In ancient legends, it is said that the Davanagere city was discovered by the Chalukyas Empire King and his army, who were passing through the province. They were highly thirsty, so they dug a lake to quench their thirst. As a result, the city was named Danivina Kere, “Lake for the thirsty folk.” Even though this was the former name, it was eventually transformed into Davanagere. Until this date, the history of Davanagere stays as folklore because no such lake or any record of such has been discovered. Davanagere is a well-known district in Karnataka for its looming cotton industries and many dental and medical educational institutions.
They were infamously called the Manchester of Karnataka because of the cotton industries. The temples and historical artifacts here will amuse you and leave you dumbfounded with their serenity and beautiful constructions. A place rich in culture and with a diverse population can be the best destination to spend your vacation with your family and loved ones. Here, we will go through the 20 places to visit in Davanagere and why they are a must-visit if you are on the premises of Karnataka for your getaway holiday. This can be a lifesaver for you if you are planning a vacation to Davanagere in Karnataka but do not know which places to explore. Read more about Places to Visit in Davanagere.
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1. Santhebennur Pushkarani
Santhebennur Pushkarani is one of the must-visit places in the list of 20 places to visit in Davanagere. Pushkarani in the local language is called “Honda.” It is a sacred pond situated in the heart of Davanagere. This is a central attraction point for tourists as the pond is placed in the center of a spacious garden with medieval temple architecture. It was mainly used for water storage purposes in ancient times, but currently, it is a part of the temple monument in Santhebennur. The place was built by Kenga Hanumantappa Nayaka, a local head in the Vijay Nagar empire in the early 16th century. This temple was invaded by the Bijapur Sultan in the 17th century and built the Musafirkhana, which is a resting place for extended travellers just near the pond. The area holds significant historical value in Davanagere, and you would not want to miss this temple’s architectural beauty when you are in Karnataka.
2. Bagali Kalleshwara Temple
Kalleshwara temple is situated in the Bagali town of Davanagere, making it the most famous temple in the whole district. A priest consecrated the temple called Dugga Maya and has lasted over the ruling span of two dynasties. This is considered a historical monument as the temple architecture and craftsmanship are exquisite and scream royalty in each of the pillar carvings. The holy inscriptions are about the donations made by Narasimha and Kalideva.
Visit this massive temple for its experience and do not forget to add this to the list of 20 places you should visit in Davanagere.
3. Shanthi Sagara Lake
Shanthi Sagara lake is one of the best tourist spots in the heart of Davanagere. The lake is also the oldest irrigation tank in Asia, with a history of over 800 years. The irrigation system from the Shanthi Sagara lake benefits more than 50 villages. To make this location more attractive for tourists, a guest house was built near the gorgeous lake, making it a full-fledged tourist spot. If you are a water sports enthusiast, then Shanthi Sagara lake has the best boating and other water sports experiences lined up for you. So do not hesitate to add this spot in Davanagere to your list of 20 places to visit in Davanagere.
4. Harihareshwara Temple
Along the banks of the beautiful Tungabhadra, this temple is situated in Harihar and is one of the most visited temples in the whole of Karnataka. If you are visiting Davanagere, the Harihareshwara temple is a must-see. The best part about this temple is that it is surrounded by Harihareshwar, Harishinachal, Pushpadri, and Brahmadri. The archaeological department of India preserves this medieval temple as a national monument because of its cultural value.
If archeological monuments amuse you, this is the right place to start your exploration of Davanagere.
5. Kondajji
The Kondajji lake is situated in Davanagere on its way to Harihar village and is considered a major tourist attraction in Karnataka. It is famous for its natural habitat of different bird species. Also, it is a scout and guide location for the major parts of South India. The lake is named after the village it passes by. Kondajji is a village in Davanagere, and the lake is also called the Kondajji Basappa. Plenty of water sports are allowed here, making this lake special from the other places tourists visit in Karnataka. You can go motorboating, peddling, and much more if you visit the beauty of Kondajji Basappa lake.
