Indian States

Karnataka

Karnataka - Karnataka, called as Karunadu (elevated land) in ancient times. The course of Karnataka's history and culture takes us back to pre-historic times. The earliest find of the stone age period in India was a hand axe at Lingasugur in Raichur district. The Ashoka's rock edicts found in the state indicate that major parts of Northern Karnataka were under the Mauryas. Chandragupta Maurya, the great Indian emperor abdicated the throne and embraced Jainism at Shravanabelagola. Adding new dimensions to the cultural and spiritual ethos of the land, many great dynasties left their imprint upon the aesthetic development of Karnataka's art forms. Prominent among them were the Chalukyas, the Hoysalas and the mighty Vijayanagara Empire. The Chalukyan's built some of the very early Hindu temples in India. Aihole turned up as an experimental base for the dynamic creations of architects. The Hoysala's who ruled from the 11th to the 13th century chiseled their way into the pages of glory by building more than 150 temples, each one is a master piece in its own way. The amazing dexterity and fluidity of expressions at Somnathpur, Halebid and Belur open themselves to the wide eyed wonder in one's eyes. Vijayanagara, the greatest of all medieval Hindu empires and one of the greatest the world over, fostered the development of intellectual pursuits and fine arts. "The eye of the pupil has never seen a place like it and the ear of intelligence has never been informed that there existed anything to equal it in the world" is what Abdur Razaaq the Persian ambassador had to say about Krishnadevaraya's time.

Main Cities / Towns

Karnataka the, capital city of Bangalore

Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka, is a veritable melting pot of various races and cultures. This Garden City has well - laid out parks, gardens, long avenues of blossoming trees and salubrious climate. Emerging as the hi-tech capital of India, it still retains a charm that is totally Indian. Founded in 1537 by a local Chieftain Kempe Gowda, Bangalore has changed dramatically over the years. There are numerous 'not-to-be-missed' sights in Bangalore like the magnificent Vidhana Soudha, sprawling Cubbon Park. Colourful Lalbagh etc. - and the convenient an exciting way to explore these sights is to take the KSTDC conducted Bangalore Sight-seeing tour.

Tourist attraction in Bangalore
Lal Bagh Gardens - Lal Bagh is a must see while visiting Bangalore. The name Lal Bagh has been given to it for the wonderfully bloomed red roses that remain blooming all through the year in this garden. The garden has also a collection of famous Botanical species. Though the flow of visitors to the park is a regular affair, the garden gets a festive look during the Republic Day and on the days of flower shows that are held here.
Vidhan Soudha - Vidhan Soudha, built in the year 1954 is one of the major centres of attraction in Bangalore. The architecture of the building is based on the neo Dravidian style and it presently houses the Legislative Assembly of the state of Karnataka. The building also houses a part of the Karnataka secretariat.
Cubbon Park - Situated in the heart of the Bangalore city, the Cubbon Park is an interesting tourist spot which one should not miss out. The park was laid by Lord Cubbon in the year 1864. It is spread over an area of about 300 acres and the layout is absolutely exquisite.
Bangalore Palace - Built in the year 1887, Bangalore palace is a must see tourist spot in the garden city. The architecture of the palace is based on the Tudor style. The palace is situated in the middle of the Bangalore city making it easily accessible for the tourists. Covering an area of about 800 acres, the palace gives a look of the Windsor Palace of England.
Venkatappa Art Gallery - Venkatappa art gallery is a pleasant treat for the art lovers. It has about 600 paintings on display that you can see all through the year. The art gallery also has some of the exclusive collections of scenic displays.
Tipu's Palace - The palace and the fort of Tipu Sultan are the must see spot in Bangalore. The architecture, the layout and the overall look of the palace gives you the idea of the ethnic Mughal lifestyle. The fort and its remains present the history of the era in which it was built. The construction of the Tipu palace was started by Haider Ali and completed by Tipu Sultan himself.
Iscon - The International Society for Krishna Consciousness or ISKCON Temple Complex of Bangalore is a marvellous building structure that has blended the Dravidian and modern architecture in its construction. The building has some of the modern facilities like the multi-vision cinema theatre, computer aided presentation theatres along with vedic library and a preaching library. The temple also has good accommodation facility for its members and non-members.
Shiva Statue - The statue is a 65 feet high depiction of Lord Shiva in a position of Padmashan or Lotus position. The statue is complete with Mount Kailash, the Lord's heavenly abode and the river Ganga flowing from his matted locks in the background. The entire area gives you a clear picture of the mythological legend related to it.
Bull temple - The Bull Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva's Vahana (vehicle), Nandi the bull. Here you can find a huge monolithic statue of the sitting bull that draws a large number of people to this place every day. The statue is 4.5 meters tall and 6 meters long and has been at this place long before the present temple was built.
Aquarium - The sight of the Aquarium, which is the second largest in the country, is quite fascinating. Built in a well-planned manner, the Aquarium has a good collection of a variety of aquatic life. The Aquarium remains closed on Mondays.
Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium - Among the other places to visit, the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium is a must see. Visiting any of the shows here gives you a good view as well as factual knowledge on astronomy. Easily accessible from any corner of the city, the planetarium hosts daily shows of astronomy. It is a fascinating experience for the children.

