Karnataka Sightseeing, Quick Facts, History, Packages, Tours & Excursions

Karnataka is one of the four southern states of India. Bordered by the Arabian Sea on the west, it is surrounded by Goa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The state has three main regions: the coastal plains abutting the sea; the Western Ghats running parallel to the coastline; and the inland plains of the Deccan Plateau. One of the most industrialised states in India, Karnataka also produces 90% of India's gold, almost 60% of its coffee and a significant amount of raw silk and sandalwood products.

Bangalore (now called Bengaluru) in southeast Karnataka is the capital as well as the biggest city. Bangalore has more than 50% of software companies in the country based in it and is called the Silicon Valley of India. It is also famous for its pubs and gardens and has a pleasant climate through the year. South of Bangalore is the city of Mysore, the erstwhile capital of the Wodeyar kings. The festival of Dussehra, with caparisoned-elephant processions being its main attraction, is celebrated in October-November.

At Hampi in central Karnataka, are the ruins of the capital of one of South India's largest historical empires the Vijaynagar Empire (14^th-16^th century); the 16^th-cenury Vittala Temple is a World Heritage site. The towns of Belur and Halebid are in the south, famous for their 12^th-century temples built by the Hoysala dynasty. Sravanbelgola is also in south Karnataka and is host to probably the world's tallest monolithic statue a 17-m high image of a Jain deity built in the 10^th century. The village of Badami in the north is famous for its ancient cave temples built between the 6^th and 8^th centuries.

Madikeri is the main town of the hilly tracts of southwestern Karnataka called the Kodagu (Coorg) region. The area has a number of spice and coffee plantations and is good for trekking. Popular spots here are the Jog Falls and Kudremukh. Further south are the Bandipur and Nagarhole National Parks.

The western coastline of the state along the Arabian Sea has a number of beach towns including Mangalore, Karwar, Gokarna, Malpe and Marwanthe.