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One state, many worlds.
The complete charm of Karnataka is precisely cumulated in these four words. Different worlds comprising of the breathtaking natural beauty, sacred religious places and rich historical heritage fuse together in this alluring state. Karnataka is a world in its own that reflects a variety of cultures, flavors, colors and the every changing nature. One can witness the verdant mountains of Western Ghats, beauty of dense forests and the sparkling waters of the rivers and sea all at the same time in Karnataka.
The rich culture and history of Karnataka is nowhere behind in attracting tourists. While the ancient town of Hampi and Pattadakal would let you experience the prosperity of the bygone era, the Mahabaleshwara Temple and the Murudeshwara Temple would serve your devoutness.
With so many options being served on the same plate, Karnataka is truly a backpacker's paradise and a pilgrim's delight at the same time. Having said that, we have enlisted below some great tourist destinations in Karnataka, which would definitely get you more excited about visiting this state.
A small hilly town in the Coorg District, Madikeri should be visited by all the travelers to enjoy the picturesque views of the neighboring regions that it offers. The greenery of coffee plantations, the thick dense forest and the mystical hills, all of them come together to form the perfect postcard setting for the nature lovers. The Abbey Falls, Chelavara Falls, Madikeri Fort, Omkareshwara Temple and the Namdroling Monastery should not be missed when visiting Madikeri.
Known as the cultural capital of Karnataka, Mysore is a very popular tourist destination in the south. From palaces and museums to gardens and lakes, Mysore can satisfy the thirst of every traveler. The Mysore Palace is the most iconic structure in this city which boasts of a rich and royal history. This Palace is the perfect blend of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput and Gothic architecture. One should also pay a visit to the Thonnur and Kalanji Lake in this city to spend quality time beside the blue waters.
Mangalore is not only adorned with a vast stretch of beach fringed with tall palm trees but also houses many temples, churches and mosques within its bounds. Being the kingdom of many dynasties, Mangalor attracts several tourists with its rich history, culture and heritage. If you love beaches then the Panambur beach and the Mangalore beach should be your destination here. While for all the religious and spiritual seekers, Kudroli Gokarnath Temple and Kadri Manjunatha Temple will serve as the best location.
Bangalore, known as the Silicon Valley of India or the IT hub, is the capital of Karnataka. Also known as the Garden City of India, Bangalore boasts of innumerable gardens and boulevards. In spite of the technological boom that hit the city in the past few decades, Bangalore still managed to maintain its rich culture and heritage. While the Bangalore Palace and Tipu Sultans Palace would reflect its rich heritage, Cubbon Park and Lumbini Gardens would offer respite from the humdrum of the city. With a great variety of attractions in its bag, Bangalore would definitely awe your senses.
Once counted among the richest and largest cities of the world, Hampi is today in a very dilapidated condition and the ruins are all that remains. Even though in such a bad condition, this town still manages to attract thousands of tourists every year. The boulder-strewn hills make the perfect backdrop for this ancient town. The Virupaksha Temple, Vithala Temple, Lotus Palace, Lakshmi Narsimha Temple and Hanuman Temple are among the many remains of this town.
Offering a pleasant and cool climate all year round, Chikmagalur is one of the popular summer retreats in the state of Karnataka. It is located in the foothills of the Mullyanagiri ranges and the views that this hill station bestows are a delight to the eyes. There are various attractions in Chikmagalur like Kondadarama Temple, Mullain Giri, Siddheshwara Temple, Jamia Mosque and St Joseph's Cathedrals that attract many tourists to this place. One can also enjoy trekking in this region.
The quaint town of Udupi is nestled between the mountains of the Western Ghats and the pristine waters of the Arabian Sea. It has many beautifully carved temples, marvelous architectural structures, tranquil beaches and thick forests. These natural as well as architectural delights make it one of the most important tourist destinations in Karnataka. The Kaup Beach, Chandramoulishwar Temple, Pajaka and the Krishna Temple must be on your traveling list while you visit this scintillating town of Udupi.
Dandeli, in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, serves as an ideal holiday destination for all the adventure buffs. It offers various sports like trekking, mountain biking, kayaking, river rafting, canoeing and cycling. The Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Kavla Caves, Shiroli Peak and Kulgi Nature camp should not be missed in this adventure seekers paradise. Not just that, it also homes many temples like the Datta Temple, Nagadevata Mandir and the Shiva Mandir to serve the devoutness of those in search of religious places.
Once serving as a hunting reserve for the royal Maharajas, the area of Bandipur National Park gained the status of a tiger reserve in the year 1974. Spread over an area of 874 sq. km. this national park houses various endangered species like gaurs, tigers, sloth bears, Indian elephants, four-horned antelope, jackals and muggers. This national park is also known for the variety of flora that it has, like Indian gooseberry, black clutch, teak, sandalwood, Indian-laurel etc. Visit this place to get close to nature and experience the indigenous wildlife.
