KARNATAKA HISTORICAL PLACES

         HISTORICAL PLACES IN KARNATAKA

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Badami

Tank at Badami

Badami has a set of four elaborately carved 'cave temples' and one natural Buddhist temple. The caves are located half way up a low hill and can be approached by stairs. Between the second and the third caves there are stairs that go up to the top of the hill, where there are some fortifications from the Chalukya era. The third cave contains almost 3-metre high sculptures.
The caves overlook the ancient Agatsyateerth pond, built sometime in the 5th century. Just behind the archaeological museum, there is a long stairway that leads to the fortification on the top of the hill. Most people who come to Badami do not venture this way, this is the best thing about the place. There are a couple of Chalukya temples on the top covered with intricate carvings. On the northern side of the pond is a group of Shiva temples, called the Bhoothnath temples.

Badami Caves
Location : Badami, Karnataka Depicting : Various Mythological Characters Known For : Cave Temples

Badami town is best known for its beautiful cave temple, cut into the cliff face of a red sandstone hill. They display the full range of religious sects which have developed in India. Two of them are dedicated to Vishnu, one to Shiva and the fourth is a Jain temple. There's also one natural cave which is a Buddhist temple.
The caves found here are as Follows : Cave 1 :
The first cave made of red sandstone, dates back to 578 A.D. and was probably the first to be carved. One has to climb up 40 odd steps to reach the colonnaded verandah, a hall with numerous pillars and a square shaped sanctum hollowed in the control back wall.
Column shafts are masterfully crafted. On the ceiling one can see the paintings of amorous couples. Shiva and his consort Parvati, and a coiled serpent. The 18-armed lord Nataraja can be seen in 81 dancing poses.

Cave 2 :
Dedicated to lord Vishnu depicted here as a dwarf or 'Trivikrama' of awesome dimensions with one foot mastering the Earth and the other the sky, the second cave is atop a sandstone hill.
Vishnu here is depicted as a dwarf or. Another form of Vishnu portrayed here is as 'Varaha' or as a boar. Then there is a frieze endearingly depicting Vishnu as Lord Krishna.
Cave 3 :
Still going higher up one comes across this cave antedating 578 A.D. The facade of the cave is nearly 70 feet wide, on the plinth one can see the carvings of ganas. The sheer artistry and sculptural genius makes this cave the highlight of Deccan art. It gives a virtual insight into the art and culture of the 6th century like costumes, jewelry hairstyle lifestyle etc. The other attractions to be looked carefully in this cave are the high relief of Vishnu with a serpent, Vishnu as Narasimha (Vishnu as Man-Lion) Varaha, Harihara (Shiva Vishnu) and Vishnu as Trivikrama.

Cave 4 :
The only Jain cave, the construction of Cave four started in the 6th century and completed after nearly 100 years later then the earlier three caves. Here one can see the carvings of the Tirthankara Parshavnatha with a serpent at his feet; Mahavira in a sitting posture also can be seen in the shrine.           

Aihole

Durga temple at Aihole

There are more than a 100 temples in the village dating from the 6th to the 12th centuries. Of these around 30 temples are within an enclosed area and the others are spread all over the village.
Aihole was the first capital of the early Chalukyas and is a veritable treasure trove of ancient temples. Actually quite similar to Hampi, only much more ancient and much less publicized.
The most famous of the temples is the photogenic Durga temple within the enclosed complex, lying in the midst of lush green lawns. The temple is apsidal in plan, topped by a curvilinear shikhara. A pillared corridor runs around the temple. The pillars are beautifully carved with sculptures depicting incidents from the Ramayana. Another notable temple is the Lad Khan Temple, also within the compound. The temple has beautifully carved pillars and is named after a Muslim saint who lived here sometime in the late 19th century. There are several other smaller shrines and a small museum within the same complex.
The Revalphadi Cave, dedicated to Shiva, is remarkable for its delicate details.
Not to be missed is the Konthi Temple Complex (Kwanthi Gudi), the Uma Maheswari Temple with a beautifully carved Brahma seated on a lotus, the austere Jain Meguti Temple and the two storeyed Buddhist Temple.

Mahakuta

Mahakuta, once a great center of shaiva cult, Mahakuta is a beautiful place surrounded by hills. The Mahakuteshwara temple dedicated to Shiva, is built in the Dravidian style.
Naganath Temple, located in a forest on the way to Mahakuta, it is one of the early Chalukyan temples dedicated to Shiva.

Banashankari

The temple is dedicated to Banashankari or Shakambari (a form of Parvati) is located at Cholachagud popularly called Banashankari. A famous fair and festival is held here in January - February.

Belagavi

Kamala basadi Belagavi

Belagavi (also called as Belgaum) earlier known as Venugrama (Bamboo Village) is one of the oldest, strong, prominent and well cultured historical place nestling high in the Western Ghats. The old town area with cotton and silk weavers stands gloriously besides the modern, bustling, tree-lined British Cantonment.
Belgaum is the District Head Quarters and was also Divisional Headquarters till recently, on the Bangalore-Pune National Highway. It was the capital of the Rattas who shifted to this place from Saundatti during the close of 12th century A.D. The place has a fort inside which built by one Ratta Officer called Bichirajain 1204 A.D. exhibits the execution of a totally refined style of temple architecture. It has excellently and artistically carved Kamala Basadi having huge protruding lotus petals of stone (Kamala) in its ceiling and this beautiful structure in Chalukya style houses Neminatha Teerthankara image. The place came under the Sevunas (Yadavas) and Vijayanagara and later conquered by Mahamood Gawan in 1474 on behalf of the Bahamanis. The fort was strengthened by the Adilshahis and there is an excellent structure, Safa Mosque with three entrances, has rich floral and impressive calligraphic designs. Two of its pillars have Kannada Inscriptions in Nagari Scripts, one of 1199 of Ratta King Kartaveerya IV and another of 1261 is of Seuna (Yadava) Krishna.

