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Karnataka, in the south west of India, is a wonderfully diverse destination and although large parts of this huge state are semi-arid or agricultural regions with little in the way of tourist infrastructure, those parts which have been opened up to visitors are among the most compelling and interesting in the southern part of the country.
The city of Bangalore is the state’s major international gateway and is a hub for India’s vast IT industry. It is the nearby, much smaller, city of Mysore which provides the most welcoming window into Karnataka’s rich history, being home to a splendid Palace, some wonderful ancient temples and the legacy of its past as the capital of the princely state of the same name. Mysore is around 3 hours drive from Bangalore on a major highway and is the most popular destination within the state.
One of the world’s greatest archaeological treasures is the vast site at Hampi or more correctly Vijaynagara which was the original name of the city here. At one time the Vijayanagar Empire ruled over much of south India from here. Hampi today is a rather remote place but the rewards for anyone making the journey are significant. The remoteness serves to keep the area (which covers over 40 square kilometres) largely free of tourists and its sheer size means that space is never at a premium. Literally hundreds of small temples, vast compounds of royal buildings and such wonderful major buildings at the Elephant Stables make this one of the most fascinating destinations in Karnataka, if not all of India. The rich history of Karnataka, which arguably had its heyday of influence between the 12th and 16th centuries CE, has left a legacy of spectacular sites including some of the most beautiful temples in India. The Hoysala style of temple architecture reached its apex with the neighbouring temples of Belur and Halebid in the south of the state.
A major pilgrimage site for people of the Jain religion is at Sravanabelgola is home to a massive monolithic statue of a Jain deity. At over 17 metres tall it is probably the largest monolithic statue in the world.Karnataka also boasts a long and very beautiful coastline and although much of this is still completely undeveloped from a tourist perspective, the beaches of the Konkan Coast in the states south are among the most serene and unspoilt in India. Another major draw for visitors to Karnataka are the state’s famous National Parks. The best known of these, Nagarhole and Bandipur, are located within easy reach of Bangalore and Mysore and are among the best places in the south of India to see tigers (Nagarhole) and elephants (Bandipur) along with a host of other unique and iconic species.
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The Green Garden City
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Bangalore the fifth largest city in India and is the capital of Karnataka.Bangalore means "Town of Boiled Beans" as legend tells that it was named after the location where an old woman served beans to a lost and hungry Hoysala King.The presence of many parks and botanical gardens has given it the name of “Garden city”. A tour of Bangalore may include ancient forts, temples, gardens and shopping. Bangalore’s tourist attractions are quite spread out and some are some way south of the city. The airport is 1.5 hours north of the city and this must be considered when planning sightseeing here. Vidhana Soudha is an imposing building that houses the Secretariat and state legislature of Karnataka. Built in 1956 it is an impressive building intended to reflect power. It has a domed roof which is surrounded by the four headed Ashokan lion which is a symbol of the Indian state. The woodwork inside the building is also noteworthy. Cubbon Park was laid out in 1864 and is liberally dotted with statues. Here can be found marble statues of Queen Victoria and King Edward in the middle of the park. The southern edge of the park is the location of the Government museum established in 1866 and it is one of the oldest museums in India housed in a beautiful neo- classical building. Also located nearby is the Venkatappa Art Gallery which exhibits twentieth Century landscapes, portraits, abstract art, and wood sculpture. The modern city of Bangalore ('Bengaluru') was founded by Kempe Gowda, the Vijayanagar Chieftain of Yelahanga, over 400years ago. But ancient inscriptions indicate the existence of a village called 'Bengaluru' prior to the 10th century AD. Kempe Gowda built a mud fort in his city with 8 gates that lent their names to different areas inside the fort. Inside the fortress walls, the city grew into a commercial haven divided into different localities or ('Pet') where individual trades dominated. To this day these areas bear their old names such as Chickpet (little town), Dodda pet (big town ), Taragupet (grain market ), Halipet (cotton market.Kempe Gowda built several temples including Gavi Gangeswara Temple at Gavipuram and the Bull temple at Basavanagudi. Jama Masjid and Tipu’s summer Palace are located South east of the city market .The Venkataramanaswarmy Temple dating from the early eighteenth century can be found nearby. In 1687 the Moghuls captured Bangalore from the Sultan of Bijapur and leased it and later they sold it to King Chikkadevaraya Wodiyar of Mysore. In 1761 Hyder Ali rebuilt the fort with stone. It became the stronghold of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. In 1807 the British shifted their cantonment from Srirangapatnam to Bangalore. The 19th century saw Bangalore growing into an administrative center and a prime residential area. Mysore State was acceded to the Indian Union in 1947 with Bangalore as its capital. In 1973 Mysore State was renamed Karnataka.
