Karnataka
Karnataka is a wonderful state located on tableland, it is surrounded by Maharashtra and Goa in the north, by the Arabian sea in the West; by Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the south and by Andhra Pradesh in the east. It is a green lushly state having a perfect cultural blend of the north and the south of India . The modern state of Karnataka came into existence with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act (1956), with the incorporation of districts under the dominion of Bombay , Hyderabad , Madras state and Coorg within the existing state of Mysore State . Karnataka is the 8th largest Indian state by area and 9th largest by population.
Karnataka is an ancient land with a history of over 1,500 years. Here, you can delve into centuries old architectural marvels, walk through famed monuments, get mesmerized by imposing world heritage structures, explore ancient rock-cut caves, experience breathtaking natural beauty, listen to spiritual chants, wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee with wildlife surrounding you or feel the tranquility of endless beaches.
Everything in Karnataka is an intense experience. Enjoy the diversity and rich heritage of Karnataka. Only in Karnataka can one witness e ndless stretches of Hampi where battles raged, emperors roared and chariots breathed fire. Beaches here appear like a dream out of nowhere. Hill stations here emerge out of mists like a perfect picture. It is here where dancers set the night on fire.
The capital city Bangalore is also know as the Garden City, has grown into a thriving city and it is the centre of the digital revolution in India. If you're looking for action, in whatever way, this is the place to be. Business is booming, whether in the electronic, entertainment or vendor's world. However, at the same time it treasures its ancient roots and many sights. Karnataka's capital Bangalore , is the only city in the state with a population of more than 6 million.
Natural areas - Karnataka is home to several national parks, including Bandipur National Park in Mysore District, Bannerghatta National Park in Bangalore, Nagarhole National Park in Mysore and Kodagu districts, Kudremukh National Park in Dakshina Kannada and Chickmagalur districts, Dandeli & Anshi National Park in Uttara Kannada district, Gudavi and Mandegadde bird sanctuaries and Sharavati WLS in Shimoga district, B.R Hills WLS in Chamarajanagar district, Rangantittu bird sanctuary in Mandya district, Brahmagiri and Pushpagiri WL sanctuaries in Kodagu district. There are other wildlife sanctuaries and nature preserves as well.
Recently, UNESCO has been considering designating some areas like Kudremukh NP as UN world heritage site for its natural beauty. As such, the Western Ghats that runs south-north through the state is considered as one among the twenty five bio-diversity hotspots of the world.
Water Falls and Caves - Jog falls of Shimoga district is one of the highest waterfalls in Asia . Karnataka is famous for its waterfalls. Some well known ones are Magod falls, Lalgulli falls, Sathodi falls, Unchalli falls, Lushington falls, Shivaganga falls, Ulavi falls, Iruppu falls, Shivanasamudra falls, Balmuri falls, Gokak falls, Abbe falls, Achakanya falls, Chunchanakatte Falls, Hebbe falls, Kallathigiri falls, Vajrapoha falls, Sogal falls, Godchinamalaki falls etc. In fact the waterfalls of Karnataka and Kudremukh National Park are listed as must see places in Michael Bright's 1001 Natural Wonders of the World, by Barrons Educational Series Inc., published by Quinted Inc., 2005.
Some well known caves in Karnataka are Yana caves and Kavala caves and Syntheri rocks in Uttara Kannada district, Sugriva's cave in Hampi holds similarity to the descriptions of 'kishkinda' in the epic Ramayana, Hundreds of caves in Basava Kalyana in Bidar district.
Eco-Tourism - Karnataka boasts of the highest elephant and Gaur bison population (greater than 6000 & 8000 respectively) in India . Its forests hold some of the largest remaining populations of the endangered tiger and leopard. Th Niligiri Biosphere Reserve (also a designated UNESCO Biosphere reserve) is located at the junction of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerela. Nagarahole WLS and Bandipur NP in Karnataka fall in this region. Eco-tourism is a very popular activity in the state. Karnataka leads other states in eco-tourism. 'Jungle Lodges & Resorts', a state run organization has camping and safari facilities in several wildlife sanctuaries. Private safari providers have sprung up in several places along the western ghats.
