KARNATAKA
1.WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT PLACES ON KARNATAKA?
Karnataka tourism sans Karnataka tourist destinations has no existence.
Karnataka tourist destinations are the cells that constitute the whole body of
Karnataka tourism.
Karnataka Tourist
Destinations
Bangalore - Known as the Garden city, the city of
Bangalore is the most upwardly mobile city in Asia. Bangalore is known among
Tourist Attractions in Karnataka for its beautiful gardens, gigantic malls,
well designed arcades, exotic art galleries, majestic palaces, forts and
shrines. Some of the important Karnataka tourist destinations in Bangalore are:
The city of Bangalore offers numerous tourist attractions to the travelers. Tourists
will come across a number of parks, gardens, museums, temples, historical
buildings and lakes. Some of the major tourist destinations in Bangalore,
Karnataka include:
·
Bull Temple
·
The Sangameswara Temple
·
Honne Devi Temple
·
The Dharmaraja Temple
·
Jumma Masjid
·
Government Museum
·
Visvesvaraya Museum
·
Venkatappa Art Gallery
·
Cubbon Park
·
Ulsoor Lake
·
Lal Bagh
·
Tippu's Palace
·
Vidhan Soudha
Accommodation will also not be a problem for the tourists, as there are
plenty of luxury hotels and resorts in the city of Bangalore.
Mysore
Mysore, Karnataka is a city of royal palaces, silk saris
and sandalwood. Mysore, Karnataka is the second largest city in Karnataka. Mysore, situated about 139 kilometers from the city of Bangalore was the
former capital of Karnataka..
Further, Mysore, Karnataka is the administrative seat of the Mysore District
and the Mysore Division.
History of Karnataka says that Mysore had been the capital of Wodeyars which
later went on to the hands of Hyder Ali and his son, Tipu Sultan. As a result,
we find the acculturation of the native trends as the style of these Sultans.
Along with the sandalwood, rich saris and other forms of handicrafts, Mysore,
Karnataka is also known for its ten day long celebration of Dasara. Dasara is
the most important festival of Mysore. During this festival, Mysore palace is
completely illuminated for a month. On the last day of the festival, a
procession, that starts from the palace with the palace chariots..
Legend says that the area around city was once the territory of the demon king,
Mahisasura, who had almost become invincible. But, Goddess Chamundeshwari
vanquished the demon after a 10 day fight. In fact, the Dasara festival is the
famous.
Shravanbelagola
Shravanbelagola serves as one of the most frenzied and sought-after hubs for
the bulk of people who are ardent followers of Jainism. The magniloquent knoll
designated as Vindhyagiri constitute one of the two hillocks located in the
majestic city of Shravanbelagola that is sited at a spot which is approximately
158 kilometers away from Bangalore.
The pinnacle of Shravanbelagola measures a staggering 3347 feet from the sea
level. Being positioned at the apex of 614 step staircase, patients suffering
from recurring heart problems are advised to take adequate precautions before
commencing this dauntingThe star attraction at the Shravanbelagola is the 59
feet and 8 inches tall monolithic statuette belonging to Sri Gomatheshwara..
Belur
The Hasan dominion of Karnataka is regarded as the holy abode of innumerable
architectural marvels that bear the robust trademark of Hoysala dynasty. One
such venue that is endowed with the auspicious presence of the Chennakesava
Temple is Belur. Belur is such a destination that
proudly displays the opulence with which the Hoysalas have dominated the social
as well as the religious aura of Karnataka through its many intricately
designed shrines.
One such shrine situated in Belur that reflects the genius and adeptness of the
master builders of the Hoysalan era is the 'Chennakesava Temple'. Roughly
translated the Chennakesava temple means the 'Vishnu with stunning looks'. The
Chennakesava Temple can easily be identified as the chief attraction of Belur.
The entrance to the Chennakesava Temple of Belur is exquisitely ornamented
following the Dravidian style of architecture and is regarded as 'Gopuram'.
Being erected in the midst of a rectangle shaped courtyard, the temple is also
dowered with a four-cornered hall, a pillared vestibule and a concrete,
radially arranged 'vimana'.
