The Geographical Dictionary of Ancient and Mediaeval India c5.s2.41

c5.s2.41

Banavâsi—1. North Kanara was called by this name during the Buddhist period (Hari vaṃśa, ch. 91). According to Dr. Bühler, it was situated between the Ghats, the Tuṅgabhadrâ and the Baradâ (Introduction to the Vikramâṅkadevacharita, p. 34, note). 2. Same as Krauñchapura in North Kanara. A town called Banaunsei (Banavâsi) on the left bank of the Varadâ river, a tributary of the Tuṅgabhadrâ, in North Kanara mentioned by Ptolemy (McCrindle's Ptolemy, p. 176) still exists (Lists of the Antiquarian Remains in the Bombay Presidency, vol. VIII, p. 188). Vanavâsi was the capital of the Kadamba dynasty (founded by Mayûravarman) up to the sixth century when it was overthrown by the Chalukyas. Aśoka sent here a Buddhist missionary named Rakkhita in 245 B.C. Same as Jayantī and Vaijayantī. In the Vanavâsi-Mâhâtmya of the Skanda Purâṇa, Vanavâsi is said to have been the abode of the two Daityas, Madhu and Kaiṭabha, who were killed here by Viṣṇu. The temple of Madhukesvara Mahâdeva at this place was built by the elder brother Madhu (Da Cunha's History of Chaul and Bassein).