KARNATAKA
Overview
Karnataka State is in the southwest of India with the Arabian Sea coastline to the west and surrounded by six other states as its borders. To name them clockwise from northwest to southwest are Goa, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil (Thamil) Nadu, and Kerala. It is the 6th largest state by area out of 28 states in India. The state capital Bengaluru (previously called Bangalore) is a high-tech hub known as the Silicon Valley of India and is also known for its shopping and nightlife.
The coastline is just over 190 miles in length and has many beautiful beaches and is well admired for its distinctive beauty and serenity.
Karnataka is also known for its UNESCO-listed and other historical and heritage sites, its wildlife, and Parks. It is also known for its scenic hill stations with coffee and tea plantations, spectacular waterfalls, and ancient pilgrimage centres.
The state has a rich cultural heritage, literature, architecture, folklore, music, painting, and many art forms that have been passed on for centuries if not millenniums.
Karnataka cuisine combines a range of flavours, ingredients, and cooking techniques from its rich gastronomic history as well as the neighbouring states of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu to the south and Maharashtra to the north. The cuisine depends on which part of Karnataka you are in to appreciate the cuisine but overall, the influence is from the south after all Karnataka is a southern state anyway.
Places to visit in Karnataka
PATTADAKAL
This place was the apex centre of culture during the Chalukya reign. The structure and style of the area are highly influenced by Dravidian Art. There are temples present in the vicinity that are made of sandstones. These mainly are Shiva temples or Jain temples. The river of Malaprava flows next to this place.
HAMPI (Ruins of Vijayanagar)
This ancient city is situated on the bank of the Tungabhadra River, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has numerous ruined temple complexes from the Vijayanagar Empire (1336–1646) the empire was an important centre of Dravidian culture and art, it also protected the south of India from waves of invasion by the Moghuls from the north. The highlight of Hampi is its stony landscape and barren beauty that attracts tourists from all over.
Hampi ruins showcase around 500 architectural structures with the craftsmanship of the skilled artisans of the era would make you spellbound. From nearby Anjaneya Hill, one could get a spectacular aerial view of the ruins.
Hampi also offers many other attractions including bicycle rides, walks around the temples, rock climbing, and cliff-jumping activities are also available.
VIJAYA VITTALA TEMPLE
The temple is built in Dravidian (Thiravida) style in the 15th century CE and stands in a large rectangular enclosure. The temples are known for their creative architecture and are acclaimed to be an architectural wonder. The entire complex houses several temples, enclosures, pavilions, and halls. In front of the temple is the iconic Stone Chariot (Ther). The chariot gives the impression that it is in motion.
Within the temple, there is ‘Ranga Mantapam’ an open pillared hall used for music and dancing performances. There are 56 pillars, each about 12’ high together they hold up the pavilion.
Across the hall, primary larger pillars are surrounded by seven smaller pillars that when tapped gently each ‘play’ one of the seven notes in the classical Thiravida (Dravidian) music scale. Made of pieces of huge resonant stone, the cluster of musical pillars vary in height and width, to produce the different tones.
The pillars are also named Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, and are so-called after the first four notes of the standard scale like the western do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, and ti basic music syllables.
People have been coming to this UNESCO World Heritage Site for years to hear the temple’s mesmerising music.
PAMPAPATHI (VIRUPAKSHA) TEMPLE
This temple built in the 7th century AD in Thiravida (Dravidian) architectural style is dedicated to Lord Siva. This temple existed before the Vijayanagar Empire moved its capital to Hampi and is believed that the temple has been functioning uninterruptedly ever since its inception and is one of the oldest functioning temples in India. The temple is part of the group of monuments at Hampi designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
MATANGA HILL
Matanga Hill is at the centre of Hampi and it offers the best point to get a 360-degree view from the top and the view is stunning. The climb is moderate to difficult, the climb begins with some built steps and gets tougher through rock clusters and boulders and is ideal for trekking. The popular approach is from the east end of Hampi Bazar.
BENGALURU
Bengaluru, formerly known as Bangalore, is the capital of the Karnataka State, a colourful city of culture and people with the recent upsurge in its café culture and pub-hopping. Bengaluru is often referred to as the ‘Silicon Valley’ because of the concentration of IT companies in India. The city is a complete joy to stay and explore.
The city is located at an elevation of 3000 ft above sea level on the Deccan Plateau and has comfortable weather around the year. There are several well-maintained gardens and parks in the city and the city is also known as a “City of Gardens”. There are 25 lakes known to exist in the city and the city is also known as a ‘City of Lakes' as well.
Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens is one of the most scenic gardens in Karnataka State. A sprawling garden situated in a 240 acres piece of land in the heart of the city, Lalbagh houses India’s largest collection of tropical plants and sub-tropical plants, a home for as many as 1,854 species of plants including trees that are several centuries old. A watchtower perched on top of a 3000-million-year-old rocky outcrop (which is a National Geological Monument), built by Kempegowda, the founder of Bengaluru also enriches the picturesque garden.
