Mahamastakabhisheka of Gommateshwara statue (the largest ancient monolithic statue in the world), at Shravanabelagola
Virupaksha Temple Hampi

Karnataka, the sixth largest state in India, has been ranked as the third most popular state in the country for tourism in 2014.[1][2] [3] It is home to 507 of the 3600 centrally protected monuments in India, second only to Uttar Pradesh.[4] The State Directorate of Archaeology and Museums protects an additional 752 monuments and another 25,000 monuments are yet to receive protection.[5]

The ancient sculptured temples, modern cities, hill ranges, forests and beaches are some tourism centers. Broadly, tourism in Karnataka is divided into four geographical regions: North Karnataka, the Hill Stations, Coastal Karnataka and South Karnataka.

The Karnataka government has introduced The Golden Chariot – a train which connects popular tourist destinations in the state and Goa.

The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation is the governmental body that works to promote tourism in Karnataka.[6]

Different tourist places in Karnataka. ()

North Karnataka

Distance from major cities of Karnataka to North Karnataka
North Karnataka Region Tourism
Gol Gumbaz Bijapur

North Karnataka has monuments that date back to the 5th century. Kannada royal capitals are also present here. Monuments constructed by the Badami Chalukyas monuments are located at Pattadakal, Aihole and Badami. Aihole has been called the cradle of Indian architecture[7] and has over 125 temples and monuments built between 450 and 1100 CE. Rashtrakuta monuments at Lokapura, Bilgi and Kuknur and Kalyani Chalukyas monuments built in Gadag style of architecture[8][9] at Lakkundi, Gadag, Itagi (in Koppal District) and the Vijayanagar empire temples at Vijayanagara are some examples. Hampi in Bellary district has ruins spread over an area of 125 km2. There are fifty four world heritage monuments and six hundred and fifty national monuments (ASI). An additional three hundred monuments await protection. The Deccan sultanate monuments at Bijapur and Gulbarga show unique and discreet Hindu influences, and rival the Muslim monuments of North India. Archeologically important locations like Sannati, Kanaganahalli in Kalaburagi district have thrown more light on Buddhist centers of the 1st century BCE to 3rd century CE. The first ever statue of emperor Ashoka with his queens and a Prakrit inscription Rayo Ashoka (ASI) has been found.

Badami surroundings important locations are Kudalasangama, Aihole, Pattadakal, Mahakuta and Banashankari.

Hampi surroundings region, they can be visited from Hampi/Hosapete, or from Hubli. There are Kuknur, Itagi, Gadag, Lakkundi, Dambal, Haveri, Kaginele, Bankapura.

Utsav Rock Garden, a museum in the Haveri district, features a cultural heritage and educational tourist center. It is notable for having over 2000 sculptures relating to the depiction of rural life.

World heritage centres

Mallikarjuna and Kasivisvanatha temples at Pattadakal
  • Hampi, Bellary district:[10] The site of the capital of Vijayanagara (1336) and formerly the seat of the Vijayanagar Empire. Foreign visitors in the 15th and 16th centuries described Hampi as being bigger than Rome. The city was destroyed and deserted in 1565 by marauding Moghul invaders and its ruins now lie scattered over a 26 sq. km area south of the river Tungabhadra. The rocky area near Anegundi to the north of the river has been identified as Kishkindha of Ramayana times. Hampi is home to a 29-foot-tall (8.8 m) monolithic Narasimha, which was installed by Krishnadevaraya in 1529. The remains of palaces and gateways can be seen.
  • Group of 8th-century CE monuments, Pattadakal:[11] Located on the banks of the river Malaprabha, Pattadakal was the second capital of the Chalukyas and contains examples of 7th- and 8th-century temple architecture. Four temples are in the south Indian Dravidian style, four in the North Indian Nagara style and the last one, the Papanatha temple represents a hybrid of the two styles. The oldest temples are the Sangameshwara, Mallikarjuna and Virupaksha Temples.

