Karnataka
The first thing that comes to mind when we think of Karnataka is definitely its IT hub, the enchanting city of Bangalore. But other thoughts that invariably follow with the name of this 8th largest state of India are the magnificent Mysore Palace, the Mahabaleshwar Temple, the Jog Falls, some of the world heritage sites like Bannerghatta, Bandipur and Nagarhole National Parks, Murudeshwara, Om, Karwar and other fascinating beaches and Coorg, Kemmangundi and other charming hill resorts. Karnataka is a land of rich heritage and culture with a history of over 1500 years, which is visible in its contribution to Indian classical music (Carnatic as well as Hindustani traditions), the popular Bharatanatyam form of dance and literature. These are just the tip of the ice-berg. This southern state of India is the treasure-house of rich heritage and natural beauty going hand in hand to make it one of the most-loved holiday destinations and an intense experience for enthusiastic tourists all round the year.
Location
Situated in South-West India, Karnataka shares its boundary with Andhra Pradesh to the east, Maharashtra to the north, Goa to the northwest, Tamil Nadu to the southeast, Kerala to the southwest and the Arabian Sea to the west. Covering an area of 74,122 sq.mt and 30 districts, the state of Karnataka is the eighth largest state of India.
Places to see
Karnataka is a land of varied topography and consists of the coastal region of Karavali, the hilly terrain of Malenadu (Western Ghats) and the plains of Deccan Plateau. The capital city of Bangalore in located in Central Karnataka, while Mysore is in southern Karnataka (Cauvery Basin). These diverse geographical zones contribute largely to the flavor of the state. It also offers various options for the tourists like choosing between hill stations, beaches and forests, along with exploring the architectural marvels that innumerable monuments and temples have to offer to the visitors. No wonder Karnataka is ranked fourth among the most popular tourist destinations of India.
Bangalore or Bengaluru: The capital city of Bangalore or Bengaluru, as it is officially called, is the most happening and loved amongst all the cities of the country. This liberal and hi-tech city is the epicenter of a booming IT industry that has made it one of the most developed cities of India. The lush greenery and a favorable climatic condition have also contributed to its development as people love to visit and settle down in a city which has such a charming climate. A relatively cool climate prevails in the city with warm days and cool nights, even during summers. Some of the popular tourist destinations of Bengaluru are the Omthara kala Kuteeta which is a monumental masterpiece just 40km from the city; the massive fort at Devanahalli, 40kms from Bengaluru, which is the birthplace of Tipu Sultan; Ghati Subramanya, a famous pilgrimage spot; the Chunchi Falls, 85 kms from the city; the beautiful Nandi Hills, 60kms from the city and many more attractions.
Mangalore: Mangalore is a perfect maritime city between Goa and Kerala with enchanting beaches, coconut palm laden streets, houses with terracotta-tiled roofs and ancient temples and churches. The ancient Someshwar temple, Mangala Devi temple and Kadri Manjunatha temple are perfect tourist destinations.
The Mysore Palace: The Mysore Palace was the residence of the erstwhile royal family of Mysore, the Wodeyars. It is one of the most famous destinations for tourists who travel to the southern part of Bangalore to visit Mysore. The palace exhibits an aesthetic blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. The illuminated Mysore Palace at night is a spectacle to cherish for all tourists.
National Parks: Karnataka is the home to 25 wildlife sanctuaries and 5 National Parks, of which Bandipur National Park, Bannerghatta National Park and the Nagarhole National Park are world heritage sites. The amazing waterfall of Kudremauk National Park is a wonder in itself. The forests of Karnataka are home to elephants, tigers, leopards, sambar deer, chital and a hoard of other wild animals and birds.
Water Falls: The southern state of Karnataka offers cascading splendors like India's tallest single-tiered waterfall known as Jog Falls. Here the Sabarmati River takes a spectacular plunge of 810ft in four distinct falls. Other popular waterfalls of the state are Unchalli Falls, Magod Falls, Gokak Falls, Abbey Falls, Shivanasamudra Falls, Hebbe Falls, Iruppu Falls, Kalhatti Falls, Lalguli Falls and Sathodi Falls.
The Golden Beaches of Karnataka: The popular beaches that dot the coastline of Karnataka are Murudeshwara, Karwar, Gokarna, Someshwara, Maravanthe, Ullal, Panambur and Om Beach. So while on a beach holiday to Karnataka, the blue and bubbly stretch of the Arabian Sea with its exotic beaches drench your senses.