Due to its proximity to the states of Maharashtra and Goa, Belgaum has acquired the cultural flavour of these states and blended it with the local Kannada culture to create a rich heritage, which is unique in its manifestation. It is also known as Malenadu or Rain Country and the vegetation here is verdant green throughout the year.
This city is famous for Belgaum Kunda.

Belgaum Fort

Location : Belgaum, Karnataka
Unique Feature : One Of The Oldest Monuments Of Karnataka
Built By : Jai Raya
Built In : 13th Century

THE HISTORIC FORT
Belgaum Fort, one of the oldest monuments of Karnataka is situated in the mid of Belgaum. Jai Raya, an ally of the Ratta Dynasty, built the 13th century inventive structure built of stone-and-mud.

Yakub Ali Khan of the Bijapur Sultanate who took ownership of the fort & built its huge walls, bastions, battlements & the parapets rebuilt this fortress surrounded by a deep moat.

This fascinating monument, where mosques & temples co-exist, has a proud history, under the Rattas, Vijayanagar emperors, Bijapur Sultans, Marathas & finally the British.

Mahatma Gandhi was imprisoned here during the British rule. Most of the monuments around the fort were built in the beginning of the 13th century.

The Shrines, The Mosques And The Bastis
At the entrance are two shrines, one devoted to Shri Ganapathi and an additional to goddess Durga. Inside the Fort are two 'bastis' built in the Late Chalukyan style. Of these, the more well-known is the Kamala Basti, built in 1204 AD.

To its right is a Jain Temple, now in ruins. The Safa Masjid is one of the two mosques inside the fort it is the main attraction of the fort and also the best mosque in the whole city.

The staircase and wooden doors are replete with exquisite carvings. Two of the circular pillars in the Jamia Hall are said to be from old temples.

The sense of the past is all pervading here. Some of the pillars have Kannada inscriptions in the Nagari script while others have beautiful Persian script forming exquisite calligraphic decorations.

Within the walls of the fort are two bastis in the late Chalukyan style. In the Kamala Basti, the Neminatha idol in black stone should not be missed. The masterpiece here is the Mukhmantapa with a well-executed lotus on its ceiling. 

Bellary

Bellary is a district headquarters. It has spread round two rocky hills, and one of them called Balahari Betta has a temple. The Bellary Fort built round the hill in Vijayanagara times is still intact. It passed into the hands of Bijapur, Marathas, and Haider. After the fall of Tipu, the town was ceded to the British . The Durgamma (Ballaramma) temple here has the deity represented by the heap of earth. The place has two large mosques. A Government Medical College was founded here in 1961 Bellary now has grown as a great centre of apparel manufacturing.

Bidar

Arabic University Mahmud Gawan, Bidar

Bidar, the District headquarters, described as Viduranagara, a place of Mahabharatha times. It must have existed as a minor but powerful fort during the days of Kalyani Chalukyas (AD 1074- AD 1190). In A.D.1322, Prince Ulugh Khan captured the town of Bidar. Subsequently, it was annexed by Sultan Muhammad-bin- Tughlaq of Delhi. With the establishment of the Bahmani dyanasty (AD 1347), Bidar was occupied by Sultan Alla-Ud-Din Bahman Shah Bahmani. During the rule of Ahmad Shah I (1422-1486 AD), Bidar was made the capital city of Bahmani Kingdom.
The Bahmani Shahi rulers made it their capital, in c, 1426 and fortified it. It is still intact. Inside it are the Solha Kamb mosque (1423) and palaces like Takht Mahal, Chini Mahal and Rangeen Mahal; some of them are highly decorated with mosaic and wood work etc. The fort has magnificent doorways and massive bastions. Gawan’s Madrasa in the town is a gorgeous imposing building of Indo-Saracenic style. After the decline of Bahamanis, the Barid-Shahis ruled over Bidar and it was taken over by the Bijapur rulers in 1619. Astur near Bidar has tombs of Bahmani Sultans which are tall structures, and one of them has paintings. The Gurudwara at Bidar is built at Nanak Zhira, which is described as a fountain created by Guru Nanak during his visit.
Bidar boasts of several religious centers: The famous Nanak Jheera - the largest Sikh temple at least in Karnataka, carries the tale that Guru Nanak - the first guru of the Sikhs visited this place and got rid of the scarcity of drinking water in the region. A popular spot is the Sikh temple, Guru Nanak Jheera, where fresh crystal clear spring water appears from nowhere. Papanaash is a temple of Lord Shiva. The historical fort of Bidar was a stronghold of the Bahamani Kings in the 14th and 15th centuries. The fort is surrounded by three miles of walls with 37 bastions, most of them surmounted with cannons. The fort now lies in ruins.
Bidar is famous for Bidriware

Bidar Fort

Location : Bidar, Karnataka Originally Built By : Bahamani Sultan Ahmad Shah Wali Built In : 1429 AD Renovated By : Barid Shahi Sultans

It is 110 km north-west of Hyderabad, 40 km north-east of Gulbarga. Described by historian Simon Digby as a sensational stone fort built on a natural bluff rising from the plain. Bidar was the capital of the Bahmani kingdom from 1428 to 1489.

It was besieged by Aurangazeb in 1656 and remained under a sequence of Mughal governors until 1724 when it was swallowed up by the Nizams.The tombs on the plains outside the town are magnificient. The inner fort, mostly built by Mohammad Shah (1482-1518), is entered through a massive double gateway.

Beyond lies a complete fort. Inside the entrance on the left is the Rangin Mahal whose rooms are exquisitely bedecked with colored tiles, inlaid with mother of pearl.

HOW TO GET THERE  :
This place is accessible by Rail and Road.          

Gulbarga

Gulbarga and the area around it was a part of the ancient dynasty Badami Chalukyas In the early part of the 14th century, it became the part of the Delhi Sultanate. It was captured by Ulugh Khan, one of the generals belonging to the Tughlaq dynasty of Delhi Sultanate, and later captured by Mohammed bin Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi. It remained a part of the Delhi Sultanate until the death of Mohammed bin Tughlaq. Later it became a part of the Bahamani kingdom. The Bahamani kings made it their capital from 1347 to 1428. In the 17th century.

