Uttara Kannada

Uttara Kannada or ‘North Kannada’ headquarters at Karwar lies along the sumptuous shores of the Arabian Sea. The district is marked by undulating lands. The headquarters has regions of presentable beauty. The ruins of an ancient fort can also be seen here. Around the place there are important centers of worship. Gokarna, in this district is an important pilgrim centre. The temple dedicated to Lord Siva here attracts hoards of devotees. Ankola has a temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara. The place Sonda is famous for more than one reason-the presence of the Jain Temples and the Hindu Temples. Ulvi presents the tranquility of its cave Mutts. Banavasi has a Siva Temple. Magodh waterfalls and Dhandeli Wildlife Sanctuary are also among the crowd pullers.
Karwar: The headquarters of Uttara Kannada, Karwar approaches after a thrilling journey through 160 km long road meandering gaily through the scenic sylvan settings, from Hubli. This undulating stretch of road is graced by wild animals which inhabit the region galore.

Situated on the shores of Arabian Sea, Karwar also has an groves providing a cool canopy. The beautiful waters are sporadically scattered upon with placid islets, known as the Oyster Rocks about 11 km from the city of Karwar. A light house can also be seen here. These islets play a considerable role in maritime activities. And a number of domestic and foreign ships ca be seen here, moored around them most of the time.

The ravishing river Kali adds to the charms of the valley. The ruins of Shivaji’s Fort known as Sadashivagarh stands on a bridge across this river. Exhilarating launches are conducted on the river to make the visit all the more memorable. The important monuments here are the Durga Temple at Sasdashivagarh and the Darga of Peer Kamuruddin. There is also a modern Caustic Soda Factory at Binaga.

Gokarna
This popular pilgrim centre on the Arabian Sea shore situated about 56 km from Karwar and 252 km from Mangalore is where stands the famous Mahabaleshwar Temple which is revered almost on par with the Siva Temple at Varanasi. This tranquil temple is reckoned as a heaven on Earth and attracts a large number of pilgrims from far and neat. The Sivarathri Festival, during which the devotees fast and forgo sleep singing the praise of Lord Siva, is a grand affair here.
Ankola: An ancient temple dedicated to Lord Venkataramana with two grand chariots made marvelously out of wood, recounting Puranic stories from ‘Ramayana’, is situated here. Ankola which reminisces Sarpamalika, the king who ruled in the 15th century also has a small beach for a delightful dawdle. This place is near Gokarna.
Sonda: Situated about 35 km from Sirsi in the Sirsi taluk. Sonda, which was a popular Jain centre, hosts the ‘Samadhi’ of the great scholar Bhattakalanka. There is also amonastery here called the Swarnavalli Mutt. The ‘Smartha’ tradition is practiced here.
About 5 km from here is an enchanting waterfall known as the Shivaganga falls created by a 91 m fall of zapping waters of the ravishing river Shalmala.

Ulvi
Situated about 32 km from Yellapur, this place is noted fro the serene Gavi Mutt which consists of a series of caves filled with an air of calmness. The Sharanas are said to have dwelled in these caves. One of the caves is named after Akka Nagamma. The remains of a ruined fort ca also be seen here.

Magodh Waterfalls
About 19 km from Yellapur is this wonderful waterfalls cradled in the verdant beauty of the mighty Western Ghats. The vivacious waters of the resplendent river Gangavthi clamour down through 600 ft giving rise to these ravishing waterfalls. The visitors come here and get besotted by the sumptuous natural embellishments.

Dhandeli Wildlife Sanctuary
It is situated about 40 km from Karwar, 76 km from Dharwad and 104 km from Belgaum. This sanctuary which spreads over 128 sq. km. with a profusion of teak and bamboo plantations is located. A good number of elephants, bisons and sambars and the fierce big cats such as the tigers and cheetahs grace the sanctuary. A variety of fascinating birds can be seen flocking around merrily during the migratory season. There are also a couple of watch towers where from one can have a convenient view of the magnificent creature in the wilderness. The sanctuary is nourished by the ravishing rivers Kali and Kaneri.