Halebid
It was Halebid that served to be the imperial capital of the glorious Hoysala
Province in the midst of the 12th century. Being located in Karnataka Hasan
district and approximately 149 kilometers away from Mysore, Halebid is
conveniently approachable state. Halebid is also well associated with
Mangalore, Mysore and Bangalore. The main driving force that compels chunks of
eager devotees and holiday-makers to select Halebid as their vacation spot is
the magnanimous presence of duple temples- Hoysaleswara .The Hoysaleswara
Temple at Halebid is flanked by a pristine lake that gifts a heavenly feel to
it. Incidentally the ocean is reckoned as 'Dhwara Samudra' that is the
translation of 'gateway to ocean' in the regional dialect.
The entranceway to these temples is aptly warded by two 'Nandi bulls' that have
been chiseled out of a single stone. The principle ingredient that was lavishly
utilized in the construction of the Hoysaleswara temple at Halebid was
soapstone..
Bijapur
The primary destinations of Bijapur in Karnataka that entice tourists are
listed below:-
Gol Gumbaz or Gola Gumbata - It is bestowed with the reputation of being the
second largest dome in the entire planet measuring approximately 124 feet in
diameter. Four slender towers with balconies and a flight of steps make way to
the apex of the dome. An intriguing feature of the Gol Gumbaz is that even a
meek whisper gets amplified to an unbelievable extent and gets heard in the
opposite corner with crystal clarity. This spectacular phenomenon is a result
of echo that makes it mandatory . Jumma Masjid -
Regarded as one of the most veteran mosques to be built in India, the Jumma
Masjid bears a spectacular replica of the holy book of the Muslims, the Quran
inscribed in unadulterated gold. The most alluring feature of the Jumma Masjid
is the 'Barah Cummon' or '12 half-circles that glorifies the center stage and
utilized to host various celebrations.
Malik-e-Maidan - If you want to wish for something, you might as well give it a
try by touching this gothic cannon that supposedly executes the wishes of those
who are in contact with it. It weighs a whopping 55 tons and stretches to a
length of 14 Ibrahim Roza - Being inspired by one of the seven wonders of the
world, the Taj Mahal, Ibrahim Roza serves to hold the corpses of Adil Shah II.
This enchanting grave is ornamented by corridors that are intricately designed.
Aihole
. The Kontiguri group of temples:- This
assemblage of temples contains a trio of shrines. These include the Lad Khan
temple, Huchiappayyagudi temple and Huchiapayya math. The Lad Khan temple has
received its name from a friar that dwelt there during the 19th century and
bestowed with two mandapams and also a Shivlingam. Other highlights include an
array of 12 pillars. The face of the temple is adorned with the sabhamandapa
that has pillars arranged in the design of one square within another larger
square. The walls also bear carvings that depict different flowers. The
Huchappayyagudi temple possesses a tower The Galaganatha group
contains a massive number of temples, 30 to be precise. It is situated on the
banks of the Malaprabha river. The principle shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva
and also homes idols of Yamuna and Ganga.
The Huchimalligudi Temple at Aihole made its presence felt in the 8th century.
This shrine displays a slight deviation from the typical and age old style of
temple construction as its ardhamandapan is affixed with the primary shrine.
Badami
Legend has it that Badami had to see the ugly face of defeat at the hands of
Narhasimhavarma Pallavan, a celebrated ruler belonging to the Pallava dynasty.
However it took 12 years for the Chalukiyas to turn the tables on the Pallavas
and seize what rightfull Local inhabitants also narrate a bizarre story
regarding the two hillocks located in Badami of Karnataka namely Ilvalan and
Vatapi. According to them, Vatapi and Ilavan were two monsters who were also
siblings.
Pattadakal
Pattadakal is a town in the Indian state of Karnataka. Pattadakal is a
perfect example of architectural genius as it contains temples constructed
according to various styles. But the primary influence of the Chalukiyan art
clearly reflects from the various temples it houses. Four temples in Pattadakal have been engineered by keeping the style of
architecture followed by the Dravidians in mind. Others except Papanatha temple
are illustrations of the style followed by the Nagaras who descended from the
northern parts of India.
Hampi
Talking about the genesis of Hampi at Karnataka, it can be said that Hampi is a
site where the mythological Kishkindha was stationed. It is said that Hampi,
Karnataka was formed by the Vijaynagar kings between 1336-1565.
Some of the important locations worth seeing in Hampi, Karnataka are:
Virupaksha Temple - The temple forms a major site in Karnataka tourism; the
mandapams and the painted ceilings are worth seeing. The temple, which remains
opens from 8 am to 6:30 pm everyday, has a 9 storey gopuram and the temple is
still in use by the local devotees. Archaeological Museum
- The Museum is situated at the southern part of the ruins of Kamalapuram.