Historical locations

Chalukya

Ravana Phadi cave at Aihole near Pattadakal
Cave temple 3 Badami
Brahma Jinalaya, Lakkundi
Someshwara temple at Lakshmeshwar, North Karnataka
Doddabasappa Temple at Dambal, Gadag district
Trikuteshwara Temple complex at Gadag
Galaganatha Galageshwara temple, Haveri District, North Karnataka
Panchakuta Basadi
  • Aihole:[12] a former Chalukya trading city. There are around 140 temples including examples of early Chalukya, Rashtrakuta and later Chalukya dynasties from the 6th to 12th centuries. It has a Jain and Vedic rock-cut shrine, both of about the 6th century. It has a Durga temple and pictures of the Tirthankaras. The meguti on a slope is a jaina basti with a Buddhist two-story rock-cut shrine below it and an Aihole inscription from Pulakeshin 2 above it. All the other Jain and Buddhist temples are built of stone and resemble Hindu temples. The temples were built during the Middle Ages before any style was established and hence there is a mixture of styles.
  • Badami:[13][14] the capital of the early Chalukyas in the 6th century, is at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills. The town is known for its cave temples (all carved out of sandstone hills). Badami have four caves, the cave temple dedicated to Vishnu is the largest. In front of the cave temple, there is a reservoir called Aghastya Teertha dotted with temples on its bank. Among them, two are dedicated to Vishnu, one to Shiva and the fourth is a Jain Temple. Carvings in the cave temples display the Hindu gods, Narashima and Hari Hara. The temples also have paintings on the ceiling and bracket figures on the piers.
  • Basavana Bagewadi: It is 43 east of Bijapur. In the 12th century, Saint Basaveshwara was born here. It was an agrahara. The main temple here is in the Chalukya style and it was called as Sangamantha in records. The Samadhis of Siddharameshwara and Gurupadeshwara of the Inchageri school of spiritual pursuit are seen here.
  • Basavakalyana,[15] Bidar District: former capital of the Later Chalukyas. It has an old fort renovated by the Bahamani containing an Archaeological Museum. Few Chalukya or Kalachuri remains exist except the Chalukya Narayanapur temple in the outskirts of the town. There is a modern Basaveshwara temple, Prabhudevara Gadduge, Jurist of the Kalyani Chalukyas period. Vijnaneshwara's Cave, Madivala Machiah's Pond, Akka Nagamma's Cave, fully renovated Siddheshwara temple and a new structure called Anubhava Mantapa, the Qaji's mosque and Raja Bagh Sawar Dargah.
  • Annigeri (30 km from Hubli): It has an Amriteshwara temple of the time of the Kalyani Chalukyas. It was the birthplace of great Kannada Poet Pampa and there is a Jain basadi of Parshwanatha. It was once a headquarters of Belvola-300. It was the capital of Chalukya Someshwara 4. In addition to Veerashaiva Mathas; there is a ruined Banashankari Temple and seven mosques and also an ancient Veerabhadra temple.
  • Bankapura (80 km from Dharwad): Under Chalukya many temples were raised in the city including the Nagareshwara temple in the fort and another chalukya temple called Siddheshwara. Ali Adilshahi destroyed many temples in about 1567. There is a mosque in the fort.
  • Dambal (21 km from Gadag): It was a Buddhist centre. There are two notable chalukya temples called Doddabasappa Temple and Somewshwara Temple. Doddabassapa as polygonal star shaped temple garbhagriha and fine sculptural representations and huge nandi Temple. Someshwara could have been an old basati. The temple has a 400-year-old vast tank. There is an old Ganapathi image in an old ruined fort with a similar statue in a small shrine.
  • Haveri: This town has the Siddheshvara Temple, built in the 12th century. It is situated in the heart of the city of Haveri, inside the garden.
  • Gadag: A twin city municipality 55 km from Hubli-Dharward. It is a great centre of Kalyani Chalukyas art with the large Trikuteshwara temple. It has the Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara temple is situated at Venkatapura Taluk near Sortur, Gadag District. The Temple was renovated by Brahmananda Swami, a devotee of Gondavalekar Maharaj, a sage from Gondavale. It was later expanded by Kalyani Chalukyas into a vast complex.[16] The complex has triple shrines once housing Shiva, Brahma and Surya. The Saraswathi temple has shining decorative pillars, and a Saraswathi image that is notable as one of the largest examples of Chalukya art. The place has Someshwara and Rameshwara temples of Chalukya style. It has a Veeranarayana temple of Chalukya times.

Rashtrakuta dynasty

Kadamba dynasty

Large domical ceiling in the main hall at Tarakeshwara temple Hangal

The second capital of the Kadambas of Banavasi. The huge Bhuvaraha Narasimha temple has tall images of Varaha, Narasimha, Narayana and Surya. Halasi has a fort and temples of Gokarneshswara, Kapileshwara, Swarneshwara and Hatakeshwara.

Hanagal was the capital of Hangal Kadambas, feudatories of Kalyani Chalukyas. It was mentioned as Panungal in records and identified by tradition with Viratanagara of Mahabharatha days. It is on the left bank of the Dharma River. The Tarakeshwara temple here is a huge structure with series of images and polished tall Chalukya pillars. The other temples are Virabhadra, Billeshwara and Ramalinga etc. There is a Veerashaiva Kumaraswamy Matha here.

Banavasi was the capital of Kadambas. The place is on the bank of the Varada river and its laterite fort is surrounded by the river at its three sides. Ashoka is said to have sent his missionaries to 'Vanavasa'. Banavasi also contains Buddhist brick monuments. Chutu prince Nagashri built a Buddhist Vihara, a tank and installed a Naga image at the place according to a Prakrit record at the place. There is also a monument at Banavasi, Mudhukeshvara temple and also Kadamba Nagara Shikhara is seen on the garbhagriha of this temple. Records here indicate that Buddhism and Jainism were popular.

Deccan Sultanates

Jumma Masjid at Lakshmeshwar, North Karnataka
  • Bijapur:[18] The former capital of the Adil Shahi Kings (1489–1686). Gol Gumbaz[19] is the mausoleum of Muhammed Adil Shah and was built in 1659. It houses the world's second largest dome, unsupported by pillars. Malik-e-Maidan is a 55-ton cannon perched on a platform. The head of the cannon is fashioned into the shape of a lion whose jaws are trying to devour an elephant.
  • Bidar:[20] a centre for Bidriware. It is the location of the tombs of 30 rulers including the Chaukhandi of Hazrat Khalil-Ullah Shah and Sultan Ahmed Shah Al Wali Bahamani from the Bahamani dynasty.
  • Gulbarga
  • Raichur
  • Lakshmeshwar: The Jumma Masjid, built during the rule of Adilshahi, has a large crowning onion dome and Koranic scripture written in gold.

Rattas

  • Saundatti: The town proper has a fort on the hill built during the 17th century, by Sirasangi Desai, with eight bastions. It was the capital of Rattas who later shifted their headquarters to Belgaum. There are two temples of Ankeshwara, Puradeshwara, Mallikarjuna, Venkateshwara and the Veerabhadra. The Renukasagar waters touch the outskirts of Saundatti. Tourist attractions of this region are Hooli Panchalingeshwara temple, Renuka (Yallamma) temple, Saundatti Fort, Parasgad Fort, Navilateertha.

    Jain Basadis

    Kamal Basadi

    Jainism has a long history in Karnataka. Belgaum District has the Kamala basadi in Chalukya style in the Belgaum Fort. The ancient centre Tavanidi near Nippani and newly created centre at Shedbal, where 24 Tirthankaras in white marble have been installed in a cluster.

