Banavasi

Banavasi
village
Madhukeshwara Temple at Banavasi
Nickname(s): Pampana Banavasi
Banavasi
Location in Karnataka, India
Banavasi
Banavasi (Karnataka)
Coordinates: 14°32′03″N 75°01′04″E / 14.5341°N 75.0177°E / 14.5341; 75.0177Coordinates: 14°32′03″N 75°01′04″E / 14.5341°N 75.0177°E / 14.5341; 75.0177
Country  India
State Karnataka
District Uttara Kannada
Population (2005)
 • Total 4,267
Languages
 • Official Kannada
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN 581 318
Telephone code 08384

Banavasi is an ancient temple town in Uttara Kannada in the South Indian state of Karnataka. Banavasi was the ancient capital of the Kannada empire Kadamba who ruled entire Uttara Kannada district. They were the first native empire to give prominence to Kannada.

History

Banavasi is the oldest town in the Karnataka state.[1] It has grown up around the Madhukeshwara Temple built in the 9th century and dedicated to Lord Shiva[2] the supreme God in Shaivism, a major branch of Hinduism.

Madhukeshwara temple, Banavasi
Coin of the Kadamba king who calls himself on the coin "sri dosharashi," thought to be Krishnavarma II (ruled c. 516-540). The reverse of the coin has the legend shashanka, which means "moon." The Kannada letters and another coin can be seen in the entry for Kadambas of Banavasi

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.[3] 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.[4]

Adikavi Pampa, the first poet of Kannada, wrote his epics in Banavasi.

The town once was the capital of the Kadamba rulers, an ancient royal dynasty of Karnataka.[5] They established themselves there in A.D. 345 and ruled South India for at least two centuries.[6]

Banavasi contains some of the oldest architectural monuments in South India.

Location

Banavasi is surrounded by forests and villages, with the Varada river flowing around it on three sides. It is located 400  km from Bengaluru. The nearest railway stations are 70  km away in Haveri and Talaguppa. Sirsi, is the nearest town about 23 km away.

Agriculture

The soil is fertile around Banavasi and paddy, wheat, sugarcane, arecanut, spices and pineapple are grown. Its specially known for pineapples , Bananas & Ginger. You will find lots of farms of pineapple as soon as you enter the village.

Attractions

The annual December cultural festival, Kadambothsava, is a huge gathering, organised 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 India.

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.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kamat, Jyotsna (6 August 2006). "Ancient City of Banavasi". Archived from the original on 20 August 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-17.
  2. ↑ "Banavasi- 'Kadambothsav'". BangaloreBest.com. Retrieved 2006-08-17.
  3. ↑ "5th century copper coin discovered at Banavasi". Deccan Herald. 5 February 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-06-14. Retrieved 2006-08-17.
  4. ↑ "5th Century copper coin found at Banavasi". Chennai, India: TheHindu.com. 2006-02-06. Retrieved 2006-08-17.
  5. ↑ Kamat, Jyotsna (5 August 2006). "Kadambas of Banavasi". Archived from the original on 4 September 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-17.
  6. ↑ "South Indian Coins - The Kadambas of Hangal". Archived from the original on 2006-08-15. Retrieved 2006-08-17.
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