Places of Interest
From the Attraction point of view Belagavi is an attractive destination with proximity to the Picnic spots the historic attractions such as the Belagavi Fort and the natural beauty of Jamboti Falls & Gokak Falls.
Gokak falls (Gokak):
Gokak Falls is a waterfall known for its beauty. It is at a distance of 60 Kms from Belagavi and 10kms from Gokak town. Located right on the main road is a celebrated tourist centre in the district. This falls has a height of about 170 feet. The river Ghataprapha after winding a course of a long route takes a leap of 52 meters, over a rocky bed 170 feet down. The falls is famous for its spread and shape. The rugged valley and the picturesque is what inspires poetry. The dull roar of the falls can be heard much before you reach it. “Except in width and colour of the water, the general features of the fall, its height, shape and rapidity above are much like those of Niagara”. The falls are horse-shoe shaped at the crest, with a flood breadth of 177 metres. June to September is the best season to visit Gokak as it bees in full bloom. Electricity was generated here for the first time in the country in 1887. This generating station can be reached on the rope way.
Yellamma Temple (Saundatti) :
Saundatti reminds us of the beautiful and ancient temple of Goddesss Renuka (also known as the Yellamma Temple). It is at a distance of 70 Kms from Belagavi and the place can be reached from all the other places by road. At a distance of 5 Kms from the city, there is a big Mountain on which the temple is situated. The mounatain was earlier known as Siddhachal Parvat. The temple is built in the Chalukyan and Rashtrakuta Style and the Carvings reflect the Jain architecture. The temple was constructed by Bomappa Naik of Raybag in the year 1514. There are temples of Lord Ganesh, Mallikarjun, Parshuram, Eknath, Siddeshwar etc in the temple premises. Devotees from Maharastra, Goa and Andhra Pradesh also come here,apart from people from Karnataka, especially during the time of Jatras which are held twice in a year. The management of the temple has been handed over to the Government in 1975 and the government has made provisions such as Dharmashalas, Health Centres and other facilities to make the devotees feel at home.
Godachinmalki Falls (Gokak) :
16 Kms from Gokak, it is at a fine spot located to the west of the Gokak-Konnur road in a deep green valley. Markandeya River takes the first jump from a height of about 25 metres and flows into a rocky valley and after a short distance from here it takes a second jump at a height of about 18 metres.
Belagavi Fort (Belagavi) :
It is an Ancient Architectural pre-muslim monument where mosques and temples co-exist in perfect harmony, though not much of the orginal structure remains. The fort was built in the 12th century A.D by the local Ratta rulers. It was renovated and built on by successive rulers who ruled Belagavi from time-to-time. At the very entrance, you will find two Shrines; One dedicated to Lord Ganpati and the other to Lordess Durga. Safa masjid is one of the two mosques inside the fort and by far is the best of the 25-30 mosques in the city. The minars, domes and Arches point to a typical fusion of Indo-Sarcenic and Deccan styles of the Architecture. The sense of the past is all-pervading here. Two of the circular pillars in the Jamia hall are said to be from the old temples. Some of them have Kannada Inscriptions in Nagari Script, while others have beautiful Persian script forming exquisite calligraphic decorations.
Kamala Basti (Belagavi) :
It is one of the two Bastis within the walls of the fort, built in the late Chalukyan style in 1204 with the Neminatha idol in black stone. The master piece here is the “Mukhamantapa” with a well-executed lotus on the ceiling. Outside the Kamala Basti is another ruined Jain temple.
Navilutirtha (Saundatti) :
10 Kms from Saundatti, a low valley situated in between the 2 hills, in an enchanting place is Navilutirtha. Formerly, it was full of Peacocks, frequently flocking round the pond, and thus the place was named Navilutirtha. The Malaprabha Dam near Renukasagar is situated here. It is also a good picnic spot.
Rakaskop (Belagavi) :
16 Kms from Belagavi, literally means a hamlet of a Rakkasa (Giant), who is stated to have lived on a hillrock near the village. A cavern in laterite on the hillrock resembling a huge seated human figure is shown by the people to remind his past existance. Here is a Dam across the river Markandeya, supplying drinking water to Belagavi.
Kapileshwara Temple (Belagavi) :
It is said to be one of the oldest temples in Belagavi. It is called as “Dakshina Kashi” and it is believed that the journey of the 12 Jyotirlingas of India is said to be incomplete without a visit to kapileshwara. One should visit this temple during the month of Shravan or on the day of Mahashivratri to enjoy the beauty and feel the religious essence to the fullest extent. The jyotirling here is said to be self-originated and there are temples of Lord Ganesh, Hanuman, Datta, Saibaba in the temple premises. There is also a Navagraha Mandir situated here.