Travel to Karnataka
Situated in the south west of India, Karnataka is a state featuring rich history, heritage sites, temples, beaches, wildlife parks, hill stations, adventure opportunities, Carnatic music and grand festivals. With so much to see and do, it is not easy to experience the state fully on a few days travel to Karnataka. If you still have a few days for a Karnataka tour, the Golden Triangle is a good option that includes sites of historical importance - Mysore, Bangalore, Hassan and Srirangapatna. Know more about the state in the Karnataka Travel Guide.
Best time to Visit Karnataka: November to April
How to Reach Karnataka
By Air: Karnataka has two international airports in Bangalore and Mangalore. You can find domestic airports at Mysore, Bellary, Hampi, Hubli and Belgaum.
By Rail: Karnataka is connected with the important tourist destinations in Western Coastal India by the Konkan Railway. Bangalore has three railway stations namely Bangalore City, Krishnarajapuram and Yeshwantapur, that makes it well connected with major destinations in India. Other railway stations in the state are located at Mysore, Bijapur, Hubli, Vijayanagara and Badami.
By Road: This is the best way to travel to Karnataka. The state has about 3,973 km of national highway roads and 9,829 km of roads are state highways. You can board inter-state and inter-city buses and even hire cars to reach anywhere in Karnataka by taking the following national highways - 4, 4A, 7, 9, 13, 17, 48, 63, 67, 206, 207, 209, 212, 218 and 234.
Tourist attractions in Karnataka: Places to Go
Karnataka provides everything that will satisfy the traveler's appetite for exploration. From coastal beaches by the Arabian Sea to hill stations on the Western Ghats. The state has man-made architectural marvels to dense forests with God's creations. Culture, adventure, archeology, history, scenic views and even a quiet time strolling along a virgin sandy stretch while your feet meets the gushing sea waves,Karnataka is awe inspiring even to a discerning tourist. Popular places to visit in Karnataka include Gokarna, Murudeshwara, St. Mary's Island, Mysore, Bangalore, Hampi, Agumbe and Coorg.
Heritage buildings in Karnataka
Well known for its stone monuments and their striking architecture boosting Karnataka tourism, the state offers travelers several destinations packed with forts, palaces, temples, minarets and domes. These places include Srirangapatna, Somnathpur, Hampi, Belur, Bijapur, Mysore, Bellary and Bidar. Each of these evoke periods of splendor through its monuments. Notable heritage buildings here include:
Location :-Pattadakal, 22 km from Badami
Period it was Built in :-8th century; during the Chalukya Dynasty
Significance :-This UNESCO World Heritage Site has 9 Hindu and 1 Jain temples representing the Vesara style of architecture. The ones worth a visit are Virupaksha Temple, Sangameshwara Temple, Mallikarjuna Temple and Jain Temple.
Location :-Badami
Period it was Built in :-Carved during the 6th to 7th century under the Chalukyas
Significance :-Constitutes 4 caves, 3 of which are dedicated to several Hindu Gods and the 4th one is Jain. The sculptures, pillar carvings and murals inside the cave temples depict the Vesara architectural style.
Location :-Mysore
Period it was Built in :-1912
Significance :-One of the most visited destinations in India, the palace is also known as Amar Vilas. This grand monument complex also has 12 temples, a splendid wedding hall, Diwan-e-Am, Diwan-e-Khas, a throne made of pure gold, gilded columns, elegant chandeliers and several artifacts used by the royal family.
Location :-Chitradurga district, 200 km from Bangalore
Period it was Built in :-Between 10th and 18th centuries
Significance :-It is noted for its imposing architecture that displays military strength. You can also see 18 temples including the Hidimbeshwara Temple, Eknatha Temple and Chamondee Temple, the Chandravalli Caves and 19 ornate gateways in the fort.
Location :-Somnathpur, 35 km from Mysore
Period it was Built in :-13th century
Significance :-The temple depicts the Hoysala architectural style and is famous for its symmetrical design, stone carved figurines of Hindu gods and goddesses and striking pillars and carvings.
Museums in Karnataka
Karnataka has some impressive museums that display not only its history, but also its technological developments, biological sciences, arts, crafts, culture and tribal life. Apart from the following museums, you can also visit the Railway Museum and Regional Museum of Natural History in Mysore and the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath in Bangalore.