Srirangapatnam
Srirangapatnam is the biggest of the three islands encircled by the tributaries
of river Cauvery. Srirangapatnam is located about 15 kilometers from the city
of Mysore on the Mysore-Bangalore highway. Srirangapatnam in Karnataka was
formerly the capital of the Tipu Sultan, the Nizam of Mysore.
Only 127 kilometers south of Bangalore, Srirangapatnam is a very picturesque
island on the river Cauvery. The landscape around Srirangapatnam in Karnataka
is very scenic and beautiful.
Srirangapatnam is now a renowned tourists spot in the Karnataka state. The
places worth visiting in Srirangapatnam of Karnataka are Jumma Masjid,
Ranganathaswami's temple, Rampart, Daria Daulat, the Dungeon and the museum.
Srirangapatnam houses a beautiful island fortress of Tipu Sultan. ?the tiger of
Mysore?. Srirangapatnam of Karnataka is a history-rich town. The fort of Tipu
Sultan in Srirangapatnam went in the hands of the British when Tipu Sultan was
defeated by the British soldiers. The Fort of Tipu Sultan is the place where he
was defeated after being betrayed by his own men. There is a mosque and the Sri
Ranganathaswamy Temple inside this fortress of Srirangapatnam at Karnataka.
Another attraction of Srirangapatnam at Karnataka is the Daria Daulat Bagh. It
is the summer palace of Tipu Sultan built in the year 1784. The Gumbaz is yet
another most visited spot of Srirangapatnam. The place houses the remains of
the Nizam of Mysore, Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan.
Sringeri
Sringeri in Karnataka is a small scenic town located at the foothills of the
Western Ghat mountains. It has the famous Sarada Peetham, the first of the
Advaita study centers created by the sage Adi Shankaracharya.
It also has many other centers of great religious significance to the Hindus.
The ancient town derives its name from the nearby Risshasringa hill, named
after the famed sage of the epic times. Located at the height of 672 meters
from sea level, this Karnataka town with an extremely high literacy rate is a
very popular destination for devotees and interested visitors.
The highlight of Sringeri at Karnataka is the temple of Saradamba temple. Moved
by a scene when he saw a cobra protecting with its hood a frog in labor, Adi
Sankacharya decided this place to be a veritable haven of peace on earth and
decided to establish Goddess Sarada, the goddess of learning at this very
place. That gave birth to the Saradamba temple and the adjacent Sarada Peetham,
the seat of learning. Sringeri of Karnataka still continues in the tradition of
the Krishna Yajur Veda. The head of the matha still continues as the head of
the Smarta tradition of Indian philosophy. The head, who stills uses the
appellation of Shankaracharya to his name is referred to as the Jagadguru or
the master of he world.
Dharmasthala
Dharmasthala is one of the important temple town in Karnataka in Belthangady
taluk of Dakshina Kannad district.
Dharmasthala is situated in the middle of the Western Ghats on the banks of the
Nethravathi river in Karnataka. Dharmasthala in Karnataka is only 100
kilometers from Udupi and some 70 kilometers from Mangalore.
Dharmasthala is the home to Sri Manjunatheshwara Temple with golden lingam, a
famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple at Dharmasthala in Karnataka
attracts a large number of pilgrims from all parts and of all cast and creed.
The town of Dharmasthala in Karnataka is well known for the eight Jain basadis
and the ruins of Sri Manjunatheshwara Temple. There is a 11 meter high Bahubali
statue whose origin dates back to 1604 AD.
Dharmasthala of Karnataka is a noteworthy example of communal harmony as well
as religious and cultural permissiveness. The pilgrims visiting the town of
Dharmasthala in Karnataka are offered free meals and lodging.
Udupi:
The famous eight Sanyasi Mutts at Udupi in Karnataka are located in the
following places:
·
Sanyasi Mutts in Palimar dedicated to Sri Rama
·
Sanyasi Mutts in Sode dedicated to Bhu Varaaha
·
Sanyasi Mutts in Admar dedicated to Kaliyamardana Krishna
·
Sanyasi Mutts in Krishnapura dedicated to Kaliyamardana Krishna
·
Sanyasi Mutts in Kaniyur dedicated to Narasimha
·
Sanyasi Mutts in Puthige dedicated to Vitthala
·
Sanyasi Mutts in Pejawar dedicated to Vitthala
·
Sanyasi Mutts in Sirur dedicated to Vitthala
Gokarna
Gokarna in Karnataka is a popular destination for Hindu pilgrims as well as
holiday makers looking for some tranquil beach experience. Gokarna is believed
to be the place where lord Shiva emerged from the ear of a cow after a long
penance in the underworld. It may as well be a reference to the shape produced
by the confluence of the rivers and the particular shape attained by the beach. Gokarna has four beaches. They are usually quiet and tranquil since very
few people know about the beauty of the beaches of Karnataka's Gokarna. The
sand is clean, the sea is blue and has numerous sea-gulls frolicking in its
waters; the beach itself is lined with palm trees. Together, they make a stay
at Gokarna extremely fruitful. The Gokarna beach is most popular, followed by
the Om beach, named so because the beach roughly resembles the Hindu sacred
word 'Om'.
