Karkala Travel Guide

Karkala is a historical town and is best known for the 42 feet tall statue of Bahubali (Gomateshwara) carved out of a single block of granite rock. The statue was erected at the behest of a Jain king in 1432 and is an important pilgrim destination for the Jains.

The second most important temple in Karkala is the Lord Vankatramana temple also known as the Padu Tirupati and it attracts thousand of devotees each year. Other than the statue, there are many other important temples that attract a large number of devotees.

A ceremony called the Mahamastakabhisheka is performed every 12 years where the giant statue of Bahubali is bathed in milk and saffron paste is sprinkled along with turmeric, vermilion, and sandalwood powder. The next such ceremony will be held in 2014. It is a must see.

The Karkala Water Buffalo races are a unique attraction specific to the Karkala region. The buffaloes are paired and then they race through the paddy fields. It is an incredible sight watching these regular buffaloes race through these flush fields. It is a sight that must not be missed by any traveller. So if you're travelling in the region between November and February make sure you don't miss out on this bizarre event!