6. Kunduvada Kere
One of the other popular picnic places in Davanagere is Kunduvara Kere. The Kundavada lake is the significant drinking source of the villagers in the nearby district. The place is famous for its beautiful sunset and sunrise destination, as from the lake it is the most mesmerizing sight to watch. So if you are in for a holiday getaway in Karnataka, you should not miss out on this beautiful sunset and sunrise experience. Davanagere is indeed a beauty to be cherished.
Kunduvada Kere is a prime spot on the list of 20 places to visit in Davanagere.
7. Sri Anjaneya Swamy Temple
Temples and sacraments are the main attractions of Davanagere. The national archeological department has preserved all the historical monuments in the district as it holds cultural value for the state of Karnataka. One of the most incredible sacramental temples on this list is the Sri Anjaneya Swamy temple. This religious monument was discovered around 800 years ago. In the early 2000s, the temple was restructured to a Dravidian style. Since it beholds an incredible amount of religious significance, the place is usually flooded with devotees almost every season of the year.
If you want to enjoy a quiet, peaceful day, then the walkways of Sri Anjaneya Swamy temple can be the perfect place to enjoy the greenery and tranquillity at the same time.
8. Bathi Gudda
The Bathi Gudda peak offers a breathtaking view of the entire city of Davanagere. It’s a sight of tranquillity and natural beauty. You can find yourself in different dargahs and temples on the slopes of the Bathi Gudda hills. This can be a refreshing experience for you as it is both mentally and physically rejuvenating because all of this natural goodness is unexplored in the city of Davanagere. Moreover, the place is blessed with unique species of flora and fauna, which is the main attraction for tourists. This is a must-visit spot. You should add to the list of 20 places to visit in Davanagere.
9. Eshwara Temple
Eshwara temple is another religious monument with historical significance. This place is an existing example of the fantastic Hoysala style of architecture. The temple used to be two buildings made of gold and plaster, but in ancient times, the south side building got destroyed because of the extreme weather. The idols of this temple are Gajalakshmi and Lord Shiva. But you can also see different Hindu deities in the smaller Garbhagrihas, like Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha, Lord Brahma, and Lord Subramanya. So if you are a devotee and want to spend time in the presence of some positive and peaceful monuments, then the Eshwara temple is a great place to begin your Karnataka journey.
10. Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary
This wildlife sanctuary is a secret pride for Davanagere as they have a diverse variety of flora and fauna in store. In addition, there are exotic animals present in the sanctuary like gaur, wild boar, elephants, chital, muntjac, giant squirrels, and much more.11. Honnali
The name of this place is derived from “honnu alli,” which means “gold.” As the name states, this is a golden destination for people to visit in Karnataka. A significant highlight of this place is the Tungabhadra river. It flows right through the middle of the village and is a pleasant scene to watch while you visit Davanagere. There are famous temples located there, like the Lord Shiva temple and Sri Madhava Ranganathan temple, which is a part of the ancient times temple in the vicinity of Davanagere.
12. Durgambika Temple
This sacred temple in the heart of Davanagere is also one of the most famous temples situated in Karnataka. Durgambika temple was a part of the Nolambavadi province ruled by the Chalukyas. It was later handed over to the Pandyas and later to the Hoysalas. The history alone is fascinating enough for you to visit this holy temple. It is said that 200 years ago, a stone was brought from the village called Dugatti and was instilled in the temple, and was worshipped as Durga Devi. And later, it was converted to the now-named Durgambika temple. Include this temple in the list of 20 places to visit in Davanagere to enjoy the serene and divine experience of this ancient temple.13. Marudamalai Temple
The name of this temple has emerged from the famous Maruthuva Malai, which is a part of Hindu history. This temple is on top of a hill in Davanagere. It has a story to it. When Anjaneya was carrying the medicinal hill, a chip of it was broken and fell into this hill, which is considered to be the origin of Marudamalai. The local residents believe that even the grass and tree leaves contain ayurvedic ingredients and they are considered to be holy as Lord Anjaneya carried them. Pilgrims wouldn’t miss visiting this temple on the outskirts of Davanagere. As a guess, the deity worshipped here is Lord Anjaneya, and tourists from a variety of places come to visit this special temple. More reasons to include this medicinal hill temple on your list of must-visits in Karnataka.
