District at a Glance

Uttara Kannada is the 5th largest district of Karnataka State with abundant natural resource. The district has varied geographical features with thick forest, perennial rivers and abundant flora and fauna and a long coastal line of about 140 km in length.

Uttara Kannada, also known as North Kanara or North Canara, is a Konkan district in the Indian State of Karnataka. It is bordered by the state of Goa and Belgaum District to the north, Dharwad District and Haveri District to the east, Shimoga District and Udupi District to the south and the Arabian sea to the west. The city of Karwar is the administrate headquarters of the district.

Uttara Kannada district has got historical and mythical background. It belonged to Maurya dynasty when it ruled South India. Shatavahans, Pallavas and Pandyas have ruled here. Kadamba dynasty started ruling here in 350-525. Historical records says that after the fall of Vijayanagar dynasty, the Ghat areas were ruled by Swadi Kings and the coastal areas were ruled by Bidanur Nayaks. The first freedom fighter from the district Shivappa Nayak ruled by from 1645 A.D. to 1660. The well known “Queen of Pepper” Rani Channa Bhairadevi was the first female ruler of this district. The district came under the rule of Bombay Government in 1862. After the independence of india in 1947, the district has been included in Mysore State. The British rulers named the district as “North Canara”, while the State government named the district as “ Uttara Kannada” in 1976.

Total geographical area of the district is 10,327 sq.km, of which more than 75% is covered by forest area. The district comprises of Coastal, Malnad and Semi-malnad territories.

Uttara Kannada consists of people belonging to Hindu, Muslims, Christian and Jain religions. The district constists of various art and culture. Yakshagana is the famous folk art. Kolata, Suggi Kunita, Gumtepang, Jogipada, Bedarvesha, Dollukunita, Sobane hadu etc are some of the important arts of the district. Uttara Kannada District is the land of rivers. The main rivers are Kali, Gangavali, Aghanashini, Sharavati. The other rivers are Venkatapur and Varada. These rivers form many waterfalls: Jogfalls, Unchalli falls, Magod falls, Sathodi falls, Shivaganga falls and Vibhuti falls.

The renowned Bengali Poet and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore has described the tranquil beauty of the Karwar coast as “ The sea beach of Karwar is certainly a fit place in which to realise that the beauty of nature is not a mirage of imagination, but reflects the Joy of the infinite and thus draws us to lose ourselves in it”.