Youth Activities - Karnataka is a rock climbers paradise. Yana in Uttara Kannada, Ramnagara near Bangalore district, Shivagange in Tumkur district and tekal in Kolar district are a rock climbers heaven. A climbing academy has been formed in Ramnagara called General Thimmaiah Rock Climbing Academy .
Sun and Sea - Fishing in Mukkah, near Mangalore Karnataka is blessed with over 300kms of pristine coastal stretch. Nethrani Island of Uttara Kannada is well known for coral reefs. St. Mary's Island , a few kilometers from Udupi is famous for its basalt rock formations. Sunny beaches at places like Maple, Murdeshwara, Maravanthe, Gokarna, Kumta are complimented by spectacular mountains slightly to the east. Agumbe, Kodachadri hills, Kemmangundi, are just a few of many hill stations that straddle the coast providing tourists the best of sun and greenery. Unlike many crowded hill stations in South India , the hill stations of Karnataka are still mostly undiscovered and pristine.
| What to See | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangalore | Coorg | Hampi | Mysore |
Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka State is one of India's most charming cities. Today, it is India's 5th largest city, the momentum of its industrial and commercial growth unequalled in the country. Aptly named "Garden City", it boasts of an amazing number of flowering trees and parks. With splendid pink cassias and golden acacias blooming, with jacarandas flowering in purple majesty and the gulmohurs lighting the roads with their flame-orange brilliance, the city is a sheer delight to simply wander around in. Bangalore is an IT hub and thus also known as the Silicon Valley in India.
It is not only the gardens and its claim to fame as an information technology hub that contribute in bringing tourists to Bangalore, but also various historic monuments and a climate that has made Bangalore a year-round destination.
Bangalore is home to Bull temple, Iskon temple, Shiva temple, Venkataramanaswamy Temple, Gavi Gangadhareswara cave temple, and the Someshwara Temple. Bangalore also has the aquarium and the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium for the science freaks.
For picnics from Bangalore Ulsoor Lake is the ideal spot. For the fitness freaks there are ample yoga centres in Bangalore. In terms of accommodation Bangalore offers state-of-art hotels and resorts. While on a shopping spree in Bangalore check out the traditional handicraft items, like silk saris, intricately carved sandalwood items and tribal jewelry.
HOW TO REACH
By Air - Bangalore has an international airport and is well connect with frequent flights to the major cities of India & world.
By Rail - Bangalore is a very important station on the railway network of Southern India. The city connected to major cities by broad & meter gauge.
By Road - Bangalore has a huge bus station, regular non stop & deluxe buses are available for every major city.
WHEN TO GO
You can enjoy the garden city all round the year but the times are summers.
WHAT TO SEE
Visveswaraya Museum - Next to the Cubbon Museum is the Visveswaraya Industrial and Technological Museum named after the great engineer-statesman who led Mysore into the 20th century much before the rest of India .
The Bull Temple - In this temple built by Kempe Gowda the object of veneration is a magnificent Nandi, 15 feet tall and over 20 feet long. In Nov/Dec every year, when the groundnuts have been harvested, a groundnut fair is held near the temple. The first groundnuts are offered by the farmers to the sacred bull.
Venkatappa Art Gallery - Near the Museum is the K.Venkatappa Art Gallery which has a permanent exhibition of the works of the great artist, K. Venkatappa. The Gallery does much to encourage art in the state.
Tippu Palace - Bangalore 's Fort was built by Kempe Gowda and expanded by Tippu Sultan. Within its walls is the well preserved 16th century Ganapathi Temple . Nearby is The Palace Hyder Ali began and Tippu completed. Resembling the Daria Daulat Palace in Srirangapatanam, this summer palace has been constructed largely of wood and is famous for its carving and paintings.
Seshdari Iyer Memorial - In the Cubbon Park are the Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall, which houses the public library, the High Court and the Jawahar Bal Bhavan. The Bhavan, with its toy train, fairgrounds and theatre, is a recreational, hobby and educational centre for children.
Cubbon Musuem - The Museum is one of the oldest in India (1886). Antiquities from Mohenjodaro are a special attraction here.
The Cave Temple - Another temple built by Kempe gowda and known for its four monolithic pillars and rare idol of Agni, the God of fire. On Jan. 13/14th every year, the rays of the setting sun enter through the window, pass between the horns of the Nandi and shine on the Shivalingam, in a unique phenomenon.
