Tourism in Karnataka

Karnataka, the eighth largest state in India, has been ranked as the fifth most popular state in the country for tourism.[1][2] [3] It is home to 507 of the 3600 centrally protected monuments in India, the largest number after Uttar Pradesh.[4] The State Directorate of Archaeology and Museums protects an additional 752 monuments and another 25,000 monuments are yet to receive protection.[5] Tourism centres on the ancient sculptured temples, modern cities, the hill ranges, forests and beaches. Broadly, tourism in Karnataka can be divided into four geographical regions: North Karnataka, the Hill Stations, Coastal Karnataka and South Karnataka.

The Karnataka Government has recently introduced The Golden Chariot – a train which connects popular tourist destinations in the state and Goa.

North Karnataka

North Karnataka Region Tourism

North Karnataka has monuments that date back to the 5th century. Kannada empires that ruled the Deccan had their capitals here. Badami Chalukyas monuments are located at Pattadakal, Aihole and Badami. Aihole has been called the cradle of Indian architecture[6] and has over 125 temples and monuments built between 450 and 1100 BC. Rashtrakuta monuments at Lokapura, Bilgi and Kuknur and Kalyani Chalukyas monuments built in Gadag style of architecture[7][8] at Lakkundi, Gadag, Itagi (in Koppal District) and the Vijayanagar empire temples at Vijayanagara are some examples. Hampi in Bellary District has ruins spread over an area of 125 km². With some fifty four world heritage monuments and six hundred and fifty national monuments (ASI). An additional three hundred monuments await protection. The Deccan sultanate monuments at Bijapur and Gulbarga show unique and discreet Hindu influences and rival the Muslim monuments of North India. Archeologically important locations like Sannati, Kanaganahalli in Gulbarga district have thrown more light on Buddhist centres of the 1st century BCE to 3rd century CE. The first ever statue of emperor Ashoka with his queens and a Prakrit inscription Rayo Ashoka (ASI) has been found.

Badami surroundings important locations are Kudalasangama, Aihole, Pattadakal, Mahakuta and Banashankari.

Hampi surroundings region, they can be visited from Hampi/Hosapete, or from Hubli. There are Kuknur, Itagi, Gadag, Lakkundi, Dambal, Haveri, Kaginele, Bankapura.

World heritage centres

Mallikarjuna and Kasivisvanatha temples at Pattadakal

Historical locations

Western Chalukya

Ravana Phadi cave at Aihole near Pattadakal
Cave temple 3 Badami
Trikuteshwara Temple complex at Gadag
Lakkundi Monuments

Someshwara temple complex is in Lakshmeshwar in the Shirahatti Taluk, Gadag District, North Karnataka. The temple complex has the Someshwara temple of Shiva along with so many Shiva temples in side the fort like compound.

It is located in the Haveri District. The temple has big open hall and pyramidal shaped Garbhagudi. The temple is situated along the Tungabhadra river.

Mahadeva Temple at Itagi in the Koppal district, North Karnataka, built during 1112 CE. This temple is an example of dravida articulation with a nagara superstructure. This Temple is also called Devalayagala Chakravarti in Kannada (Emperor among Temples).

Kundgol is about 15 km from Hubli-Dharwad. This place is famous for Hindustani music[16] and Huge Shambulinga Temple.

Someshwara temple at Lakshmeshwar, North Karnataka

Kudalasangama has Sangamanatha temple which belongs to Chalukya. It is a Karma Bhumi of Basavanna. Kudalasangama development authority has developed this place as one of the International tourism place. From Kudalasangama Almatti Dam is about 12 km, it has got North Karnataka's biggest Rock Garden.

Rashtrakuta dynasty

Kadamba dynasty

Large domical ceiling in the main hall at Tarateshwara temple Hangal

The place is in Background of Western Ghats in lush green atmosphere. It was the second capital of the Kadambas of Banavasi. The huge Bhuvaraha Narasimha temple has tall images of Varaha, Narasimha, Narayana and Surya. Halasi has a fort and temples of Gokarneshswara, Kapileshwara, Swarneshwara and Hatakeshwara.

