Banavasi
(Kannada: ಬನವಾಸಿ) also known as
Konkanapura is an ancient temple town in Uttara Kannada District bordering
Shivamogga district in the South Indian state of Karnataka .Huen Tsang the
Chinese traveler-monk who was in India between 630-644 C.E, visited Konkanapura
called Konkanapulo(referred in Chinese scripts)or Banavasi.
Kadamba
(345 – 525 CE) was an ancient royal dynasty of Karnataka, India that ruled
northern Karnataka and the Konkan from Banavasi in present day Uttara Kannada
district. At the peak of their power under King Kakushtavarma, the Kadambas of
Banavasi ruled large parts of modern Karnataka state.
The
Kadambas of Banavasi are said to have been the first indigenous rulers in
Karnataka. Previously, the area had been ruled by families such as the Pallavas
and Satavahanas, but in the early 4th century Mayurasharma wrested control from
them to establish an independent Kadamba kingdom.
Coin of
the Kadamba king who calls himself on the coin "sri dosharashi,"
thought to be Krishnavarma II (ruled c. 516-540). The reverse of the coin has
the legend shashanka, which means "moon." The Kannada letters and
another coin can be seen in the entry for Kadambas of Banavasi.
