Davanagere district
Davanagere is a district of Karnataka. Browse its towns, famous tourist places, treks, beaches, temples, backwaters and local businesses. Hotels and homestays can list for free, and travellers contact them directly.
Davanagere at a glance
Davanagere is a district of Karnataka — A central-Karnataka plains district on the Tungabhadra, formed in 1997 from parts of Chitradurga and Bellary; the Harapanahalli taluk was moved to the new Vijayanagara district in 2021, a farming country of tanks, low hills and temple towns, famous for its benne (butter) dosa, with its headquarters at Davanagere. It is best known for The Hoysala Harihareshwara temple, the vast Sulekere (Shanti Sagara) tank, the Channagiri hill fort, the Santhebennur stepped tank, the Shahaji Bhonsale memorial, the Kunduvada and Kondajji lakes, the Bathi hill viewpoint and the Rangayyanadurga four-horned-antelope sanctuary — and the famous Davanagere benne dosa. Signature sights include Harihareshwara Temple, Shanti Sagara, Channagiri Fort. The nearest airport is Hubballi (HBX) ~140 km, or Kempegowda International, Bengaluru (BLR) ~260 km and the main rail gateway is Davanagere (DVG) and Harihar (HRR) on the Bengaluru–Hubballi line, with trains from Bengaluru, Hubballi, Arsikere and Hubballi. October to February is the coolest, most comfortable season; March to May is hot on the plains, and the June–September southwest monsoon brings the main rains, heaviest along the coast and Western Ghats. Most travellers spend 1–2 days here, and while Kannada is the local language, English is widely understood.
Best time, weather & festivals in Davanagere
October to February is the coolest, most comfortable season across Davanagere; March to May is hot, and the June–September southwest monsoon brings the main rains. Live conditions below are for Davanagere.
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Karnataka festivals worth timing your trip around
Celebrated across Karnataka, including Davanagere. Dates shift with the Kannada calendar — confirm the year's exact dates before booking.
- Mysuru Dasara Sep – Oct — Karnataka's grand 10-day state festival — the lit Mysuru Palace and the Jumboo Savari elephant procession on Vijayadashami.
- Karaga Mar – Apr — Bengaluru’s centuries-old Thigala community festival, with a night procession from the Dharmaraya Swamy Temple.
- Kadalekai Parishe Nov – Dec — The groundnut fair around the Bull Temple in Basavanagudi, Bengaluru.
- Ugadi Mar – Apr — Kannada New Year, marked with bevu-bella and home celebrations across the state.
- Hampi Utsav (Vijaya Utsava) Nov — Hampi’s grand cultural festival among the Vijayanagara ruins, with music, dance and light-and-sound shows.
- Hasanamba Temple Utsava Oct – Nov — The Hasanamba temple in Hassan opens to devotees for only about a week each year around Deepavali, drawing enormous queues.
- Vairamudi Brahmotsava, Melukote Mar – Apr — Melukote’s grand festival when the deity of the Cheluvanarayana temple is adorned with the Vairamudi (diamond crown), brought under armed guard; huge crowds throng the hill town.
- Sharada Navaratri, Sringeri Sep – Oct — The nine-night Navaratri festival at the Sringeri Sharada Peetham, with processions, music and rituals for the goddess Sharadamba on the Tunga river.
- Mangaluru Dasara (Kudroli) Sep – Oct — Mangaluru’s grand Dasara centred on the Kudroli Gokarnath temple, with illuminated Navaratri tableaux and night processions through the city.
- Dharmasthala Laksha Deepotsava Nov – Dec — The festival of a hundred thousand lamps at the Dharmasthala Manjunatha temple, with cultural programmes and huge pilgrim crowds.
- Udupi Paryaya Jan (every 2 years) — The grand biennial handover of the management of the Udupi Sri Krishna Matha between the eight mathas, with processions filling Car Street.
- Udupi Krishna Janmashtami Aug – Sep — Krishna’s birthday at the Udupi Sri Krishna Matha, marked by the lively Vitla Pindi and Mosaru Kudike celebrations.
- Gokarna Maha Shivaratri Feb – Mar — Gokarna’s grand car festival at the Mahabaleshwara temple, when a huge temple chariot is drawn through the streets and pilgrims throng the town.
- Sirsi Marikamba Jatra Mar (every 2 years) — The biennial fair of the goddess Marikamba at Sirsi — one of the largest festivals in Karnataka, drawing lakhs of devotees.
- Basava Jayanti Apr – May — The birth anniversary of the 12th-century reformer Basavanna, marked across Karnataka and especially at his birthplace of Basavana Bagewadi in Vijayapura district.