Hanagal was the capital of Hangal Kadambas, feudatories of Kalyani Chalukyas. It was mentioned as Panungal in records and identified by tradition with Viratanagara of Mahabharatha days. It is on the left bank of the Dharma River. The Tarakeshwara temple here is a huge structure with series of images and polished tall Chalukya pillars. The other temples are Virabhadra, Billeshwara and Ramalinga etc. There is a Veerashaiva Kumaraswamy Matha here.

Banavasi was the capital of Kadambas. The place is on the bank of the Varada river and its laterite fort is surrounded by the river at its three sides. Ashoka is said to have sent his missionaries to 'Vanavasa'.Banavasi also containsBuddhist brick monuments. Chutu prince Nagashri built a Buddhist Vihara, a tank and installed a Naga image at the place according to a Parkrit record at the place. There is also a monument at Banavasi, Mudhukeshvara temple and also Kadamba Nagara Shikhara is seen on the garbhagriha of this temple. Records here indicate that Buddhism and Jainism were popular.

Deccan Sultanates

Jumma Masjid at Lakshmeshwar, North Karnataka

Rattas

Palaces

Forts

In Karnataka there are thousands of Forts, in Kannada called as Kote or Gad or Durga.

Mirjan Fort in Uttara Kannada District in North Karnataka

The Forts in Karnataka are belongs to various dynasties, some of them are more than thousand years old.

Main article: History of Karnataka

Places of worship

Jain Basadis

Main article: Jainism in Karnataka

Jainism has a long history in Karnataka. Belgaum District has the Kamala basadi in Chalukya style in the Belgaum Fort. The ancient centre Tavanidi near Nippani and newly created centre at Shedbal, where 24 Tirthankaras in white marble have been installed in a cluster. Lakkundi in Gadag District has a large Brahma Jinalaya of Chalukya style, built by a noble lady, Attimabbe.

Buddhist temples

Shiva temples

Gokarna is a great all-India centre where the Atmalinga (Mahabaleshwara) of Shiva, brought by Ravana is believed to have been installed. Nearby is Murudeshwar where a huge modern Shiva temple in Dravidian Style has been raised, renovating an ancient shrine. Both the places are on the sea-shore in Uttara Kannada. At Hampi is the Virupaksha Temple, venerated by generations of poets, scholars, kings and commoners.

The Shiva temple at Kudalasangama in Bagalkot District is associated with Saint Basaveshwara. Equally remarkable pieces of art are the Virupaksha and the Mallikarjuna at Pattadakal in Bagalkote dt.

The Veerashaivas have many venerated places, either associated with Basaveshwara or his contemporaries. Basavana Bagewadi was his place of birth and Kudala Sangama the place of his spiritual practices, are in Bijapur and Bagalkot dts. The latter is at the confluence of the river Krishna and the Malaprabha. Basava Kalyana (Kalyani), the ancient Chalukya capital in Bidar District was the place where he conducted his socio-religious movement. Ulavi in Uttara Kannada, a quiet place amidst forests, has the samadhi of Chennabasavanna, Basaveshwara's nephew. Belgami (Balligavi), the Chalukya art centre in Shimoga dt. is identified as the birthplace of Allama Prabhu and Uduthadi near it, is the native place of Akka Mahadevi. Later Veerashaiva saints are associated with many places. Kodekal (Gulbarga dt.) Basavanna temple, Kadakola Madivallajja Matha, Sharana Basaveshwara temple and Dasoha Math at Gulbarga are few more places of worship.

Athani has the samadhi of the Veerashaiva Saint Shivayogi. Some of the outstanding Veerashaiva Mathas are seen at Naganur near Bailhongal and Kalmatha in Belgaum, Durudundeshwara Matha at Arabhavi and Mahantaswamy Matha at Murgod are in Belgaum dt. Murugha Matha (Dharwad), Annadaneshwara Matha (Mundargi), Tontadarya Matha at Gadag and Dambal, Moorusavira Matha at Hubli, Murugha Matha and Hukkeri Matha (Haveri), Taralabalu Matha at Sirigere, Murugharajendra Matha at Chitradurga, Banthanala Shivajogi Matha at Chadachan and Mahantaswamy Matha (Ilkal) are equally notable. The samadhi of Sharanabasappa Appa at Gulbarga.

