Karnataka is the state that has been bestowed with an abundance of different types of natural beauty, and it can be found in the southern part of the Indian peninsula. Karnataka is home to a plethora of enticing tourist destinations, including but not limited to magnificent historical buildings, stunning temples, vibrant festivals, and traditional music. Karnataka gives visitors the opportunity to experience a lovely blend of modernism and the past, which coexists in perfect harmony. In addition to this, the state boasts the second largest number of protected monuments in all of India, after only Uttar Pradesh.
Bangluru, formerly known as Bangalore, is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka and is widely recognised as one of the cities with the highest rates of population expansion worldwide. It is a major centre for business activity in the global information technology sector. Mysore, Mangalore, Shimoga, Gulbarga, and Mandya are some of the other significant cities in the state of Karnataka. Karnataka’s diverse topography, which ranges from steep terrains to grasslands, plains, and a wide coastline, is one of the reasons why the state is so popular with visitors from all over the globe.
Main Tourist Attractions of Karnataka, India
Cubbon Park
Lord Cubbon, who served as Viceroy of India at the time, is credited as the park’s creator and is responsible for its establishment in 1864. The park, with its luxuriant green vegetations spanning an area of roughly 300 acres, is situated in the middle of the commotion and activity that characterises Bangalore. Those who like jogging and looking for moments of solitude and quiet will find the park to be a delightful destination. The park has an attractive layout, so it can accommodate significant and well constructed structures like the Central Library and the High Court.
Government Museum
The year 1886 marks the year when construction began on the Government Museum, making it one of the nation’s oldest museums. The museum is home to a vast treasure trove of relics, some of which include inscriptions, artwork, and coins, amongst many other things. The collection that was unearthed during excavations at the ancient site of Mohanjodaro is by far the most intriguing of all the artefacts found there. You might also stop by the Visveshwarava Industrial and Technological Museum, which is located in the vicinity of the palace.
Lalbagh Botanical Gardens
On the direction of Hyder Ali, construction of the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens began in the early 18th century. It is reported that his son Tipu Sultan was responsible for adding the necessary splendour to the gardens. In order to enhance the appearance of these gardens, he brought in a wide range of trees and plants from all over the globe. There are more than a thousand different species of plants, some of which are rather uncommon. In the middle of the grounds that span 240 acres, there is a massive glass house that was designed to look like London’s Crystal Palace.
Tipu’s Summer Palace
1791 was the year when construction began on Tipu’s Summer Palace. This palace is a stunning structure made of wood, and each column has detailed carvings. This palace has a really astounding number of balconies and arches throughout it. The building is distinctively Islamic and is adorned with inscriptions in the Islamic script. An ancient text that was discovered within the palace referred to it as the “House of Bliss.” The palace is encircled on all sides by exquisitely planted grounds.
Bull Temple
The Bull Temple is one of the oldest temples in Karnataka. It is devoted to Nandi, Lord Shiva’s bull, and is considered to be one of the state’s architectural treasures. A monumental statue of Nandi measuring 14.76 feet in height and 19.68 feet in length can be seen within the temple. Devotees are under the impression that the Vishva Bharti river originates at the base of this monument.
Janapada Loka Folk Arts Museum
The Janapada Loka Folk Arts Museum can be found in Ramanagaram, which is located around 53 kilometres outside of the main metropolis of Bangalore. This folk museum is an excellent illustration of concepts such as art and simplicity, and it covers an area of around 15 acres. The museum was established with the purpose of preserving and advancing traditional forms of art and culture. One may visit a theatre, a museum, an art gallery, and a studio all inside one building.
Nrityagram Dance Village
The Nrityagram Dance Village can be found at Hessaraghatta, which can be reached by travelling a distance of around 30 kilometres from the centre of Banglore. The foundations of this settlement were laid according to the local customs. In keeping with the gurukula tradition, there is a significant amount of singing, dancing, and painting.