- Banashankari Jatre Jan – Feb — The great fair of the goddess Banashankari at Cholachagudda near Badami, running for days around the Pushya full moon with a temple-car procession and a float on the Haridra Tirtha tank.
- Khwaja Bande Nawaz Urs Nov — The annual urs of the Sufi saint Gesu Daraz at the Khwaja Bande Nawaz dargah in Kalaburagi, with several days of qawwali, prayer and vast pilgrim crowds.
- Saundatti Yellamma Jatre Jan – Feb (full moon) — The great full-moon fairs of the Renuka-Yellamma temple on Yellammana Gudda hill near Saundatti in Belagavi district, when hundreds of thousands of pilgrims climb the hill, especially at the Bharata Hunnime.
- Gavisiddeshwara Jatre, Koppal Jan — The huge annual fair of the Gavisiddeshwara matha in Koppal — days of rituals, a cattle fair and mass free meals that fill the town, sometimes called a "Kumbha Mela of South India".
- Itagi Bhimambika Jatra Nov – Dec — The annual jatra of the goddess Bhimambika at Itagi in Ron taluk, Gadag district — days of rituals, a fair and a free kitchen that draw crowds of Shakta pilgrims.
Where to go in Davanagere
Featured: Harihareshwara TempleDavanagere
The benne-dosa district capital and its edges — the flagship Hoysala Harihareshwara temple at nearby Harihar, the Kunduvada city tank and Glass House, the Bathi hill viewpoint and the Hadadi lake.
Harihara
The Tungabhadra country north-west of Davanagere — the Scouts-camp lake of Kondajji and the Devarabelakere reservoir.
Featured: Shanti SagaraChannagiri
The south-western taluk — Asia’s vast Sulekere (Shanti Sagara) tank, the Keladi-era hill fort of Channagiri, the ornate Santhebennur stepped tank and the Shahaji Bhonsale memorial of Hodigere.
Honnali
The Tungabhadra country west of Davanagere — the island Rameshwara temple of Kuruva and the rare Brahma shrine of Belagutti.
Featured: Rangayyanadurga Four-horned Antelope SanctuaryJagalur
The dry eastern taluk — Karnataka’s only four-horned-antelope sanctuary of Rangayyanadurga.
Map of Davanagere
Every place on this guide with a verified location. Tap a pin for its name and guide link.
Places in Davanagere
Every verified place across Davanagere district — filter by what you’re after.
The flagship of the district — a 1223 CE Hoysala temple on the Tungabhadra bank at Harihar, about 14 km from Davanagere, dedicated to Harihara (Shiva and Vishnu combined in one form), with fine Hoysala sculpture and an ASI heritage tag. This temple guide belongs to the Davanagere planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (see option in Kochi)
Also called Sulekere, one of the largest irrigation tanks in Asia, built around 1128 CE with a circumference of some 30 km near Channagiri — a vast birdlife-rich lake with a Siddeshwara temple on its embankment. This lake guide belongs to the Channagiri planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (see option in Kochi)
An ornate 16th-century stepped temple tank at Santhebennur, built by the Kenga Hanumantappa Nayaka chieftains, with a pillared pavilion rising from the water and a granite Musafirkhana mosque alongside. This heritage guide belongs to the Channagiri planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (see option in Kochi)
Karnataka’s only four-horned antelope (chousingha) sanctuary, notified in 2011 in the hills of Jagalur taluk — a dry-forest reserve also sheltering sloth bear, pangolin, hyena and blackbuck. This wildlife guide belongs to the Jagalur planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (nature option in Kochi)
A large tank on the western edge of Davanagere city, ringed by a walking path and the Glass House horticultural pavilion — the city’s main evening and birding spot. This lake guide belongs to the Davanagere planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (see option in Kochi)
A rocky hill about 4 km from Davanagere toward Harihara, with a hillside Revana Siddeshwara (Shiva) shrine and wide views over the city and the surrounding paddy country — a popular sunrise and sunset climb. This viewpoint guide belongs to the Davanagere planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (see option in Kochi)
A lake with a monsoon-season waterfall in the Hadadi hobli south of Davanagere city, a quiet local outing spot after the rains. This lake guide belongs to the Davanagere planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (see option in Kochi)
A lake ringed by hillocks near Kondajji north of Harihar, home to a large Bharat Scouts and Guides adventure and training camp — a spot for boating, mild trekking and outdoor camps. This lake guide belongs to the Harihara planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (see option in Kochi)
A balancing reservoir on the Tungabhadra system near Devarabelakere, downstream of the Bhadra dam — a calm waterbody and picnic stop in the Harihar country. This dam guide belongs to the Harihara planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (see option in Kochi)
An 18th-century hill fort above Channagiri town, associated with the Keladi Nayaka tradition, with ruined ramparts, a hilltop shrine and wide views over the plains. This fort guide belongs to the Channagiri planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (see option in Kochi)
A memorial (samadhi) at Hodigere to Shahaji Bhonsale, the father of Chhatrapati Shivaji, who died here in a 1664 hunting accident — a quiet historic monument in the Channagiri country. This heritage guide belongs to the Channagiri planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (see option in Kochi)
A Rameshwara (Shiva) temple on a small island in the Tungabhadra near Kuruva, south-east of Honnali, linked in legend to the Ramayana — reached across the river when the water is low. This temple guide belongs to the Honnali planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (see option in Kochi)
A rare temple at Belagutti with a Brahma shrine — an unusual dedication in India — and a perennial holy spring (thirtha), in the Honnali–Nyamati country west of Davanagere. This temple guide belongs to the Honnali planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (see option in Kochi)
Famous tourist places and treks in Davanagere
A practical tourist-guide list for the district. Full place pages, hotels, homestays, restaurants and local operators are added progressively under each town or attraction.
