BEST TOURIST PLACES TO VISIT IN KARNATAKA

Karnataka has a lot to offer its visitors, the view of mesmerizing waterfalls, the raw beauty of nature and wildlife, with a pleasant climate that allows you to experience the joy of adorable aura of the surroundings and much more. So here we are with the list of some of its gems.

Coorg

Coorg has become an unforgettable holiday destination in the nebulous mountains, lush forests, tea-and-coffee plantations, orange groves, pendulous roads and stunning views. Madikeri was Coorg's heartland and was ruling dynasty headquarter.  Places like Raja's Seat, Abbey Falls, Iruppu Falls, Omkareshwara Temple, Bylakuppe, Talacauvery and Dubare are the major attractions. The famous Cauvery River is originated in the hills of Coorg at  Talacauvery. Being a part of the Western Ghats, Coorg is rich in flora and fauna. It has three wildlife sanctuaries - the Talacauvery, Pushpagiri and Brahmagiri Sanctuaries, and one national park, the  Nagarhole National Park. Some of the animal species found in these wildlife parks include the Asiatic elephant, tigers, leopards and wild boars.

Coorg is also famous for trekking activities with peaks like Thandiyandamole, Brahmagiri and Pushpagiri. Elephant rides at Dubare Elephant camp and white water rafting in Upper Barapole River are other interesting things to do in Madikeri. Besides, Coorg can also be visited along with Wayanad packages.

Coorg has pleasant weather throughout the year, though October - June is the best time to visit Coorg. It usually takes about 1-2 full days to visit the important places in Coorg.

Mysore

The Mysore Kingdom, ruled by the Wodeyar family was initially served as a vassal state of the Vijayanagara Empire. After the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire, Mysore became independent and the region was ruled from Srirangapatna. The power of Mysore moved into the hands of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan between 1761 and 1799. After the death of Tipu Sultan in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore war, the power was handed over back to Wodeyar family.Mysore has several tourist attractions including palaces, museums, temples, gardens, etc. Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hill Temple, Mysore Zoo are the most famous places to visit in Mysore. Srirangapatna and Brindavan Gardens are major attractions close to Mysore. Mysore can also be visited along with Wayanad as part of Wayanad tour packages.

Bangalore Airport is the nearest airport which is about 184 km from Mysore. It has regular flights from Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Goa, Kochi, Mangalore, Pune and Thiruvananthapuram. Mysore Junction Railway station is well connected by train from Bangalore, Bagalkot, Tirupati, Tuticorin, Hubli, Chennai, Dharwar and Arsikere. Mysore has direct bus connectivity with Chennai, Bangalore, Ooty, Coorg, Coimbatore, Kochi, Mumbai, Pune, Goa and Hyderabad. Mysore Dussera is the celebration of the victory of good over evil. The month-long Dussera celebrations, with its colourful processions, fireworks and the beautifully lighted palace, gives an enchanting look to the city. During the Wodeyar rule, Mysore reached the peak of its glory. Mysore has pleasant weather throughout the year, though October to March is the best season to visit. It usually takes about 2 full days to visit the important places in Mysore.

 

Chikmagalur

Chikmagalur is a wonderful destination to visit with many tourist spots, from pilgrimage sites to coffee plantation and wildlife tourism destinations to adventure sports destinations. Hirekolale Lake, Baba Budangiri, Mulliyangiri, Ayyanakere Lake, Belavadi, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Manikyadhara Falls, Amruthapura, Horanadu and Kemmanagundi are the important tourist places in Chikmagalur.

Mangalore airport is the nearest airport which is at a distance of 158 km from Chikmagalur. The Main railhead near Chikmagalur is Kadur (40 km) and Birur (47 km). Chikmagalur is well connected with the State-owned bus services to other major cities in the state. It has buses from Mangalore, Bangalore and Hubli. Accommodation options in Chikmagalur are plenty that ranges from star hotels and luxurious resorts to budget hotels. Main festivals celebrated in Chikmagalur include Ganesha Chaturthi, Deepavali, Ugadi, Dussera and more.

The climate of Chikmagalur is pleasant all year round but the best time to visit the place is from the months of September till March.

 

Hampi

As a capital of the Vijayanagar Empire, Hampi grew as a trade centre for cotton, spices, and gemstones. It was one of the richest and largest cities in the world during the 15th and 16th centuries. After the death of Krishnadevaraya, the invading Deccan Sultanate forces destroyed Hampi and the rampage was continued for one year.

The ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire in and around the village of Hampi are spread over an area of more than 26 Sq.km. The place is a significant religious centre of the Vijayanagara Empire due to the presence of the historic Virupaksha Temple along with many other monuments of the old city. The main tourist spots in Hampi can be divided into two broad areas; the Hampi Bazaar area and the Royal centre near Kamalapur. Hemakuta Hill, south of the main Hampi temple, contains early ruins, Jain temples and a monolithic sculpture of Lord Narasimha. The famous Vittala Temple is located 2 km east of the Hampi Bazaar. 

