258 CE by Somanatha Dandanayaka under King Narsimha III. The walls on the southern side of the temple are etched with intricate panels depicting scenes from Ramayana. While the rear wall shows the life of Sri Krishna, the northern wall features scenes from the Mahabharata.

Total distance: 133.1 km

Duration of the road trip: 3 hours approx.

Best time to visit: October-March

Things to keep in mind: You can take a trip to Somanathapura via Mysuru for a pleasant detour and visit the Mysore Palace.

Where to stay: Gitanjali

Where to stop and eat: Shivalli MTR in Channapatna and Vinayaka Mylari in Mysore.

6. Guddattu Mahaganapathi Temple, Kundapura

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Karthik Kedlaya (@karthi_1200) on

Housing a shrine of Lord Ganesha that is said to have emerged itself instead of being manually installed, this 800-year-old temple sits at the foot of a giant granite rock that resembles a sleeping elephant. Known to its loyal devotees for a unique religious service, Ayarkoda or the ‘Thousand Pot Ritual’, the shrine is a three-feet-tall black stone idol that sits immersed in water. It is set amidst swaying coconut trees, lush paddy fields, and sits proudly in Karnataka’s undeniable rural charm.

Total distance: 396.8 km

Duration of the road trip: 8 hours approx.

Best time to visit: October to March

Things to keep in mind: We recommend a detour to Chikmagalur where you can visit the coffee museum.

Where to stay: Balkatmane Heritage Spa Resort, Udupi

Where to stop and eat: Shetty Lunch Home in Mangalore, and Hoysala Villa Restaurant in Hassa.

If you have been on any of these road trips from Bengaluru, share your images with us on social media and use the hashtag #TnlRoadTrips.

Related: #TnlRoadTrips: These Adventurous Road Trips From Bengaluru Aren’t For The Faint-Hearted!

Written By

Never miss an update

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest on travel, stay & dining.

No Thanks
You’re all set

Thank you for your subscription.