Maharaja Palace
The Maharaja Palace, also called the Mysore Palace, is a spectacular piece of architecture that was built in the Indo-Saracenic style. Other names for the palace include the Mysore Palace. The building has a number of domes, turrets, and arches in its construction. Walls, ceilings, and pillars throughout the whole castle are embellished with beautifully carved artwork of a lovely design. The public is only permitted access to a small section of the palace, which displays a collection of antiquities that formerly belonged to the Wadiar Kings. There are still members of aristocratic families living in the palace, and they have their own quarters.
Jagmohan Palace
The Jagmohan Palace is about 150 years old and is another example of the grandeur and elegance that were associated with the Mysore Kings. This palace is evidence that Mysore is now experiencing a great deal of political upheaval at the moment. The main structure of the palace is now used as the Jayachamarejendra Art Gallery. Within its walls are several works of art and antiques that belonged to the aristocratic family. You may see paintings here that were created by the renowned Raja Ravi Varma, in addition to a number of other works.
Chamundi Hills
The Chamundi Hills may be found at a distance of around 3 km from the main city of Mysore. These hills have an altitude of 1,065 m. A temple that is devoted to the Chamundeshwari Goddess can be found up on the hills. This goddess is considered to be an incarnation of Goddess Parvathi, and it is stated that she took this shape in order to kill the demon king Mahishasura. A large statue of Mahishasura, which is decked up in vibrant colours, and a figure of Nandi can be seen in close proximity to the temple (the bull).
Daria Dualat Bagh
Tipu Sultan’s summer residence, the Daria Dualat Bagh, was located on the island stronghold of Srirangapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, India. In the year 1784, it was first put into place. Teak wood was used in the construction, and an Indo-Sarcenic architectural style was used. The structure has been renovated into a museum in recent years, and it now displays an extensive collection of artefacts that formerly belonged to Tipu Sultan and depict the stories of his victories against British soldiers.
Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary
Those who have a passion for watching birds would find this sanctuary, which is situated around 18 km from Mysore, to be a veritable paradise. The protected area stretches over a group of six individual islands and may be found on the banks of the Kaveri River. The importance of the Sanctuary may be attributed to the fact that it serves as a nesting site for migratory birds that come from all over the globe. Spoonbills, darters, egrets, herons, cormorants, and partridges are some of the species that may be seen in this area. The stone plougher, the snakebird, the open-billed stork, and the white Ibis are among the most well-known attractions.
Keshava Vishnu Temple
The Hoyasala architectural style can be seen throughout the stunning Keshava Temple, which can be found in the hamlet of Somnathpur and is known for its beauty. The structure of the temple is comprised of sculptures that have been intricately crafted. The walls of the courtyard are adorned with sculptures that portray numerous episodes from the epics as well as rows of cavalry with elephants. There are three shrines within the temple, and they are devoted, respectively, to Lord Janardhan, Lord Venugopala, and Lord Keshava.
Bandipur National Park
Bandipur National Park, which is renowned for its tiger reserves and can be reached from Mysore by travelling around 80 kilometres, is located in the vicinity of Bandipur. The area that is now known as the national park was designated as a protected area in the year 1930 and has a total surface area of 880 square kilometres. In addition to other species such as guars, sambhars, chitals, jackals, panthers, porcupines, and a plethora of others, it is home to the rare and elusive Asiatic elephants as well as a sizeable population of tigers.
Nagarhole National Park
Nargarhole National Park, which is located in the Coorg region and is surrounded by coffee plantations, spans an area of 609 square kilometres. Since 1974, it has had the designation of a national park, and more recently, it has been given the name Rajeev Gandhi National Park. Its gentle slopes and deep valleys are home to herds of Asiatic Elephants, as well as reptiles such as marsh crocodiles and monitor lizards, which makes it a pleasure for anyone who are interested in nature and animals. This park is home to a variety of animals, including the rock python, tree frogs, tortoises, and a plethora of insects.
Hoysaleshvara Temple
The Hoysaleshvara Temple is a temple that dates back to the 12th century and can be found in Halebid, which was the previous capital city of the Hoyasalas. In the year 1121, King Vishuvardhana was responsible for laying the first stone of this temple’s foundation, however the construction of the temple was never finished. This temple has the appearance of two separate temples that have been united together. Figures of Lord Shiva may be seen in certain sanctuaries, while other statues of Lord Vishnu can be found in other places. In front of the temple are some very stunning gardens that have been expertly planted.
