Famous Tourist Places In Karnataka

Famous Tourist Places In Karnataka Tourism is not only known for Heritage, Beaches and Hill Station but also popular for the Temple Tourism. The temples of Karnataka forms an inevitable part of Karnataka tourism. The temples of Karnataka provide the devotees with a lot of peace and tranquillity because the temples are situated amidst picturesque location, hilltops and on the banks of rivers. It will be an everlasting and mind-blowing Temple tour experience.

Bandipur National Park
Spread in a vast area, encompassing 874 square kilometers, Bandipur National Park is a great example of Project Tiger’s conservation efforts. This tiger reserve was utilized as a private hunting reserve by the Maharaja of Mysore in the earlier times. Along with Nagarhole National Park, Mudumalai National Park and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary; it forms a part of the highly renowned Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

This whole reserve has earned acclaim due to its reputation as Southern India’s largest preserved area. A great example of Eco- conservation, the serene Bandipur National Park is situated along Karnataka’s Mysore-Ooty highway. The year 1973 heralded establishment of the beautiful Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Exquisitely managed, numerous biomes consisting of moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous forests and shrub lands flourish in the park. Home to a perfect tropical climate, its beauty is enhanced on account of the presence of many rivers.

The northern end is witness to the Kabini River and the Moyar flows through the south of the park. In addition, the enchanting Nugu River flows through it. Many endangered and vulnerable species have garnered refuge here. Stringent efforts followed regarding conservation are extremely helpful in keeping the future of various species secure. A majestic sight awaits wildlife enthusiasts when they witness mighty elephants strolling in the park or the elusive tiger hunting its prey.

Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur (Chikkamagaluru) is popularly known as Coffee Land of Karnataka and a chaming hill station of Karnataka attracts many Trekkers, honeymoon couples, explorers and nature lovers through out the year.

Chikmagalur or Chikkamagaluru literally means ‘The Town of the Younger Daughter‘. ‘Chikkamagalu’ in kannada means ‘Youger Daughter’ and ‘uru’ in kannada means ‘Town’ or ‘place’ It is said to have been given as a dowry to the younger daughter of Rukmangada, the legendary chief of Sakrepatna.

Chikmagalur comprises the taluks of Chikmagalur, Koppa, Mudigere, Sringeri, Tarikere, Kadur and Narasimharajapura.
The hill stations around Chikmagalur are famous summer retreats since they remain cool even during summers.

Gokarna
Gokarna, which means the cow’s ear, is a holysite located on the Karavali Coast nestled between the rivers of Agnashini and the Gangavali. The center is known for housing the famous Shiva Temple where the ‘Aatmalinga’ is located. It is believed that Aatmalinga of Lord Shiva is in the shape of a cow’s ear, thus giving rise to the name, Gokarna. Gokarna is hailed as one of the seven ‘Muktistalas’ or pilgrimage centers of the state ofKarnataka in India.

The best time to visit the place is during the time of Shivrathri, where a four day festival is marked by two giant chariots being pulled by several devotees and it is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Apart from the famous temple, Gokarna is blessed with secluded and pristine beaches. There are close to four beaches present in Gokarna ‑ of which Om Beach is the most famous.

Badami
Badami is an interesting place to visit inKarnataka, situated about 499 kms from Bangalore. Badami is picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills, at an altitude of 177 metres. Badami was founded by Pulakesin I and was the capital of theChalukyas, reflecting the art of Chalukyas in style, grace and strength.

One of the main highlights of this city is the natural gorge embellished with temples and gateways, leading to the city. Badami is famous for its artificial lake, ancient temples and museum. The mainattraction of Badami are the caves which are carved out of sand stone on the top of the hill and belongs to the 6th century AD. The temperature in Badami ranges from 10 to 15 degree Celsius in winters and 23 to 38 degree Celsius in summers. Badami can be visited throughout the year except in summers from the month of April to June.