    The Chalukyas of Badami built cave temples at Badami, Pattadkal and Aihole. Puligere was a strong centre of religious activities of the Jain monks during this era.

    Lakkundi in Gadag District has a large Brahma Jinalaya of Chalukya style, built by a noble lady, Attimabbe.

    Navagraha Jain Temple at Varur near Hubli is one of the major pilgrimage. The temple features a 61 feet (18.6 m) tall monolithic idol of the Shri 1008 Bhagavan Parshvanatha and the smaller statues of the other 8 Jain teerthankaras.

    Buddhist temples

    Shiva temples

    Kudalasangama in Bagalkot district

    Gokarna is an all-India centre where the Atmalinga (Mahabaleshwara) of Shiva, brought by Ravana is believed to have been installed. Nearby is Murdeshwar where a huge modern Shiva temple in the Dravidian Style has been raised, renovating an ancient shrine. Both the places are on the sea-shore in Uttara Kannada. At Hampi is the Virupaksha Temple, venerated by generations of poets, scholars, kings and commoners.

    The Shiva temple at Kudalasangama in Bagalkot District is associated with Saint Basaveshwara. Equally remarkable pieces of art are the Virupaksha and the Mallikarjuna at Pattadakal in Bagalkote.

    The Veerashaivas have many venerated places, either associated with Basaveshwara or his contemporaries. Basavana Bagewadi was his place of birth and Kudala Sangama the place of his spiritual practices, are in Bijapur and Bagalkot dts. The latter is at the confluence of the river Krishna and the Malaprabha. Basava Kalyana (Kalyani), the ancient Chalukya capital in Bidar District was the place where he conducted his socio-religious movement. Ulavi in Uttara Kannada, a quiet place amidst forests, has the samadhi of Chennabasavanna, Basaveshwara's nephew. Belgami (Balligavi), the Chalukya art centre in Shimoga dt. is identified as the birthplace of Allama Prabhu and Uduthadi near it, is the native place of Akka Mahadevi. Later Veerashaiva saints are associated with many places. Kodekal (Gulbarga dt.) Basavanna temple, Kadakola Madivallajja Matha, Sharana Basaveshwara temple and Dasoha Math at Gulbarga are few more places of worship.

    Athani has the samadhi of the Veerashaiva Saint Shivayogi. Some of the outstanding Veerashaiva Mathas are seen at Naganur near Bailhongal and Kalmatha in Belgaum, Durudundeshwara Matha at Arabhavi and Mahantaswamy Matha at Murgod are in Belgaum dt. Murugha Matha (Dharwad), Annadaneshwara Matha (Mundargi), Tontadarya Matha at Gadag and Dambal, Moorusavira Matha at Hubli, Murugha Matha and Hukkeri Matha (Haveri), Taralabalu Matha at Sirigere, Murugharajendra Matha at Chitradurga, Banthanala Shivajogi Matha at Chadachan and Mahantaswamy Matha (Ilkal) are equally notable. The samadhi of Sharanabasappa Appa at Gulbarga.

    Shakti Sthala

    The following places are visited by devotees of Shakti

    Temple tanks

    Mahakuta Temple tank near Badami

    Coastal Karnataka

    Aerial view of Malpe beach near Udupi

    Coastal Karnataka is the stronghold of Hindu and Jain pilgrimage spots with Udupi and its many temples being the centre of Dvaita philosophy, Gokarna is known for Vedic studies, Sringeri has the first of the Shankaracharya mathas and is important for its Advaita philosophy, Karkala and Mudabidri are well known places of Jain worship and Vaishnava rituals. Exquisite Vijayanagar temples built in Chalukya – Malabar region combinational style are seen in Bhatkal, Kumta, Shirali etc. The warm beaches of Karnataka are mostly unspoiled.

    Jamboti, 20 km south-west of Belgaum, has popular evergreen hilltop forests.

    Karnataka is blessed with over 300 km of pristine coastal stretch. Netrani Island of Uttara Kannada is known for coral reefs. St. Mary's Island, a few kilometres from Udupi has basalt rock formations. Sunny beaches at places like Malpe, Murdeshwar, Maravanthe, Gokarna, Kumta have spectacular mountains to the east. Agumbe, Kodachadri hills, Kemmangundi, are just a few of many hill stations that straddle the coast providing tourists sun and greenery. Unlike many crowded hill stations in South India, the hill stations of Karnataka are still mostly undiscovered and pristine.

