The Scent of Sandalwood

The land of sandalwood and coffee - Karnataka is a state with a rich and colourful heritage. Splendid temples, gracious cities and wildlife sanctuaries, are facts of this relaxed state. Bangalore its dynamic capital city is the start of a heady tour of the delights of this state.

The capital of Karnataka, Bangalore is a gracious, spacious city, despite the fact that it is a modern industrial and commercial centre.

Places Of Interest

Vidhans Soudha, Attara Kacheri, Cubbon Park, Lal Bagh, Bangalore Palace, Bull Temple Government Museum, Visveswaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Venkatappa Art Galery, Aquarium, Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Ulsoor Lake, Etc.

Around Bangalore

Bannerghatta National Park (22Kms), Hessarghatta (25Kms), Janapada Loka (53Kms), Nandi Hills (60Kms).

Access

Well connected by rail, air and road to the rest of the country.

MYSORE

The charming old capital of the Wodeyar rulers, Mysore is the city of stately palaces and gardens. Every year, around October/November, Mysore takes on a fairy-tale quality at the festival of Dussehra is celebrated.

Places Of Interest

Mysore Palace, Lalitha Mahal Palace, Sir Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, St. Philomena’s Church, Mysore Zoo, Brindavan Gardens, Chamundi Hills.

Around Mysore

Srirangapatna (14Kms), Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary (18Kms), Somnathpur (35Kms), Bandipur National Park (96Kms), Madikeri (124Kms).

Access

Connected by rail to Bangalore. Well linked by road to all the major towns in the area.

HASSAN

Hassan, is a convenient base for visits to Belur (38Kms), Halebid (27Kms) and Aravanabelagola (51Kms), one of the oldest Jain shrines in the country.

Access

Well connected by rail and road to Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore. The nearest airports are at Bangalore (187Kms) and Mangalore.

BELUR

Once the capital of the Hoysala kings, Belur is noted for its superb Chennakeshava Temple, a perfect example of the Hoysala style of temple architecture. Squat temples, built on high platforms, they were decorated with horizontal bands of exuberant sculpture.

Access

Hassan is the nearest railhead, Belur is linked by bus to Mysore (91Kms), Bangalore and other important towns.

HALEBID

Not far from Belur is Halebid (16Kms), another capital of the Hoysala kings. Its beautiful temples remain as evidence of the artistic genius of Hoysala sculptors and the aesthetic inclinations of their kings.

Places Of Interest

Hoysaleswara Temple.

Access

While Hassan is a convenient base for a visit to Halebid, it is also directly linked by road to Bangalore (216Kms), Mysore (149Kms), Hyderabad and Tirupati.

SRAVANABELAGOLA

At Sravanabelagola is a huge statue of the Jain saint Gomateswara - 17m high. The largest monolithic statue in the world, it is visible even at a distance of 25Kms.

Access

The nearest railhead is Hassan. Easily accessible by road from Hassan.

BIJAPUR

Capital of the Adil Shahi dynasty, Bijapur has many important monuments.

Places Of Interest

Gol Gumbaz, Jumma Masjid, Ibrahim Roza, Anand Mahal, Malik-e-Maidan, Mehtar Mahal.

Around Bijapur are the remains of three early capitals of the Chalukyas (4th to 8th century AD), where the evolution of the early temple architecture of the south is to be seen.

Aihole is a pretty village on the banks of the Malaprabha. There are about 125 temples scattered around the village.

At Badami, a later capital of the Chalukyas, was also the place where all coronations took place. Among the beautiful temples here are the delicately carved Papanatha, Virupaksha and Mallikarjuna Temples.

Access

Bijapur is well connected by rail and road to Bangalore, Belgaum and Goa. The nearest airport is Belgaum, 205Kms away.

HAMPI

The magnificent ruined city of Hampi was once the capital of the powerful Vijayanagara kings. Located in a boulder strewn landscape on the banks of the Tungabhadra, are the temples, the palaces and structures of this beautiful "city of victory". Among it’s splendid monuments are the Vittala Temple with its fine sculptures, musical pillars and the famous stone chariot, the Purandaradasa Mandapa and the graceful Lotus Mahal.

Access

The nearest railhead Hospet (13Kms). The nearest airport is Belgaum. Hampi is also well connected by road to Bangalore (350Kms).