HAL Aerospace Museum - This museum in Bangalore is noted for being the first to showcase aviation and aerospace in India. Maintained by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), it has exhibits of aircraft and helicopter models, Air Traffic Control tower and flight simulators.
Folk Lore Museum - Situated in Mysore, this museum displays several art and craft exhibits. When you travel to Karnataka, it is a good idea to visit this unique museum where you can see ornaments and accessories that belonged by native communities in the state, a crown of Hanuman, dolls of various types depicting folk dances and historical times, and musical instruments that were played by the folk musicians.
Wildlife and Bird Sanctuaries in Karnataka
Karnataka has a total of 5 national parks and 22 wildlife sanctuaries. These not only give you a glimpse of the state's natural resources but also protect some of the critically endangered living beings on earth. Along with the following protected areas in Karnataka, you can also visit Kudremukh National Park, Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, Anshi National Park and Bhadra Widlife Sanctuary.
- Rajiv Gandhi National Park
- Ranganathittu Bird
- Bandipur National Park
- Bannerghata National Park
- Pushpagiri Wildlife
Location :-Kodagu and Mysore districts, 50 km from Mysore
Significance :-Also called Nagarahole National Park, it is a breeding site for Asiatic elephants. The park also has abundance of animal species of Tiger, Leopard, Chital, Stripped Hyena, Indian Giant Flying Squirrel and Striped Neck Mongoose. You can also spot about 270 bird species including Malabar Grey Hornbill, Red Headed Vulture, Oriental White Backed Vulture, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, darters and Blue Winged Parakeet.
Location :-Mandya district, 16 km north of Mysore
Significance :-This bird sanctuary is located around the Cauvery river and is popular for its waterfowls like heron, pelicans and seagulls. You can also spot White Ibis, Cormorants, Great Stone Plover, Whistling Teal, Spoon Bill and Painted Stork. Among animals, you can see march crocodile, mongoose, palm civet and flying fox.
Location :-Chamarajanagar district, 80 km south of Mysore
Significance :-Earlier a private game reserve for Mysore Maharajas, this national park has a large number of elephants and tigers. You can also spot sambar, mouse deer, slender loris, cobra, Russel's Viper and more than 200 bird species including egret, hornbill, partridge, quail, peafowl and heron.
Location :-22 km south of Bangalore
Significance :-This national park is known for its lion, white tiger, leopard, reptile park, butterfly park, barking deer and porcupine.
Location :-Somwarpet, Kodagu district
Significance :-This wildlife sanctuary is noted for Indian giant squirrel, striped necked mongoose, spotted deer, Asiatic elephant and Indian Muntjac.
Fairs and Festivals in Karnataka
Experience the cultural heritage of Karnataka in its fairs and festivals including:
Banashankari Fair - Held during the months of February and March, this fair is organized around the Banashankari Temple near Badami at Cholachagudd. Also known as Banashankari Jetre, the fair includes music and dances performances, circus acts and a chariot procession around the village.
Hampi Festival - Noted for its temples and palaces Hampi becomes pompous unlike its normal quietness during the 3 days in the month of November. The festival, also known locally as Vijaya Festival, attracts loads of tourists from far and wide to enjoy its cultural treats. You can enjoy classical music and dance performances, puppet shows, procession and folk themed entertainments during this festival. Adventure enthusiasts can indulge in rock climbing, trekking and water sports during this time.
Dussehra - This festival in Mysore held for 10 days during the month of September or October, receives Indian and international tourists for its traditions and grandeur. Dussehra also known as Navratri is a popular Hindu festival that is celebrated in various ways all around the country. In Mysore, you can see elephant processions known as Jumbo Savari, exhibitions on the opposite grounds of the Mysore Palace, music and dance performances in the city's auditoriums and a beautifully lit Mysore Palace in the evening and night.
History of Karnataka
Karnataka's history dates back to the pre-historic times when it is believed that gold was mined from here and sent to Harappa during the Indus Valley Civilization era. According to historical data, the earliest rulers of Karnataka belonged to the Nanda Empire. Other dynasties that ruled the state include Mauryans, Satvahanas, Kadambas, Western Ganga, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Cholas, Hoysalas, Wodeyars, Bijapur Sultanate and Bahamani Sultanate. Many of the rulers left their mark in their kingdoms' capitals by buildings palaces, forts and temples. Notable personalities in Karnataka's history are Tipu Sultan, Rajendra Chola I, Krishnaraja Wodeyar II and Haider Ali.
