Karnataka Tourism

Karnataka – Where Culture is King

Kaleidoscopic Karnataka is a state brimming with endless possibilities. For the nature lover, it is abundant in buoyant beaches, whispering waterfalls, and heavenly hills. For the history nerd, it is bountiful in pristine palaces, tucked- away temples, and celebrated caves. For the connoisseur of food, its basket is neatly packed with local delicacies and twists of modern fusion. A little something, for everybody. And if you’re in the mood for some adrenaline pumping safaris, it’s got that too! Dive into Kinglike Karnataka, for an experience like no other.

Highlights of Karnataka: A cultural roller coaster

Temples

Virupaksha Temple (dedicated to Lord Shiva), in Hampi Bazaar, towers proudly amidst a sea of rusk colored ruins. The only working temple in the city, it consists of a sacred sanctum, chambers, and pillared halls. Its exterior is bound by a pillared cloister, courtyards and little shrines. Don’t miss Laxmi, an elephant, who will shower you with blessings when you enter. Deemed as Hampi’s most glorious temple, Vittala Temple is a testament of the excellent craftsmanship of Vijayanagara artisans. Its Dravidian architecture exemplifies quintessential South Indian features. Appreciate the beguiling stone chariot that resembles a beautifully carved biscuit. Badavi Linga Temple houses Hampi’s largest Shiva Linga, fashioned out of a single stone. Situated in a little stone chamber, the Shiva Linga is circular in shape and submerged in a bed of water. Visit this shrine during the day, and watch the idol illuminate as liquid rays of the sunshine cascade over it, through the open ceiling.

Palaces

Mysore Palace (seat of the Wodeyar Maharajas), within the Old Fort, is an exquisite three storey stone structure in a striking dusty rose shade. Its impressive façade consists of marble domes, expansive arches, a 145-foot story tower, and a series of gardens, courtyards and buildings. Its mosaic floors, embellished wooden doors, and magnificent paintings will leave you starry-eyed. Cheluvamba Mansion, to the naked eye, looks like an elegant tiered ivory-cream cake with a sprinkling of red cherries. This stunning palace was built in honour of the third princess of Mysore – Cheluvajammanni and is a fine example of Wodeyar architecture. Upon first glance, you will see a sparkling fountain enclosed by an enchanting garden of greens, reds, and yellows.

Hill stations

Picturesque Chikmagalur lies in the foothills of the Mullayanagiri range, which is the highest peak in Karnataka.  Here, you can visit rich coffee estates, wander through historic villages, and marvel at a waterfall named Buttermilk Falls. Another renowned hill station in the Western Ghats, is Coorg. Visit Dubare Elephant Camp and observe nature’s mightiest or meditate at a peaceful little Tibetan monastery – Golden Temple. Raja’s seat is a delightful garden filled with flowers and musical fountains. Don’t miss the opportunity to view the spectacular sceneries, during sunrise and sunset.

Beaches

For solitude, Half-moon beach in Gokarna, is the perfect spot. One can reach it by trekking or taking a motorboat. A scenic haven for hippies, you will discover clusters of people enjoying their privacy. Karwar beach inspired Rabindranath Tagore’s first play, a special memory from his visit as a boy. More than just a brilliant blue coastline, it is home to an aquarium and a lovely play park. Spot the musical fountain, and toy train! St Mary’s island, in Udupi, is fringed with beautiful coconut trees and endowed with turquoise-jade waters. One of its four islands’ houses a basaltic rock formation in a hexagonal shape.

Nature parks

Bandipur National Park, a sprawling 874 km reserve, is sandwiched between the Kabini river, and Moyar river. Here, you can spot the tawny tiger, graceful leopard, Indian elephant, sloth bear, among other species of wild mammals. Nagarhole National Park, in the Kodagu district, is yet another exciting Tiger reserve. You will discover several fascinating species, such as the black-naped hare, striped necked mongoose, white-bellied treepie, and blue-winged parakeet.