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Palace City Renowned for Sandalwood and Silk
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Mysore located 160km south west of Bangalore is the capital city of the Wodeyars and has always enchanted its admirers with its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad shady avenues and sacred temples. There's an old world charm about the city that reaches out and leaves no one untouched. In the 10th Century Mysore was known as Mahishur and it traces its history back to the mythical past, when Goddess Chamundeshwari of Chamundi Hills killed the wicked buffalo-headed demon, Mahishasura.Mysore Dasara is the celebration of this victory of good over evil. Mysore also has associations with the Mahabharata and King Ashoka of the 3rd century B.C. During the Wodeyar rule Mysore reached the Zenith of its glory as a fabled centre of oriental splendor. Mysore is the second largest city of Karnataka and today it is a vibrant city well-known as an enjoyable destination for visitors. It is famous the world over for its exotic sandalwood and rich silks. It has grand and imposing palaces, majestic temples, and gardens that leave an ever-lasting impression. It is certainly possible to walk around the city and enjoy the colorful markets like Deveraja Market on Sayaji Rao Road which is one of South India’s most atmospheric produce markets. It is a giant complex of covered stalls.The Government Cauvery Arts and Crafts Emporium is the best place to see sandalwood and here it is possible to make arrangements to ship souvenirs overseas. The centre of Mysore is dominated by the walled Maharaja’s Palace. It is a beautiful Palace with a brass plated dome. On a Sunday night it is particularly spectacular as it is lit up with a 100.000 light bulbs. It is definitely worth visiting here as the interiors of the Palace are very lavish and showcase elaborate decorations from around India and the world. The Elephant Gate that forms the main entrance into the Palace is decorated with beautiful designs including the double headed eagle which is the state emblem. To the north of the gate stands a ceremonial wooden elephant decorated with 84kg of 24-carat gold. The twelve temples surround the Palace that are of a much earlier origin and these can also be visited but shoes and cameras must be left at the cloakroom outside. Jaganmohan palace was built in 1861 and it was used as a royal residence until 1915. Today it is a picture gallery and museum housing many nineteenth and twentieth Century paintings.Chamundi hill is located 3km south east of the city and is topped with a temple dedicated to Durga the Goddess that slew the demon buffalo Mahishasura. It is possible to walk to the top but there are at least a thousand steps and it could be demanding on a hot day.
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The Capital of the Vijayanagara Empire a World Heritage Site
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Hampi was once the ancient capital of the Hindu Vijayanagara empire (the City of Victory). Today Hampi is listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and it is an amazing place even in its ruined state.Vast stretches of boulder-strewn hills make the backdrop of Hampi unique.
Today attractions include the Virupaksha Temple which is dedicated to Virupaksha, a form of Lord Vishnu. The temple houses shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddesses Pampa and Bhuvaneswari. Parts of the temple are thought to be from the 11th or 12th century. Interestingly when a ray of light passes from the east through a hole near the sanctum, the shadow formed on the wall looks like a miniature shadow of the temple tower. To the south of Virupaksha Temple, on top of the Hemkuta Hills, are the early ruins of Jain temples and the 6.7metre tall monolith of 'Ugra Narasimha' with head of a lion and body of a man. He is seated under a canopy carved like a seven-hooded snake. This was made in 1528 during the reign of Krishnadevaraya and it was carved from a single boulder. The Vithala temple is a World Heritage monument with beautiful sculptural work originating from the time of Vijayanagar Empire. It has 56 'Musical Pillars', that can be tapped to make music.In the temple courtyard can be found an ornate stone chariot with an image of Garuda, the Bird-God and also a 9 metre tall statue of Lord Ganesha.The Lotus Mahal Palace shows a blend of the Hindu and Muslim style of architecture. The palace has a two storied pavilion situated in the 'ladies' section' of the palace.The structure of the Queens Bath is 1.8m deep and 15 metre square and its interior is very ornate and elegant. It has decorated arched corridors and projecting balconies. Behind the legendary elephant stables, is one of the oldest gateways of the old capital and it is known as 'Singara Hebbagilu' (the beautiful door). It was once the main entrance to into the city. The 15th century Hazara Rama Temple has beautifully carved pillars in its hall that depict incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The sculptures on the exterior of the hall show the main events that happened in the epic Ramayana. The Achuta Raya Temple is also known as the Tirvengalanatha temple and it was built during reign of Achuta Deva Raya.The temple is in ruins now, but the erotic sculptures carved on the columns near the main gateway are still intact and can be seen.
