| With gentle waves, miles of golden sand, a tranquil ambience, and acres of emerald foliage, Karwar has all the makings of a perfect holiday destination. The captivating landscape is ringed with rugged hill ranges, thick woods, and mysteriously deep valleys. This paradise inspired the great Indian muse Rabindranath Tagore to pen his first play. Since then, this little town has continued to inspire all its visitors.The Sadashivgad Hill Fort with a Durga Temple, the unique octagonal church, the 300-year old Venkatrama Temple with ochre paintings, and the Naganatha Temple, where an ant hill is worshipped, are sure to make a lasting impression. Devbagh is the most enchanting of the five islands along the Karwar coast. Visits to Anjidev Island are restricted. |
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"The sea beach of Karwar is certainly a fit place in which to realize that the beauty of nature is not a mirage of imagination but reflects joy of the infinite and thus draws us to lose ourselves in it." - Rabindranath Tagore |
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| Karwar, the beach city is also the district head quarters of Uttara Kannada, Karnataka, India. This is the place for those who love sand, sea and the sun. Not only does Karwar have beautiful beaches but also is prominent historical town with many pilgrim centers. This is the place where the River Kali meets the Arabian Sea. |
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| History |
| Karwar gets it name from the word “Karwad” as the British had trouble pronouncing it during the colonial times. In 1862, British made this place their head quarters. Karwar was the sea trade center from the Arabian Sea and Arabs, Dutch, Portuguese, French and British have traded here. In Arabic, Karwar was called “ Baithkhol “ meaning bay of safety. Ibn battuta passed through this tract. Many Indian commodities were exported to foreign countries were brought from the Deccan by routes as this port was considered safe during all seasons. The port of Karwar has five islands, Anjidiv, Kudumgad, Dev gad, Mogral and Shamshigudda protecting the port from heavy winds. |
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| Demography |
| Karwar is a small town with one side of the road the narrow coastline hugging the Arabian Sea and the other side with dark thick forest of the Western Ghats. Miraculously straddling both mountain and sea, Karwar is a nondescript little town perched in between, seemingly oblivious to its own overwhelming beauty. It is rich in flora and fauna. |
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| Karwar lies just 20 kms from south of Goa. There lies the Sadashivgad Fort dedicated to Lord Shiva, a Durga temple, an octagonal church (one of its kind). There is also Venkataramana temple which is about 300 years. This temple has some fine ochre paintings. The Dandeli Game park located about 157 kms is a must see for wild life adventurers. |
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| Karavali Utsav : This is funfair celebrated at Karvar every year that last 3 to 4 days, many cultural programmes and stalls are put up during this time |
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| Konkan Marathas |
| Halakki Vokkaligas, a nomadic tribe, living at the foot hills of Western Ghats. They live in the tribal way and their headman is called “Gouda”. They decorate themselves in beads and necklaces with heavy nose rings. Another tribe is the Goulis from Maharashtra. They are mainly cowherds and shepherds. Now they have taken up agriculture. Kunabis are another backward tribe of the Uttar Kannada district living in the forest in bamboo huts built in rows sharing common wall. Many villages are in Karwar, government has scheme for the upliftment of these tribes. |
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| Apart from these Vaishyayanis, Bhandharis, Kobarpaiks, Kharvis/harikantras, halakki Vokkaligas, Kunbis Padthis are the natives of Karwar. There are great influence of Christianity and Muslims owing to the British, Portuguese, and Arab colonial establishments in the 18th century. There are many church and ruins of Portuguese settlements. Konkani, Marathi, Kannada are the main languages spoken. |
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| How to Reach |
By Road: 524 kms North West of Bangalore, Bangalore To Tumkur (NH4), Tumkur to Honnavar via Arsikere, Shimonga, Talguppa (NH206), Honnavar to Karwar (NH17) approximately 12 hours
By Rail: Nearest station at Shirwad, 6kms from Karwar Town, Konkan Railway route.
By Air: Goa Airport (100 kms)
By Sea: Karwar port
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