Known as the ‘garden city', Bangalore is the attractive capital of the South Indian state of Karnataka, set on the Mysore Plateau. Leafy, cosmopolitan and well structured, it’s easy to see why the city has been named ‘most liveable city in India’. Wide boulevards are lined with a great variety of restaurants and tea stalls, where food lovers can delight in a smorgasbord of south Indian flavours. It is also known for its booming IT industry, and this factor, coupled with an effort to preserve its colonial heritage, has created a modern and sophisticated metropolis.
Resting on the banks of the mighty River Kabini, the Kabini Forest Reserve (or the Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary) is a vast expanse of unspoiled wilderness comprised of forestland, water-bodies, and steep fertile valleys. This extraordinary reserve forms the south-eastern section of the Nagarhole National Park and is home to the world’s largest population of Asiatic elephants (estimated at around 6,000). In addition to the impressive number of elephants, visitors are likely to spot a number of endangered and rare animal species including, among others: leopard, tiger, panther, sambhar, spotted deer, python, sloth bear, cheetah, crocodile, and over 250 species of bird.
Serving as the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 until 1947, the city of Mysore is a rich cultural and historical center renowned for its beautiful Hindu palaces. Arguably the most captivating of these is the opulent Mysore Palace or Amba Vilas, particularly during the annual Dasara Festival when every day after sunset it turns incandescent with the light of nearly 100,000 bulbs. Mysore is considered one of India’s cleanest and most efficiently planned cities and has earned a reputation for its high-quality sandalwood and silk.
As one of the oldest towns in India’s Karnataka State, Hassan has a long and rich history. The town was founded by Channa Krishnappa Naik in the 11th century and remained under the rule of the Hoysala dynasty until the 13th century. It is the unique Hoysala architecture of this time that has made Hassan a popular tourist attraction as, during this period, numerous architectural marvels including a number of exquisite temples were constructed, many of which remain well-preserved today. However, it is not only the diverse variety of temples and unique architecture that draws visitors to Hassan but also the town’s lovely markets, delicious local cuisine, and remarkable natural beauty of the town itself and its extraordinarily scenic surrounding areas.
Set on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, Hospet, also known as Hosapete, is the largest city and district headquarters of Karnataka's Vijayanagara District. Rich in history and culture, Hospet serves as a wonderful base for exploring the historical ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire. Prodominetarly distributed in the twin cities of Hospet and Hampi, the ruins have been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although mainly used as a stopover point for those travelling from the west coast to Goa, sightseers who decide to spend additional time in Hospet are rewarded with fascinating attractions. The famous Tungabhadra Dam, the Fort Town of Karnataka, the charming town of Chitradurga, the King's Balance and the vast collection of beautiful temples are all well worth visiting.
Situated in northern Karnataka, the quiet village of Badami is home to a series of ancient cave temples. Between the 6th and 7th centuries Badami was the capital of the Early Chalukyas, who ruled much of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. They carved sacred spaces into the rust-coloured cliffs above Agstya Lake, and decorated the walls of these holy caves with bold, detailed reliefs of their deities. Rising out of the shimmering waters below the steps of the Bhutanatha temple complex, a cluster of sandstone shrines are devoted to this god.
As previously described
