Must Visit Places In Karnataka

Among the grandest of India’s royal buildings, this fantastic palace was the former seat of the Wodeyar maharajas. The old palace was gutted by fire in 1897; the one you see now was completed in 1912 by English architect Henry Irwin at a cost of Rs4.5 million. The interior of this Indo-Saracenic marvel – a kaleidoscope of stained glass, mirrors and gaudy colours – is undoubtedly over the top. The decor is further embellished by carved wooden doors, mosaic floors and a series of paintings depicting life in Mysore during the Edwardian Raj. The way into the palace takes you past a fine collection of sculptures and artefacts. Don’t forget to check out the armoury, with an intriguing collection of 700-plus weapons.

Hyder Ali, the Emperor of Mysore, laid down the foundation of the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens in the 18th century. The gardens were later completed by his son, Tipu Sultan. He imported trees and plants from different countries of the world, like Persia, Afghanistan and France, to add to the wealth of the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens of Bangalore. The gardens encircle one of the towers erected by Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bangalore.

Cubbon Park is situated near Gandhi Nagar in Bangalore. Dating back to the year 1864, the park was laid by Sir Mark Cubbon, the then viceroy of India. Infact, the park has been named after him only. The fairy fountains and an august bandstand were added later on. The Cubbon Park of Bangalore spreads over an area of approximately 250 acres and is quite frequented by both walkers as well as joggers. The engineer of Cubbon Park was by Sir Richard Sankey, the then Chief Engineer of Mysore.

The Bannerghatta Nature Camp is a surprise. Just on the outskirts of a bustling city like Bangalore with its flyovers and late nights and chaotic traffic lies 25,000 acres of carefully preserved jungle. For children and the child in you, it's an amazing storybook destination brought to life. Bannerghatta has been used as a rehabilitation facility for tigers and lions rescued from circuses. The biggest of its kind, this facility has opened opportunities for India's first Lion and Tiger Safari. With enclosures that recreate their natural habitat, seeing a giant cat up close, with just the safety of the jeep separating you and the beast, resonates to a very deep part of you.

Bangalore Palace is situated in the Palace Gardens, at the heart of the Bangalore city of India. Built in the year 1887 by Wodeyar dynasty, it is adorned with magnificent woodcarvings and Tudor-style architecture on the inside. Infact, the palace is quite similar to the medieval castles that were built in Normandy and England. The Windsor Castle of London left a great impression on King Chamaraja Wodeyar of Wodeyar dynasty, on one of his trips to England. Inspired by the Tudor style architecture, he got the Bangalore Palace built in the city.

The capital of the mighty Badami Chalukyas might have shrunk into a few scenic square kilometres in terms of touristy value. But Badami still retains its majesty. The locale of its famous cave temples, made up of two giant sandstone hills that flank the placid water of the Agastya Lake paint a stark picture of earthy reds, muddy greens and stone browns set against a sky of acrylic blue - burning an impression into the canvas of your mind. One that you aren't likely to forget in a hurry.

Sri Radha Krishna Temple has deities of Radha and Krishna located at Rajajinagar, in the North Bangalore, Karnataka, India. It is one of the largest ISKCON temples in the world. The temple is a huge cultural complex that was inaugurated in 1997 by Shankar Dayal Sharma. The project was conceived and executed by Madhu Pandit Dasa following the wishes of HDG A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON to promote Vedic culture and spiritual learning.

A must-visit destination for bird lovers, the Ranganathittu Bird sanctuary is located two kilometres from Srirangapatinam, on the banks the of the Kaveri. Established under the campaign of noted ornithologist Dr Salim Ali, the six islets along its crocodile-infested backwaters are a haven for avian flocks.

Gol Gumbad situated in Bijapur district of Karnataka is the second largest dome in the world. The Gol Gumbad is second in size only to St. Peter's Basilica, Rome. The Gol Gumbad is 124 feet in diameter. The architecture of Gol Gumbad is unique in the sense that the four minarets themselves are the staircases, leading to the top dome. Gol Gumbad is truly an amazing architectural wonder as the dome stands unsupported by pillars. The most fascinating and remarkable feature of the Gol Gumbad is its acoustical system. Even the faintest whisper around the dome echoes several times. The gallery around the dome of the Gol Gumbad provides a wonderful view of the town.

Located about 19 km away from the Mysore city center, Brindavan Gardens is one of the most visited places in Mysore by locals and tourists. The garden, built by Sir Mirza Ismail, has a botanical park, with boat rides in the lake, as well as fountains. The highlight of the garden is its symmetric design and beautifully laid out terrace gardens, studded with topiaries, pergolas and gazebos. However, the illuminated dancing fountains in the northern side of the garden steals the show. A beautifully orchestrated show involving harmonious coupling of water with colourful lights and music, the fountain comes to life after sunset. Lasers are installed along with the lights to make the show more dramatic.

Bahubali was an Arihant and was referred to as Gomateshwara. Out of hundred sons of Rishabha, Podanpur’s king, the first Tirthankara, he was the second one as per Jainism. In the Adipurna, more information about the ten lives of Rishabha, the first Tirthankara and his two sons, Bahubali and Bharata. This Kannada text was written by Adikavi, a Jain poet in the 10th century. It is written in Champu style with an eclectic mix of verse and prose that is spread over sixteen cantos. Attaining liberation in half time cycle, he was the first human as per Digambaras.

Kudremukh National Park is popular for its scenic beauty, located in midst of mountains and is known for all kinds of flora and fauna spread over an area of 600.32 sq km and is 1,894.3 m above sea level. This Park was named after the eponymous peak, which is shaped like a horse face.
Kudremukh National Park is divided into four ranges Kudremukh, Kerekatte, Kalasa, Shimoga. The park is covered with thick hilly forests, mostly evergreen and semi-evergreen near the coastal plains on the western portion. The park is surrounded by Coffee and Tea plantations on the northern and eastern boundaries.

The river is part of the early reaches of the river Kaveri. Flow is much higher during the monsoon season. The waterfall is located between private coffee plantations with stocky coffee bushes and spice estates with trees entwined with pepper vines. A hanging bridge constructed just opposite the falls. There is a Kali Mata temple on one side of the bridge. From Madikeri the falls are accessible by a narrow road to the coffee estate. A path through coffee and cardamom plantations leads to the waterfalls. The roar of the falls can be heard from the road.

Another interesting a unique museum that adds to the character of Mysore city is the Folk Arts Museum. The museum is located in the magnificent Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion, which is on the Mysore University campus at Manasagangotri. The Folklore Museum has a remarkable collection of folk culture. The museum has 6500 folk art and folklore articles on display and the museum is celebrated as one of the largest of its kind in Asia. The Folklore museum has one of the most important ethnographic collections of South Indian toys, puppets and household objects.

The Railway Museum was established in 1979 by Indian Railways, the second such museum after the National Railway Museum in Delhi. The museum is opposite the Central Food Technology and Research Institute on Krishnaraja Sagar Road. It has locomotives and a gallery of photographs and paintings depicting the growth of railways in India.