SPOTLIGHT KARNATAKA Ancient ruins on Hemakuta Hill at sunset in Hampi An infrared version of Lalbagh The capital city, Bengaluru is a cosmopolitan metropolis that blends A PIONEER IN HOME STAYS tradition and new age technological What happens when the easy advances seamlessly to make it one comfort of your home fuses with the indulgence of a hotel? Home stays of the most preferred cities to live in combine the best of both and bring India. Arguably the city with the best you the ultimate experience during weather in the country, Bengaluru your holiday. Those who like to indulge in a travel experience that is off the also has several interesting sights. beaten path will tell you that time Living up to its tag of ‘Garden City’, spend at a home stay is the best way are the two large lung spaces – of knowing about the local culture and traditions of any place. Choose from Cubbon Park and Lalbagh – that are a generous selection of home stays home to various botanical species across Karnataka. Go online to www. karnatakatourism.org/Homestay and of plants. Lalbagh also hosts a choose from hundreds of them located much awaited flower show twice in 14 districts of the state. a year – during Republic Day and Independence Day. The simple summer palace of Tipu ne State Many the scenic Western Ghats for both are also focusing our attention on eco Sultan, used by him as a summer Worlds”, the tagline tourists and trekkers. According to friendly holidays and medical tourism retreat, is a two storey teak wood MEMORIES FOR A of Karnataka’s tourism Deepika Kapoor, Project Director, as well and we recently also had a structure with exquisitely carved department, cannot The Golden Chariot & Hospitality conference around this too. Likewise, wooden pillars, arches and balconies be more apt. The and Consultant, Karnataka State we want to promote our other forests in Indo-Islamic architecture. The fort LIFETIME Ostate has something for every kind Tourism Development Corporation as well that goes beyond Kabini and nearby is said to have been built by A STATE THAT HAS MOUNTAINS, BEACHES, VALLEYS, of tourist. The best part of touring (KSTDC), “While we do not have Bandipur as the abundance of wildlife the founder Kempe Gowda (after ISLANDS AND MORE, THERE IS SOMETHING NEW the state is that you will stumble a defined policy, we do something here is something that people must whom the international airport is upon several gems that are relatively almost every day to attract tourists know about.” named) and has five sculpted arches TO DISCOVER IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF BEAUTIFUL undiscovered which makes it an to the state. In fact, we would like We take you through four well- and a Ganesha temple in its precincts. KARNATAKA. BY BINDU GOPAL RAO attractive tourist destination. to let people know that there is so known tourist getaways in Karnataka A major landmark the city is the The state has declared 2017 much more to explore beyond the – Bengaluru, Mysore, Mangalore and Dodda Ganesha temple that has an as the Year of the Wild and the surface. So we are promoting Dasara Belgaum, before guiding you to some 18 feet high and 16 feet wide idol of Tourism Department has identified as a festival across the state and not other fascinating and yet relatively Ganesha. Adjacent is the Basavana nine eco-trekking routes along necessarily restricted to Mysore. We unexplored places. Gudi (or the Nandi Temple), that has 130 131 SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 SPOTLIGHT KARNATAKA Mysore Palace a massive bull and this is where the annual ground fair called Kadlekai Parishe is held in the last week of November. The adjoining Bugle Rock garden has several rocks dating back to many centuries. The State legislature building Vidhan Soudha and High Mysore Palace ceiling with decorative art Court Attara Kacheri are buildings that are must be seen for Bengaluru, the ride is a breeze their amazing Indo Neo-Dravidian, courtesy the beautiful four lane road Indo-Saracenic and Dravidian styles that connects the two cities. Taking of architecture. Shopping, eating out centre stage is the Mysore Palace or and having a good time is second the Amba Vilas Palace that sees more nature here and this is a city that will footfalls than many other monuments never disappoint the traveller. in India. This palace has a Public MYSORE IS OFTEN CALLED The cultural capital of the state is Durbar Hall with imported French THE CULTURAL CAPITAL OF Mysore being home to the stunning lamp representing Egyptian figurines palaces courtesy the Wodeyar royals and a Private Durbar Hall that was KARNATAKA who once ruled the state from here. used by the king for private audience. 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The office wear collection, etc. Aabushan designs are a graceful dance between With over 70 years of expertise Jewellers' fine the traditional and contemporary. in the jewellery business, Aabushan Vishal P Bohra, Director, detailed jewellery This makes Aabushan’s jewellery all Jewellers has evolved from being Aabushan Jewellers is studded with the more desirable. Their wide range a family jeweller in Karnataka to rare, hand-picked precious stones of dazzling bridal collection in gold setting up its own stores across which make these jewellery stand out and diamonds are literally a dream the state. Rising from humble from the rest. They are best known come true for every bride-to-be. beginnings, it is now one of the most for their Rajwada collection, Polki Aabushan is very well known for recognized brands within the country collection, Traditional Antiques, Jack its creation in gold. Over the decades, as well as internationally. The firm’s and Rose collection and the Mozcerro it has been celebrating the finest dexterous team strives hard to Italio collection, leaving their designs in pure gold to suit every come up with unique and innovative customers with multiple choices occasion in the journey called life. designs and patterns. These can to pick from the exclusive designs. From birth to marriage and beyond, be customized according to the Known for their antique jewellery, every day is turned extra special specifications of they also display a strikingly elegant with Aabushan’s pure gold. And the clients. 132 SEPTEMBER 2017 SPOTLIGHT KARNATAKA ivory, opulent gilded columns, stained Shrichamundeshwari Temple in Mysore glass ceilings, ornamental steel grills and chandeliers with delicate floral motifs, the royal throne and the wooden elephant howdah decorated with 84 kg of gold reflect the grandeur of days of the past. While in Mysore a visit to the 12th century Chamundeshwari temple atop the Chamundi hill houses the presiding deity of the Wodeyar kings is a must. The Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, St. Philomena’s Cathedral, Jaganmohan Palace and Brindavan Gardens are other important places here. This apart check out the Regional Museum of that culminate in a grand procession Set amidst the sparkling waters Natural History, Rail Museum, Indira called Jumboo Savari, a parade of the Arabian Sea and the Western Gandhi Central Museum and the with decorated elephants, colourful Ghats, the coastal town of Mangalore Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan while you tableaux, dance groups, music bands is the main port city of the state. are here. However if you are here and other floats that originate from Surrounded by verdant hills, ancient during the annual Dasara festival, the palace grounds to Banni Mantap temples and Jain basadis, this is the you can witness the grand 10 days (a locality in Mysore). chief maritime city of Karnataka. SHUTTERSTOCK Recoil roller coaster www.wonderla.com WONDERLA Wonderla Kochi occupying MEMORABLE 35 acres of land offers variety of entertainment to people of all age OUTINGS AT groups, with 57 state-of-the-art rides WONDERLA and other allied facilities. Wonderla Bangalore, spanning WONDERLA HOLIDAYS LIMITED over 82 acres, offers a spectacular is India’s largest range of entertainment with 61 land, and most popular unique in India. Wonderla parks water, hi-tech and kids rides. amusement park have been visited by over three crore Wonderla Resort located besides operator in India. 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