Shakti Sthala

The following places are visited by devotees of Shakti

Temple tanks

Mahakuta Temple tank near Badami

Botanical and Rock gardens

Coastal Karnataka

Coastal Karnataka is the stronghold of Hindu and Jain pilgrimage spots with Udupi and its many temples being the centre of Dvaita philosophy, Gokarna is known for Vedic studies, Sringeri has the first of the Shankaracharya mathas and is important for its Advaita philosophy, Karkala and Mudabidri are well known places of Jain worship and Vaishnava rituals. Exquisite Vijayanagar temples built in ChalukyaMalabar region combinational style are seen in Bhatkal, Kumta, Shirali etc. The warm beaches of Karnataka are mostly unspoiled.

Jamboti, 20 km south-west of Belgaum, has popular evergreen hilltop forests.

Karnataka is blessed with over 300 km of pristine coastal stretch. Netrani Island of Uttara Kannada is known for coral reefs. St. Mary's Island, a few kilometres from Udupi has basalt rock formations. Sunny beaches at places like Malpe, Murdeshwara, Maravanthe, Gokarna, Kumta have spectacular mountains to the east. Agumbe, Kodachadri hills, Kemmangundi, are just a few of many hill stations that straddle the coast providing tourists sun and greenery. Unlike many crowded hill stations in South India, the hill stations of Karnataka are still mostly undiscovered and pristine.

Om beach, near Gokarna, North Karnataka
Giant Shiva statue at Murdeshwara
The Rajagopuram of Murudeswar Temple has 21 floors, including the ground floor. The base measures 105 feet in length and 51 feet breadth. The gopura also possess a lift and visitors can go to the top and have an aerial view of the Arabian Sea and the statue of Lord Shiva. Another highlight is the life-size statues of two elephants at the base of the gopura.
World's tallest Siva idol: The highlights of Murudeshwar lie beyond its nice beach and rural flair. A breathtaking view awaits you when moving towards the little headland dividing the beach into north and south. There, on a little green hill, a 37 m (or 123 feet) Lord Shiva idol sits enthroned, surrounded by smaller, but not less impressive, statues illustrating moments of the Hindu mythology

Beaches

Karwar has a number of beaches like Blue Lagoon Beach, Ladies Beach around it and Rabindranath Tagore described his experiences at Karwar beach in his poetry. Om beach, Murdeshwara are other beaches of Uttara Kannada Dist. The Nethrani Island near Murdeshwara. Basavaraja Durga near Honavar is an island fort raised by the Keladi Rulers during 16th and 17th centuries. It is surrounded by a strong fortification raised by gigantic laterite blocks and the hill has a flat top. Devagad and Kurmagad are two islands near Karwar. {Nirvana beach} at Kagal village of Kumta is a 5 km long beach in one stretch with white sand and transparent water in the month of December till March. The entire beach coast line is covered by Casuarina and coconut trees, unparallel to any beach of India, and has the big potential to develop beach tourism like the Baga-Calangute-Candolim beach of Goa. Government of Karnataka and tourism department has failed in tapping this potential, where as Goa has left Karnataka much behind in beach tourism. There is an urgent need to do something in this direction to allow beach tourism on the same model of Goa in the months of September to may.

South Karnataka

South Karnataka is a unique combination of spectacular vesara style Hoysala architecture, colossal Jain monuments, colonial buildings and palaces of the Kingdom of Mysore, impregnable fort at Chitradurga and densely forested wildlife sanctuaries that offer some of the best eco-tourism available in the country. Belur, Halebidu in Hassan District, Somnathpura in Mysore District, Belavadi, Kalasa and Amrithapura in Chikmagalur District, Balligavi in Shimoga District offer some of the best of Hoysala architecture dating from the 11th to 13th centuries, while Shravanabelagola in Hassan district and Kambadahalli in Mandya District have well known 10th-century Jain monuments. Scenic forests and the high density of wild animals of this region are a popular attraction for those interested in the wilder side of life. Bandipur National Park, Nagarahole, Biligirirangan Hills, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary and Bannerghatta national parks are a few popular places for jungle safaris.

The river Kaveri flows east from Kodagu District and along its way one finds important tourist destinations like Shivanasamudra and nearby Sivasamudram Falls,

Srirangapattana and Melkote etc. Mysuru, the cultural capital of the state is home to palaces, colonial buildings and cultural activities including Carnatic music, theatre. Bengaluru the capital is a cosmopilitian city with parks, pubs, restaurants, shopping and fast paced technology rich lifestyle.

Temple complex on Chandragiri hill, Shravanabelagola
Chennakesava Temple (Rear view), Somanathapura

Hill stations

The Hill stations in Karnataka are generally unexplored and more pristine than better known ones in South India.

Shola Grasslands in Kudremukh, Karnataka.

National parks and wildlife

Kudremukh National Park

Karnataka in all has 21 wildlife sanctuaries and 5 National parks. Well known among them are Bandipur National Park in Mysore District, Bannerghatta National Park in Bangalore district, Nagarhole National Park in Mysore District and Kodagu district, Kudremukh National Park in Dakshina Kannada and Chickmagalur district, Dandeli & Anshi National Park in Uttara Kannada district, Gudavi and Mandegadde bird sanctuaries and Sharavati WLS in Sagara Taluk, Shimoga District, Biligirirangan Hills WLS in Chamarajanagar district, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in Mandya district, Brahmagiri wildlife sanctuary and Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in Kodagu district. Interior dry areas have their own unique wildlife.

There are twenty one wildlife sanctuaries and five national parks in all.

Recently, the government of India has proposed to the UNESCO to include important ecosystems in the Western Ghats as a World Heritage Site. Two subclusters of natural areas occurring in the list are entirely in the Karnataka region covering several wildlife sanctuaries and some reserve forests. Fragile and exotic ecosystems like Kudremukh NP, Brahmagiri WLS, Pushpagiri WLS, Agumbe, Talakaveri WLS, Someshvara WLS figure in this list. As such, the Western Ghats that run south-north through the Karnataka is considered as one among the twenty five bio-diversity hotspots of the world.

The Niligiri Biosphere Reserve (also a designated UNESCO Biosphere reserve) is located at the junction of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerela. Nagarahole National Park WLS and Bandipur National Park and Nugu WLS in Karnataka are included in this biosphere reserve.

The state is home to the largest concentration of Asian Elephants along Kabini River in Nagarahole and Bandipur parks. These two parks are also hold among the most viable population of the highly endangered Indian Tiger. Ranebennur Blackbuck sanctuary in Haveri district is home to one of the largest populations of blackbuck anywhere in India. The Doraji wildlife sanctuary and areas in Karnataka like Bellary district, Chitradurga are strongholds of the sloth bear.

Karnataka is home to more than 500 species of birds.[22]

Wildlife sanctuaries


Dams and Resorvoir in Karnataka

Caves

Some well known caves in Karnataka are Yana caves and Kavala caves and Syntheri rocks in Uttara Kannada district, Sugriva's cave in Hampi holds similarity to the descriptions of 'Kishkinda' in the epic Ramayana, hundreds of caves in Basava Kalyana in Bidar District.

Ravana Phadi cave, Aihole in Karnataka

Waterfalls

Gaganachukki Falls at Shivanasamudram

Karnataka has a number of waterfalls. Jog Falls of Sagara Taluk is one of the highest waterfalls in Asia. Some well known waterfalls are Varapoha Falls, Magod Falls, Lalgulli Falls, Sathodi Falls, Unchalli Falls, Lushington Falls, Shivaganga Falls, Ulavi Falls, Irupu Falls, Sivasamudram Falls near Shivanasamudra, Balmuri Falls, Gokak Falls, Abbe Falls, Achakanya Falls, Chunchanakatte Falls, Hebbe Falls, Kallathigiri Falls, Sogal Falls, Godachinamalki Falls etc.

Godachinamalki Falls, Hukkeri Taluk, Belgaum District
The main article for this category is Geography of Karnataka.
NameDistrictHeightDetails
Gaganachukki and Bharachukki Falls Chamarajanagar - River Cauvery, 100 km (62 mi) from Bangalore
Apsarakonda Falls Uttara Kannada - River Sharavathi, 8 km (5.0 mi) from Honnavar
Lalguli Falls Uttara Kannada 250 ft (76 m) River Kali, 13 km (8.1 mi) from Yellapur
Nisargadhama Falls Madikeri River Cauvery 2 km (1.2 mi) from Kushalnagar
Burude Falls or Dodmane Falls Uttara Kannada 20 km (12 mi)+ from Siddapura and 55 km (34 mi)+ from Sirsi on Siddapur-Kumta road
Shivagange Falls Uttara Kannada 243 ft (74 m) River Sonda, 45 km (28 mi) from Sirsi
Belkal theertha Shimoga & Udupi 600 ft (180 m) During rainy season, 110 km (68 mi) from Shimoga
Dabbe Falls Shimoga near Hosagadde, 50 km (31 mi) from Sagara
Waate haLLa Falls Uttara Kannada 100 ft (30 m)+ 30 km (19 mi) from Sirsi
Vibhooti Falls Uttara Kannada 50 km (31 mi) from Sirsi on Yana-Ankola Road
Alekan Falls Dakshina Kannada 18 km (11 mi) from Charmadi
Dondole Falls Dakshina Kannada 50 ft (15 m)+ 23 km (14 mi) from Charmadi
Shanti Falls Chikmagalur 12 ft (3.7 m) near Kemmanagundi
Abbey Falls Kodagu 8 km (5.0 mi) from Madikeri
Arisina Gundi Falls Udupi near Kollur
Barkana Falls Shimoga 850 ft (260 m) River Sita, near Agumbe
Bennehole Falls Uttara Kannada 230 ft (70 m) On the way to Kumta from Sirsi
Chunchanakatte Falls Mysore 66 ft (20 m) River Cauvery, 15 km (9.3 mi) from Krishnarajanagara
Godchinamalaki Falls Belgaum 141 ft (43 m) River Markandeya, 16 km (9.9 mi) from Gokak
Gokak Falls Belgaum 170 ft (52 m) River Ghataprabha, 6 km (3.7 mi) from Gokak
Hebbe Falls Chikmagalur 551 ft (168 m) 10 km (6.2 mi) from Kemmanagundi
Irupu Falls Kodagu 170 ft (52 m) River Lakshmana Tirtha 48 km (30 mi) from Virajpet
Jomlu Theertha Falls Udupi 30 ft (9.1 m) Seethanadi, 35 km (22 mi) from Udupi
Chelavara Falls Kodagu 10 km (6.2 mi) from Palace Estate
Mallali Falls Kodagu River Kumaradhara, 25 km (16 mi) from Somwarpet
Jog Falls or Gersoppa Falls Shimoga & Uttara Kannada 829 ft (253 m) River Sharavathi, 30 km (19 mi) from Sagara
Hidlumane Falls Shimoga 100 ft (30 m) Kodachadri water stream, 105 km (65 mi) from Shimoga
Kalhatti Falls Chikmagalur 403 ft (123 m) near Kemmanagundi
Unchalli Falls or Keppa Falls Uttara Kannada 380 ft (120 m) 35 km (22 mi) from Siddapura 45 km (28 mi) from Sirsi
Koosalli Falls Udupi 380 ft (120 m) 70 km (43 mi) from Udupi
Kudumari Falls or Belligundi Falls Udupi 300 ft (91 m)
Magod Falls Uttara Kannada 650 ft (200 m) River Bedti, 17 km (11 mi) from Yellapur
Manikyadhara Falls Chikmagalur 1 km (0.62 mi) from Baba Budangiri
Muthyala Maduvu Waterfall Bangalore 40 km (25 mi) from Bangalore, very small waterfall
Shivanasamudra Falls Chamarajanagar 320 ft (98 m) River Cauvery, 139 km (86 mi) from Bangalore
Sathodi Falls Uttara Kannada 49 ft (15 m) River Kali, 32 km (20 mi) from Yellapur
Varapoha Falls Belgaum 197 ft (60 m) River Mandovi, 60 km (37 mi) from Belgaum
Sirimane Falls Chikmagalur 22 km (14 mi) from Sringeri
Sogal Falls Belgaum near Bailhongal
Chunchi Falls Bangalore River Arkavathi, 90 km (56 mi) from Bangalore
Suthanabbe Falls or Hanumanagundi Falls Chikmagalur 100 ft (30 m)+ near Kudremukh
Kunchikal Falls Shimoga 1,493 ft (455 m) River Varahi, near Mastikatte in Shimoga district. This is the highest tiered waterfalls in India and second highest in Asia.[28][29]

Eco-tourism

Topographic map of Karnataka. Western Ghats is rich in wildlife.

The districts of the Western Ghats and the southern districts have popular eco tourism locations.[30] Some of the popular locations include Kudremukh, Madikeri and Agumbe. Karnataka boasts of the highest elephant Gaur bison and tiger population (greater than 6000, 8000 and 400 respectively) in India. Its forests hold some of the largest remaining populations of the endangered tiger and leopard. Eco-tourism is a very popular activity in the state. Karnataka leads other states in eco-tourism. Jungle Lodges & Resorts, a state run organisation has camping and safari facilities in several wildlife sanctuaries. Private safari providers have sprung up in several places along the western ghats.

Nirvana beach is one of the finest beach near Kumta has 5 km Coastline with white sand and palm trees covering entire coast, could be develop as eco beach tourism on the adjoining land falling in CRZ II category falling within 200 meters from HTL. Farmers and fishermen should be allowed to run beach cottages and beach shacks as allowed by govt. of Goa, tourism department to attract tourists from around the world as well as domestic tourists, in the months of September till may Every season.

Several NGO's (youth groups) are actively involved in birding and other conservation activities.

Adventure and outdoor activities

Adventure tourism has been growing at a pace of around 24% in Karnataka. The presence of Nilgiris, Western Ghats, rocky regions, waterfalls and lots of lakes and rivers make it an attractive destination. Certain activities at some regions namely Rock climbing at Hampi and Ramnagaram; Mountain biking at Nilgiris; Rafting at Honnemaradu in Sagara, Bheemeshwari, Dandeli and Coorg are famous.

Besides this Sawandurga, Manchinbele(feverpitch basecamp), Bheemeshwari Antharagange are also famous for rappelling, river crossing, caving and kayaking. There have been more than 100 places for trekking in Karnataka and many of them are organised by Government of Karnataka or government approved local vendors. Seasonal surfing is available in Gokarna and Kaup. Fever pitch base camp has been developed by tourism industry professionals which is located 40 km from Bangalore near magadi.

Bisle Ghat which is stretch of Western ghats from Kerala to Gujarat is also famous for treckking and adventurous activities.Farmers son Adventurous sports camp near Palya Town on the way to Sakleshpur Bisle ghat is also a must place to be visited by any foreign tourists.Farmers son Paintball arena and other ATV & Dirt bike sports are some of the interesting things to do at Hassan.

A View from Turahalli Forest

Rock climbers visit several areas in Karnataka:

Trekking in Karnataka. Some of the most popular treks are:

Healthcare tourism

In the last couple of years Karnataka has emerged as a hot spot for health care tourism in India attracting health tourists from all over the world. Karnataka has highest number of approved health systems and alternative therapies. Along with some ISO certified government owned hospitals, private institutions which provide international quality services have caused health care industry to grow up to 30% during 2004–05. Hospitals in Karnataka treat around 8,000 and more health tourists every year.[31]

The Golden Chariot

The Golden Chariot is a luxury tourist train of Karnataka operated by Indian Railways and KSTDC (Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation). Initially train was introduced exclusively for Karnataka, but recently it is expanded to whole south India. The train travels to the Karnataka's tourist destinations like Bangalore, Kabini, Mysore, Beluru, Halebidu, Shravanabelagola, Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal, Aihole and Goa.

Train coaches are named after the Karnataka dynasties like Kadamba, Hoysala, Rashtrakuta, Ganga, Chalukya, Bahamani, Adil Shahi, Sangama, Satavahana, Yadukula and Vijayanagar.

Administration

Karnataka Tourism is the popular name of the Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka (website: karnatakatourism.org).

Karnataka Tourism is responsible for the sustainable development of tourism in Karnataka along with marketing of the destination worldwide. Karnataka's destination branding and marketing is done by India's leading tourism marketing organisation, Stark Communications. Stark is part of The Stark Group under whose umbrella are companies such as Stark Communications, Stark Expo, Starkworld Publishing, Stark Expo, starkwebworks, Stark Tourism Forum.

Karnataka Tourism develops hospitality infrastructure through two government-owned companies, Jungle Lodges & Resorts and Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation.

See also

Archaeological sites and Monuments in Karnataka

Excavation
Sannati·Kanaganahalli

Ancient
Lakshmeshwar .Lakkundi . Sudi . Badami . Aihole . Pattadakal . Hangal . Halasi . Banavasi . Halebid . Belur . Mahadeva Temple (Itagi) . Hooli . Sannati . Hampi . Anegundi . Maski . Koppal

Forts
Gajendragad . Saundatti . Bellary . Parasgad Fort . Kittur . Belgaum . Bidar . Gulbarga . Basavakalyan . Koppal . Chitradurga

Monuments
Lakshmeshwar . Lakkundi . Sudi . Badami . Aihole . Pattadakal . Hangal . Halasi . Banavasi . Halebid . Belur . Somanathapura . Mahadeva Temple (Itagi) . Hooli . Sannati . Hampi . Anegundi . Galaganatha . Chaudayyadanapura . Bidar · Gulbarga · Bijapur · Raichur

References

  1. Andhra Pradesh top tourist destination: Tourism Ministry - Financial Express Archived February 21, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.
  2. "Handbook of Karnataka, Karnataka The Tourist Paradise". Archived from the original on 2012-02-16. Retrieved 29 August 2008.
  3. Karnataka ranks among top five states in tourism: FICCI – OneIndia retrieved on 10 June 2006 Archived October 29, 2013, at the Wayback Machine.
  4. "Alphabetical list of Monuments". Protected Monuments. Archaeological Survey of India. Archived from the original on 2013-08-08. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  5. Correspondent (6 January 2007). "Plan to conserve heritage monuments, museums". The Hindu (Chennai, India: The Hindu). Archived from the original on 2013-07-24. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  6. "Archaeological Museum, Aihole (District Bagalkot, Karnataka)". Archived from the original on 2014-03-26. Retrieved 16 April 2009.
  7. "Chalukya". Archived from the original on 2009-04-20. Retrieved 16 April 2009.
  8. "Kalyani Chalukyan temples, Temples of Karnataka". Archived from the original on 2013-05-14. Retrieved 16 April 2009.
  9. "hampi, UNESCO World Heritage Centre". Archived from the original on 2014-03-26. Retrieved 6 August 2008.
  10. "Pattadakal, UNESCO World Heritage Centre". Archived from the original on 2014-03-26. Retrieved 6 August 2008.
  11. "Aihole is located near Badami". Archived from the original on 2013-05-27. Retrieved 6 August 2008.
  12. "Badami Cave Temples, Karnataka". Archived from the original on 2014-04-19. Retrieved 6 August 2008.
  13. "EARLY WESTERN CHALUKYA CAVE-TEMPLES" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-05-27. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  14. "New tourist spot to be developed". Archived from the original on 2012-03-07. Retrieved 8 August 2008.
  15. "Kalyani Chalukyan temples". Archived from the original on 2013-05-14. Retrieved 7 August 2008.
  16. "Tracing the sur and taal of it". Archived from the original on 2008-10-13. Retrieved 16 April 2009.
  17. Kaladarshana - Ancient and Medieval Historical Indian Architecture and Art - Bijapur Archived October 10, 2013, at the Wayback Machine.
  18. Gol Gumbaz Photo gallery Archived November 4, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  19. "Bidar has 30 tombs of former kings". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 6 August 2008. Archived from the original on 2012-11-05. Retrieved 8 August 2008.
  20. "Measures initiated to renovate Chitradurga fort". Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2013-04-18.
  21. Manipal Tourism from “Manipal world news”
  22. karnatakabirds – Birds of Karnataka Archived January 5, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.
  23. http://www.karnataka.com/slothbear/ Archived May 31, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  24. "KARNATAKA STATE BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN (KBSAP)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-06-11. Retrieved 28 November 2008.
  25. Adichunchanagiri Wildlife Sanctuary Archived October 17, 2013, at the Wayback Machine.
  26. Arabithittu Wildlife Sanctuary Archived October 29, 2013, at the Wayback Machine.
  27. Melkote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary - Mysore Nature Archived October 17, 2013, at the Wayback Machine.
  28. "Showing all Waterfalls in India". World Waterfalls Database. Archived from the original on 2012-08-25. Retrieved 2007-02-19.
  29. "Showing all Waterfalls in Asia". World Waterfalls Database. Archived from the original on 2011-06-11. Retrieved 2007-02-23.
  30. Article in Indianmba. Retrieved on 10 June 2006 Archived April 3, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.
  31. "Karnataka bets big on healthcare tourism". Online webpage of the Hindu Business Line, dated 23 November 2004. 2004, The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2008-09-29. Retrieved 21 June 2007.

External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Karnataka.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, March 24, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.