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Steeped in antiquity and flourishing with architectural remnants lies Banvasi (Ancient name: Jayantipura, Vanvasi, kokanapura, Bansa), a temple town in Sirsi, Uttara Karnataka district. Banvasi is a sleepy pilgrim town situated in the Malenadu region in between Shimoga and Sirsi, encircled by the serene Varadha river. The name Banvasi means 'nestled in the jungles' and is situated in the rain forest of Western Ghats.
It is the oldest Indian city after Varanasi and is considered a religious hub due to the spiritual heritage all around. In its heydays, Banvasi's charm resonated all over the world. Religious minded students flocked here from as far as Goa & Maharastra for their Vedic studies. Even the Greek Philosopher Ptolemy mentioned a town called 'Bansa' in South India after being enamored by its natural beauty. The famous Kannada literary stalwart Pampa too found his calling here and composed of his greatest epics at this place. There is a garden/groove dedicated to him named 'Pampa Vatika/Vana where you can find exotic medicinal flora and fauna. The history & culture of Kadambas in Banvasi have no parallels in the whole of Karnataka due to the unique heritage located here. Although there are numerous heritage places in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andra Pradesh, Banvasi's charm lies in its remote stillness. The place was a perfect locale for religious studies due to its uninterrupted ambiance. Even today, Banvasi has maintained its legacy of being untouched by modernity. But with the passage of time and rush of tourists, few lodges and eateries have sprung up in its vicinity. Here you can find a lone SBI Branch for your financial dealings. The Kadamba dynasty got its moniker from the Kadamb tree (Neolamarckia Cadamba) which blossomed here.
The Kadamb dynasty was founded by Mayurasharma and held its sway in most parts of Karnataka, including NW-Mysore for over two centuries. Goa & Maharashtra too had tasted the culture of this famous dynasty. The Kadamba base in Goa was at Chandrapur (present-day Chandor, Margao, Goa) and extended till Goa Velha, Pilar, Old Goa up to Panjim. Till today you can find crumbling vestiges of the Kadamb architecture at Goa Velha(a port wall), Royal Road (Rajbid at Goa Velha till Panelim, Old Goa). The Kadamb rulers were excellent statesmen, cultural devotees, and architects, so you will find plenty of architectural remnants in all the places they ruled.