Karkala

Karkala is a the name of a small town in the south of Karnataka. Here you will find a famous Jain temple constructed thousand years ago. The intricate designs adorning its simple stone framework, magnificent stone sculptures and beautiful carvings are the evidences which show that the temple at Karkala is the result of the combined effort of talented sculptors, architects and artists.

Karkala in Karnataka lies amidst the hills and a has a lagoon. It is known for:

great Karkala temple

Jain stupa

a gigantic statue of the Jain god, Gandharva

The temple in Karkala of Karnataka is located on the top of a hill with a stone staircase. The wondrous architecture, the Hoysala type sculptures as well as the unique style of construction and the designs of the staircases and porticos are the characteristic features of the temples of Karkala at Karnataka.

At the entrance to the Jain temple in Karkala of Karnataka you will find a set of footprints embedded in a rock dedicated to the Gandharva. These are unique since they are thought to be the original impressions of the holy saint.

You should not miss to see the statue of the Gandharva since it is wonderfully carved out of a granite rock that has a height of 300 feet. Karkala is also known for other towering statues of:

• Gomateshwara
• the three Teerthankaras
• Padmavathi Yakshi.

The rulers of Karkala of Karnataka also constructed the Chathurmukh Basadi and Neminath Basadi and the tall Manasthamba at Hariyangadi.