Karnataka Tourism

Also popularly known as "Uttar Kannada", this region is home to beautiful water falls, rivers and dense forests. It is far from Bangalore but offers a large number of options to the tourists. Nature is the only form of entertainment here. It's greenery is comparable to that of Kerala. The famous Jog Falls are in this area and so is the wild life sanctuary - Dandeli.

Karanataka is one of the states in India with a long coast.  Part of this state touches Arabian Sea and is very scenic. It's an ideal spot for tourism during winter days. It may not be suitable during summers season as it gets hot, humid.

During rainy season, it receives good amount of rainfall and the whole place looks very beautiful.

Coorg is a beautiful region about 100 kms from Mysore. It is famous for its coffee plantations and beautiful sights. Madikeri is the main district in Coorg region and the tourism tends to revolve around Madikeri.

The Coorg travel itinerary usually involves going to a Tibetan Monastery at Bylakuppe, visiting Madikeri and then proceeding to Talakaveri (which is the origin of river Kaveri). There are several other places of interest in Coorg which are not frequented by the general tourists.

What to expect at Coorg:

• Coffee estates. Coorg is a region full of coffee estates. There are also several types of spices that are grown here but coffee is main.
• Greenery. In general, Coorg is very rich in flora and fauna.
• Clouds in the rainy season. You can take a walk in the clouds in some of the higher regions of Coorg (like Talakaveri).
• A distinctly different culture and cuisine. The Coorg cuisine is different from the general Karnataka cuisine.
• Homestays. Coorg has lots of options for homestay and they tend to provide a better window in Coorg's culture than any commercial ventures. Also, the homestays tend to be better located and offer better food (based on Coorg's cuisine but tweaked to suit the tastebuds of people from other places).

Where to stay in Coorg:

• Madikeri town which is where the buzz is. It is also centrally located which makes traveling to various places easier.
• Tibetan monastery at Bylakuppe. Basic accommodation is available here and is suited for those who just want to be in peace without traveling deeper into Coorg or for those who want to get intimate with the Tibetan way-of-life.
• There are also various accommodation options which are scattered all over Coorg. Away from the mainstream places, they offer quiet time with nature (river, hills, animals, waterfalls).

Things to do/see in Coorg:

Nature is the only form of entertainment in Coorg. So, the things to do/see in Coorg revolve all around nature.

• Trekking. There are several places to trek in Coorg. And top of the hill always offers some breathtaking view.
• Watch elephant training at Dubare elephant training camp.
• A walk in the cloud during rainy season.
• In general, enjoy the beauty of nature.

What to watch out for:

• Leech during the rainy season. It's always better to carry some salt when venturing into untrodden or less-trodden paths.

Places around Coorg:

• Mysore is very close to Coorg. In fact that's the main entry path to Coorg.

Katil is a religious place known to the people of Karnataka as the abode of the mother goddess Durga Parameshwari.

Katil is another place of Religious significance. Katil is 30 Kms from Mangalore, on the banks of the river Nandini. It has a famous temple dedicated to Durga Parameshwari.

When you enter the sanctum of Katil, you will find the awe-inspiring image of the Goddess in sitting posture with Shanka and Chakra in her two upper hands and showing Abhaya and Varadamudra with her two lower hands.

Location :30 Kms from Mangalore

Badami, formerly known as Vatapi, is  a taluk in  the Bagalkot district  of Karnataka.It was the regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas from 540 to 757 AD. It is famous for rock cut and other structural temples. It is located in a ravine at the foot of a rugged, red  sandstone  outcrop that surrounds Agastya lake.

The greatest king  among Chalukyas  was Pulakeshi II (610-642 AD) who defeated many kings  and  extended the kingdom.
The city has quite a good historical background & one can still see the classical art statues,murtis & the artistry of the temples,forts & other historical places in & around Badami.

Badami has eighteen inscriptions, among them some inscriptions are important. The first Sanskrit inscription in old Kannada script, on a hillock dates back to 543 CE, from the period of Pulakesi.

Badami is famous for its sandstone cave temples.

Travel Attractions of Badami :
The Badami Caves
The Bhoothnath Temple
Archaeological Museum
Mahakuta Temple
The North Fort

Prime attractions : Rock cut Caves
Temperature : Max-38°C and Min 15°C

Time To Visit : Between October to March.

Accommodation at Badami:
The prominent ones are Mookambika Hotel with running water on the station road.

The city of Chitradurga is the district headquarters in the state of Karnataka. Tradition dates Chitradurga District to the period of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The whole district lies in the valley of the Vedavati River, with the Tungabhadra river flowing in the northwest. Chitradurga is quite scenic as the city is surrounded by hills, hills and hills. This place is of tourist attraction for its well known Fort.

Location : City of Chitradurga is located at the junction of NH-4 (Bangalore-Pune National Highway) and NH-13 (Solapur - Mangalore National Highway).The navigational location of Chitradurga is at 14 deg. 00' N 76 deg. 30' E / 14.00 deg N 76.50 deg. E.

