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Home , Abbey Falls, Basavakalyan, Belavadi, Bhagamandala, Biligiriranga Hills, Bisle

BEST PLACES TO VISIT ON A 3-DAY TRIP IN AND AROUND

Option 1 - The Land of Chalukyas Day 1 - - Pattadkallu - - Mahakuta - Day 2 - - Alamatti Day 3 -

You can choose this option if you're interested in History. is the land of Chalukyas (Badami Chalukyas), which used to be one of the glorious kingdoms of South . A glimpse of the places mentioned will help inculcate some interest.

Aihole

The image is of (it's not technically Durga Temple though). It is said that the architecture of Parliament is based on this. I can't validate the fact, but you can definitely see the similarity. This is just one of the many works of art present there. There are about 125 in Chalukyan architecture, which were built around 5th century!

Pattadakal The picture is of the temple complex at Pattadkal, which is recognized as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. also served as the capital of Chalukyas once. The temple complex here were built around 7th - 9th century. The sculptures here are delicate and the temples stand strong even after centuries of ransacking. The most famous temples here are Sangameshwara temple, Kadasiddheshwara and Jambulingeshwara temples. The temples here are built in all famous Indian architectures. You may have noticed this is Raja Mouli's Magadheer. ;)

Banashankari (Not to be confused with the locality in Bengaluru)

This is the abode of Goddess Banashankari (the goddess of Forest) or Shakhambari, the incarnation of . It was built in 7th century and later renovated again in 18th century. An annual fair is held here which lasts for almost a month and attracts tens of thousands of people.

Mahakuta

Mahakuta, also built by Chalukyas around 6-7th century, is a notable Shaiva Monastery, which has a Panchamukhi Linga (a five faced Linga). The only other Panchamukhi Linga is present in . There are many other legends associated with this place. It was popularly called as 'Dakshina Kashi'.

Lets move to the capital city now - Badami

Words fall short to describe this. The main attraction here are the cave temples, which are carved in the rocky hills of Badami. This is not only the melting pot of and , but also and (and also to some extent). The sculptures present here are marvelous. One of the famous ones is 18 handed .

This beautiful sculpture of Nataraja displays 81 different dance moves. You can do the math

Many of these locations may look familiar because Vikramarkudu, Veera Madakari, Rowdy Rathore and even few scenes of were shot here.

Kudalasangama

Kudalasangama is the main pilgrimage centre of the people of Lingayath faith (also happens to be my faith). This is the place where river merges with river Malaprabha and flows towards . This is where Vishwaguru Basavanna lived and attained his salvation. This is the centre of and Sharana Movement.

Almatti

This is the most favourite picnic spot of . One of the 3 majestic that I have ever seen is here. The is not the only attraction, Alamatti has the India's largest musical fountain which is at the centre of an amphi-theatre where more than 1500 people can be seated.

That's not it, there is more to Alamatti. There are acres and acres of gardens here. Each of them is themed and contains ceramic sculptures related to the theme of the garden. Let me list them out.

 Rock Garden - This is largest of all. It again has many mini themed gardens in itself like ape, snake, village life, tribal, butterfly, Jurassic etc. An ideal spot to spend your time in greenery.  Krishna/ Garden - This garden is on the other end of the dam and has the sculptures based on the life of Lord Krishna.  Lava - Kusha Garden - Themed after the life incidents of Lava and Kusha. Bijapur

Bijapur, the capital city of , is the place where you can find numerous marvels of . The prominent one among them is Gol Gumbaz, the acoustic wonder, whose dome is the largest in India. Whatever sound you make inside this building echoes for 7 times (it has now deteriorated to about 5 times due to the lack of maintenance). Also there is a Whispering Gallery, where even a whisper can be heard clearly 37 metres away. No, Bijapur is not confined only to . There is also a huge statue of Lord , which I believe is the second largest in India.

Option 2 - The Empire Day 1 - Day 2 - Hospet - Sandur Day 3 -

Hampi

Hampi - The capital city of the glorious , during which almost all of the flourished. It is also recognized as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The city of Hampi was once very huge and hence there are innumerable monuments spread across many kilometres. Just an example to demonstrate the prosperity of Hampi is that Gold and other precious gems were sold at the footpaths of Hampi! But unfortunately most of the monuments have been destroyed during the attack of Muslim rulers and their raids to loot the treasure. The iconic monolithic can be seen in the above pic. That's just the trailer, there's much to learn and discover here.

Many of the major scenes of the movie The Myth starring Jackie Chan were shot here. Also the Kananda Vishwavidyalaya (University), the only university of its kind is located in Hampi.

