Banavasi - The Eternal Beauty
Chaagadha bhogadhakkaradha geyadha nottiyalampinimpugalgaagaramaadha maanasare maanisar! amthavaraagi puttalenaagiyumeno theerdhapudhe? theeradhodam maridhumbiyaagi menkogileyaagi puttuvudhu namdhanadhoL banavaasidheshadhol”
wrote Pampa, eminent Kannada poet of the Kadamba era.
( It is a virtue to be born in Banavasi as a human being. If not as a human being, then at least one should be born as a bee or a cuckoo in the garden of Banavasi'.)
Banavasi and its surroundings are gifted with nature’s bounty.
There
are numerous ponds around the districts and they are filled with
lotuses and water lilies. On a winter morning, when the mist is just
lifting, their sight acts as a balm to the weary urban soul.
Banavasi, a big village or a small town is on the banks of river Varada and has many stories to tell. It is recognised as the first capital of ancient Karnataka when the Kadamba dynasty ruled over the region from the fourth to the sixth centuries. A fifth century copper coin was discovered in Banavasi recently!
Banavasi also features in Hindu mythology across the yugas (eras). It is considered to be as old as Kashi Varanasi or Benares which is amongst the most holy of Hindu towns.
Buddhism and Jainism have also spread their roots here. During the reign of Samrat Ashok, Banavasi was a learning centre for Buddhist monks. An ASI site at Gudnapura village nearby shows evidence of Jainism being encouraged by the royalty.
Time has gone by but Banavasi has remained young and green. The traditions, festivals and crafts of bygone days are still in practice. More stories will unfold when you visit here, spend a couple of days and your inner rhythm matches that of this great land.
The village Panchayat has initiated a Zero-Waste programme in Banavasi to retain its pristine beauty and to welcome you to breathe history and savour nature.
Banavasi revolves around the Madhukeshwara temple which was built in the 9th century by the Kadamba kings.
The annual car festival, Mahashivaratri, Lakshadeepotsava and Navaratri are some of the main religious and traditional events celebrated according to the Hindu calendar at this temple.
Floral diversity
The Shannon diversity index is the most widely adopted technique to quantify the level of diversity in a given region. The floral wealth of Banavasi as assessed by this index was 4.1. This is a very high level of diversity comparable to some of the best areas of the Western Ghats.
Local Artisans
Local artisans have joined together and have founded a organization by the name, "Ravivarma Kushal Kala Abhivrudhdhi Samsthe" to promote lacal crafts and to ensure welfare of local artisan community. 'Vaijayanti' , the shop run by this organization is situated in the new tourism complex. Here you get to see and purchase locally crafted excellent products. In the months of November, December and January , annual 'Banavasi Kalamela' , a fair of local craftsmen, celebrated in the premises of Vaijayanti gives an opportunity for the visitors to witness craftsmen at work.