BIDAR

 Bidar is an important historical town. It witnessed many vicissitudes in its eventful history. This small town was once the capital of the erstwhile Bahamani Kingdom (1347-1526) in the medieval period. A number of historical monuments dating back to 15th century can be found here. These monuments reflect the glory of the Bahamani rulers. Apart from history, the cool and refreshing environment of Bidar attracts travelers.

 

Tourist attraction in  Bidar

Bidar Fort - The Bidar Fort, built in 1428 by Ahmed Shah Bahmani, stands proudly epitomizing the grandeur of the Bahmani dynasty. Five darwazas (gates) with imposing bastions lead into a little town nestling within the ramparts. The Rangin Mahal, the royal residence, was built by Ali Barid (1542-1580) and features exquisite wood carvings and fascinating glazed tile mosaics.

Tombs of Bahmani Rulers - The tombs of Bahmani rulers in Ashtur, Bidar were erected from 1436 to 1535. The two most impressive are those of the ninth and tenth Bahmani rulers, Ahmad Shah I and Allauddin Shah II. The tomb of Ahmad Shah I has a dome rising over 30m high. The interior of these square tombs have beautifully colored and gilded paintings on the ceilings.

Tombs of the Barid Shahis - The Mausolea of the Barid Shahi rulers lack the grandeur of the Bahmani tombs. Ali Barid's tomb has a 25m high dome. The Tomb of Ali Shah Barid, the largest of the lot, with a domed chamber, stands in the middle of a symmetrical four square garden. Blank panels above the arches once contained tile mosaic, examples of which are preserved inside.

Madrassa of Mahmud Gawan - Madrassa of Mahmud Gawan is an Islamic seminary built in 1472 by Khwaja Mohammad Gawan, the Prime Minister during the reign of Bahamani ruler Muhammad-III. This university was once a renowned centre of learning in the Muslim world for the scholars of Persian, Arabic, philosophy, theology and mathematics. The massive three-storey building housed a mosque, a laboratory, lecture halls, quarters for the teaching faculty and a students' hostel.

Chaubara - The Chaubara is a mighty 71-feet-tall tower located at the heart of the town. Built to function as an observation post, this cylindrical structure gives a commanding view of the entire city from the top.

 

BIJAPUR

 

Bijapur is part of the Karnataka Northern Circuit. If you start your tour of historical Karnataka at Hampi and are travelling northwards thereon, Bijapur should be your third major stop. From Hampi, make your way to Badami - Pattadakal - Aihole, all three of which are only a stone's throw from each other. And from there go further to arrive at Bijapur. If you are doing the route by road, you can choose from among buses, luxury coaches and cars (hired or otherwise). There are train connections to Bijapur from Sholapur (in Maharashtra), Badami and Hospet, which is the railway station for Hampi. Bijapur's greatest attractions are architectural, especially Islamic architecture. Minarets, domes and echoing burial chambers all conjure up images of the Arabian Nights. Bijapur in northern Karnataka is famous for mosques, mausoleums, palaces, fortifications etc of the 15th to 17th centuries. Bijapur is Muslim in character. The town is dotted with mosques, mausoleums, palaces and fortifications of the 15th to 17th century Muslim architecture. A formidable fort surrounds the town, which has some of the finest mosques in the Deccan and retains a pleasant atmosphere.

