 |
 The
state of Karnataka, formerly the princely
state of Mysore, is home to a fascinating
legacy of richly carved temples, imposing
mosques and trappings of a royal past. It
has some of the most interesting historic
architecture in India.
Karnataka is a state of strong contrasts,
with the modern industrialized city of
Bangalore at one extreme and expanses of
rural farming areas at the other. It appeals
equally to temple lovers, wildlife
enthusiasts, trekkers and beach bums.
The state consists of a narrow coastal strip
backed by the monsoon-drenched Western Ghats
and a drier, cooler interior plateau that
turns arid in the far north. Andhra Pradesh
is towards the east, the Arabian Sea to the
west, Maharashtra and Goa to the north and
northwest and Kerala and Tamil Nadu to the
South. It is a major producer of coffee,
sandalwood, spices and betelnut, and
supplies 60% of the country's silk.
Fast Facts
Area - 191,791 sq km
Population - 52.7 million
Capital - Bangalore
Climate
Summer (March to June) - Warm
Monsoon (July to September) - Warm
Winter (October to February) - Cool
Clothing - Summer - Light Cottons;
Winter - woollens.
Languages spoken - Kannada, Tulu,
Konkani, Kodava, Hindi, English
Best Time to visit - September to
February
Cities
Bangalore
At once a modern industrial city, centre of
India's software industry, one of the
fastest growing cities in Asia, a shopper's
paradise and a gracious legacy of the
British, Bangalore is known as much for its
industrial plants as for its engineers, silk
saris, race course, and the sprawling Cubbon
Park which lies at the heart of the city.
From its comfortable perch of 3,250 ft above
sea level, Bangalore offers visitors
delightful weather conditions throughout the
year. In this Garden city, do visit the Lal
Bagh with its' variety of old trees,
fountains, lotus pools, terraces and
assortment of tropical and sub-tropical
herbs. Also see the Maharaja's Palace and
Government Buildings.
Mysore
 Mysore, the capital of the erstwhile
princely state, has a profusion of palaces
and museums, and is a great place to be in
during Dussehra.
Mangalore
The sunny, southern coastal town is named
after the local goddess Mangladevi. Visit
the tile, boat making, coffee curing and
cashewnut factories, St. Aloysius Chapel
with its 100 years old paintings, Shrimati
Bai Memorial Museum, Beedi Factory, Jain
Temples, Fort, Saib Mosque and Music
Gallery.
Places to Visit
Brindavan Gardens
The splendidly planned ornamental gardens at
the Krishnarajasagar Dam are a must-see for
visitors.
Golden Palms Spa
The Golden Palms Spa, near Bangalore, is
located on a lush coconut palm grove. Some
75,000 square feet are dedicated to spa,
beauty, cosmetic surgery, diagnostic and
fitness programs. Built in the rugged
grandeur of the Moorish-Spanish casitas, the
Spa is steeped in luxury. Nestling among
acres of lush foliage, sprawling lawns,
lagoon, and waterfalls, the exquisite
architecture and landscaping create a
perfect recreational paradise. On offer are
ayurvedic treatments, aquatherapy, aromatic
sea polish, and three body scrubs.
Romantic
Karnataka
Karnataka has its share of several
lesser-known hill stations, nestled in the
Western Ghats. Each has its own charms, like
views from vantage points, sandalwood
forest, coffee and spice plantations,
trekking trails, waterfalls and wild life.
Madikeri
Madikeri is the picturesque capital of Coorg,
the land of coffee, cardamom, colonels,
charming women and the Cauvery. Here, time
seems to have stopped. Dotted with a cluster
of red-roofed dwellings and a bustling
bazaar, the town, situated at an elevation
of 1525 m, has a charming old-world look.
