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A place doesn't always has to be famous or very attractive for the outside world. Puttur is one such serene town that is neither popular nor crowded in Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka. It is just ideal for a hungry traveller to explore and feel its entirety.
Areca nut Plantations in Puttur
Photo Courtesy: Elroy Serrao
Puttur is located around 52km from Mangalore and is worth your time. It is a town with rich heritage. In fact, it is not wrong to say that it's a temple town.
Tourists can visit a string of temples in this enchanting town. Each site has something to tell about it's historical past. Mapping a number of attractions, let us make pit stops at these interesting destinations in Puttur!
Mahalingeshwara Temple
Begin your journey from the Mahalingeshwara Temple in the heart of Puttur. You'll be welcomed by an old world charm as you enter the temple premises. The local belief is that Lord Shiva protects the town from the evil eyes.
A View of Mahalingeshwara Temple
Photo Courtesy: Brunda Nagaraj
Mahalingeshwara Temple was built around 11 - 12th century and it is popularly known as Puttur Lingeshwara Temple. Inside the temple complex there is pond and other small temples around the main shrine.
Various legends about the temple are also very interesting to hear. It is believed that once upon a time, pearls used to grow in the temple pond. Another legend says, that elephants can't enter the temple because of a curse given by Lord Shiva.
In fact, the name Puttur is believed to come from 'Muttur'. In Kannada language 'Muttu' means pearl and the town got its name from the pearls found in this temple pond.
The Unexplored Shrine: Janardhana Temple
Continue your tour towards Koddipadi about 10km from Puttur main bus stand. Here you'll be entering a beautiful heritage site which waits to be explored. A peaceful ambiance awaits you at the Janardhana temple. It is said that this temple is more than 3500 years old and was built during the time of Pallava Dynasty.
Ancient Janardhana Temple
Photo Courtesy: Brunda Nagaraj
The main deity is Janardhana (a form of Vishnu). Another interesting detail is that once Sri Madhwacharya, the founder of Dwaita philosophy performed a four month ritual at this temple.
The age old shrine is located on the banks of Puttur Lake and a small well. It is believed that the water for the well joins from Kashi. Around the main shrine there are other temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Parthasarathy, Vyagra Chamundi and Ayyappa.
Head to IshwaraMangala
Ishwara Mangala is about 22.8km from Puttur and has two attractions: Hanumagiri and Panchalingeshwara Temple.
Hanumagiri
Hanumagiri has a large monolithic statue of Panchamukhi Lord Hanuman. The idol stands in the middle of greenery that is indeed an incredible sight.
A distant view of Hanumagiri
Photo Courtesy: Brunda Nagaraj
Panchalingeshwara Temple
Panchalingeshwara Temple at dusk
Photo Courtesy: Brunda Nagaraj
Panchalingeshwara Temple has a history of 1000 years. It is also one of the unexplored attractions in Puttur. Panchalingeshwara is located in a place named Kavu, around 0.5km from Hanumagiri.
Bendru Theertha
The entrance to Bendru Theertha
Photo Courtesy: Brunda Nagraj
Don't miss this interesting site 'Bendru Theertha' in your Puttur visit. It is a hot water spring found in Betampadi. The water in the spring is also said to have medicinal properties.
Shivrama Karanth Baalavana
Shivrama Karanth Baalavana is a park dedicated to the famous Kannada writer and Jnanapith awardee K. Shivaram Karanth. Baalavana was his favourite place where he used to write his works. The park has a museum (Shivaram Karanth's house turned into museum), a play ground, a library and swimming pool.
Idol of Shivrama Karanth in front of the museum
Photo Courtesy: Brunda Nagaraj
There is also a Natyashala (dance school) and Rangamandira (theatre) where many cultural activities take place.
Other Places
Mai De Deus Church, Peer Mohalla Juma Masjid, Campco Chocolate Factory and Sri Gopalakrishna Temple are the few other places you can visit in Puttur.
Source of Transport
You can reach Puttur by bus or train from Bangalore. Railway station is known as Kabaka Puttur Railway Station.
Tourists can travel in auto inside the town.
Best Time To Visit Puttur
The beginning of Monsoon and Post-Monsoon is the best time to visit Puttur.
