Karnataka... the land of fragrance; fragrance of the spices and the fragrance of sandalwood, both which grow in abundance in Karnataka, has given the state the sobriquet of land of fragrance. Famous for its Vrindavan Gardens, the Shravana Belagola temple, the monuments of Hampi and Halebid, Karnataka is fast shifting form an ancient cultural heritage destination to become the Silicon Valley of India, with Bangalore its capital. The hills full of greenery and gushing waterfalls, the sea beaches with splashing water, the sanctuaries where elephants and tigers roam freely, the scent of spices and coffee at Coorg, the magnificent palaces and gardens built by the kings and the ancient monuments standing mute witness to the royal legacy, all with the essence of Carnatic music is what one finds while traveling to Karnataka. Bordering as many as five states the cuisine of Karnataka has a unique mixed flavour of its neighbouring regions in its culinary delights. The Kunda of Belgaum and the Bishibili Anna are the most palatable flavours of Karnataka.

Capital of the Southern state of Karnataka, Bangalore today is Asia's fastest growing cosmopolitan city. It is home to some of the most high tech industries in India. The I.T industry views Bangalore as the 'byte-basket' of India. Bangalore is also home to some of India's premier scientific establishments. Blessed with a salubrious climate, gardens & parks, natural lakes, architectural landmarks, shopping malls, the best restaurants and pubs in this part of the globe, business opportunities, Bangalore is the ideal gateway to India and beyond. Bangalore offers something for everyone-music and dance concerts (Western and Indian), dramas, exhibitions, carnivals, conferences and more.

530 kms to the north-west of Bangalore is the ancient town of Bijapur, the capital of the Adil Shahi dynasty. Bijapur is close to Belgaum - the gateway to Karnataka from Goa and Bombay. Bijapur has many places of Historical, Cultural and Architectural interest.

Aihole This Temple city is 110 kms away from Bijapur. It is famous as the 'Cradle of Indian Temple Architecture'. Aihole has over 125 temples all intricately carved and rich in detail. The oldest temple here is perhaps the 5th century Lad Khan Temple. The Durga (Fort) Temple has a semi-circular apse and a complete portico. The Hutchmalli Temple, the Ravalphadi Cave Temple, The Konti Temple Complex, The Uma Maheshwari Temple, The Jain Meguthi Temple and The Two-storeyed Buddhist Temple are the other attractions at Aihole.

Pattadakal Pattadakal has a distance of 134 kms from Bijapur. A world Heritage Center, it has 10 major temples representing early Chalukyan architecture. The biggest temple dedicated to Virupaksheshvara, has a huge gateway and several inscriptions. In front of the temple is a majestic 2.6 in high Nandi. The Mallikarjuna and Papanatha Temples, and the Jain Temple room the Papanatha Temples and the Jain Temple from the Rashtrakuta period are well worth visit.

About 120 kms from Bijapur. The capital of the early Chalukyas, Badami is picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills. It has four rocks - cut cave temples, the largest being the third cave dedicated to Vishnu. Overlooking the temples is a reservoir, its banks dotted with temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva. The Bhutanatha Temples and the Museum set up by the Archaeological Survey of India are the other attractions.

Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, owing to the ancient temples, forts and other monuments here. Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire around 1500 AD, and by some accounts, the second largest city in the world at that time. Over the next centuries it fell out of importance, and now there lie ruins of a lot of temples and other structures spread out over a vast area. Famous for its massive, beautifully carved temples, Hampi tells the stories of its existing structures. Many a visitor climb atop the Matangaparvata and get a glimpse of Hampi and its environs. The way the city was built with temples and bazaars is exemplary in itself. On the North banks of the river Tungabhadra is the first capital of the Vijayanagar Empire, Anegundi, the temples and stories abound, which will help one to get a better understanding of the local heritage.

Be Different this holiday. Break Away from the crowd. Venture into the unexplored Western Ghats. Head for Chikmagalur situated in the southwestern part of Karnataka. Carved against a mountainous canvas this beautiful malnad district is full of surprises.... lofty peaks... delightful dales... racing rivers.... sparkling streams.... captivating cascades... and the bracing mountain air - a balm to the work-weary.

Hassan district is famous for its magnificent Hoysala Temple Complex. The Chennakeshava temple here was completed in 1116 by Hoysala Vishnuvardhana to commemorate his victory over the Chola. It took 103 years to complete. The facade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures and freizes-with no portion left blank. Elephants, episodes from the epics, sensous dancers nothing was left uncarved. The Veeranarayana temple houses the shrines of Kappe Chenniga, Andal, Saumya Nayaki, and other deities.