The local food is a must-try experience. It is to be noted that Bangaluru is home to many vegan restaurants and India’s most vegan-friendly city.
BANGALORU PALACE
Modelled on Windsor Castle this Tudor-inspired Royal Palace was built in the year 1887 by King Chamaraja Wadiyar and is open to the public who come to admire the lavish and elegant splendour of one of South India’s most enduring dynasties.
Bangalore Palace stands as one of the best places to visit in Bangalore. With its splendid architecture and grandeur, the palace is a must-visit place for art lovers as it houses several remarkable paintings belonging to the 19th and 20th centuries. The extensive collection of Raja Ravi Varma’s works housed within the palace is another key attraction. You can also see several pictures that chronicle the various generations of the Wadiyar Dynasty.
The palace has several attractions including the palace interiors, the Durbar Hall, the ballroom, the palace grounds, the sprawling open area Fun World, and an amusement park situated within the Palace Grounds.
BADAMI
Once the royal capital of the Chalukya Dynasty of Badami (540 - 757 AD) was known as Vatapi and is home to several temples of Dravidian (Thiravida) styles of architecture. Located in a valley of rugged red sandstone, surrounding the manmade Agastya Lake, is an archaeological delight with its stunningly crafted sandstone cave temples, fortresses, and carvings. Located in the Bagalkot district in northwest Karnataka State, Badami is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Badami Cave Temples is a complex consisting of 3 Hindu temples mainly dedicated to Lord Siva and a Jain temple little further away, carved into the mountainside in one of the large hills overlooking Lake.
Rock climbing is a popular activity here for people looking for some adventure too. The easiest way to get to Badami is to catch a local flight into Hubli or Belgaum and a drive of about 1 hr and 30 minutes.
KODAGU/COORG
This hill region is a part of the Western Ghat officially called Kodagu and popularly known as Coorg, is a popular hill station in Karnataka. Lying serenely amidst mountains, at a height of 3,200 ft above sea level Coorg’s landscape stays misty throughout the year. The highest peak, Tadiandamol, is 5,740 ft high. The natives of the place are called Kodavas who are a martial race. The area is the largest producer of coffee in India.
These majestic hills are covered in lush green forests and a landscape dotted with coffee plantations, tea gardens, and orange groves, the stunning waterfalls plunging down the misty mountains this hill station has breathtakingly stunning scenic beauty. Pushpa Giri and Brahma Giri Mountain areas in Coorg are ideal for trekking.
Visit the Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery in Bylakuppe, the second-largest exiled Tibetan settlement in India. The Namdroling Vihara is the largest teaching centre of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in the world.
In addition, bathe and feed the elephants at Dubare Elephant Camp and go on an exciting wildlife safari at Nagarhole National Park.
MYSURU (Mysore) PALACE
It is the second-most visited monument in India after the Taj Mahal and one of India's largest palaces, its opulence, and colour are just unique. Located in the heart of Mysuru City the place also known as “Amba Vilas Palace”, whether illuminated or not takes one's breath away.
Mysuru was the capital of the Kingdom of Mysuru from 1399 to1947. The rulers of the Mysuru State the Wodeyar dynasty constructed this splendid structure in 1911 on the foundations of an old wooden palace that was burnt down in 1897. The palace is designed by the well-known British architect Henry Irwin for the 24th Wodeyar king and is said to be modelled on the Vijayanagar Palace at Chandragiri in Andhra Pradesh State.
There are 12 temples built in typical Dravidian (Thiravida) style, on the palace premises and rites are conducted in these temples on special occasions.
The exterior of the three-storey structure reflects a healthy combination of Dravidian, Indo-Saracenic, Oriental, and Roman styles of architecture. The five-storey palace tower features beautifully designed square towers.
UDUPI
Udupi is a coastal town in Karnataka State the Arabian Sea to its west and the Western Ghats on the right a drive through this district will bring you the best of both worlds. Udupi is known as a temple city and houses ancient temples in Dravidian style architecture dedicated to Lord Siva, the two most ancient temples Anantheshwara and Chandramauleshwara Temples date to the 7th/ 8th centuries. There is a popular temple dedicated to the legendary Lord Krishna built in the 13th century in a different style of architecture.
Udupi is home to a number of beautiful and serene beaches which is quite popular, the Malpe beach is the most famous of all beaches in this place and happens to be a favourite spot for photographers. With St. Mary’s Island as its background, this beach offers you a breathtaking sunset. Besides St. Mary’s, Udyavar Pithrodi is an island worth visiting in Udupi. Though quite unknown, beaches like Mattu, Kadike, Polipu, and Kapu located in this area are some of the most beautiful beaches in the state.
The Corporation Bank Heritage Museum features coins dating from 400 BC, plus stamps and displays about India’s banking industry.
Udupi is famous for its vegetarian cuisine and there are plenty of eating places to try their Idli, Thosai, Masala Thosai, Neer Thosai, Uppu Huli Kara Thosai, and more.
The best time to visit this destination is between the months of October and March.
