Bangaluru.org - "Venur" Pilgrimage in Karnataka

Venur or Venoor is a small village on he banks of the Gurupur river in the South Kanara of Karnataka , India . It was once the seat of Jainism and the capital.

Venur or Venoor

It is on the Dharmasthala - Moodabidri - Karkala route on the costal religious circuit in the Karnataka State of India . Venur belongs to Belthangady taluq in Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka. Venur's claim to fame is the monolith of Bhagawan Bahubali also known as Lord Gomateshwara . The single rock statue is 38 feet in height and was erected by the Jain ruler Timmanna Ajila in the year 1604 . The statue is supposed to have been sculptured by Amarashilpi Jakanachari .

Venur is a small town in South Kanara District of Karnataka state situated on the bank of river Gurupur. Venur though a small town was once a great seat of Jainism. It was the capital of the Ajila Dynasty and one of the most prominent Kings of them Thimmanna Ajila built a colossus of Gommateshwara 35 feet high in 1604 A.D. He was a direct descendant of Chamundaraya , who built one at Shravanbelgola . Venur colossus is the shortest of all the three Gommateshwara's within the radius of 250 km around it. It also stands in an enclosure, on the same pattern as that of Shravanbelgola. The Kings of Ajila Dynasty ruled here from 1154 A.D. to 1786 A.D.

The statue stands facing westward on a high platform on the banks of the river Phalguni . This statue of Bahubali is one of the four giant monoliths (of the same God) found in Karnataka (the others being at Shravanabelagola , Karkala and Dharmasthala ). The last mahamastakabhisheka or the head anointing ceremony of the statue (typical of all the four Bahubali statues) was held in the year 2000 . Venur also has a few other Jain Basadis and a Mahadeva temple.

Name : Shri Digamber Jain Atishaya Teerth Kshetra Venur. Is an Atishaya Kshetra (Place of Miracles).

Address : Shri Jain Dig. Atishaya Teerth Kshetra Venur Place & Post – Venur, Taluka – Belthangadi, Dist. – South Kanara (Karnataka) Pin – 574242

Management committee : Shri Jain Dig. Teerth Kshetra Samiti
Place & Post – Venur, Taluka – Belthangadi, Dist. – South Kanara (Karnataka) Pin – 574242

Nearby City : Dharmasthala 33 km Moodbidri 20 km Mangalore 55 km Varanga 64 km Karkala 37 km

Main Temple & Idol : A 35 high colossus of Gommateshwara (Lord Bahubali) is standing here on a raised pedestal without any support. It is a nice specimen. The features are well cut and are in proportion. The statue is really wonderful & agreeable.

Temple Kind of: Digamber

Other Temple : Seven beautiful temples are here to be viewed with the 35 feet high colossus of Gommateshwara Bahubali. Two out of them were completed simultaneously with the Gommateshwara by the Queens of King Ajila known as Akkangala Basadi and Binnani Basadi.

There is an attractive idol of Lord Chandraprabhu carved in flat rock installed in Akkangala Basadi and in Binnani Basadi a very beautiful bronze idol of Lord Shantinath Swami is worth being seen. Both the temples are situated in either sides of Gommateshwara.

Shri Shantinath Temple is also near situated in a separate enclosure with the principal deity Lord Parsvanath, a beautiful bronze idol. This temple was reconstructed by Poojya Bhattarakaji of Moodbidri. Inscription of this idol is not clear.

Fourth is three storied magnificent temple of Shantinath Swami. This temple totally constructed by stone and being biggest in size is called Kullu Temple or Big Temple. The idol of Bhagwan Shantinath is carved on a Black rock 5 feet in height. Around the nimbus of this idol Ashta Pratiharya are designed. This temple is built by Madhurkka Devi. Out of the enclosure of this temple, a magnificent artistic Manstambha (Column of Dignity) is standing with idols of 24 Teerthankars are carved in it 6 in each side. According the two inscriptions of this temple, this was completed in the year 1489 A.D. Bhagwan Mahaveer’s bronze idol is also here in the upper story.

24 Teerthankar Temple is in the right part of Shri Shantinath Temple with 24 idols of Teerthankars on rocks. In this temple in both sides beautiful idols of Goddess Padmawati & Saraswati are also installed. Artistic work on stone in this temple is agreeable. At the left of Shri Shantinath Temple, a small temple of Bhagwan Adinath exists, the idol is very attractive & magnificent.

Natural Scenerio : Hilly area of Sahyadri Mountains presents very attractive natural scene, really wonderful pleasing to eyes.

Facilities : Various hotels, lodges & tourist bungalows are available at Mangalore, Udupi, Moodbidri, Karkala, Manipal etc.

Means of approach : Venur is connected by road from Mangalore, Udupi and Belthangadi. Busses & Taxies are available.

