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Along the rivers are the centres of learning and new philosophies, intricately carved temples, mutts and the abundant richness of nature.

Khandya

Khandya is about 43 kms to north - west of Chikmagalur town and is one of the panch-kshetras (five sacred places) situated on the banks of the river Bhadra.

Sringeri

Sringeri, a charming toen on the banks of river Tunga, 90 kms west of chikmagalur town, is one of the most celebrated pilgrimage centres in Karnataka with epic associations. Named after Rshyashringa from Ramayana Adi Shankaracharya established the Sharada peeta and propogated advaitha, the philosophy of non-dualism.
Sureshwacharya was the first head of the peeta Shankaracharya installed an image of Sharada Devi made of Sandalwood, which was replaced with a golden replica in the 14th century. In the 12th century the Vidyashankara temple was built with the help of the Vijayanagar rulers.

The temple is a combination of Hoysala and Dravidian style of architeture. There are 6 doorways leading to the temple. In the Mantapa and 12 zodiac pillars, known as Rasikambhas, which are placed so that the suns rays fall on each of them, in the order of the solar months The garioha - griha has a linga called Vidyashankara installed in the memory of Guru Vidyatheertha. To the north of the temple is a more recent temple built by skilled craftsmen of the 28th century dynastic style. A stone's throw from here is a 14th century temple of Janardhana built during the Vijayanagara period. At Sringeri also is an old Jain Basadi dedicated to Parshwanath Theerthankara.


Balehonnur

45 kms North - West of Chikmagalur town in B alehonnur, on the banks of river Bhadra. It is a celebrated seat of Shrimad Jagadguru Rambhapuri Veerasimhasana Mahasamsthana Peeta. The famous Veerashaiva Mutt, one of the great Pancha Peetas. The Veerabhadra Temple attached to the Mutt has sturdy images of Veerbhadra and Bhadrakali. Devotees visit to pay homage all through the year. Easy access to this place from Chikmagalur is via V.K. Road.


Somapura

20 kms to the west of Tarikere town is Somapura, another of the pancha - kshetrash on the banks of river Bhadra.

Muthodi

32 kms North - West of Chikmagalur town is Muthodi, a wildlife sanctuary, surrounded by hills has the tributaries of the Bhadra river flowing through it. The western border of the century abuts the back waters of the Bhadra Reservoir which has a catchment area of 1,968 sq kms surrounded by fresh freen hills and steep slopes. A diverse and exciting range of wildlife - bisons, elephants, tigers, panthers, sambars, spotted deers, wild boars, porcupines, peacock, parrot, partridge, pigeon and riptles and snakes. You can feast your eyes on wild beasts as you drive among the 150 kms stretch of road that cuts through the wildlife zone.


Kalasa

An ancient Agrahara seltlement, Kalasa, situated 92 kms south-west of Chikmagalur, on the banks of the Bhadra, is surrounded by lofty hills of the Western Ghats and is looked upon as one of the pancha- kshetras. Close by are the Pancha Theerthas, the five sacred ponds. On a small hillock is the Kalaseshwara Temple dedicated to Ishwara, with a Kshetrapala shrine of soap stone. The Madhwachary Bande, a large boulder at one of the theerthas is believed to have been placed here by Shri Madhwacharya, the founder of the dwaitha school of philosophy. A statue of this Acharya is carved on the upper portion of the rock.

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