 

The golden period of Bijapur started during the reign of Ali Adil Shah I (1557 -79). He expanded and consolidated the kingdom, laid the water works, built the Citadel of halls, palaces, pavilions and gardens.

 

Tourist attraction in Bijapur

 

Gol Gumbaz  - The most important attraction of Bijapur is Gol Gumbaz, the largest dome in the world. The dome dominates of the entire area by its sheer size. With a diameter of 37 metres and height of 51 metres, the entire structure is raised on # mts thick wall. The commemorative plaque of Muhammad Adil Shah (1627-56) is placed under the dome. Without any pillar for support, the dome is an engineering marvel. The acoustical echos the slightest whisper over several times. The structure also has a mosque, guesthouses and a drum house.

Ibrahim Roza - The most impressive structure in Bijapur is the Ibrahim Roza and the associated mosque. Tomb of the famous Adil Shahi Sultan Ibrahim II (1580-1627), the structure has attracted lavish praises of the art historians and common tourists alike. Referred as ”the Taj Mahal of the Deccan”, the monument is built to perfection and with unstinting technical care and unparallel skilled artistry. The tomb has remarkable proportionate with elegant cupolas and slender minarets. The parapets cornices further add to the decorative touches.

Jama Masjid - Built in 1686, under Adil Shah I, the Jama Masjid of Bijapur is a sober and massive stately structure. The huge onion shaped dome of the Masjid rests on the beams of a majestic hall, divided into 45 compartments. The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb added corridors on the northern and southern sides and a gateway on the eastern side.

Gangan Mahal - Gagan Mahal, built by Adil Shah I (1561), is a palace-cum-audience hall. The central arch of Gagan Mahal is the tallest and widest in entire Bijapur. Mostly in ruins, the structure is still magnificent and impressive and is now part of a beautiful park.

Sat Manzil :- -Sat Manzil or the seven-storeyed tower, located near the Gagan Mahal is also in ruins. Originally a watchtower it overlooks the moat girdling, the bastions, and the ramparts of the citadel.

Jala Manzil - Close to the Sat Manzil, Jal Manzil (water palace), a small structure is located. It is set in a part of the zenana enclosure and a tank.

Taj Bawadi - Close to the Roza is the Taj Bawdi, built in memory of his wife by Ibrahim II. Two octagonal towers flank the massive gateway which leads to the water tank which is a great relief during summer months.

Mehtar Mahal -Mehtar Mahal, a small but exquisite structure, is on the way to the old city. Heavily influenced by the Indo-Saracenic style, this ornate structure has brackets supporting the balconies and impressive fence work recalling the splendours of Italian Quattrocento.

Malik E- Maidan - Malik-e-Maidan (monarch of the plains) canon, is one of the unusual attration od Bijapur. Placed on the city walls, it is among the the largest bell-metal canons in the world. The canon weighs 5,500 kgs and is 4.5 mts in length. Mounted by Muhammad Adil Shah at its present position, the canon remain cool even in summers.

Asar Mahal - Asar Mahal, built by Muhammad Adil Shah, is two hairs of Prophet Muhammad are kept for devout Muslims. This five-arched façade is a grand building in Bijapur.

Bijapur Castle - The 16th-century Bijaipur Castle is located right next to a wildlife sanctuary which has leopards, wild boar, blue bulls and spotted deer freeing it. Built by Rao Shakti Singh, Maharana Pratap Singh’s younger brother in the 16th century, the castle is now a heritage hotel run by the Bijaipur royal family. The castle offers excellent lodging facility with jeep safari to the nearby villages. It provide an execellent opportunity to enjoy the customary Mewar hospitality.

Villages - The villages near Bijaipur are characterised by the neighboring green hills and the hospitable people. Inhabited by tribal communities like Gadia, Bhils, Lohar (Rajasthani blacksmiths), Banjara (gypsies) and Kalbeliyas (snake charmers) clad colourful costumes, the villages have houses made of clay, stones and wood.

Pangarh Fort and Lotus Lake - 25 kms from Bijaipur lies the picturesque 12th-century Pangarh Fort. The beautiful Lotus Lake, next to the fort has local tribal population harpooning fish in their traditional way. 