Dargah Hazarath Tawakkal Mastan - This Cottonpet Muslim shrine is associated with the Hindu Karaga festival too. The procession annually visits the Dargah of this Sufi saint, Tawakkal Mastan, and his tomb attracts both Muslim and non-Muslim piligrims.
St. Mary's Church - This church is now a minor Basilica. The Virgin Mary's festival is celebrated every September with a procession that attracts people of all faiths.
Cubbon park - Both worth a visit for its natural richness and the buildings in the park, this place is worth a visit. See also the section on Museums.
The Dharmaraja Temple - This temple in nazarethpet is the starting point of the annual Karaga procession. The revered idols here are the Shri Dharmaraja Swamy, hero of the Mahabharata and Lord Krishna.
Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens - Hyder Ali laid out these famous botanical gardens and his son added horticultural wealth to them by importing trees and plants from several countries. The gardens today have over 1000 species of flora. The Glass House, modeled on London 's Crystal Palace , is the center of attraction in this 2400-acre park.
Friday Mosque - The oldest mosque in the city is an imposing one. Tall ornamented granite pillars adorn the elevated prayer hall.
WHERE TO EAT
Banglore has so many options for restaurants and bars. The city has a restaurants of almost every national/international food chains like Mc Donals, Pizza Hut, Barista, Cafe Coffee, Wimpy's etc. Other Restaurants along with their Contact Numbers are as follows:-
Amaravathi Restaurant - 45/3 Residency Road Cross. Phone: 25913718 ,
Bheema's, Church Street. Phone: 2558-7389
Gongura's Group of Restaurants - Airport Road, Phone: 2526-9419,
Gongura's - 100 Feet Road, Koramangala. Phone: 2552-5944
Maurya Andhra Style Restaurant - JC Road . Phone: 2670-9222,
Nagarjuna Residency, Residency Road. Phone: 2591-3717,
Nakshara, 27, Lady Curzon Road . Phone: 2559-0777
Coorg lies 252 kms from Bangalore and 1525 m above sea level lies Madikeri,the district headquarters of Kodagu. Coorg or Kodagu (originally called Kodaimalenadu) means 'dense forest on steep hill'. Dubbed as the Scotland of India, this town has a lot to offer to the tourist. Misty hills, lush forest, acres and acres of tea and coffee plantation, orange groves, undulating streets and breathtaking views are what make Madikeri an unforgettable holiday destination.
History - When India became independent in 1947, Kodagu (Coorg) also became a free land. In 1950 as per the new Indian Constitution, Coorg became a state. In 1956 a state reorganization took place. Coorg was merged with Karnataka and became a district in Karnataka, which it remains till today. It has 3 taluks or districts, Madikeri, Somavarapete and Veerajapete. Madikeri is also the district headquarters of Coorg. The Puranas refer to this land as Krodadesa or the land (desa) of the people blest by mother Goddess, River Cauvery (kod, meaning bless, and avva for mother Cauvery).
Culture - What strikes a first-time visitor to Coorg is probably its stunning beauty - both, of nature and of the people. Not only is Coorg beautiful to look at but its people are equally good looking. They are a fun-loving race, very friendly and pure of heart. Coorg has its own language known as "Kodava Tak". It has no script. It is a combination of Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam with Kannada being the most influential of the three. Appaneravanda Appachakavi and Nadikeriyanda Chinnappa are two famous poets and writers of the Kodava language.
Climate - Coorg enjoys a moderate climate. Winters are pleasantly cool at 15-20 degrees Celsius though during December to February the minimum temperature may go down to 9degree Celsius. Summers are only slightly warm at 25-35 degrees Celsius. June, July & August are the months with heavy rainfall. During this season the weather is cool, humid and wet. Coffee blossoms fill the air with an exhilarating fragrance in March-April. During May the cool and pure waters of the Cauvery are ideal for bathing in at the Dubare forest or Nisarga Dhama or for enjoying a dip near the Iruppu or Abbi Falls.
HOW TO REACH
By Air - The nearest airport are Mangalore (135 kms) and Bangalore (260 kms).
By Rail - The nearest railheads are at Mysore, Mangalore and Hassan (146 kilometers).
