Nammoora Honda
Built by Hanumanthappa Nayaka period 1580-1630 :
This beautiful Pushkarini ia situated in Karnataka, Davanagere districts, Channagiri tq village called Santhebennur. Where it is a Hobli head quartres. Which is the biggest hobli head quartres covering more than 170 small villages. 35km from District place Davangere. 300kms from Bengaluru. The tank and a Rama temple were commissioned by the local palegar (Nayaka) Kenga/Hiriya Hanumantappa Nayaka during the Vijayanagara period. The tank is locally called Honda and the complex became the village’s defining monument.
Structure:
Roughly rectangular (about 250 × 240 ft; >30 ft deep) with granite-faced steps and a ring of small corner/side pavilions (several survive). At its heart stands the multi-storeyed Vasantha Mantapa, an Indo-Islamic/Indo-Arabic styled pavilion whose arches and dome sit over more “Vijayanagara” columns and carvings—designed so it appears to “float” when the tank is full.
Victory vasantha Mantapa:
Local tradition holds that the Vasantha Mantapa commemorates Hanumantappa Nayaka’s victory over the Bijapur (Adil Shahi/Bahmani) forces.
Musafir khana : IB (Inspection Bunglow)
After a Bijapur incursion, commander Ranadulla Khan and associates are credited with building a large Musafirkhana (travellers’ rest house) beside the tank and later a mosque—additions that visually separate the tank from the earlier temple complex. The pushkarini remains a key Davanagere attraction featured by the district administration; you’ll often see it listed as “Santhebennur Pushkarani. Santhebennur Pushkarini & Vasantha Mantapa — Visitor Mini-Guide Where: Santhebennur village, Channagiri taluk, Davanagere district, Karnataka What: A 16th-century sacred tank (pushkarini) with the elegant, Indo-Arabic style Vasantha Mantapa set seemingly “floating” at its center.
Why go:
A rare blend of Vijayanagara and Indo-Islamic design; granite-lined steps on all sides and a multi-tiered pavilion with arches, vaults and a ribbed dome. Calm, uncrowded setting that’s fantastic for photography—especially after the rains when the tank is brimful. (See monsoon shots above.) Best time to visit Monsoon & post-monsoon (July–February): Water levels are highest; skies are dramatic for photos.
Golden hour:
Early morning or late afternoon for soft light on the mantapa’s carvings. (General timing advice; water levels depend on seasonal rainfall.) “Rainy season” photo ideas Frame the mantapa from the west steps to catch reflections in the fuller tank. Walk around to include the Musafirkhana (inn) and gardens for context. Films shot here? There are no well-documented mainstream feature films confirmed to have been shot at the mantapa as of now. You will, however, find plenty of travel videos and reels featuring the site. If you know of a verified film credit, tell me and I’ll add it. How to reach From Davanagere (nearest city/railhead): ~36 km by road. Local buses and taxis are available. From Bengaluru: ~254–257 km by road (≈4.5–5.5 hrs depending on traffic). Most routes go NH 48 → Davanagere → SH-76 to Santhebennur .