Karwar is a charming port town located in state of Karnataka. Karwar located on the west coast is the district headquarters of the Utara Kannada district. It is situated by the side of river Kaliand and is bound by Arabian Sea on one side and Western Ghats on the other.
Karwar is famous for its pristine and calm beaches. This town is blessed with splendid natural beauty. The scenic beauty of the place is such that it is said to have inspired Rabindra nath Tagore to pen down his first drama. Karwar is also renowned for its excellent muslin. Karavali Utsav is the biggest cultural event in Karwar which is held on Rabindra nath Tagore beach for four days. Many cultural activities like dance, music, tableaux etc. are organised here which exhibit the richness of the Karwar culture. Many famous artists perform in the festival.
Tourist Attractions & Places in Karwar
There is a lot of interesting tourist destinations in the region of Karwar.
Sadashivgad
Sadashivgad is situated 6kms from Karwar on a small hillock on the banks of river Kali. The 17th century Sadashivgad Hill Fort and Durga Bhavani temple are the main attraction of this small village. Sadashivgad Hill Fort is built on a 200 ft. high hill-top. But unfortunately most of the fort is in ruins now. River Kali joins with the sea near Sadashivgad. This spot is quite pleasant to enjoy natural scenery. This fort offers a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea and the Kali River. The 600 year old Shantadurga Temple present midway on the Sadashivgad hill is also popular among the tourists.
Kurumgad Island
The Kurmagad Island is just 4 kms from Karwar town. This tortoise-shaped island houses the famous Narasimha shrine. The temple is dedicated to Narasimha who is one of the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu. People come in huge numbers during the annual festival held in the month of January. The ruins of an old historic fort are also seen here. The island has a sweet water pond in spite of the fact that it is located a few marine miles away from Karwar city.
Binaga Beach
Binaga beach is located about 3 kms from Karwar. The picturesque beach covered by green hilltops on three sides has wide seashore that attracts many tourists. Our Lady of St Anne’s Church, the first Latin Catholic Church constructed by the Portuguese is a major landmark here which attracts many tourists.
Karwar Beach
This beach is also known as the Devbagh beach or the Rabindra nath Tagore beach. This enchanting beach situated 2 kms from Karwar is a major tourist’s hub. Snorkelling and diving are the main attractions here. The 300 year old Venkatrama temple and the octagonal church located at the beach also add to the attractions of this scenic beach.
Kali Nadi
The Kali Nadi which originates from Western Ghats joins the Arabian Sea near Karwar city. Provisions for motor launches for boating in the river are available here.
Oyster Rock Lighthouse
Oyster Rock Lighthouse is located on an island close to Karwar. Oyster Rocks are the group of islands and rocks. Lighthouse is situated on top of the main summit -Devad Gudda Island. There is a thick forest in the island around the lighthouse. One can reach the lighthouse by taking a machine boat from Karwar port. Lighthouse was built during 1860’s by the British.
Muslin Factory
Karwar town is known for its fine muslin. The muslin industry was started in 1638 by Sir Willam Counten. This factory today attracts many tourists.
There are many other places which are worth visiting like the Dargah of Peer Shan Shamsuddin Kharobat, Naganatha Temple, Karwar Harbor etc.
Tourist’s destinations near Karwar
Ankola
Ankola is situated 37 km south of Karwar. This small town is surrounded by many temples. The ruined walls of King Sarpamalika's 15th century fort and the ancient Shri Venkataraman temple along with two giant wooden chariots carved with scenes from the 'Ramayana' are the main attractions here.
Banavasi
Banavasi is located about 140 kms form Karwar and is situated on the banks of the Varada River. It is said that Banavasi is mentioned in the epics like Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Banavasi was once the capital of the ancient Kadamba dynasty. The main attraction here is Madhukeswara temple, the ruins of a Buddhist stupa, the Veerabhadra temple and the several idols and the Jain icons. The annual cultural festival, Kadambotsava held in December is a major attraction here.
Ulavi
Ulavi is located 75 kms from Karwar. This is a famous pilgrim centre. The Samadhi of Veera Shiva Saint Channabasavanna who took refuge here from the army of 'Kalachurias' is present here. Many devotees of Lingayat faith come here to pay homage at the Samadhi. Akka Nagalambike cave which is named after Nagalambike, Channabasavanna's mother is another major place of attraction here.
Jog Falls
Jog Falls are located 50 km from Karwar. It comes under the limits of Shimoga district. This is the highest waterfall in India. Jog Falls mainly comprises of four different streams of the River Sharavati whose names are as follows- Raja, Rani, Rocket and Roarer. The Sharavati River gushes from a height of 253 metres.
Yana
Yana is situated in the lush evergreen forests of the Sahyadri Mountains. It is about 60 km from Karwar. Yana is known for its unique rock formations. Yana can be reached by trekking a distance of about 10 km amidst dense forest. Yana also known as Bhairava kshetra is a major pilgrimage. This place is also popular among rock climbers and trekkers. Bhariraveswara Shikhara is 120 meters high and Mohini Shikara which is 90-meter high are the two main peaks here.There is a cave shrine of Bhairaveswara and water from the projecting rock trickles on the Shivalinga inside this temple. A waterfall called Vibuthi falls is one of the important tourist attraction here.
Magod Falls
Magod Falls is about 80 km from Karwar. This beautiful waterfall is formed by the cascading river Gangavathi which emerges from the Western Ghats and thunders 183metre down. Kavade Kere, a beautiful lake spread about 60 acres in area can be found on the way to the waterfalls. Jenukallugudda (honey rock hillock) is another tourist attraction nearby.
Lushington Falls
Lushington falls, located in Siddhapur Taluk is about 110 kms from Karwar. Here river Aghanashini gushes down from a height of 116 meters. The falls situated amidst dense forests is named after a District Collector who discovered it.
Gokarna
This is an important pilgrim centre located 60 km from Karwar. Gokarna is famous pilgrimage centre as well as a popular holiday destination. This coastal town is famous for the 'Atmalinga' in the ancient Mahabaleshwara Temple. It is believed that the idol of the deity in the temple is more than 1500 years old. Gokarna is also famous for its picturesque beaches. The most famous among them is the Om beach which is the shaped like the auspicious Om sign. The other famed beaches are Gokarna, Kudle, Half Moon and Paradise beach.
Murudeshwar
Murudeshwar is a major tourist place located in Bhatkal Taluk about 120 km from Karwar. Bounded by the rolling hills of Western Ghats and Arabian Sea, this pace is known for the famous Shiva temple. The world's tallest Shiva idol 123 feet high erected beside the temple is the highlight of this place.
Honnavar
Honnavar located 90 km from Karwar is an important railhead on the Konkan railway. This port town is famous for Apsara Konda Falls (Pond of the Celestial Nymphs) and Idagunji Ganapathi Temple.
Dandeli
Dandeli is located on the banks of River Kali and is about 93 kms from Karwar. Surrounded by an abundance of forest Dandeli is very famous for wild sanctuary which is considered the largest in Karnataka. The sanctuary is home to wide variety of flora and fauna. The other attractions in Dandeli are kayaking, canoeing, adventure trekking etc.
How to reach Karwar
Karwar has a well-established railway station. Since it is a major station on Konkan railways, number of important trains stop here. The nearest airport is the Dabolim Airport of Goa which is around 90 km from Karwar. This place has a good road network, which connects it with all the major cities of Karnataka as well as the neighbouring states. Regular KSRTC and private buses ply from Karwar to the nearby cities.
Accommodation
Plenty of accommodation options are available in Karwar ranging from star hotels to resorts and homestays to budget hotels.