Bangalore
South India’s most alive city is Bangalore. A melting point of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, the hoi polloi is charmingly mixed here. Nearly every one speaks English, even if it’s only a smattering, and everyone is aware of the privilege they’re bestowed with.

Yes, every resident of Bangalore, regardless of where they’re from, takes immense pride in their address. Malls, parks, pubs, theatre, cafes, art galleries, palaces – at any given point, Bangalore is buzzing and alive with activity.

Shravanabelagola
Northwest of Bangalore, the Capital ofKarnataka. The town is a prominent center for Jaina Art, Architecture, religion and culture for over 2,300 years. It is a town of ponds and temples. The name of this holy center is derived from the pond called ‘bili-gola’ (white pond) between two hills. The largest number of Digamber jam Basadis in India is foundat Shravanabelagola. This apart, largest number of rock inscriptions, concentrated at a single center is found here. The temple on the Chikkabetta – Chandragiri, is known as Chandragupta Basadi dedicated to Emperor ChandraguptaMaurya. This was originally built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3 Century B.C..

The 57 ft. (17.5 mtr.) tall magnificient monolithic statue of Gommateshwara Bhagawan Bahubali was consecrated by Chavundaraya, the Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief in the Talakad Ganga Kingdom in 981 A.D.
Shravanabelagola is a historical temple town and pilgrimage centre in Karnataka, located in South India. This small town boasts of the largest number of Digambara temples as well as the largest number of inscriptions in the country.The cynosure of the centuries, Gommateshwara towers in his 57 feet solitary serene splendour, over the surrounding countryside. This freestanding monolithic statue, which crowns the 438 feet high present- day Indragiri orVindhyagiri, hewn out of granite is the largest of its kind in the world. Majority scholastic opinion dates its consecration by Chavundaraya, a general of the Ganga dynasty, to 981 A.D. He was inspired by his mother Kalala Devi. The statue was executed in 12 years by Mahashilpi Arishtanemi. Earlier Indragiri, with 647 steps, was called ‘Per-Kalbappu’ (Large-Kalbappu) or Dodda Betta. There are 7 types of monuments – eight small and large temples, four mantaps, two ponds, five gateways or fortresses, three pillars, two arches and 172 inscriptions. These, in Kannada, Sanskrti, Marvadi Mahajani, Tamil and Marathi, date from the late 10th to 19th cent A.D.

Bahubali was the son of Adinatha, the first in the line of the 24 Jam threerthankaras. Rishaba Adinatha, on embarking on his spiritual quest, bequeathed his capital city of Ayodhya to his eldest son Bharata. Paudanapura went to Bahubali, the younger son. Bharata ventured on an ambitious course of annexation, in his desire to don the mantle of the paramount emperor of his age.
Bahubali refused to accept his elder brother’s suzerainty. Wiser counsel of elder ministers averted a battle between the kingdoms, which would have let to colossal loss of lives. Instead, Bharata and Bahubali were to engage in a duel. This probably was the first instance in human history of voluntary disarmament, avoiding unnecessary bloodshed. In all three different types of fight (drishti yuddha, malla yuddb) hubali was the victor. As a last resort Bharata unleashed his lethal weapon – the chakra. To the amazement of the entire assemblage, the chakra circled Bahubali and settled at his right side.

In this moment of supreme victory, Bahubali was struck by the frailty of fortune and the hollowness of desires, which even led to fraternal conflicts over mere worldly possessions. In an act of unsurpassed renunciation he abandoned everything but his soul. Observing the severest of austerities, he stood in meditation in Kayotsarga pose for one full year, forsaking food and water. Such was his penance that anthills grew at his feet and as sculpted in the statue, tendrils – madhava latha – twirled around his arms. Thus he attained the state of Kevali Arihantha – perfect and complete knowledge about the universe, without undergoing any preparatory stages in previous lives, which is mandatory for attaining such transcendent realisation. The acme of manly perfection in physique, had now sublimated into godhood. ‘Gommata’ in Kannada, which means ‘huge’ thus gave birth to Gommateshwara Bhagawan or Sri Bahubali Swami.

