Karnataka

Situated on the western coast of South India, Karnataka offers a rich and varied fare to the tourist. Age-old monuments lie scattered throughout the state making it a paradise for the cultural tourist, while the garden city of Bangalore, and Mysore- the capital of the erstwhile Maharajas- wildlife sanctuaries, and the magnificent scenic beauty of Sivasamudram, Kemmangundi and Mercara provide enough variety to make the state a truly fascinating and rewarding destination.

The history of Karnataka comes vividly into focus starting with the reign of Chandragupta Maurya (321-297 B.C.) who is said to have spent his last years at Sravanabelagola. Stone edicts marking his grandson Emperor Ashoka’s Buddhist beliefs can be seen at Raichur and Chitradurga. The Satavahanas too, after the Mauryas, set up Buddhist stupas and viharas during the 1st Century B.C.

Later the colossal statue of Lord Gomateshvara and the Jain temple were built around the 4th century A. D.The Hoysalas who ruled between the 11th and the 14th centuries were architectural masters and are famous for what might be called their architectural gems at Somnathpur, Belur and Halebid. The Vijayanagar empire with its capital at Hampi was founded in 1336. It has also left its mark in the embellishment of older temples and the building of new ones. Striding through history came Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan who ruled the erstwhile state of Mysore from Srirangapatnam until the return of the Wodeyar dynasty that steered Karnataka into the 20th century.

Important tourist places in Karnataka :

Bangalore, Mysore, Aihole, Hassan, Badami, Hampi, Bijapur, Mangalore, Bandipur, Belur, Halebid, Sarvana, Coorg, Somnathpur, Srirangapatnam.

For further information Please contact: The Director Tourism, Government of Karnataka, 1st Floor, F-Block Cauvery Bhawan, Kempegowda Road, Bangalore 560001 or The Manager, Karnataka Tourist Bureau, C-4, State Emporia Building, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi 110001.

Interesting Circuits

While in Karnataka, you can follow a number of attractive circuits, namely, (1) Northern Circuit covering Belgaum, Lakkundi, Hospet, Hampi, Pattadakal, Badami, Aihole, Hungund, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Humnabad, Bidar and Basavakalyana.

(2) Wildlife Circuit covering Nagarhole National Park, Kabini River Lodge, Bandipur, Ranganthittu, Bhimeshwari, Shivanasamudra, Biligiri Rangana Hills and Bangalore.

(3) Southern Circuit covering Bangalore, Maddur, Ranganthittu, Somnathpur, Bheemeshwari, Mysore, Hassan, Shravanabelagola, Belur and Halebid.

(4) Coastal Circuit covering Dandeli, Karwar, Gokarna, Sirsi, Murudeshwar, Jog Falls, Maravanthe, Kollur, Agumbe, Udupi, Moodabidri and Mangalore.

(5) Hill Resorts Circuit covering Kemmannagundi, Kudremukh, Madikeri, Biligiri Rangana Hills and Nandi Hills.

The Jain Trail

It is believed that jainism has flourished in Karnataka for over 2000 years as a vital and powerful force. In the 3rd century BC the Mauryan Emperor Chandragupta came here with his preceptor Bhadrabahu and twelve thousand other Jain sages, and settled down in shravanabelagola, performing austerities. jainism is believed to have been practised here even before that.

For centuries jainism was the state religion and has thus held a prominent position in Karnataka. It received royal patronage, and many temples and monuments have been dedicated to it.

Some of the important places of jain pilgrimage are Shravanabelagola, Dharmasthala, Karkala, Moodabidri, Narasimharajapura, Venoor, and Humcha.

Sravanabelagola has a 58.6 feet tall Gommateshwara statue built by Chavundaraya and carved from a huge rock at the peak of Indragiri Hill, by sculptor Aristenemi in 981 AD. Mahamastakabhishekha or the Head Annointing Ceremony is performed on this statue once in 12-14 years.

Dharmasthala - 75 km from Mangalore has a 39 feet tall statue of Gommateshwara, carved out of granite near Karkala. It look five years (1968-1973) by sculptor Ranyal Gopal Shenoy to complete it .

Humcha also known as Hombacha, Pomburchchha, etc in old inscriptions -- and which means 'a golden bit' -- is situated in the foothills of Bileshvara hill. It is famous for the centuries old Jaina Matha belonging to the Nandi Sangha of Sri Kunda - Kundanasaya which has spacious buildings, the parshvantha Temple, Padmavathi temple, Mathada Basadi, Bogara Basadi and Jattingaraya Basadi. There is also another Jaina temple of the 10th or 11th century built in the Chalukyan style. Nearby is a Basadi dedicated to Bahubali, an inscription on which indicates that it was built by Vikramaditya Santaru in 898 AD.

Karkala, about 52 km from Mangalore has the giant 42 feet tall statue of Gommata installed in 1432 AD. Karkala also has a Basadi of 1586, with life size statues of three Thirthankaras, and smaller images of 24 thirthankaras and Padmavathi Hillock.

Moodabidri - Just about 35 km from Mangalore, Moodabiddri is known as the Jaina Kashi of the South. It is famous for its 18 Basadis dedicated to Thirthankaras.

Venoor, situated about 70 km from Mangalore, was once a flourishing town. It is now famous for the 38 feet tall Gommata Statue and some Basadis. The statue was set up in 1604 AD.

Narasimharjapura is situated about 88 km from Chikamagalur town, and the nearby place of Singanagadde has three Basadis and one Jain Matha.