    Om beach, near Gokarna, North Karnataka
    • Gokarna: The Coastal town of Gokarna is a pilgrimage centre as well as a centre of Sanskrit learning, 56 km from Karwar. It has the Mahabaleswar Temple with the 'Atmalinga' dedicated to Shiva. There is an enormous chariot, which is taken out in a procession on Shiva's birthday in February. The Tambraparni Teertha here is considered sacred to perform obsequies of the dead. There is a beach called Om Beach.
    • Udupi: One of the holy place and it is 58 km from Mangalore. The Krishna temple here is founded by Acharya Madhwa during the 14th century. He founded eight mathas to conduct the services of Lord Krishna in turns. Paryaya festival is held once in two years in January. The place has Kadiyali Durga temple, Ambalapadi Shakti temple, Raghavendra Matha and the Venkataraman swamy temple. Malpe is the port near here. It has a beach and the Vadabhandeshwara temple of Balarama.
    • Thantrady : One of the holy place and it is 22 km from Udupi. The brammasthana temple here founded by sri Ramanna bairy. It was an astabanda bramha. The main archaka of this temple is Nagaraj bairy.
    Chaturmukha Basadi, Karkala
    • Karkala: 50 km from Mangalore and 20 km from North of Moodabidire, is Karkala, an important centre of Jainism. There are several temples and a 17 metres high statue of Bahubali (Gomateshwara), situated on a small hill. The statue is a naked figure reached by a flight of rock-cut steps. Some of the temples are Chaturmukha Basti (1587), Neminatha Basti, Ananthapadmanabha Temple (1567) dedicated to Vishnu, and Venkataramana temple (Padutirupathi).
    • Venur: Situated 50 km NE of Mangalore, has eight Bastis and ruins of a Mahadeva temple. The largest of them is the 17C Kalli Basti, dedicated to Shantinatha. There is a Gommateshwara Monolith, 11metres high dating back to 1604 in Venur.
    • Malpe Beach: Situated 66 km north of Mangalore, near Manipal.[21] It has a tourist beach. The uninhibited St. Mary's Island, accessible by boat, has a beach and an impressive geological formation of basalt rock pillars into the sea.
    • Dharmastala: Situated 75 km from Mangalore, Dharmastala is an attractive site surrounded by forested hills, rice fields and by the river Netravati on all sides. The Manjunatha temple here is a pilgrim centre. A Monolithic statue of Bahubali 14metres high was erected here in 1973. Visitors are provided with free boarding and lodging by the temple authorities. There is a small museum, Manjusha Museum located opposite to the temple. There are two temple chariots covered in wooden figures and all types of religious objects including carved and painted panels, bronze sculptures and bells.
    • Kollur, 147 km from Mangalore: The temple of goddess Mookambika is located here on top of Kodachadri hill, at the foot of the Western Ghats. The goddess takes the form of a 'Jyotirlinga' incorporating aspects of Shiva and Shakti. It is a pilgrimage centre attracting lot of devotees.
    Saavira Kambada Basadi, Moodabidri
    • Moodabidre: Situated 35 km from Mangalore, Moodabidire has Jain temples known as Basti's. There are 18 Bastis, the oldest and the largest is the Chandranatha Basti (1429) with its 1000 pillared hall. 'The Jain Matha' near the entrance has an important collection of manuscripts. Other shrines worthy of mention are Shantinatha, Settara, Derama Setti Basti, Guru Basti, Kote and Vikrama Setti Basti.
    • Bhatkal: located 135 km from Karwar was the main port of Vijayanagar empire in the 16th century. The ancient town has temples of Vijayanagar style and many Jain monuments. The 17th-century Hindu temple here in Vijayanagar style has animal carvings. 16 km away is the shore temple of Shri Murdeshwar. The temple attracts a lot of devotees and tourists.
    • Honnavar: situated 90 km from Karwar, has a Portuguese fort. There is also a fort in Basavaraja Durga Island, amidst the sea which can be reached by a sail upstream on river Sharavathi.
    • Ankola: Located 37 km south of Karwar, is a small town with 15th-century ruined walls of King Sarpamalika's fort and the ancient Shri Venketaraman Temple. Near the temple there are two giant wooden chariots carved with scenes from the Ramayana.
    Giant Shiva statue at Murdeshwar
    • Murdeshwar: The Murdeshwar Temple in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka now possesses at 249-feet Raja Gopura. The Murdeswar temple complex is renowned for the tallest idol of Lord Shiva in the world, which is 123 feet. The latest addition to the temple, thanks to Mr. RN Shetty an entrepreneur and philanthropist, is the Rajagopuram, which was opened on 12 April 2008. Its Gopuram is regarded as exceptionally tall.
    The Rajagopuram of Murdeswar Temple has 21 floors, including the ground floor. The base measures 105 feet in length and 51 feet breadth. The gopura also possess a lift and visitors can go to the top and have an aerial view of the Arabian Sea and the statue of Lord Shiva. Another highlight is the life-size statues of two elephants at the base of the gopura.
    World's tallest Siva idol: The highlights of Murdeshwar lie beyond its beach and rural flair. On a little green hill, a 37 m (or 123 feet) Lord Shiva idol sits enthroned, surrounded by smaller statues illustrating moments of the Hindu mythology

    Beaches

    Karwar has a number of beaches like the Blue Lagoon Beach and Ladies Beach. Rabindranath Tagore described his experiences at Karwar beach in his poetry. Om beach, Murdeshwar are other notable beaches of Uttara Kannada Dist. The Nethrani Island near Murdeshwar. Basavaraja Durga near Honavar is an island fort raised by the Keladi Rulers during 16th and 17th centuries. It is surrounded by a strong fortification raised by gigantic laterite blocks and the hill has a flat top. Devagad and Kurmagad are two islands near Karwar. {Nirvana beach} at Kagal village of Kumta is a 5 km long beach in one stretch with white sand and transparent water in the month of December till March. The entire beach coastline is covered by Casuarina and coconut trees.

    Planetarium

    South Karnataka

    Gommaṭeśvara statue at Shravanabelagola

    South Karnataka is a unique combination of spectacular vesara style Hoysala architecture, colossal Jain monuments, colonial buildings and palaces of the Kingdom of Mysore, impregnable fort at Chitradurga and densely forested wildlife sanctuaries that offer some of the best eco-tourism available in the country. Belur, Halebidu in Hassan District, Somnathpura in Mysore District, Belavadi, Kalasa and Amrithapura in Chikmagalur District, Balligavi in Shimoga District offer some of the best of Hoysala architecture dating from the 11th to 13th centuries, while Shravanabelagola in Hassan district and Kambadahalli in Mandya District have well known 10th-century Jain monuments. Scenic forests and the high density of wild animals of this region are a popular attraction for those interested in the wilder side of life. Bandipur National Park, Nagarahole, Biligirirangan Hills, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary and Bannerghatta national parks are a few popular places for jungle safaris.

