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Voykit pocket guide · India
Davanagere
Spend a half‑day in Davanagere for its temples and benne dosa; add a night only if you plan a day‑trip to nearby Shimoga or Bhadra Tiger Reserve.
Davanagere is a mid‑size city in Central Karnataka, known for its business, temples and famous benne dosa. The sights cluster near the centre, so a few hours cover the highlights; longer stays are justified only by nearby nature or city‑side trips.
- Country
- India
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- Avoid
- Apr–May (heat) and Jul–Oct (rain)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹800–₹1,200 excl. bed · Mid ₹1,500–₹2,500 excl. bed · High ₹2,500+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- Police 100 · Fire and ambulance 101 · General emergency 112
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Benne dosa | ₹50–₹120 |
| Tea/coffee at a café | ₹30–₹80 |
| Auto‑rickshaw (5 km (3.1 mi))Auto‑rickshaw (3.1 mi (5 km)) | ₹150–₹250 |
| KSRTC bus (city‑to‑city, 260 km (162 mi))KSRTC bus (city‑to‑city, 162 mi (260 km)) | ₹800–₹1,200 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- HBX · Hubli Airport
- ≈140 km (87 mi) north, bus or taxi about 3 h (check)≈87 mi (140 km) north, bus or taxi about 3 h (check)
- BLR · Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore
- ≈260 km (162 mi) south, 5–6 h bus≈162 mi (260 km) south, 5–6 h bus
Typical fares
- Bangalore → Davanagere, KSRTC
- about ₹1,000 one‑way, 4–5 h bus
- Auto‑rickshaw, city centre (5 km)
- ≈₹180
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Auto‑rickshaws and city buses are the main local transport; hire a taxi for temple hops if you have luggage.
See and do
Known for
- Kalleshvara Temple
- Harihareshwara Temple
- Bhimeshvara Temple
- Benne dosa
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Shimoga | KSRTC bus, about 2 h, board at Davanagere bus stand | ≈2 h 30 min |
| Bhadra Tiger Reserve | Private taxi or rented car, ~2 h drive via NH73 | ≈2 h 30 min |
| Udupi | KSRTC bus, about 3 h 15 min, via Shimoga | ≈3 h 45 min |
Sleep
- Siri Mane Lodge
- Budget rooms on Old Bangalore Road, close to bus stand.
- Apoorva Resorts
- Mid‑range, near KSRTC depot.
- Anand Residency
- Standard rooms, central location.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | क्षमಿಸಿkshamisi |
| Thank you | ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳುdhanyavaadagalu |
| How much is this? | ಇದು ಎಷ್ಟು?idu eshtu? |
| Where is the bus stand? | ಬಸ್ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ ಎಲ್ಲಿ?bus nildana elli? |
| Can I have water? | ನೀರು ಕೊಡಬಹುದೇ?neeru kodabahude? |
| I need a taxi | ಟ್ಯಾಕ್ಸಿ ಬೇಕುtaxi beku |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- Summer temperatures can exceed 35 °C; carry water.
- Bus schedules may change on holidays; confirm times.
Generally safe for tourists; watch belongings on crowded buses and stay hydrated in summer.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Davanagere yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Kalleshvara Temple
- Harihareshwara Temple
- Bhimeshvara Temple
- Benne dosa
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Davanagere, revision 5288674 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5288674
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/davanagere). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.