Belgaum, also known as Belagavi, is nestled in the northern foothills of the western ghats in Karnataka. The mesmerizing lush green forests, mountains and rivers carve its stunning landscapes. The city shares its borders with Maharashtra and Goa and historically dates back to the 12th century AD. The Belgaum fort constructed in 1519, snuggles in the centre of the town and houses bygone mosques, Jain temples, the beauty of which leaves the visitors enthralled. The splendour of its architecture and historical remnants is bound to transport you back in time.
The second capital of Karnataka, the city has a great share of religious monuments that will help in rekindling with your spiritual side. The natural beauty of Belgaum with its breath-taking waterfalls and misty hills will make you want to visit the place again. This emerald green city also holds a lot of notable attractions like Jamboti and Amboli Hills, Vajrapoha Falls, Gokak Falls, Kapileshwar Temple, Saundatti and so on. Also, Dandeli is 86 km from Belgaum and allows the explorers to indulge in adventure water sports as well.
Places to Visit
Belgaum Fort
The Belgaum Fort is a popular tourist attraction located in Belgaum. The state of Karnataka recently honoured it as the ‘state heritage monument’. It served as an impenetrable barricade against the violent attacks of the enemies. Mahatma Gandhi was also imprisoned here during the Freedom Movement of India. The Belgaum Fort has an adjoining lake, called the Fort Lake on which is a Floating Cafeteria. It is well maintained, and there are pedal boats as well as motorboats available for tourists.
It has undergone many renovations and additions throughout its existence because it played host to a legion of dynasties. The Belgaum Fort shot to fame when Mahatma Gandhi was captured here during the Freedom Movement of India. The fort was constructed after demolishing 108 Jain temples and 101 Shiva temples. Some of the stones and pillars can be seen as a part of the religious shrines over here, like the Jamia Masjid.
Kapileshwar
Kapileshwar Temple is a holy shrine in Belgaum City, dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered as the southern Kashi. The temple is located beside the Shahpur Flyover which connects the central city of Belgaum to Shahpur. It is believed that the visit and darshan of the 12 Jyotirlinga scattered all over India will remain incomplete unless started from Kapileshwar Temple. The Shivalinga here is said to have self-incarnated, and the inscriptions in Kamal Basti have references to the temple and say that the temple might have been opened in 1000 AD. In a similar way as in Kashi, devotees are allowed access to the Shivalinga up close. There is a rare cluster of Banyan, Peepal and Ficus trees in the Compound of the Temple. The temple is open for devotees from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day. Kapileshwar Temple is visited by a massive wave of devotees during the Mahashivaratri.
Gokak Falls
Gokak Falls is known for its beautifully turbulent waters gushing over the rocks and down to a fall of 52 metres (170 feet). This humongous waterfall has a 170 meter long, hanging rope suspension bridge built over it that which allow visitors to walk right above the fall and feel the wind pushed by the river. The Falls is located at a distance of about 7 km from the Gokak town and about 60 km from Belgaum City.
Gokak Falls gets its name from the Goki river of the region. Fed by the Ghataprabha river, that traverses a long distance before entering the rocky belt of Gokak, the waterfall is 52 meter in height. Falling into the Gokak valley, the falls crash against the valley and form a horseshoe at its crest. Apart from the colour of the water and its width of 177 metres, the general features of Gokak Falls give it a resemblance with US’s Niagara Falls. The waterfalls is best visited during monsoons.
Ramakrishna Mission Ashram
Located in the Belgaum Fort compound, Ramakrishna Mission Ashram is a calm and quiet place serving as a retreat to its visitors from the bustle of Belgaum. The building where Swami Vivekananda stayed for nine days when he visited Belgaum in 1892 was handed over to the Ramakrishna Mission to be useful for Spiritual and Social purposes. Ramakrishna Mission Ashram was raised after the renovation of the house where he stayed was complete in 2001.
The Ashram now has a Sharada Mantapa which constitutes for the Kitchen, Dining hall and a residence for the Monks. Ramakrishna Mission Ashram organises numerous welfare activities, lectures, Daily Bhajans, Meditation classes to educate, inspire and provide peace to visitors. The Ashram’s location inside the fort keeps it away from the reach of noise and pollution, making it the best place to concentrate and spiritually rejuvenate. Ramakrishna Ashram is open for visitors from 7 AM to 7 PM every day.
Kamal Basti
‘Kamal Basadi’ also known as Kamal Basti is a 10th century Jain Temple built under the reign of Ralta Dynasty. The temple was built earlier in 1204 AD by Bichirja, a minister of Kartavirya IV. Two hundred years ago, the idol of lord Neminath was found in the jungle. The temple was built inside the Belgaum fort, along with Chikki Basti, which in the present time remains as a ruin. The name Kamal Basti is derived from the appearance of the temple as a lotus with 72 petals. Each petal consists of the name of the 24 Tirthankaras, for each period, carved on them. Today the monument has become a monumental structure, representing the chalukya style of architecture.