Sthala Mahime : The Sri Rayara Matha at Chitradurga has a unique brundavana, apart from big brundavana, it is having a small brundavana about one feet placed above the big one. When Sri Rayaru expressed willingness to enter into brundavana with an intention to stay in there for a long period and bless the devotees, the then Nawab of Adoni got precious stones and got a brundavana sculpted. But Sri Rayaru wanted a specific stone to be used for this purpose and mentioned about a stone on which Lord Sri Rama had taken rest while on way south. That stone was situated in a place near to Mantralaya and was brought to Mantralaya. Sri Rayaru then showed the specifications by sculpting a prototype out of a chunk of the same stone and similarly the moola brundavana was sculpted using the stone.

Subsequent Peethadipathis of Sri Rayaru Matha were taking that prototype brundavana along with them during their sanchara for pooja purposes and hence the name 'chara brundavana' or 'chala brundavana' (both carry same meaning).

When Sri Suvrateendra Theertharu was camping in Chitradurga while on sanchara, Sri Rayaru instructed through svapna that this chara brundavana, which was brought along as per custom, be left there itself and be worshipped by devotees of Chitradurga. This is how the chara brundavana came to be permanently placed in Chitradurga.

Also, apart from above, there is pandava poojita Sri Pranadevaru idol with five bells in tail in the matha. This is the place where Sri Rayaru bestowed moksha to Venkanna. This is a fact well documented in Sri Rayara charitre written by many researchers / scholars. As a mark of this, the place where moksha was granted to Venkanna is preserved by placing a Tulasi brundavana. This place is very close to Sri Rayara matha here.

How to reach Chitradurga :

Air : The nearest airport is Bangalore - about 200 kms.

Train : Chitradurga is also accessible by train. The Indian Railway indicates that there is a train from Bangalore to Hubli (Train no.583) via Bangalore - Tumkur - Hosadurga Road - Chikjajur Jn. - Chitradurga - Hospet - Hubli. Hospet to Bangalore (Train no. 584) via Hospet - Bellary - Challekere - Chitradurga. Yatris may please check before their ticket booking.

Road : It is well connected from all other districts of Karnataka and two major National Highways pass through it.

1. NH4 - Chennai - Mumbai via Bangalore, Chitradurga and Pune.

2. NH13 - Mangalore to Solapur via Shimoga, Chitradurga and Hospet.

There are KSRTC buses almost every 15 minutes from Bangalore / Hubli to Chitradurga and fairly good frequency from other district headquarters. All buses which are moving towards Davanagere, Harihar, Hubli, Belgaum, Pune, Mumbai, Solapur from Bangalore will have to go through this city only.

By Road, Chitradurga is 200 kms. (from Bangalore), and depending on the mode of transport and time of the day, it will take 2.5 hours to 4 hours. KSRTC buses normally take between 3.5-4 hours.

The road is excellent, with four lanes, well laid and maintained with toll stretches from Bangalore to Hiriyur. Bangalore-Chitradurga is one of the first stretches of Golden Quadrilateral Project to get completed.

Accommodation at Chitradurga :

Please contact Sri Rangarao Desai, Manager, Sri Raghavendra Swamy Matha for theertha prasada, accommodation. Phone no. 08194-224141.

For more details and other facilities, please contact Sri Hulirajachar - 9449128128 (Leader, Sri Hari Vayu Guru Seva Sangha, Chitradurga and Manager, LIC of India, Chitradurga Branch).

Nearby places :

There are many picturesque places for visitors to see in and around Chitradurga like the famous Fort, Jogimatti, Adumalleshwara, Mari Kanive, etc. Guidance from a localite will be more helpful. A good place to visit for both religious as well as tourist purposes.

Apart from above, the Madhwa related places near Chitradurga are :

1. Holehonnuru and Tungabhadra Sangama - 100 kms. towards Shimoga - Sri Satyadharma Theerthara Sannidhana.

2. Kellodu - 65 kms. towards Hosadurga - Vyasaraja prathishtitha pranadevaru - 12 fts. height.

3. Kadaramandalagi - 90 kms. towards Ranibennur - pranadevaru named as Kanthesha.

4. Bommaghatta - 105 kms. towards Kudligi - Hospet Vyasaraja punah prathishtitha pranadevaru.

5. Halu Rameshwara and Bettada Ranganatha - around 40 kms. towards Shimoga.

6. Kadlabalu and Doddiganahalu / Sirigere - 50 kms. towards Davanagere - avatara traya pranadevaru.

7. Hospet and Hampi (Navabrundavana) is two hours drive away.

Reference Links :

1. http://www.chitradurga.nic.in/

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chitradurga_district

Bellary district is spread from southwest to northeast and is situated on the eastern side of Karnataka state.

Balari which refers to goddess Durugamma as this goddess had manifested herself in the town. Some of the events in the great epic Ramayana are related to this historical place. It is said that Rama while searching for Sita met Sugreeva and Hanuman at a place near Hampi, the celebrated capital of the Vijayanagara empire. The history speaks volumes about significant role it acquired during Satavahanas, Kadambas, Chalukyas of Kalyana, Kalachuryas, Sevunas, and Hoysalas' period. Vijayanagara rulers built the City of Victory on the banks of Tungabhadra River at Hampi in Hospet Taluk. Bellary was transferred to former Mysore state on 1st October 1953 from Madras state.

