Barkur
Barkur or Barkoor is a historical place in Udupi district of Karnataka state, India. Most of the ancient structures at Barkur are in ruins.
Understand
Barkur was once the capital of Tulunad, a region of Karavali. Tulu Kings and chieftains ruled over this region. Tulunad includes present-day Udupi, Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka state and Kasargod district of Kerala state. Tulunad region lies between Western Ghats and Arabian sea of Karavali. Tulunad has unique culture,traditions and rituals which is different from other regions of Karnataka. Barkur village lies on the north bank of Sita nadi or river Sita.
Get in
By car
Barkoor is connected by road to Bharmavara town , Bharmavara town lies on National Highway 66 (formerly NH-17) in between Udupi and Kundapura. Barkur is at distance of km from Bharmavar on Brahmavara to Mandarthi road. Barkuru is at a distance of 18 km from Udupi. There are several private buses running at regular intervals from Udupi town to Barkuru. Also one can get down at Brahmavara bus stand on NH 66 which has more bus frequency than Barkur and hire an autorickshaw (three-wheeler passenger vehicle) or a taxi to visit Barkur.
By train
Barkur has a railway station on Konkan railway route. The station code of Barkur railway station is BKJ as per Indian Railways. Many passenger trains running between Mangalore and Madgaon (Goa) have stop at this railway station. Matsyagandha superfast express train (Train numbers 12619 and 12620) running between Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), Mumbai and Mangalore Central (MAQ) railway stations on daily basis does halt at Barkur railway station.
Get around
Most of the tourist spots and temples are within two kilometres radius of Barkur fort. They can be covered by walk. However auto's are available for those who need to.
See
Barkur fort which is in ruins. There is kalyani (lake) inside. This fort was built by Tulunad Kings. Kotekeri Panchalingeshwara Temple, Maha Ganapathi Temple at Chowlikere, Shree Brahmalinga Veerabhadra Durga Temple, Mahathobara Shri Someshwara Temple at Moodakere, Kachhuru Sri Nageshwara Temple, Batte Vinayaka Temple, Sri Eknatheshwari Temple, Shree VenoGopalakrishna Temple, Kalikamba Temple (Barkur Maha Samsthana) are the Hindu (Sanatana) temples which are near to each other in Barkur. Bandarakeri Matha is also nearby. Katthale Basidhi (Basidi) supposed to be built by Bhutala Pandya one of Tulu ruler.
Eat
At Sagar (Bharathi) vegetarian restaurant one of the oldest at Barkur.
Sleep
Brahmavara which is 4 km from Barkur has few lodges to stay. Hotel Kirthi, Hotel Ashraya are the stay options at Bhramavar. Udupi town has several hotels to suit one's budget.