Karkala is a town located in the Udupi district of Karnataka state, India. It serves as the headquarters for the Karkala taluk and is situated near the foothills of the Western Ghats.
The town is recognized as an important center of Jainism, featuring several ancient basadis. Its most notable landmark is a 42-foot monolithic statue of Bahubali (Gommateshwara) that dates back to the 15th century. Due to its strategic location, Karkala serves as a major transit and tourist destination for travelers heading toward various landmarks including Hebri, Sringeri, Kalasa, Horanadu, Udupi, Kollur, Subrahmanya, and Dharmasthala.