Architecture of South India Page 2 of 20 TRIP SUMMARY Bangalore Pick up from airport and transfer to hotel Bangalore - Srirangapatna - Mysore (145kms/ 3hrs approx) Bangalore Sightseeing Lunch during sightseeing Dinner options Mysore - Srirangapatna - Shravanabelagola - Hassan (140kms/ 3hrs approx) Mysore Sightseeing Lonch Optional Srirangapatina Temple Shravanabelagola Dinner options Bangalore - Shravanabelagola - Hassan (140kms/ 3hrs approx) Hassan & Belur Sightseeing Lunch during sightseeing Dinner options Hassan - Hospet/ Hampi (330kms/ 7hrs approx) Lonch Optional Dinner options Hospet/ Hampi Hampi & Hospet sightseeing Page 3 of 20 Hospet/ Hampi - Badami (195kms/ 4hrs approx) Lakkundi sightseeing Gadag sightseeing Lonch Optional Dinner options Badami -Aihole - Pattadakal (70kms/ round) Badami Sightseeing Aihole Sightseeing Lunch during sightseeing Pattadakal Sightseeing Dinner options Badami - Goa (235kms/ 5hrs approx) Lonch during intercity drive Dinner options Goa Goa sightseeing Lunch during sightseeing Dinner options Goa Lunch during sightseeing Dinner options Goa - Departure Page 4 of 20 BANGALORE Pick-up Pick up from airport and transfer to hotel On arrival at airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel. Rest time free and easy for personal activities relax. Overnight at hotel. BANGALORE - SRIRANGAPATNA - MYSORE (145KMS/ 3HRS APPROX) Breakfast at hotel Bangalore Sightseeing City tour of Bangalore 'Garden City' visiting the Lal Bagh Garden: Hyder Ali laid out this famous botanical garden and his son added horticultural wealth to them by importing trees and plants from several countries. The garden today houses over 1000 species of flora which include rare and enchanting collection of tropical plants, trees and herbs. Also see the Government buildings Vidhana Soudha: This splendid neo-Dravidian granite building that dominates the northern boundary of the Cubbon Park is the home of the State Legislature and the Secretariat. The massive sandalwood door of the Cabinet room is a spectacular feature of this imposing building. The Vidhana Soudha is bedecked in illuminated glory during special periods and is a sight worth viewing. The Bangalore Palace & Fort: The Bangalore Fort was built by Kempe Gowda and expanded by Tippu Sultan. Within its walls is the well preserved 16th century Ganapathi Temple. The Bangalore Palace was built by a Wodeyar king in 1887 on the 400 acre space. Inspired by the Windsor castle, this palace was built in the Tudor style, complete with Gothic windows, foiled windows, battlements and turrets resembling the Daria Daulat Palace in Srirangapatanam, this summer palace has been constructed largely of wood and is famous for its carving and paintings. Tippu’s Summer Palace: The palace was first a mud-brick defense built by Kempegowda in 1537. Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan later rebuilt it 1791. The two-storied structure (replica of the Daria Daulat in Srirangapatnam) served as Tipu's summer retreat. An inscription on the wooden screen describes the palace as the 'abode of happiness', almost mocking the ruins that surround it. Though the palace still has elegant teak pillars, most of the painted decorations have been destroyed and it is in very bad shape. Page 5 of 20 Lunch during sightseeing Lunch during the tour at your choice of restaurant on direct payment basis. Our guide can suggest the restaurant of your choice meal and within your budget. Afternoon drive to Mysore check in at hotel. Dinner options Dinner at your choice of restaurant or at your hotel on direct payment basis. Overnight at hotel. MYSORE - SRIRANGAPATNA - SHRAVANABELAGOLA - HASSAN (140KMS/ 3HRS APPROX) Breakfast at hotel. Page 6 of 20 Mysore Sightseeing Visit Mysore Palace built in 1911-12. The piece of harmonious synthesis of the Hindu and saracenic styles of architecture with archways, domes turrets, colonnades and sculptures which are magnificent. The palaces and royal garden of Mysore, ‘The Jewel of Karnataka’, provide glimpses of its past grandeur. Thus the Maharaja’s Palace is one of the largest in the country, embellished with stained glass and domes and turrets giving it an ethereal air. Enjoy sightseeing tour visiting Chamundi Hill lies just outside the city and is topped by a temple to Chamundi, the Rajas chosen deity. Half way up the hill, sits a huge granite statue of Nandi, the bull, Lord Shiva’s vehicle, and the route is dotted with other minor shrines. Srirangapatnam fort the stronghold of Tippu Sultan. Tippu made a last minute ditch against the British in 1799 before surrendering his kingdom. Among the many fort buildings still intact, are Tippu’s Airy summer palace and his tomb at the Darya Daulat Bagh (garden) built in 1784. Summer Palace was one of Tipu's favourite retreats, it stands on a raised platform at a height of 1.5 metres. The Bagh is situated on the banks of Cauvery river has treasured the paintings, engraving, arms that depict the Valiant victories and Struggles of Tipu Sultan. The structure made of teak, this Indo-Saracenic structure