Banavasi
Tourist destination near Sirsi, Karnataka
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Banavasi is an ancient temple town located near Sirsi in Karnataka. Banavasi was the ancient capital of the Kadamba dynasty that ruled all of modern-day Karnataka state. They were the first native empire to bring Kannada and Karnataka to prominence. It is 24 km (15 mi) away from its nearest large city Sirsi through SH 77.
Banavasi | |
|---|---|
Village | |
 Madhukeshwara Temple at Banavasi | |
  Banavasi Location in Karnataka, India | |
| Coordinates: 14.5341°N 75.0177°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Karnataka |
| District | Uttara Kannada |
| Taluq | Sirsi |
| Nearest Large City | Sirsi |
| Population (2005) | |
• Total | 4,267 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Kannada |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 581 318 |
| Telephone code | 08384 |
| Vehicle registration | Sirsi KA-31 |
History
Banavasi is one of the oldest town in the Karnataka state.[1] It has grown up around the Madhukeshwara Temple built in the 5th century and dedicated to Shiva[2] the supreme God in Shaivism, a major branch of Hinduism.
5th-century copper coin was discovered here with an inscription in the Kannada script, one of the oldest such coins ever discovered.[3]
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.[4] They established themselves there in A.D. 345 and ruled South India for at least two centuries.[5]
