FlorenciaMacDevi at 01:12, 14 March 2026

2026-03-14T01:12:28Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2016}}
{{use Indian English|date=March 2016}}
{{multiple issues |
{{Cleanup rewrite|date=July 2018}}
{{more citations needed |date= August 2018}}
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{{Infobox settlement
| name = Karla
| other_name =
| native_name_lang =
| settlement_type = Town
| image_skyline =
{{multiple image
| border = infobox
| total_width = 300
| image_style =
| perrow = 2/1
| caption_align = center
| image1 = Gomateshwara_Statue,_Karkala.jpg
| caption1 = [[Gommateshwara statue, Karkala|Gommateshwar]]
}}
| nickname = Jain pilgrimage center
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 6
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Karkala in Karnataka
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|13.2|N|74.983|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Karnataka]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Udupi district|Udupi]]
| established_title = Settled
| established_date = 1912
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_total_km2 = 23.06
| elevation_m = 80
| population_total = 25824
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_density_km2 = 1089.16
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 574 104
| area_code = 91-(0)8258
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| registration_plate = KA-20
| blank_name = {{nowrap|[[Official language]]}}
| blank_info = [[Kannada]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM50thReport.pdf |title=50th Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India (July 2012 to June 2013) |access-date=14 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708012438/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM50thReport.pdf |archive-date=8 July 2016}}</ref>
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[Human sex ratio|Sex ratio]]
| blank1_info_sec1 = 1.11 [[male|♂]]/[[female|♀]]
| website = {{URL|www.karkalatown.mrc.gov.in}}
| footnotes =
}}
'''Karkala''' ({{IPA|kn|kɑːɾkəɭə|lang}}) ({{IPA|tcy|kɑːɾlə|lang}}) is a town and the headquarters of eponymous Karkala taluk in the [[Udupi district]] of [[Karnataka]] state in [[India]]. It is well known as an important center of [[Jainism]], with several ancient basadis (Jain temples) and the iconic 42-foot monolithic statue of [[Bahubali]] (Gommateshwara) dating back to the 15th century. Karkala lies near the foothills of the [[Western Ghats]], and has a number of natural and historical landmarks, and is a major tourist and transit destination due to its strategic location along the way to [[Hebri]], [[Sringeri]], [[Kalasa]], [[Horanadu]], [[Udupi]], [[Kollur, Udupi district|Kollur]], [[Subramanya, Karnataka|Subrahmanya]] and [[Dharmasthala]].

== Etymology ==
Black granite is abundant in the area, and used widely in the local architecture. Hence, the name of the town is derived from ''kari-kal'', meaning black stone. There is still a place called as ''Kariya Kall'' in the city which means 'Black Rock' in [[Tulu language|Tulu]] and [[Kannada language|Kannada]] languages. The name 'Kariya Kall/ ಕರಿಯಕಲ್ಲ್ changed to 'Karikal/ಕರಿಕಲ್' and eventually to 'Karkal/ಕರ್ಕಲ್/ಕಾರ್ಕಳ್'. However, some studies assert that the original name was 'Kari Kola' meaning 'elephant lake' in [[Tulu language|Tulu]] and [[Kannada language|Kannada]] languages, which today is known as 'Anekere'. The current official name "Karkala" is in use since the times of the British, while it is still referred to as "Karla" by the local Tulu population.

== History ==
{{Main|Gommateshwara statue, Karkala|Chaturmukha Basadi}}
{{ more citations needed|date= July 2023}}
Karkala dates back to the beginning of the 10th century. The town was called ''Pandya Nagari'' during the period of [[Jain]] rule.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DHNS |title=A legacy filled with culture |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/a-legacy-filled-culture-2150317 |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Chaturmukha_Basadi.jpg|thumb|[[Chaturmukha Basadi]]]]
[[File:Anekere Chaturmukha basadi.jpg|thumb|Kere Basadi]]
[[File:Anekere Chaturmukha basadi complex.jpg|thumb|Anekere kere basadi ({{translation|Elephant lake, Lake Temple}}]]
[[File:St. Lawrence Shrine (Karkala).jpg|thumb|St. Lawrence Shrine Basilica]]
The [[Alupa Dynasty|Alupas]] were the first to rule the region who were Originally [[Jain]] rulers, and their rule was followed by the [[Santara dynasty|Santaras]], who were the feudatories of Alupas for many years. The town attained political and cultural importance from the time of the Kalasa-Karkala [[Monarchy|kingdom]] that was established by King Bhairava between 13th and 16th centuries.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ramesh |first=K. V. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eKs5AQAAIAAJ&q=history+of+karkala |title=A History of South Kanara: From the Earliest Times to the Fall of Vijayanagara |date=1970 |publisher=Karnatak University |pages=189 |language=en}}</ref>

The royal family of Karkala rose to prominence from the time of the rule of the [[Hoysalas]]. During the [[Vijayanagara]] period this family reached new heights of glory as their kingdom extended over a wider area comprising [[Sringeri]], [[Koppa, India|Koppa]], [[Balehonnur]] and [[Mudigere]] in [[Chikamagalur]] and most of the [[Karkala taluk]].

