Agumbe is a village located in the Shimoga district in the state of Karnataka, India. Lying in the Malnad region, Agumbe is among the places in India that receive very heavy rainfall earning it the sobriquet, "Cherrapunji of the South".Agumbe Rainforest Research Station the only permanent rainforest research station in India. The renowned herpetologist, Romulus Whitaker called Agumbe the capital of King Cobra. Its scenic beauty has always left the visitors speechless. There are several waterfalls, streams and rivers hidden in the rain forest which always thrill the tourists visiting here. Agumbe has a sunset point which receives lot of visitors. On a clear day, one can see the sun setting over the Arabian Sea though the sea is at quite a distance from Agumbe.
Aihole is a temple complex in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka. It is a very popular tourist spot in north Karnataka. Aihole is to the east of Pattadakal, along the Malaprabha River, while Badami is to the west of both. Aihole was the first capital of the early Chalukyas. Here they built over 125 temples in various styles and is said to be a laboratory of experiments in rock cut architecture. Aihole, was the cradle of ancient Hindu temple architecture. It has more than 70 temples. The experimentation with different styles was undertaken by the artisans. The artisans worked on the rocks to create the earliest rock cut shrines. Lad Khan Temple, Galaganatha Group of Temples, Ravana Phadi cave, Durga temple or fortress temple, Meguti Jain temple, Suryanarayana temple, the Museum & Art Gallery is a sculpture gallery maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India are some of the must visit place at Aihole.
Badami is in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. It was the regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas from 540 to 757 AD. It is famous for rock cut and other structural temples. It is located in a ravine at the foot of a rugged, red sandstone outcrop that surrounds Agastya Lake. The rock-cut Badami Cave Temples were sculpted mostly between the 6th and 8th centuries. The four cave temples represent the secular nature of the rulers then, with tolerance and a religious following that inclines towards Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Cave 1 is devoted to Shiva, and Caves 2 and 3 are dedicated to Vishnu, whereas cave 4 displays reliefs of Jain Tirthankaras. Deep caverns with carved images of the various incarnations of Hindu gods are strewn across the area, under boulders and in the red sandstone. From an architectural and archaeological perspective, they provide critical evidence of the early styles and stages of the southern Indian architecture.
Belur is a town Hassan district in the state of Karnataka. Belur was the early capital of the Hoysala Empire. With Halebidu which is only 16 km away, this is one of the major tourist destinations in Karnataka. The main attraction in Belur is the Chennakesava temple complex which contains the Chennakesava Temple (dedicated to Chennakeshava , meaning handsome Vishnu) as the centre piece, surrounded by the Kappe Chennigraya temple built by Shantaladevi, queen of king Vishnuvardhana. Halebidu (which was previously called Dorasamudra or Dwarasamudra) was the regal capital of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century. It is home to one of the best examples of Hoysala. architecture in the ornate Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples. Halebidu literally means ruined city. This name is given because this city was ruined two times by Bahmani Sultanate.
Bijapur is a district in the state of Karnataka. It is well known for the great monuments of historical importance built during the Adil Shahi dynasty. Bijapur is rich in historical attractions like, Gol Gumbaz, The Quran (written in gold at Jumma Masjid) The Gun at Malik-E-Maidan, (which means the master of the war front), Uppali Buruj, Chand Bawdi, Asar Mahal, Gagan Mahal, Barakaman, Anand Mahal, Jod Gumbaz, Sat Manzil, and Jal Manzil etc are a few places to visit in and around Bijapur.
Dudhsagar Waterfalls Dudh Sagar Waterfall is one of the highest water falls in India, and among the hundred highest waterfalls in the world. It lies in the southern part of Goa, towards the border with Karnataka state. Dudh Sagar, literally means a Sea of Milk (in the local language) and gets its name as it appears like an overflowing sea of milk. It has a total height of 306 meters and a width of 30 meters. Best time to get here is at the time of peak flow during the monsoon months from June to September.
