From the ruins of Hampi to the beaches in Gokarna, from IT city Bangalore to tiger spotting in national parks, there are many hidden treasures in this South Indian state.
The south Indian state of Karnataka is less traveled than its neighbours Kerala and Tamil Nadu, but more and more tourists are starting to discover its beautiful beaches, temple towns, wildlife and fascinating historical sites.
Ruins of a Kingdom: Hampi
Hampi was the capital of the 14th century Vijayanagara kingdom and its breathtaking ruins cover miles and miles of south Indian landscape. It is easy to spend days wandering around the ruins, although the area is so large that it is best to rent a bicycle or an autorickshaw. Hampi has evolved from a backpacker hangout to a popular tourist destination, and it is a World Heritage Centre.
Other interesting historical sites in Karnataka include the Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebid as well as the lesser-known Somnathpur.
Beach Holiday in Gokarna
First discovered by backpackers, Gokarna has now become a destination for those travelers looking for less well-known beaches in India. Gokarna itself is a small town and an important pilgrimage centre, but most Western tourists head to its four beaches: Kudle, Om, Half Moon and Paradise. Originally the beaches offered little more than bamboo huts and simple beach shacks, but accommodation and dining options are growing and there is even a brand new resort on Om Beach. Moving down the coast, each beach is quieter than the previous one, so there is something for everyone.
Tiger Spotting in Bandipur
An Indian wildlife holiday in Bandipur National Park may lead to spotting a tiger, although you are more likely to encounter an elephant or a spotted deer. Situated on the Mysore-Ooty road, Bandipur is part of Project Tiger. There are plenty of accommodation options inside the park, enabling you to kick back on your veranda with a cold drink while watching Langur monkeys hop by against a view of the Nilgiri Mountains.
Pilgrimage Sites
Western Karnataka is dotted with temple towns and pilgrimage sites. Udupi, near Mangalore, is famous for its Krishna temple (as well as being the birthplace of the South Indian snack, masala dosa). In Kollur, surrounded by the green and lush Western Ghats, the Mookambika temple (devoted to the goddess Shri Mookambika) is one of the most sacred temples in Karnataka. Further up the coast in Murudeshwara, a giant statue of the Hindu god Shiva dominates the area- it can be seen from miles away. And the Jain pilgrimage site of Sravanabelagola is famous for Asia's largest monolithic statue, Lord Gomateswara.
IT City Bangalore
Karnataka's capital Bangalore has been called India's Silicon Valley. Both the city and its economy have been growing fast, and Western companies are investing in Bangalore and outsourcing their services here. Even though it is still a crowded and chaotic Indian city (especially when it comes to traffic), Bangalore is filled with Western stores, coffee shops, restaurants and cinemas. Popular shopping areas include Brigade Road, M.G. Road and Commercial Street. And if the chaos in Bangalore gets too much, another city worth visiting while in Karnataka is Mysore, just a few hours from Bangalore by train, bus or car. For more information about travelling in Karnataka, see www.karnatakatourism.org.