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The Island Fort in the Cauvery River
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Srirangapatnam is located about 16 km northeast of Mysore. The island of Srirangapatnam is home to a fort that was built here between 1454 and 1616. The island is associated with Haider Ali who deposed the Wadiyars in 1761 and also with his son Tipu Sultan. Tipu posed more of a threat than any other Indian ruler to the British plans to dominate India. Tipu sultan was born in 1750 and he had an educated cultured upbringing. His allegiance was with the French as he was keen to get rid of the British invaders. He was known as the tiger of Mysore as he surrounded himself with symbols and images of tigers. Like the Romans he is said to have kept tigers for punishment of criminals. Tipu Sultans reign ended after seventeen years in 1799 when the fort at Srirangapatnam was taken by the British after a great battle. Today the Daria Daulat Bagh which was Tipu’s summer palace can be visited here. It was used to entertain Tipu’s guests. The inside of the Palace is more impressive than the outside. Its interior has been preserved and here one can see the tiger striped columns .A mural on the west wall shows the battle at Pollilore in 1780 when Haider Ali had his victory over the Bristish.The island is also home to Sriranganathaswarmy Temple which has been virtually untouched despite the islands turbulent history. Today it remains important and is visited by many devotees. The temple has 3 distinctive sanctuaries. The main entrance was built by Haider Ali and is an impressive five-storey’s tall .
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Mountain Trails and Coffee Plantations
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Chikmagalur, is located 240 km from the state capital of Bangalore and is surrounded by the Baba Budan hills. The town is known for its peaceful environment and picturesque valleys, streams and the coffee plantations with their white blossoms. Chikmagalur is a trekker's delight, with its rugged mountain trails. The Baba Budangiri hills are named after the Muslim saint, Baba Budan, who lived here in the 17th century. The Baba Budan Shrine is revered by both the Hindus and Muslims. A complex of three caves can be found here, believed to have been sanctified by 3 revered siddhas whose icons and 'gaddinges' (tombs) are located in the caves. Sightseeing here includes the Veeranarayana temple which is a supreme example of Hoysala temple architecture. Thesprawling coffee plantations that dot the landscape of this hill station. Chikmagalua is a major coffee producing hub and has a number of coffee curing facilities where t raw coffee is dried, shelled, winnowed, graded and packed. When coffee bushes blossom in April, the whole area is filled with the exquisite fragrance of the brilliant white flowers. The Central Coffee Research Institute is located in this district.
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Remarkable Treasures of Early Hindu Architecture
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Early inscriptions call this town Ayyavole and Aryapura.Many temples and caves of historical importance can be found at Aihole. Aihole, was the cradle of ancient Hindu temple architecture. It has more than 125 temples. The experimentation with different styles was undertaken by the artisans. The artisans worked on the rocks to create the earliest rock cut shrines. Later the artisans graduated to the full fledged Chalukya style of architecture.The early Chalukyas inherited architectural styles largely from their neighbors to the north and south of India. The Temples are located in clusters within the village and in the surrounding fields and rocky outcrops. Two of the temples of note here are rock-cut caves dating from the sixth Century. The Hindu Ravanaphadigudi Temple contains some fine sculptures. A stepped path leads up a hill in the south east that overlooks the village. Partway up this hill is a two-story cave with Buddha decoration panels at the entrance. The Jain Meguti Temple is located at the top of the hill. It bears an inscription indicating it was built in 634AD although it was never completed. A climb to the first floor of this temple is well worth it for the fine view of Aihole and the surrounding countryside. A most impressive Temple that is a must visit here is the large and elaborate Durga Temple and the Archeological Museum that is located close by.the Durga Temple dates from the 7th Century and it shows features that have been copied from Buddhist architecture like its semicircular apse. Near to the Durga Temple is the smaller Ladhkan temple. The Ladhkan Temple can be recognized by the tiers of sloping slabs on the roof of the main hall and entrance porch. There are elaborate carvings of river goddesses carved on the pillars of the porch and other deities can be seen decorating the side walls of a small chamber near the roof.