 

GULBARGA

 

Gulbarga is 613 km north of Banglore is the district headquarters of Gulbarga. The city is located in the northeastern part of the state of Karnataka, in the southern region of India. A Hindu city before the Muhammadan conquest, Gulbarga is a unique synthesis of two cultures. When Bahman Shah ascended the throne of Daulatabad, it was this city that he chose as his capital. He filled it with beautiful places, mosques, stately buildings and bazaars. The later rulers added to Bahman shah's vision and Gulbarga blossomed. Gulbarga still retains its historic charm.

 

Gulbarga and the area around it was a part of the ancient Chalukyan kingdom of Badami. The origin of the town of Gulbarga goes back to the local Kakatiya rulers of Warangal. It witnessed a lot of turmoil in the early medieval period. In the early part of the 14th century, it became the part of the Delhi Sultanate. It was captured by Ulugh Khan, one of the generals belonging to the Tughlaq dynasty of Delhi Sultanate, and later captured by Mohammed bin Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi. It remained a part of the Delhi Sultanate until the death of Mohammed bin Tughlaq. Later it became a part of the Bahamani kingdom. The Bahamani kings made it their capital from 1347 to 1428. In the 17th century, it was annexed by Aurangzeb, the last great Mughal ruler and inducted into the Mughal Empire. In the 18th century, Gulbarga came under the erstwhile rulers of Hyderabad.

 

Tourist attraction in Gulbarga

 

Gulbarga Fort - The massive Gulbarga fort is part of the earliest examples of Islamic architecture in Karnataka spawned by the Bahmani Sultanate. The fort was originally built by Raja Gulchand, a feudatory of the Orangal Kakatiyas. As Gulbarga gained prominence as the Bahmani capital, the fort was fortified by Alauddin Bahman with a deep moat and massive walls.

Jumma Masjid - Nestled within the ramparts of the Gulbarga Fort, the Jumma Masjid bears a striking resemblance to the great mosque of Cordova in Spain. Built by Muhammed Bahmani in 1367, the Persian architecture of the mosque features stilted domes and narrow entrances. The mosque's unique feature is the roof which contains 68 domes that resemble a collection of gigantic pots. Historians reckon that the Jumma Masjid was built to commemorate Gulbarga's status as the Bahmani capital and is one of the earliest mosques in South India.

Khwaja Bande Nawaz Durgah - The Khwaja Bande Nawaz Durgah, the tomb of the great Sufi saint Syed Mohammad Gesu Daraz (1320-1422), is another major tourist attraction of Gulbarga. One of South India's holiest Muslim shrines, the Durgah is a unique example of communal harmony. The annual urus held at the Durgah is attended by thousands of devotees including both Muslims and Hindus. The dargah library contains nearly 10,000 books in Urdu, Persian and Arabic on subjects ranging from history and philosophy to religion and literature.
 

Royal Tombs - Gulbarga features a profusion of royal tombs and mausoleums. A complex of seven royal tombs known as the Half Gumbaz lies to the west of the Khwaja Bande dargah. Among the royal mausoleums, the one resting Firoze shah Bahmani is the largest and the most elaborate.

 

HEMPI 

Hampi is famous for its ruins belonging to the erstwhile medieval Hindu kingdom of Vijaynagar, now declared a World Heritage site. The temples of Hampi, its monolithic sculptures and monuments, summons traveler because of their brilliant craftsmanship. The Hindu style of architecture found at Hampi speaks of the splendour of the Vijaynagar Empire. One can still take glimpse of the mind-blowing Vijayanagara - one of the largest empires in the history of India - in its ruins

 