Madikeri is a picturesque, charming town situated at an elevation of over 5,000 ft (1,525 m) above sea level. The cool bracing wind whips the hair about your face as you ramble along streets that dip and rise delightfully. Madikeri is the headquarters of Kodagu (formerly Coorg). Dubbed as the Scotland of India, Kodagu is home to the colorful, robust, martial race - the Kodavas. Said to be the descendents of the Greeks, the Kodavas are fiercely independent. They were never conquered by either Tipu Sultan or the British. And so to this day, all Kodavas retain the privilege of carrying firearms without a license. Kodagu is famous for the generals it has produced for the Indian Army. The women are known for their beauty. But what the Kodavas are really famous for is their hospitality. Madikeri is a great place to walk as winding lanes meander off the main street. Mountain trails promise visual delights. And the Tadiyendamol, the tallest peak in the area, stands patiently, waiting to be climbed.

Is a true picture of nature's bounty-landscapes dotted with waterfalls, swaying palms and lush paddy fields make for picturesque Shimoga, almost central on the Karnataka map is the rice bowl of the State. The rivers Tungabhadra, Sharavathi, Varada and Kumudavathi inundate the luxuriant greens of the region.Shimoga were ruled by the great Indian dynasties of the Kadambas, Gangas, Chalukyas, Rastrakutas, Keladi and Vijaynagar Kings. Shimoga (Face of Shiva) was established by the Keladi rulers. It reached its pinnacle during the rule of Shivappa Nayaka around 1600 A.D. The Sahyadri ranges, part of the Western Ghats, feed the rivers round the year, and inundate the fertile alluvial soil, this nature's blessing makes it the bread basket of Karnataka. The enchanting natural scenery of hills, hillocks and green dales, rivers and streams, dense forests, flora & fauna, forts, temples and historical places, sandalwood and spices, add to this mouth-watering cuisine and touching hospitality and you know you've got - HEAVEN ON EARTH.

Mysore, the imperial city, was the erstwhile capital of the Wodeyars. Also known as the city of Palaces, Mysore has never failed to mesmerize the tourists with its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad shady avenues and sacred temples. Mysore is the erstwhile capital of Wodeyars, the rulers of Mysore State. The Wodeyar family ruled Mysore since 14th century except for a short period of 40 years when Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan were the rulers. Mysore has emerged as a thriving market for exotic sandalwood & incense, the Mysore silk sarees and stone-carved sculptures. Mysore is certainly a charming, old-fashioned and undoubting town outskirts of Mysore, Srirangapatnam still harbours architectural gems from the days of the great Indian hero, Tipu Sultan, and the magnificent Hoysala temple of Somnathpur lies little more than an hour's drive away.

Approximately 60 kms. From Mangalore is the Vaishnavite pilgrimage town of Udupi. This was the sanctum of Madhavacharya, the great Sanskrit philosopher. It is as much renowned for its chefs, cuisine and restaurants as it is for its Krishna Temple and various mutts. The main attraction at this temple is the ‘Kanakana Kindi’ - a small window through which Krishna is believed to have given darshan to his ardent devotee, Kanakadasa, a saint-minstrel. The colourful Paryaya festival, when officiating priests hand over their responsibilities to other pontiffs beckons thousands of devotees from all over the country every alternate year.

Karwar makes a good starting point, for the voyage of discovering the thrills of the sea, sand and sun. Karwar's idyllic beauty inspired the great Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore, to pen down his first play. Other attractions of Karwar include the Sadashivgad Hill fort with a Durga temple, the unique Octagonal Church, and the 300 year old Venkataramana Temple, that houses some fine ochre paintings. For wildlife lovers, the Dandeli Game Park is just 157 km away.

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary Undulating streams, whispering bamboo, diverse wildlife, and innumerable trekking trails make Dandeli a dream destination. River Kali and its tributaries, Kaneri and Nagajhari, meander through the moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests. The Dandeli forests also play host to the graceful Virnoli Rapids, the magnificent Supa Dam, the sinister Syntheri Rocks, Nagajhari Viewpoint, the Kulgi Nature Education Camp, the Kavla Caves with their Shivling-like stalagmites, and Sykes Point which offers a stunning view of the Kalinadi Valley.

Nestled amidst the Karapur Forest lies a pristine piece of land that abounds with nature. Beckoning you to explore it for a wild and exciting holiday. Kabini, a scenic delight was once the hunting lodge of the erstwhile Mysore Maharajahs. The steep valleys with rich forests, spectacular pools and rapids provide an ideal opportunity to revive your adventurous spirits. A view from the Kabini River Lodge proves to be absolutely breathtaking. Patches of bright blue pools hidden between the trees, the sun peeping through the thick forest and animals roaming free. Breathe in the refreshing air, whistle With the wind and carry home timeless memories. Elephants playing catch, Leopards on the prowl, Antelopes jumping across the bushes, or maybe even a tigress with her cubs. These are indeed pictures that you'll treasure for a lifetime. And no one can offer it better than Kabini.