King Veera Bhairava constructed the [[Jain temples|basadis]] at Karkala and endowed land and money to numerous temples and [[Jain temples|basadis]]. Ramanatha and Veerapandya were his two sons and Ramanatha died early during his father's time. So In his memory, a scenic lake called Ramasamudra was created, which still survives to this day.

King Veera Pandya, at the insistence of his Guru Lalitakeerti, the pontiff of Karkala Jaina Math, installed a large statue of Bahubali on the rocky hill of Karkala. The date of the installation has been ascertained as 13 February 1432.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rice |first=Edward P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2fhCH-NRatUC&dq=history+of+karkala&pg=PA19 |title=A History of Kannada Literature |date=1982 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |isbn=978-81-206-0063-8 |pages=19 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Francis |first=W. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vERnljM1uiEC&dq=history+of+karkala&pg=PA514 |title=Gazetteer of South India |date=1989 |publisher=Mittal Publications |pages=376 |language=en}}</ref> He also installed the Brahmadeva Pillar in front of the statue in 1436. His successor, Abinava Pandya installed a carving of manastambha in front of the Neminatha [[Jain temples|Basadis]] in Hiriyangadi in 1457 AD. An intricately carved 54-foot-high (16 m) pillar stands in front of the [[Jain temples|Basadis]].

Abhinava Pandya's successor was Pandya VI, who is attributed to the construction of the Kere [[Jain temples|Basadis]] in the middle of a lake called [[Anekere]] in 1545 AD.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8IbXAAAAMAAJ&q=anekere+basadi+in+karkala |title=Jinmanjari: Contemporary Jaina Reflections |date=1998 |publisher=Bramhi Society |page=19 |language=en}}</ref> Immadi Bhairava (Bhairava II), who ruled after him, constructed the [[Chaturmukha Basadi]] on top of a small rocky hill in 1586 AD. This [[Jain temples|Basadis]] has four identical entrances from the four directions leading to the Garbagriha and hence is popularly known as Chaturmukha or Four-Faced. It is also referred to as Tribhuvana Tilaka Jina Chaityalaya and Ratnaraya Dhama in some inscriptions. The [[Chaturmukha Basadi]] is built in the form of a square hall with a lofty doorway and pillared porticos on each of its four sides along with a pillared verandah. The roof is flat and is made of massive granite slabs. It has life size statues of three Jain Theerthankaras on each side and small images of 24 [[Tirthankara]]. In all, there are 108 pillars inside and outside the temple.

There are 18 [[Jain temples|Basadis]] of antiquity, including Mahaveera [[Jain temples|Basadi]], Chandranathaswamy [[Jain temples|Basadi]], Adinathaswamy [[Jain temples|Basadi]], Ananthanatha [[Jain temples|Basadi]], Guru [[Jain temples|Basadi]], and Padmavati [[Jain temples|Basadi]]. However, the rulers of Karkala were tolerant towards other religions, with temples of other religions being constructed, including the temples of Anantashayana and Venkataramana, Mahamaya Mukhyaprana, and Sri Aadi-Shakthi Veerabhadra Swamy.

After the rule of the Pandyas, the region was annexed by [[Tippu Sultan]], and thereafter passed on to British rule. The St Lawrence Church was built in 1845 in a village called Nitte (Attur hamlet) where people of all religions congregate every year in January for the feast of St Lawrence.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

==Landmarks==
Karkala is an important pilgrimage location for [[Jain]]s. There are several [[Hindu]] temples, [[Jain]] [[Jain temples|Basadis]], [[mosque]]s, [[Church (building)|church]]es, and lakes in Karkala.

[[File:Bus Stand in Karkala.jpg|thumb|right|Bus stand, Karkala]]

Karkala has famous educational institutions like NITTE College, Bhuvanendra College, Christ King Educational institutions, and Jnanasudha Educational College.
[[File:Taluk Office, Karkala.jpg|thumb|right|Taluk Office, Karkala]]

ASI protected sites<ref>[http://asibengalurucircle.in/udupi ASI Bengaluru Circle - Udupi district]{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> in Karkala are:
* Ananthapadmanabha Temple, Ananthashayana
* [[Chaturmukha Basadi]]
* [[Gommateshwara statue, Karkala|Gommateshwara Statue]]
* [[Manasthamba]]
* Hiriyangadi
* [[Sri Venkataramana Temple, Karkala]]
* [[St. Lawrence Shrine Basilica|St. Lawrence Shrine]]
* [[Parashurama Theme Park, Karkala]]

== Geography ==
Karla is located at {{coord|13.2|N|74.98|E|}}.<ref>[https://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/19/Karkal.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Karkal]</ref> It has an average elevation of 81 metres (265 feet).