Bijapur

Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur, North Karnataka

Bijapur, the district headquarters, is one of the most important centres of Indo-Saracenic art, being the capital of the Adil Shahis of Bijapur (1489–1686). The place is mentioned as Vijayapura in as inscription of 12th Century A.D. The Gol Gumbaz here has the biggest dome in India. It is the 'second largest dome' in the world after St Peters Basilica in Rome.^{[citation needed]} 126 feet (38 m) in diameter at its base and is the Mausoleum of Mohammed Adilshah (1626–56). It has an astonishing whispering gallery and it covers an area of 15,000 square feet (1,400 m²). Ibrahim Rauza is a marvelous mausoleum of Ibrahim II (1580–1626) which stands on a platform supported by rows of arches, and at one end is the mosque and at the other the tomb. Henry Cousens called this, the Tajmahal of the South. Anand Mahal, Gagan Mahal, Asar Mahal etc. are the other important monuments of this place. Jama Masjid mosque has one of the largest remains Adil Shahi's Dynasty.

Afzal Khan's Cenotaph
Location : Bijapur, Karnataka Built By : Afzal Khan Nearby Attraction : The Sixty-Four Graves
Situated in Bijapur is the marvellous cenotaph of Afzal Khan. It is supposed that Afzal Khan started the construction of his own tomb in his lifetime.

But eventually he could not be obscured there. Close by, on a large  masonry platform are eleven rows of graves adding upto sixty-four, where his wives lay buried.

Near the graves is an old well in which they are said to have met their tragic end. One of his wives, however, managed to escape and hence there is one empty grave.HOW TO GET THERE 

The nearest airport is Belgaum, 205 kms away. 

Bijapur is well connected by road and rail to Bangalore , Belgaum and Goa . Conducted tours as also local

Anand Mahal

Location : Bijapur, Karnataka
Built In : 1589 AD
Built By : Adil Shah

Ananda Mahal or 'Palace Of Delights' was built by Adil Shah in 1589 AD. The two storeyed building which once housed the ladies of the palace has in its precincts today, a gymkhana club, an examination bungalow, several offices and the residential quarters of the assistant commissioner.
Like all monu

Dharwad

Dharwad, a district headquarters on the Pune-Bangalore Road, is the cultural headquarters of North Karnataka. Mentioned as Dharawada in a record of the 12th century of the Kalyani Chalukyas, the place came under the Seunas, Vijayanagara, Bijapur, Mughals, Marathas, and Haider and Tipu. The Vijayanagara rulers built a fort here which was strengthened by Bijapur rulers. Its door-frame alone remains now.
Now a part of Hubli-Dharwad Corporation, Dharwad became the district headquarters when it came under the British from the Marathas in 1818, and grew to be a centre of learning due to the English School opened in 1848, high school opened by the Basel Mission in 1868 and the Training College was initiated in 1867 which became the centre of Kannada Movement. The Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha (1890) sowed the seeds of Kannada Renaissance.
The Durgadevi temple near the fort is renovated now and the Someshwara on Kalghatgi Road has a Chalukyan temple and a tank. The Mailara Linga temple at Vidyagiri is a Kalyani Chalukyas monument converted into a mosque by Bijapur army but again changed as a temple by the Peshwas. The place has many temples like Venkataramana, Nandikola Basavanna, Dattatreya, Ulavi Basavanna etc. The Murugha Matha is a centre of religious activity. The All saint's church is one of the historical places in Dharwad. It was built in 1888 by the British, and Rt. Rev. W. V. Carl was the first presbyter,
Dharwad is famous for Dharwad Peda.

Basavana Bagewadi

Basavana Bagewadi in Bijapur District. is 43 km. to the east of Bijapur and is a Taluk headquarters where Sharana Basaveshwara was born (12th Century). It was an agrahara. Basaveshwara was the son of the head of this institution. The main temple here the Basaveshwara, is of Chalukyan style, but called as Sangamanatha in records. The Samadhis of Siddharameshwara and Gurupadeshwara of the Inchageri school of spiritual pursuit are seen here. A spot here identified as Basava’s ancestral house is declared as protected zone by the Trust.

Gadag-Betgeri

Sarasvati Temple in Gadag

Gadag-Betgeri (Kaldugu is the old name for Gadag and Battakere ("Round Tank") for Betgeri) is a twin city, It is a centre of Kalyani Chalukyas art with the large Trikuteshwara temple, originally Rashtrakuta, later expanded by the Kalyani Chalukyas into a vast complex, and it has Trikuteshwara temple complex triple shrines once housing Shiva, Brahma and Surya. The Saraswati temple in its precinct has the finest shining decorative pillars, is the finest examples of Chalukya Art.
The place has the Someshwara and Rameshwara temples of the Chalukyan style, it is also known for its religious harmony. The Veeranarayana temple of Chalukya times, completely renovated in Vijayanagara times including the image of Narayana. The great Kannada poet Kumaravyasa composed his famous "Karnataka Bharatha Kathamanjari" when staying in this temple.
Gadag has a mosque from the time of Adil Shahi. There is also a Church of the Basel Mission (Now C.S.I.). Betageri has many artistic herostones, some dating back to the 9th-10th centuries. Gadag-Betageri is famous for the weaving industry and, of late, Gadag has excelled in printing.

Mahadeva Temple Itagi

Mahadeva Temple (Itagi) in Koppal district, Karnataka

The Mahadeva temple at Itagi (Ittagi) is about 7 km from Kuknur in Yalburga Taluka in the Koppal District. The temple is one of the temples built by the Chalukyas and is known as the "Emperor among temples".