Nearby Places : Dharmasthal, Moodbidri, Karkala, Varanga

Distance:-	330 km from Bangalore. Mangalore- 50 km.
By Road:-	8 hours
By Rail:-	Nearest railway station - Mangalore.
By Air:-	Nearest Airport - Mangalore & Bangalore.
Route:-	Take NH48 to Mangalore via Kunigal, Yediyur, Hassan, Sakleshpur and Mani.
When to go:-	September to February would be ideal.
Tourist offices:-	KSTDC(bookings and info) Badami House, NR Square, Bangalore Tel: 080-2275869, Fax: 2352626 Email: kstdc@vsnl.in
Where to stay :-	Taj Manjarun Old Post Road, Bunder, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2420420 Fax: 0824-420585 Email:manjarun.mangalore@tajhotels.com Web site: www.tajhotels.com Tariff Range:Rs.1800/-to Rs.6000/ -+Tax For reservations, contact: Tel: 080-2255055 Summer Sands Beach Resort Chotamangalore, Ullal, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 574 159 Tel: 0824-2467690 Fax: 0824-467693 Tariff Range: Rs. 1600/- to Rs. 4649/- Email: summer@satyam.net.in Web site: www.summer-sands.com Hotel Poonja International K S Rao Road, Hampankatta, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2440171, 240176 Fax: 0824-2441081 Email:info@hotelpoonjainternational.com Website:www.hotelpoonjainternational.com Tariff Range: Rs. 500/- to Rs. 3000/- Hotel Indraprasta Nalapad Chamber, Light House HillRoad, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 574 001 Tel: 0824-2424757 Fax: 0824-2422463 Email: nalapad@vsnl.com Web site: www.nalapad.com Tariff Range: Rs. 650/- to Rs. 1750/-+Tax Hotel Sapthagiri International Kavoor, Airport Road, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 015 Tel: 0824-2481676 Tariff Range: Rs. 312/- to Rs. 1680/- Saptagiri Hotels Airport Road, Kavoor, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 015 Tel: 0824-2481672/ 78 Fax: 0824- 2481686 Email: saptagiri@vsnl.com Tariff Range: Rs. 300/- to Rs. 1680/-+Tax Moti Mahal Falnir Road, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2441411 Fax: 0824-2441011 Email: motimahal@vasnet.co.in Tariff Range: Rs. 1300/- to Rs.1550/- Hotel Pentagon Kankanady, Pumpwell Circle, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 002 Tel: 08242 - 249203 Tariff Range: Rs. 432/- to Rs. 1500/- Holiday House Resort Parpunja Post Kumbra, PutturTaluk, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 08257-285286 Tariff Range: Rs. 700/- to Rs. 1500/-+Tax Hotel Mangalore International Aysha Towers, K S Rao Road, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2444860/ 64 Fax: 0824-2444859 Tariff Range: Rs. 530/- to Rs. 1390 /-+Tax Hotel Maharaja International Main Road, Suratkal Post, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 574 158 Tel: 0824-2475035 Tariff Range: Rs. 350/- to Rs. 1200/-+Tax Hotel Ayodhya Kodialbail, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 003 Tel: 0824-2493681/ 84 Tariff Range: Rs. 300/- to Rs. 1000/- Hotel Residency Park Attavar Road, Near Noor Masjid, Hampankatta, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2448611 Tariff Range: Rs. 500/- to Rs.1000/- The Prestige Collector's Gate, Balmatta Junction, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 002 Tel: 0824-2410601/ 05 Fax: 0824-2443676 Email: theprestige@yahoo.com Tariff Range: Rs. 600/- to Rs. 900/- Hotel Dhanyawad Hampankatta Circle, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2440066 Fax: 0824-2440069 Tariff Range: Rs. 300/- to Rs. 900/-+Tax Hotel Woodlands Bunts Hostel Road, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 003 Tel: 0824-2443751 Tariff Range: Rs. 312/- to Rs. 870/-+Tax Hotel Kavitha Residency Urva Store, Suratkal Highway, Mangalore, DakshinaKannada - 575 006 Tel: 0824-2450381/84 Tariff Range: Rs. 350/- to Rs. 775/-+Tax Hotel Shaan Plaza K S Rao Road, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2440312/19 Tariff Range: Rs. 300/- to Rs. 750/-+Tax Hotel Srinivas Ganapathi High School Road, Hampankatta, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2440061, 2423302 Tariff Range: Rs. 450/- to Rs. 700/-+Tax Hotel Manorama K S Rao Road, Opposite Prabhat Talkies, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2440306 Tariff Range: Rs. 250/- to Rs. 700/- Hotel Rajdhani Milagres Cross Road, Hampankatta, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2426767 