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Mangaladevi Temple
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Mangalore is the chief port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bounded by the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghat mountain ranges, Mangalore is the administrative headquarters of the Dakshina Kannada (formerly South Canara) district in southwestern Karnataka.Mangalore derives its name from the local Hindu deity Mangaladevi. It developed as a port on the Arabian Sea – remaining, to this day, a major port of India. Lying on the backwaters of the Netravati and Gurupura rivers, Mangalore is often used as a staging point for sea traffic along the Malabar Coast. The city has a tropical climate and lies on the path of the Arabian Sea branch of the South-West monsoons. Mangalore's port handles 75% of India's coffee exports and the bulk of the nation's cashew exports.many visitors come to Mangalore on there way to somewhere else as it is agood stopping off point between Goa and Kerala. Mangalore was ruled by several major powers, including the Kadambas, Vijayanagar dynasty, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, and the Portuguese. The city was a source of contention between the British and the Mysore rulers, Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan. Eventually annexed by the British in 1799, Mangalore remained part of the Madras Presidency until India's independence in 1947. The city was unified with the state of Mysore (now called Karnataka) in 1956. Mangalore is demographically diverse with several languages, including Tulu, Konkani, Kannada, and Beary commonly spoken and understood. The city's landscape is characterized by rolling hills, coconut palms, freshwater streams, and hard red-clay tiled-roof buildings.
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Gulbarga Fort
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The small provincial town contains some of the earliest examples of Islamic architecture in Karnataka. These originated in the 14th and 15th centuries, when Gulbarga flourished as the capital of the Bahmani sultans. This was first of the great muslim kingdoms to dominate the Deccan. The Gulbarga Fort is composed of monuments,mosques,temples,stables,carriages,and several beautiful courtyards.The picturesque ruins of Firuzabad, the palace city founded in 1400 by Firuz Shah Bahmani is located 28km south of Gulbarga. The massive stone walls with quadrangular bastions and arched gateways define an approximately square zone, almost 1000 metres wide. The best preserved structures are the Jami Masjid and a two-storeyed audience hall. Among the remains are the royal baths (Bamams), with pyramidal vaults and fluted domes, said to be the oldest in the deccan. The Dargah of Gesu Daraz, to the northeast of the present town, is one of South India’s holiest Muslim shrines. Khawaja Gesu Daraz, or Bande Nawaz as he was affectionately known, was a sufu mystic from the Chishti sect. He fled from North India and sought refuge here at the court of Firuz Shah Bahmani, known to be a pious and enlightened ruler. His simple tomb stands in the middle of a large, sprawling complex of lesser tombs, mosques and madrasas.
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The finest Islamic Monuments
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Bijapur is located 530 km northwest of Bangalore. The city is about 550 km from Mumbai.Bijapur is sometimes referred to as the ‘’Agra of the South” because it was the capital of the Adil Shahi dynasty of powerful rulers that governed during (1490-1686),a period of great prosperity. Evidence of this today are the domed mausoleums, mosques, impressive civic buildings, and fortifications that still stand and recall this lost golden age. Today Bijapur is a provincial market town and apart from the vast Golgumbaz mausoleum that attracts day tourists it is for the most part a laidback and peaceful destination. The town centre has green spaces and lovely mosque courtyards. In the first week of February the town hosts an annual music Festival which attracts musicians from around India.
The city established in the 10th-11th centuries by the Chalukyas of Kalyani was referred as Vijayapura (City of victory). The city came under the influence of the Khilji Sultanate in Delhi in the late 13th century. In 1347, the area was conquered by the Bahmani Sultanate of Gulbarga. By this time, the city was being referred as Vijapur or Bijapur.