Local culture

Karnataka is a medley of distinct cultures. It is an assemblage of Kannadiga, Tuluva, Kodava, Konkani, and Buddhist influences. Behind every religion, language, and cuisine is a unique story and rich history. During your travels, listen to some soulful Carnatic music that beautifully blends sruti, swara, raga, and tala (pitch, sound, mode, rhythm). If you get the opportunity to, don’t miss a Yakshagana performance. It is a classical dance drama, famous in the coastal regions. Immerse yourself in Karnataka’s finger licking cuisine. It is a delectable blend of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, drawing influence from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala foods. We recommend some of the classics – Jolada rotti, badane kaayi (aubergine), peanut/seasame chutney, kosambari (south indian salad) and papadum.

Modern culture

Karnataka’s capital – Bangalore, is urban chic, ultra-trendy and technologically advanced. With its massive brewery culture, indie music scene, hyper malls, and parks galore, it is a city with many nuances. Explore the electrifying pulse of UB city, or cycle through lush Cubbon Park! Eat your way through Indiranagar, or marvel at the innovativeness of Whitefield.

Interesting facts about Karnataka: Intriguing truths

• Rani Chennamma, Queen of Kitur, is the first woman to have led an armed rebellion against the British.
• After the Taj Mahal, Mysore Palace is one of the most visited places in India.
• Oriental Research Institute, in Mysore, is one of the oldest libraries in India. It houses 50,000 palm leaf manuscripts.
• India’s first private radio broadcasting station was started by M.V. Gopalaswamy.
• Karnataka is not just the name of a state, but of an English band formed in 1997.
• Karnataka is home to the highest number of Jnanpith awards – India’s highest literary honor.

Location: A world view

Karnataka, formerly known as Mysore, lies on the west coast of the Indian subcontinent. This vibrant state shares its border with Maharashtra in the north, Kerala in the south, Andhra Pradesh in the east, and the waves of the gorgeous Arabian sea in the west.

Click here to view Karnataka on Google Map

Timings: Best time to visit Karnataka

Karnataka’s climate varies depending on the geographical region. While the coastal regions are hot, the western Ghats experience cooler temperatures. Broadly speaking, summers in Karnataka incline towards warm and humid, monsoons arrive early, and winters are usually mild. Hill stations like Ooty and Coorg should be visited in the summer. For the rest of the state, however, winter is the most pleasant time to make a trip. Hence, November to March makes for an ideal time.

How to get to Karnataka: All aboard, Karnataka Express

By Road – Through the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), the state is well connected to all the major cities in India (should you choose to travel by bus, a private vehicle or taxi).

By Rail – the South Western Railway constitutes most of the railway lines in Karnataka, while Konkan Railway covers the coastal regions. Bangalore, the state’s capital, has an intricate network of interstate connections. For a little taste of luxury, you can even opt for The Golden Chariot, which covers tourists’ spots across Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

By Air – Karnataka houses domestic airports in Bangalore, Mangalore, Hampi, Hubli, Belgaum, Bijapur, Kalaburagi, and Torangal. If you’re flying from overseas, Kempegowda International Airport and Mangalore International Airport are the only international airports in the state.

History: Gazing into the Past

Karnataka’s pre-history has vestiges of the Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Megalithic periods. Scholars have also hypothesized the existence of the Indus Valley Civilisation. Evidence indicates the settlement of the following clans - Nanda Empire, Mauryan Empire, Satavahana rule, and Kadamba Dynasty. This was followed by the conquest of several powerful Kannada empires - Badami Chalukyas, Rashtrakuta Empire, and Western Chalukya Empire. Over the centuries, there were battles and establishments by several other rulers - Chola Empire, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara Empire, Bijapur Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Nizam of Hyderabad, and Maratha Empire. In 1799, post the death of Tipu Sultan, Mysore was incorporated into the British Raj. It was in 1950, however, that Mysore became an Indian state. In 1973, it was renamed Karnataka.

Now that you have gained insight into the history and rich legacy of Karnataka, take a look at some of these places.