Temples: Alongside the beaches of Karnataka you can catch a glimpse of the famous temples of the region like the Mahabaleshwara Temple in Gokarna and the Mukudeshwara Temple in Mukudeshwara Other famous Hindu temples worth a visit are Udupi Sri Krishna Temple, the Marikamba Temple at Sirsi, Sri Manjunatha Temple at Dharmasthala, Sri Subramanya Temple at Kukke and Sharadamba Temple at Sringeri. The Jain temples of Shravanabelagola, Mudabidri and Karkala are important pilgrimage centers.
Hill Stations: The Western Ghats nestles several unique hill stations like Coorg, Nandi Hills Agumbe, Kemmangundi, Kundadri, Kodachadri, B R Hills and Chikmagalur. Coorg is a picturesque district 1525m above sea level on the plateau of the Western Ghat whose headquarter is Madikeri. It is a land of coffee and cardamom. Some of its special tourist attractions are the Abbey Falls, the Omkareshwar Temple, Raja’s Seat, Madikeri Fort, Talacauvery or the birthplace of river Cauvery, Nisaragdhama Island, Valnur Fishing camp, Dubare Elephant Camp and the Harangi Dam. The Nandi Hill is a charming hill station 60kms from Bangalore which houses two 10th century Chola temples in Vijayanagara style.
How to reach
By Air: The state of Karnataka is well connected by air transport from all parts of India. A number of airlines operate from many airports like Bengaluru, Mangalore, Mysore, Hubli, Belgaum, Hampi and others.
By Rail: The Southern Railways and Konkan Railway network extensively connects Karnataka with all parts of India.
By Road: Karnataka is well connected to all parts of the country through road by National Highways and state highways.
By Sea: Karnataka has eleven ports with the New Mangalore Port, being the ninth major in India.
What to do
Karnataka with its unique geographical features like the deep corridors of wild tropical forests, the jagged coastline, the tranquil beaches, the raging waters of the many rivers that criss-cross the state, the enchanting cascades and the stubborn rocks and thrilling terrain of the Western Ghats, provides scope for various adventure sports and outdoor activities in the state.
Water Rafting: The rivers Kali, Sitanadi, Netravati and Cauvery are havens for water sports like white water rafting, water skiing, sailing and water sledging.
Rock Climbing: Ramnagar, 50kms from Bengaluru, offers craggy wilderness for rock climbing. Other places of climbers delight are Yana, Savanadurga, Kabbaldurga, Tumkur, Turahalli, and Kanakpura which have interesting rock formations.
Trekking: Karnataka is a trekker’s paradise. The tropical forests, the hilly terrains, caves and cascades, innumerable streams and rivers provide unique trekking routes to the adventurous tourists. The ideal time for trekking is from September to December.
Angling: The innumerable water bodies of the state like Kaveri, Krishna, Tungabhadra, Malaprabha and the Sharavathi, along with gurgling streams offer opportunity for angling.
Bird Watching: The number of bird sanctuaries in the state is home to 550 beaked wonders like Malabar Dragons, Imperial Pigeons, the Great Hornbills, the Ceylon Frogmouth, and many others. Bird Watching in the state is a favorite activity for the nature lovers.
Aerosports: There are scopes for aerosports like parajumping and parasailing from the beautiful Nandi Hills. The euphoria of these thrilling activities gives enough reason for the enthusiasts to visit Karnataka time and again.
Best time to visit
The best time to travel to Karnataka is the autumn and winter seasons, from September to February with very pleasant climate, when Nature is at its best. For the adventurous trekkers September to December is the ideal time for adventure, immediately after the monsoon.
History
The history of the southern state of Karnataka can be traced back to the Paleolithic, Neolithic and Megalithic cultures and was a seat of the Indus Valley Civilization. A number of Empires and Dynasties ruled over the state like the Nanda Empire, Maurya Empire, Kadamba Dynasty & Western Ganga Dynasty, Western Chalukya Empire, Chola Empire, and the Hoysalas. In the period that followed Nizam of Hyderabad ruled the northern part while the Mysore Kingdom in the south was ruled by Tipu Sultan. After Indian independence, Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar allowed the accession of his kingdom to India. In 1950 Mysore became an Indian state, while later in 1973, the state was renamed Karnataka.
Climate
Karnataka is divided into three meteorological zones, like coastal, north interior and south interior. The climate of the state varies according to its zonal difference. There are four seasons – Summer, Monsoon, Autumn and Winter in the state. The coastal belt receives very heavy rainfall during the monsoon season, with Agumbe receiving the second highest in the country. The highest temperature is recorded at Raichur (45.6 degrees Celsius) while the lowest is recorded at Bidar (2.8 degrees Celsius). The capital city of Bangalore experiences a relatively mild climate all the year round with warm days and cool nights.