Hospet Hospet is one of the main cities of North Karnataka as it has much archaeological importance, hence a tourist attraction; geological importance and is full of well irrigated lands supported by . TB dam is the second of the 3 majestic dams I have seen. It will good to spend some peaceful time in the gardens of TB dam.

Sandur

"See Sandur in September", had said mesmerized by the beauty this place possesses right after the . It's not just the nature's beauty worth seeing here, but also the mines present. You can see the actual mining process of Manganese and Iron ores here. Chitradurga

Chitradurga is the land of Nayakas where the legend of the warrior-womanOnake Obavva happened. Chitradurga obtained its name from the fort which is built in 7 concentric layers across several hills. It is sometimes called as Fort of Steel to describe its strength and is said that even the thunder can't harm it. It 'stands' true to its legends. You can also trek here (not in conventional sense). You can reach Tuppada kola by rock climbing which is thrilling and also very much doable (coming from a fat guy who did it). There's much to explore here.

Option 3 - The Kingdom Day 1, 2 and 3 - In and around Mysore

Mysore

'Mysore', as every other person knows, in Karnataka is derived from the word '' (the dude posing in the pic). A beautiful city in every sense. I was fortunate enough to live here for 4 years and would love to go back there anytime. Once the capital city of Karnataka, Mysore, is full of spectacular places both natural and man-made.

You may have seen the photo of decorated from the outside by lighting which is very beautiful and famous. What's inside the palace is even more beautiful.

[My happy friend celebrating his ascent of Chamundi Hill] Wake up early in the morning and climb Chamundi Hill by steps (approx. 1800 steps if I remember correctly), the sense of achievement once you reach the top of the hill is priceless and so is the view. Only the local people know the best viewpoints here. ;) An evening ride to Chamundi Hill is equally beautiful. [Night view from Chamundi Hill during Dasara]

A visit to Karanjikere, a lake park, will be refreshing. Birds roam here freely and you can boat peacefully. This is situated right beside the Zoo (though the gates are far apart).

Krishna Raja Sagara and One of the marvels of engineering in India, Dam was engineered by the mastermind Sir M. Visvesvaraya. Like the other dams mentioned before, this also has the garden named Brindavan Gardens and musical fountain, probably both of them the oldest in Karnataka.

Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary is worth a visit. The most beautiful and exotic birds can be spotted here. Do make sure you visit it at the right season. On the banks of river Kapila stands this beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, who drank the poison originated during the great churning of the Ocean. Nanju in means poison and hence the name Nanjundeshwara, the lord who drank the poision. Nanjanagud is also famous for " Rasabaale" a variety of banana. There is also a Nestle plant here. ;)

Srirangapatna is named after Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple present here. This temple is first of the 5 temples along the banks of river dedicated to Ranganathaswamy called as Pancharanga Kshetrams. Other places of interest include 's Tomb, Daria Daulat Gardens and many other temples and masjids.

Option 4 - Kodavara Naadu Day 1 - Tibetan Camp - Kaveri - Camp Day 2 - Mandalpatti - - - - Day 3 - Iruppu Falls - Nagarhole

Kodagu is the land of valour and beauty, a heavenly place in the cradle of Western . Kodagu is known for its contribution to India in various fields like armed forces, sports, coffee industry (to name a few). It is one of the most visited hill stations of India and sometimes referred to as of the South. Kodava Girls are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. ;)

Bylakuppe Bylakuppe houses two of the biggest Tibetan refugee settlements in India, established as early as 1961. There are a number of beautiful monastaries here. Golden Temple is the major attraction. It has serenely beautiful huge idols of Guru Padmasambhava, the Shakyamuni Buddha and Amitayus which are coated with gold. The unique and rich cultural heritage is seen in every inch of their monasteries. Apart from this there is also a small shopping area and you can meet the happy Tibetans.

Kaveri Nisargadhama

This is an island in Kaveri river (mostly artificial), on which a natural park is situated. You can see here freely roaming and can even go for an elephant ride. There's a deer park too. As the place is blessed by Goddess Kaveri, she is worshiped here. Dubare Elephant Training Camp

The official training camp of Dasara elephants. This is the of Elephants. Most of the elephants are trained here and the sick ones and trapped ones are treated and helped here. All the Dasara elephants including Balarama and graduated from here and still live here. There is also river rafting available for "adventurous people".

