Karnataka Travel Guide
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Sightseeing in Karnataka
BENGALURU AND MYSORE
Bengaluru is the capital of Karnataka and Mysore is one of most prominent tourist and Mysore. Tourist attractions in Bangalore and Mysore includes Bangalore palace, Mysore Palace, Philomena’s Church, Mary Basilica,big Big banyan tree, Wonderla water park and Shivanasamudra Falls.
HAMPI AND BADAMI ROCKS
Hampi and Badami are well-known landmarks in the state of Karnataka and known for its cave temples, gateways, forts, inscriptions, sculptures and group of Monuments. The ruins of Hampi and monuments are the most searched historical site in India and Badami is known for rock sculpture and temple architecture.
Coorg and Chikmaglur Coffee
This palce is famous for coffee plantations and two of the most popular hill stations in Karnataka. These hill stations are hanging on the Western Ghats mountain range with forests, serene environment, lush green forests, green valleys and tall mountains.
Aihole and Pattadakal Monuments
Aihole and Pattadakal monuments are famous for Monuments of the Chalukyas and are the important tourist centre in the state of Karnataka. Pattadakal temples and Aihole historic temple complex has the collection of Chalukya art, inscriptions, sculpture and architecture.
Bidar Fort and Bijapur Tomb
Bidar is a hill-top city well known for its architectural, historical and religious places and Bijapur city is renowned for its historical monuments of architectural importance. Both the city has historical forts and tombs known as Bidar Fort and Gol Gumbaz.
Belur and Halebidu Temples
Belur was the early capital of the Hoysala Empire With Halebidu, these two places are one of the major tourist destinations in Karnataka. The main attraction in Belur and Halebidu areChennakeshava temple and Hoysaleswara temple, some of the finest and best examples of Hoysala architecture.
Krishna Raja Sagara and Tungabhadra Dam
Krishna Raja Sagara and Tungabhadra Dam are build across Kaveri and Tungabhadra rivers. The dam and reservoir are major tourist attractions as well as important bird life along with gardens near by.
Nagarhole and Bandipur National Parks
Nagarhole and Bandipur National Parks are two major wildlife protected area in the state of Karnataka, known for several species of India’s endangered wildlife. The most commonly seen birds and animals in Bandipur and Nagarhole are Changeable hawk-eagle, bee-eater, darter,Gaur,Dholes and tusker.
Kudremukh and Mulayyanagiri Peak
Kudremukh is a mountain range and name of a peak located in Chikkamagaluru district and Mulayyanagiri is the highest peak in Karnataka state also located on the Western Ghats of Chikkamagaluru. The peaks and ranges are one of the largest wildlife protected area of the State of Karnataka.
Melukote and Bylakuppe Town
Karnataka famous for Yoganarasimha swami temple and Namdroling Monastery. Bylakuppe is about 85km from Mysore and Melukote is located in Mandya district, these are two of the sacred places in Karnataka for Hindu and Buddhist temples.
Jog and Sivasamudram Waterfall
Jog Falls and Sivasamudram Falls are the second- highest plunge waterfall in India. Sivasamudram Falls on the Kaveri River and Jog Falls is created by the Sharavathi river.
Gokarna and Karwar Beach
Beach at Gokarna and sea beach of Karwar are two of the most wonderful beaches in Karnataka, known for picturesque beauty with the rocky mountains and the Arabian Sea. Gokarna and Karwar sea beaches also famous for its seafood cuisine, temples and festivals.
Lalbagh and Brindavan Gardens
Located in Bangalore and Mysore,These gardens are populat pinic spot. The colorful fountains of Brindavan Gardens, glass house of Lal Bagh Park and Cubbon Park statues are the main attractions.
Murudeshwara and Gommateshvara Statue
India’s tallest statue of Lord Shiva and Gommateshvara Bahubali. The Statue of Lord Shiva and statue of Gommateshvara Bahubali are two major tourist attractions of the state and one of the most important tirthas.
Haveri And Gadag District
The Haveri and Gadag District are two of the potential tourist hub. Few of the major tourist attractions in the districts are Lakkundi Jain temple, Gajendragad Kalkaleshwara temple, Chaudayyadanapura Mukteshwara temple, Kudal Sangameswar Temple and Mylara Lingeshwara Temple.
Shopping in Karnataka
-Bangalore and Mysore , are well-known for their shimmering silks. The speciality of these sarees is that they use pure silk and pure gold zari, a kind of thread used for weaving. The sarees are woven in a factory in Mysore city.
-Karnataka is the home of sandalwood. Different sandalwood items are available in all over Karnataka. Inlaid furniture and sandalwood carvings are a preferred with prosperous tourists.
Shopping in Mysore
Here is a list of the items that will interests you while you are on your shopping spree.
- Mysore Pak
Mysore Pak, the legendary sweet from Mysore would be worth trying. The origin of the sweet goes back to almost 70 years back when the king of Mysuru requested to produce a unique sweet that would bear the name of the city.
Where to shop: Guru Sweet Mart, Sayyaji Rao Road. Other stores that you can visit, are Indra Sweets, Annex Bombay Tiffanys and Mahalaxmi Sweets
Timings: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sandalwood Products
Mysore offers a wide range of sandalwood products that would fill you with their musky smell. The connection between sandalwood products and the city can be traced to the golden era of Wodeyar kingdom.
