Buddhism in Karnataka

Kalya in Magadi near Bangalore has a few caves where Buddhist, Jain and Shaivite Yogis and Siddhas stayed and meditated in ancient days. According to the inscriptions there the earlier name of the place is Bauddhava-samaha-puri. A few Buddhist statues are still present in the Kallesvara cave.

There was a strong presence of Mahayana / Vajrayana Buddhism in Balligavi, Shimoga Dist, Karnataka during the period from the 10th to 12th Century CE. During that time, in Balligavi, there were renowned centers of learning of five systems including Buddhism. Inscriptions indicate that there was also a tradition of Buddhist Yoginis.

History of Vajrayana Buddhism in Dharwad, Gadag and Koppal districts – the Central Karnataka region during Kalyani Chalukyas(Western Chalukya) rule. The spread of Tara.

The history of Buddhism in Badami Caves is revealed by the buddhist carvings in the natural cave formation in the cliff-face of the sandstone quartzite hills as well as by the statue of the Buddha in the Kostaraya cave at the south-east corner of the lake.

Buddhism in Aihole, North Karnataka, flourished during the early period of Chalukya rule. Remains of a Buddhist monastery, and some Buddha and Bodhisattva statues are found in this place.

Buddhism was widespread in coastal Karnataka in ancient times. Buddhist statues are found in various places like Kadri in Mangalore, Haigunda, Babruwada and Mulur-Udupi. Kadri also had a Vajrayana Buddhist vihara.