Ullal Beach
Ullal Beach, known for its tranquilly and cleanliness, can be found near Manglore, about 12 km from the main city. The well-known Summer Sand Beach Resort can be found right on the shore, and it has both a native-style restaurant and a number of cottages that have been constructed in that manner to provide rooms for vacationers.
The Krishna Temple
Udupi, which is a coastal town, is located in the Western Ghats and is about 60 kilometres from Manglore. This is where the Krishna Temple can be found. An amazing deity of Krishna that is decked up in gorgeous diamonds can be seen within the temple. Madhyacharya, a prominent saint and scholar of Sanskrit, was responsible for the installation of this monument. There is a little window in the temple that is referred to as the Kanakana Kindi. According to the stories, this is the location through which Krishna appeared in front of his follower “Kanakadasa.”
Jog Falls
The tiny settlements of Siddapura and Sagar are situated around 21 kilometres and 30 kilometres away, respectively, from the location of the Jog Falls. The height of the falls, which were created by the flow of the river Sharavati, is about 292 metres, and they fall from four distinct routes. Different names have been given to each of these paths to reflect the many splendours that may be seen along them. During the monsoon months of July and August, when the river flows are at their highest, these waterfalls are at their most spectacular and should not be missed.
Golgumbaz
The mausoleum of Mohammad Adil Shah is located within of the Golgumbaz. Due to the fact that its dome has a diameter of 124 feet, this tomb is considered to be the second biggest in the world. The architectural splendour of this mausoleum is particularly remarkable and sets it apart from others. The minarets may be found within the tomb, and they double as stairs that ascend to the summit of the structure. The acoustics within the dome make it seem like a whispering gallery since even the sound of a pin being dropped can be heard all the way from one end to the other.
Ibrahim Rauza
The Ibrahim Rauza may be found in the southwestern part of the city of Bijapur. The grave of Adil Shah II may be found inside this structure. The structures each have hallways that are intricately designed to connect to those of the others in the complex. The walls are exquisitely ornamented and have wonderful stone windows that have been punched through them. The surrounding area is well groomed and has a variety of gardens.
Bidar Fort
The majestic edifice known as the Bidar Fort is an important historical relic that can be found in the little region known as Bidar. The fort features five gigantic gates that serve to safeguard the inner cities that are home to a number of palaces, pavilions, fountain-laden lush green gardens, and other architectural marvels. In addition, the Rangeen Mahal, which was once used as the royal house, the Solab Khamb Mosque, the remains of Hammam, and Lalbagh, as well as a variety of other monuments, are all accessible from inside the fort.
Tombs of Bahamani Kings
Ashtur is situated around three kilometres away from Bidar and is home to the graves of many Bahamani kings. These tombs are reminiscent of the Golgumbaz that can be seen in Bijapur. The graves of Ahmad Shah I and his son Alauddin Shah I are often considered to be among the most fascinating of all monuments. The construction of the mausoleum of Ahmad Shah I has a dome that is about 30 m in height. Each mausoleum features exquisite Persian craftsmanship throughout its construction. Stonework of exquisite craftsmanship adorns the inside of the tomb of Khalil Ullah.
Hampi (Vijayanagar)
The ruined city of Vijayanagar, also known as the City of Victory, is located next to the river Tungbhadra. Hampi is also known as Vijayanagar. Between the 14th and 16th centuries, it served as the most important and influential Hindu capital in Deccan. The ruins may be divided up into two distinct groupings at the current time. The first group may be seen in the vicinity of Hampi market. The Royal Enclosure serves as the focal point of the second one. The Virupaksha Temple, Sri Virupaksha Swami, Matanga Hill, Agni Temple, Vitthala Temple, Pampla Sarovar, Archeological Museum, and the Bhima Gate are just a few of the fascinating locations that can be found in this area. Other places of interest include the Bhima Gate.