Mandalpatti

A breathtaking view of . A place which delivers freedom from your day to day chores, pollution, mobile etc . A must visit place. Leave the clouds below your feet. Mandalpatti in Kodava means the town in the sky, which it is. [My friend in deep thought mode at Mandalpatti :P]

Abbey Falls

A beautiful waterfall, not too high, yet breathtaking. For most part of the year, milky white water falls here with a roar. There's a bridge in front of the falls to watch it closely and savour it for long. Raja's Seat

Raja's Seat meaning the seat of the king is the place where the King used to come for a walk in the evening and sit here savouring the beauty of Western Ghats during sun set. One should visit this place to capture the spectacular beauty of lush greenery and the hills of western ghats in a blend with the white mist, and feel just as happy as the king!

Talakaveri

Talakaveri is the birthplace of the river Kaveri, the lifeline of the Mysore Kingdom and many of . There is a temple dedicated to Goddess Kaveri here. From here, you can also enjoy the beauty of a part of Western Ghats. Irupu Falls

Irupu Falls is one more beautiful falls situated in the Range. It's the birthplace of one of the tributaries of Kaveri - River. Legend says that this falls was created by the arrow shot by Lakshamana to quench the thirst of his brother . Hence this falls is also called Falls.

Nagarahole National Park

One of the prominent national parks of India. The here ranges from otter to , ospreys to and a diverse flora to nurture that. A safari here is worth your time. It is a part of Reserve and also Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It is also in consideration by UNESCO as world heritage site. Option 5 - The Pilgrimage Day 1 - Kukke Subramanya - Day 2 - - - Day 3 - -

This option is the well suited for Theists and Atheists . While the theists are busy praying, the atheists can enjoy the nature around these temples and also have good food. ;)

Kukke Subramanya Temple

The richest temple of Karnataka, one among the richest of India. The abode of Shri Subramanya. Here Lord Subramanya is worshiped as the lord of all serpents. Also the elephant of this temple dances. ;)

Dharmasthala Dharmasthala is the confluence of different sects of people. It is well known for the Manjunatha Temple which is nearly 800 year old. It is an unique temple as the temple is Shaiva, the priests are Vaishnavas and the administration is run by Jains. Also there is Manjoosha museum and a vintage car museum. Other attraction here is a monolithic statue atop a low hill. The temple serves free food.

Venur Once the glorious capital of Ajila dynasty and the centre of Jainism, Venur is one of the 5 places that have a huge monolithic Bahubali statue in Karnataka.

Moodabidri Moodabidri is considered as "Jaina Kashi". I was lucky to spend two most important years of my life here when I fell in love with the city (or Tulu Nadu as whole). The city houses a number of Jain Basadis, among which Saavira Kambada Basadi (Thousand Pillars Basadi) is the most famous and a holy for all the Jains worldwise (or across the country).

Karkala

Also a prominent Jain Pilgrim centre. Here is one more Gommateshwar statue. One should visit Chaturmukha Basadi and Ananthapadmanabha temple here.

Hornadu Hornadu is the abode of Annapoorneshwari , a beautiful temple amidst the beautiful valleys of Western Ghats, on the banks of river Bhadra. Annapoorneshwari is the goddess who feeds one and all, and literally so, food is served here to all visitors.

Sringeri

Sringeri is the first peetha established by Sri , the exponent of Advaita Vedanta, in the 8th century. It has a beautiful Sharadamba temple on the banks of river Tunga, where the beautiful goddess stands smiling upon her devotees. One of the things to do here is feed the fishes in the river Tunga. They are very friendly and never shy away. ;) Option 6 - Coastal Line - Dakhina Kannada & Day 1 - Pilikula - Ullal - Sultan Battery - Tannirbhavi Day 2 - - - Kapu Day 3 - Sri Krishna Temple - St. Mary's Island -

Pilikula Nisargadhama

This is not really on the coastal line (about 10kms inwards). It is a beautiful garden cum natural forest cum zoo which also has a lake. Pilikula literally means Tiger-Lake. used to come here to drink water in the ancient days (which are now captured and put here on display), hence the name. There are many animals including tigers, lions and pythons. Adjacent to the zoo, there is also a water park and a golf course.

Ullal Ullal is one of the earliest places where the Europeans (specifically Portuguese) landed. It is the land of the brave queen Abbakka who fought the Portuguese oppression. You can visit the peaceful beach here, which is also a prominent fishing centre.

Sultan Battery ()

Sultan Battery is a watch tower constructed by Tipu Sultan in 1784. One can spend some time here peacefully (ironic given its dark history). And it is not pronounced Battery, as in Duracell. It is more like 'Batheri'. Tannirbhavi Beach

Tannirbhavi beach is an ideal place to view the sunset in calmness. It is mostly devoid of a huge crowd. It can be reached by ferry from Sultan Battery, crossing the . A calm and beautiful place for a perfect evening.

