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Karnataka Travel

The state of Karnataka, The Lofty Land, formerly known as Mysore is flanked by Goa and Maharashtra and lies to the west of Andhra Pradesh, to the north west of Tamil Nadu and to the north of Kerala. It lies majorly in the Deccan Plateau and in the rain-shadow areas.

Karnataka's history takes us back to pre-historic times. The earliest find of the Stone Age period in India was a hand axe at Lingasugur in Raichur district. Chandra Gupta Maurya, the great Indian emperor abdicated his throne to embrace Jainism at Shravanabelagola. Karnataka has the imprint of many dynasties. Prominent among them were the Chalukyas, the Hoysalas and the mighty Vijayanagar Empire. In 1956, the Kannada speaking areas were grouped along with the princely state of Mysore to form what we now call Karnataka in 1973.

State capital  Bangalore
Population      50 million approx
Area             192000 sq. km
Languages    Kannada
Best Season      September to February

Karnataka is an enchanting mix of natural attractions and superb historic architecture where there is a marvelous marriage of the modern and the old. It's magnificent monuments, temples, palaces and beaches are a treat for your senses. The state possesses a rich cultural heritage. The folk theatre has an ancient and rich tradition, the two principal forms being Yakshagana and the puppet theatre. It is a state which has something for everybody.

The major Tourist places in the state are:

Aihole : Ancient capital, temples, sculpture, caves.

Badami : Ancient capital, temples, sculpture, fort, caves.

Bandipur : National park and Tiger reserve, wildlife sanctuary.

Bangalore : Buildings, gardens, museums, handicrafts, palaces, temples, aquarium, fort.

Bannerghatta : Wildlife sanctuary.

Belgaum : Fort.

Ghataprabha : Wildlife sanctuary.

Belur : Ancient Hoysala sculpture and architecture, temples.

Bidar : Gurudwara, ancient Muslim capital, forts, mosques.

Bijapur : Ancient Muslim capital, Muslim culture and architecture, Gol Gumbaz, mausoleum, mosques and towers.

Chikmagalur : Coffee plantations, forests, hill station.

Baba Budan : Sculpture and architecture, temples.

Kemmannugundi : Hill station.

Dandeli : Wildlife sanctuary.

Dharmastala : Hindu pilgrimage centre.

Gokaran : Hindu pilgrimage centre, temples, beach.

Gulbarga : Fort, mosques, temples.

Halebid : Ancient Hoysala sculpture and architecture, temples.

Hampi : Vijayanagar capital, ruins of temples, palaces and forts.

Jog Falls : Waterfalls.

Karwar : Beaches, fishing, picnic spot, port.

Madikeri : Hill station, fort, palaces, plantations.

Mangalore : Temples, port, Panambul beaches.

Suratakal : Beaches.

Mysore : City of palaces, gardens, zoo, museums, church, silk factory, Sandal oil factory, art gallery. Chamundi : Temples, Nandi sculpture.

Krishnarajasagara : Brindavan gardens at dam-site, picnic spot, special lighting.

Ranganathittu : Bird sanctuary.

Shrirangapattana : Tipu Sultan's island capital, palaces. Forts, frescoes, mosques.

Nagarhole : National wildlife park.

Nandi Hills : Health resort and pilgrim centre.

Pattadakal : Temples, sculpture.

Raichur : Fort.

Shravan Belgola : Jain pilgrimage centre, 57 foot tall monolith of the Jain sage Gomteswara, frescoes.

Sivasamudram : Temples, waterfalls, scenery.

Somnathpur : Temple.

Sringeri : Hindu pilgrimage centre, temples.

Tungabhadra : Dam-site holiday place.

Udupi : Hindu pilgrimage centre, temples, cuisine, Malpe beach.

Manipal : Health resort.

Maravanthe : Beach.