Brahmavar

Brahmavar or Brahmavara is a main road town on NH 17, located 13 km north of the Udupi in Udupi district in Karnataka state of India. It has been mentioned as Brahmaputr, Brahmavuar and Brahmara in the inscription, which means 'a settlement of Brahmins'. It is an ancient cultural centre of the region being adjacent to Barkur, which was the capital town of Tulunadu.

Places of worship

(1) Mahalinga temple

(2) Gopinatha temple

(3) Janardhana shrine in the Agrahara

(4) Holy Family Church[4] established on April 01, 1934[4]

(5) Saint Mary's Syrian Church

Educational institutions in and around Brahmavar
Nirmala Higher Primary School
Nirmala High School
Govt Highschool
SMS College
St. Mary's Syrian Cathedral
Little Rock Indian School - in Chantar, about 4 km from Brahmavar

Other places of Interest in and around Brahmavar
All India Radio station
Agriculture Research Institute
Sugar factory
Srikrishna Dairy - 4 km from Brahmavar towards Udupi
Hangyo Ice Cream factory - in Srikrishna Dairy Campus
Mahishamardini temple in Beelavara
Garadi mane in Varambally village
Barkur town

History

It is believed that the Mahalinga temple was constructed in the 9th century AD. The wall of the temple is built on the laterite stones. There is an image of Gaja-Gowri, which has been kept in Navaranga, which perhaps belongs to the Hoysala period. It is holding Ankusha and Pasha in the upper hand and Padma (lotus) in right lower, and the left lower hand in the abhaya pose. Handadi near Brahmavar was the settlement of the Hande family. Gopinatha temple is mentioned in an inscription that it is the third temple. The image of the presiding deity is of Hoysala workmanship.

Distance from Brahmavara
Udupi - 13 km
Manipal - 11 km
Kundapura - 28 km
Mangalore - 76 km
Bangalore - 360 km
Mumbai - 980 km

Rivers

The town of Brahmavar is sandwiched between the Sita and Suvarna rivers which originate from the Western ghats. They join the Arabian Sea a few kilometers from Brahmavar. The rivers form beautiful backwaters around Brahmavar. Tourists can cruise the backwaters on local country boats.

Transportation

Brahmavar situated on NH 17 is directly connected by bus service from Udupi on the Udupi-Kundapur line. Bus service is also available to most places within Udupi district and to Bangalore, Mumbai, Mangalore, Shimoga and other nearby districts. Local means of transport is autos and taxis. The nearest railway station for local trains is in Barkur and for long distance trains is in Udupi.