Katil
If you are a religious minded person then whenever you go to Karnataka make it
a point to visit Katil. It lies at a distance of 387 kilometers from the city
of Bangalore and 30 kilometers from the city of Mangalore.
Katil is a religious place known to the people of Karnataka as the abode of the
mother goddess Durga Parameshwari. The sacred temple of the goddess in Katil
lies on the banks of the river Nandini. People come here from far away places
in search of peace and prosperity. They firmly believe that Mata Parameshwari
will save them from all the adversities in life and bless the
KukkeSubramanya
Kukke Subramanya is one of the most wonderful and devotional places in the
state of Karnataka. It is situated in a place surrounded by the hills of the
western ghats. Lord Subramanya is the principal deity worshiped in this temple
in the form of a Cobra. The Kukke Subramanya in Karnataka is at
a distance of 386 kilometers from Bangalore and 151 kilometers from Karwar. Kukke Subramanya lies on the bank of river Dhara. As goes the Hindu
mythology, Lord Kumaraswamy arrived to this place after destroying the demon
rulers Taraka, Shoorapadmasura and many others in a battle. It is said that the
Lord washed his Shakti Ayudha (the battle-axe in the form of a bayonet) in this
holy river.
Moodbidri
Moodbidri in Karnataka is known to the world as an ancient center of Jain
learning. It is a small town which lies at a distance of 37 kilometers
northeast of the Dakshin Kannad district headquarters, Mangalore. The site has
an average elevation is 147 meters or 482 feet. Between 14th to 16th centuries
Moodbidri became a center of Jain religion, culture, art and architecture. This
period of Moodbidri in Karnataka witnessed the construction of eighteen Jain
temples. The head of the Jain Math here is a Bhattaraka who belong to the Mula
Sangh order. The most popular among them are:
·
Guru Basadi
·
Tribhuvana Tilaka Chudamani Basadi
·
Ammanavara Basadi
Karkala
Karkala is a the name of a small town in the south of Karnataka. Here you will
find a famous Jain temple constructed thousand years ago. The intricate designs
adorning its simple stone framework, magnificent stone sculptures and beautiful
carvings are the evidences which show that the temple at Karkala is the result
of the combined effort of talented sculptors, architects and artists.
Karkala in Karnataka lies amidst the hills and a has a lagoon. It is known for:
·
Great Karkala Temple
·
Jain stupa
·
Gigantic statue of the Jain god, Gandharva
·
The temple in Karkala
of Karnataka is located on the top of a hill with a stone staircase. The
wondrous architecture, the Hoysala type sculptures as well as the unique style
of construction and the designs of the staircases and porticos are the
characteristic features of the temples of Karkala at Karnataka. At the entrance..
Melkote
Melkote, a place near Mysore in Karnataka is known for the ancient shrine of
Vishnu, worshiped here as Tiru Narayana. This shrine has a very ancient
association with the spiritual leader Ramanujacharya. The other names for
Melkote are:
Somnathpur
A visit to Somnathpur in Karnataka is a must for the people who have a passion
for art and architecture. .
Somnathpur is 38 kilometers from Mysore. Whenever you go to Somnathpur visit
the Hoysala Temple. The temple is devoted to Prasanna Chennakeshava. The temple
in Somnathpur was constructed in the 12th-13th centuries by Hoysala rulers and
their officials. The Hoysala temple in Somnathpur in
Karnataka is unique in its style and presentation. It is comparatively stunted.
The temple is small, compact and structural. It is lavishly adorned with
sculpture. The sculptures probably cover each and every inch of the wall space.
This particular style of intensely packed sculptural scheme is the characteristic
exclusive. .
Venur
Venur is the name of a small town in South Kanara District of Karnataka in
India. The town lies on the bank of river Gurupur.