Kunduvada Kere
A large tank on the western edge of Davanagere city, ringed by a walking path and the Glass House horticultural pavilion — the city’s main evening and birding spot. This lake guide belongs to the Davanagere planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved.
Bathi Betta
A rocky hill about 4 km from Davanagere toward Harihara, with a hillside Revana Siddeshwara (Shiva) shrine and wide views over the city and the surrounding paddy country — a popular sunrise and sunset climb. This viewpoint guide belongs to the Davanagere planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved.
Hadadi Lake
A lake with a monsoon-season waterfall in the Hadadi hobli south of Davanagere city, a quiet local outing spot after the rains. This lake guide belongs to the Davanagere planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved.
templeHarihareshwara Temple
The flagship of the district — a 1223 CE Hoysala temple on the Tungabhadra bank at Harihar, about 14 km from Davanagere, dedicated to Harihara (Shiva and Vishnu combined in one form), with fine Hoysala sculpture and an ASI heritage tag. This temple guide belongs to the Davanagere planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved.
Kondajji Lake
A lake ringed by hillocks near Kondajji north of Harihar, home to a large Bharat Scouts and Guides adventure and training camp — a spot for boating, mild trekking and outdoor camps. This lake guide belongs to the Harihara planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved.
Devarabelakere Reservoir
A balancing reservoir on the Tungabhadra system near Devarabelakere, downstream of the Bhadra dam — a calm waterbody and picnic stop in the Harihar country. This dam guide belongs to the Harihara planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved.
lakeShanti Sagara
Also called Sulekere, one of the largest irrigation tanks in Asia, built around 1128 CE with a circumference of some 30 km near Channagiri — a vast birdlife-rich lake with a Siddeshwara temple on its embankment. This lake guide belongs to the Channagiri planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved.
Channagiri Fort
An 18th-century hill fort above Channagiri town, associated with the Keladi Nayaka tradition, with ruined ramparts, a hilltop shrine and wide views over the plains. This fort guide belongs to the Channagiri planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved.
heritageSanthebennur Pushkarini
An ornate 16th-century stepped temple tank at Santhebennur, built by the Kenga Hanumantappa Nayaka chieftains, with a pillared pavilion rising from the water and a granite Musafirkhana mosque alongside. This heritage guide belongs to the Channagiri planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved.
Shahaji Bhonsale Tomb, Hodigere
A memorial (samadhi) at Hodigere to Shahaji Bhonsale, the father of Chhatrapati Shivaji, who died here in a 1664 hunting accident — a quiet historic monument in the Channagiri country. This heritage guide belongs to the Channagiri planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved.
Gadde Rameshwara Temple, Kuruva
A Rameshwara (Shiva) temple on a small island in the Tungabhadra near Kuruva, south-east of Honnali, linked in legend to the Ramayana — reached across the river when the water is low. This temple guide belongs to the Honnali planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved.
Thirtharameshwara Temple, Belagutti
A rare temple at Belagutti with a Brahma shrine — an unusual dedication in India — and a perennial holy spring (thirtha), in the Honnali–Nyamati country west of Davanagere. This temple guide belongs to the Honnali planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved.
wildlifeRangayyanadurga Four-horned Antelope Sanctuary
Karnataka’s only four-horned antelope (chousingha) sanctuary, notified in 2011 in the hills of Jagalur taluk — a dry-forest reserve also sheltering sloth bear, pangolin, hyena and blackbuck. This wildlife guide belongs to the Jagalur planning base in Davanagere, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved.