    The river Kaveri flows east from Kodagu District and along its way one finds important tourist destinations like Shivanasamudra and nearby Sivasamudram Falls,

    Srirangapattana and Melkote etc. Mysuru, the cultural capital of the state is home to palaces, colonial buildings and cultural activities including Carnatic music, theatre. Bengaluru the capital is a cosmopolitan city with parks, pubs, restaurants, shopping and fast-paced technology-rich lifestyle.

    Chennakesava Temple
    • Mandya: is a city, Sugar factories contribute majorly to the economy of the city. The Mandir of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba popular amongst local Sai Devotees as Mandyada Shri Shiradi Sai Baba Mandir is situated at B.Gowdagere, Gejjalagere village amidsts picturesque natural surrounding in Mandya District of Karnataka. The Mandir is situated at a distance of about 9.3 kilometers from Maddur town and about 12 kilometers from Mandya Town on Bangalore-Mysore State Highway. All the buses playing on Bangalore-Mysore route stops at B.Gowdagere Sai Baba Mandir Entrance situated on the highway. The temple is situated at a distance of just 1 kilometre from the main road. The Mandir is lovingly addressed by everyone as "Namma Tatathana Mane" (Our Grand Father's Home).
    • Belur: Home to the Hoysala temple complex. The Chennakeshava temple here was completed in 1116 by Hoysala Vishnuvardhana. The image is 3.7 m tall and the temple standing on a platform has exquisite plastic art work on its outer walls and bracket figures of dancing girls in various poses in perfect proportion. There are shrines of Kappe Chenniga Andal, Saumya Nayaki etc. The temple here is a classic example of Hoysala art, and Belur was one of the Hoysala Capitals.
    Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu
    Parshvanatha Basadi, Halebidu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
    • Halebidu: It is 27 km from Hassan, was capital of Hoysala and it was formerly called as Dwarasamudra. It has one of the finest Hoysala temples said to have been started by Ketamalla, a commander of Vishnuvardhana in 1121. The twin Shiva Temples, Hoysaleswara Temple and Kedareshwara Temple with a common platform and two garbhagrihas, one houses for Vishnuvardhana Hoysaleshwara Linga and the other for Shanthaleshwara Linga. In front of Hoysaleshwara is the Nandimantapa and behind that is shrine of Surya with a two-meter-tall image. Outer walls have rows of intricate figures narrating episodes from epics like Ramyana, Mahabartha, and Bhagavata. There are also three Jain basadis equally rich in architecture. The temples are proposed to be listed under UNESCO World Heritage Sites.[23]
    • Arasikere: It is 41 km from Hassan and 176 km from Bangalore. It has coconut gardens. There is a Kattameshwara temple here which is also called Chandramoulishwara and referred to as Kalmeshwara in the records. It is a fine Hoysala monument with a rare polygonal frontal Mantapa with special design. There is a fine Haluvokkalu Temple and also a Sahasrakuta Jinalaya. Malekal Tirupathi near Arasikere has a venkataramana temple visited by many devotees.
    • Aralaguppe: There is a Kalleshwara temple in the Ganga-Nalamba style of the 9th century. Its ceiling has a dancing Shiva sculpture with musical accompanists and eight Dikpalas surrounding him with all their paraphernalia. There is a Chennakeshava temple of the Hoysala style. An image of Vishnu lies in the garbhagriha. There are four Ganga temples.
    • Madhugiri: It is 43 km from Tumkur and has a large hill fort. The ancient name of the place is Maddagiri. It has the temples of Venkataramana and Malleshwara built by Vijayanagara feudatories. There is also a Mallinatha basadi. The fort has gateways called Antaralada Bagilu, Diddibagilu, Mysore Gate etc. 19 km from here is another hill fort called Midigeshi.
    • Madikeri or Mercara: Known as Scotland of India, Mercara known for its climate. It has many places of attraction such as Tala Cauvery, Nagarahole National Park, Abbe Water Falls, St. Mark's Church, Bagamandala, Cauvery Nisargadhama, Belegiri Hills, Thadiyanda Murali Kund, Igguthappa Temple, Irupu Falls And Coffee & Tea Estates.
    Gumbaz, Srirangapatna
    • Srirangapattana: It is 14 km from Mysore & it is an island in between two branches of the Cauvery. It was also the capital of the Mysore rulers. There is a Ranganath temple here. The fort here was built in 1454. The Mysore rules made it their capital in 1610 in the days of Raja Wodeyar, who took it from the Vijayanagara Governor. The Ranganatha temple is called Adi Ranga. Ganjam has Dariya Daulat palace of Tipu and Gumbaz, the mausoleum of Haider and Tipu. Both are impressive structures of Indo-Saracenic style. The palace has paintings, fine woodwork and it houses a museum.
    • Melukote: It is a religious centre which attracts lakhs of people during its annual feast Vairamudi. The temple was reconstructed in the Hoysala style by Visnuvardhana with the guidance of Ramanujacharya, a Visistadvaitist, in the 11th century. There are Cheluvanarayanaswamy temple, Kalyani, Hill shrine of Lord Narasimha, Thottilamadu, Dhanuskoti, Academy of Sanskrit Research and many more to visit. The nearest tourist places are Thondanur, Srirangapatna, Karigatta, Nagamangala etc.,
    • Mahadeshwara Betta: It is 220 km from Bangalore and 142 km from Mysore. It is very close to eastern Ghats. It is said that a saint called Mahadeshwara, who could ride a tiger, lived and had his gadduge here during the 14th and 15th centuries. The hill is full of thick forests and thousands of pilgrims visit the place.
    • Talakadu: A Holy place on the banks of the Cauvery. It is full of sands, carried by the wind from the dried bed of the river. It was the second capital of the Gangas. They built the Pataleshwara and the Maruleshwara templeshere. Hoysala Vishnuvardhana built Kirti Narayana temple.
    Temple complex on Chandragiri hill, Shravanabelagola
    Akkana Basadi
    • Bhadravathi: It is an industrial town in Shimoga district 256 km away from Bangalore, which was earlier known as "Benkipura". There is a 13th-century Lakshminarayan Temple in Hoysala style. An iron and steel works, a cement factory and a paper factory are located on the banks of Bhadra river.
    • Ikkeri: It was a capital town of the Keladi Nayakas from 1512, and a place is 2 km from Sagara City. The Aghoreshwara temple is a 16th-century monument of great attraction. There is also a Paravathi temple nearby. Keladi is another place nearby, the original capital. It has the Rameshwara and Veerabhadra temples. There is also a museum.
    • Sravanabelgola: It has a statue of Lord Bahubali. The place is an important Jain pilgrimage center and has a long history. The 17 meter high statue of Bahubali is said to be the tallest monolithic structure in the world. It overlooks the small town of Shravanbelgola from the top of the rocky hill known as Indragiri. One can reach this hill after ascending 614 rock-cut steps.
    • Somnathpura: It is the home to one of the best examples of Hoysala temple architecture, the Kesava Temple.
    Chennakesava Temple (Rear view), Somanathapura
    • Jog Falls: the highest waterfalls in India, is located about 30 km from Sagara City, Karnataka. The Sharavati river drops 253 metres in 4 separate falls known as Rani-the Rocket and Raja-the Roarer. The highest is the Raja with the fall of 253 metres and a pool below 40metres deep. The best time to visit is Late November to early January. The 50 km long Hirebhasgar Reservoir and the Linganamkki dam regulates the flow of the Sharavati river to generate the hydro electricity.
    • Mekedatu: It is a picnic spot by the river Cauvery. It tumbles down through a deep ravine, on top of which is a chasm around 5 meters wide. Mekedatu is on Kanakapura Road.
    • Hesaraghatta: Hesaraghatta has an artificial lake, a dairy and a horticulture farm. Boating and windsurfing are the other attractions. Also here is the Nrityagrama where young dancers are trained in all disciplines of traditional dance.
    • Shivagange: A hill with four faces, rising to a height of 4599 ft looks like a Nandi from the East, Ganesh from the West, A Linga from the South and Cobra with it hood spread from the North side. It is accessible by road.
    • Shivanasamudram: The waterfalls, the Ganganchukki and the Bharachukki, cascade down 90 meters. These falls are the source of Asia's first Hydro Electric Power Station called "Shimsa". The falls are in full splendour during July–August. The falls are 122 km from Bangalore.
    • Hogenakkal Falls: These are also known as the 'smoking rocks' because of the mist. At the bottom of the 90 ft water falls, one can ride in a coracle.
    • Devarayanadurga: This is a hill station of Tumkur road perched at a height of 3940 feet. A few kilometres from foot of the hills is a natural spring called Namada Chilume.

