Excursion To Karkala And Moodabidri From Mangalore

Karkala and Moodabidri, are two sleepy towns situated around an hour’s drive from Mangalore in the South Indian state of Karnataka. Between the 14th and 16th centuries, this area became a great center of learning and pilgrimage for members of the Jain faith.

In Karkala the giant statue of Lord Bahubali attracts Jain pilgrims from far and wide. In Moodabidri visit the famous 1000-pillared Jain Temple dedicated to Chandranatha. This is the largest Jain temple in coastal Karnataka with richly carved pillars and no two pillars in this temple are alike. End your trip with a visit to the local bazaar and a spice plantation in Moodabidri.

Highlights
• 40 feet tall statue of Lord Bahubali, Karkala
• 1000-pillared Jain Temple, Moodabidri
• 50 feet high, free-standing monolithic pillar
• Spice plantation

You will be picked up from your hotel in Mangalore and driven to Karkala which is located at an hour’s drive from Mangalore.

Visit the giant monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali that was erected in 1432. Bahubali (One with strong arms) is a much revered God of the Jains. He is said to have meditated standing for a year and thereafter attained liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth.

Next drive to Moodabidri, a 30-minute drive from Karkala. It is one of the major centers of Jainism in India and is often referred to as Jain Kashi. There are no less than 18 Jain temples in this little town. The most famous amongst them is the 1000-pillared Jain Temple dedicated to Lord Chandranatha Swami. It is a huge three-storeyed temple with a large pillared hall. The granite pillars are decorated with beautiful carvings of Vijayanagar style. No two pillars are alike. A 50 feet high free-standing pillar made from a single stone is one of the major attractions of this temple. A large 8 feet idol of Lord Chandranatha Swami stands in the sanctum of the temple. It took 31 years to complete the temple.

After the temple visit a local bazaar in Moodabidri, which has visitors from the surrounding areas buying fruits, vegetables, spices, clothes, food items and other items of daily use. It is a nice way to see daily life in this part of the country.

Your next stop will be at a fruit and spice plantation. You can walk through the plantation and learn about the various spices, fruits and other products grown here. You can also taste their famous pineapples if you wish. The farm also offers spices for sale if you would like to buy some (own expense).

At the end of the visit take lunch (own expense) at a local restaurant near Moodabidri.

After lunch you will be driven back to Mangalore and dropped off at your hotel.