The 19th century Madikeri Fort with it's
stone ramparts now houses the prison, a
small museum and assorted government
offices. Just a stone's throw away from the
fort is the Omkareshwara Temple, a blend of
Islamic and Gothic styles. Other must-sees
are the tombs of Dodda Vira Raja, his wife
and their son Lingaraja, which are 'oddly
Islamic with domes and trellis work'. Raja's
Seat, perched atop a hill, is where the
kings of yore spent many pleasant evenings
watching the golden sunset.
Kemmagundi
The picturesque hill station of Kemmangundi
is located at a height of 1434 m above sea
level. This was the summer retreat of King
Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV. Ringed by the Baba
Budangiri Range and blessed with silver
cascades of mountain streams and lush
vegetation, Kemmangudi's beautifully laid
out ornamental gardens and enchanting views
are a treat to the eye. The spectacular
sunset view from Raj Bhavan is a favourite
with visitors. For the adventurous,
Kemmangundi offers many peaks to scale and
intricate jungle paths to explore.
 Nandi Hill
This popular weekend getaway is just 60 km
from Bangalore. The bracing air and serene
environs of Nandi Hills, perched at a height
of 1455 m above sea level, provided Tipu
Sultan and the British with an idyllic
summer retreat. Here, you can take leisurely
strolls or experience the spine-chilling
thrills of paragliding. Two ancient temples
dedicated to Lord Shiva grace the hill, one
at the bottom and the other at the peak.
Nandi Hills shot into prominence during the
visits of Queen Elizabeth II in the sixties
and the heads of SAARC countries in the
eighties.
BR Hills
Lose yourself in these ancient hills, which
take their name from the Ranganathaswamy
Temple that sits at the edge of a granite
precipice with a drop of more than 1000 ft
into a dense forest. Find inner peace at the
foot of the great champak tree, (Dodda
Sampige) believed to be more than 2,000
years old and worshipped by the Soligas, the
tribals of the area. Don't miss the coffee
estates, the tribal hamlets and the
Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra, which
has preserved tribal information and the
biodiversity of the region. For trekkers
there are many trails, including one up to
Honnamati, the highest point.
Kudremukh
The Kudremukh, or Horse Face Range, gets its
name from the unique shape of its peak. The
broad hills 95 km south - west of
Chikmagalur town overlook the Arabian Sea,
and are chained to one another with deep
valleys and steep precipices. As yet
'undiscovered' by tourists, Kudremukh is a
trekker's paradise. The best season to visit
is after the monsoon when everything is lush
green and the rivers, streams and waterfalls
are at their best.
Agumbe
If you enjoy spectacular sunsets, sparkling
streams, verdant village vistas and an
unspoilt rustic ambience, Agumbe is the
place for you. Situated at an altitude of
826 m, in Shimoga district, Agumbe provided
the perfect setting for R K Narayan to film
his novel 'Malgudi Days'. Agumbe and its
environs are full of exciting trekking
routes. Forested trails lead from here to a
jungle pond called Emkal Kere, a hillock
called Nishani Gudda and to Barkana Falls.
Agumbe is also known as the Cherrapunji of
South India.
Kundadri
Located on Thirthahalli - Mastikhatte road,
about 12 km from Thirthahalli, Kundadri Hill
is a gigantic monolithic rock formation.
Surrounded by dense evergreen forest it's a
lovely place for trekking. A rough
stone-paved path leads to a Jain temple
perched atop the hill.
Kodachadri
Situated 115 km from Shimoga and 36 km from
Hosanagara is this enchanting mountain,
which overlooks the vast Western Ghats.
Kodachadri is famed for its glorious
sunrises and sunsets. The peak of Kodachadri
(at an altitude of 1343 m above sea level)
can be reached by a five - hour trek. On the
western side, the hill descends almost
steeply for about 1220 m meeting the forest
of Udupi district. The famous temple town of
Kollur is 12 km away. These hills (4411 ft)
constitute one of the largest forest areas
in Karnataka and part of this region forms
the Mookambika Nature Reserve. Kollur is an
ideal base from which to explore the hills.
The Mookambika Nature Camp is 4 km south of
Kollur.
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