Fort Lake
The Fort Lake, also known as Kote Kere is one of the picnic spots of Belgaum City. Fort Lake is situated right in front of the Durga Temple entrance of the Belgaum Fort, welcoming tourists to the city. The Fort Lake has lush greenery surrounding it with walkways along its boundary with a regular crowd taking strolls.
The atmosphere around the Lake comes alive in the evenings with sunset glancing the surface of the calm water. The lake authorities have arranged for Peddal Boats and Floating Restaurants on the lake water. Fountain shows are held every Saturday and Sunday from 6 PM to 8 PM calling in folks from around the city. There are food stalls that sell street foods to visitors. There is a mini amusement park meant for the kids on the inner side of the Fort lake, and the gates to the lake stay open for visitors every day from 6 AM to 8 PM.
Khade Bazaar
Every city has a great Market that sells almost anything. For Belgaum City, the universal market is located on the Khade Bazaar street and Ganpat Galli. The market sees a substantial inflow of people every day. Khade Bazaar is a 1 km stretch of road turned a marketplace that offers a wide variety of articles from Electronics to Fashion updates, every day needs to party preparations, Restaurants to Street food stalls. The market of Khade Bazaar and Ganpat Galli experiences the busiest days on Saturdays when people from all over the city come for their weekly shopping. The market opens at 9:30 AM and closes at around 10 PM on regular days and stays open till 11:30 PM during Festivals.
The most festive environment in Khade Bazaar is witnessed during the holy month of Ramzaan, and the surge is unusually high on the last three days of the Ramzaan and Eid-al-Fitr. Similarly, the neighbouring Ganpat Galli is filled with lights and music during the Ganesh Chaturthi, and the festivities reach the sky on the day of Ganesh Visarjan.
Rakaskop Dam
Rakaskop Dam across the Markandeya River is a dam located on the outskirts of Belgaum city at a distance of about 16 km from the centre of the city known for its lush green environment that provides water to the complete city of Belgaum. The Dam is mostly visited by couples who wish to spend a peaceful time together and families alike. Rakaskop has turned out to be a famous picnic spot not only among the people of Belgaum and surrounding places but also among travellers who visit Belgaum once in a while. The village received its name due to a legend that says a Demon (Rakkasa) resided in a cave in the vicinity of the village. Accordingly, there is a cave on the hill with a Laterite figure in the shape of a sitting human figure.
Military Mahadev Temple
Located on the Camp Road in Belgaum in Karnataka, Military Mahadev Temple is one of the prime attractions in the city that has been built and maintained by the Indian Army. Founded in 1955 by Lieutenant General S.M. Shrinagesh, General Officer, and Commander-in-Chief Southern Command, the temple is situated in the heart of a lush green park and is mostly a meditation centre constructed with the idea to help people relax and unwind. In addition to that, there is also a play area for the kids.
Military Mahadev Temple has undergone several renovations and modifications through the years and the dome has been completely changed. But even today, it resembles the look of a South Indian Temple just like it did initially. There is a religious ritual practised every Monday called Samuhik Panchamrit, also called as the collective offering of the Panchamrit. This Panchamrit is made of four important elements – honey, yogurt, ghee, and sugar. Besides, the most important festival at the temple is Mahashivratri.
Godchinamalaki Falls
Located at a distance of 15 km from Gokak in the Belgaum district of Karnataka, Godchinamalaki Falls is a gorgeous waterfall based on the river Markandeya. Falling down a deep green valley, the entire spot reverberates with the tinkling gurgle of cascading water. Also known as Markandeya Falls, the waterfall actually recedes in two separate steps- the first one falls down from a height of 25 m and after a brief recess, the second one falls down at 20 m. The spectacle is a pure visual delight. Although swimming is not possible here but you can stand underneath the cold waters for a brief moment. But make sure you are careful of the slippery rocks.
Must Try Food in Belgaum
1. Biryani at Niyaaz
2. Paratha at Paratha Corner
3. Punjabi Food at Oye Shawa Restaurant
4. Vegetarian Food at Saffron Vegetarian Cuisine
5. South Indian Restaurant Ajanta Cafe
6. North Indian Restaurant Sun N Sand
7. Santorini Cafe & kitchen Indian Restaurant
8. South Indian Restaurant Panchavati
9. Fast Food at Momos
10. Biryanis at Sura Vie
How To Get Here
By Air
Belgaum Airport is nearly 500 Kms and 525 Kms from Mumbai and Bangalore respectively. The nearest airport is located in Sambra and is only connected by domestic flight. Spicejet connects Belgaum with all the major cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad.
By Road
Belgaum is well connected to National Highway 4, which connects Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The car ride is serene, and the journey holds long stretches of stunning hills and waterfalls which will give you the ultimate road-trip experience.
By Train
The beautiful destination is well connected to the major cities such as Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Pune, Mumbai etc. The Belgaum Railway Station is an ‘A’ category station that comes under the South Western Railways and is one of the oldest station of the region.