Opposite Indragiri is the Chikka Betta (small hill) or Kalbappu, now called Chandragiri, the abode to the historic Bhadrabahu Basadi and ChandraguptaBasadi. This 200 feet high hill with 192 steps also treasures the imprint of Bhadrabahu’s feet, the revered jam monk, who was the teacher and spiritual guid of the Mauryan Emperor Chandragupta. There was 18 temples dating from 9th cent. A.D. to as recent as the bearing Dravidian architectural features. A historic inscription dated circa 600 the earliest in the country to refer to the migration of Jams to the south, the famine in Ujjain, to the role of Bhadrabahu in safeguarding the Sangha. Wri Sanskrit, another of the earliest, refers to Chandragupta. It also has the records of 92 deaths by Samadhi of Jam monks..

‘Bili-gola’ (white pond) nestling between the two hills, became Belgola, and consistently used between 650 A.D. and 1889 A.D. Shramana or Shravana after Digambar (naked) monks used this place, was added to form Shravanabelagola. Apart froe there are two ponds on Vindhyagiri, three on Chandragiri, there are ponds or tanks near almost every monument. There is no record of construction of ponds before time of Gangaraja (early 12th cent.). There are 7 temples in the town and — more in Jinanathapura and surrounding areas. The foundation of Jmnanathapura a northern foot of Chandragiri was undertaken by Gangaraja in 1117. The Santivara Basadi located here, is the most ornate of the Hoysala Basadis in Karnataka.

Mysore
Mysore is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka, and the administrative seat of Mysore District, one of the largest districts in Karnataka. Patrons of art and culture the Wodeyars ruled Mysore kingdom and contributed significantly to the cultural growth of Mysore city. Mysore was the former capital of the Kingdom of Mysore until 1947. Mysore is the name by which Karnataka State was known prior to 1973.

Mysore is located at 770 m above sea level at 12.18° N 76.42° E and is 140 km from Bangalore, the state capital. It covers an area of 128.42 Sq. Km. having City Municipal Corporation since 1977. The population of the city is 8,87,446 consisting of 4,62,617 males and 4,24,849 of females according to the census of 2011.
Mysore, the cultural capital of the Karnataka state, has many educational, commercial, administrative centers and heritage monuments. It was the home for many great musicians, music composers, dancers, Sanskrit scholars, writers and in general intellectuals.

The city with the majestic Mysore Palace, the royal mansions, public buildings, gardens, water bodies and planned markets exhibit an indelible impression of the vision of the Maharajas, their Dewans and other talented luminaries on the City Municipality as early as 1862. The total harmony of buildings, sites, lakes, parks and open spaces of Mysore and the back drop of Chamundi hill adds to city’s attraction.

Mysore is called the City of Palaces as a number of palaces are situated in the city. Ambavilas Palace, the main palace of Mysore is one of the most visited monuments in India, even beating Taj Mahal. Mysore is a tourism hot spot and also acts as a base for other tourist places in the vicinity of the city. The city receives the maximum number of tourists during the Dasara festival which signifies the triumph of good over the evil and the worship of Devi Chamundeswari, is being celebrated with much pomp and glory as a State festival.

Chitradurga Fort
The well-maintained ruins of sprawling Chitradurga Fort are a hidden, lesser-known gem in the heart of the Deccan Plateau northwest of Bangalore, on the way to Hampi. Much of the fort was built by the Palegar Nayakas between the 15th and 18th centuries.

It was later expanded by Hyder Ali, who defeated the Nayakas. Its rocky landscape on a granite hill is peppered with boulders and valleys. Notable features include seven circular walls, 19 gateways, 35 secret entrances, four invisible passages, 2,000 watchtowers, 18 temples in the upper fort, and a hugetemple in the lower fort.