The Government Sandalwood Oil Factory was set up in the year 1916 by the King of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wodeyar along with Diwan Sir M. Visvesvaraya.
Where to shop: The Government Sandalwood Oil Factory, Kuvempu Nagar
Timings: 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM and 14:00 PM – 16:00 PM.
Closed on Sundays
- Coffee
As a result of its propinquity to Coorg which produces the best coffee in the nation and Sakleshpur and Chikmagalur here you will get the best quality of coffee, the amora itself is tempting.
Where to shop: Coffee Stores in and around Gandhi Square and Devraja Market
Timings: 8:00 AM – 14:00 PM
- Wooden Toys (Channapatna Toys)
The craftsmen and artisans of Channapatna, a small town near Mysore, have mastered the art of producing unusually attractive wooden towns. During Tipu Sultan’s rule, Persian artists imparted lessons on the art of crafting wooden toys.
Where to shop: Mysore Handicrafts Shop, Sayyaji Road
Timings: 10:00 AM
- Khadi Cotton
Here in Mysore, you will get the best quality of Khadi This classic fabric is dyed with exclusive organic colours.
Where to shop: From the town of Melukote
Timings: 11:00 AM
- Mysore Paintings
Mysore is subjective to different art and crafts . The traditional art of Mysore paintings date back to the Ajanta era in the seventh century B.C., these paintings depicting mythological characters and events with intense detailing.
Where to shop: Cauvery Arts and Crafts Emporium
Timings: 10:30 AM
- Incense sticks
Incense sticks in jasmine, rose, sandalwood, lily and much more are worth collecting from the city of Mysore.
Where to shop: KR Circle
Timings: 10:00 AM
- Rosewood Souvenirs
Talented artisans carved stunning artefacts out of rosewood. These are termite-resistant. These precious enhancing designs, patterns and figurines are remarkable.
Where to shop: Cauvery Arts and Crafts Emporium
Timings: 10:30 AM
- Silk Sarees
The booming silk industry in Mysore speaks volumes for the art of rearing silkworms and producing silk in the region. The golden Zari border beautifying the graceful silk sarees is must to have .
Where to shop: KSIC Mysore Silk Showroom
Timings: 10:30 AM
- Stone Sculptures
Venkatappa was a exceptional sculptor who started carving stunning figures out of soapstone. Sculpting into a soapstone is a intricate skill which requires an exemplary level of patience and time. The soapstone commonly known as Krishna Shila is available in multiple colours.
Where to shop: Mandi Mohalla, Ashoka Road
Timings: 11:00 AM
Karnataka Cuisine
Dating back to the Iron Age, Karnataka’s cuisine is said to be one of the oldest surviving in the country. It combines a range of flavours, ingredients and cooking techniques from its neighbouring states of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to the south and Maharashtra to the north, along with its own rich gastronomic history.
Dishes are region-specific: Each region of Karnataka has its own specialty. There are different types of cuisine that are suitable for vegetarian and meat-eaters alike – North Karnataka cuisine, South Karnataka, Kodagu, Udupi, Mangalorean, North Canara and Navayath cuisine.
- Korri Gassi
Kori Gassi is a delectable chicken curry bathed in the flavours of coconut and tangy tamarind. It is a speciality of the Bunt community of Mangalore where Kori means chicken and Gassi is curry. This delicious curry goes well with rice crepes.
- Neer Dosa
- Kundapura Koli Saaru
- Mysore Masala Dosa
- Allugedda (Mashed Masala Potatoes)
An easy way to cook authentic Karnataka meal. Mashed potatoes cooked with spices, black gram and tomatoes.
- Mysore Pak
Master the art of creating the absolute delightful, melt-in-your-mouth Mysore pak in easy steps and thirty minutes. It is a sweet dish of Karnataka, prepared especially during festive occasions like Diwali.
- Kane Rava Fry
Relish the taste of this authentic fish curry all the way from Karnataka. Lady fish marinated in fiery red chilli paste, coated in semolina and fried to perfection.
- Coorg Pandi Curry (Pork Curry)
- Bisi Bele Bhat
Straight from the heart of Karnataka, here’s the recipe to create the classic in just no time. Bisi bele bhat is a traditional kannada recipe.
- Haal Bai
A savoury dish from Karnataka made with rice, coconut, buttermilk and mild spices. It is also made like a sweet with jaggery.
- Mavinakayi Nellikai Chitranna
The mix is infused with the goodness of local herbs and spices and cooked to an aromatic, spellbinding perfection.
Interesting Facts of Karnataka
- Kkgss- Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha
In Bengeri in Hubli, is the only unit in India that is authorized to manufacture and supply the Flag of India.
- Father Of Carnatic Music -Purandara Dasa
He systematized the entire system of teaching Carnatic music that is followed to this day.
- Second Highest Plunge Waterfall
Gersoppa aka Jog Falls, is the second-highest plunge waterfall in the country.
- Second Largest Dome
Gol Gumbaz of Bijapur has second largest pre-dome in India.
- First Private Radio In The Country
In 1935, M.V. Gopalaswamy started the first private radio broadcasting station of India.
- Biggest Walk-Through Aviary
Karanji Lake in Mysore which is surrounded by Butterfly Park and a walk-through aviary is considered to be the biggest “walk-through” aviary India.
- Sofa So Good
In Bangalore palace, the rajas had this wooden sofa that can seat two people and can also calculate the weight of the person sitting on it.
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