Davanagere: Temples, Nature and Local Cuisine

An 11th-century temple, an ornately designed pond with a pavilion and a popular breakfast specialty reveal different sides of Davanagere. Reasons to visit are spread across the city and various places in Davanagere district. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, it helps to decide on your main focus first: temple history, nature, local cuisine or destinations within the city all call for different plans.

Temples and Architectural History

The Bhimeshvara Temple is located in Nilagunda in Harapanahalli Taluk of Davanagere district. It was built in the last quarter of the 11th century AD under the Chalukya dynasty and is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. In Bagali, the Kalleshwara Temple dates back to the 9th century. The Eshwara Temple in Anekonda is one of Davanagere's tourist destinations. These places and time periods offer different ways to explore temple history: the Kalleshwara is dated earlier than the Bhimeshvara, whose construction period is associated with the Chalukyas. If you choose this historical perspective for your trip, you can consider the temples as separate sightseeing destinations rather than treating them as a single place.

Ponds and Events

The Santhebennur Pushkarani is an ornately designed pond covering an area of 90 square metres. At its centre stands a Vasantha Mantapa pavilion, so the design combines the pond with an architectural focal point. As a famous tourist destination in Davanagere district, the site particularly appeals to travellers interested in historic water architecture. Kunduvada Kere serves a different purpose: the pond is an important picnic spot in Davanagere itself. This gives you a choice of two distinct waterside locations—the Pushkarani's elaborate design and the Kere's picnic atmosphere. Davanagere is the nearest railway station to the Santhebennur Pushkarani.

The Glass House is a distinctive attraction in a garden. It is used for horticultural exhibitions and public events; event dates may vary. If you are planning your trip around an event, check the specific dates before you travel.

Hiking and Nature

At the Rangayyanadurga Wildlife Sanctuary in Jagalur Taluk, you can hike through rocky hills and open scrubland. It is Karnataka's only sanctuary dedicated to the four-horned antelope, the chousingha. This nature destination brings together a specific landscape and a clearly defined conservation focus, offering a different travel experience from the temples and water features. Check local entry requirements before visiting.

Local Specialties

Davanagere Benne Dose is a popular breakfast specialty in the city; Udyogare is a sweet made specifically in Davanagere. Together, they offer a breakfast specialty and a sweet treat particularly associated with Davanagere—two different reasons to explore the local cuisine.

Getting There and Planning Your Trip

Davanagere is easily accessible from across Karnataka by rail and road, and has rail connections to Bangalore, Mysore and Hubli. As timetables can change, check current train connections before departure. Davanagere is the nearest railway station to the Santhebennur Pushkarani, making this particularly relevant if you are planning to visit the site by train.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Davangere, Kodagu, Bangalore Urban, Uttara Kannada, Tumkur, Belagavi, Chamarajnagar, Gadag

Return to the main travel overview: Karnataka.