has ornate and beautiful frescoes. The corridors showcase murals which describe Tipu’s ordeals in the battlefield against the British. Page 7 of 20 Check out from hotel drive to Hassan. En route visit Srirangapatina Temple & Shravanabelagola Temple. Lonch Optional Lunch at hotel after check in or at your choice restaurant during sightseeing. Our guide can suggest the restaurant of your choice meal and within your budget. Srirangapatina Temple The temple has an imposing tower over the entrance gate and two large concentric rectangular enclosures around its perimeter. The entrance to the inner sanctum is through multiple columned halls. A vestibule, hall and a front hall are the other main structures in the temple. The roof of the mukhamantapa is decorated with a garland of miniature decorative towers whose niches contain stucco images of the god Vishnu. In the sanctum, the image of Vishnu reclines on the coils of the snake Adisesha, under a canopy formed by the snake's seven hoods, with his consort Lakshmi at his feet. Flanking Vishnu are other deities from the Hindu pantheon; Sridevi, Bhudevi (goddess of earth) and Brahma (the creator). There are other smaller shrines within the complex dedicated to Narasimha (an avatar of Vishnu), Gopalakrishna, Srinivasa (manifestation of Vishnu), Hanuman, Garuda and the Alwar saints. Page 8 of 20 Shravanabelagola The Gommateshwara statue at Shravanabelagola is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Jainism, one that reached a peak in architectural and sculptural activity under the patronage of Western Ganga dynasty of Talakad. Chandragupta Maurya is said to have died here in 298 BCE after he became a Jain monk and assumed an ascetic life style. The 58-feet tall monolithic statue of Gommateshwara is located on Vindyagiri Hill. It is considered to be the world's largest monolithic statue. The base of the statue has an inscriptions in Prakrit i.e. Devanagari script, dating from 981 AD. The inscription praises the king who funded the effort and his general, Chavundaraya, who erected the statue for his mother. Every twelve years, thousands of devotees congregate here to perform the Mahamastakabhisheka, a spectacular ceremony in which the statue is anointed with Water, Turmeric, Rice flour, Sugar cane juice, Sandalwood paste, saffron, and gold and silver flowers. Jains refer the statue as "Bahubali". Dinner options Dinner at your choice of restaurant or at your hotel on direct payment basis. Overnight at hotel. BANGALORE - SHRAVANABELAGOLA - HASSAN (140KMS/ 3HRS Page 9 of 20 BANGALORE - SHRAVANABELAGOLA - HASSAN (140KMS/ 3HRS APPROX) Breakfast at hotel. Hassan & Belur Sightseeing Make a short trip to Belur (38kms). It was once the capital of the Hoysala Empire, today made unforgettable for its exquisite temples. The serenity of Belur is attributed to the celebrated temple of Chennakeshava Temple built by the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 A.D, one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. The main structure of the temple, which is star- shaped, is a homogeneous architectural unit on a raised platform. Everything is carved in black stone, looking like metal. Facing the temple, at the entrance, stands the winged figure of Garauda, Lord Vishnu’s carrier. The 650 charging elephants on the frieze around the walls outside are all different from each other. The exotic bracket figures on the walls of this temple are serene, playful and amorous, enhancing the overall effect of this pinnacle of architectural excellence. After visiting this temple move to Halebedu (17kms from Belur). The temples of Halebid bear mute testimony to the rich, cultural heritage of Karnataka. Visit the Hoysaleswara Temple, dating back to the 12th century, standing on platform like a casket, is a sculptural extravaganza, richly endowed with most finely detailed scroll work in stone. The walls of the temple are covered with an endless variety of gods and goddesses. Kedareshwara Temple a Hoysala era construction in the historically important town of Halebidu. The temple was constructed by Hoysala King Veera Ballala II (r. 1173–1220 A.D.) and his queen Ketaladevi, and the main deity is Ishwara (another name for the Hindu god Shiva). The temple is protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India. Page 10 of 20 Lunch during sightseeing Lunch during the tour at your choice of restaurant on direct payment basis. Our guide can suggest the restaurant of your choice meal and within your budget. Dinner options Dinner at your choice of restaurant or at your hotel on direct payment basis. Overnight at hotel. HASSAN - HOSPET/ HAMPI (330KMS/ 7HRS APPROX) Breakfast at hotel drive to Hampi check in at hotel. Lonch Optional Lunch at hotel after check in or at your choice restaurant during intercity drive. Driver can suggest the restaurant of your choice meal and within your budget. Rest time free and easy for personal activities relax. Overnight at hotel. Page 11 of 20 Dinner options Dinner at your choice of restaurant or at your hotel on direct payment basis.