Tourist attraction in Hempi

 Virupaksha Temple - One of the earliest buildings to the western end of the city, Virupaksha Temple is dedicated to Virupaksha, a form of Lord Vishnu. The temple houses shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddesses Pampa and Bhuvaneswari. Parts of the temple is said to belong to 11th or 12th century. It is amazing to see that how when a ray of light passes from the east through a hole near the sanctum sanctorum, the shadow formed on the wall looks like a miniature shadow of the temple tower.
Ugra Narasimha - To the south of Virupaksha Temple, atop Hemkuta Hills, is the early ruins of Jain temples and the 6.7m tall monolith of 'Ugra Narasimha', a form of Lord Vishnu with head of a lion and body of a man. He is shown seated under the canopy of a seven-hooded snake. It was erected in 1528 during the reign of Krishnadevaraya and was carved out from a single boulder.
Vithala Temple - The Vithala temple is a World Heritage monument with fantastic sculptural work from the time of Vijayanagar Empire. It features 56 'Musical Pillars', which reverberate when tapped and an ornate stone chariot in the temple courtyard with an image of Garuda, the Bird-God and the 9m tall statue of Lord Ganesha along with recently excavated 'Nobleman's Palace'.
Shivalinga - Next to the statue of Narasimha is the 3 m high Shivalinga that stands permanently in water coming through an ancient channel.
Lotus Mahal - A delightful blend of Hindu and Muslim style of architecture, this palace features two-storeyed elegant pavilion situated in the 'ladies' section' of the palace.
Queen's Bath :- A 15m square structure, Queen's Bath is 1.8m deep, has stark exteriors and highly ornate interiors and by delicate and elegantly ornamented arched corridors and projecting balconies.
Singaradu Hebbagilu - Just behind the legendary elephant stables, is one of the oldest gateways of the erstwhile capital known as 'Singara Hebbagilu' (the beautiful door), which was once the main entrance to the city.
Hazara Rama Temple - The 15th century temple has finely carved basalt pillars in its hall depicting incarnations of Lord Vishnu while the sculptures on the exteriors of the hall depict main events from Ramayana.
Achuta Raya Temple - Also known as the Tirvengalanatha temple, it was built during reign of Achuta Deva Raya. Though the temple is in ruins now, the erotic sculptures of the columns inside the open halls near the main gateway are worth seeing. 

MYSORE

Mysore is a traveler’s delight and is known for some of the finest palaces that were built here by the former rulers. This fascinating town of Karnataka is rich in culture and traditions and is thronged by travelers from the neighboring states and distant corners of India. Mysore is located at the foothills of the Chamundi Hills atop which the famous Chamundeshwari Temple is located. The huge and impressive statue of Mahishasura is the most famous landmark of this magnificent town. The tourist attractions of Mysore have their individualistic charm and have interesting incidents and stories associated with them.

Tourist attraction in Mysore

 Maharaja's Palace - This palace occupies a prestigious place among the tourist attractions of Mysore,. The magnificent structure was designed by an English Architect, Henry Irwin and is an architectural marvel featuring marvelously sculpted pillars, elaborately carved doors and golden howdah.  

The Jaganmohan Palace - Jaganmohan Palace was the other retreat for the royal family of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar and it is a magnificent building with three storeys. It features stained glass shutters and ventilators and also has a lovely garden setting that has now been transformed to an art gallery. Some of things this museum has on display are paintings, sculptures and musical instruments.
Chamundi Hills - Mysore is located at the foothills of Chamundi Hills. On top of the hills there is Chamundeshwari temple that serves as a famous landmark. Nearby to the temple, there is a statue of Mahishasura, who was a demon killed by the goddess Chamundeshwari. You will also find the monolith Nandi, the bull, which is located near the temple.  

St. Philomena's Church - This church is a lure for the religious traveler and is a must watch among the tourist attractions of Mysore. This church is a Gothic structure whose structure is based on the Cathedral at Cologne. You will also come across the statue of St. Philomena on the altar who was a third century saint from Greece. This magnificent church is visited by a large number of tourists every year.
Mysore Zoo - This is a magnificent zoo which was established in the year 1892, and houses a diverse collection of animals, including magnificent species kept in natural surroundings. There are various places of tourist interest in Mysore that will help you make your tour to Mysore an exclusive one. A look at its tourist attractions is the best way to learn about the history and tradition of the town.

 

PATTADAKAL

 Pattadakal is famous as one of the historical sites. Tourists from all over take a tour to Pattadakal Karnataka where you can see some of the majestic temples of the medieval period. Indianholiday offers online information on Tour to Pattadakal Karnataka and other Tourist Attractions in Karnataka and other parts of India. Tourists generally plan a tour to Pattadakal Karnataka which is famous as a historical site. A small village of Karnataka, Pattadakal is famous as a historical site. People generally take a tour to Pattadakal Karnataka to visit its majestic temples that were built centuries ago. The temples of Pattadakal belong to the Chalukyan period and are among the favorite sites for history and art lovers.

