Karnataka is packed with fascinating places and historic sites. Bangalore considers itself the Silicon Valley of India, and Mysore are worth exploring. Mysore, in contrast, is an elegant old royal town. It’s a small-scale, tropical in appearance and has India’s finest zoo.
Explore the abandoned city of Hampi. It’s the single most rewarding destination in the state. And the 11 th and 12th century temples at Belur and Halebid, which, between them, hold more than 30000 intricately carved sculptures. Spend a day or two exploring coffee plantations in Coorg and Chikkamagalur and the jungle safari in Nagarhole National Park, home to elephants and tigers. From UNESCO heritage sites and coffee plantations in the Western Ghats to historic forts and coastal towns, Karnataka offers a rich blend of culture, nature and adventure. Experience Karnataka’s best Historic and World Heritage Sites with Souvenir Travel.
Echoes of an Empire (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
The Group of Monuments at Hampi are the remnants of the last capital of the massive Vijayanagar Empire, showcasing a civilisation that has all but faded from memory. Acclaimed for its plethora of awe-inspiring Dravidian temples, an array of royal palaces, market complexes, shrines, hill monuments, waterworks, elephant stables, community kitchens and fountains, mosque and tomb, Hampi exemplifies the artistic and architectural excellence of that last great Hindu kingdom. The second largest medieval era city after Beijing, the city was pillaged, looted and burnt for six months after the 1565 conquest by the Deccan Muslim Confederacy. This grandiose archaeological marvel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the ruins remain a testament to the city’s historical, cultural, and spiritual significance, drawing scholars and visitors from around the world.
(Pattadakal – UNESCO World Heritage Site)
The Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, the seat of coronation of the Chalukyan Kings and called “the City of the Crown Rubies”, illustrates the culmination of an eclectic art that achieved a harmonious bled of architectural forms, the Rekha-Nagara-Prasad from the north and the Dravid Vimana style from the south of India. This Group presents an impressive series of nine Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, as well as a Jain temple of the Rashtrakuta period. The largest and most sophisticated, the Virupaksha Temple along with its Nandi Mandap is an active worship site. The ornate Papanatha Temple is yet another impressive piece of architecture, with delicately chiseled ceilings and a 16 pillared main hall. The Trillokeshwara temple is distinct for its new architectural styles, applying different workmanship and details into Chalukya architecture. The Group of Monuments at Pattadakal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Badami is ringed by sandstone cliffs in which the Chalukya kings carved temples. The paintings and carvings are of early deities and architecture, of deities living in the rock. Close by, Aihole, "the cradle of Indian architecture," also has more than a hundred temples that show the development of the Dravidian and Nagara styles. Explore UNESCO World Heritage and other Historic Sites
The Hoysala Masterpieces
Once flourishing cities of the 12th-century Hoysala dynasty, Belur and Halebid hold some of the finest examples of stone carving in South India, called "the signs of a very confident Hindu culture" by writer V.S. Naipaul. Hassan, an otherwise unexceptional town, is the gateway to the temples at Belur and Halebid. Every panel, pillar, and cornice seems alive, warriors mid-battle, dancers mid-spin, celestial beings mid-blessing.
At Belur, the Chennakeshava Temple, still a functioning temple dedicated to Vishnuincranate, stands almost as pristine as it did it was completed in 1119. Carved of soapstone, the temple is shaped like a star to allow maximum surface area for carving: Halebid: Dedicated to Shiva, the Hoyaleswara Temple is mesmerised with its detailed friezes, stories from epics rendered in perfect symmetry.
Rajasthan, the "Land of Kings", is a realm where the walls tell a story and myth is written into the buildings.
.jpg)
Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is a delightful mixture of modernity and folk tradition. With its towering forts and impressive city Palace,
.jpg)
Udaipur is Rajasthan’s most congenial and Romantic city with its gentle light, shimmering lakes and beautiful restored palaces.
Jaisalmer is built of fragile, golden sandstone, often exquisitely carved. It has stood isolated in the Thar Desert since its founding by Rawal Jaisal in 1156.
.jpg)
Jodhpur is known as the Blue City for its azure-painted houses, especially impressive when viewed from the ramparts of the Mehrangarh Fort. Explore Jodhpur with our experienced and knowledgeable tour guide by joining our Luxury Rajasthan Tour.
.jpg)
Chittorgarh Fort is the largest fort in India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spread across a vast hilltop plateau, the fort tells legendary stories of courage, sacrifice and heroic battles fought by Rajput rulers. Chittorgarh Fort: Inside the fort complex, visitors can explore palaces, temples and historic towers such as the magnificent Vijay Stambh and Kirti Stambh.
.jpg)