The Basavaraj Durga Island, featuring the Basavaraja Durga Fort, was an island fortress situated in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Honnavar Taluk in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka.
History of Basavaraj Durga
The fort was constructed in the 16th century during Vijayanagar rule. Shivappa Nayaka, the Keladi ruler, captured the fort and gave it the name Basavaraj Durga in memory of Keladi Prince Basavaraj. This fort is surrounded by a strong fortification raised by gigantic laterite blocks. It also features eight ruined mounted guns. The Basavaraj Durga Island is built at a height of 50 m above sea level and the island covers a total area of 19 hectares. The inner section of the fort is almost empty and only the external part survives today.
Island Features
The top of the Basavaraj Durga Island is a plateau covered with dry grass and trees. The island has a number of fresh water wells. There is a temple constructed between the 16th and 17th century.
Annual Temple Visit
People, especially fishermen and boat owners, visit the temple with their families once a year on Makarashankaranthi Day to perform a pooja to protect them from nature's harm throughout the year while working on the sea.
Exploring Basavaraj Durga Island
The place is entered through the southern end flanked by a stone entrance, which was once the architectural entrance to the Basavaraj Durga Island. One can see from outside the stout laterite blocks raised as fortifications of the old citadel along the brinks of the island. It’s nothing less than a regal feeling to be welcomed by the relics of eight mounted guns on the island.
Access to the Island
The Basavaraj Durga Island can be reached by boat or ferry from Pavinakurva village or Honnavar.
Basavaraj Durga Island: A Majestic Relic
Far away from the maddening bustles of human settlement stands the Basavaraj Durga Island. Located off the coast of Honnavar Taluk in the Uttar Kannada District, the island is trying to hold on majestically to its half-forgotten history. Cradling in green and golden hues on the Arabian Sea only 4 km from the Honnavar town, the Basavaraj Durga Island holds stories of the past among the significant ruins of a fort on the island.
Island Details
The place stands at an elevation of 45 to 50 meters above the sea level. Spread over an area of 19 hectares, the island appears green with lush vegetation from a distance. Whereas, the crown of the island resembles a plateau replete with golden-hued dry grasses, and trees. The island is also dotted with a number of miraculously fresh water wells.
Location and Travel Times
Around 36 km from the holy temple town Murudeshwar, this place is separated from the Honnavar town by a distance of 4 km, from Sharavati Bay by 3 km, from the Pavinakurva village by 1 km, and from the Tari Bagilu village by mere 700 meters. It takes a sail of 30 to 45 minutes from Honnavar, and 5 to 10 minutes from Tari Bagilu to reach this beautiful relic island.
Basavaraja Temple on Basavaraj Durga Island
This island has a temple constructed by the ruler between the 16th and 17th century. People, especially fishermen and boat owners, visit the temple with their families once a year on Makarashankaranthi Day on 14 January to perform a pooja to protect, guide them from nature's harm throughout the year while working on the sea.
Basavaraja Durga Fort
Forts always carry a certain charm in themselves, and Basavaraj Durga Fort is one of them. This fort is considered as one of the best places in Gokarna tourism. Basavaraj Durga Fort is situated at the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka state. Located in Gokarna Karnataka, this fort appears on the top of a hill, and one can reach the Basavaraj Durga Fort only by trekking. Previously this fort was an island fortress, situated off the coast of the Arabian sea. Besides trekking, one also can reach the Basavaraj Durga Fort by a 4 kilometers boat from Honnavar, 1 kilometer boating from Pavinakurva village, and 3 kilometers from Sharavati Bay.
Fort Features and History
Apart from Gokarna beach, Basavaraj Durga Fort is one of the best attractions of Gokarna. Basavaraj Durga Fort is situated at the height of 45 to 50 meters from the sea level, and it is spread over an area of 19 hectares. From a distance, the Basavaraj Durga Fort appears green as it is covered with lush green vegetation. From the Basavaraj Durga Fort, the Basavaraj Durga Island got its name. This fort was built on this island in the year 1690, during the rule of Vijayanagar. Later this fort was captured by king Shivappa Nayak of Bednur, and he named this fort as Basavaraj Durga Fort.
The Basavaraj Durga Fort was built in the 16th century. Later Shivappa Nayaka named this fort in memory of Keladi Prince Basavaraj. The Basavaraj Durga Fort is surrounded by a strong basil that has been raised from massive laterite blocks. This fort has eight destructed mounted guns. The inner part of the Basavaraj Durga Fort is empty, and only the outer part of the fort is surviving presently. The Basavaraj Durga Fort is one of the historical places to visit in Gokarna. So, if you want to visit this place, you must include Basavaraj Durga Fort in your Gokarna tour package. Though previously this place was not popular enough, presently it is getting popular among tourists in Gokarna Tourism. You can visit the Basavaraj Durga Fort from October to May, that is the best time to head to Gokarna.
