Karnataka Travel Guide

Karnataka with all its Richness in Culture and Traditional Grandeur is also one of the fastest growing States in terms of Industries and Facilities. Karnataka is also known as the Capital of Agarbathi (Incense Sticks), Arecanut, Silk, Coffee and Sandal Wood. All this is apart from the fact that it has been the Culture Center for hundreds of years and its testimony stands spread across the State pulling millions of Tourists from all parts of the World to Karnataka. Whose richness and hospitality can only be felt and never explained better? The state of Karnataka is part of two well-defined regions of India, namely the Deccan Plateau and the Coastal Plains and Islands and it can be further divided into four physiographic regions-the Northern Karnataka Plateau, Central Karnataka Plateau, Southern Karnataka Plateau, Karnataka Coastal Region.

The Northern Karnataka Plateau, at an elevation of 300 to 600 meter, is largely composed of the Deccan Trap. It represents a monotonous, treeless extensive plateau landscape rich in black cotton soils.Karnataka, is the eighth largest state in the Indian Union, is a veritable treasure trove of tourist hill delights with dazzling array of the ancient sculpted temples, modern cities, friendly people, scenic hill ranges, unexplored forests and endless beaches, a land as fragrant as the sandal wood trees grown in abundance here, a place that has all the ingredients for a great holiday, a pleasant hill station climate, an incredible choice of shopping delights including silk, spices and handicrafts, an environment where English, Kannada, Hindi are spoken with equal ease.

A small hamlet forty-six kilometers from Bangalore, on the Mysore Highway , called Chennapatna, famous for its lacquered toys is worth a visit. You have probably played with a colorful top or a couple with their heads nodding or some other toy with bright hues. Tipu Sultan was fascinated by Karnataka and, being socially aware, he seems to have given these real sons of the soil a craft that was to become a household word. At the border of the village of Chennapatana is a forest that is a source of the wood. These Hale trees have cream colored wood that is easy to turn on a lathe. The plateau of Karnataka is said to have been associated to the happenings in the Epic Ramayana. It witnessed a horde of historical activities since the ancient prehistoric civilization. Legends associate it to the Kingdom of the grandfathers of Bhagirath and to the Lord Shiva. Having the Arabian Sea on its west it is said to have been influenced by new cultures from the west coast. This region had a considerable influence of the Jain culture. The Magadhan ruler Chandragupta Maurya, influenced this region till his death at Shravana Belagola. Karnataka witnessed the rule of the Satavahanas for nearly 300 years, followed by the Kadambas and the Pallavas. The Gangadikaras ruled till 11th century. The Chalukyas of Badami and later the Rashtrakutas ruled over this region.

The Kalacharis, Hoysalas, Yadavas, Kakatiyas exercised their control. Karnataka also witnessed the onslaught of the Muslims under Malik Kafur. The Hindu power established itself in 1336 at Vijayanagar by Harihara (Hakka) and Bukka. Vijayanagar period was an age of glory and prosperity. The Bahamanis also established themselves in 1337. Hyder Ali and his valiant son Tipu Sultan are notable figures in the history of the land. They expanded the Mysore kingdom on an unprecedented scale and by their resistance against the British, became personages of world fame. Tipu was a great scholar and lover of literature. His artistic pursuits were also many and he made rich gifts to the Hindu temples. Tipu Sultan "Tiger of Karnataka" was killed in 1799 A.D., and the Mysore throne was handed over to the Wodeyar's. The whole of Karnataka came under the control of the British in the beginning of the 19th century. The new state was named as new Mysore and the Maharaja of Mysore was appointed Governor by Independent India. This unified state was renamed as Karnataka on November 1, 1973.

The major Tourist places: Aihole, Badami, Bandipur, Bangalore, Bannerghatta, Belgaum,v, Belur, Bidar, Bijapur, Chikmagalur, Baba Budan, Kemmannugundi, Dandeli, Dharmastala, Gokaran, Gulbarga, Halebid, Hampi, Jog Falls, Karwar,v, Madikeri, Suratakal, Mysore, Chamundi, Krishnarajasagara, Ranganathittu, Shrirangapattana, Nagarhole, Nandi Hills, Pattadakal, Raichur, Shravan Belgola, Sivasamudram, Somnathpur, Sringeri, Tungabhadra, Udupi, Manipal, Maravanthe.

Beaches in Karnataka: Malpe Beach, Karwar, Gokarna, Murudeshwar, Marwanthe, Mangalore.

Access: Nearest airport is Mysore- 80 kms. Nearest railhead is Mysore- 80 kms. Bangalore- 220 kms, Coimbatore- 168 kms, Mysore- 80 kms. Udhagmandalam (Ooty)- 79 kms.