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| Know more about Karnataka |
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 General Information on Karnataka
 Karnataka has been generously blessed with all those attractions that any state would have been more than proud to own. This is the eighth largest state in the country and is situated at the western side of Deccan Plateau in South India. Having a 320 kms long coastline, Karnataka is blessed with various heritage as well as natural attractions.
Karnataka might not be called as the best state in India, but it is certainly catching up. The credit definitely goes to the stimulating climate that induces people for a holiday tour to this state again and again. The tropical monsoon climate that covers the entire coastal belt of Karnataka, gives the state a moderate summer and pleasant winters. The Southern part of Karnataka experiences hot, seasonally dry tropical savanna climate. The north Karnataka experiences hot, semi-arid, tropical steppe type of climate.
The months of January and February are slightly cold while summers begin from March and continues till May. Post monsoon begins from October and remains till December. The best season to visit Karnataka is definitely the winter (between October to February) where the travelers can enjoy the most of Karnataka.
Karnataka Pilgrimage
 Banavasi : The prime attraction of Banavasi is the renowned Madhukeshwara Temple built in the 9th century and dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Madhukeshwara temple is an amalgamation of several schools of architecture. The presiding deity of Madhukeshwara is a honey colored lingam dedicated during the period of Mayura Varma, the first king of Kadambas.
During its halcyon days, Banavasi was the capital city of the Kadamba kings, the first royal dynasty of Karnataka. The Kadambas established their empire in 345 A.D. and held supreme for two hundred years. The annual December cultural festival, Kadambothsav, is a huge gathering, organized by the state government, and featuring folk dancers, drama troupes, classical musicians, art exhibitions, while drawing together performers, artists, and writers from all of south India.
Basavakalyan : The royal heritage notwithstanding, Basavakalyan is known more for being the birthplace of Basaveshwara, a 12th Century scholar who fought against castism and orthodoxy in Hinduism. Despite being born into a Brahmin family in the Bijapur district of northern Karnataka and growing up in a strict, religious household, Basaveshwara was a pioneer who worked relentlessly to reform the inherent prejudices of Hinduism. He rejected the Vedic religion based on Vedas, agamas, shastras, and puranas.
Due to the noble work and philosophy of Basaveshwara, Basavakalyana became a seat of learning and an abode of spiritual wisdom. Basavakalyan is renowned for the saints who made the city their home: Basaveshwara, Akka-Mahadevi, Channabasavanna, and Siddarama.
 Dharmasthala : One of the most sacred places in South India, Dharmasthala is an exemplary manifestation of communal harmony and peaceful co-existence of different religions. Located 65km east of Mangalore in the Dakshina Kannada district, Dharmasthala is thronged by Jain, Hindu, Christian and Muslim devotees who come here for the cure of their ailments.
True to its tradition of religious tolerance, the Jain tirthankara and Lord Shri Manjunatha Swamy (another form of Lord Shiva) are worshipped on the same sanctified site in Dharmasthala. During the annual festival of Laksha Deepotsava held in November or December, 100,000 oil lamps illuminate the night sky with their tiny flames.
The colossal monolithic statue of Bhagaban Bahubali, located atop the hill Rathnagiri Betta, is a major attraction of Dharmasthala. The statue, weighing 200 tons and 52 feet high, was carved by famous sculpture Shri Renjala Gopala Shenoy of Karkala. He started to sculpt the statue in 1967 and finished in 1970 in Karkala.
Mudabidri :Moodabidri (also called Mudabidri), an ancient center of Jain learning, is a small town about 37 km northeast of Mangalore, in Karnataka. It is situated at a beautiful spot in the midst of hills. Moodabidri was a center of Jain religion, culture, art and architecture during 14th - 16th centuries. It is famous as the "Jaina Kashi" of the South. It is sanctified by the stay of great saints and poets. Jains from all parts of India come here to worship in the famous 18 Jaina basadis that are dedicated to the memory of the Tirthankaras.
Murudeshwara temple : Murudeshwara temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, lies in the holy beach town in the Bhatkal Taluk of Uttara Kannada district in the state of Karnataka, India. Situated between the Honnavar and Bhatkal town(about 12kms) The statue of Shiva here is the world's tallest and it lies on the coast of the Arabian Sea.
The Statue of Shiva with Ravana handing Atma Linga to Bramhin boy(Lord Ganesha
Shravanabelagola : Shravanabelagola is a historic town in Hassan District in the state of Karnataka. The town is an important Jain pilgrim center.Shravanabelagola is 157 km away from Bangalore and 52 km from Hassan town. For a Tour to Shravanabelagola, the best time to visit is between the months of October and March.