By Road - From Bangalore, there are two routes to Coorg. Both routes are almost the same distance (around 250-260 kilometers). The route via Mysore, is the oft-frequented route. The stretch after Hunsur is scenic and the drive through the coffee plantations is absorbing. The other route is via Neelamangal, Kunigal, Chanrayapatna, all of which are located on the National highway. After Chanrayanapatna, the state highway route takes you to your destination.
WHEN TO GO
Best Time to Visit Coorg is April To November.
WHAT TO SEE
Raja's Seat - According to legend, the kings of Kodagu spent their evenings here. But what's unforgettable about Raja's seat is the spectacular sunset that one can enjoy from here.
Talakaveri - River Kaveri which is one of the 7 sacred rivers of Sapta Sindhus of the Hindu scriptures, originated at a place is called Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri hills, at about 4,500 ft above sea level. This place is marked by a 'kundike' from where the river emerges as a small perennial spring, but flows underground again to emerge a short distance away.
Iruppu Falls - There is a sacred spot called Iruppu in south Kodagu on the Brahmagiri range of hills. River Lakshmana-tirtha flows nearby. Legend says that Rama and Lakshmana, warrior Gods, passed this way while searching for Rama's concert, Sita. Rama asked Lakshmana to fetch some drinking water for him. Lakshmana shot an arrow into the Brahmagiri hills and brought into being river Lakshmanatirtha.
Abbey Falls - It is 70 feet height eye catching falls near Madikeri.
Dubare - This is mainly an elephant capturing and training camp of the Forest Department, at the edge of Dubare forest, on the bank of river Kaveri, on the Kushalnagar - Siddapur road.
Nagarhole National Park - The place derives its name from the winding river - Nagarhole meaning "snake river" - which flows through the park. The 640 sq km of gently undulating terrain at the foothills of the Brahmagiri hills is covered with thick tropical forest, grassy swamps and numerous rivers and streams. The park and animal life is part of the country's first "bio-sphere reserve. One can be sure of seeing the bison, elephant, tiger, spotted deer, sambhar, barking deer, wild boar, mongoose, peakcock, jungle fowl and many other birds and animals.
Bhagamandala - It is situated at the confluence of 3 rivers (the Cauvery, the Kanika and the Sujyothi). The temple here, built in Kerala style, has smaller shrines dedicated to various gods
Nisargadhama - It is known for its calm, serene beauty, this place is an ideal picnic spot visited by hundreds of tourists throughout the year.
Golden Temple - It is in the Tibetan colony, where Tibetans keep their culture and heritage intact. Dalai Lama visits this temple to offer prayers occasionally.
Madikeri Fort - It is originally built by Muddu Raja in 17 th Century. The British renovated the Palace inside the Fort. A church built in 1855 in fort premises now houses a museum.
WHERE TO EAT
Hotel East End, Madikeri serves the best Coorg cuisine. Try their chilli chicken, its awesome. The food is spicy and goes beautifully well with Kingfisher beer.
TopHampi is a lovely village located in northern Karnataka. Hampi is world famous for the temples and ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Possibly predating the city of Vijayanagara , this village continues to be an important religious centre, housing the famed Virupaksha temple. The village of Hampi contains several monuments belonging to the old city, and extends into one of the old ceremonial streets. The Ruins at Hampi are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hampi is now listed as a "threatened" World Heritage Site.
HOW TO REACH
By Air - The nearest Airport is Bellary (974 km); other convenient airports are Belgaum (190 km) and Bangalore (353 km).
By Rail - The nearest rail point is Hospet from where one travels another 12 kilometers by road to reach Hampi.
By Road - Regular bus services from Bangalore to Hospet.
WHEN TO GO
The best time to travel Hampi is September to February
WHAT TO SEE
Hampi has various notable Hindu temples, some of them which are still active places of worship. Some of them are: Achyutaraya Temple, Mahanavami Dibba (the royal observation platform), Vitthala temple.
Virupaksha Temple complex - Also known as the Pampapathi temple, it is a Shiva temple situated in the Hampi Bazaar. It predates the founding of the Vijayanagar Empire. The temple has a 120 foot high tower at its entrance. Apart from Shiva, the temple complex also contains shrines of the Hindu goddesses Bhuvaneshwari and Pampa .