Panambur Beach is one of the cleanest beaches of India which is often much crowded. It is the only Indian beach maintained by a private company. It draws huge crowds as it provides various water sports and also fun activities along the beach like camel ride. It also hosts Kite festival. A fun place to be.

Surathkal

Surathkal is the place which is associated with NITK. I envy the students of NITK, who are lucky to be the part of such a beautiful campus. It has a peaceful beach along with a lighthouse. A good place to spend some time in solitude.

Kapu Kapu Beach is one more famous beach of Tulu Nadu. The main attraction here is the lighthouse which is more than a century old, standing tall till date. One can experience the cool breeze as well as the power of the , as some part of the beach is outlined with rocks. Do get some Shankarapura Mallige, a very famous Jasmine breed, if you love flowers. ;)

Udupi Sri Krishna

We saw the Sharada Peetha established by Sri Adi Shankara, founder of Advaita Vedanta. Now let's go to the Sri Krishna Matha established by Sri Madhwacharya, the founder of Dvaita Vedanta. This temple's origin is almost 1500 years ago. It has the famous Kanakana kindi, a crack/window in the temple created by the almighty Krishna himself to provide darshan to his dearest devotee Kanakadasa, who was denied of the entrance as he belonged to lower caste. Till date Krishna is worshipped through that window.

St. Mary's Islands

St. Mary's Islands are set of four small islands off the coast of Malpe, Karnataka. They are famous for the unique columnar basaltic lava formations, which were formed by volcanic activity when was still attached to our subcontinent more than 88 million years ago. It is one of the 26 geological monuments of India and an ideal picnic spot.

Malpe

I will just derive few lines from my latest favourite movie - Ulidavaru Kandanthe - In Kannada - ಮಲಲಲ, ಅರಬಬಬ ಸಮಮದದ ತಬರದಲಲರಮವ ಕರರವಳಯ ಒಒದಮ ಪದಮಮಖವರದ ಮಬನಮಗರರಕರ ಪದದಲಬಶ. ಸಮಮದದದ ಅಲಲಗಳಮ ದನವವ ತನನ ದಡವನನ ಸಸಚಚಗಲಗಳಸಮವಒತಹ ಪದದಲಶ. Translated into English

Malpe, A major fishing town on the Arabian Coast of Karnataka. A town whose beaches are cleansed everyday by the sea. A calm and serene beach, of which some part is covered with coconut trees, and an important fishing port.

Option 7 - Coastal Line - Kundapura - Day 1 - - Murudeshwara Day 2 - Apsarakonda - Gokarna Day 3 - Gokarna -

Maravanthe

Maravanthe is one of the most beautiful beaches of Karnataka and one of it's kind in India. NH-66 passes beside the beach and on another side of the road is Suparnika river. All the three of them - Arabian Sea, NH-66 and Suparnika river run parallel to each other at least for 10kms, making it a spectacular view. Though you can't play here on the beach, you can enjoy the beauty.

Murudeshwara Murudeshwara is the place where the majestic Lord Shiva is sitting calmly on the coast of Arabian Sea. According to the mythology, a part of AtmaLinga destroyed by fell here and that is where the Murudeshwara temple is built. The Shiva statue present here is the second largest and this is a must visit spot.

Apsarakonda Falls Waterfall, pond, caves, hill, and a beach - all at one place. That is the specialty of Apsarakonda. The meaning of Apsarakonda is 'The pond of Angels' in Kannada and it stands true to its name with crystal clear water falling and filling the pond. You can also go exploring the caves here and the hill here is an ideal spot to watch the sunset.

Gokarna

A place which is equally a pilgrim centre and a party city(recently). Gokarna has a number of temples including the Mahabaleshwara temple and Maha Ganapathi temple. It is believed that Shiva's AtmaLinga given to Ravana is here in the Mahabaleshwara temple and Ganapathi, who stopped Ravana was hit here in the head by him. From past decade Gokarna has developed as a holiday destination attracting tourists from all over the world. There are a number of beaches here, of which beach is relatively cleaner and attracts more people.

Karwar [Maritime museum at Tagore beach] Karwar is one of the most important ports of India. It is situated at the mouth of river Kali. INS Kadamba, a naval base of is situated here. It is also a major fishing port. There are a lot of places to visit here including leisure boats in river Kali, Maritime museum, Tagore Beach, Baithkola beach and Saddashivagad fort.

Option 8 - and Beyond Day 1 - Falls - Godchinamalki Falls Day 2 - Amboli - Dhudhsagar Falls Day 3 - No, not Belgium.