Lakkundi

Jain temple at Lakkundi, near Gadag, (Western Chalukya monuments), North Karnataka, India

• Kasivisvesvara temple, Lakkundi.
• Brahma Jinalaya (Basadi)

Lakkundi^[1] was a place of prominence during the ninth and 14th centuries and it came under the rule of kings Chalukya, Yadava and Hoysala. It was the capital of Hoysala king Ballala II (Veeraballala) in 1192 A.D.
Lakkundi (Known as Lokkigundi) is situated at 12 km from Gadag, was once famous for its rich cultural heritage. Lakkundi finds mention in the inscriptions dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries. In these inscriptions Lokkigundi has been compared to Amaravati^{[disambiguation needed]}, the capital of Lord Indra in terms of wealth.

Haveri

Siddhesvara Temple at Haveri

The Siddhesvara Temple at Haveri in the Haveri District
Siddhesvara Temple at Haveri, a staggered square plan with dravida articulation and superstructure, 11th century CE

Annigeri

Amrtesvara Temple in Annigeri

The Amrtesvara Temple at Annigeri in the Dharwad District
Amrtesvara Temple in Annigeri was built in the Dharwad district in 1050 CE with dravida articulation. This was the first temple made of soapstone

Dambal

Dodda Basappa Temple at Dambal

The Doddabasappa Temple at Dambal in the Gadag District
Dambal or Dhammavolal now in Gadag dt. is 21 km from Gadag. It is also known as Dharmapolalu in ancient inscriptions. It was a Buddhist Centre too. The Doddabasappa and the Someshwara are the two notable Chalukya temples here and the Doddabasappa has multigonal star-shaped garbhagriha. With fine sculptural representations and a huge Nandi image. The Someshwara could have been an old basadi. In the old ruined fort, there is a huge Ganapati image in a small shrine. The town has a 400 year old vast tank. There is the Thontada Siddhalingeswara Matha at the place.
Dodda Basappa Temple at Dambal, a unique 24-pointed, uninterrupted stellate (star-shaped), 7-tiered

Bahamani Tombs

Location : Ashtur, Karnataka
Belongs To : Bahamani Kings
Number of Tombs : Eight

The Bahamani Tombs are situated at Ashtur in Bidar, accessible by a road opposite the general hospital and through the Dulhan Gateway leads to the eight Bahamani tombs at Ashtur.

The interior has well-preserved paintings. On the outside are high-quality carvings in granite with the walls decorations are in gold and various other colours and are a good example of medieval Muslim art.

Tomb of Ahmed Shah-al-Wali Bahamani
Ahmad Shah, a liberal ruler was the ninth king and ruled for 13 years. The tallness of the tomb is 107' and 9" and it is built on a square plan, each side measuring 77' and 1'. The artistic device of giving a white outline to make subjects more prominent has been employed here.

Most of the inscriptions are texts of Sufi doctrines and the workmanship is of Persian artisans. Tomb of Sultana Ahmed Shah's wife is much smaller. Traces of paintings are just visible. Tomb of Ahmed Shah's sons to the south of Ahmed Shah's Tomb are rather ordinary.

Tomb of Sultan Allauddin Shah II
Allauddin was a refined prince who built his tomb during his lifetime. When completed it must have glittered like a gem with all its outer walls covered with tile work, remnants of which can still be seen.
The flat appearance of the walls is livened up by carved black stone margins enclosing the decorations in tiles. The original paintings in the interior have vanished and the dimensions are almost the same as those of the tomb of Ahmed Shah.

Tomb of Sultan Himayun
According to local belief as Humayun was a unkind ruler, lightening struck his tomb and the dome is till this day split open. This cross section of the building should interest architects as the construction styles are dissimilar from those of the other tombs. Specimens of the 'spongy bricks' used may be seen.

Bangalore Palace

Location : Bangalore, Karnataka
Built By : Chamaraja Wodeyar
Built In : 1887 AD

Built by Wodeyars, the rulers of the erstwhile Mysore Kingdom, the Bangalore Palace is inspired by the Windsor Palace and based on the Tudor style. Spread over an area of about 800 acres, the Bangalore Palace is famous for its elegantly carved wooden interiors.

Bangalore Palace, motivated by the Windsor Castle, was built in 1887 AD by Chamaraja Wodeyar in Tudor-style.

Position in the Centret of the city, the palace was before surrounded by beautiful gardens in the midst of a vast open area, which has reduced considerably today.

This unique edifice gives the feeling of a piece of England's architecture in Bangalore . Largely constructed of wood, the Bangalore Palace is famous for its carving and paintings.

The structure has fortified towers and its interiors boast of elegant woodcarvings and Tudor-style architecture, complete with Gothic windows, battlements and turrets.

An exquisite door panel at the entrance leads to grand settings inside. The interiors have breathtaking floral motifs, cornices, mouldings and relief paintings on its ceiling.

It is said that the construction cost of this exquisite palace was just over Rs 1 lakh. The huge 45,000 sq. feet mansion on which the palace stands was originally owned by Reverend Garret.

The palace ground, located between Jayamahal and Sadashivanagar areas, has now become the venue for various exhibitions, concerts and cultural programmes. 

Daria Daulat Bagh Palace

Location : Bangalore, Karnataka Houses : Tipu's Palace Another Attraction : Tipu Sultan Museum

Housing Tipu's Summer Palace, the Daria Daulat Bagh in Bangalore stands testimony to Tipu's love of greenery and open spaces.

This was where the battle fatigued Sultan came after his vicious confrontations with the British, to relax in and recuperate his strength in its calm surroundings. The Summer Palace with graceful proportions and arabesque work in rich colors is a fine example of Saracenic architecture

The wooden pillars supporting the trefoil arches lead to halls with attractive paintings on the walls. Tipu's confrontations at the battlefields are depicted with all the gruesome details in these mural paintings.

The palace also houses the Tipu Sultan Museum - the first of its kind in the nation devoted wholly to one person. The Museum has a rare set of coins, paintings and personal belongings of the Sultan.

Technical Museum
Location : Bangalore, Karnataka Set Up By : CSIR A Tribute To : Sir M. Vishweshwaraiah Specialty : 2nd Of Its Kind In India. 
Adjacent to the Government Museum in Bangalore is the Vishveshwaraya Industrial And Technological Museum, the second of its kind in India.