Kodandarama Temple - It is situated on the south bank of the of Tungabhadra river. It is identified with the place mentioned in the Ramayana, where Rama crowned Sugriva after defeating Vali.
Vitthala Temple - The temple with 56 musical pillars is situated in a rectangular courtyard. It is especially famous for a stone sculpture of a chariot with revolving wheels, drawn by two elephants. The temple is the venue of the annual Purandaradasa festival.
Hajara Rama Temple - Virupaksha Temple Hajara Rama Temple ("The Rama temple in the courtyard"): This temple has been carved with scenes from Ramayana. It is situated in an area within the palace compound, hence the name.
WHERE TO EAT
There are so many good restaurants which serves regional and Indian dishes. You can try out the multi cuisine restaurants at the luxury hotels.
TopKnown for its magnificent palaces and majestic buildings, sprawling gardens and tree- lined boulevards, shimmering silks and sandalwood, the 'City Royale' always figures in the tourist's itinerary. It conjures up visions and memories of the resplendent glory of the illustrious Wodeyar Kings. This former state capital is a seamless blend of old-world charm and modernity. It retains its tradition in music and dance, art and literature, and time-honored crafts. Mysore today, is a pleasant and growing city in Karnataka with an old world charm, owing to its broad avenues, picturesque gardens, exceptional edifices and a salubrious climate.
Mysore is a beautiful city with rich cultural heritage. Mysore is also a famous market of exotic sandalwood & incense, the Mysore silk sarees and stone-carved sculptures.
HOW TO REACH
By Air - Banglore is the nearest airport i.e. 140 kms from Mysore. It is well connected to the major cities of India with frequent flights offered by Indian Airlines and Jet Airways.
By Rail - Mysore Railway station is 2kms away from the city centre and it is well connected to the other major cites by regular and express trains like Shatabdi Express and Tipu Express.
By Road - Mysore's road network is good, which connected it to the other major cities of the state. There buses in every 5 mins from Banglore. you can try the Karanataka State Transport buses or private luxury A/C coaches.
WHEN TO GO
Best time to travel Mysore is between October and March.
WHAT TO SEE
Mysore Palace - Entry is through the south side. Shoes and Cameras must be left at the cloak room. Intricately carved rosewood doors and ceilings some with inlaid ivory work, marble figurines, collections of caskets, paintings of the members of the royal family and other objects of personal use exhibit such opulence, though age as worn them out a bit with slight discolourisation. On Sundays and National Holidays between 7-8pm the palace is illuminated by no less than 5000 bulbs. A sight so magnificient that it leaves you gasping for breath.
Tippu Palace - Tippu Sultans summer palace (Srirangapatna) Tippu Drop (Srirangapatna) Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary (just outside Srirangapatna). At the right seasons, this place is filled top to bottom with extraordinary birds that come here for breeding. Take the boat ride.
Musical fountain - Brindavan Garden and Musical Fountain at the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam. Nice garden full of fountains, in the neighborhood of Mysore . At 19:00, the "musical fountain" light and music show begins.
Chamundi Hills - The place where Goddess Chamuda killed the Devil called Mahisasur
Tala Cauvery (Coorg Region) - The place where river Cauvery originates Kabini reservoir and Game lodge Bandipur and Nagarahole Forest Safari.
WHERE TO EAT
There are so many good restaurants which serves regional and Indian dishes. You can try out the multi cuisine restaurants at the luxury hotels.
Top| North India | East India | West India | South India | Central India | North East India |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jammu & Kashmir | Bihar | Rajasthan | Andhra Pradesh | Madhya Pradesh | Assam |
| Himachal Pradesh | Orissa | Gujarat | Karnataka | Chhattisgarh | Sikkim |
| Punjab | Jharkhand | Goa | Kerala | Nagaland | |
| Uttarakhand | West Bengal | Maharashtra | Tamil Nadu | Meghalaya | |
| Uttar Pradesh | Manipur | ||||
| Haryana | Mizoram | ||||
| Tripura | |||||
| Arunachal Pradesh |
| Union Territories of India | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Chandigarh | Dadra and Nagar | Daman and Diu |
| Lakshadweep | Delhi | Pondicherry | |