kawar

Facts And Figures

• Total Population: 51000
• Best time to visit: December – May
• Area: 10291 sq km
• Languages: Kannada and English
• STD Code: 08382

Introduction

The administrative headquarters of North Kanara District in Karnataka, Karwar is one of the isolated beaches situated on the 320 km long coastline in the state. Marked by calm waves, palm-laced beaches, golden sand, scenic coves, Karwar is renowned for its excellent muslin.

Location

The port town of Karwar, situated 519 km northwest of Bangalore, lies on the banks of the Kalinadi River on a thin strip of tropical sand that is bound by the Western Ghats on its east and surrounded by the Arabian Sea on the west.

Best Time To Visit

For a Tour to Karwar, the best time to visit is between the months of December and May.

History

Way back in 1862, Karwar was made district headquarters by the British. In ancient times, Karwar was a sea trade site visited by the Arabs, Dutch, Portuguese, French and later the British.

Coastal Food Specialties

Spicy sea food and vegetarian meals garnished with coconut.

Climate

The monsoon in the coast is from June to October.

Tourist Attractions

Make your Tour to Karwar memorable by visiting these famous tourist places near Karwar –

• Dargah of Peer Shan Shamsuddin Kharobat: This eminent Dargah is dedicated to a Baghdadi Saint named Peer Shan Shamsuddin Kharobat
• Naganatha Temple: This temple is unique since an anthill is worshipped here.
• Karwar Harbor: The Karwar bay has this outstanding harbor that can be used in all seasons.
• River Kalinadi: Flowing through Karwar into the Arabian Sea, this river has provision for motor launches for boating up the river.
• Kurmagad Island: This island nearby has an old fort and a Narasimha shrine worth visiting.

Places around Karwar

Explore the land of Karwar, visiting the places around it, while on a Tour to Karwar –

• Rabindranath Tagore beach: Situated about 3 km away from Karwar is Devbagh, a hub for diving and snorkeling. This beach, the most attractive one in Karwar, is said to have motivated Rabindranath Tagore to write his first play.
• Jog Falls: One of the highest waterfalls in India, Jog Falls situated about 50 km from Karwar. Jog Falls is formed by the Sharavathi River, gushing down from a height of 253 meters.
• Yana: A popular destination for rock climbing, Yana or Bhairavakshetra is an important pilgrim centre located in a beautiful valley, 60 km from Karwar. Yana can be reached by trekking a distance of about 10 km by foot amidst dense forest.

Bhatkal
135 kms south, is a historical township: The ancient port town has temples of Vijayanagar times and many interesting Jain monuments. 16 kms away is the scenic holy place of Murdeshwar. The temple here attracts a lot of devotees and tourists. The Pigeon Island is off the Murdeshwar coast. The beaches at Gokarna, Bhatkal and Murdeshwar are undiscovered and thankfully unspoiled.Banavasi
140 kms from Karwar, is a temple town mentioned in the Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Shivganga Falls
140 kms away, amidst scenic surroundings, the River Souda falls into a deep valley from a height of 74 m to form the falls.

Dandeli
93 kms from Karwar, is a popular holiday resort. The wildlife sanctuary here abounds with a variety of rare animals. The cave with Shivalinga-like laterite formations is also well worth a visit.

Magod Falls
A few kms from Karwar, is a scenic delight. The Bedti River plunges into a 180 m rocky valley in two leaps.

Lalguli Falls
Itis a picturesque waterfall formed by the river Kali.
The Mailmane Falls also deserve a visit.

Fairs And Festivals

• Rabindranath Tagore beach: Karavali Utsav: This is the biggest cultural event in Karwar, held on Rabindranath Tagore beach for four days. Recitals by famous artists lighten up this cultural extravaganza.
• Shivaratri: Every year on the day of Shivaratri, Lord Shiva is worshipped at Yana, accompanied by a colorful fair. Thousands of people visit the fair.

Where to stay

Enjoy a comfortable stay while on a Tour to Karwar at the hotels in Karwar, offering a remarkable blend of tradition and modernity. Some of the major hotels in Karwar are Devbagh Beach Resort, Kiran Deluxe Hotel, Inspection Bungalow, Hotel Badhra, etc.

How To Reach

• By Air : The nearest airport is at Dabolim (Goa), 90 km away.
• By Rail :The closest railway station is located at Shirwad (6 km), on the Konkan Railway route.
• By Road: Karwar is well-connected by a network of roads to South Goa border (10 km), Panaji (105 km), Mumbai (650 km) and Bangalore.