Karnataka holds its charm in the intriguing mix of tourist
attractions which makes it favourite among tourists across the globe. The
archaic monuments, temples and forts reminds about the glorious past and rich
history of the state. Karnataka invites you to explore its lush green
landscape, rich heritage, culture, wildlife, beaches and a variety of tourist
places located all over the state.
Bangalore
The state capital is the hub of Information Technology in
India. At the same time it is called the 'Garden City' because of its manicured
gardens. There are a number of tourist attractions in and around the city,
namely, Bangalore Palace and Fort, Lal Bagh, Cubbon Park, Vidhana Soudha and
many religious sites.
Mysore
Well known as the 'City of Palaces', Mysore is a true
reflection of the cultural heritage and traditional splendor of India's
history. It is one of the most popular city among the tourists. The royal
Dravidian style of architecture is prominent reflected in the old buildings and
palaces around the city. Chamundi hills and the Chamundeshwari Temple are
famous as a pilgrimage destinations. Mysore Palace, Brindavan Gardens, Mysore
Zoo, Folk Lore Museum are also most visited tourist spots.
Coorg(Kodagu)
The Kodagu region, often referred to as Coorg (the English
version of its name), is an extremely picturesque and alluring mountainous area
in southern Karnataka, not far from Bangalore and Mysore. The area is renowned
for its sprawling coffee estates. Its stunning scenic beauty is captivating.
The highlight of a visit to Coorg is undoubtedly a stay amidst the coffee
plantations.
Sravanbelagola
It is considered to be the most famous religious as well as
tourist spot in Karnataka. It houses Asia's tallest monolithic statue measuring
17.38 metres high - the statue of Gommateshwara. It a prime Jain pilgrimage
destination.
Srirangapatna
It is an egg-shaped island surrounded by river Kaveri and
has a cultural and religious relevance since ages. Legends reveal that Lord
Buddha visited and stayed near this island. Also, it was the capital of Tipu
Sultan, the famed King of Mysore. Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangapatna is
very famous. Other tourist places in and around the town include: Gumbaz,
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Sri Rangapatnam Fort.
Hampi
Once the mighty capital of the Vijayanagar Empire is today
listed in UNESCO's World Heritage sites. Ruins of palaces, temples, forts and
other ancient monuments makes the town of Hampi a perfect tourist spot as well
as a religious place in Karnataka.
Halebid
Dwara Samudhra is an old lake in the town of Halebid. The
Hoysaleshawara and Kedareshwara temples are the famous temples in the town that
were built during Hoysala dynasty. The facades are filled with carvings of
elephants, dancers and episodes from the epics. One must visit the
archaeological museum in the Halebid temple complex.
Belur
At Belur, Chennakesava temple complex dedicated to Lord
Vishnu and Kappe Chennigraya temple are a must visit. The architecture and the
carvings of this temple also hold some historical significance. The carving of
Darpana Sundari (beautiful lady with a mirror) is a must see.
Aihole
Once the capital of the Chalukya dynasty, Aihole is a
village with some hundred temples around and is known as the cradle of Indian
temple architecture. It is a place which hold historical significance and is
therefore, a popular tourist spot in Karnataka. There are prominently two
temple groups, namely, the Kontigudi group and the Galaganatha group of temples
in Aihole. Among these, Lad Khan temple, Huchappayyagudi temple, Durga temple,
Ravanaphadi temple and Suryanarayana temple are famous.
Chikmagalur
The picturesque destination has lofty peaks, racing rivers,
sparkling streams and cascades. This one place has everything for everyone -
adventure seekers, pilgrims, research enthusiasts. The popular ones are the
waterfalls of Hebbe, Kalhatagiri, Manikyadhara, Sirimane and Shanti. The
Muthodi and Bhadra forests are popular among tourists. Horanadu, Kalasa,
Balehonnur and Sringeri are famous pilgrim destinations.
Bandipur
Nesting in the foothills of the Nilgiris, Bandipur National
Park is home to tigers, elephants, gaurs, leopards, chital, sambar and a
variety of birds. It is one of the best wildlife reserves in India. Tourists
admire the beauty of this place as the climate here supports a wide variety of
flora and fauna. The Waynad Sanctuary and the Mudumalai Sanctuary are nearby
Bandipur and open for tourists. Gypsy rides are a must try.
Mangalore
Mangalore, the second largest cities in Karnataka is also
among the famous tourist places in Karnataka. Mysore Palace is one of the most
visited monuments in the city. Brindavan Gardens, Jagmohan Palace, Chamundi
Hills, Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion, and Folk Lore Museum are among the famous
tourist places in Karnataka.
Gokarna
Gokarna is a small and remote holy town in northern
Karnataka, with some of India's best beaches. It draws both pious pilgrims and
hedonistic holiday makers with equal enthusiasm. Go there to get a feel for
what Goa was like in its heyday, although time is limited as developers are
already seeing the potential of this area.
Besides these, Karnataka has a number of scenic beaches in
Karwar, Marwanthe and Murudeshwar. The rich tradition of music is also a strong
pull for music lovers around the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment