Hill Station of Karnataka

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Karnataka Monument

Aihole

Cradle Of Indian Architecture Located 43 Kms from Kudala Sangama, Aihole was the ancient capital of Chalukyas. Famous as the cradle of "Indian Architecture", Aihole has over a hundred temples scattered around the village.

There are about 125 temples divided into 22 groups scattered all over the villages and nearby fields. Most of these temples were built between the 6th & 8th centuries and some even earlier.

Badami

capital of the Early Chalukyas, Badami is picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills, Badami is famous for its cave temples - all hewn out of sand stone on the precipice of a hill.

The largest and most ornamental is the third cave temple dedicated to Vishnu.
Overlooking the cave temples is a reservoir dotted with temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva.

Mysore

Karnataka's profusion of monuments are reflections of her rich history and cultural affluence. Karnataka's richness in culture and tradition, told time and again through the ruins of these monuments, has inspired the art lovers and philosophers for generations.

Gol Gumbaz is the mausoleum of Muhammad Adil Shah II (1627-57). He was from the Adil Shahi kingdoms. The tomb, located in the city of Bijapur in Karnataka was built in 1659 by the famous architect Yaqut of Dabul. The structure consists of a massive square chamber measuring nearly 50 m on each side and covered by a huge dome 37.9m in diameter making it the largest dome in the Islamic world. The dome is supported on giant squinches supported by groined pendentives while the outside building is supported by domed octagonal corner towers. Each tower consists of 7 storeys and the upper floor of each opens on to a round gallery, which surrounds the dome. In the center of the chamber is a square raised podium approached by steps in the center of each side. In the center of the podium are the tombs of Muhammad Ali Shah II and his relations. To the west of the podium in a large apse like projection is the mosque also raised slightly above the floor level of the chamber.

Tourist attractions in Karnataka

Chikmagalur : Deriving its name from the headquarters town of Chikmagalur literally meaning younger daughter's town, this hill station features popular attractions such as the Kondadarama Temple, the Jamia Mosque and the new St. Joseph's Cathedral.

Gangamoola : Enveloped by dense forests, this hill station is famous for Goddess Bhagavathi shrine and a Varaha image within a cave. This picturesque hill station is an ideal origin place of three rivers such as the Tunga, Bhadra and Nethravathi.

The Fort and Tipu Sultan's Palace : The Fort and Tipu Sultan's Palace is noted for its beautifully carved arches in Islamic style and for the well-preserved Ganapati temple.

Lal Bagh Gardens : This 240 acre expanse of greenery forms one of India's most beautiful gardens. This is another triumph for Hyder Ali. The Glass House -inspired by the Crystal Palace, London. - is at the heart of the gardens. This is the venue for flower shows held here every January and August.

Cubbon Park : was laid out in the heart of the cantonment in 1864. Since then fountains and an august bandstand add to its list of attractions. But the most important aspect of Cubbon Park is its newer buildings that have added beauty and cultural wealth. Lush green lawns, shady flowering trees, vibrant flower beds, make Cubbon Park an ideal place for morning joggers.

Mangalore : Mangalore is a vision of palm-fringed beaches, lush green fields and enchanting forests. On the east, the soaring western ghats and the mighty Arabian Sea roaring along its western shores, are its neighbours. With an important port, this coastal town is a major commercial centre .
Belgaum Cantonment : Belgaum Cantonment still retains its old glow, serenity and a sort of isolation. Its ancient shrines, Gothic-style ivy-covered bungalows, cottages, school buildings, beautiful woods and gardens peepul and banyan trees give a feeling of dusk even at noon-time. Its flowering shrubs are a photographer’s delight.

Gangamoola Hill Station

Located in the Samse Taluk of Chikmagalur district, the Gangamoola hill is surrounded by thick forests. It is the origin of three mighty rivers, the Tunga, Bhadra and Nethravathi. The highlights of the region are a Goddess Bhagavathi shrine and a Varaha image, 1.8 metres high, within a cave, which become inaccessible during the monsoons

Being an integral part of Samse Taluk of Chikmagalur district, the Gangamoola hill is surrounded by dense forest areas. Three mighty rivers, namely the Tunga, Bhadra and Nethravathi originate from here.

Gangamoola is an integral part of Gangamoola-Aroli-Gangrikal range of Western Ghats. Varaha Parvata is another name of Gangamoola. Rising to a height of approximately 1458 mts above the mean sea level, this hilly tract is bounded by the Kudremukh National Park. On an average it records a rainfall of approximately 575 cm. Rich deposits of magnetite-quartzite yeilding iron ores are found in close proximity.

Nandi Hills Special attractions include the shrine Bhagavathi and also a Varaha image, 1.8 metres high, within a cave.

