Kollegal: Silk Tradition, Temples and Nearby Destinations

Kollegal offers two distinct perspectives: a silk tradition rooted in the town and religious and scenic destinations, some of which lie farther afield. The town is known for its handwoven silk sari industry. Important temples and wall paintings can also be found in the town itself; farther out, a pilgrimage site and Barachukki Falls complete the picture of the region. When planning your trip, it is helpful to distinguish these destinations according to how closely they are connected to Kollegal.

Silk as a cultural theme

Handwoven silk saris are a distinctive cultural feature of Kollegal. They are made on pit or frame looms. The well-known sari tradition therefore encompasses not only a regional product but also different types of looms. If, alongside temples and landscapes, you would also like to explore crafts and textiles during your trip, the silk industry offers a concrete point of connection. It provides a different perspective on the town from its religious sites and helps you see Kollegal as more than just a base for excursions to the surrounding area.

Temples and wall paintings

Important temples in Kollegal include the Sri Chowdeshwari Temple and the Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy Temple. The wall paintings at Parivaradavara Chavadi are also considered worth seeing. These attractions provide several specific points of interest in town for a culturally focused trip. If you plan your visit around the temples or the Chavadi, it is advisable to check access before you go.

The village of Chilakavadi, 10 kilometres from Kollegal, is home to the Shambhu Lingeshwara Temple and the Mandir or Matt of Sharana Nijaguna Shivayogi. A destination farther afield in the region is the Male Mahadeshwara Temple, 75 kilometres from Kollegal. Dedicated to Lord Mahadeshwara (Shiva), it is considered an important pilgrimage site. The distances highlight the difference between a destination in Chilakavadi and the more distant pilgrimage site, so plan for them as separate parts of your trip.

Waterfall and landscape

Barachukki Falls lies in the area around Kollegal. It is about 69 metres high and plunges as a broad, multi-tiered cascade over a wide rocky plateau. Its landscape offers a clear contrast with Kollegal’s craft tradition and temples. If you would like to include both culture and nature when choosing destinations, you can plan around these different themes without treating them as part of the town itself.

Getting there and choosing a base

National Highways 212 and 206 pass through Kollegal. As road numbers can change, check the current designation when planning your route. When looking for a holiday rental, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on: would you mainly like to explore Kollegal’s silk tradition and temples in town, or would you also like to include destinations farther afield? Chilakavadi is 10 kilometres away, while the Male Mahadeshwara Temple is 75 kilometres from Kollegal. You can take these different distances into account when deciding how much of your trip to spend in the town itself and how much in the wider area.

A wider look at Kollegal Taluk

Kollegal Taluk also adds to the cultural context of a trip: ruins or remnants of Jain basadis can be found in many places across the taluk. For those interested in history, the Jain basadi remains broaden the perspective on the history of Kollegal Taluk.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Halli, Badami, Kalasa, Shrirangapattana, Gangoli, Udupi, Vastare, Belman.

For the broader travel overview: Karnataka.