Hubli Airport is the nearest airport at a distance of 166 km from Hampi, India. Hospet Railway Station, 13 km from Hampi is the nearest railhead. Hospet is well connected to Bangalore, Hyderabad, Hubli, Chennai, Vijayawada, Tirupati, Panjim, Kolkata, Mysore, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Kolhapur and Shiridi. Hampi is well connected by road through KSRTC bus services. It has a regular bus from Bangalore, Hubli, Goa and Karwar. The best way to explore Hampi is on foot or on a bike.

Hampi Festival, held for 3 days in November is the most important festival celebrated here. It is organized by the Government of Karnataka with dance, music, drama and processions.

Oct to Mar is the best time to visit Hampi.

 

Bangalore

Bengaluru derives its name from the Kannada words 'Benda Kalluru', which means the land of boiled beans. According to legend, once the Hoysala king Veera Ballara was lost his way during a hunting expedition. He met an old lady and she offered a humble meal of boiled beans to him. In order to show his gratitude, he named the place as Benda Kalluru. The modern city of Bangalore was founded over 400 years ago by Kempe Gowda, the Vijayanagara Chieftain of Yelahanka. Bangalore gained prominence in the 18th century when it became an important fort city under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan of Mysore. This area witnessed the struggle between Tipu Sultan and the British. The British defeated Tipu Sultan and took over Bangalore city. In 1831, the British made it the regional administrative city and established a big cantonment here.

It is one of the fastest-growing industrial and commercial centres in India in the areas of aerospace, electronics, defence and mainly software services. Bangalore is one of the ideal places for those planning to visit southern India with many attractions nearby and perfect for excursions and day trips. There are a number of places in Bangalore that are worth visiting, including palaces, gardens, museums, temples, etc. Lalbagh Garden, Cubbon Park, Tipu Sultan's Palace, Bangalore Palace, Nandi Hills, Bannerghatta National Park, Vidhana Soudha, Vishveswaraiah Museum, HAL Aerospace Museum, Bull Temple and ISKCON Temple are the some of the important Bangalore tourist places.

 

Udupi

Udupi is synonymous with the world-famous Udupi cuisine, which is served all over India in the efficiently-run Udupi restaurants, famous for dosas, idlis and other snacks. The tradition of this cuisine started in the great kitchens of the Krishna Temple which serve meals in the form of prasada to the thousands of devotees who come to pray at the holy shrine.

The most popular festivals include the Paryaya festival held every alternate year; the last being held in 2014. The festival is organized on January 18 and attracts a large number of devotees. The roads are flooded with chariots with processions that display cultural shows such as folk dances and religious hymns. Holi, Ramanavami, Rathasaptami, Krishna Janmashtami, Dusshera and Diwali are the other festivals that are celebrated with great enthusiasm.Mangalore Airport is the nearest airport, which is 62 km from Udupi. Udupi Railway Station is well connected by trains to cities like Trivandrum, Bangalore, Mangalore, Kochi, Bikaner, Madgoan, Mumbai, Tirunelveli, New Delhi and Goa. Buses regularly ply from Udupi to major cities like Bangalore, Mangalore, Goa, Shimoga, Mysore, Karwar, Pune and Mumbai. 

The best time to visit Udupi is from October to March while the peak season is from November to February. Usually, it takes 2 days to visit places in and around Udupi.

 

Murudeshwar

Murudeshwar is famous for the world's second-tallest Shiva statue (123 ft) & tallest temple tower (249 ft) of Murudeshwar Temple. The sea on three sides surrounds the temple towering on the small hill called Kanduka Giri. This is a great place to watch the sunset. Murudeshwar is also known for the Murudeshwar Fort and wonderful beaches. Nearby Netrani Island is also a very popular spot for tourists as it offers excellent boating, snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities. Sirsi, Karwar, Gokarna, Kollur, Udupi, Mangalore, Dharmasthala and Subramanya are the nearby attractions here.

Mangalore International Airport is the nearest airport which is 160 km away from Murudeshwar. Murudeshwar is situated on Mangalore - Mumbai route and well connected by buses & trains. Murudeshwar Railway Station lies on the Konkan Railway. It has trains from Mangalore, Trivandrum, Madagoan, Bangalore, Karwar and Mumbai. Murudeshwar is well connected by bus from Bangalore, Mangalore, Karwar, Shimoga, Hubli, Pune and Mumbai. Maha Shivaratri during February is the important festival celebrated here with much devotion and religious rituals.

The best time to visit Murudeshwar is from November to February. Usually, it takes 1-2 days to explore the important places in and around Murudeshwar. 

