BANGALORE: The bus stops in front of the Kallu Chapra, an ancient place where the Kings would once sit after a stroll in the market. The native people are ambushed as they see a flock of tourists wandering on the streets in awe of the unsullied land of Barkur. The majestic Seeta river that flows across the village glistens in the warm afternoon sun. The quietude of village, the lazy dogs on the streets, the sounds of subtle ebb of the river leaves one dazed as one wonders about the history that the village speaks about.
A ten minute walk from the bus station comes the Batte Vinayaka Temple. Being the oldest temple in the district devotees are seen here during Ganesha chathurthi and other auspicious days related to Ganapathi. The idol of Ganesha is said to be facing north and the temple is nestled across the Seeta river. Devotees are often seen worshipping the river since it is considered holy.
Barkur once had a total of 365 temples but today only a few have been retrieved of their original splendour. The priests in temples narrate the history that entails the village. The Panchalingeshwara temple is the largest temple in Barkur.
Kotekeri Sri Panchalingeshwara is the one deity being worshipped by people from different caste and creed. Therefore the Rathotsav of Sri Panchalingeshwara temple that takes place annually; occupies a prominent place in the hearts of the local people. They throng in thousands on the Rathotsav day to offer prayers and drag the chariot (Ratha) of God through the main streets of Barkur town.
There is a strange mysticism in the temples of Barkur. Most of them have a dilapidated or disfigured structure of the Linga. The village also has temples which were constructed with stone in the 14th century, such as the Chowlikeri Temple.
Barkur was once the capital of the Alupa rulers and a center for trade and commerce. It was however also the ancient capital of the Tulu kingdom, one of the reasons which could be attributed for the ancient inscriptions found in the temples.
Another interesting monument worth a visit is the Kathale Basadi. The 24 dents in stone are the only evidence of the existence of the statues of 24 Tirthankaras (Jain monks who achieved enlightenment through asceticism).
Barkur also is a home town to the Mogaveera community (fishermen). The Mahastri temple is the place of worship for the people who still belong to that community.
Located around 420 km from Bangalore Barkur is only 16 km from Udupi. It is well connected by railway and road. However the village does not have good lodging facilities hence Udupi is the nearest town.
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