Bijapur had little in terms of natural defenses and therefore it has large fortified walls still in evidence today. They extend 10km around the town. The centre of the town is home to the citadel which contains the sultan’s apartments. The tombs of the Adil hadi rulers are scattered around the outskirts of the town. The important mosques are located to the southeast of the town.
The vast Golgumbaz mausoleum was built towards the end of the Adil Shadis dynasty. The tomb has the largest dome in the world after St Peter’s in Rome. Spiral staircases wind up four seven storey octagonal towers thus allowing access to the whispering gallery a passage that encircles the interior base of the dome.
Jama Masjid is located 1km southwest of the Golgumbaz mausoleum and it is widely regarded as one of the finest mosques in India. Mithari Mahal is located to the west of Jama Masjid and this is an incredible beautiful building. It has an ornate architecture with minarets crowning its corners.
The Ibrahim Rauza 1km to the west of the town is also a tomb complex that is not as large as the Golgumbaz mausoleum but incredible detailed with its fine stone craft. The carved laced windows are inscribed with elaborate Koranic inscriptions and they are the finest examples of their kind in India. The complex deserves the praise from its Persian architect describing it as “A beauty of which paradise stood amazed”
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Four Cave Temple on the Red Stone Ridge
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Located between two rocky hills overlooking the green waters of a large lake Badami is famous for its four cave temples all hewn out of sand stone on the precipice of a hill.Today it is just a village but once it was the capital of the Chalukya empire. The Station Road is the main road in Badami and the architectural cave complex lies to the east of it. There are four sets of caves. The oldest, Cave 1, has stunning carvings of Shiva in his Nataraja avatar, dancing the apocalyptic tandava. There are also carvings of the god in the Ardhanarishvara form where he is depicted as half man-half woman, the woman half representing his wife Parvati. Yet another carving is of Harihara, the right half of this figure depicts Shiva - the Destroyer and the left, Vishnu - the Preserver. Caves 2 and 3 are dedicated entirely to Vishnu, whereas Cave 4 is has an image of the Jain tirthankara, Adinath.The largest and most ornamental is the third cave temple dedicated to Vishnu. 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 beneath the cave temples. Other sites of note are the 5th century Agastyatirtha Tank, the fort and the local archaeological museum that has some fine specimens of carvings from the area including a collection of Lajja-Gauri Badami. In the past Badami was the capital of the great Chalukyan Empire that controlled most of peninsular India between the 4th and 8th centuries AD. The Chalukyas are credited with some of the best traditions of Dravidian architecture including an experimental blend of older South Indian temple architecture and the Nagara style of north India, which passed into the Dravidian temple-building convention.
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The Stone Fortress the Hill
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Chitradurga is located at a distance of 202 kms northwest of Bangalore, in the heart of the Deccan Plateau.Chitradurga owes its name to “Chitrakaladurga,” or “Picturesque castle”. Hospet is often used as a base when visiting Chitradurga.When travelling from Hassan to Hospet it is good to make a stop and visit the fort here.The Fort here is a massive and sits on top of granite hills that rise dramatically from the ground. Archaeological remains found in the area, trace its history to the 3rd millennium B.C. A rock cut edict of Emperor Ashoka, near Bharamagiri reveals that Chitradurga was part of the Mauryan Empire dating to the 3rd century B.C.
After the fall of the Mauryans, this land was under the rule of royal dynasties like the Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas and Hoysalas. But it really achieved eminence, as a feudatory state of the Vijayanagar Empire, under the dynastic rule of the Nayakas or “Paleyars”, known for their heroic exploits. The most eminent of the feudatory chieftains, was Madakari Nayaka, who after the fall of the Vijayanagar Empire consolidated his power. The hill fortress was built by the Nayakas during the Vijayanagar era, became their stronghold later. In 1779, the fort was captured by Haider Ali, who along with his son Tipu Sultan, was responsible for its expansion and strengthening. After Tipu Sultan’s defeat by the British, the fort came under the rule of the Royal Mysore family. Today sightseeing in Chitradurga encompasses the many historical sites like the ancient monastery of Ankali Math also called Paradeshappana Guhe. Here there are a number of caves underneath the Kallu Mantapa (stone sanctum) of the mutt. This might have served as a refuge for monks when praying. The scenic valley of Chandravalli is located to the north west of Chitradurga. Chandravalli is an ancient archeological site and coins, inscriptions, ruins, stone images belonging to the Hoisala-Kadamb and Sathavahana period have been discovered. The imposing fort of Chitradurga is known as the Kallina Kote or the Palace of Stone. This enormous fort, is regarded as a marvel of military architecture and has stood guard against enemies. Encircled by seven massive walls, the fort has 19 gateways, and 38 posterior entrances, of which four are secret. The approach to each gate is uphill and through passages that twist and turn. This made it impossible to use elephants or battering rams to break down the gates.
