Discover Nāvalūr

For your travel planning, Nāvalūr offers two specific points of interest: the small hill group of Navalur Gudda and the town’s temples. Other cultural and recreational destinations are part of the wider Dharwad destination. If you are looking for hotels, this distinction can help you decide what you would like to focus on during your stay.

Navalur Gudda and Basavanna Gudi

The small hill group in Nāvalūr is called Navalur Gudda. A small temple named Basavanna Gudi stands on its eastern summit and is described as old. The name of the hill group and that of the shrine therefore refer to different landmarks: Navalur Gudda refers to the hill group, while Basavanna Gudi refers to the temple on the eastern summit. If you would like to visit the shrine, check its current accessibility in advance.

Hanuman Temple in Nāvalūr

A temple dedicated to Hanuman stands on the northeastern edge of Nāvalūr. A description from 2023 mentions a south-facing Hanuman Mandir in Nāvalūr. Its dedication, location at the edge of town and orientation are specific features for travelers interested in the town’s religious architecture.

Cultural sites in the wider Dharwad destination

In Unkal, within the wider Dharwad destination, stands the Chandramouleshwara Temple, an architectural monument of the Chalukyas. It has four doors facing the four cardinal directions and two large Shiva lingas, and is described as being about 900 years old. While the location on a hill is the main feature of Basavanna Gudi in Nāvalūr, specific architectural features and an approximate age offer a different way to appreciate temple architecture here.

Another architectural highlight in the wider Dharwad destination is the Shri Amruteshwara Temple in Annigeri. It was built in 1050 CE and is considered the first temple built of soapstone. The structure is designed in the Kalyani Chalukya style, and its roof is supported by 76 pillars. The temple was intended to serve as a model for later, more elaborately articulated buildings such as the Mahadeva Temple in Itagi. Details about its construction date, material and pillars offer a concrete comparison with the local temples in Nāvalūr.

In the wider Dharwad destination, Kundgol is considered the birthplace of Hindustani musician Rambhau Kundgolkar, also known as Pandit Sawai Gandharva. The old temples of Shambulingeswara and Brahma are also located there. The 11th-century Shri Shambhulingeshwara Temple is cited as evidence that Kundgol belonged to the core region of the Western Chalukya Empire; this is a historical interpretation. In Tamboor, the Basavanna Temple is at the heart of a major pilgrimage center for the Lingayat community. The Tamboor Jathre draws pilgrims from all over Karnataka. If you are considering traveling for the Jathre, check the dates in advance.

Recreation in the wider Dharwad destination

Sadhankeri Park in the wider Dharwad destination honors Kannada poet Dr. Dattatreya Ramachandra Bendre. Visitors can go boating on its lake; there are also rides for children, including seesaws, carousels, slides and swings. Unkal Lake offers a different landscape: it is surrounded by lush greenery and is suitable for walking, boating and picnicking. The wider region therefore offers both park amenities and lakeside activities.

Discover more destinations: Hubli-Dharwad.

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