Gokak Falls after travelling a long distances, plunges 52 metres over the sandstone cliff near the city of Gokak, forming . It very much resembles Niagara falls apart from the dimensions and colour of water. One can also find the ruins of Chalukyan temples on either side of the falls.

Godchinamalaki Falls Godchinamalaki Falls is formed by the two tiered plunge taken by the Markandeya River in Belgaum district. It is located in a rugged valley very near to Godchinamalaki village.

Amboli Ghat

Amboli is one of the many beautiful parts of Western Ghats or the Sahyadri Hills. It has numerous waterfalls and hill stations you can go exploring. Also in the hills of Amboli originates river Hrishikeshwara. There are many breathtaking places in this lush green ghat.

Dudhsagar Falls Words fall short to describe the beauty of this 'Sea of Milk'. It is considered one of the most exquisite waterfalls of India and the world. gushes from a height of 310m in a number of tiers, making it the fifth highest waterfalls of India. There are many routes to trek here. The railway passes in front of this waterfalls making it the most beautiful scenario for .

Dandeli

Dandeli is yet another beautiful place in Western ghats, near which flows. Dandeli wildlife sanctuary is the second largest in Karnataka and was declared a tiger reserve in 2007. Its fauna include tigers, leopards, black panthers, elephants, , deer, antelopes, and bears. The adventurous people can go for river rafting here in Kali river. Nearby attractions include , Syntheri Rocks, Anashi National Park, and Moulangi.

Option 9 - Beyond Mysore Day 1 - Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta - Bandipur Day 2 - Bandipur - Day 3 - Ooty

Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta

Himawad Gopalaswamy Betta is the highest peak in the . It is almost always covered with fog, hence the name prefix Himawad. It has an ancient temple of Lord Venugopalaswamy or Krishna which was established in 1315 A.D. by the Hoysalas and was later maintained by the Wodeyars of Mysore.

Bandipur National Park Bandipur National Park is a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and the largest protected wildlife area in South India. This is where the meets the Western Ghats, hence you can see various here. Diverse Flora in biomes support diverse fauna. It was started as a Tiger reserve in 1974. The highway going to Ooty passes through Bandipur. So on the way you can see many animals including elephants, antelopes, peacocks etc (not tigers, that's very rare).

Ooty

Ooty is rightly named as the Queen of Hill Stations. One will be dumbfounded when they see this exquisite place. Two eyes aren't enough to capture the serenity of Ooty. The tea plantations, the numerous lakes, the freezing temperature and fog even when it's summer elsewhere, the hill stations, everything is just beautiful here. South India's highest peak - Peak is here amidst the Nilgiris.

Option 10 - - Day 1 - Melkote - Kokkare Bellur - Shivanasamudra - Talakad Day 2 - B. R. Hills Day 3 - M. M. Hills

Melukote

Melukote is one of the holy places of Karnataka,w here you can find Cheluvanarayanaswamy temple atop the Yadavagiri hill. This is the place where Sri Ramanujacharya, the founder of Vedanta lived for 12 years. Tamil Nadu's current chief minister Jayalalitha is also from this place. ;)

Kokrebellur Kokrebellur is a village near Maddur taluk, which is situated between and Mysore. It is one of the 21 breeding spots of birds in India. Prominent birds found here are Spot-Billed Pelicans and Painted Storks. The village has gotten its name from Painted Storks, which are called Kokkare in Kannada. There are many other birds also apart from these two, which arrive here for breeding.

Shivanasamudra Falls

Shivanasamudra, often referred as the Niagara of India, is one of the most powerful and beautiful waterfalls of India. This is a segmented and perennial falls. The height of the waterfall is about 98m. One of the very first hydro-electric power plant was set here as early as 1902.

Talakad is a place on the banks of river Kaveri with rich history and also unfortunate recent past. As the legend claims, the town of Talakadu got completely buried in the sand as cursed by Alamelamma. It was only recently that the sand was cleared and many prominent temples were unearthed. It is an important pilgrim centre for because of the presence of five of Lord Shiva and also Keerthi temple established by Sri Ramanujacharya.

Biligiriranga Hills

Biligiriranga Hills is a hill range situated at the confluence of Eastern and Wester Ghats at the border of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. As a result the area has a rich flora and fauna and is a wildlife sanctuary. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in December 2010. These hill ranges are abundant in , from which our state derives the name 'Gandhada Gudi'. Once the infamous dacoit used to roam in these forests.