Dandeli is a town in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka in the Western Ghats, near to Goa. It is best known for its wildlife sanctuary, tourism, industry and as an educational hub. Dandeli is the ideal vacation for a nature lover. Sighting animals is difficult and always involves an element of luck. The sanctuary is home to the barking, spotted and mouse deer, sloth bear, panther, tiger, gaur, elephant, wild dog, civet cat, bison, jackal, langur and giant flying squirrel, besides a variety of colourful birds and reptiles. The reptilian and amphibian fauna of the region include a variety of ruffles and frogs. The sanctuary is generally undulating with steep slopes with picturesque deep river valleys and rich hilly forest terrains. The breathtaking valleys, regal looking meandering rivers and the splendid scenic beauty of the syntheri rocks make it an inspiring experience. Dandeli also offers river rafting for people who love to get an adrenaline rush. This town in Karnataka is growing to be the leading tourist destination among the nature lovers and the adventurous kind.
Goa World famous tourist destination known for its picturesque beaches, backwaters, places of worship. Just about 169kms away from Hubli, Goa can be reached just in four hours. Some of the famous tourist destinations here are The Ancient Forts, Bom Jesus Basilica (church), temples like Mangeshi temple, Shanta Durga temple, Mahalasa temple etc. Beaches like Agonda ,Aramabol, Anjuna, Baga, Benaulim, Betul, Betalbatim, Bogmalo, Calangute, Candolim, Cavelossim, Colva, Dona Paula, Majorda, Miramar, Mobor, Palolem, Vagator, Varca. It also has rich flora and fauna, owing to its location on the Western Ghats range, which is classified as a biodiversity hotspot. Apart from this Goa is also famous for the Goa Carnival, Christmas, New Year celebrations which attract a big domestic and international crowd. All in all Goa is a favorite destination among the young and old.
Gokarna is a village in the Uttara Kannada district of the Karnataka. It is a Hindu pilgrimage centre as well as a major Tourist destination in India. Gokarna is a temple town and is referred to in a number of Hindu historical literature pieces. The main deity is Lord Mahabhaleshwara, a form of Hindu god Shiva. Around the town lie a number of beautiful beaches and landscapes. The main beaches in Gokarna are the Gokarna beach, Kudle Beach, Om Beach, Half moon Beach and Paradise Beach (also known as Full moon).
Halebidu is a town Hassan district in the state of Karnataka. Belur was the early capital of the Hoysala Empire. With Halebidu which is only 16 km away, this is one of the major tourist destinations in Karnataka. The main attraction in Belur is the Chennakesava temple complex which contains the Chennakesava Temple (dedicated to Chennakeshava , meaning handsome Vishnu) as the centre piece, surrounded by the Kappe Chennigraya temple built by Shantaladevi, queen of king Vishnuvardhana. Halebidu (which was previously called Dorasamudra or Dwarasamudra) was the regal capital of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century. It is home to one of the best examples of Hoysala. architecture in the ornate Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples. Halebidu literally means ruined city. This name is given because this city was ruined two times by Bahmani Sultanate.
Hampi is a village in northern Karnataka. It is located within the ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Predating the city of Vijayanagara, it continues to be an important religious centre, housing the Virupaksha Temple, as well as several other monuments belonging to the old city. The ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hampi also houses some great monuments to take u down the memory line of the rich history of Karnataka. Some of the must visit places are Achyutaraya Temple/Tiruvengalanatha Temple, Anegondi, Anjeyanadri Hill, Aqueducts and Canals, Archaeological Museum at Kamalapura, Badava Linga, Chandramauleshwar Temple, The Kings’ balance, The Underground Temple, Tungabhadra River, Uddana Veerabhadra temple, Ugra Narasimha, Virupaksha Temple, Vittala temple, Yeduru Basavanna, Yentrodharaka Anjaneya temple, Zenana enclosure, Virupapura, Madhavan Palace with more than 1,000,000 pillars, Sasivekalu Ganesha, Elephant stables, Lotus temple
Horanadu is a small town located in Chickmagalur district, Karnataka. The deity at the Annapoorneshwari Temple at Horanadu is Annapurneshwari. The idol of goddess Annapurneshwari was established in 1973 in the temple and is made fully of gold and looks beautiful. It is said that a person who seeks the goddess' blessings would never have any scarcity for food in life. The route to the temple traverses ghats, dense forests and vegetation. It feels like heaven on to see Mother Nature in all Her resplendent glory.
Karwaar is a seaside town situated on the banks of the Kali river which is on the west coast of the Indian peninsula. The town lies about 15 kilometres south of the Karnataka-Goa border. Significant and picturesque, the Sadashivgad fort of historical importance is now a popular tourist destination located by the Kali river bridge, which has been built at the confluence of the river and the Arabian Sea.
