Located about 60 km from Mangalore and 36 km from Udupi, Karkala is a town that is home to several spiritual monuments that span Hindu, Christian and Jain cultures that truly make it a potpourri of experiences. Karkala part of the Tulu country was under the control of Alupas, the feudatories of the Kadambas in the 6th century A.D. who later consolidated their presence and ruled Tulunad for more than 800 years.
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Jain Vibes
One of the primary attractions of the town is the gigantic statue of Bahubali or Gomateshwara which is the second-largest statue in the world (the first being at Shravanabelagola). A 25 feet tall Brahmayaksha Mahastambha or column of honour has been erected outside the temple and dates to 1436 A.D. The statue is situated on the peak of a granite hill and was erected by King Veerapandya Bhairava Raja of the Kalasa-Karkala kingdom in 1432 AD on the advice of his preceptor Lalitakirti. Prince Bahubali spent 12 years meditating while denouncing all worldly pleasures – the statue was created to commemorate this occasion.
from
via Lonely Planet India
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