PLACES OF TOURIST INTEREST & TOUR ROUTE, KARNATAKA - PAGE 2

Mysore - Mysore is the perfect place to start exploring Karnataka. Positioned at a strategic location geographically, Mysore offers an unbelievable variety of places to visit and explore. The city itself has a good chunk of the state’s royal history, having been the states capital for several dynasties. A few hours drive from Mysore will take you to wildlife sactuaries, heritage centres, rivers, temples, the coast and hill stations; all you have to do is to pick up your detination.

Located at 140-kms from Bangalore, Mysore is a city of palaces, gardens, markets and shops selling silk and Sandal wood. The most exciting, if crowded time to visit Mysore is during the ten days of the annual Dasara Festival in the month of October when the city returns to its royal past as flok artists from all over the state of Karnataka come to perform to vast crowds of people. Parts of the city are extravagantly illumiated for the occasion.

The Mysore Palace built in Indo-Saracenic style is worth seeing along with a visit to the famous Chamundi Hills located at about 13-kms from the city. Apart from this Mysore is an ideal gateway for visit to Kabini River Lodge - one of the top five wildlife resorts according to the Tatlers guide, on the banks of river Kabini. Jeep Safaris, elephant safaris, coracle rides, nature walks are easy ways to awaken the naturalist and the wildlife enthusiaist in you. Other places of interest include Nanjangud, Srirangapatna, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary etc. which are accessible from Mysore.

Mysore fact file - Area- 6,268 sq.kms.
Altitude - 707 meters above the sea level
Best time to visit- Round the year.
Mean day temperatures- Max- 30C, Min – 19C
International dialling code - +91 821

Accommodation at Mysore - AveMaria India has affiliation with hotel Southern Star at Mysore for its guests. For hotel details please click Book Now link.

Hassan - Hassan district of the state of Karnataka possesses two ancient remains of the capital of the Hoysala dynasty namely Belur and Halebid. Hassan town is situated at a distance of 125-kms. from Mysore. Following are important places of tourist interest around Hassan-

1)Sravanabelagola - The word Sravanabelagola means‘ The Monk on the top of the hill’. This is a small pilgrimage Town for the Jains and has a huge 17 meter high statue of Lord Bahubali created during the rein of King Rachamalla in 981 AD and is said to be the world’s tallestMonolithic statue. This statue is perched on the top of the rocky hill known as Indragiri. The town has a long Historical pedigree dating back to 3rd century B.C when king Chandragupta Maurya came here after renouncing his kingdom. Inorder to reach to the statue one has to climb 614 rock-cut steps.

2) Belur - Situated on the bank of river Yagachi it is at a distance of 37-kms from Hassan. Belur was the capital of the Hoysala dynasty before it was moved to Halebid. The Sri Channakeshwar Temple at Belur is an example of the remains of one of the most artistically exuberant periods of Hindu cultural development.

3) Halebid - Halebid is the ancient capital of Hoysala empire and is situated at a distance of about 27kms from Hassan. Founded in the early 11th century as Dwarasamundra, it was destroyed by the armies of the Delhi Sultanate in 1311 and 1327, after which it was deserted. The Hoyasalaeswari temple at Halebid is the largest of the Hoysala temples and is a piece of art. Quoting the Lonely Planet: ‘The sculptural decorations on the superb temples even rivals the temples of Khajuraho and Konark or the best of European Gothic art’.

Accommodation at Hassan - AveMaria India has affiliation with hotel Southern Star at Hassan for its guests. For hotel details please click book now.


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