14. Anekonda
As the name suggests, this place used to be a location where the army elephants were kept and taken care of. It holds significant historical value as the spot was a part of the wars that took place between empires. This place used to be a big city in the 11th and 18th centuries and was also the head state for many emperors like the Chalukyas, Pandyas, and many more. There are many epigraphs available to prove that the dynasties ruled here, especially the Hoysala. Because of these interesting factors, this became another location of attraction in Karnataka where tourists pay a visit just to enjoy this ancient piece of beauty.
15. Betur
If you are an architecture enthusiast, then Betur will serve as an absolute delight for your interest. Betur used to be the capital of Karnataka and is a bit of an old-world glory that still exists there. You can find many relics and proof that the historical stories are true here, and the architecture alone is a reason why you should visit Betur. It is said that the great Tribhuvana Malla Pandya used to reside here, which makes it even more interesting. There is a medieval temple present in Betur, which consists of pillars and walls filled with inscriptions and manuscripts engraved. You can witness the idol of Nandi in this temple, and the main deities here are Lord Shiva and the Goddess Parvati.
16. Nilagunda Bhimeshvara Temple
The Bhimeshwara temple at Nilagunda was founded in the 11th century by the Chalukyas region. It is protected by the national archeological department of India. This temple has four sanctums and is completely built by soapstones. On each soapstone wall, there are miniature scripts and sculptures that add extra beauty to the whole space. There is a Nandi sculpture in the inner part of the sanctum, which will be worshipped along with the deities present there. There are deity scriptures in the interiors of temple walls. The whole temple is surviving on the support of lathe pillars. As a whole, it is a perfect archeological site that you can observe and enjoy at the same time.
17. Uchangidurga Fort
The ancient fort in Uchangidurga is a very famous tourist spot in Karnataka. The place got its name from the local deity, Uchangamma, who also has a temple representing her at the top of the hill. This hill fort is ancient, and only a few parts of this hill have survived over the years. Even then, we can still see the different gateways, watchtowers, and bastions. The bastions of the fort are mainly square blocks. The inner fortifications were made in circular shapes, indicating that the fort was under different rulings over time. If you go deeper, you can see a Shiva linga made of stone balls, which also indicates early deity worship in the early times.
18. Glass House
This magnificent glasshouse garden in Davanagere is situated in the middle of Karnataka. This beauty is built near the Kundavada lake on the Davanagere highway. Walking into this glasshouse feels like paradise and is a moment to cherish in your trip. It is the largest glasshouse in the country. Reaching here is a piece of cake near the national highway. So it wouldn’t be a task to visit the glasshouse. What makes this glasshouse different from the others is the landscape it is situated in. It is indeed a delight to watch this mirror goodness in the green landscapes. The major highlight of this place is that it is made of horticulture, and you can see how you can track sunset and sunrise with the position of the sun.
19. Musafirkhana and Honda
The Honda lake was built by Hiriya Hanumappa Nayaka, with granite stoned steps to the pond’s center. Eight towers lead to the pond, but only six are currently intact. The centerpiece is decorated with lotus-shaped adornments. The Musafirkhana is built on the western side, is made of granite, and has enormous pillars to support it for prayer hall purposes and for visitors who want to rest up and continue exploring the destination.
Karnataka is a place you can enjoy and explore to the core without getting tired. Nothing can help you de-stress and rejuvenate like a trip with your family and loved ones. There are many cultural heritages and historical treasures you can explore in Karnataka. And with the best getaway companion, your trip memories can turn out to be the best in your life.
And Tinton Resorts can be your perfect companion for your vacation. Tinton is the most famous resort and water park in the state of Karnataka. The resort is on the banks of the Varaha river and is surrounded by lush greens and reserve forests, which will instantly light up your holidays and provide you with a premium resort stay experience. 
