Karnataka is home to diverse religious communities and some of India's most important spiritual centers.
* **Demographics:** The majority practice Hinduism, with significant Muslim, Christian, Jain, and Buddhist populations. * **Hinduism:** Major pilgrimage sites include the Udupi Sri Krishna Matha, the Sringeri Sharada Peetham (established by Adi Shankaracharya), and the Kukke Subramanya Temple. * **Jainism:** Shravanabelagola is a globally significant Jain pilgrimage site, home to the colossal 57-foot monolithic statue of Gommateshwara (Bahubali). * **Islam:** Prominent Islamic sites include the Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah in Kalaburagi and the Jamia Masjid in Vijayapura. * **Christianity:** Coastal Karnataka (Mangaluru) and Bengaluru have historic Christian communities, featuring landmarks like St. Philomena's Cathedral in Mysuru and St. Aloysius Chapel in Mangaluru. * **Buddhism:** Bylakuppe, near Coorg, hosts the Namdroling Monastery (Golden Temple) and is one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist settlements outside Tibet.