Bhatkal

Bhatkal

Taluk: Bhatkal

District: Uttara Kannada

State: Karnataka

Country: India

Coordinates: 13.967°N 74.567°E

Bhatkal also known as 'Batecala' in some Portuguese historical texts, is a port town in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India. Once ruled by a Jain King Bhattakalanka, the Bhatkal town lies on NH-17 running between Mumbai and Kochi and is one of the major railway stations along the Konkan Railway line running between Mumbai and Mangalore. The closest airport is Mangalore International Airport.

History

Bhatkal's location, although very strategic, was the main factor behind the country's erratic history. Bhatkal witnessed the rise and fall of several dynasties and rulers. Bhatkal was a part of the Hoysala empire from 1291 to 1343 before falling into the hands of the Vijayanagara empire. After the disintegration of the latter, the much coveted "town" of Bhatkal was brought under the control of the Saluva (Jain) rulers of Hadwalli (a town on the State Highway towards Jog Falls. Numerous temples and basadis were constructed during the Saliva's reign. Vestiges of this period can be found in Mudbhatkal, where a few temples still stand as an old witness of that era.

Chola emperors under Aditya I, his son Parantaka I and successor Sundara Chola also known as Parantaka Chola II initially invaded and conquered territories in the Kannada country between Gangavadi on the Mysore plateau and Bhatkal on the Sahyadri coast 880-975 AD. As a sign of their victory in Kannada country, they built Solesvara Temple, in commemoration of their conquest. Inscriptions from successive kings from Parantaka Chola I to Kulothunga Chola III mention their generals as 'Lords of the Konkana' which included Bhatkal and of paying obeisance to Lord Solesvarar of Konkana. The Portuguese also made their presence felt here in the beginning of the 16th century. From the Keladi rulers, Bhatkal was passed on to Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan and later to the British in 1799 after the death of Tipu Sultan.

Attractions

Bhatkal has been quite a hustling tourist spot mainly because of Murudeshwar temple, Shiva statue and beaches. The Jog Falls is 100 km away from the town. The place has been attracting a wide range of tourists to this place. As far as cuisine is concerned it is broad ranged because of amalgamation of different cultures. The Bhatkali biryani is one of the famous cuisines. The Bhatkal town is connected by National Highway 17 (NH-17) to Udupi and Mangalore in the south and Honnavar, Kumta and district headquarters Karwar in north direction. There is a railway station at Bhatkal on the Konkan railway route.Nethravni gundi is well known for biological and marine species where it may be favorite spot for biologist and adventurers.And also you

Jali beach, Bandar beach, Haddin Beach, Mundalli beach, Belke beach.

Nethravani Gundi Island, Marukere Hills, Hadavalli,Kannigundi falls,Gandhi falls Light House Bandar,Dam: Kadvinkattu dam and Temples like Murdeshwara Temple are major attractions , you can find many Temples,mosques,churches and jain basthis here. Marikamba temple, Sodigadhe temple, Kadvinkattu Temple are also famous temples near bhatkal.

Major Religion : Hindu

Other Religions: Christian,Muslim,Jain

Official Langauage:Kannada

Other Languages:Hindi,Konkani,Urdu,Marathi

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