[[File:Anekere Lake, Karkala.jpg|thumb|right|Anekere Lake, Karkala]]
It has a large number of picturesque lakes, such as:
* Ramasamudra Lake,
* Kamala Kere,
* NagarBavi,
* Anekere,
* Sigadi Kere,
* Matadha Kere,
* Shivathi Kere
* Jogina Kere.
Situated at the foothills of the Western Ghats, Karkala has an undulating landscape, dotted with black granite outcrops, while the western part of the town is predominantly coastal plains that stretch about 25 km west towards the Arabian Sea.

===Meteorological details===
[[File:Karkala chaturmukha basadi.jpg|center|thumb|718x718px|Karkala scenic view (Chaturmukha Jain Basadi)]]
{{Weather box
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| year rain mm = 2117
| Dec rain mm = 19
| Nov rain mm = 57
| Oct rain mm = 133
| Sep rain mm = 153
| Aug rain mm = 288
| Jul rain mm = 629
| Jun rain mm = 663
| May rain mm = 99
| Apr rain mm = 39
| Mar rain mm = 19
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| source 1 = [[MSN Weather]]
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| Feb rain mm = 9
| rain colour = green
| location = {{align|left|{{ed|:Geography of Karkala}}}} Karkala, India (Karkala)
| Feb high C = 33
| Mar mean C =
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| year high C = 34
| Dec high C = 30
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| Oct high C = 30
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| Aug high C = 28
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| Jun high C = 30
| May high C = 34
| Apr high C = 34
| Mar high C = 34
| Jan high C = 31
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| May record high C = 41
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| Jan record high C = 38
| Feb record high C = 38
| Mar record high C = 42
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| year record high C = 41
| Jul record high C = 32
| Aug record high C = 33
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| Oct record high C = 36
| Nov record high C = 35
| Dec record high C = 35
| Apr mean C =
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| year record low C = 16
| Nov low C = 24
| Dec record low C = 17
| Nov record low C = 18
| Oct record low C = 20
| Sep record low C = 20
| Aug record low C = 23
| Jul record low C = 23
| Jun record low C = 23
| May record low C = 23
| Apr record low C = 23
| Mar record low C = 19
| Feb record low C = 16
| Jan record low C = 17
| year low C = 22
| Dec low C = 22
| Oct low C = 25
| Jul mean C =
| Jan low C = 22
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| Feb low C = 24
| Sep low C = 25
| Mar low C = 26
| Apr low C = 28
| May low C = 28
| Jun low C = 27
| Jul low C = 26
| Aug low C = 25
| source =
}}

== Demographics ==
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Moodabidri (2011)
|label1 = [[Hinduism]]
|value1 = 76.50
|color1 = Orange
|label2 = [[Islam]]
|value2 = 14.90
|color2 = Green
|label3 = [[Christianity]]
|value3 = 5.87
|color3 = DodgerBlue
|label4 = [[Jainism]]
|value4 = 2.60
|color4 = white
|label5 = [[Sikhism]]
|value5 = 0.03
|color5 = DarkKhaki
|label6 = [[Buddhism]]
|value6 = 0.02
|color6 = Yellow
|label7 = Other or not stated
|value7 = 0.08
|color7 = Black
}}
{{As of|2001}} India [[census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Karkala town had a population of 25,118. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Karkala has an average literacy rate of 82%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 79%. In Karkala, 9% of the population is under six years of age. According to recent statistics by town municipality, 25,635 people currently reside in this town, while as per the recent statistics Karkala [[taluk]] has a population of 2.10 Lacs (previous 2001 census is 2,04,571).

Hinduism is the largest religion in Karkala, with [[Sthanika Brahmin]]s, Rama kshathriya, [[Bunt (community)|Bunt]]s, [[Sapaliga]]/Sapalya, [[Billava]]s, [[Ganiga]]s, Rajapura Saraswat Brahmins (RSB), [[Goud Saraswat Brahmin]]s (GSBs), [[Chitpavan]] Brahmins,Shivalli Brahmins, Vishwakarma Brahmins, [[Devadiga]] and [[Mogaveera]] forming the major communities. There is also a significant Roman Catholic and Protestant Christian presence, and sunni Hanafi Muslim communities settled in the town, Muslims Of Karkala Speak [[Urdu]] as their mother tongue.<ref name="sch93">{{harvnb|South Kanara District Gazetteer|1973|p=93|Ref=sc}}</ref>
==Culture and tradition==
{{unreferenced section |date= August 2018}}
The people of Karkala follow the [[Tuluva]] culture. Distinctive features of this culture include rituals of [[Bhuta Kola]], [[Nagaradhane]] and [[Yakshagana]]. Tuluva New Year is called Bisu.