Dedicated to the memory of Sir M. Visveswaraya, the architect of modern Karnataka, the museum provides a brief history of technological development in the country and houses many technical inventions.

The museum portrays the application of science and technology in industry and human welfare. An airplane and a steam engine are displayed in its compound. Inside there are five galleries, each dedicated to a particular aspect of technology.

You can monitor your voice as you speak, and learn how things are made - from motion pictures to alarms. Seminars, demonstrations, lectures and film shows on scientific subjects are organised periodically. The mobile science exhibition, a special feature of the museum, tours all over the state throughout the year. 

Govt. Museum (Bangalore)

Location : Bangalore, Karnataka
Established in : 1866 AD
Unique Feature : One Of The Oldest Museums Of India

The State Government Museum in Bangalore is one of the oldest museums of India established in 1866 AD.

Specimens of works of antiquity and ancient art, such as sculpture coins and inscriptions found in different parts of Karnataka have been kept for display.

Water colour paintings, Plaster of Paris works and other works of art of the famous artist Venkatappa and some contemporary artists are on display.

There is a separate sector for the wooden sculptures of Major Cheppudira Ponnappa Rajaram. Attached to the Art Gallery is an demonstration of his works of art. 

Gomateshwara Monolith
Location : Dharmasthala, Karnataka Also Known As : Bahubali Significance : Jain Pilgrimage

The Most Revered Jain Pilgrimage Wedged between two stark rocky hills, the legendary pilgrim centre of Shravan Belagola and shrine of the Jains since early times is 150 km from Bangalore , 52 km from Hassan and 80 km from Mysore . Shravanbelagola is one of the oldest and most important Jain pilgrim centres in India.

The Monolithic statue of Lord Gomateshwara, a Jain saint and an object of worship for centuries, standing atop one of the hills (Indragirl hill), is 17 metres high and is said to be one of the tallest and most graceful monolithic statues in the world.

The symmetry in stone was created around 983 AD by Chamundaraya, a general and minister of the Ganga, King Rachamatta. This giant statue was carved out of a single block of stone.

It is regarded as one of the largest monolithic statues in the world. Lord Bahubali or Gomateshwar, the gigantic monolith statue is situated at the famous Manjunath Temple in Dharmasthala.

It symbolises renunciation, self-control and subjugation of ego as the primary steps towards salvation. The naked Digambara form of Bahubali represents complete victory over earthly desires.
Legend
Lord Gomatesheshwara was the Jain prince Bahubali who during a war with his greedy elder brother, Bharata who sought to usurp his kingdom, accepted defeat at the moment of his victory because of the futility of it all.

He renounced the world and his rights to his own kingdom, much to the severe repentance of the Bharata and left to lead a life of penance and meditation, attaining Nirvana

Priests climb up to pour pots of coconut water, turmeric paste, and vermillion powder over the statue's head.

Worship of The Lord
The Mahamastakabhisheka festival, an elaborate ritual, held here once every 12 years attracts devotees from all over the world. The statue of Bahubali is anointed with potfuls of exotic offerings including honey, almonds, saffron, sandalwood, coconut milk, dates, bananas, poppy seed, ghee and even gold and silver coins.

This ceremony is called Mahamastakabhisheka and the next ceremony is in 2005 as the last one was in 1993. Sravanabelagola has remained a great Jain centre and the goal of thousands of pilgrims who flock to see the magnificent and gigantic statue of Lord Gomateswara or Bahubali.

It was the Ganga King Rachamalla who commissioned the sculptor Arstameni in 981 A.D. to create this mammoth statue.
Nearby Attractions
The other attractions in the little township of Sravanabelagola are the Jain ''Bastis' (temples) and 'Muths' (monasteries).

One among them is the Chandragupta basti built by Emperor Ashoka, the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya. It has eight superb carved idols studded with semi-precious stones.

Mysore Palace

Location : Mysore, Karnataka
Architecture : Indo-Saracenic Style
Originally Built of : Wood
Rebuilt in : 1912 AD
Highlight : Illuminated palace (Sundays, National holidays and on festivals from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.)
Best time to visit : September to October during Dusshera
Timings : Open 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. & 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m

Mysore Palace: Designed by a famous English architect, the Saracenic style Mysore Palace was built in place of an existing palace that was burnt down in 1897. The enchanting Mysore Palace represents a fine blend of Hindu and Muslim architectural styles. The entire palace is tastefully designed and built with massive gray granite stones, colourful gemstones, paintings etc. The palace also houses a museum with a rich collection of musical instruments, children's toys, many paintings, costumes and weapons belonging to the Maharaja's family. When illuminated with 97,000 bulbs, the Mysore Palace appears like shimmering against an inky black night and this enduring sight of the palace makes every one spellbound

THE PALACE LIT-UP
This profusely decorated and gilded palace is illuminated every Sundays and on holidays.

How to get there

Air : The nearest Airport is the Bangalore airport. Bangalore (130km) is connected to all the major cites of the country by air.

Rail : Trains 6210 Express, 6222 Kaveri Express and the Shatabdi Express run between Mysore and Bangalore regularly. Bangalore is also connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Hyderabad, Madras and Mangalore by Express trains.

Road : There are regular bus services from Bangalore to Mysore. Bangalore is well connected to Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Kanyakumari, Mangalore and Madras by bus. There are direct bus services from Mysore to Kerala and other major cities in the state.                

Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery

Location : Mysore, Karnataka
Popularly Known As : Jaganmohan Palace
Originally Built In : 1861 AD
Main Attraction : Mysore Style Paintings

The Art Gallery in the Jaganmohan Palace in Mysore has a unique collection of ceramics, sandalwood, ivory, stone, antique furniture and ancient musical instruments. Paintings by reputed artists like Ravi Varma and Roerich, as well as the traditional

The Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery popularly known as Jaganmohan palace is a veritable treasure house of masterpieces created by some of the most outstanding artists and sculptors of the world. Originally, a palace built in 1861 its hall was the venue of crowning of Krishna Raja Wodeyar IV and the repesentative assembly meeting.

