Karnataka Travel Guide and Information

Karnataka popularly known for Carnatic Music through out the World has given much more to the World than Carnatic Music, a unique form of Classical Music patroned by many across the continents. Karnataka with all its Richness in Culture and Traditional Grandeur is also one of the fastest growing States in terms of Industries and Facilities.

Karnataka is also known as the Capital of Agarbathi (Incense Sticks), Arecanut, Silk, Coffee and Sandal Wood. All this is apart from the fact that it has been the Culture Center for hundreds of years and its testimony stands spread across the State pulling millions of Tourists from all parts of the World to Karnataka. Whose richness and hospitality can only be felt and never explained better.

The fascinating fairs and festivals of Karnataka are a celebration of life in all its infinite variety. Most of them are exclusive to the state and reverberate with colour and gaiety. Every hamlet and village, every town and city has its own calendar of events to be celebrated.

Flanked by the soaring Western Ghats in the east and blessed by the blue waters of the Arabian Sea in the west, Karnataka has a 320 kms. long coastline dotted with unspoilt beaches and scores of temples. Some of these beaches and temples are unknown, unsung and undiscovered - and that is their biggest attraction.

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.

The Vijayanagara empire with its capital at Hampi fell a victim to the marauding army of the Deccan Sultan in 1565 A.D. As a consequence of this, Bijapur became the most important city of the region. This city is a land of monuments and perhaps no other city except Delhi has as many monuments as Bijapur. The Bahmani Shahis and the Adilshahis of Bijapur have played a notable part in the history of Karnataka by their contribution to the field of art and architecture and also by their propagation of Islam in the state.

Tipu Sultan Museum
Tipu`s Tomb, Karnataka Travels & ToursThe Tipu Sultan Museum lies within the portals of the Daria Daulat Palace, once his summer palace and later appropriated by Arthur Wellesley. Constmcted mainly in wood, the structure rests on a vast plinth. The walls and ceilings are elaborately painted. The murals on the outer walls depict scenes from Tipu's wars while the interior walls are ornately painted with abstract designs and floral motifs. An open verandah surrounds the central edifice and green blinds protect the murals from the elements.

Archeological Museum
The Adil Shahi sultans ruled the Deccan from Bijapur between 1480 and 1680. The museum consequently houses antiquities from that period. These include armoury, porcelain, coins, Miniature paintings, manuscripts and carpets. On view are stone sculpture and inscriptions in Kannada, Devanagari, Arabic and Persian.

Karnataka Government Museum and Venkatappa Art Gallery
Established in 1865, the museum houses sculpture from the Hoysala, Nolamba and Gandhara periods. Also on view are antiquities from Mohenjodaro and terracotta from Mathura. The painting section includes miniature paintings from the Rajasthani and Pahari schools. there are also traditional paintings from the Among the miscellaneous items are ivory carvings and inlay work, sandal-wood caskets and other ohjeci-and arms and armoury.

Archeological Museum, Hampi
Hampi, the capital of the Vijayanagara empire, is a highly impressive complex of monuments. On view at the museum are stone sculpture, architectural panels and lintels. Also displayed are gold coins, copper plates and illustrated palm leaf manuscripts.

Karnataka's pilgrim Centers are excellent examples of its rich cultural heritage and attract thousands of devotees all through the year. This has been a school of thought for many Philosophers and Philosophies.

Moodabidri - 391 Kms. from Bangalore. Moodabidri is small town in the South Canara is famous for 1000 pillared Jain Shrine

Karkala - 376 Kms. from Bangalore Karkala is an important Jain centre located in South Canara is known for a 12.8m high monolith of Gomateshwara.

Melkote - 155 Kms. from Bangalore. Melkote is a sacred pilgrim centre known for the Vairamudi Festival held during March - April

Karnataka popularly known for Carnatic Music through out the World has given much more to the World than Carnatic Music, a unique form of Classical Music patroned by many across the continents. ––›› Bangalore ––›› Badami ––›› Bijapur ––›› Hampi ––›› Hassan ––›› Halebid ––›› Mysore ––›› Shimoga

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