    Palaces

    Mysore Palace

    Forts

    In Karnataka there are thousands of Forts, in Kannada called as Kote or Gad or Durga.

    Mirjan Fort in Uttara Kannada District in North Karnataka

    The Forts in Karnataka are belongs to various dynasties, some of them are more than thousand years old.

    Botanical and Rock gardens

    • Lalbagh
    • Brindavan Gardens
    • Cubbon Park
    • The Botanical Garden, University of Agricultural Sciences
    • Karnataka University Botany Garden, Karnataka University
    • Pampavana Garden, Munirabad
    • University of Mysore Botanic Garden, University of Mysore
    • Curzon Park, Mysore
    • Nishat Baugh, Mysore
    • Forest Research Centre Botanic Garden
    • Utsav Rock Garden, Shiggaon: Sculptural Garden located near NH-4 Pune-Bangalore road, Gotagodi Village, Shiggaon Taluk, Haveri District, Karnataka. Utsav Rock Garden is a sculptural garden representing contemporary art and rural culture. A typical village is created where men and women are involved in their daily household activities.A unique picnic spot which delights common people, educated and intellectuals. There are more than 1000 sculptures in the garden of different sizes. It is an anthropological museum. It represents traditional farming, crafts, folklore, cattle herding and sheep rearing.

    Hill stations

    The Hill stations in Karnataka are generally unexplored and more pristine than better known ones in South India.

    Shola Grasslands in Kudremukh, Karnataka.

    Mullaiyanagiri highest peak

    National parks and wildlife

    Kudremukh National Park

    Karnataka in all has 21 wildlife sanctuaries and 5 National parks. Well known among them are Bandipur National Park in chamarajanagara District, Bannerghatta National Park in Bangalore district, Nagarhole National Park in Mysore District and Kodagu district, Kudremukh National Park in Dakshina Kannada and Chickmagalur district, Dandeli & Anshi National Park in Uttara Kannada district, Gudavi and Mandegadde bird sanctuaries and Sharavati WLS in Sagara Taluk, Shimoga District, Biligirirangan Hills WLS in Chamarajanagar district, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in Mandya district, Brahmagiri wildlife sanctuary and Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in Kodagu district. Interior dry areas have their own unique wildlife.

    There are twenty-one wildlife sanctuaries and five national parks in all.

    Recently, the government of India has proposed to the UNESCO to include important ecosystems in the Western Ghats as a World Heritage Site. Two subclusters of natural areas occurring in the list are entirely in the Karnataka region covering several wildlife sanctuaries and some reserve forests. Fragile and exotic ecosystems like Kudremukh NP, Brahmagiri WLS, Pushpagiri WLS, Agumbe, Talakaveri WLS, Someshvara WLS figure in this list. As such, the Western Ghats that run south–north through the Karnataka is considered as one among the twenty-five bio-diversity hotspots of the world.