Housed in the historic Jaganmohan Palace, in the very heart of the city, the gallery is another throbbing tribute to the abundant love for fine arts which was one of the hallmarks of the Mysore Royal family. This unique gallery luxuriates in a variety of traditional Mysore style paintings and exhibits an awe - inspiring collection of artifacts collected by the Mysore Royal family from all over the world.

Among the varied exhibits are musical instruments, antique furniture, sandalwood and ivory carvings. The original paintings of the world famous Raja Ravi Verma are the prized possessions of this Art Gallery. Notable among the paintings is also the "light of hope" by Haldanker.

Mysore gold leaf paintings, are also on display.

Closed on Wednesdays.                        

Yana Caves 
Location : 40 Kms for Sirsi, Karnataka Recreation Activities : Trekking, Camping Dificulty Level : Moderate to Difficult 
Located amongst the evergreen forest of the Sahyadri Mountains, Yana Caves are 25 kms for Kumta, a small coastal town and 40-km for Sirsi, a commercial centre. One can experience wilder ness in all its holiness and loneliness in this limestone rock dome paradise. Yana is known for its unique rock formations and is a haven for rock climbers.

One has to walk several miles on the partially paved road from the highway. The area is known for its majestic mountains, a variety of rock formations, tricking waterfalls and the holy temple.

One can go for a simple climb around the rock dome or discover the cave in between the dome. There is also a likelihood of going hiking to Vibhuti Falls and camp overnight in the area.

The tallest peak, Bhariraveswara Shikhara stands 120 meters tall whereas Mohini Shikhara is 90 meters from its base. The mighty rocks have been roughened by the vagaries of burning Sun, uncontrolled winds and torrential rains. They are solid composition of black, crystalline limestone. Wild bees have taken right to construct their hives on these rock-shelters. The trek is judicious to tiring.  

               History of Karnataka

A Pre-historic Brief
The pre-historic culture of Karnataka, the hand-axe culture, compares favourable with the one that existed in Africa and is quite distinct from the pre-historic culture of North India. The early inhabitants of Karnataka knew the use of iron far earlier than the North, and iron weapons, dating back to 1200 B.C have found at Hallur in Dhaward district.

Early rulers
The early rulers of Karnataka were predominantly from North India. Parts of Karnataka were subject to the rule of the Nandas and the Mauryas.

The Shathavahanas (30 B.C to 230 A.D of paithan) ruled over extensive areas in Northern Karnataka. Karnataka fell into the hands of the Pallavas of Kanchi. Pallavas domination was ended by indigenous dynasties, the Kadambas of Banavasi and the Gangas of Kolar, who divided Karnataka between themselves.

The Kadambas
The Kadamba Dynasty was founded by Mayurasharman in c. 345 A.D. Subjected to some kind of humiliation at the Pallava capital, this young brahmin gave up his hereditary priestly vacation and took to the life of a warrior and revolted aganist the Pallavas. The Pallavas were forced to recognise him as a sovereign when he crowned himself at Banavasi in Uttar Kannada Dt. One of his successors, Kakustha Varman (c. 435-55) was such a powerful ruler that even the Vakatakas and the guptas cultivated martial relationship with this family during his time. The great poet Kalidasa deems to have visited his court.

The Gangas
The Gangas started their rule from c. 350 from Kolara and later their capital was shifted to Talakadu (Mysore Dt.). Till the advent of the Badami Chalukyas, they were almost a sovereign power. Later they continued to rule ove Gangavadi (which comprised major parts of South Karnataka) till the close of the 10th century as subordinates of the Badami Chalukyas and the Rastrakutas.
The Badami Chalukyas

It is the Chalukyas of Badami who brought the whole of Karnataka under a single rule. They are also remembered for their contributions in the feild of art. Their monuments are found at Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal. The first great prince of the dynasty was Pulikeshin I (c. 540-66 A.D) who built the ashwamedha (horse sacrifice) after subduing many rulers including the Kadambas.

His grandson, Pulikeshin II (609-42) built a vast empire which extended from Narmada in the north to the Cauveri in the south. In the east, he overthrew the Vishnukundins and appointed his younger brother Vishnuvardhana, the voceroy of Vengi.

The Chalukyan empire included not only the whole of karnataka and Maharashtra, but the greater part of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Andra, and also parts of Orissa and Tamilnadu. Vikramaditya II (693-734) in the line defeated the Pallavas, entered the Pallava capital Kanchi victorious. The Chalukyan power was weakened in the long run by its wars with the Pallavas.

The Rastrakutas
In 753, Danthidurga, the Rastrakuta feudatory of the Chalukyas, overthrew the Chalukya king Keerthivarman II, and his family inherited the fortunes of the Chalukyas. The engraving of the celebrated monolithic Kailas temple at Ellora (now in Maharshtra) is attribuited to Danthidurga's uncle, Krishna I (756-74). Krishna's son, Dhruva (780-93) crossed the Narmada, and after defeating celebrated princes like Vathsaraja (of the Gurjara Pratheehara family of central India) and Dharmapala of Bengal, extracted tribute from the ruler of Kanauji, 'the seat of India's paramountry'. His son Givinda III (793-814) also repeated the feast when he defeated Nagabhata II, the Gujara Pratheehara and Dharmapala of Bengal and again extracted tribute from the King of Kanauj.The achievements of the Chalukyas of Badami and the Rastrakutas by defeating the rulers of Kanauj have made their erathe "Age of Imperial Karnataka".

The Kalyana Chalukyas
The Chalukyas of Kalyana overthrew the Rastrakutas in 973, Someshwara I (10432068), succeeded in resisting the efforts of the Cholas to subdue Karnataka, and he built a new capital, Kalyana (mordern Basava Kaluyana in Bidar Dt.) The Chola king Rajadhiraja was killed by him at Koppar in 1054.