Male Mahadeshwara Hills is a hill range where the temple of Mahadeshwara, believed to be an of Lord Shiva, is situated in the middle of forest. It is a major temple for many people in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Adjacent to it, there is also dense forest as well as deciduous forest with rich flora and fauna. It is soon to be declared as a protected wildlife sanctuary.

Option 11 - The Land of Hoysalas (& Gowdas) Day 1 - Day 2 - - Belur Day 3 - - Manjarabad Fort - Bisale Ghat

Shravanabelagola Shravanabelagola is one of the most prominent places in the map of Jainism with its history dating back to more than 2000 years. It is the place where the tallest monolithic statue of the world, Bahubali, stands atop the Vindhyagiri hill. It was voted the first among the seven wonders of India in 2007. It is one of the architectural marvels of India. Though it is a exhausting task to ascend the hill, it is worth that much sweat. Halebidu

Halebidu was once the majestic capital of the eminent Hoysala kingdom in 12-13th century. Hoysaleshwara temple is the major attraction here. It has many sculptures on its walls from , animals and Shila Balikas. And no two sculptures are the same. The sculptures here are sculpted in soap stone with intricate detail. It proposed to be made as World Heritage Site.

Belur

Belur, also once the capital city of Hoysalas, has the finest example of int he form of Chennakeshava temple present here. The whole temple complex is filled with mesmerizing sculptures. All of the sculptures present here look almost humanly impossible. Legends say that it took 103 years to complete the Chennakeshava temple. Most of the sculptures are said to be carved by Jakanachari, who was considered one of the best sculptors ever.

Manjarabad Fort, Sakleshpur

Manjarabad fort is a fort constructed by Tipu Sultan on the top of a hillock near Sakleshpur. It is constructed 3240 ft above sea level. It was a main storage for ammunition and served as a watch tower and control point for the routes passing into Mysore from the coast. It provides a picturesque sight of the Western Ghats.

Bisle

Bisle is a small village in the middle of Western Ghats near Saklespur. A view point established here provides a breathtaking view of mountain ranges of three districts namely, , Kodagu and Hassan. One will be spell bound watching the beautiful valley and the river separating the mountain ranges from here. Option 12 - The Land of Kadambas Day 1 - Sathodi Falls - Day 2 - Yana - Sahasralinga Day 3 - - Sirsi -

Sathodi Falls

Sathodi Falls is a picturesque waterfalls near in Uttarakannada district. Many streams join together in the Kallarmane Ghat forming the 15m wide waterfalls with pristine water. This falls is a part of Ganeshgudi forest range.

Magod Falls Magod falls is also a beautiful waterfalls near Yellapur amidst thick evergreen forest. River Bedti comes rushing in two leaps into the rocky ravine from a height of 650ft. This along with some nearby spots is an ideal picnic spot.

Yana Yana is a place well known for the unusual rock formations present here, the two peaks namely Bhairaweshwara Shikara (390 ft) and Mohini Shikara (300 ft) peaks. The huge rocks are composed of solid black, crystalline Karst limestone. These peaks in the background of Western Ghats are feast for eyes for any nature lover. There is a self- manifested Shiva in the Bhairaweshwara peak, so it is also a pilgrimage centre.

Sahasralinga

Sahasralinga is an unique place near Sirsi where you can find hundreds and hundreds of Shiva Lingas carved in the rocks in the middle and the banks of the river Shalmala. Sahasralinga literally means thousands of Lingas. This is an ideal picnic spot. The water here is unpolluted and it isn't much crowded. It is also a pilgrim centre.

Banavasi

Banavasi, the first ever capital of Karnataka, is an ancient town prominent throughout the . It was the glorious capital city of the very first royal dynasty of Karnataka - The Kadambas. The main attraction here is the Madhukeshwara temple which was built in the 9th century. Pampa, eminent poet of Kadamba era wrote,

It is a virtue to be born in Banavasi as a human being. If not as a human being, then at least one should be born as a bee or a cuckoo in the garden of Banavasi'.

Marikamba Temple, Sirsi Marikamba temple of Sirsi is one of the prominent temples of Goddess Durga. Goddess Marikamba is beautiful and valiant form of Parvati, and this temple was built for her in the 17th century. This is located in the middle of hillocks and evergreen forests covering the town of Sirsi.

