Karnataka, Karnataka capital at Bangalore,
Bangalore, the garden city of India, is a modern, bustling city which is
rapidly expanding into an industrial centre. The city is the gateway to
some of the most interesting historic architecture in India, with a wide
and tumultuous past. Steeped with history and teeming with forts and
palaces, the countryside is as picturesque as the glorious past it
projects. The temples at Belur and Halebid, along with that of
Somnathpur, are one of the most artistically exuberant periods of
Hindu cultural development. Shravanabelgola is one of the oldest Jain
pilgrimage centres in India and the site of the huge statue of Lord
Bahubali. Hampi, near Hospet, was once the capital of one the
largest Hindu empire in Indian history. Hassan, makes the perfect base from
here to explore the temples of Belur and Halebid.
Bangalore
Bangalore is one of the most visited
destinations of southern India. Known as the garden city of India, the
climate of Bangalore makes it a happening place all through the year.
One of the highly developed cities of southern India, it is the
capital of the state of Karnataka. Bangalore is also the seventh
largest city in India. There are many stories and legends related to
the city. However the present look of the garden city was given to it
in the 16th century. Because of the initiative it took in the wake of
the Information Technology revolution in the country, Bangalore has
been nicknamed as the Silicon City of India.
Sight Seeing Places:
Aquarium, Bull Temple, Fort, Tipu Sultan Palace, Ulsoor Lake, Lal Bagh, Cubbon Park,
Vidhan Soudha, Central Library, Goverment Museum.
Belur - Halebid -
Hassan
Hassan had been under the control the
Hoysala from 11th to 13th century AD. It was during this period that
the great temples of Belur and Halebid were constructed. Hassan was
also greatly influenced by Jainism. It became a well-known centre of
Jain literature. This busy little town has a pleasant climate
throughout the year. The summers are warm with the temperature soaring
up to 35°C. The average annual rainfall in the district is around 700
mm. You can visit the place any time of the year but it is advisable
to avoid the rainy seasons.
Belur -
Situated on the banks of the
Yagachi River, Belur was the first capital of the Hoysala dynasty. The
Channekeshava Temple here is one of the three major Hoysala sites still in daily
use. One of the earliest structures of its type, the construction of the temple
was started in 1116 and took almost a century to complete. The Hoysalas built it
to commemorate their victory over the Cholas. The temple is dedicated to Lord
Krishna. Built on a star-shaped platform, the temple stands in a courtyard
surrounded by a rectangular wall. The winged figure of Garuda, Vishnu/’s
carrier, stands at the entrance facing the temple. The temple doesn't/’t seem to
impress one at the first glance as much of the superstructure has been lost.
However, as one moves towards the temple, the work of excellent craftsmanship is
revealed. Exquisite sculptures cover the exteriors. The base is surrounded by a
line of 650 elephants with rows of figure and foliage above. Young musicians and
dancers adorn either side of the main door. At the centre of the hall stands the
Narasimha Pillar whose astonishing details are worth a look. To the west of the
Channekeshava Temple lies the Viranarayana Temple. You can have look at the fine
sculpture of the temple and also visit some of the smaller temples around it.
Halebid founded in
the early 11th century as Dvarasamudra, this ancient capital of the Hoysala
empire was destroyed by the armies of the Delhi Sultanate in 1311 and 1327. The
famous Hoyasaleswara temple, which today is the centre of attraction, however
survived the destruction. The town was later renamed as Halebidu or Halebid. The
history of the Hoyasaleswara temple dates back to around AD 1121. Though its
construction spanned over 80 years, it was never completed. In structure, the
temple is similar to the one at Belur. The temple is set in a well-tendered
garden and has two shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. A Nandi bull faces the each
shrine. All around the temple one can find big statues of Hindu deities with
minute details on them displaying the excellent craftsmanship.
Mysore
Mysore is a
major craft centre with numerous shops selling an incredible range of ivory,
sandalwood, rosewood and teak carvings and furniture. Until independence, the
city was the seat of the Maharajas of Mysore, a princely state covering most of
Karnataka. The 10 day Dussehra festival is one of the major attractions,
culminating in the long procession of caparisoned elephants, liveried retainers,
cavalry. flower-bedecked images of deities, complete with bands and clouds of
incense. Other places of interest include the palace; Chamundi Hills;
Srirangapatnam, the former capital of Mysore state; Somnathpur temple, built by
the Hoysala kings in the 11th to 13th centuries.
Sight Seeing Places:
Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills, Brindaban Gardens, Somnathpur, Shravanbelgola, Belur, Halebid.
Badami
Badami - The capital of the
Early Chalukyas, Badami (also known as Vatapi), is picturesquely situated at the
mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills. Rock-cut cave temples, gateways,
forts, inscriptions, sculptures that seem to come alive under your eyes...