History :
Shravanabelagola got its name from the words ‘Bel’ and ‘Kola.’ In Kannada language, Bel means white, and Kola means pond, hence it is an allusion to the beautiful pond in the middle of the town. Shravanabelagola reached its architectural and sculptural pinnacle under the patronage of Gangas of Talakad.
 Somnathpur Temples in Karnataka : Somnathpur temples in Karnataka are the windows to the rich historical past of Karnataka. As soon as you lay eyes on these temples you will notice that there is an exceptional kind of stillness in the these temples making them eternal. Somnathpur is one of the most ancient village of Karnataka thus earning it a name of heritage destination. At a distance of 40 kms from Mysore and 180 kms from Bangalore, the rural town is famous for its splendid and grand Keshava temple that has been built in the Hoyasala style.
Sringeri : Sringeri is home to a number of historic temples.
Sri Sharada Temple : The temple is dedicated to Goddess Sharadamba, the Goddess of learning and wisdom. Adi Shankaracharya installed Goddess of learning, Sri Sharadamba over a Sri Chakra fixed on a rock on the left bank of river Tunga.
Sri Vidyashankara Temple: The Vidyashankara Temple was built in the year 1338 A.D. The Vidyashankara temple was built in memorial of the pontiff Vidyashankara by Vidyaranya, patron-saint of Harihara and Bukka, the brothers who founded the Vijayanagara empire.
The Vidyashankara temple is a unique monument built entirely of stone combining both Hoysala (Chalukya) and Dravidian architectural styles. The temple architecture is also an exhibition of the astronomical expertise of medieval south Indian temple builders. The main temple hall features 12 pillars designated for the 12 signs of the zodiac in their regular order, and arranged in such a manner that the rays of the sun fall on each of them in the order of the twelve solar months. Windows and doors along the temple walls are arranged such that equinoxes sunrise views reach the deity.
Sringeri Sharada Peetham :
The matha at Sringeri is known as Sringeri Sharada Peetham. It is one of the four Hindu Advaita maths established by Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya. It is also called to as Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sharada peetam. The head of the Sringeri matha is called Jagadguru (teacher of the world in Sanskrit) and also carries the Shankaracharya name as a title. Shri Bharati Tirtha Swamiji is present and 36th head of Sringeri matha.
Karnataka Beaches
Devbagh Beach : Devbagh beach is the ideal retreat for people looking for some seclusion and tranquility. Cut off from the mainland, you can laze around, lie in a hammock or soak in glorious sunshine. Live in tented cottages or huts and marvel at the wonders of nature beneath starry skies.
Besides strolling around in these sun-kissed beaches, you can frolic in the blue seas and enjoy exciting water sports. A tiny secluded cove on Lady's Island serves as the hub of these activities and even non-swimmers are encouraged to snorkel, wearing life- jackets. Dive deep into the seas and explore the exotic ocean life.
Karwar Beach : It is one of the most famous Karnataka beaches. Its major attractions are the Sadashivgad Hill Fort with a Durga Temple, the octagonal church, the 300-years-old Venkatrama Temple with ochre paintings and the Naganatha Temple with a sacred ant hill. The best time to visit it is September to mid-May.
 Malpe Beach : About 6 kms from Udupi is Malpe, an ideal picnic spot with its virgin beach. The endless stretch of golden sand, graciously swaying palm trees, the clear blue sky and the gurgle of the sea all set the perfect mood for an unforgettable holiday here.
Malpe is famed for its silvery beaches that offer breathtaking views of the sea. An idyllic resort for boating, fishing and bathing the town lies around 386 km from Bangalore.
Udupi is at a distance of 60 km from Mangalore.
Murudeshwar Beach :Situated between Honnavar and Bhatkal, 1 km off the National Highway is the scenic holy place of Murudeshwar.
The place is believed to have been sanctified by a piece of the Pranalinga of Mahabaleshwara thrown by Ravana and has some beautiful carvings and statues. Bounded by the shimmering sea and rolling hills, the place is a favourite picnic spot.
WIth the roaring sea to the west, the towering hills to the east and the coconut and areca groves nearby, the temple attracts a lot of devotees and tourists as well.
While touring this land of picture-postcard scenery, be sure to witness some of the quaint rituals like Bhuta worship, the Kambala (buffalo race) or Korikatta the cockfight.
Partake of the delicacies of coastal Karnataka, the mouth - watering sweets, spicy fish curries and a variety of rice calces. Savour the juicy fruits a wide variety of mangoes, jackfruit, cashew and bananas, which abound in this fertile land. And take home memories as colourful and varied as your experiences.