His son Vikramaditya VI (10762127) has been celebrated in history as the patron of the great jurist Vijnaneshwara, (work: mitakshara, standard work on Hindu law), and the emperor has been immortalised by poet Dilhana (haling from Kashmir) who chose this prince himself as the hero for his sanskrit poem, Vikramankadeva Charitam. Vikramaditya defeated the Paramaras of Centeral India thrice. In the South he captured Kanchi from the Cholas in 1085, and in the East, he conqured Vengi in 1093. His commander, Mahadeva built the Mahadeva temple at Itagi (Raichur Dt.) the finest Chalukyan monument. His son Someshwara III (1127-39) was a great scholar. He has written Manasollasa, a sanskrit encyclopedia and Vikrmankabhyudayam, a peom of which his father is the hero,

The Sevunas
The Sevunas (or Yadavas) who were foundatories of the Rastrakutas and the chalukyas of Kalyana, became a sovereign power from the days of Bhillama V (1173-92) who founded the new capital Devagiri (modern Daulathabad in Maharastra). Bhillama V captured Kalyana in 1186, and later clashed with Hoysala Ballala II at Sorarturu in 1190. Though he lost the battle.He built a vast kingdom, extending from the Narmada to the Krishna. His son Jaitugi (1192-99) not only defeated Parmara Subhata varma, but also killed the Kakatiya kings of Orangal, Rudra and Mahadeva.

Singhana II (11992247), the greatest of the Sevunas, extended the Sevuna kingdom upto the Tungabhadra. But the Servunas were defeated by the army of the Delhi Sultan in 1296, and again in 1307 and finally in 1318, and thus the kingdom was wiped out. The Sevunas have become in immortal in history by the writings of the mathematician Baskarasharya, of the great writer on music, Sharngadeva, and of the celebrated scholar Hemadri.

The Hoysalas
The Hoyasala continued the great traditions of their art-loving overlords the Kalyana Chalukyas, and their fine temples are found at Beluru, Helebidu and Somanathapura. Vishnuvardhana (11082141) freed Gangavadi from the Cholas (who had held it from 999), and in commemoration of his victory, built the celebrated Vijayanarayana (Chennakeshva) Temple at Belur.

His commander Katamalla built the famous Hoysaleshwara temple at Halebidu.

Though Vishnuvardhana did not succeed in his serious effort to overthrow the Chalukyan yoke, his grandson Balla II (11732220) not only became free, but even defeated Sevuna Bhillama V at Soraturu in 1190, after having defeated Chalukyas Someshwara IV in 1187. When the Cholas were attacted by the Pandyas in Tamilnadu, Balla II drove the Pandyas back and thus assumed the title "Establisher of the Chola Kingdom". Later, in the days of his son Narasimha II (1120-35), Hoysalas even secured a foothold in Tamilnadu and Kuppam, near Srirangam became a second capital of the Hoysalas.

Ballala III (12912343), the last Hoysala, had to struggle hard to hold his own against the invasion of the Delhi Sultan. He died fighting the Sultan of Madhurai. It was his commanders, Harihara and Bukka, who founded the Vijayanagra Kingdom, which later grew to be an empire. Hoyasala age saw great kannada poets like Rudrabhatta, Janna, Harihara and Raghavanka. Hoysala temples at Beluru, Halebidu, Somanathapur, Arasikere, Amritapura etc., are wonderful works of art.

Karnataka Under Vijayanagar Empire
The most celebrated dynasty that ruled Karnataka is the Vijayanagar dynasty. The Vijyanagar kings were the greatest of all medieval Hindu empires and were lovers of fine arts. They have contributed a lot to the culture and traditions of the state. Many foreign visitors who came to this place during this period have described it as one of the most prosperous states.

The Fall of Vijayanagar Empire
The grand Vijayanagar dynasty disintegrated with its capital at Hampi after the attack of the Deccan Sultan in 1565 A.D. Therefore, Bijapur was established as the capital and many monuments were build around the city. It was ruled by the Bahmani Shahis and the Adilshahis, who have contributed a lot to the architecture, art and the spread of Islam in the state.

The Muslim Domination and The British Control
Later, the state was ruled by Hyder Ali and his brave son Tipu Sultan. They were responsible for the expansion of the Mysore kingdom. Tipu was a great scholar and lover of literature. He was a good administrator and offered expensive gifts to the Hindu temples. Tipu Sultan was also known as "Tiger of Karnataka", since he fought bravely with the British and never allowed them to overpower Mysore . He was killed in 1799 A.D. and thus the throne of Mysore went into the hands of Wodeyar's. In the beginning of the 19th century, entire Karnataka came under the control of the British.

Karataka Post-Independence
After India's Independence, the state of Mysore was governed by the Maharaja of Mysore, who was appointed by Independent India. But later, on November 1, 1973, the integrated state was renamed as Karnataka.

GEOGRAPHY OF KARNATAKA

Vital Statistics
Area : 1,91,791 square kilometers
Population : 44,977,201 (1991 census)
Capital : Bangalore

• Literacy rate : 56.04%
• Extending over 1,92,000 sq. km. on the western half of the Deccan plateau bounded by Andhra Pradesh in the east, Maharashtra in the north and Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the south, Karntaka has a population of over 45 millions.
• The coast about 330 km long with its silver sand beaches and blue lagoons hedged by miles and miles of tall, waving, palmgroves against the back drop of majestic mountain regions is strikingly beautiful.
• The Malnad stretches about 650 km from north to south with an undulating range of mountains.

Karnataka Coastal Region

The Karnataka Coastal Region, which extends between the Western Ghats, edge of the Karnataka Plateau in the east and the Arabian Sea in the West, covers Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada districts. This region is traversed by several ridges and spurs of Western Ghats. It has difficult terrain full of rivers, creeks, water falls, peaks and ranges of hills. The coastal region consists of two broad physical units, the plains and the Western Ghats. The Coastal plains, represent a narrow stretch of estuarine and marine plains. The abrupt rise at the eastern flanks forms the Western Ghats. The northern parts of the ghats are of lower elevation (450-600 metres) as compared to Southern parts (900 to 1,500 metres). The Coastal belt with an average width of 50 to 80 km covers a distance of about 267 km. from north to south.