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Karnataka's Hoysala temples
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Hassan is an ideal stopover to head to the neighbouring places of Belur, Halebid and Shravanbelgola, rich in architectural history by way of their temples. Approximately 38km from Hassan, Belur the erstwhile capital of the Hoysala Empire, is a picturesque village located on the riverbanks of Yagchi. Explore the Chennakeshava Temple, which took 103 years to finish. The architectural magnificence is one of the finest examples of Hoysala workmanship. The other temple to visit is the Veeranarayana Temple.
Halebid, means ruined city, and is home to the ruins of Dwarasamudra, the capital of Hoysala after Belur, and 27km northwest of Hassan. Like Belur, the temples at Halebid reveal their rich cultural heritage. The most famous, 12th century temple, is the Hoysaleswara Temple, which despite taking 86 years to be built could never be completed. No two parts of the temple are alike. On the side of the temple are two monolithic statues of Nandi Bull.
Gorur Dam, 12km from Hassan, the Sakaleswara Temple and the fort at Manjarabad are the other interesting places around Hassan. .
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The Jain Temple of Gomateshvara
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Sravanabelagola is located 148km from Bangalore.It is one of the most popular Jain pilgrimage centers in South India, and is known for its colossal monolithic statue of Gomateswara, on top of a hill. The temple to Gomateswara is built on top of a hill, -at a height of 3000 feet above sea level. A flight of 500 steps provides access to this temple. Views of the neighborhood from the top of the hill are spectacular.The 1,800 years old 17m high statue of Lord Gomateswara, a Jain Saint, sits on top of the Indragiri Hills and is thought to be one of the tallest and loveliest monolithic statues of the world. It is symbolic of letting go of worldly possessions. The neighboring area abounds in 12th Century Jaina bastis (shrines or Temples) and several images of the Jaina Theerthankaras. The Mahamastakabhishekam festival is held once in 12 years, and this is when the image of Gomateswara is bathed in milk, curds, ghee, saffron and gold coins.
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Premium Wildlife Sanctuary
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Once an exclusive hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Mysore, Nagarhole National Park was renamed after the late Rajiv Gandhi, but today it is still often called by its old name.The park, situated in the Deccan Plateau, forms an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The Nagarhole River winds through it and finally meets the Kabini, the largest river draining the forest. A dam built on the Kabini has created a splendid lake to the south of the park, which separates it from Bandipur Tiger Reserve. To the south-east lies the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary while to the west, coffee plantations separate the park from Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary. This entire stretch is one of the finest remaining habitats of the Asian Elephant. Huge herds hang about in Nagarhole, and it’s said that summer is the best time to see them. It is held that Nagarhole is worth visiting in the dry season, when wild animals are spotted in large numbers near the water bodies but this is by no means certain.Successive dry spells have shrivelled the water sources so much that the animals feel content lying in the shade, away from view.Then, as the pre-monsoon showers bring the forest alive with streams, the resident birds start their breeding activities and the air resounds with their calls. Sprouting grass in the meadows and view lines attract elephants and gaur in large numbers. Kabini is one of the most popular wildlife destinations in Karnataka, probably because of its easy accessibility, lush green landscape, large picturesque lake, and fantastic sightings of large herds of elephants. It is located 80km away from Mysore and 205km from Bangalore, and comprises the south-eastern part of Nagarhole National Park. Situated on the banks of River Kabini, this forest reserve is spread over 55 acres of forest and water.Today it is considered to be one of the best wildlife spotting areas in Karnataka, famous for its spectacular wildlife and bird life.