Belur was the capital of Hoysala Empire many centuries back and the temple complex here still displays the excellent architecture and art of that age with sheer delicacy. The Cheena Kesava Temple, dedicated to Lord Vijayanarayana, is intricately carved and took 103 years for its completion. The Kappe Chennigaraya Temple, Vishnu Samudra and the Gravity Pillar are among some of the best architectural marvels of the Hoysala dynasty. A visit to Belur is a must to experience the awe-inspiring delight of these sculptures.
Famous as The Scotland of India, Coorg is sure to enchant you with its perpetual natural beauty. This hill station, with its lush green plantations and forest-covered hills, is a true delight for all the nature lovers. Madikeri, the administrative capital of Coorg consists of several attractions like Abbey Falls, Madikeri Fort and Rajas Seat. The waterfalls, temples and national park only add to the charm of this alluring city.
Perfectly balancing the interest of both the religious as well as the adventurous tourists, Gokarna is one of the best places to visit in Karnataka. While some people visit this place to attain salvation, others flock this place for its calm and quiet beaches. The Mahabaleshwara Temple, Mahaganapati Temple and the Bhadrakali Temple would serve your devoutness and on the other hand Kudle Beach, Om Beach, Half-Moon Beach and Paradise Beach would help you escape from the humdrum of city life.
Jog falls are the second highest waterfalls in India and the highest falls in the state. The amazing view offered by the plunging waterfalls not only delights the eye but also soothes the mind and soul. The white layer of mist that drape the falls and the slight hint of rainbow make it all the more picturesque. Dont forget to attend the Laser light and the Musical show that are organized here every day between 7pm to 9pm.
The majestic Shiva statue is the landmark of Murudeshwar, which is a religious site in the state of Karnataka. The city is surrounded by the waters of Arabian Sea on three sides and the verdant mountains of Western Ghats provide an excellent backdrop for this region. The Shiva statue that sits at the edge of the city is the second largest statue of the Lord in the world. A visit here would serve your religious side and be a respite from the city life.
Nagarhole National Park is located in the Kodagu District of Karnataka. Apart from housing many types of flora and fauna, this national park is also one of the most beautiful in terms of natural beauty. The misty hills, steep valleys, fascinating waterfalls and the naturally flowing streams, all these attractions only add to the natural charm of this national park. You can witness many animals like Bengal Tiger, sloth bear, striped hyena, Indian leopard, wild boar, Indian elephant etc.
Pattadakal is a small yet important village that is a UNESCO inscribed World Heritage Site. It stores a group of 8th century monuments and many temples designed in the vesara style of Hindu architecture. The Jain Temple, Virupaksha Temple, the Kashiviswanatha Temple, Sangameshwara Temple and Galaganath Temple are some of the important temples here that must be visited to witness the excellent work of Chalukya architecture.
Shivanasamudra, literally meaning Shivas sea, is an alluring city in the Mandya district of Karnataka. The cascading Shivanasamudra Falls are a result of the River Kaveri falling off and thus dividing it into twin waterfalls. These two falls are around 1.5 km away and popularly known as Barachukki and Gaganachukki Falls. Visit these falls to capture the enchanting view and get lost in the symphony of the gushing water.
Agumbe, sometimes called the Cherrapunji of the South, is a small village that is blessed with a rich natural cover. This village, located in the Shimoga district of Karnataka, is very rich in flora as well as fauna. Apart from housing several endangered plant species, it also shelters a variety of wildlife like leopard, sambar, gaur, Indian bison, lion-tailed macaque, king cobra, flying lizard, cane turtle and many more. Take your cameras along to click some amazing pictures of these wild animals and birds and add to your photo album.
Perched at an elevation of 3200 ft. above the sea level, Kundadri hills are situated in the Shimoga district of Karnataka. This hill is draped in a dense forest cover. The Jain temple, which is dedicated to one of the 23rd Jain Thirthankaras, Parshwanatha, attracts many pilgrims and tourists because of its religious importance. The tranquility of the Tunga River, stunning backwaters of the Varahi Dam and this monolithic rock hill will definitely cast a spell on you with their unspoiled beauty.
Situated at a distance of 60 km from the city of Bangalore, Nandi hills is a small hillock in the Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka. This area has gained popularity as a tourist destination over the years because of its picturesque charm and natural setting. Tipus Drops, Tipus Summer Retreat, Muddenahalli, Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple, Nehru Nilaya and Amrita Sarovar are not-to-missed places in Nandi Hills.
Kodachadri is the 10th highest mountain peak which is nestled in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. This peak is covered with dense forest and is a storehouse for a variety of flora and fauna. There are many other attractive spots here like the Iron Pillar, Hidlumane Falls, Sarvajna peetha and Belakallu theertha that make this place even more alluring. One can also enjoy trekking to the peak and witness the mesmerizing view of the sun dropping into the horizon.
The alluring land of Karnataka, with its rich culture and natural charm, not only attracts tons of tourists but also urges them to visit here time and again. Reading the beauty of the various places that can be visited here is not enough to satisfy your wanderlust; pack your bags and plan a trip to Karnataka now to experience its rich history fused in the earthy setting of this state.