    The Niligiri Biosphere Reserve (also a designated UNESCO Biosphere reserve) is located at the junction of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerela. Nagarahole National Park WLS and Bandipur National Park and Nugu WLS in Karnataka are included in this biosphere reserve.

    The state is home to the largest concentration of Asian Elephants along Kabini River in Nagarahole and Bandipur parks. These two parks also hold among the most viable population of the highly endangered Indian Tiger. Ranebennur Blackbuck sanctuary in Haveri district is home to one of the largest populations of blackbuck anywhere in India. The Doraji wildlife sanctuary and areas in Karnataka like Bellary district, Chitradurga are strongholds of the sloth bear.

    Karnataka is home to more than 500 species of birds.[25]

    Wildlife sanctuaries

    White water rafting near Dandeli

    Dams and Resorvoir in Karnataka

    Caves

    Some well known caves in Karnataka are Yana caves and Kavala caves and Syntheri rocks in Uttara Kannada district, Sugriva's cave in Hampi holds similarity to the descriptions of 'Kishkinda' in the epic Ramayana, hundreds of caves in Basava Kalyana in Bidar District.

    Ravana Phadi cave, Aihole in Karnataka

    Waterfalls

    Gaganachukki Falls at Shivanasamudram

    Karnataka has a number of waterfalls. Jog Falls of Sagara Taluk is one of the highest waterfalls in Asia. Some well known waterfalls are Varapoha Falls, Magod Falls, Lalgulli Falls, Sathodi Falls, Unchalli Falls, Lushington Falls, Shivaganga Falls, Ulavi Falls, Irupu Falls, Sivasamudram Falls near Shivanasamudra, Balmuri Falls, Gokak Falls, Abbe Falls, Achakanya Falls, Chunchanakatte Falls, Hebbe Falls, Kallathigiri Falls, Sogal Falls, Godachinamalki Falls etc.

    Godachinamalki Falls, Hukkeri Taluk, Belgaum District

    Eco-tourism

    Topographic map of Karnataka. Western Ghats is rich in wildlife.

    The districts of the Western Ghats and the southern districts have popular eco tourism locations.[31] Some of the popular locations include Kudremukh, Madikeri and Agumbe. Karnataka boasts of the highest elephant Gaur bison and tiger population (greater than 6000, 8000 and 400 respectively) in India. Its forests hold some of the largest remaining populations of the endangered tiger and leopard. Eco-tourism is a very popular activity in the state. Karnataka leads other states in eco-tourism. Jungle Lodges & Resorts, a state-run organisation has camping and safari facilities in several wildlife sanctuaries. Private safari providers have sprung up in several places along the western ghats.

    Nirvana beach is one of the finest beaches near Kumta and has a 5 km coastline with white sand and palm trees covering the entire coast, could be developed for eco beach tourism on the adjoining land falling in CRZ II category falling within 200 meters from HTL. Farmers and fishermen were allowed to run beach cottages and beach shacks by government of Goa, tourism department to attract tourists from around the world as well as domestic tourists, in the months of September through May every season.

    Several NGO's (youth groups) are actively involved in birding and other conservation activities.

    Adventure and outdoor activities

    Adventure tourism has been growing at a pace of around 24% in Karnataka. The presence of Nilgiris, Western Ghats, rocky regions, waterfalls and lots of lakes and rivers make it an attractive destination. Certain activities at some regions namely Rock climbing at Hampi and Ramnagaram; Mountain biking at Nilgiris; Rafting at Honnemaradu in Sagara, Bheemeshwari, Dandeli and Coorg are famous.

    Besides this Sawandurga, Manchinbele (Feverpitch basecamp), Bheemeshwari Antharagange are also famous for rappelling, river crossing, caving and kayaking.[32] There have been more than 100 places for trekking in Karnataka and many of them are organised by Government of Karnataka or government approved local vendors. Seasonal surfing is available in Gokarna and Kaup. Fever pitch base camp has been developed by tourism industry professionals which is located 40 km from Bangalore near Magadi.

    Bisle Ghat which is stretch of Western ghats from Kerala to Gujarat is also famous for trekking and adventurous activities. Farmers son Paintball arena and other ATV & Dirtbike sports are some of the things to do at Hassan.

    Karnataka tourism started promoting Motorcycle tourism and tied up with Wicked Ride a Bengaluru-based motorcycle rental company to promote adventure and motorcycle tourism as a policy, they are working to set up camping sites across the state to provide safe and clean camping sites for backpackers and motorcyclists to explore the state.[33]

    Yana rock formations

    Rock climbers visit several areas in Karnataka:

    Trekking in Karnataka. Some of the most popular treks are:

    • Dandeli
    • Tadiyandamol Trek (Coorg)
    • Kodachadri Trek
    • Bheemeshwari Trek
    • Kudremukh Trek
    • Shakaleshpur Trek
    • Dabbe falls (Sagara)
    • Karwar Beach trek
    • Madhugiri Fort Trek
    • Sawandurga Trek
    • Agumbe Rain Forest trek
    • Makalidurga Trek
    • Kumara Parvatha Trek(Pushpagiri)
    • Green Route

    Healthcare tourism

    In the last couple of years Karnataka has emerged as a hot spot for health care tourism in India attracting health tourists from all over the world. Karnataka has highest number of approved health systems and alternative therapies. Along with some ISO certified government owned hospitals, private institutions which provide international quality services have caused health care industry to grow up to 30% during 2004–05. Hospitals in Karnataka treat around 8,000 and more health tourists every year.[34]

    The Golden Chariot

    The Golden Chariot is a luxury tourist train of Karnataka operated by Indian Railways and KSTDC (Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation). Initially train was introduced exclusively for Karnataka, but recently it is expanded to whole south India. The train travels to the Karnataka's tourist destinations like Bangalore, Kabini, Mysore, Beluru, Halebidu, Shravanabelagola, Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal, Aihole and Goa.

