ATTUR CHURCH, Karkala, Karnataka

Attur is a village famed for the church it houses. It is located on the outskirts of the Karkala city. The main attraction of this peaceful and seclude place is the shrine of St. Lawrence, established in 1759 AD with remarkably rich history.

Scenic greenery amidst religious piety, Attur attracts lot of devotees, irrespective of religion, to St. Lawrence church. The Karkol Fest in this church is a major draw. Devotees believe in miracles by the church, with the church performing lots of social activities aimed at common public.

A hundred feet high tower representing the arts of various religions was built in 1997, to showcase the Church’s secular culture in accepting people of various belief and faiths.

Thousand Pillar Temple, Moodabidri, Karnataka

Savirakambada Basadi (Thousand Pillars Temple) built in AD 1462 Basadi of 1000 pillars, famous for its stone sculpture. Mahadwar, Bhairadevi, Chitradevi, Namaskaara, Teerthankara and Garbhagruha are the 8 Mantapas here. The idol (8ft high) of Chandranatha is established in the garbha gruha. Supaarshwa and Chandraprabha Theerthankara idols are worth visiting. Navanaari kuinjara , a sculptural art piece that appears like an Elephant but nine dancers is the famous art in this Basadi. It is said that no two pillars are identical.

The 2.5 metres tall bronze image of Lord Chandranatha Swami in the sanctum of this basadi is considered to be very sacred. This three storied construction was supported by the rulers, the Jain Bhattaraka Swamiji, merchants and the common people. The temple is famous for the open pillared hall in front, consisting by a large variety of ornate pillars decorated with carvings typical of Vijayanagara style. A 15-meter tall single stone pillar called manastambha stands in front of the basadi.