Travel to Karnataka, India

Everybody run throughout the day to keep up with their tight schedule and to complete the business objectives. When you run through these monotonous and routine work activities continuously for a period of time, you become frustrated and stressed. Making a travel is a good way to break the routine and to relax. Making a travel enables one to enjoy and learn different parts of the world. Making a travel exposes you to different culture, people, life style, history, advancements etc. Making a travel enables you to spend your leisure time for a useful learning purpose and as well as to relieve you from stressful activities.

Karnataka is an ancient land with a history of over 1500 years. Here, you can delve into centuries old architectural marvels, walk through famed monuments, get mesmerized by imposing world heritage structures, explore ancient rock cut caves, experience breathtaking natural beauty, listen to spiritual chants, wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee with wildlife surrounding you or feel the tranquility of endless beaches. Everything in Karnataka is an intense experience and one can enjoy the diversity and rich heritage of Karnataka. Important places to visit, which will make your visit and stay enjoyable and memorable are:

Hampi - This is set amidst an awesome boulder strewn landscape along the banks of the Tungabhadra river 12 km away from Hospet in Bellary district, Hampi was the magnificent capital of the mighty Vijayanagar kingdom. A visit to Hampi is a sojourn into the past. The best way to experience this world heritage site is to take a leisurely stroll through the eloquent ruins. Most of the important structures and ruins are located in two areas, which are generally referred to as the 'Royal Centre' and the 'Sacred Centre'. The 'Royal Centre' in the southwest part of the site contains structures that seem to have been palaces, baths, pavilions, royal stables, and temples for ceremonial use. The 'Sacred Centre' is situated on the northern edge of the city along the banks of the holy Tungabhadra river. The ruins of Hampi are extensive and fascinating enough to absorb your attention for several days.

Pattadakal - With its beautiful and magnificent temples, this world heritage site on the banks of the Malaprabha river bears testimony to the richness of Chalukyan architecture. It has a cluster of 10 major temples, each displaying interesting architectural features. At the entrance of the site, you can see the 8th century temples of Jambulinga, Kadasiddeshvara, and Galaganatha with their curvilinear shikaras or spires. The biggest temple, dedicated to Virupaksha, has a huge gateway and several inscriptions. Facing the temple is a pavilion containing a massive nandi. The Mallikarjuna temple is similar in design to Virupaksha temple, but smaller in size. The ornate Papanatha temple is yet another impressive piece of architecture, with delicately chiseled ceilings and a main hall supported by 16 pillars. The Sangameshwara temple dating from the reign of King Vijayaditya is the earliest temple in this complex.

Gulbarga fort - Originally built by Raja Gulchand and later fortified by Ala-ud-din Bahman, the fort contains large buildings, mosques, temples, stables, ammunition dumps, carriages, 15 towers, 26 guns, and several beautiful courtyards. The crumbling ruins of Gulbarga fort transport you to Karnataka's glorious past, when kingdoms fell and others rose from their ashes. Gulbarga's many elegant mosques are also worth seeing.

Somnathpur - Located 35 km from Mysore, the exquisitely carved, star shaped temple with triple towers is a perfect example of Hoysala architecture. The friezes on its outer walls with their intricately carved rows of caparisoned elephants, charging horsemen, and mythological birds and beasts will leave you spellbound. Beautifully sculpted images of gods, goddesses, and scenes from the epics, as well as the remarkably ornate ceilings in the pillared hall are worth seeing.

Mysore palace - Place is built in Indo Saracenic style with domes, turrets, arches, and colonnades. The palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world. Intricately carved doors open into luxuriously furnished rooms. The majestic 'Durbar hall' has an ornate ceiling and many sculpted pillars. The 'Marriage pavilion' is adorned with glazed tile flooring, stained glass windows and domed ceilings. The walled palace complex houses the residential museum, temples, and shrines, including the Shwetha Varahaswamy temple. Magnificently jewel studded golden throne is the pride of the Wodeyars and the symbol of their sovereignty, displayed here during the Dussehra festival in October.

Srirangapatna - It is located just 16 km from Mysore city and it is the island fortress of the legendary warrior king Tipu Sultan. Inside the fortress is Tipu's mosque with its twin minarets, the celebrated Ranganatha Swamy temple, Tipu's summer palace, the Wellesley bridge, and the dungeons where British officers were once imprisoned. Equally impressive is the ornate white domed Gumbaz, an imposing structure with doors of ebony inlaid with ivory and lacquered with Tipu's tiger striped emblem. About 1km to the east of the fort is Tipu's summer palace, known as the Daria Daulat Bagh, set amidst a lovely garden.

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