Kolluru is a tiny hamlet situated near Kundapur Town, about 140 kilometres away from Mangalore City in Karnataka. This village lies at the foot of the Western Ghats and is famous for the Mookambika temple, a Hindu pilgrim center. Kollur is an important seat of Shakti worship. The temple is rich in puranic lore. Devotees from all over South India visit this temple. Kollur is believed to be one of the seven pilgrim centres created by Parashurama, a Hindu mythological figure. The temple is devoted to the Hindu goddess Parvathi, wife of Shiva. While the other pilgrimages created by Parashurama are devoted to Lord Shiva, Lord Subramanya and Lord Ganesha, this is the only one devoted to goddess Parvathi. Kollur is a two-hour drive from Udupi, so a visit to Udupi can include Kollur. The drive is a very scenic one
Kukke Subrahmanya is a Hindu temple located in the small, rural village of Subramanya in Dakshina Kannada District in Karnataka. This temple is one of the pristine pilgrimage locations in India. Here Lord Subrahmanya is worshipped as the lord of all serpents. The epics relate that the divine serpent Vasuki and other serpents found safety under Lord Subrahmanya when apprehended by Garuda. The famous Sarpa Samskara / Sarpa Dosha is performed here. Due to the wide belief in the snake god in the Tulu Nadu region of Karnataka and Kerala, this pooja is performed by people from all faiths.
Murudeshwara is a town in the Bhatkal Taluk of Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka. "Murudeshwara" is another name of the Hindu god Shiva. Famous for the world's second tallest Shiva statue."Murudeshwara" beach town lies on the coast of the Arabian Sea and is also famous for the Murudeshwara Temple. This temple is built on the Kanduka Hill which is surrounded on three sides by the waters of the Arabian Sea. It is a temple dedicated to the Lord Shiva, and a 20-storied Gopura (Temple Tower) is constructed at the temple is considered the tallest gopura in the world. There is also a beach resort outside the temple complex for visitors who would like to stay back for a vacation.
Pattadakal is a town in Karnataka. The town lies on the banks of the Malaprabha River in Bagalkot district of North Karnataka region. It is 22 km from Badami and about 10 km from Aihole. The group of 8th century CE monuments in Pattadakal are the culmination of the earliest experiments in the Vesara style of Hindu temple architecture. It was the capital of the Chalukya dynasty of Southern India, who built the temples in the seventh and eighth centuries. There are ten temples including a Jain sanctuary surrounded by numerous small shrines and plinths. The town displays both Dravidian (Southern) and the Nagara (Northern, Indo-Aryan) styles of temple architecture. It is designated as the world heritage site by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) for its fine architecture and monuments. A great place to take you down the memory line of the history of Karnataka.
Shringeri is a taluk located in Chikmagalur district in Karnataka. It is the site of the first mutt established by Adi Shankaracharya, Hindu theologian and exponent of the Advaita Vedanta philosophy, in the 8th century C.E. It is located on the banks of the river Tunga. Sringeri is home to a number of historic temples. Of these, Sri Sharadamba temple and Sri Vidyashankara temple are very prominent. Others are Sringeri Sharada Peeta, Zodiac Pillars etc
Udupi is a city and a district headquarters in Karnataka. Udupi is notable for the Krishna Mutt located here. It also lends its name to the Udupi cuisine. It is known for the Temple of Lord Krishna (Krishna Mutt). The Krishna Mutt was founded by the Vaishnavite saint Shri Madhvacharya in the 13th century. The rare thing about this temple is that the deity of the temple lord Sri Krishna is facing the back window of the temple and is visible through the same. This window is known as, “Kanakana kindi”. All Hindu temples have their Deity facing the entrance of the temple, except Krishna Mutt. Kanakana Kindi is decorated with carvings depicting the ten incarnations of Vishnu. Through the nine small holes of the window we see the deity of Sri Krishna as a very young boy. He holds the churning rod in His right hand and rope in his left. The Krishna Matha is known throughout the world for its religious customs, traditions, and learning in Dvaita or Tatvavaada philosophy. It is also the centre of Daasa Sahitya, a form of literature that originated in Udupi.