Mundgod Tibetan Camp

Mundgod Tibetan Camp is called Doeguling Tibetan Settlement. It is well known as 'Mini Tibet'. It is the largest concentration of Tibetans in the world. Once you enter this camp, the very atmosphere changes. There are a total of seven spectacular monasteries here. One should visit this camp and experience the culture of Tibet. Option 13 - The Coffee Valley - Chikkamagaluru Day 1 - Day 2 - Bababudan Giri - - Day 3 - Mullayyanagiri -

Kudremukh

Kudremukh is many things - a , a mountain range, a former mining town and a prominent tea growing area. Kudremukh peak is the third highest peak of Karnataka. Kudremukh National Park is home to many endangered . It is covered by the evergreen forests of the western ghats and the and is breathtakingly beautiful. One will fall short of words. It is also trekker's paradise.

Baba Budangiri Baba Budangiri or Dattagiri is a peak in the hill ranges of Baba Budan in Western Ghats. It is the second highest peak of Karnataka. Datta/Baba Budan hill ranges are also known as Chandradrona Parvata Shreni. It is also a pilgrim centre for both Hindus and (and hence controversial) since it has the Dattapeeta and the shrine of Sufi saint Baba Budan. There are many places to visit around it including some prominent caves and water falls. Unique Kurinji flowers bloom here once every 12 years, enhancing the beauty of these ranges.

Hebbe Falls

One more breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls of the western ghats. Hebbe falls gushes down from a height of 168m in two stages - Dodda Hebbe and Chikka Hebbe. It used to be summer retreat for Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV.

Kemmangundi Kemmannugundi is a hill station in the Western Ghats situated at a height of 1434m above the sea level. Mesmerized by its beauty King Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV built his summer resort here, which he later donated to the govt. of Karnataka. Kemmannugundi has beautifully laid gardens, serene valleys and magnificent mountain ranges.

Mullayyanagiri Mullayanagiri, the tallest peak of India between the and the Nilgiris, the second tallest of South India, is magnificent peak in the Baba Budan Hill range. You will know what it literally means to be like "Aaj main upar, aasmaan neeche". At the summit of the hill in the morning you won't be able to see your friend who is standing some 2m away from you because of the fog. A sea of clouds will be at your feet and you will fall short of words once you witness the beauty of Western Ghats stretching far far away. There is also a temple atop the peak and it will be extremely cold here.

[The sea of clouds seen from Mullayanagiri]

Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi Belavadi is one of the important places which came under Hoysala Regime. It is famous for the Veers Narayana Temple whcih was built during the 12th century and is one of the largest temples built by the Hoysalas. It is also believed that this is the place where Bheema killed Bakasura in . And if you're still engaged in reading this, comment Chhota Bheem. While Belur and Halebidu are famous for theis intricate design, this temple is known for its architecture.

Option 14 - Day 1 - Gudavi - - - - Day 2 - - Hidlumane Falls - Tyarekoppa Lion Safari Day 3 - Sakrebailu Elephant Camp - - -

Gudavi Bird Sanctuary

Gudavi Bird Sanctuary of Shimoga is one of the 5 major bird sanctuaries of Karnataka. Nearly 217 species of birds belonging to 48 families come here to breed during various seasons. A natural lake and the trees which provide shelter to the birds here themselves provide a picturesque scene. The birds visiting here range from Grey heron to Darter to Pariah Kite.

Jog Falls Jog falls, the second highest plunge waterfalls, is like the king of all waterfalls of Karnataka. I was always fascinated by this falls, with its four distinct falls - Raja, Rani, Roarer and Rocket, all of which are named according to the way the gush downwards. This waterfalls is formed by river. Mugur Mallappa has written a poem about Jog Falls which says - see Jog Falls at least once in your lifetime.

ಮರನವನರಗ ಹಮಟಟದ ಮಬಲಲ ಏನಲಬನನ ಕಒಡ? ಸರಯಬ ತನಕ ಸಒಸರದಲಗರಳಗಲ ಗಒಡರಗಮಒಡ ಹಲಬರಕಲಗಒಡಮ ಹಲಗಬಗಲಗಬದಲಲ ಸತರತಗನ ಬಒಡ ಇರಲಗಬದದ ಒಳಗಲ ಒಮಮ ನಲಗಬಡಮ ಜಲಗಬಗದನ ಗಮಒಡ! Ikkeri Ikkeri was the regal capital of the Keladi Nayakas for some period. The main attraction here is the Aghoreshwara temple. This beautiful temple which was built in the 15th century is the blend of Hoysala, Vijayanagara and Chola style of architecture. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the watchful protector. ;)

Keladi

Keladi, as you can guess, also served once as the capital of the Keladi Nayakas, a feudatory of Vijayanagara Empire. The main attraction here is the Rameswara temple and the museum in its surrounding. The Rameswara temple houses three gods : Rameswara, Veerabhadra and Lord . One can find the mythological creature Gandaberunda can be found on the ceilings which is now the emblem of Karnataka and also the Bengaluru F.C. ;)