Chickmaglur Hill Station

Chickmaglur, overlooking the Baba Budan Mountains, is situated in the southwestern part of Karnataka with the Western Ghats forming a natural boundary.

Large parts of the district are endowed with dense forests. As many as seven rivers originate in this district; of these the Tunga and the Badhra are the principal rivers. The terrain is beautiful – full with scenic surprises – lofty peaks, hill stations, trekking trails, cascading waterfalls, sacred shrines and slopes that are studded with coffee plantations – the origon of which is believed to belong to the seven seeds of coffee smuggled in by Baba Budan from Yemen in the 1600's. Chickmaglur is one of India's principal coffee growing areas.

History – Chickmaglur is considered to be the place of origon and the early reign of the Hoysalas – who held sway in the south for more than two centuries – later, the region fell into the hands of Hyder Ali & onto his son Tipu Sultan. After the fall of Tippu in 1799, the entire area was taken over by the British – and the area was known as Kadur, later on it was changed to Chickmaglur district. Chickmaglur, literally means the youngest daughter's town – as it was the dowry for the youngest daughter of Rukamangada, the chief of Sakrepatna.

Kemmanagundi
An exceptionally beautiful hill station named after King Krishna Rajendra Wodeyar IV, it is one of the best trekking spots among the lush forests of the Baba Budangiri hills – it offers one panoramic views, waterfalls & lovely sunset views.
Z Point
A place to watch sunset.

The Baba Budan Range
28 Kms north of Chickmaglur town, Baba Budan Range gets its name from the muslim sage Baba Budan, who is believed to have introduced coffee to India. The range has one of the highest peaks between the Himalayas and the Niligiris.

The highest point is 'Mullaiyangiri' - 1900 m & has 3 caves, sanctified by 3 sages & containing their icons & tombs. A sacred centre, 'Seethala Mallikarjuna' near a cave, and a mutt lend the place a mystic touch. Near Baba Budangiri peak are the 3 famous waterfalls - Gada Theertha, Kamana Theertha and Nellikayi Theertha.

Shivagiri Trails
The view from Shiva Giri, about 50 kms from Chickmagalur, located above the forests of 'Yemedoddi' is spectacular - providing an awesome view of the river' Bhadra' and the 'Lakkavalli Dam'.

The Yemmedoddi forests were once the favoured hunting grounds of the British - tigers, panthers, sloth bear, deer are sighted here.

Kudremukh (Horse Race)
95 km south west of Chikmaglur, overlooking the Arabian sea - is a trekkers paradise, rich with verdant forests, rivers, grassy slopes, waterfalls, rare flora and caves ancient ruins.

Biligiri Hill Station

Biligiri Rangana Hills belongs to Chamarajnagar district of Karnataka state. Situated in southern part of Karnataka, BR hills (also called Biligiri Rangana Betta in local language, Kannada) is famous for hill area with beautiful scenary. Lord Biligiri Ranganatha temple is situated at the hill top. The temple premises is famous for its valley view. This place is a remote place and the population in this village kind of place is very less. Normal visiting period is from October to March.

This place is a vast hill area starting from Kerala and ending at Tamilnadu. MM hills also stretches after this place. This hill region is the continuation of base at Western ghats. B.R.Hills and MM hills are situated in the Southern arc perpendicular to the Western ghats and are at the center. In between these two hills there is a dam called Gundal dam constructed between two hills,is a picnic spot. During February-March, there will be a car festival in BR hills and attracts lot of devotees across several Southern states of India. Tonsuring, offering goat and chicken is a common scene during the festival. Some tribes stay here and there are lot of developmental activities taken up by Government of Karnataka for them. On top of the hill there are several picnic spots whicha are a must see. This place is also known for wild life sanctuary.

Wildlife Attractions
Flora : The vegetation at the B.RHills sanctuary ranges from the high altitude grass lands to the evergreen forests and the scrub jungles. The great chapaka trees found inside are worshiped by the Soliga tribes of that area.

The entire hills are covered with the dry broad leaf forests forming a part of the South Deccan Plateau. It is the only forest in the central southern peninsula to harbour the pachyderms in large numbers.

Fauna :The BRHills is generally famous for the large asian bovid,the gaurs. There are about 26 varieties of mammal found in the sanctuary. The prominent ones are sambhar, chital, barking deer, four footed antelope. The Carnivorous inhabitants of the hills are the tigers,leopards,wild dogs,lesser cats and sloth bear, Three species of squirrels including the flying squirrel is seen inside the sanctuary. According to the recent surveys, there are possibly 17 tigers roaming inside the forest preying upon the weaker animals.

