Karnataka is a paradise with lush green forest that want you to delve, cool blue seas that calm you down, heritage sites that take you to a fore time era, hills that challenge you to conquer, wildlife that invites you to explore, beaches that make you feel exotic, and a culture that helps you celebrate.
Capital of Karnataka is Bangalore. It has 30 districts and English is widely spoken here. Other languages spoken here are Kannada, Tula, Konkani, Kodava and Hindi. Bangalore, Mangalore, Hubli, Belgaum, Mysore and Bellary are the airports in Karnataka. Rainy season in Karnataka is from June to September.
Luxury Trails
The Golden Chariot
Rated by vanity as one of the top seven luxury train journeys in the world, The Golden Chariot defines luxury on wheels. It has premium facilities such as a spa, a gym, restaurants, good ambiance rooms and a bar.
Journeys given by Golden Chariot :-
1.Pride of Karnataka
Itinerary-
Bengaluru -- Bandipur -- Mysore -- Halebidu -- Chikamgaluru -- Hampi -- Pattadakal and Aihole --Goa -- Bengaluru
2.Jewels of South
Itinerary-
Bengaluru -- Mysore --Hampi -- Mahabalipuram --Thanjavur-- Chettinad -- Cochin --Kumarakom -- Bengaluru
3.Glimpses of Karnataka
Itinerary-
Bengaluru -- Bandipur --Mysore -- Hampi-- Bengaluru
Health and Wellness
Karnataka holds its own as a leading wellness destinations. Right from allopathy to alternate healing such as Ayurveda, siddha, unani and naturopathy, a variety of unconventional forms of therapy are offered around the state.
Shopping
With its shimmering silks, sandalwood and rosewood carvings, and exquisite handicrafts, Karnataka is a shopper's paradise. The world's best and most popular brands line the Bangalore's streets.
URBAN TRAILS
BANGALORE
Bangalore presents a cityscape that layers diverse culture with historic monuments, pubs and shopping malls with arts and craft markets, and technology parks with sprawling entertainer centers. The multi-faceted city is also one of the Asia's most preferred cities for health care services, the array of choices ranging from specialty hospitals to traditional methods of treatments preserved intact through the centuries
MYSORE
Once the capital of the eminent Wadiyar kings, the city of Mysore still evokes memories of grandeur and glory. Mysore continues to be hub of great activity in industry, education and the arts.The Dasara celebrations in the 'City Royale' are matchless- each evening during 10 day celebrations, the Mysore Palace is adorned with approximately 98000 light diyas. It is known for its magnificent palaces, majestic buildings sprawling gardens and tree lined Avenue, shimmering silks and sandalwood.
HERITAGE TRAILS
HAMPI
Hampi was the magnificent capital of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire. It was described as a city with extremely rich palaces, marvelous temples, aquaducts, pavilions and elegantly carved pillars. A city where merchants traded diamonds, pearls, brocades and horses. Though it lies in ruins today, one can experience rich architecture at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
PATTADAKAL
Pattadakal lies on the banks of the Malaprabha River and bears testimony to the richness of Chalukyan architecture. Temples of Jambulinga, Kadasiddeshvara and Galaganatha with their curvilinear shikaras or spires are worth watching. The embellished Papanatha Temple is yet another impressive piece of architecture, with delicately chiselled ceilings and a 16- pillared main hall.
AIHOLE
A peaceful village on the banks of Malaprabha River, Aihole is acclaimed as the cradle of Hindu temple architecture. The most impressive one is Durga Temple with its semicircular apse, elevated plinth and the gallery encircling the sanctum.
BADAMI
It is situated at the mouth of ravine between two Rocky hills, the beautiful sculptures and rust red sandstone cliff of Badami tell many a tale of bygone era. Climb a flight of steps to reach the four ancient rock- cut caves replete with carved pillars and bracket figures. Welcoming you will be the 18- armed Nataraja striking 81 dance poses in the first cave. The largest of these caves in the third cave, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Below the caves in the Agastya Theertha Tank, its banks dotted with a cluster of Boothanatha temples.
BIDAR
Bidar Fort is surrounded by a triple- moated wall carved out of red rock, with complex battlements and an imposing gateway. Take a look at the ruins of royal bath, kitchen and pleasure pavilions. Experience the Rang Mahal with its elaborately carved wooden pillar, Persian couplets engraved in tiles and beautiful mother-of-pearl inlay work.
BELUR, HALEBEEDU
Ancient capital of the Hoysalas, Belur and Halebeedu are adorn with the beauty of magnificent temples built by the dynasty. Temples here are great examples of sculptors art. There is a star- shaped Chennakesava Temple, with its 3.7m image of Lord Vijaya Narayana.
CHITRADURGA FORT
Chitradurga is known for its massive kallina kote (stone fort). It has 19 gateways, 38 posterior entrance, a palace, a mosque, granaries, four secret entrance and water tanks. The Ekanatha Temple and Chandravati Caves are worth seeing.
KITTUR CHENNAMMA FORT
The tiny town of Kittur with its tumbledown palace, monuments, statues and horse tongas tell us about the bygone era. The fort is a evidence to the great freedom struggle led by Rani Chennamma.
ALSO VISIT: Bijapur, Basava kalyana, Srirangapatna & Bellary Fort.
PILGRIMAGE TRAILS
DHARMASTHALA
It is a beautiful historic temple that is 8 centuries old. The temple is mainly dedicated to Lord Shiva. Besides the primary diety there are other idols like Dharma Daivas and Shakti or Ammanavaru as well as the four guardian of spirits of Lord Dharma such as Kalarkayi, Kanyakumari, Kalarahu and Kumaraswamy.
SHRAVANABELAGOLA
That the Mastakabhisheka, the sacred head anointing ceremony of Lord Gomateshwara, is held only once in 12 years, speaks of the importance tied to the event. One of the major Jain pilgrimages of the nation, the city of sharvanabelagola sees thousands of devotees making their visit to the 57ft. tall statue of Lord every year.
ST. PHILOMENA'S CATHEDRAL, MYSORE
Krishnaraj Wadiyar IV laid the foundation for this imposing Roman Catholic Church in 1933. The stained glass windows of this imposing Roman Catholic Church in 1933. The stained glass window of this Gothic structure depict biblical scenes. It is believed that a piece of bone and drapery of St. Philomena from Rome is preserved here.
KOLLUR MOOKAMBIKA TEMPLE
The village of kollur lies 130km from Mangalore, amid the green canopy of the Western Ghats. Here the, Mookambika Temple, one of the seven most sacred spots of the costal region, is dedicated to the Goddess of emotional power and strength. Adi Shankaracharya, the great philosopher, is said to have visited this temple to perform penance.
GURUDWARA NANAK JHIRA SAHIB, BIDAR
It is said that Guru Nanak halted in Bidar, at a time when the area was suffering a severe drought. The Muslims saints requested him to invoke the blessings of the divine in order to obtain water. The crystal clear stream that flows out of the rock near the Gurudwara is believed to be the God's answer to the Guru's prayers.
ALSO VISIT: Udupi, Iskon Temple, Kudala Sangama and Madani Dargah.
To be continued..........
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