 Pattadakal in Karnataka is a favorite tourist destination for all you history lovers out there. Considered as a World Heritage Site, Pattadakal in Karnataka in India is an important destination for archaeologists, historians and others. In the temples of Pattadakal you can get a glimpse of exquisite sculptures and intricate designs. The temples belong to the 7th and 8th century and they reflect a fusion of North and South Indian architecture. On your tour to Pattadakal Karnataka you can see 9 Hindu Temples. There is a Jain Temple as well. This Jain Temple belongs to the period of Rashtrakutas.

 

Tourist attraction in Pattadakal

 The magnificent 8-th century temples of Pattadakal are major attractions in Pattadakal tours. Do include the Pattadakal temples in your tour of Pattadakal for a glimpse of the rich Chalukyan architecture.
Kadasiddeshvara, Jambulinga and Galaganatha Temples -Kadasiddeshvara and Jambulinga Temples are fine specimens of North Indian-style temple architecture, characterized as they are by the curved towers (shikharas) over the inner sanctum. Galaganatha Temple, the largest of the lot, has a well-preserved tower with sharply cut tiers of horseshoe shaped motifs and a ribbed finial.
Sangameshwara Temple -The earliest of the South Indian style temples, Sangameshwara Temple was built by the Chalukya king Vijayaditya (696-733 AD). As in other South Indian temples, the multistoried temple tower rises in a stepped Pyramidal formation and is capped with a square domed roof.
Virupaksha and Mallikarjuna Temples - The twin Virupaksha and Mallikarjuna temples represent the pinnacle of Chalukya temple architecture. Based on the Kailasanatha Temple in Kanchipurum, the two temples commemorate the victory of King Vikramaditya II over the Pallava rulers of Tamil Nadu. Now the Virupaksha Temple is the only functioning shrine in the sprawling temple complex. Both these identical temples feature exquisitely carved pillars and ceilings decorated with a profusion of friezes from the epics.

 

MANGALORE

Mangalore the district head quarters of Dakshina Kannada is one of the major cities of the States. it has some well known temples – Mangadevi, Kadri Manjunatha ( Which houses the exquisite icon of Trilokeshwara considered to be one of the best in the country).  the  st. Aloysius chapel has rich collection of paintings of Mos-chemi, the Italian Jesuit.

Tourist attraction in Mangalore

Sultan Battery - 4 km from Mangalore, Sultan Battery of Boloor is a watchtower built in black stones. Tipu Sultan made this mini-fortress type with arrangements for loading cannons, splendidly beautiful, watchtower to prevent warships from entering River Gurupur. The remaining part of the fort is called Tipu's Well and is deserted today.
Kadri - The 11th century Kadri Temple is square in shape, has nine tanks and is situated at the foot of the highest hill of Mangalore. Kadri Manjunatha Temple boasts of the best bronze statue in India of Lokeshwara. Atop the hill is 'Jogimutt' built by King Kundavarma Bhupendra and the stone caves, believed to be the caves of the Pandavas of Mahabharata.
St. Aloysius Church - The walls of St. Aloysius Church sport paintings of Italian artist, Antony Moshaini. Built in 1899, St. Aloysius College Chapel is situated on lighthouse hill and is often compared to the Sistine chapel in Rome. Its gorgeous series of paintings covering every inch of its interiors are specially noteworthy.

Shri Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple - Shri Sharavu Mahaganapathi temple complex houses many shrines dedicated to Sharavu, Kadri, Mangaladevi and Kudroli but the one that stands out the most is the 800-year old shrine of Sri Sharavu Sharabeshwara in the Sri Mahaganapathi Kshetra.
Kudroli Gokarnath Temple - Kudroli Gokarnath Temple has been recently renovated to make it a tourist attraction of the city.
Dharmastala - 75 km from Mangalore, Dharmastala is known for the Jain bastis including the famous Manjunatha Temple sporting the 14-m-high Bahubali statue. One can also visit the museum.
Venur - 50 km from Mangalore, it is a small town known for its eight Jain bastis and the Mahadeva temple. The early 17th century 11-m-high Bahubali statue can be seen on the southern bank of the Gurupur River.
Mudabidri - 35 km from Mangalore, Mudabidri has 18 Jain bastis and 15th century Chandranatha temple or the 1000-pillar hall.
Karkal - km from Mudabidri, Karkal has many important temples and a 15th century 13m high Bahubali statue situated on a small hillock on the outskirts of the town. This point offers excellent views of the Western Ghats.

