Banavasi

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 / 14.5341; 75.0177
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.

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

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]

See also

• Banavasi.in (Official Website)
• Kadambas of Banavasi
• Banavasi Madhukeshwara Temple