         Tourist Attractions

• Hampi:At this World Heritage Site, you can witness the Virupaksha temple, the Stone Chariot, Ugra Narasimha, King's Balance and Lotus Mahal, Elephants stables.
• Mallara:Renowned for the temple consecrated to Lord Shiva in his form of Mallara or Mallari, it is famed for the annual festival of Mallara.
• Ramanadurga or Ramgad:At this hill-station set amidst a group of granite hills, there is a temple dedicated to Ramadeva.

  Places around Bellary

• Tunga Bhadra Dam:This huge dam, situated neat Hospet, is built on river Tunga and Bhadra, and has a beautiful garden.
• Ambali:Positioned 10 km north-west of Kottur, Ambali is popular for the black stone Chalukyan temple dedicated to Kalleswari.

  Fairs And Festivals

• Hampi Utsav:The ruined city of Hampi, located near Bellary, comes alive during this festival of dance and music called Hampi or Vijaya Utsav, held in the first week of November.
• Annual festival of Mallara:This famous festival is celebrated in a temple consecrated to Lord Shiva in his form of Mallara or Mallari.

  Where to stay

  Some of the major hotels in Bellary, offering a remarkable blend of tradition and modernity as well as a comfortable stay, are Hotel Pola Paradise, etc.

  How To Reach
• By Air:Bellary has its own airport, from where regular flights to Bangalore are available.
• By Rail:You can access to any place in Karnataka from the Bellary Railway Station.
• By Road:Bellary is linked with the rest of the state by a vast network of well-connected roads.

"maanavanaagi huTTida mEle Enen kanDi….

saayodaroLage omme nODu jOgaad gunDi”

“What have you seen having born as a human being?

…. You better see Jog (Jogaad gundi) before you breathe your last”

Goes a popular song by the National Poet (Rashtrakavi) G.S. Shivarudrappa

Jog falls is easily in the top list of ‘places to visit before you die’. Crashing down from a height of 900 feet, Jog falls is one of the highest in India and the 7^th deepest waterfall in Asia.

Situated in Shimoga district, Jog falls is around 360 kms from Bangalore. Cutting across the picturesque Western ghats, the river Sharavati splits into four main channels, namely, King (Raja), Queen (Rani or Lady), Rocket and Roarer thus forming the famous Jog Falls.

King (Raja) being the highest falls 250m below forming a 40m deep pool. Roarer is next to it. Rocket gets its name due to its spurting out of the water at great speed while the last one Rani (or Queen or Lady) is more graceful.

Jog falls also carries the alias of Gerusoppe falls, Jogada gundi. Jog falls is one of the rarest places that attracts adventurous, pilgrimages, nature-lovers, scientists, engineers and casual visitors alike.

River rafting, trekking, mountain climbing all have a common point to start their journey towards the western ghats.

One of the earliest deployed hydropower project in Karnataka, is located at the downstreams of Jog.  Karnataka’s major source of hydroelectricity, at the Linganamakki dam is just before the falls. Water is released through the crest gests of the dam, on the second Sunday of every month, during the rainy season, from 10 am to 6 pm.

Best time to visit: October to February

Accomodation:

Sharavati Tourist Home, Tunga Tourist Home, Guest-House

Places around Jog falls

Gokarna, Yana, Murudeshwara

Another interesting getaway from Mysore for nature enthusiasts is the Biligiri Rangana Hills popularly known as the B.R.Hills. Though these hills are famous for the ancient temple on top of the hills, it is also home to a lesser-known wildlife sanctuary. The Biligiri Rangana Hills are 120kms from Mysore. The Billigiri Rangana hills are ideally located between the Cauvery and Kapila rivers. It is at a height of about 5, 091 feet above sea level and runs north to south for about 16kms. The lower hills are covered with rich deciduous forests that are home to a large number of elephants.

The wildlife sanctuary covers an area of about 550sq.km. and is inhabited by a number of animals including elephants, sloth bears, bison, deer, porcupines and a number of other wild animals. It is said that the sanctuary has more than 250 species of birds like the Paradise Flycatcher, Racquet Trailed Drongo and the Crested Hawk Eagle, to name a few. The sanctuary is inhabited with such a large population of wildlife that one does not have to go looking for them. There is accommodation in the sanctuary in the form of Jungle lodges and resorts. The best time to get a good look at the wildlife is at dawn.

To visit the temple on top of the hill you can either climb the 150 steps leading to the temple or drive through the lush green forests. The temple is dedicated to Biligiri Rangaswamy and the temple is built in the Dravidian style. There is a guesthouse maintained by the temple authorities that provides accommodation as well. These hills are a wonderful combination of a hill resort and a wildlife sanctuary. There are buses that ply from Mysore at regular intervals to B.R.Hills.