Best Time to Visit- October to April
Karnataka, endowed with natural abundance, draws a vast number of tourists annually. There are many mesmerizing hill stations in Karnataka, including Coorg, Nandi Hills, and Chikmagalur. Folks in quest of stunning beaches admire its picturesque coastal locations such as the immensely popular Blue Lagoon Beach and Karwar Ladies Beach, scattered with Casuarina trees. Coorg is India’s largest producer of coffee. It is also one of the highest-rainfall locations in India.
The key attractions in Coorg include places such as Raja’s Seat, Abbey Falls, Iruppu Falls, Omkareshwara Temple, Bylakuppe, Talacauvery, and Dubare. Karnataka is indeed a world in itself, from beautiful landscapes to a rich history and culture, tranquil coastline, and delicious cuisine!
Karnataka is a delight for heritage lovers. It hosts the UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Hampi and Pattadakal, which are suitable for heritage tours. According to historical records, in 1500 AD, Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagar empire and is believed to have been the second-largest city in the world. It dropped out of significance during the next decades, and now you can experience the ruins of many temples and other structures spread over a vast area.
Located on the banks of the River Tungabhadra, the land around Hampi is as enigmatic as the ruins themselves-the city is surrounded by boulders of various sizes, and with a little effort, you can climb to the top of them to get a beautiful view of the whole city and the geography.
Two remarkable legacies that have attracted pilgrims to Karnataka for years are the Gommatesvara statue at Shravanabelagola and Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur. Gokarna is a Hindu pilgrimage city in Karnataka, with its beautiful sandy beaches and stunning scenery, and a newly discovered center for beach lovers and hippies. Located on the Karwar coast, Gokarna welcomes swarms of visitors from all over the world in search of sanctity and recreation.
Mysore, the former capital of the Mysore Maharajas, also known as the ‘City of Palaces’ is a popular destination in Karnataka and one of the must-see places to visit. The heritage city attracts thousands of visitors all year round, with its spectacular royal heritage, intricate Indo-Saracenic architecture, its renowned silk sarees, yoga, and sandalwood.
There are also 21 wildlife sanctuaries and 5 national parks in this area, including Mysore’s renowned Bandipur National Park. The thick, green forests occupy nearly 20 percent of Karnataka. Tigers, elephants, leopards, deer, snakes, peacocks, and many other animal and bird species occupy these forests. In fact, 25 percent of India’s elephant population can be found in Karnataka. The rich biodiversity of the state has made it the perfect place for making documentaries on wildlife.
The cuisine of Karnataka takes influence from its neighbors such as Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. The flavors vary from region to region. Mangalore and Uttara Canara are known for tangy seafood.
Compared to other parts of Karnataka, the North Karnataka taste palette is spicier. Some staples food grains of the region are ragi, rice, jower, urad dal, and semolina. Palm jaggery is an important ingredient in Karnataka cuisine. Like other South Indian states, traditional meals are usually served on a banana leaf.
Karnataka is also known for its software industry, Carnatic music, and the thrilling festivals that make it one of the most coveted states in India, besides its awe-inspiring stunning geographical features, magnificent architecture, and pilgrimage centers.
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