Art and Crafts

The Gudigar community of Banavasi are versatile craftspersons. Art is in their veins and has flowed as a tradition from one generation to the next. They carve, sculpt, paint and mould using different mediums. They excel when it comes to sandal and teak wood carving. Beside Gudigars, there are many skilled craftspersons like carpenters, potters, rangoli artists, pith coronet carver, yakshagana mask makers, etc. who excel in their craft. The craft shop in the Tourist Complex gives you an introduction to these craftspersons and their crafts. A walk around Banavasi will help you to understand the crafts better and if you have the time, learn a bit of the craft itself.

'Varnaloka' is an art gallery by the gifted artisan Shreepad Purohit where contemporary life in Banavasi is portrayed using sculpture from various materials.

There is also a bag-making unit set up by a group of women. They make the bags out of Illikal silk saris and embellish the fabric with mirrors, embroidery and tassels.

Fairs and Festivals

Rath Festival: The Rath (vehicle of main deity) festival is a big event celebrated with a wish to get the blessings of God for peace and prosperity. This celebration provides an opportunity for the village community to unite and thus enhances goodwill among its members. It is held in March every year.

Mahashivaratri Festival

The birthday of Lord Shiva is celebrated in a big way at Madhukeshwara temple. During Mahashvaratri, devotees from different parts of the state gather in Banavasi, leading to a festive like mood throughout the village. Mahavshivatri usually comes in the month of February.

Lakshadeepotsava

A wonderful scene gets created at Madhukeshwara temple, when thousands of small diyas (lamps) lit up by village people in the temple premises during Lakshadeepotsava. This festival usually celebrated during winter i,e in the month of November or December.

Kadambotsava

Banavasi was the cultural capital of Karnataka in addition to being the political capital, several centuries ago. The eminent poet Pampa in his poems has described the beauty and grandness of 'Madhumahotsava', a spring festival celebrated during the Kadamba reign.

With Kadambotsava, an annual event organised by the state government, Banavasi regains its former glory as a cultural capital. Renowned classical musicians, yakshagana artistes, drama troupes, folk dancers and eminent literary personalities assemble for Kadambotsava and make it a huge cultural fete. This is organised usually in the month of December.