At Nagarhole the forest department offers mini bus safaris into the park. Jeep safaris are allowed if you can take in your own jeep with the permission of the forest department. However, it is mandatory to take along a guide on a jeep safari. Safaris begin from the range office inside the park, 45 km from Hunsur via Veeranahosahalli. Elephant rides lasting for 30 minutes are also organised by the forest department. The joyride comprises of tourists being taken around on an elephant around the park.
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Trekking in the Hills and the Tibetan Settlement at Byllakuppe
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When visiting Coorg do go and see the magnificent Abbey falls which are a breathtaking sight with waters gushing down into a rocky ravine. The falls are located between private coffee plantations and it provides a splendid area for picnics. While in Coorg visit some of the coffee plantations that dot the landscape.During the flowering season of March and April, the rich aroma of coffee wafts through the air. Most of the plantations have multiple cropps of coffee, orange, black pepper, and cardamom on the lower slopes. Plantations are beautifully maintained with modern irrigation and curing and processing facilities for the beans. The Central settlement of Madikeri is known for its old world charm, and it is located at an elevation of 1525 m. A cluster of red-roofed houses are contrast to the surrounding rolling hills. Here can also be found the 19th century Madikeri Fort which contains a number of monuments and shrines within it. A feature is Raja's seat perched on top of a hill. This is where in the days of old royalty spent many pleasant evenings watching the golden sunset. The Tibetan settlement at Bylakuppe is the location of several villages centred around monasteries. Here monks are a common sight and Tibetan arts and crafts can be found here.The Tibetans were refugees that have lived here since the Chinese Invasion of Tibet in 1959. The Karnataka Government gifted the refugees some land and today a highlight in the area is the Namdroling Monastery with its spectacular Golden Temple. Coorg is very popular as a trekking destination and this area of rolling hills around Coorg has many trekking trails. During the peak trekking season from October to February, many trekkers can be found enjoying the mountain trails. Of interest are the little shrines often beside waterfalls, and others on the banks of rivers that can be found along the trails. The Brahmagiri ranges of South Kodagu possess the most-frequented trekking trails and this is the location of a forest trail that leads from Iruppu Falls to the Brahmagiri peak.
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Home of the Bidri Metal Craft
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Bidar Fort was built in 1428 and is best visited when travelling between Hyderabad and Bijapur.The heart of Bidar is its old town protected by walls and 8 imposing gateways. The Bidar Fort remains largely intact and is fortified by 10km of ramparts and in the north it is protected by a 300 metres high cliff. The main southern entrance had giant gates and a triple moat that once could only be crossed by a series of draw bridges.
Today Inside the fort it is possible to visit the exquisite Rangin Mahal which although modest in size has a beautiful interior and some fine examples of Islamic art and craftsmanship. Persian style mother of pearl inlay work on polished black granite are part of the exquisite decoration that can be found here. Bidars oldest Muslim monument is the Solah Khamb mosque it is decocated with pierced stone calligraphyon the exterior. When looking to the east from the wall of the fort it is possible to see a cluster of 8 white domes. These are the mausoleums at Ashtor and are located just 3km away. Here is the resting place of the Bahmani sultans and their families. The most impressive tomb is that of Alaudin Shah with its coloured glazed tiles and persian paintings that decorate the interior of the dome. Located on the western edge of Bidar are the tombs of the Badrid Shahi rulers. These tombs are dated from the 16th Century as the Badri Shahi rulers succeeded the Bahmani dynasty. Here one can also find the mass –grave platform of the 67 concubines that died with Ali Barid who lived from 1542 until 1579. The concubines were originally sent as tribute gifts to the overlord Ali Barid by his subjects. Bidar is also renowned as the home of a unique type of metal work called Bidri. It was a craft developed by the Persian silversmiths that came to the area with the Bahmani court. The artisans here engraved and inlaid traditional Iranian designs onto a metal alloy composed of lead, copper, zinc and tin which they then blackened and polished. The resulting effect is that of swirling silver patterns framed by geometric patterns set against black backgrounds. In Bidar today it is still possible to see this art being practiced by the local artisans
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