Venur instead of being a small town once used to be a great center of Jainism.
The town was the capital of the Ajila Dynasty. The most popular among the
rulers of this dynasty was Thimmanna Ajila. He constructed a colossus of
Gommateshwara which was 35 feet high in 1604 AD. Venur colossus is the one with
the lowest height of all the three Gommateshwaras..
Banavasi
Banavasi is a very ancient temple town of Karnataka, situated on the border of
Uttara Kannad District and Shivamogga district of Karnataka. Banavasi is set in the rain forest region of Western Ghats in South
Indian state of Karnataka and the river Varadha flows through the town.
Banavasi in Karnataka is only 374 kilometers from Bangalore.
Banavasi in Karnataka was the capital of the Kadamba Kings in 345 AD. Banavasi
is the venue of Kadambotsava - the annual cultural festival of the state held
in December. Banavasi of Karnataka is famous for the Madhukeshwara Temple of
the 9th century, dedicated to Lord Shiva is the fine example of architectural
excellence.
Shivaganga
Shivaganga is only 70 km from the Garden city of Bangalore. Shivaganga in
Karnataka is located in the hill top which is about 1368 meters high and lies
on the national highway number 4.
The small town of Shivaganga in Karnataka is situated on the four-faced
hill. The eastern part resembles the Nandi bull of Lord Shiva, the western part
resembles Ganesha, the southern part resembles a linga and finally the northern
part resembles King Cobra. Shivaganga in Karnataka is the home to two main
shrines, Gavi Gangadhareshwara Cave Temple and Honnadevi Temple. You will be
amazed to see the beautiful natural spring at Patalaganga on your way to the
hilltop of Shivaganga. The temple of Lord Shiva and waters
found is said to be from river Ganga which was believed to be from holy waters
of Ganga in Kashi. Shivaganga has a temple on the hill top where you will find
a statue of Nandi. Thousands.
Devarayanadurga
Devarayanadurga is located about 65 kilometers from Bangalore on Tumkur road in
the state of Karnataka in India. Devarayanadurga is a hill station located at a
height of 3940 feet above sea level. Devarayanadurga in Karnataka is
well-connected to other parts of the state by a network of well built roads.
The hill station is encircled by forests and doted with numerous temples. Devarayanadurga is a picturesque town with three elevations and seven
gates that will lead you to the top of the hill. Devarayanadurga in Karnataka
has a number of springs namely Dhanus-tirtha, Ane-done, Rama-tirtha, Mangali
and Jaya-tirtha. The famous Lakshmi-Narasimha Swamy Temple is situated in the
lower elevation of the hill station.
Nanjangud
Nanjangud is located on the Cauvery banks also known as Garalapuri. Nanjangud
of Karnataka is well known for Nanjundeswara or Srikanteswara temple dedicated
to Lord Shiva. It is one of the ancient temples of the town.
The Kritti Narayana Temple which was also called the Vaideshwara Temple at
present is totally buried beneath the sand dunes of the river. This temple of
Nanjangud in Karnataka is excavated once in 12 years in the Panchalinga Darshan
festival celebrated here.Nanjangud is a holy place of the Hindu religion. The
neighboring town of Sangam, the meeting points of the rivers Kapila and the
Gundlu is called "Parashurama Kshetra". According to legends, this
spot near Nanjangud at Karnataka is where Parashurama expiated from his sin of
beheading his mother. The temple of Parashurama temple in Nanjangud at
Karnataka is built in the style of Mysore temple. Nanjangud also houses shrines
of Maruthi and Basaveshvara temple.
Manipal
Manipal, Karnataka is a beautiful town and is the hub of many universities
situated in the Karnataka state of India.
Manipal in Karnataka lies in the rocky hinterland in the coast of Malabar Coast
in the southern part of the country. The city of Manipal, Karnataka is only 8
kilometers from the great Arabian Sea. Thus the city of Manipal on the Deccan
plateau is surrounded on the west by the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats
range on its eastern side..
Apart from being a beautiful city, Manipal of Karnataka is also a center of
academic learning, health care, industry as well as finance. Manipal in Karnataka has recorded to impart higher education to more
70,000 students annually. But the enrollment of students from all parts of
India is increasing daily. Manipal at Karnataka has two universities, 24
professional colleges, affiliated institutes andKarnataka tourist destinations
portray a wide range of locations ranging from forts to museums; from gardens
to temples. .