About Karkala ( Karkal )

Karkala (Tulu/Konkani: [kark]) is a town and the headquarters of Karkala taluk in the Udupi district of Karnataka, India. Located about 380km from Bangalore, it lies near the Western Ghats. The town was called Pandya Nagari ( ) during the period of Jain rule, and later became known as Karikallu (), then Karkal () and finally to Karkala. Karkala has a number of natural and historical landmarks. 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. Muslims, and Kannadigas call it Karkala, and the Roman Catholics call it Karkol. Its alternative name, Jain Thirtha, is the result of 300 years of Jain rule. It was called Karkal by the English;...