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Located around 70 kms from Hubli, Sirsi is a
calm, peaceful little hamlet dotted with antique temples, Jain bastis,
mosques and churches. The place is marked by compact Mangalore-tiled
houses with small open verandahs, low wooden-planked furniture, dhoti clad
men and saree draped women.
Around Sirsi
20 kms from here is Sonda with the famous Vadiraja Swamy Mutt and Samadhi
of the famous saint and grammarian Bhattakalantka. Banavasi, the capital
city of the Kadambas is just 24 kms from Sirsi.
This ancient town visited by poet Kalidasa and the missionaries of King
Ashoka is known for the laterite fort and the Madhukeshwar Temple. The
monolith Asthana Mantap and Triloka Mantapa are shining examples of Sonada
art.
33 kms from Sirsi are the Lushington Falls, where the river Aghanashini
thunders down from the height of 116 metres. Locals Keppa falls for its
deafening effect. Further downsteam are the smaller Dadmane Falls.
Bhatkal
The gateway to the Vijayanagar empire is situated 45 kms from Honnavar.
This ancient port town is inhabited by Navayats the enterprising Muslim
trades of Arab origin.
Mudubhaktal has temples of Vijayanagar times, the notable among them
being Khetappavva Narayana Temple, Banda Basti are other important
monuments. It has many interesting Jain monuments too.