Karnataka
The quintessential state of Karnataka occupies a focal point in the tourism of India. Locked between the Kannad Coast, The Western Ghats and the Deccan plateau, the state boasts rich wildlife, greenery, coffee estate, architecture wonders, temples, palaces, ruins and much more. Enough to captivate all the senses.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit Karnataka would be between September and February when the weather is perfect for touring the state.
CUISINE
Be it the famous Udupi dosa, the sweet rotis (locally called obbatlu), the sweet and spicy rice varieties called baths, or the trademark sweet of Mysore – The Mysorepak, Karnataka has a delicious variety of cuisine for you to indulge in.
LANGUAGE
While Kannada is the state language, one will be surprised to find a large number of people conversing in English, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam in all major cities of Karnataka.
CULTURE
Contemporary theatre culture is most vibrant in Karnataka. The state dance Dollukunitha, and the performing folk play called Yakshagana define the culture of coastal Karnataka.
LOCAL TREASURES
One can find a wide variety of gifts and collectible souvenirs throughout Karnataka. The most famous being Sandal wood articles, silk sarees, trinkets and curiosities.
MYSORE
The most sought after tourist destination of the state, Mysore is the royal seat of the erstwhile Maharajas and still retains its glimmer and splendour. The Mysore maharajah palace, the Brindavan gardens and flower shows, the musical fountains in the evenings and a royal stay at the famed palace hotel make Mysore the perfect royal package.
BANGALORE
The capital city of Karnataka, the IT hub of the country, this bustling metropolitan boasts some of the best cafes, cuisines, pubs, and malls in the state. Butterfly Park of Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bangalore Palace, Lalbagh Glass Place, Cubbon Park, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, Wonder La Amusement Park, ISKCON temple, and Aerospace Museum are the other major attractions of Bangalore.
COORG
This little hill station is filled with coffee estates, spice plantations and surreal beauty. Hosts some of the best resorts to relax and rejuvenate oneself, Madikeri market, Abbey falls, Iruppu Falls, Namdroling monastery are the nearby key attractions.
JOG FALLS
The second highest waterfall in the country formed by the Sharavathi River at a staggering height of 850ft! They offer one of the most charming and breathtakingly beautiful places to see in Karnataka.
SHIMOGA
Filled to the brim with picturesque river-cut valleys, lush green forests, waterfalls and untouched sheaths of fertile land, ruins of ancient empires, Shimoga is rightly called the cultural capital of the state.
KABINI
Located along the banks of the river Kabini (a tributary of Cauvery), this is the heart of wildlife in Karnataka. Popular attractions include Rajiv Gandhi National park, Bandipur forest and the Nagarhole national park.
MANGALORE
The sun kissed beaches here are the perfect break from everyday monotone, Indulge in the managalorian seafood, take long walks along the beach and view the spectacular sunrise and sunset along the Arabian coast. Other key attractions include Tannirbhavi Beach, Panambur Beach, Someshwara Temple, St. Aloysius Chapel, Mangaladevi Temple, Kadri Manjunath Temple, and Sammilan Shetty’s Butterfly Park.
BANDIPUR NATIONAL PARK
The ideal spot for a day’s picnic – the famous tiger reserve and bird sanctuary is an idyllic retreat for nature lovers and bird watchers.
HAMPI
This small archeological ruin of a town is a world heritage site as declared by UNESCO. Filled with some of the most breathtaking architectural construction of The Vijayanagar empire, Hampi is the place for all the history buffs and any tourist in general, The place where stone comes to life. Key places to visit would be Monkey Temple, Archeological Museum, Vijaya Vittala Temple, Royal Enclosure, Virupaksha Temple, Queen’s Bath etc.
DANDELI
Along with thick and lush green forests, Dandeli is also famous for adventure sports, night camps, nature walks, boating, kayaking, white water rafting and angling in Kali River. In a way, a wholesome package for adventure enthusiasts, it is a place you must visit if you are an adrenaline junkie.
BADAMI, AIHOLE AND PATTADAKAL
Rustic yet gorgeous, they are an important part of Kamataka’s rich history. Peppered with caves and ruins and ancient temples, a go to destination for an enlightening experience. Aihole is the cradle of the Hindu rock architecture. Badami is famous for Badami Fort, Buddha rock-cut Caves, and Bhootnath Temple. Aihole is known for Durga Temple, Lad Khan Temple, Archeological Temple, and Huchimalli Temple, Virupaksha & Papanatha Temple and Galaganatha Shrine are major attractions in Pattadakal.
BUAPUR
Once the Royal seat of the nizam of Deccan, this historical town has plenty of mosques, mausoleums, palaces and forts, Gol Gumbaz, Ibrahim Rauza, Malik-e-Maidan displaying Bara Kaman, Bijapur Fort, Jama Masjid, Gagan Mahal, and Upli Buruj are a must visit.
GOKARNA AND KARWAR
These off-beat locations are gaining greater popularity – thanks to the pristine beaches, almost untouched greenery and palm shores, Delectable cuisines, a dockyard at Karwar and interesting nightlife of Gokarna’s famed OM beach attract hordes of tourists looking for a bit of serenity and adventure at the same time.
UDUPI
Ethereal and blissful, locked between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, Udupi is famous for its delicious South Indian cuisine, wood artefacts, beaches, stone carving and Yakshagana – a type of theatre art. Sri Krishna Temple, Malpe Beach, St. Mary’s Islands, Ambalpady, and Shiriyara are the major attractions.
CHIKMAGALUR
This blithe little hill station marks the beginning of the Western Ghats. This place Is famous for its serene environment and is a must for anyone willing to be lost in the arms of Mother Nature.
HOYSALA AND HALEBID
Another one of Karnataka’s architectural gems. The towns of Hoysala and Halebid are known for their excellence in Deccan architecture. Located in the Hassan district of Belur, the key attractions include the Jain temple of shravanabelagola, chennakeshava temple etc. best known for their intricate carvings and metallic sheen on stone.
MURUDESHWARA
This place is a famous pilgrimage spot housing the second largest statue of Lord Shiva in the world and some of the best beach resorts in the state. Laid back and calm, one can always find themselves here. A truly soulful experience.
CHITRADURGA FORT
The town of Chitradurga has immense historical significance, the place once the royal seat of the Chalukyas also finds its mention in the famous Indian epic – The Mahabharata, The fort connects several! small hills overlooking an almost flat valley.
