A journey through Karnataka
In this article I will give a brief description of the places & tourist attractions in Karnataka. Karnataka is a land blessed with many fascinating worlds. Discover ageless monuments, world heritage sites, lush green forests, amazing wildlife, spectacular waterfalls, romantic hill stations, timeless temples, pristine beaches, exhilarating adventure sports and vibrant art & culture.
Karnataka - a land with scenic beauty and charm is well known for its lovely garden cities, temples & historical monuments. Karnataka's attractions are varied and diverting and they range from belur, haleibidu and hampi's magnificient temples containing miniature carvings.
On the other hand there is a gigantic sculpture of Jain Saint Gomateshwara at Sravanabelagola and grandeur of the majestic Gol Gumbaz at Bijapur.The famous places & tourist attractions are
AIVALLI - Aivalli is known for temples built in between 6th and 8th centuries. There are about 140 temples.
BADAMI - It is famous for hindu and jain temples with fine sculptures and Buddist rock cut caves.
BANDIPUR - The National Park and Tiger Reserve is 76 kms from Mysore on the Mysore -Ooty road.
BANGALORE - It includes Vidhan Soudha that houses the state legislature, The Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, The Cubbon Park & Museums.
It also includes the Bull temple, Watch towers, Attara Kacheri (18 courts), karnataka folk art museum, Ulsoor lake.
BELGAUM - It includes Fort, Safa mosque, Jain temple.
BELUR - It is famous for Chennakesava temple and Verranarayana temple.
BHADRAVATHI - It is known for Lakshminarasimha temple.
BIDAR - It includes majestic fort, Madrasa of mahmud gawan, Chaubara and Nanak jhera.
BIJAPUR - It is known for the famous Gol Gumbaz which is the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah, The archaeological Museum, The Fort,
Jama Masjid (first mosque of bijapur), Assa Mahal, Gagan Mahal, Ibrahim Rauza ,Bara kaman.
CHICKMAGALUR - Places of interest in this town are Fort, Ishwara temple, St. Josephs Cathedral and Kondandarama Temple.
CHITRADURGA - This includes the Fort built by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. It also contains one of the oldest temple Hidimbeshwara temple.
DANDELI - It is an industrial centre but it is also known for the wildlife sanctuary, The Lushington and Magod waterfalls.
DEVARAYANADURGA - This is a Hill Station that includes Narasimha temple on top of the hill and one below. Narmada Chilume, a natural spring is located here.
DHARMASTALA - Hindu piligrim centre, noted for Manjunath temple. This town is sorrounded by river Nethravathi.
DHARWAD - It is an important historical and educational centre and Hubli is located around dharwad which is a centre for textile industry.
GOKARN - Famous for Hindu Piligrim Centre and Beach resort.
GULBARGA - This includes the Fort built by Raja Gulchand, The Bala Hisar (Citadel), Jami Masjid.
HALEBIDU - It includes the Hoysaleswara temple.
HAMPI - The places of interest are Vitthala Temple, Virupaksha Temple.
JOG FALLS - This is one of the highest waterfalls in the world. The falls are in four distinct cascades Raja, Rani, Roarer, Rocket.
KARWAR - Excellent beach resort and port.
KOLAR - It is known for Kolaramma Temple, Kolar betta, Makbara, Kolar gold mines.
MADIKERI - The places of interest includes The Fort, Omkareswara Temple, Abbey falls.
MANGALORE - It is well known for St. Aloysius College Chappel, Mangaladevi Temple.
MUDABIDRI -Jain piligrim centre also known as Jain Varanasi. Places of interest include Chowta palace, Karkala.
MYSORE - Places of interest include The Maharaja's palace, Chamarajendra zoological gardens, Saint Philomena's Church, Government Silk
Factory, Govt. Sandalwood Oil factory, Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, Central Food and Technological Research institute.
NAGARHOLE - The game sanctuary and the Heballa elephant camp is a must for every visitor.
NANDI HILLS - The two shiva temples here are believed to be thousand years old. Tipu's Summer Palace and Tipu's Drop are the major attractions.
SHRAVANABELAGOLA - Here the jain sage gomateswara stands on top of indragiri hills. Other places of interest include Chandragiri hill, Bhandari
basti, Jain Math.
SIVASAMUDRAM - The scenic splendour, waterfalls, and temples of the town are the major attractions.
SOMNATHPUR - It includes Sri Somnath Temple.
SRINGERI - Its a hindu piligrim centre known for Sringeri Mutt.
TALAKAVERI - Source for river Kaveri on the slopes of Brahmagiri hills.
TUMKUR - Commercial Centre. Nearby piligrim centre's include Kaidala, Kyatsandra, Devarayandurga
UDUPI - Places of interest include Malpe Beach, Manipal, Maravathe beach and surfing.