Shopping in Karnataka
 Bangalore and Mysore are well-known for their shimmering silks. Karnataka’s legendary silk saris have become an integral part of the modern day dressing. The silk sarees are largely exported to other countries also. Karnataka is the home of sandalwood. Different sandalwood items are available in all over Karnataka. From Karnataka, Shoppers can carry home beads, pendants, carved tables, screens, dinner gongs, boxes, caskets, mythological figures, a host of stationery items, trays, decorative panels made of sandalwood. Inlaid furniture and sandalwood carvings are a favorite with affluent tourists. Shopping in Karnataka can be a marvelous experience as Karnataka has much to display to the tourists. It is said that Karnataka is a shopper’s paradise. With dazzling shopping arcades and shopping malls strewn all around the state, Karnataka has become a shopping hub in India. With its sparkling silks, sandalwood and rosewood carvings and exquisite handicrafts, Karnataka excels as the shoppers paradise.
Climate in Karnataka
Karnataka is one of the most beautiful states in India. As far as the climate in Karnataka is concerned, this state also has a pleasant weather. The state is known to have a moderate summers and pleasant winters.
The entire coastal belt of Karnataka has The Tropical Monsoon climate. The climate in the coastal region is hot with excessive rainfall during the monsoon. The Southern part of Karnataka experiences hot, seasonally dry tropical savana climate. The north Karnataka experiences hot, semi-arid, tropical steppe type of climate.
The winter begins from January and ends in February. It is followed by summer from March to May. Post monsoon season
begins in October and lasts till December.The months April and May are really very hot and dry. Weather tends to be harsh during June due to high humidity. The next three months (July, August and September) are comfortable due to reduced day temperature although the humidities continue to be very high.
The best season to visit Karnataka is definitely the winter where the travelers can enjoy the most because of a very pleasant weather.
Waterfalls in Karnataka
Abbey Falls Karnataka : Karnataka has scenic and unspoilt hill stations that are frequented by those seeking the serene. Among these exotic hill stations are beautiful Waterfalls in Karnataka that cascade from great heights. Among the many falls Abbey Falls in Karnataka is one of the spectacular waterfalls of Karnataka.
Also known as the Abbi Falls, it is located 10 kms from the town of Madikeri in the Western Ghats. The Western Ghats is infested with the spectacular waterfalls. During the monsoons the river beds swell and various tributaries join to plunge down the mountain ranges from great heights and exhibit a marvelous spectacle of the cascading water on rocky beds giving rise to misty sprays.
Iruppu Falls :Located beside the Nagarhole National Park, the Iruppu falls presents a majestic sight with water cascading down from a height of 170ft. Originating in the lofty Brahmagiri peaks; the falls become a part of the Lakshmana Teertha River in the plains. During the monsoons, the Iruppu falls swell with seasonal rainfall.
The roaring waters of the Iruppu coupled with the picturesque surroundings make it a great picnic spot. The Rameshwara Temple, located nearby the falls, attracts a large congregation of devout pilgrims during the festival of Shivaratri. Natives believe that the Iruppu falls possesses magical powers and they purge one of one's sins. On the day of Shivaratri, devotees bathe in these falls to clean their sins.
 Jogfalls : Jogfalls is the most exciting spectacle in the western region of Karnataka. In the midst of scenic beauty jogfalls attracts the tourist much.
Jogfalls is about 105 kilometers from Shimoga. The river Sharavathi takes a spectacular leap at a height of 292 meters falls in four distinct waterfalls - Raja, Rani, Rocket and Roarer- to form the fifth highest waterfall in Asia.
Udupi is at a distance of 60 km from Mangalore.
Shivasamudram Falls :You can discover the beauty of nature when you visit the tiny island town of Shivasamudram that is about 65 kms. east of Mysore. Reaching the Bluff at Shivasamudram, you have to walk along the banks of Cauvery for 2 kms through lush green fields scantily scattered with trees before approaching the Shivasamudram Waterfalls.
It is a breathtaking scene to watch the river plummet down from a height of 300-350 feet into a spray of mist. Sitting on the nearby benches from the watch tower you can revel on the beauty that the cascading waterfalls provide.
At Talacauvery in the Western Ghats of Kodagu district River Cauvery emerges and meanders to join the Rivers Harangi, Hemavathi, Lakshmana Thirtha and Kapila. Before venturing into Tamil Nadu, Cauvery leaves behind many splendid waterfalls and among them is Shivasamudram Falls.
Cauvery breaks into two branches at Shivasamudram thus creating the picturesque island. The two branches form separate falls, the Gagana Chukki or the western falls and Bhara Chukki or the eastern falls. |
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