Kodachadri

Kodachadri is the highest peak of and the 10th highest of Karnataka. It is in the middle of National park. It is famous for the scenic view of sunset and sunrise it provides. And one can also see the back waters of Arabian sea from here. Adi Shankaracharya is said to have meditated at the Sarvaja peetha present here and there is also a famous Mookambika temple. It is gaining popularity as an ideal trekking spot lately. [ Peetha]

Hidlumane Falls

Hidlumane falls is a waterfall present at the base of Kodachadri. This picturesque waterfalls rushes down as a series of 6 or 7 streams. The fascinating part about these falls is that they are hidden from each other and each one of them seems more enthralling than the previous one. One can enjoy the view of pure water gushing down and also playing in the pool.

Tyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger Safari Tyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger Safari is a famous picnic spot of Shimoga for wildlife enthusiasts. The safari was started in 1998, which covers about 200 hectares of forest area. One can catch a glimpse of Tigers, Lions, Sloth bears, Leopards and many more animals here during safari. There is also a well maintained small zoo here.

Sakrebailu Elephant Camp Sakrebailu elephant training camp is an abode to a number of elephants. The elephants visit the backwaters of river Tunga in the camp. They bathe and play there. It will be a delight to watch for the ellie-lovers and children.

Kuppalli

[Kavishaila] The first thing that comes to mind when a Kannadiga hears the word Kuppalli is the name of the one of the greatest Indian poets ever - Rashtrakavi or Kuppalli Venkatappa Puttappa. Kuppalli is the place where Kuvempu's ancestral home is present where he spent most of his childhood. This home, now called as 'Kavimane', is converted into a museum which reflects the journey of Kuvempu. Kuppali is the place where Kuvempu and his son (the author I admire the most) are laid to rest after their death. A monument is created in the memory of Kuvempu with megalithic rocks arranged in a fashion similar to Stonehenge.

Kundadri Kundadri is mountain peak in Shimoga atop which there is a simple 17th century Jain Basadi along with a pool. The peak is named after a Jain saintKundakundacharya. Sunrise and moon set can be experienced simultaneously here on the day of full moon. It is an adventurous place for trekking.

Agumbe

Words fall short to describe the this place which abounds in natural beauty. It is sometimes called as ' of the South', because of the rainfall here and someitmes as the cobra capital due to the abundance of King Cobra. Agumbe is home to many rare medicinal plants like Garcinia, Myristica, Listsaea, Diospyrous, Hoiligarna, Eugenia and Ficus and hence it is also referred to as Hasiru Honnu (Green Gold). Our nation's first automatic weather monitor station is established here to study the changes in rain forests, courtesy well known herpetologist Dr Romulus Whitaker. There are many places to see around Agumbe, the mesmerizing sunset is not to be missed here.

Option 15 - The Land of Bahamanis Day 1 - Day 2 - Bidar - Day 3 -

Bidar

Bidar, once the capital of the Bahamanis, is the northmost district of Karnataka, often referred to as the crown of Karnataka. The town still has the strong fort built by the Bahamani rulers with seven gateways to it. There is a huge Persian influence in this area. There are a number of monuments of Islamic architectures including the Arabic University of Mahmud Gawan. If you have read this far, comment I'm Batman. The city is not confined to Islam, there is also Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib, a sacred place for the . And there are also many Hindu temples. Bidar is also famous for Bidrware, an intricate metal handicraft work.

Basavakalyan Basavakalyana, formerly known as Kalyan, is a place rich in history. It was ruled by many glorious dynasties like Kalyani Chalukyas, Kalchuris and the Bahamanis. It is also associated with Vishwaguru Sri Basavannna and the Sharana movement. The city has a fort constructed by the Kalyani Chalukyas. The major attraction here now is the world's tallest Basavanna statue which is 33m tall.

Gulbarga Gulbarga, the neighbouring district of Bidar, is also as rich in history as Bidar. Malkhed or Manyaketa in was once the capital of the glorious kingdom of Rashtrakutas. Gulbarga itself served as the capital of Bahamanis for some period. Right from the ancient Bahamani fort remains, the heart of Sufism renowned Khwaza Darga, the famous jain Shwetambur temple 22km from Gulbarga, to the famous Hindu pilgrimage temple of Shranabasaveshwara temple, and to the recently built breathtaking Buddh Mandir within the city boundary, Gulbarga has it all. The Monuments and Forts of the Deccan Sultanate present in Bidar, Gulbarga, Bijapur and are also listed as UNESCO world heritage sites.