Badami has to be seen to be believed. Climb a flight of steps to reach the
ancient caves - all hewn out of sandstone on the precipice of a hill. There are
four caves here. The first three belong to the Vedic faith and the fourth cave
is the only Jain temple in Badami. Enter the first cave temple - past Shiva's
door keepers - and there he is !The eighteen-armed Natarajan striking 81 dance
poses! The largest and most ornamental is the third cave temple dedicated to
Vishnu. Here are some splendid carvings of the Hindu Pantheon. Narsimha - the
half-man half-lion avatar of Vishnu, Hari Hara, the composite god who is
half-Shiva and half-Vishnu. Vishnu- Narayan sitting as well as reclining on the
snake Shesh or Ananta. There are also some paintings on the ceiling and
wonderful bracket figures on the piers. A little to the east of this shrine, on
top of a cliff is a Jain temple. Here you will find many Jain deities and a huge
figure of Parshwanatha. Overlooking the cave temples is a reservoir dotted with
temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva. Also a must are the Bhutanatha temples
that lend their name to the lake just beneath the cave temples. Take a dip in
this green tranquil lake. It is said to have healing properties. According to a
popular story. King Kushataraya was cured of leprosy here. Badami also has
eighteen inscriptions ranging from the sixth to the sixteenth century. After you
have exclaimed over the beautiful sculptures and admired the exquisite carvings,
stop by at the museum set up by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Places of Interest:
Badami Caves, Badami Fort, Sculpture Gallery.
Excursions:
Aihole, Banashankari Temple, Guledgud, Lakkundi, Mahakuta, Naganath Temple, Pattadakal, Kada Siddeswara Temple, Jambulinga Temple, Galaganatha Temple, Sanghameswara Temple, Mallikarjuna Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Papanatha Temple, Jain Temple, Shivayoga, Mandira, Pattadakal.
Aihole
Famous as the "cradle of Indian
architecture", Aihole has over a
hundred
temples scattered around the village. Wherever, one looks, it's temples that
meet the eyes. Intricately carved, rich in detail, quiet and peaceful. Mute
witnesses of a bygone era. The oldest temple here is, perhaps, the Ladh Khan
temple dating back to the 5th Century. On the roof of the temples another
shrine-like Vamana. The Durga (Fort) Temple is notable for its semi-circular
apse, elevated plinth and the gallery that encircles the sanctum. The interior
is filled with fascinating Carvings. Chamundi Devitrampling the buffalo demon.
Narasimha-the- half-man half-lion God. Ardhanari the half-male half-female deity
Mahishasura Mardini. In this same complex, is the first model of an intricately
carved lathe-turned pillar. The Hutchimalli Temple - out in the village - has a
sculpture of Vishnu sitting atop a large cobra. Dating back to the 6th Century,
the Ravalphadi Cave - Temple celebrates the many forms of Shiva.
Not-to-be-missed is the Konthi Temple Complex (Kwanthi Gudi), the Uma Maheswari
Temple, the Jain Meguti Temple and the two-storeyed Buddhist Temple. Climb up
the stairs and you'll come across a tranquil, smiling Buddha carved on the
ceiling. This then is Aihole, the earliest capital of the Chalukyas. Today, a
picturesque village nestling on the banks of the Malaprabha river and
overflowing with clusters and clusters of the most beautiful temples.
Sight Seeing Places:
Durga Temple, Ladh Khan Temple, Gowda Temple, Suryanarayan Temple Konti Group of Temples, Hucchimalli Temple, Meguti Temple, Ravanphadi Cave.
Nagarhole National Park
Nagarhole, literally meaning
snake streams, is a national park which includes swamp lands, streams, deciduous
forests and Kabini River flowing through it. A number of tribes like Kurubas -
honey gatherers, live here and practice their ancient skills. The wildlife at
the Park includes elephants, Indian Bisons, wild dogs, monkeys, deer, panthers
and a wide variety of birds and reptiles.
Sight Seeing Places:
Jungle Activities, Elephant Safari, River Rafting & Fishing.
Tours:
Bandipur National Park, Madikeri, Mysore.
Hampi
The magnificent city of ruins,
Hampi is not far from Bangalore. A World Heritage Centre, Hampi is the most
beautiful and evocative of all the ruins in Karnataka, This erstwhile capital of
the Vijayanagar Empire boasts of some exquisite examples of temple architecture
of that period. The Vitala Temple, here is noted for its sculpted stone chariot
and carved pillars that produce musical notes when struck. The Virupaksha Temple
rises majestically and is the only temple at. Hampi that is still used for
worship. The Hazararama Temple, ornate with intricate carvings depict sscenes
from the Ramayana.
Sight Seeing Places:
Virupaksha Mandir, Monolithic Ganesha, Krishna Mandir, Monolithic Narsimha, Hazara Rama
Mandir, Elephant Stables, Zenana Enclosures, Royal Performance Zone, Royal Residences,
Queen's Bath, Vitala Mandir, Achyutya Raya Mandir, Kodanda Rama Mandir.
Bandipur National Park
Far from the din of the city,
lies a calm, peaceful land all by itself. Nestling some very rare animals and
birds. The Bandipur National Park is one of the most fascinating wild-life
centers. Established in 1931 by the Mysore Maharajahs, this park is nestled in
the foothills of the Nilgiris. As you penetrate deep into the forest through the
well laid-out roads, you can alm
ost
here the mute conversations between the animals and the trees. They say that the
flora and fauna here exist in perfect harmony. And it is because of this that
the spot here was chosen as the centre for the Project Tiger. And since then the
Tiger population has almost doubled. Of course there's a lot, lot more to
discover. Peafowl, partridges, quail, hornbill, giant squirrel, dholes ( wild
dog), elephants, sambar, barking deer. An endless variety of wildlife flourish
here. And the trees sheltering them are even more beautiful. Teak, rosewood,
hone, mathi, bamboo and sandal. What's more, you can take a safari on elephant
back to make your visit memorable.
Places of Interest:
Jungle Activities, Elephant Safari, River Rafting & Fishing.
Tours:
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Mysore, Ooty, Gopala Swamy Hillskms.
Tourism in States & Cities of India
Golden Triangle
