| State
of India - Karnataka |
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 QUICK
FACTS Climate
(Degree C.): Summer
Max: 35. Min: 28.
Winter Max: 25 Min:
14 | Best Season:
November - April |
Languages Spoken:
Kannada, Tamil, Urdu,
Hindi and English
| Capital: Bangalore
Overview:
Known as the Karunadu
(elevated land) in
the ancient times,
Karnataka boasts a
diverse flora and
fauna, making it a
tourist's paradise.
The state's long and
colourful history,
and the many forts,
temples, mosques and
churches make Karnataka
a great place to explore.
Apart from that, it
has also been the
culture centre for
hundreds of years.
Its testimony stands
spread across the
state pulling millions
of tourists from all
parts of the world
to Karnataka.
Geography
of Karnataka:
Flanked by the soaring
Western Ghats in the
east and blessed by
the blue waters of
the Arabian Sea in
the west, Karnataka
has a 320 kms long
coastline dotted with
unspoilt beaches and
scores of temples.
It is surrounded by
Maharashtra in the
north, Andhra Pradesh
in the east, Tamil
Nadu and Kerala to
the south. The State
is divided into four
physiographic regions
viz. Northern Karnataka
Plateau, Central Karnataka
Plateau, Southern
Karnataka Plateau
and Karnataka Coastal
Region.
History of
Karnataka:
 The
history of Karnataka
is engrossing and
enriching. It can
be traced back to
as early as the pre-historic
times of the Stone
Age. A stone axe unearthed
at an excavation site
near Raichur confirms
this fact. Later the
Maurya rulers have
placed a significant
role in the history
of Karnataka followed
by the cultural influence
of Chalukyan kings.
The ruins and architectural
splendour of Aihole,
Pattadakal, Badami,
Halebi, Belur are
live testimonies to
the contribution of
Hoysalas, Bahamani,
Adil Shahi kings,
Sattavahanas, Nandas,
Pallavas and Ganga
rulers who have made
contributions in the
history and culture
of Karnataka. The
Vijayanagara Empire
was one of the greatest
of all medieval Hindu
empires, headed by
Krishnadevaraya, the
greatest warrior ruler
of Karnataka. Vijayanagar
flourished in prosperity
for a long time till
the Wodeyars of Mysore
came into the picture.
The Wodeyar rulers
lost their capital
to one of their own
army generals, Haider
Ali. However Haider
Ali and his son Tipu
Sultan later succumbed
to the British attacks
and Karnataka came
under the governance
of the British Empire
till India gained
independence.
 Tourist
Places of Karnataka:
Karnataka has all
that it takes to charm
the tourists of varied
interests and preferences.
For the wildlife enthusiasts
Karnataka offers Bandipur,
Nagarhole, Dandeli
forests and the Ranganathittu
Bird's Sanctuary.
For the enthusiasts
of arts & architecture,
it can't get better
than the temples of
Aihole, Badami and
Pattadakal in Bijapur
and the temples of
Halebed, Belur, Somanathapura,
Hampi. For the nature
lovers you have the
scenic hill stations
of Nandhi Hills, Kemmannagundi.
With its long coastline
Karwar, Ullal, Malpe
and Maravanthe are
famous beach destinations.
Last but definitely
not the least is the
City of Palaces, Mysore,
which has been witness
to thousands of tourists
each year. With all
these manifold attractions
a visit to Karnataka
State is always memorable.
Fairs
& Festivals of
Karnataka:
Mahamastakabhisheka
is one of the most
revered events taking
place in Karnataka
which is held every
12 years. The festival
is dedicated to Lord
Bahubali in which
monks bathe the world's
largest monolithic
statue with water
and milk. Vijaya Utsav
also known Hampi Festival
and Rajyotsava Day
celebrated on the
1st of November every
year are one of the
important festivals
of Karnataka State.
Vairamudi Brahmotsava,
Deepavali, Vaikunta
Ekadashi, Ganesha
Chaturthi, Gowri Festival,
Dussehra, Yugadi,
Karaga are the other
festivals of Karnataka.
Cuisine
in Karnataka:
The cuisine of Karnataka
has been influenced
by its three neighbouring
South Indian states,
as well as Maharashtra
in the North. The
most famous product
of the Karnataka cuisine
is Udupi which has
come up with the most
popular dishes of
India like the Rave
Idli, Mysore Masala
Dosa and Maddur Vade.
The non-vegetarian
meal in Karnataka
generally consists
of meat and fish.
However unlike the
cuisine of the North
India or Hyderabad,
cooking meat is a
simple affair in Karnataka.
The Mangalore coast
specializes in varieties
of seafood, which
are prepared in the
same way as in the
rest of the coastal
areas. While on your
tour to Karnataka
you must typical dishes
of Karnataka like
the Bisi bele bath,
Saaru, Vangi Bath,
Ragi rotti, Akki Rotti,
Khara Bath, Kesari
Bath, Davanagere Benne
Dosa, Ragi mudde,
and Uppittu. Among
sweets, Mysore Pak,
Dharwad pedha, Chiroti
which are popular
choices.
Shopping in Karnataka:
Karnataka is known
as the capital of
Agarbathi (Incense
Sticks), Arecanut,
Silk, Coffee and Sandal
Wood. It produces
90% of India's gold,
almost 60% of its
coffee and a significant
amount of raw silk
and sandalwood products.
So we can undoubtedly
claim that shopping
in Karnataka is an
exhilarating experience
with quality products
at reasonable prices.
There are a number
of Government Emporium
and exclusive private
shops all over the
state of Karnataka
for your shopping
spree. While making
your shopping list,
you must add the Sandalwood
carvings or cosmetic
products of Mysore.
The state also boasts
of amazing handicrafts
by the rural artisans,
old antiques, silk
and cotton weaves,
metal and stone work.
Metal crafts of Bidar,
Mangalore, Sravanbelgola
and Nagamangala are
specifically noteworthy.
Besides Mysore Paintings
and Bidriware are
also worth mentioning.
Shopping tours to
Gulegudda in Karnataka
offers you a wide
range of Ilkal saris,
Lambani jewelry and
Kinnala paintings.
So make your choice!
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