Ruins of Karnataka (educational)

Ruins of Karnataka

★★★★★ 4/5

Overview :

Famous for its cave temples, Badami served as the capital of the Badami Chalukyas from 540 to 757 CE–and this rich history has left plenty of things to do for visitors today. During your trip to Badami, explore its many temples carved into red sandstone, then take in views from its fort or learn about local archeology at the museum. While the city’s main road does not have much tourist appeal, its side streets are lined with charming old homes and, from time to time, you may even stumble across a Chalukyan ruin. Our India travel route builder tool allows you to plan your trip to Badami and a wealth of other destinations big and small. The magnificent city of ruins, Hampi, is not far from Bangalore. A World Heritage Center, Hampi is the most beautiful and evocative of all the ruins in Karnataka. This erstwhile capital of the Vijayanagar Empire boasts some exquisite examples of temple architecture of that period. One can still glimpse the splendor of Vijayanagara – one of the largest empires in the history of India – in its ruins. The Vijayanagar Kings were great patrons of Art & Architecture as evident by the vast ruins of Hampi.

Itinerary :

Day 01: Arrive Bangalore

Arrive Bangalore, popularly known as the Garden City with well laid out parks and gardens, long avenues of brightly blossomed trees and salubrious climate throughout the year. After check-in at hotel proceed for the sightseeing of Bangalore. Visit Tipus Sultan’s Palace – a fine specimen of military architecture of the 18th century with a two storied ornate structure built entirely in wood, Bull temple at Basavangudi, Vidhana Soudha, Cubbon Park and Lalbagh Botanical Gardens.
Day 02: Mysore

Drive to Mysore, the Sandalwood City. It is preserved to this day with its magnificent palaces, beautiful laid out gardens, imposing buildings and many ancient temples. Visit Maharaja’s Palace - built in indosarcenic style of architecture with domes, turrets, arches and colonnades, the palace is decorated with Hoysala style carvings. Chamundi Hills – a monolith in granite of 5 meter high Nandi beautifully carved with garlands and bells. Brindavan Gardens – the fabulous garden that stretch out in terraces below dam and change into an exotic fairyland with twinkling lights, swirling fountains and artificial waterfalls. A musical fountain dances to the tunes and harmony.
Day 03: Mysore

Day excursion to Somnathpur and Srirangapatana. SOMNATHPUR - Dedicated to the Lord Siva, the exquisitely carved, star-shaped temple with triple towers is a perfect example of Hoysala architecture. Beautifully sculptured images of gods, goddesses, and scenes from the epics, as well as the remarkably ornate ceilings in the pillared hall will take your breath away. SRIRANGAPATNA - The Little Island Fortress of Tipu Sultan, Who Was Once Known As the "Tiger of Mysore". Visit the Summer Palace, The Daria Daulat, and the Beautiful Wall Paintings.
Day 04: Chickmagalur

Chickmagalur enjoys salubrious climate and has venerated monuments and temples all round the region. Situated in a fertile valley surrounded by lush coffee growing hills, the town with its bracing climate and scenic splendor is worth visiting. This town is a perfect base for visiting Belur and Halebid temples. Places of interest are the Fort, Ishwara temple, St.Joseph’s Cathedral and Kondandarama Temple.
Day 05: Chickmagalur

Day excursion to Belur and Halebid. Belur 40 km from Hassan, a temple town famous for its exquisite temples. It is also known as Dakshina Varanasi. King Vishnuvardhana built the Channakeshwara temple in 1117 AD to commemorate his conversion from Jainism to Vaishnavism. The star shaped homogenous architectural beauty raised on a platform carved in black stone with 650 charging elephants that are different from each other and in the temple dome inside four famous figures of Shantala Devi’s voluptuous beauty, queen of King Vishnuvardhana are marvelous. Halebid 30 km from Hassan. It is also known as Dwara Samudra, the wealthy capital of Hoysalas. The Hoysaleshwara temple stands on a platform like a casket in shining black stone carved with variety of gods and goddesses, animals, birds and dancing girls. There is a museum on the lawns with 12th century sculptures and gold coins in use at that time. One km from Halebid is Jain Basti hill built in the 8th century surrounded by gleaming carved black stone pillars.
Day 06: Hospet

Chitradurga means umbrella shaped lofty hill. Visit the Fort which has 4 secret entrances, 19 gateways and ingenious water tanks. Many ancient temples are also located within its precincts; the Hidimbeshwara temple is the oldest among them. Hospet is the perfect base for visiting Hampi ruins.
Day 07: Hampi

Early morning breakfast, checkout and proceed to Hampi, the World Heritage Center, is the most beautiful and evocative of all the ruins of Karnataka. Capital of Vijayanagar kingdom is full of delightful surprises, viz., Kings Balance where kings were weighed against grain, gold or money which was then distributed to the poor, other attractions are Queen's Bath with its arched corridors, projecting balconies, Lotus Mahal Vittala Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Ugra Narasimha are not to be missed. Lunch enroute and on arrival check in to a hotel Malligi or similar evening free.
Day 08: Hampi

The best way to experience this World Heritage Site is to take a leisurely stroll through the eloquent ruins. Most of the important structure and ruins are located in tow areas, which are generally referred to as the Royal Centre and the Sacred Centre. The Royal Centre contains structures that seem to have been palaces, baths, pavilions, royal stables, and temples for ceremonial use. The sacred centre is situated on the banks of the holy Tungabhadra River. Visit Vittthala temple and Virupaksha temple.
Day 09: Badami

After breakfast drive to Badami. It has exquisite cave temples belonging to the golden period of Chalukyan rule. There are 4 cave temples – all hewn out of sand stone on the precipice of a hill. The first cave temple has an exquisite carving of Nataraja embodying 81 poses. The third cave is dedicated to Vishnu and is the largest and most ornamental. The fresco paintings in the cave resemble those of Ajanta. Overlooking the cave temples is a large tank around which are temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva.
Day 10: Badami

Morning breakfast and proceed to visit Aihole and Pattadakal. Aihole - is famous as the Cradle of Indian Temple Architecture has over 125 temples all intricately carved and rich in detail famous ones are Lad Khan Temple, Drug (fort) Temple, Ravalphadi Cave Temple, Konti Temple Complex, Jain Meguthi Temple are few not to be Missed. Pattadaka l-a World Heritage center has 10 major temples representing early Chalukyan architecture. Temples to visit are Virupaksha, Mallikarjuna and Panatha. Return to Badami in the evening.
Day 11: Badami

Full day excursion to Bijapur, known as the City of Victory. It has about 50 mosques, more than 20 tombs and numerous palaces. Visit Gol Gumbaz: The tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah is an astounding engineering feat, being the second largest dome in the world, which is mysteriously unsupported by any pillar. The monument has become memorable for the whispering gallery under the dome, whose acoustics are superb. It carries the faintest whisper around the dome and returns it to the listener nine times. Ibrahim Rouza, Jumma Masjid, Archaeological Museum are the other interests of this town.
Day 12: Goa

After breakfast, check out and drive to Goa to relax. OR Board your flight / train to onward destination from Panjim, Goa's Capital.

Inclusion :

Hotel Nights accommodation on twin sharing basis as per itinerary
Meals as per hotel plan
All transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary in an air-conditioned vehicle on sharing basis
Road taxes, parking fees, fuel charges, interstate taxes

Exclusion :

Airfare and Train Tickets
Lunch and Dinners or Any special Meals unless mentioned otherwise
Expense of personal nature such as tips, laundry, telephones, beverages etc
Dharshan Tickets & entry fee for all monuments and boating fees & Guide Charges
5 % GST

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