Avian Species : The B.R Hill Sanctuary preserves more than 254 varieties of birds and a lot of migratory ones are welcomed during the winter seasons. A very uncommon species discovered there is the microhyla sholigari. The racket tailed drongo and the crested eagle are among the favourites. Other important varieties are Malabar whistling thrush, paradise flycatcher and the yellow throated bulbul. Besides a larger variety of pleasant butterflies are also found in the hilly ranges.

Nearby Attractions
The city of palaces, Mysore as a tourist destination can never be forgotten while visiting the southern region The prominent palaces are the Amba vilas or the main Mysore Palace. Jaganmohana palace, Lokaranjan Mahal and the Crawford hill.

Accommodation
Comfortable stay is provided to the tourists in the living quaters available there. There are well furnished Tents and huts with attached bath and toilets which are lit by the hurricane lamps. There is also a large Maharaja Bunglow that can accommodate about 15 tourists at a time. The bunglow was once the property of the Maharaja of Mysore.

Kudremukh Hill Station

The Horse-Face Hill Station 95 kms south-west of Chikmaglur town is the Kudremukh (Horse Face) range, so named because of the unique shape of the Kudremukh Peak.

Overlooking the Arabian Sea, the broad hills are chained to one another with deep valleys and steep precipices. As yet 'undiscovered' by tourists, Kudremukh is a secluded hill station, which retains much of its pristine, natural beauty.

Situated 348 Kms from Bangalore and 95 Kms from south-west of Chikmagalur town is KUDREMUKH (horse face) range, so named because of the unique shape of the KUDREMUKH peak. Overlooking the Arabian sea, the broad hills are chained to one another with deep valley & steep precipices.KUDREMUKH is secluded hill station which retains much of its pristine, natural beauty. Lush green forest interspersed with rivers, grassy slopes, captivating cascades and rare orchids. What a idyllic background for trekking !

KUDREMUKH is trek's territory. The richness of its flora and fauna waiting to be discovered. Caves asking to be explored. Ruins and traces of old civilizations inviting a study. Lovely, unspoiled places to camp….can any trekker resist KUDREMUKH.Situated at 1,894.3 meters above sea level, KUDREMUKH is rich in iron ore deposits. The KUDREMUKH Iron Ore Company conducts mining operations, benefaction and transportation of the ore as slurry through pipelines to the post at Panambar near Mangalore. This has given a new life to the region into a humming modern township, without taking its natural beauty.

Madikeri Hill Station

Amidst cloud-capped hills and thick forests, coffee plantations and tea gardens is the evergreen hill station of Madikeri, in the Coorg district of Karnataka. Madikeri is a wonderful holiday destination, both for the tranquillity inspired by the landscape and the unmistakable charm of the Kodava people. Madikeri is just made for walking and marvelling at nature. The air is redolent with the fragrance of flowers and coffee blossoms. All around are fields of red berries, teak wood forests, coffee plantations, cardamom and pepper fields. Peaceful mountain trails snake up the hillside while the tallest peak Tadiyendamol, dominates them all.
Close to the 19th century Madikeri Fort is Raja's Seat, where the King of Kodagu used to watch the last rays of the sun at dusk. This is still a spot to view spectacular sunsets. You can climb up the 363 steps to the summit of Brahmagiri Hill, from where you can get a magnificent view of the mountainside. The Cauveri River starts as a tiny mountain spring at Talcauvery and weaves its course over the hills. Little streams and rivulets, gathering momentum come cascading down the mountains as waterfalls. Don't miss the awesome Irrupu Falls and the Abbey Waterfalls, the Bhagamandala or confluence of three rivers, the Harangi Dam, and the Cauvery Nisargadhama, a bamboo island.

While in Madikeri, be adventurous and try Coorg cuisine, which is delightfully different, spicy and smattered with Greek influences. Try the Panthi or spicy pork curry, the Koli or chicken curry and the delicious rice rotis. And if you want to take a little bit of Coorg back with you, pick up some delicately flavoured Coorg honey and the highly aromatic coffee from one of the many outlets scattered about town.

Getting to Madikeri
Madikeri is at the southernmost tip of Karnataka. The closest airports to Madikeri are at Mysore (120 km), Mangalore (135 km) and Bangalore (260 km). The nearest railheads are at Mangalore, Mysore and Hassan (146 km). You can get to Madikeri from any of these cities by taxi, bus or car. The drive from Bangalore to Madikeri is about 6 hours. Auto rickshaws and taxis are available for moving around within Madikeri.

Best time to visit Madikeri
Madikeri is a year round destination, but the best season to visit in is winter - October to April - when the weather is cool and there is a delightful nip in the air. The winter temperatures are around 15-20° C during the day and 9° C at night. Carry light woollens and walking shoes.

Accommodation in Madikeri
Madikeri has hotels, motels, guesthouses and tourist lodges to suit every budget. There are some picturesque resorts around Madikeri. It's best to book in advance in winter.