 

Gokarna

The name of the town Gokarna is derived from two words, Go and Karna, which means cow's ear. According to mythology, Lord Shiva appeared from a cow's ear, after he was sent to Patal Lok by Lord Brahma. Some belief, the town is located at the confluence of two rivers Aganashini and Gangavali, and the place where the rivers converge forms a shape that is similar to the ear of a cow, hence the name Gokarna. Gokarna was under the rule of the Kadambas, Vijayanagara kings and was later conquered by the Portuguese.

Apart from being a religious town, Gokarna is also known for its beaches. There are many beautiful beaches located close by, which have small shacks serving as accommodation along with many small shops and modern eateries. The Om Beach, Kudle Beach, Gokarna Beach, Half Moon Beach and Paradise Beach are the five main beaches here. Gokarna Beach is the town's main beach and pilgrims gather here when they visit the Mahabaleshwar Temple. The Kudle Beach is the largest of the five beaches and it is crowded during the peak season November to February. Among the beaches in Gokarna, the Om beach is extremely popular among surfers. The beach gets its name due to the natural formation of the holy Om symbol.Gokarna is considered to be the Mukti Stala, where Hindus perform funeral rites. Devotees visit Gokarna temple on the large number during Mahashivratri and Kartika Purnima festivals. The entire town is decorated during the four days of the Mahashivratri festival and the temple deity is taken out in a procession. 

Best time to visit is Oct to Mar. It usually takes one full day to visit Gokarna.

 

Bandipur National Park

Spread across 874 sq.km, Bandipur can be visited along with Wayanad as part of Wayanad tour packages. It is part of the famous Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve along with Nagarhole National Park, Mudumalai National Park (12 Kms towards Ooty) and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Bandipur forests used to be the private game reserve of the Maharajas of Mysore. This Sanctuary is one of the 15 sanctuaries belonging to the Project Tiger Scheme. Bandipur was declared a National Park under the Wildlife Protection Act in 1974.It is home to around 70 tigers and over 3000 Asian elephants, as well as other animals like leopards, dhole, gaur, sloth bears, and a variety of birdlife. Gopalaswami Betta is the highest peak in the Bandipur range.

Jeep Safari (1 Hour), Mini Bus Safari (45 Min) & Elephant Safari (20 Min) are arranged by the forest department. The cost and timings keep changing and sometimes they cancel the safari without any prior notice.

The entry point & interpretation centre of the park is located in Bandipur village on Highway after Melkamanahalli Village. Private vehicles are NOT allowed inside the park. Private Jeep Safaris are arranged by Jungle Lodge (in Melkamanahalli just outside the park) & Tuskar Trails (4 Kms from the park in Mangla Village - towards Mysore). 

The best time to visit Bandipur National Park is from June to October.

Safari Timings: 6. 30 AM - 9.30 AM & 3.30 PM - 5.30 PM, Elephant Safari (20 Min): 10 AM - 11 AM

 

Nagarhole National Park

This national park gets its name from two Kannada words Naga means snake and Hole means stream. Many serpentine streams flow through the rich tropical forests of the park, which has now been renamed as the Rajiv Gandhi National Park, after late prime minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi. Nagarhole is situated to the north-west of Bandipur National Park which are separated by Kabini reservoir. The park has rich forest cover, small streams, hills, valleys and waterfalls. Inside the park coracle boat riding facility is available in Kabini River.

The important animals in Nagarhole National Park are tiger, leopard, wild dog, sloth bear, the hyena, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, four-horned antelope, gaur, wild boar and elephant. Among reptiles, the marsh crocodile, monitor lizard, rock python and several other species are represented. Other mammals includes the common langur, bonnet macaque, jungle cat, slender loris, leopard-cat, civet cat, mongoose, common otter, giant flying squirrel, giant squirrel, porcupine, jackal, mouse-deer, hare and pangolin. Over 250 species of birds are found at Nagarhole National Park.

The park is usually closed for safaris during peak monsoon. Traffic movement is restricted from 6 pm to 6 am every day and the gates are closed on either sides of entry into the forest. Two wheelers, three wheelers and goods vehicles are not permitted inside the park. Safaris are organized in the forest department vans during morning and evening. Government-run 4WD safaris and boat trips are conducted from Kabini River Lodge, which are good options to explore the animals. The best time to visit Nagarhole National Park is Nov-May, especially Apr-May.The Forest Department manages two rest houses at Kabini, but reservation has to be made well in advance through the Forest Department offices in Mysore or Bangalore. Various home stays are also available near to Kutta, Srimangala and Gonikoppal.

Safari is available at 2 entry points of the park, at main gate near Kutta & at Dammankatte gate near Kabini. For visitors coming from Madikeri, Kushalnagar & Virajpet, safari at Kutta entry point is more convenient. For visitors from Mysore & Kabini, Dammankatte gate is better for Safari, while both the entry points offer equal opportunities for wildlife sighting.

Park Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM

Safari Timings: 6 AM - 8 AM and 3 PM - 5 PM