• There are quite a few high peaks both in Western and Eastern Ghat systems with altitudes more than 1,500 metres.
• Among the tallest peaks of Karnataka are the Mullayyana Giri (1,925 m), Bababudangiri (Chandradrona Parvata 1,894 m) and the Kudremukh (1,895 m) all in Chikmagalur Dt. and the Pushpagiri (1,908 m) in Kodagu Dt. There are a dozen peaks which rise above the height of 1,500 metres.

Climate

Climate Semi-tropical Seasons Summer, March to May (18oC to 40oC); Winter December, March to May (14oC to 32oC);
Seasons, South-West Monsoon: June to August; North-East
Monsoon October to December

Rainfall 500 mm to over 4000 mm

Language(Kannad):

The official Language of Karnataka State
Kannada is almost as old as Tamil, the truest of the Dravidian family. Initially the area of the Kannada speech extended much further to the north than present Karnataka, but was pushed back by the Aryan Marathi.

The Kannada Literature
The early (pre 800AD) bits and pieces of Kannada literature are insufficient to lay claims to the literature’s origins. The oldest extant book is king Nripatunga’s literary critique Kavi Raja Marga (circa 840). Jainism being a popular religion at the time, there were some Jaina poets like Srivijaya and Guna Varman I.
A new trend began with the ‘Three Gems’ of Kannada literature, Pampa, Ponna and Ranna in the 10th century, where prose and verse were mixed – the campu style. The three poets extensively wrote on episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata and Jain legends and biographies. Chavunda Raya, Ranna’s elder contemporary then came up with an elaborate work – a history of all the 24 Jaina tirthankaras (saintly teachers). The Chola kings of Tamil-land got too aggressive around the 11th century and fought wars.
This meant a lean phase in literary activities except for the works of a few writers like Naga Chandra, known for his Jain Ramayana, the Jain poetess Kanti, the grammarian Naga Varman II who wrote Karnataka Bhasha Bhushana in Sanskrit sutras (aphorisms), and Kirtti Varman and Vritta Vilasa.

The middle phase--(1150-1800AD)
The middle phase of Kannada literature (1150-1800AD) saw the power of Puranic Hinduism over Jainism. A very distinct phase of writing began the second half of the 12th century in the Vira-Shaiva phase with Basava’s Vachanas.
There was a spate of writers like Harihara, Raghavanka and Kereya Padmarasa writing fervently about Shiva in the 12th-13th centuries.
Rebellion against the orthodox rituals came from the brilliant poetess Akkamahadevi, a harbinger of Bhakti poetry (see below).
The Jains, too, weren’t idle all this while; they composed legendary histories of various tirthankaras (ford makers). In all, the 13th century was chock-full with poems, literary criticism, grammar, natural science and translations from Sanskrit.

Kannada literature Has Strong Hindu Influence
Kannada literature took a strong Hindu bend with the orthodox Vijayanagara kings (14th-15th AD). Some eminent names were Bhima Kavi, Padmanaka, Mallanarya, Singiraja and Chamarasa. The Bhakti movement also affected Kannada literature in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas were translated afresh using the folk meters satpadi and regale. Devotional songs of dasas or singing mendicants were compiled, which formed an important part of popular literature.

The Change of Language From Middle To Modern Kannada
The next two centuries were a busy period with many rules, of the Wodeyar kings, Bijapur Sultans and Mughals, and much literary activity.
Bhattakalanka Deva’s Karnataka Shabdaushasana (1604AD) on grammar, Sakdakshara Deva’s romantic campu the Rajshekhara Vilasa (1657AD), the historical compositions of the Wodeyar period (1650-1713AD), Nijaguna Yogi’s Viveka Chintamani of Shaiva lore (mid 17th century), Nanja Raja’s Puranic works the Shiva Bhakti Mahatmya and Hari Vamsa (circa 1760), were some of the notable creations.
All this while the language was changing from Middle to Modern Kannada. The popular Yakshagana, dramatization of Puranic tales with much singing, was an innovation of the late 18th century. A good mass of folk poetry thus came to be written.

Modern education made a late entry in Karnataka as compared to other parts of India. Works based on Sanskrit models, like Shakuntala of Basavappa Shastri, continued till the late 19th century. With a little initiation from the Christian missionaries, the Academy of Kannada Literature was set up in Bangalore in 1914.

Gradually modern literature gained tempo and translations were made from English, Bengali and Marathi. Kerur and Galaganatha attempted the first novels in Kannada, followed by a host of novelists like Shivarama Karanta, K. V. Puttapa, G P Rajaratnam, Basavaraja Kattimani, Nanjanagudu Tirumalamba (the first major woman writer in modern Kannada) and others.

The short story too made its advent with Panje Mangesha Rao and Masti Venkatesha Ayyangar. A new trend in drama began with the use of colloquial language. Poetry, too, wasn’t left behind; B. M. Shrikanthayya too Kannada poetry to great heights with innovations like the blank verse.

Literature in Kannada today is a big enterprise, with bustling centres like the University of Mysore, the Karnataka University at Dharwar and the Kannada Sahitya Parishad of Mysore.

HOW TO REACH UTTARANCHAL

By Air: There are many flights catering to national and international places. Karnataka is connected with Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Madras, Pune, Coimbatore, Goa, Trivandrum, Hyderabad and Calicut.

By Rail: One can depend on railways for getting to Karnataka. Bangalore, the main city, has two railway stations. There are railways running directly to Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bombay, Kolkata, Cochin, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Mangalore, Mysore, Madras, Nagpur, Trivandrum and Goa.

By Road: The well-maintained bus-routes and stands in Karnataka allow people to travel to Karnataka by road. Bus is a most economical way to reach here.