Tourism in
karnataka
Belur
Once the capital of the Hoysala kings, Belur is noted for its superb 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 - an endless
variety of animals, birds, gods, goddesses, heavenly beings, all perfectly sculpted with a
wealth of intricate details.
Places of Interest: Chennakeshava Temple.
Access: Hassan is the nearest railhead. Belur is linked by bus to Mysore (91 kms),
Bangalore and other important towns.
Halebid
Not far from Belur is Halebid* (16 kms), another capital of the Hoysala kings. Known as
Dwarasamudhra, it was founded in the 11th century. Attacked by the armies of the Delhi
Sultanate in the 14th century, the city was abandoned and came to be known as Halebid or
the old capital. 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 (216 kms), Mysore (149 kms), Hyderabad and Tirupati.
Sravanabelagola
At Sravanabelagola is the oldest and most important Jain shrine in the Wintry. It is said
that the great Mauryan king, Chandra Gupta, came in the 3rd century BC, When he renounced
the world. Up on the Hill at Sravanabelagola is a Statue of the Jain saint Gometeshwara
-17 m high. The largest monolithic statue in the world, it is visible even at a distance
of 25 kms.
Access: Easily accessible by the road from Bangalore, Hassan and Mysore. The nearest
railhead is Hassan.
Mysore
Places of Interest: Mysore Palace, Lalitha Mahal Palace, Sir Jayachamarajendra Art
Gallery, St. Philomena's Church, Mysore zoos Brindavan Gardens, Chamundi Hills.
Around Mysore: Srirangapatna - the island fortress of Tipu Sultan lq kms). Bandipur
National Park (80 kms). Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary (18 kms). Somanathapur (AS kms).
Melkote (50 kms). Cauvery Fishing Camp (82 kms). Nagarhole National Park & Kabini
River Lodge. Sivasamudram Waterfalls (85 kms). B. R. Hills (120 kms., Mahadeshwara Hills
(142 kms).
Access: Mysore is connected by rail to Bangalore. Well linked by road to all the major
towns in the area
Madikere
District Headquarters of Kodagu popularly known as the Scotland of India, Madikere with
its green hills, its winding roads and its coffee estates, is the perfect getaway for a
peaceful holiday. Some of the world's best coffee comes from this part of the Works.
Places of Interest: Madikeri Fort. Raja's Seat.
Around Madikere: Abbey Falls (8 kms), Iruppu Falls, Harangi Dam and Nisargadhama
Bhagamandala (39 kms). Talacauvery (44 kms).
Access: The nearest airport is Mangalore. Nearest railheads are Mangalore and Mysore.
Regular buses ply from Bangalore (2S2 kms), Mysore and Mangalore to Madikeri.
Shimoga
Make this your base for a trip to the famous Jog Falls (105 kms), where the river
Sharavati takes a spectacular leap at a height of 292 m in four distinct fads - Raja,
Rani, Rocket and Roarer. These are the highest waterfalls in India.
And while you're in Shimoga take in the Fort, Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the
Government Museum.