    Train coaches are named after the Karnataka dynasties like Kadamba, Hoysala, Rashtrakuta, Ganga, Chalukya, Bahamani, Adil Shahi, Sangama, Satavahana, Yadukula and Vijayanagar.

    Administration

    Karnataka Tourism is the popular name of the Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka (website: karnatakatourism.org).

    Karnataka Tourism is responsible for the sustainable development of tourism in Karnataka along with marketing of the destination worldwide. Karnataka's destination branding and marketing is done by India's leading tourism marketing organisation, Stark Communications. Stark is part of The Stark Group under whose umbrella are companies such as Stark Communications, Stark Expo, Starkworld Publishing, Stark Expo, starkwebworks, Stark Tourism Forum.

    Karnataka Tourism develops hospitality infrastructure through two government-owned companies, Jungle Lodges & Resorts and Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation.

    See also

    Archaeological sites and Monuments in Karnataka

    Excavation
    Sannati·Kanaganahalli

    Ancient
    Lakshmeshwar .Lakkundi . Sudi . Badami . Aihole . Pattadakal . Hangal . Halasi . Banavasi . Halebid . Belur . Mahadeva Temple (Itagi) . Hooli . Sannati . Hampi . Anegundi . Maski . Koppal

    Forts
    Gajendragad . Saundatti . Bellary . Parasgad Fort . Kittur . Belgaum . Bidar . Gulbarga . Basavakalyan . Koppal . Chitradurga

    Monuments
    Lakshmeshwar . Lakkundi . Sudi . Badami . Aihole . Pattadakal . Hangal . Halasi . Banavasi . Halebid . Belur . Somanathapura . Mahadeva Temple (Itagi) . Hooli . Sannati . Hampi . Anegundi . Galaganatha . Chaudayyadanapura . Bidar · Gulbarga · Bijapur · Raichur

    References

    1. ↑ Andhra Pradesh top tourist destination: Tourism Ministry – Financial Express Archived 21 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine
    2. ↑ "Handbook of Karnataka, Karnataka The Tourist Paradise". Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2008.
    3. ↑ Karnataka ranks among top five states in tourism: FICCI – OneIndia retrieved on 10 June 2006 Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
    4. ↑ "Alphabetical list of Monuments". Protected Monuments. Archaeological Survey of India. Archived from the original on 8 August 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
    5. ↑ Correspondent (6 January 2007). "Plan to conserve heritage monuments, museums". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 24 July 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
    6. ↑ "About KSTDC". Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
    7. ↑ "Archaeological Museum, Aihole (District Bagalkot, Karnataka)". Archived from the original on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2009.
    8. ↑ "Chalukya". Archived from the original on 20 April 2009. Retrieved 16 April 2009.
    9. ↑ "Kalyani Chalukyan temples, Temples of Karnataka". Archived from the original on 14 May 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2009.
    10. ↑ "hampi, UNESCO World Heritage Centre". Archived from the original on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2008.
    11. ↑ "Pattadakal, UNESCO World Heritage Centre". Archived from the original on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2008.
    12. ↑ "Aihole is located near Badami". 14 July 2007. Archived from the original on 27 May 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2008.
    13. ↑ "Badami Cave Temples, Karnataka". Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2008.
    14. ↑ "EARLY WESTERN CHALUKYA CAVE-TEMPLES" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 May 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
    15. ↑ "New tourist spot to be developed". Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2008.
    16. ↑ "Kalyani Chalukyan temples". Archived from the original on 14 May 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2008.
    17. ↑ "Tracing the sur and taal of it". Archived from the original on 13 October 2008. Retrieved 16 April 2009.
    18. ↑ Kaladarshana – Ancient and Medieval Historical Indian Architecture and Art – Bijapur Archived 10 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
    19. ↑ Gol Gumbaz Photo gallery Archived 4 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine
    20. ↑ "Bidar has 30 tombs of former kings". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 6 August 2008. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2008.
    21. ↑ Manipal Tourism from "Manipal world news"
    22. ↑ "Reach for the stars at this 3D hybrid Planetarium in Pilikula". Deccan Herald. 24 February 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
    23. ↑ Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO (2014), Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala, UNESCO
    24. ↑ "Measures initiated to renovate Chitradurga fort". The Hindu. 3 June 2011. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
    25. ↑ karnatakabirds – Birds of Karnataka Archived 5 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine
    26. ↑ "Slothbear". www.karnataka.com. 28 September 2007. Archived from the original on 31 May 2009. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
    27. ↑ "KARNATAKA STATE BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN (KBSAP)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 June 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2008.
    28. ↑ Adichunchanagiri Wildlife Sanctuary Archived 17 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
    29. ↑ Arabithittu Wildlife Sanctuary Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
    30. ↑ Melkote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary – Mysore Nature Archived 17 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
    31. ↑ Article in Indianmba. Retrieved on 10 June 2006 Archived 3 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine
    32. ↑ "Get away from Bangalore this weekend, stay close to nature at Bheemeshwari". travel.manoramaonline.com. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
    33. ↑ "State to promote motorcycle tourism – Bangalore Mirror -". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
    34. ↑ "Karnataka bets big on healthcare tourism". Online webpage of the Hindu Business Line, dated 23 November 2004. 2004, The Hindu. Archived from the original on 29 September 2008. Retrieved 21 June 2007.
    Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Karnataka.
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