Fax: 0824-2423631 Tariff Range: Rs. 165/- to Rs. 645/-+Tax Hotel Woodside K S Rao Road, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2440296 Tariff Range: Rs. 350/- to Rs. 600/- Hotel Panchamahal No. 9-822, Kodialbail, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 003 Tel: 0824-2495574 Tariff Range: Rs. 260/- to Rs. 600/- Hotel Aditya Boarding & Lodging Lakshmi Towers, NH 48, Uppinangadi, Dakshina Kannada - 574 241 Tel: 08251-251236 Fax: 08251-652336 Tariff Range: Rs. 120/- to Rs. 600/- Hotel Roopa Balmatta Road, Hampankatta, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2421271, 72 Tariff Range: Rs. 300/- to Rs. 600/- Sun Rock Holiday Resort Near Jamalabad Fort, Nada, Belthangady Taluk, Dakshina Kannada - 574 214 Tel: 08256-234242 Tariff Range: Rs. 500/- to Rs.600/- Surya Hotel Greens Compound, Balmatta Road, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2442034, 2425736 Tariff Range: Rs. 205/- to Rs. 600/-+Tax Adarsh Lodge Market Road, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2440878 Tariff Range: Rs. 140/- to Rs. 584/-+Tax Hotel Suvarna Kadri, Near Petrol Pump, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 002 Tel: 0824-2215675 Tariff Range: Rs. 475/- to Rs. 550/- Hotel Rajesh B C Road, Bantwala, Dakshina Kannada - 574 209 Tel: 08255-230932 Tariff Range: Rs. 250/- to Rs. 500/- Hotel Panchami Lodge Opposite KSRTC Bus Stand, Bijay, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 004 Tel: 0824-2211214, 2211986 Tariff Range: Rs. 182/- to Rs. 500/-+Tax Kattekar Lodge Near Police Station, Main Road, Sullia, Dakshina Kannada - 574 239 Tel:08257-325757, 232687 Tariff Range: Rs. 200/- to Rs. 450/- Hotel Usha Balmatta Road, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel:0824-2423234 Tariff Range: Rs. 300/- to Rs. 450/-+Tax Hotel Anugraha Lodge Devaragadde Road, Subramanya, Sullia, Dakshina Kannada - 574 239 Tel: 08257-281283 Tariff Range: Rs.300/- to Rs. 400/- Vasantha Mahal K S R Road, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2441310, 17 Tariff Range: Rs. 140/- to Rs. 400/- Hotel Intercity Intercity Centre, Opposite City Bus Stand, Near State Bank Of India, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2446301/ 03 Tariff Range: Rs. 200/- to Rs. 400/-+Tax Hotel Blue Star Falnir Road, Opposite Motimahal, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2426680, 2425638 Tariff Range: Rs. 300/- to Rs. 400/- Hotel Vijay Vihar Athawar, Opposite Income Tax Office, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2423431, 2411432, 2423433 - 35 Tariff Range: Rs. 120/- to Rs. 375/- Hotel Naufal Mission Street, Bundar, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2421648, 2444985, 2427086, 2428085 Tariff Range: Rs. 190/- to Rs. 340/-Ganesh Mahal K S Rao Road, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2440632, 38 Tariff Range: Rs. 150/- to Rs. 300/-+Tax Keerthi Lodge Mission Street, Bundar Road, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2426381, 2425466 Tariff Range: Rs. 85/- to Rs. 215/- Hotel Cosmo Telecom House Road, Pandeshwara, Mangalore - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2425554 Tariff Range: Rs. 100/- to Rs. 150/- Hotel Ganesh Prasad K S Rao Road, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2440418 Tariff Range: Rs. 120/- to Rs. 149/- Hotel Ganesh Mahal K S Rao Road, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2440639 Tariff Range: Rs. 135/- to Rs. 145/- Hotel Rama J C Road, Near Market, Sullia, Dakshina Kannada - 574 239 Tel: 08257 - 231103 Tariff Range: Rs. 100/- to Rs. 120/- Aiswarya Lodge Near Church Road, Belthangady, Dakshina Kannada - 574 214 Tel: 08256-232258 Tariff: Rs. 100/- Gee Dee Resorts Mr. B Ganesh Baliga House of Gurudev, Lalbagh, Mangalore-575003 Tel: 0824-2457452, 9844169698 Summer Sands Beach Resort Chotamangalore, Ullal, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 574 159 Tel: 0824-2467690 Fax: 0824-2467693 Tariff Range: Rs. 1600/- to Rs. 4649/- Email: summer@satyam.net.in Web site: www.summer-sands.com Hotel Maharaja International Main Road, Suratkal Post, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 574 158 Tel: 0824-2475035, 2475799 Tariff Range: Rs. 350/- to Rs. 1200/- Uttara Kannada - 581 301 Tel: 08382-220831