Tiger Dance - Tiger Dance, a unique form of folk dance in Dakshina, is performed mainly on Dussehra and Krishna Janmashtmi. The tiger is said to be the mount of Goddess Sharada (the warrior-goddess worshipped during Dussehra).

Karnataka Fairs & Festivals

Fair and Festivals are the round-the-year effervescent interludes in the mundane routine of life. In the every season there is a new festival, each bringing a true celebration for the people. In addition to this are the birthdays of gods and goddesses, saints and prophets, great historical happening and the advent of the New Year, all find expression in colorful festivities. New attire, dance, music and ritual, all adds joyful rhythm in the lives of people.

Dussehra - Dussehra festival is celebrated with great pomp and pageantry in Mysore. This festival commemorates the victory of the Goddess Chamundi over the demon Mahishasura. Processions, parades and music create a riot of color and joviality, as crowds shove to catch a glimpse of the glittering palace. On the last day of the festival, a colourful procession of soldiers in traditional dress, cavalry, infantry, elephants and colourful montage make their way from the palace gates to Bani Mandap where a torchlight parade and a magnificent display of horsemanship mark the grand finale.

Hampi Festival (Vijay Utsav) -The magnificent ruined city of Hampi , once the capital of Vijaynagar Empire, comes alive once again during this lively festival of dance and music called Hampi or Vijaya Utsav, held in the first week of November. In the festival the strains of music and sounds of dance recreate the opulence of the bygone era of the one-time Vijayanagar Empire. Similar festivals are held in Halebid, Pattadakal, Karavalli and Lakkundi.

Tula Sankramana - The October every year, the Kodagu people look forward to this festival, which usually falls on October 17th every year. It is believed thaton this day Goddess Cauvery appears in the form of a sudden upsurge of water in a small tank to give darshan to the countless devotees gathered there. Thousands of people witness the event and seek the blessings of Goddess Cauvery, take bath in the pious water and also carry back with them holy water of Cauvery filled in the bottles.

Vairamudi Festival - During the annual Vairamudi festival, the somnolent town of Melkote comes alive when the deity of the hill shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu is adorned with the legendary diamond studded crown brought from the Mysore Palace . This festival is nightlong and is a part of the 10-day Brahmotsavam.

Kambala (Buffalo Raceing) - This is a festival in which buffalo racing takes place. The fields are flush with water and the buffalo's race down a mushy track, egged on by a strong-muscled farmer who stables perilously on a trailing wooden plank, surfing his way down the track behind the beasts. In this annual sporting occasion, the prizes goes to the swiftest beast. This rural sport in southern coastal Karnataka originated as a royal pastime and was later continued by the feudal lords of the Tulu region. The buffalo-racing season lasts from November to March in Baradi Beedu, Bolantur, Kolatta Majalu, Bajagoli, Puttur, Kamalakatte and Uppinangadi.

Sri Vithappa fair - This is a fair held in the honour of Vithappa deity of the village. Sri Vithappa Fair goes on for three days immediately after Shigi Hunnive. The deity is taken out in a palanquin in a procession accompanied by about 60 parties of drummers. These drummers come from different parts of the state. About 7 to 8 thousand people gather at this time. The devotees offer sheep to the deity and after that the Pujari sells them, the money collected due to this is kept for the temple funds. Devotees also bring pure milk and if it gets converted into curds before offering it to the deity, this is considered a very good omen. Another characteristic of this fair is that a person from Chunchanoor village, picks out some grains in his palm from some bags kept in the temple and the grain which he picks out is then to be the crop which will have rich yield that year.

Sri Shidlingappa's fair - On the occasion of Shivaratri, Sri Shidlingappa's fair is organized by the people. On this day the deity is taken in a palanquin accompanied by drummers (Dollu and Majalu) from several neighbouring villages and then finally to the river where the deity is worshipped and the devotees show their devotion to the God.

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