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Top things to do in Davanagere
Our editors' pick of the standout experiences, ordered by what we'd prioritise on a first visit — an honest judgement call, not a rated ranking.
Harihareshwara Temple
The 1223 CE Hoysala temple on the Tungabhadra at Harihar — the district flagship; remove footwear and go in the morning.
2Shanti Sagara
The vast Sulekere tank near Channagiri, one of Asia’s largest — best after the monsoon and at dawn for birds; take care near the open embankment.
3Channagiri Fort
The Keladi-era hill fort above Channagiri — climb early, wear good shoes and mind the loose stone on the ruined ramparts.
4Santhebennur Pushkarini
The ornate 16th-century stepped tank with a central pavilion — a fragile monument, so do not climb on the old steps.
5Rangayyanadurga Four-horned Antelope Sanctuary
Karnataka’s only four-horned-antelope reserve in Jagalur taluk — go with forest permission and a guide, early or late for wildlife.
Entry fees & timings in Davanagere
Indicative entry fees and opening hours for the ticketed and timed places in Davanagere. These change — always confirm with the official operator before you go.
How to reach Davanagere
Davanagere is known for The Hoysala Harihareshwara temple, the vast Sulekere (Shanti Sagara) tank, the Channagiri hill fort, the Santhebennur stepped tank, the Shahaji Bhonsale memorial, the Kunduvada and Kondajji lakes, the Bathi hill viewpoint and the Rangayyanadurga four-horned-antelope sanctuary — and the famous Davanagere benne dosa.
By road from major cities
Approximate driving distance to Davanagere. Ghat roads and traffic make real journey times vary a lot — allow extra, and confirm your route before travel.
Emergency numbers
Save these before you travel in Davanagere. The national and Karnataka-wide lines work everywhere in the district.
Daily budget for Davanagere
A quick estimate using typical Karnataka daily costs. Off-season (monsoon) can cut accommodation 30–60%. Excludes flights and big-ticket experiences.
Mid-range: comfortable hotels, some private transport, mix of dining.
Rough estimate for stays, food, local transport & sightseeing — excludes international flights. Off-season (monsoon) can cut accommodation 30–60%.
Davanagere — frequently asked questions
How do I reach Davanagere?
For Davanagere, the nearest airport is Hubballi (HBX) ~140 km, or Kempegowda International, Bengaluru (BLR) ~260 km, and the rail gateway is Davanagere (DVG) and Harihar (HRR) on the Bengaluru–Hubballi line, with trains from Bengaluru, Hubballi, Arsikere and Hubballi. NH-48 (the Bengaluru–Pune highway) runs through Davanagere and Harihar; KSRTC hubs at Davanagere, Harihar, Channagiri, Honnali and Jagalur with frequent buses from Bengaluru, Hubballi and Shivamogga. A car is best for Sulekere, Channagiri, the Honnali temples and the Rangayyanadurga sanctuary. The district headquarters is Davanagere.
What is Davanagere known for?
Davanagere is known for The Hoysala Harihareshwara temple, the vast Sulekere (Shanti Sagara) tank, the Channagiri hill fort, the Santhebennur stepped tank, the Shahaji Bhonsale memorial, the Kunduvada and Kondajji lakes, the Bathi hill viewpoint and the Rangayyanadurga four-horned-antelope sanctuary — and the famous Davanagere benne dosa. Highlights include Harihareshwara Temple, Shanti Sagara, Channagiri Fort.
What are the top places to visit in Davanagere?
Popular places in Davanagere include Kunduvada Kere, Bathi Betta, Hadadi Lake, Harihareshwara Temple, Kondajji Lake, and more — see the full guidebook list on this page.
When is the best time to visit Davanagere?
October to February is the coolest, most comfortable season across Karnataka, including Davanagere. March to May is hot on the plains, and the June–September southwest monsoon brings the main rains, heaviest along the coast and Western Ghats.
Karnataka guides
Districts, destination bases, famous places and verified listing categories.
Hotels, homestays, food, guides, operators and rentals are added after verification.
Image credits
- Harihareshwara Temple:Dineshkannambadi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 4.0
- Shanti Sagara:Siddarth.P.Raj, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 3.0
- Rangayyanadurga Four-horned Antelope Sanctuary:Dr. Raju Kasambe, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 4.0
- Santhebennur Pushkarini:Mukherjee Sujata, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 4.0