Karkala

Karkala ಕಾರ್ಕಳ
Gommateshwara statue at Karkala
Nickname(s): Jain pilgrimage centre
Location in Karnataka, India
Coordinates: 13°12′00″N 74°58′59″E / 13.2°N 74.983°E / 13.2; 74.983Coordinates: 13°12′00″N 74°58′59″E / 13.2°N 74.983°E / 13.2; 74.983
Country	India
State	Karnataka
Region	Coastal Karnataka
District	Udupi
Settled	1912
Headquarters	Udupi
Area
• Total	23.06 km2 (8.90 sq mi)
Elevation	80 m (260 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	25,824
• Density	1,089.16/km2 (2,820.9/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Kannada
• Regional	Tulu, Konkani
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	574 104
Telephone code	91-(0)8258
Vehicle registration	KA-20
Sex ratio	1.11 ♂/♀
Website	www.karkalatown.gov.in
The Famous Jain Centre

Karkala [kaːrkəɭɐ] is a town and the headquarters of Karkala taluk in the Udupi district of Karnataka, India. Located about 60 km from Mangalore, it lies near the Western Ghats.

The town was called Pandya Nagari (ಪಾಂಡ್ಯ ನಗರಿ) during the period of Jain rule, and later became known as Karikallu (ಕರಿಕಲ್ಲು), then Karkal (ಕಾರ್ಕಲ್) and finally to Karkala (ಕಾರ್ಕಳ).

Karkala has a number of natural and historical landmarks. It is located at the bottom of Western Ghats covered with greenery around the year. It is one of the major junction for the religious tourists. It is located strategically on the way to Sringeri, Kalasa, Horanadu, Udupi, Kolluru Mookambika and Dharmasthala.

Karkala dates back to the beginning of the 10th century.

Black granite is abundant in the area, and is in wide use in the local architecture. The name of the town is derived from kari-kal, meaning black stone in Tulu. Some assert that the original name was 'Kari Kola' meaning 'elephant lake' which is the existing 'Anekere'. Tulu-speaking people call the town Karla. Kannadigas call it Karkala, and the Roman Catholics call it Karkol. Its alternative name, Jain Tirtha, is the result of 300 years of Jain rule. It was called Karkal by the English; later, it was called Karkala in Kannada. Karkala is on the top of a granite bed that is about 300–500 ft thick.

The Alupas were the first to rule Karkala. Their rule was followed by the Santaras, who were the feudatories of Alupas for many years. Karkala, or ancient Pandya Nagari, attained political and cultural importance from the time of the Kalasa-Karkala kingdom that was established by Bhairarasa Odeyas between 13th and 16th centuries. The Bhairarasas appear to be the descendants of the Santara chiefs, who ruled the western ghats region around the 11th century AD.