[[Pilivesha|Pilinalike]] or Tiger Dance is a unique form of folk dance in Tulu Nadu. The tiger is considered as the mount of Goddess [[Durga]], and the dance is performed during the Dasara and Krishna Janmashthami festivals. Bhuta Kola or spirit worship is practised across the region, usually at night, invoking the spirits via an oracle, accompanied by traditional music and practices.

The most popular local sport is [[Kambula]], or buffalo racing, which is conducted in paddy fields. Koridakatta ([[Cockfighting]]) is another sport for village people. The Tuluva people have a high regard for nature and snakes in particular, so Nagaradhane, or snake worship, is also practised with the belief that the Naga Devatha (Snake God) will protect their communities.

== Language ==
Karkala is a multilingual town. [[Tulu language|Tulu]] is the native language of the people, while the official language is [[Kannada language|Kannada]]. [[Konkani Language|Konkani]] and [[Dakhni language|Dakhni]] are also widely spoken in the town.

== Administration and transportation ==
Being a part of Udupi district, Karkala is in the Udupi-Chikkamagalur Lok Sabha Constituency.The Karkala Town Municipal Council (ಕಾರ್ಕಳ ಪುರಸಭೆ) is the municipal corporation of the town, responsible for all public works and development.

Roadways are the main mode of transportation in Karkala. The town is well connected to Udupi, Moodabidri and Padubidri, and to Sringeri and Kalasa on the Western Ghats. The main roadways serving Karkala are:

*National Highway NH 169 (Solapur—Mangalore)
*Karnataka State Highway SH 1 (Karkala-Padubidri) which connects to National Highway 66 at Padubidri
*Karnataka State Highway SH 37 (Karkala-Bailur-Manipal-Udupi)
*Karnataka State Highway SH 1 (Karkala-Hebri)

The nearest railhead is at [[Udupi]] while the airport closest to Karkala is at [[Bajpe]] in [[Mangalore]]. There is an extensive public transport system connecting Karkala to Udupi and Mangalore.

==Photo gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Karkala anathapadmanabha temple.jpg|Ananthapadmanabha Temple, Karla
Image:Chaturmukha Basadi.jpg|Chaturmukha Basadi
Image:Karkala 1.jpg|Padmavati Basadi
File:Koti Chennaya Theme Park Karkala 39.jpg|Gururaya basadi, Karkala
File:Anekere lake (cropped).jpg|Anekere Basadi at the center of pond in Karla
File:Veeramaruti temple, Karkala.JPG|Veeramaruthi Temple, Karla
File:St Laurence chrurch view.JPG|St lawrence Church, Karla
File:Sri Venkataramana Temple Karkala.jpg|Venkataramana Temple, Karla
File:The deepa vahi Venkitaramana temple,.JPG |The Deepadhaari at Venkataramana Temple, Karla
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|Religion|India}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

===Works cited===
* {{cite book |year=1973 |title=South Kanara District Gazetteer |series=Karnataka State Gazetteer |volume=12 |chapter-url=http://gazetteer.kar.nic.in/data/gazetteer/postind/11_1973_3.pdf |pages=86–125 |chapter=People |publisher=Gazetteer Department (Government of Karnataka) |access-date=26 October 2008 |ref=sc |archive-date=25 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325022809/http://gazetteer.kar.nic.in/data/gazetteer/postind/11_1973_3.pdf |url-status=dead}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://nammakambala.com/karkala/ About Karkala]
* [http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/mahamastakabhisheka-devotees-throng-karkala/article7145382.ece Mahamastakabhisheka]
* [http://www.karkalagommateshwara.com/ All about The Mahamastakabhisheka of Lord Bahubali at Karkala, 21-31 January 2015]
* [https://karkala.org All about Karkala]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170925155102/http://www.karkala.gsb.in/ Info about Padutirupathi]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071215021457/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2007/06/24/stories/2007062450190700.htm News Topic about Karkala]
* [http://atturstlawrence.com/ St. Lawrence Church, Attur, Karkala] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115021449/http://atturstlawrence.com/ |date=15 January 2012 }}
* [http://www.padutirupathi.org Shree Venkataramana Temple (Kannada Website)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122172735/http://www.padutirupathi.org/ |date=22 January 2019 }}
* [https://www.padutirupathi.in Shree Venkataramana Temple (English Website)]

{{Localities in Karkala}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Udupi district]]
[[Category:Jain temples in Karnataka]]
[[Category:15th-century Jain temples]]
[[Category:Colossal Jain statues in India]]

Karkala - Revision history

FlorenciaMacDevi at 01:12, 14 March 2026