Bangalore - Bangalore is the capital of
Karnataka. It has come to be known as the 'Silicon Valley' of India due
to its role as the frontrunner in the country’s technological
revolution. Also dubbed the 'Garden City' due to its many parks,
avenues, and year-round temperate climate, it is the transport hub for
Karnataka, and is well served by plane, road, and rail, serving as a
convenient starting point to the state's many attractions.
Despite being the commercial hub, Bangalore is not without its
attractions in the form of golf courses, historical monuments, and
multi-therapy spas. It is home to several magnificent buildings
including the Vidhan Soudha, the government's administrative seat, a
spacious granite building, built in a Neo-Dravidian style.
The Fort of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan and Tipu's Summer Palace -- all
built more than 200 years ago offer historical insights into the city
while nature lovers can revel at the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens,
considered to be one of the finest in India. Drawing inspiration from
the magnificent gardens of the Moghuls, Lalbagh was laid out in the 18th
century by Haider Ali. It displays a remarkable harmony between nature
and history.
Originally covering 40 acres, the gardens were expanded by Tipu, Haider
Ali's son, who also introduced numerous new and exotic species of plants
and flowers. Now spread over 240 acres, the gardens make for an
enchanting visit.
Being a bustling metropolis, it is not surprising that Bangalore
provides a complete infrastructure for the hospitality sector, with an
excellent line-up of five-star luxury hotels, affiliated golf courses,
tour operators, car rental companies, and an established tourism
network.
Mysoreis Karnataka's second largest city packed with more
attractions for the tourist and can be best described in one word --
majestic. The erstwhile capital of the Wodeyar Rajas, the former rulers
of the Kingdom, Mysore has long been associated with the spectacular
architectural heritage of its many palaces, art and literature, and a
long tradition of music and dance.
The literal jewel in Mysore's crown is the Maharaja's Palace,
an opulent building filled with intricate carvings and gilded
decorations. The walled palace dominates the city's soul with its
shining brass-plated dome surmounting a single tower and is a sight to
behold on Sunday nights and during festivals when it is tastefully
illuminated.
Completed in 1912, the palace is surrounded by six temples, some of
which are of a much earlier origin. Rooms worth viewing include the
Doll's Pavilion, the Elephant Gate, the Kalyana Mandapam or the royal
wedding hall, the huge Public Darbar Hall, and the smaller Private
Darbar Hall.
The Jaganmohan Palace or the Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, as it is
now known, is adjacent to the Maharaja's palace and was used as a royal
residence until it was turned into a picture gallery and museum in 1915.
Artifacts displayed include paintings that date back to 1875 and most of
the objects such as the musical instruments were used by the royals.
The other prominent landmark is the huge Chamundi Hills, topped by the
2,000-year old temple dedicated to the Goddess Chamundeshwari or Durga,
who slew the demon buffalo, Mahishasura.
Visitors can choose to climb or descend the 1000-odd steps to
appreciate the views and also to stop and admire the magnificent
five-metre Nandi, Lord Shiva's bull, carved in black granite in 1659.
Other attractions include the beautifully landscaped Brindavan Gardens
and St Philomena's Cathedral.
The nearby island fortress of Srirangapatnam, is of historic
importance due to its ancient status as the capital of the warrior
kings, Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan, also known as the Tigers of Mysore
for their courageous opposition to the invading Marathas and British
troops.
The British largely destroyed Srirangapatnam but parts of the fort area
including gates, ramparts, arsenals and grim dungeons have survived the
carnage. Tipu's summer palace, Daria Daulat Bagh, built in 1784, was his
favourite retreat and is now a museum paying tribute to his valour. Its
superbly preserved interiors with ornamental arches, tiger striped
columns, and floral patterns cover every inch of the walls and ceilings.
Karnataka boasts of an abundance of historic treasures and ancient
temples, which are rather well preserved. Some of them even today serve
as a venue for cultural and religious functions. One that needs mention
is Sravanabelgola, a sacred site for Jains. Located about 90 kilometers
from Mysore, it is home to the 18-metre high naked statue of Lord
Gomateshwara or Bahubali and was created in 983 A.D.
Every 12 years, at an auspicious astrological conjunction, the statue
gets an elaborate anointment in the Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony.
Lasting several days, the ceremony culminates in a visual treat with
priests climbing on scaffoldings to pour milk, water, turmeric paste,
and vermilion powder over the statue's head.
Hundreds of thousands of devotees attend this splendid event and it
could be a once in a lifetime opportunity for visitors to watch this
awesome spectacle of devotion.
Other interesting sites include the Chennakeshava Temple in Belur,
which was built in 1117 A.D. and took almost 103 years to complete. The
entire temple complex is carved in black stone and has an imposing
depiction of 650 charging elephants on the frieze around the walls. The
four bracket figures are incredible in their beauty and life-like
display, and are supposed to be inspired by the beautiful Hoysala Queen
Shantaladevi.
Halebid, Halebid, which is just 15 kilometres from Belur, was
once known as Dwara Samudra. It has strikingly beautiful Hoysala temples
and Jain shrines. The most imposing of the temples is the Hoysaleshwar
Temple, which displays a wealth of fabulously detailed and sensuous
sculptures, covering every inch of the exterior.
The work on this temple was started in 1141 and stopped following some
40 years of work, but for some unknown reason was left incomplete.
Another Shiva temple nearby called the Kedaraeshvara was built between
1217 and 1221. It displays many elaborate images on the exterior
including one of Lord Krishna dancing on the multi-headed serpent
Kaliya. A group of Jain bastis or temples is located nearby and are
distinct with their gleaming black stone pillars that have been so
highly polished that they sound metallic when struck.
The ruined city of Vijayanagar or Hampi is one of the
most extraordinary sites with history dating back to the times of
Ramayana in Hindu Mythology. A flourishing city in its time, it was
devastated and ransacked of its wealth by a 12-month Muslim siege.
Even though the remains and monuments seem much older than their four
or five hundred years, its serene riverside setting adds a touch of
magic to the site. Notable among the monuments are the Virupaksha Temple
that is still used for worship, the Vithala Temple Complex where the 56
pillars in the main hall produce musical notes when struck, and the 6.7
metre tall monolith of Ugra Narasimha.
To promote the site as a tourist destination, the tourism department
organises the Hampi Festival every year, held between the 3rd and the
5th of November. It involves music and dance from the Carnatic and
Hindustani traditions. The atmosphere is further livened up with drama,
puppet shows, fireworks, and spectacular processions. The stature of the
event has been growing every year and has begun attracting prominent
artists and proponents to the festival as well as tourists..
Other sites of historic importance and with comparatively well
preserved remains are Aihole, Pattadakal, Badami, Gulbarga and Bidar,
all of which feature a fascinating array of either ancient temples,
forts, palaces, tombs, citadels, mosques or shrines.
In addition to the many manmade attractions, Karnataka is endowed with
many manifestations of natural beauty. These include spectacular
waterfalls such as Jog Falls, 100 kilometres away from Shimoga, where
the river Sharavathi takes a spectacular leap of over 292 metres in four
distinct falls -- Raja, Rani, Roarer and Rocket -- to form the highest
waterfalls in India.
The best time to see these falls is during the peak of the monsoon in
July to August when the river in inundated.
Scenic Coorg or Kodagu and the coastal waters of Karwar, Gokarn, and
Mangalore add to the appeal of the beautiful state.
