10 Best places to visit in Karnataka

Karnataka has a lot to offer for tourists. Karnataka is popularly known as “One State Many World”, so you can see all kind of nature here including seasons. There are many places to visit in Karnataka, I guess 200+. Here is my list of best.

1. Jog Falls

Jog Falls is located in Sagara Taluk, Shivamogga District, Karnataka, 30 km away from Sagara, 100 km from Shivamogga, and 385 km away from Bengaluru. Jog falls is one of the highest waterfalls in Karnataka formed by Sharavathi River, gushing down from a height of 253 meters.

Waterfall divided with four names Raja, Rani, Roarer and Rocket, which describes the flow of the waterfall. Jog Falls also known as the Gersoppa Falls or Jogada Gundi. When the gates of the Linganmakki dam is opened during monsoon is the time to see Jog Falls at its best.

Well maintained place and good parking space. During summer water will be very less as Linganamakki dam gates will be closed. Tourists are allowed to get down to the bottom of waterfalls. There are approximately 1400 steps built to reach the bottom of the hill. During the season(Monsoon) place will be bit crowded and tourists are not allowed to get down to the bottom of falls as water will be more and not save.

2. Bandipur National Park

Bandipur National Park is a huge forest located 20kms away from Gundlupete, 95kms from Mysore and 245kms from Bengaluru. It was established in 1974 as a tiger reserve. Before this, it was a private hunting reserve for the Maharaja of the Mysore. Bandipur is on the route to a major tourist destination of Ooty, so it attracts all the tourist on the way. One can spot at least 5 to 10 variety of animals while crossing this area.

Karnataka is the state with the highest tiger population in India. India’s biggest biosphere reserve popularly known as the ‘Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve’ is created With Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala and Nagarhole National Park.

3. Dharmasthala

Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala is in Belthangadi taluk of the Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka. It is one of south India’s most renowned religious landmarks. As the name suggests, the word dharma in its truest sense means righteousness, it is the embodiment of the world’s most divine emotions in spite of one’s cast, creed or religion.

Lord Manjunatheshwara is the main god here along with Ammanavaru, Chandranath and the Dharma Daivas (guardian spirits of Dharma) — Kalarahu, Kalarkayi, Kumaraswamy and Kanyakumari are being worshipped here. Lakshadeepa, the festival of lights, is the annual festival of Dharmasthala in November–December. And on an average, the flow of pilgrims is about 10,000 people a day and for all free food is available.

There are 2 routes to visit this place, Via Shiradi Ghat and via Charmadi Ghat.

4. Belur

Belur is a small town located on the banks of River Yagachi, in Hassan district of Karnataka. Belur was the early capital of the Hoysala Empire. The main attraction in Belur is the Chennakeshava temple dedicated to Lord Chennakeshava. Chennakeshava means handsome Vishnu. The temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture.

It was built by king Vishnuvardhana in commemoration of his victory over the Cholas at Talakad in 1117 CE. So by this time the temple is 800 years old. This temple took 103 years to complete and Vishnuvardhana’s grandson Veera Ballala II completed it.

The temple is filled with sculptures and friezes with no portion left blank. The intricate workmanship includes elephants, lions, horses, episodes from the Indian mythological epics, and Shilabalikas. Inside the temple are a number of ornate pillars. Darpana Sundari (Lady with the mirror) carved on walls of Belur Temple is one of the major attractions in the complex.

The Chennakesava Temple is a holy house for sculptures showcasing an innumerable variety of ornaments, the doorways, the ceilings, the birds, the animals, dancers and other figures are fully decorated as if they are full of life and vigour with the variety of actions and movements. The doorways are guarded on either side by the gorgeously decorated dvarapalaka.

5. Shivanasamudra Falls

Barachukki & Gaganachukki Falls, Shivanasamudra, The waterfalls is on river Kaveri which is coming from KRS Dam. The island of Sivasamudra divides the river into twin waterfalls. Left waterfall is Gaganachukki and right waterfall is Barachukki. Words are not just enought to describe this place, its better to view it through our eyes.

The waterfalls are located approximately 140 km from Bengaluru and 60 km from Mysore. This is one of the major attraction for people visiting Mysore and Mandya.

6. Coorg

Coorg is located 265 km from Bangalore. Popularly named Scotland of India. Coorg is also part of Western Ghats, so famous for some hill stations. It is popular destination for tourist and a good 2 day trip from Bangalore.

Like Chikmagalur even Coorg is famous for coffee. The hill stations, waterfalls and thick forest areas attracts lot of visitors hence the popular destination in Karnataka. Thandiyandamole, Brahmagiri and Pushpagir are some of the trekking activities.

There are many places to see in Madikeri, suggest for 2 to 3 days trip. But in this I will mention few places where you can visit even on summer.

Briefly description about the places in Madikeri :

Mandalpatti is a beautiful offroading hill. It is situated at an altitude of around 4050 feet. Mandalpatti is popularly known as Mugilpete(Mugilu Pete) which means Market of Cloud. It is the main attraction for tourists in madikeri, located 18kms from Madikeri city.

Talacauvery is located on the slopes of the Brahmagiri mountain ranges near Bhagamandala. This is the birth place of River Cauvery (Kaveri). Cauvery Kundike or Brahma Kundike which is a small tank where the river starts.

Dubare Elephant camp is an elephant training center situated on the banks of the river Kaveri. The elephants used for Mysore Dussehra are trained at this camp. Tourists can also watch elephants being given a scrub-bath in the river and can also feed elephants.

7. BR Hills

Biligirirangana Hills also popularly called BR Hills. The area is called Biligiriranganatha Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary (BRT Wildlife Sanctuary). It is situated in the Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka. This place is 40kms from Chamarajanagar city, 30kms from Kollegal, 82kms from Mysore and 180kms from Bengaluru. This place is a heaven between the Western and the Eastern Ghats with wonderful floral and fauna. Monsoon is just equal to heaven here.

The hills are covered with more than 800 species of plant life and home for many medicinal plants as well. There are variety of wild animals and different species of birds. One can spend a good time watching and taking pictures of wild animals and birds.

BR Hills is also famous for Biligiriranga Swamy Temple, one who visits BR Hills will definitely visit this temple. Another attraction here is K. Gudi which is very near by and lodge available for tourists.

8. Baba Budan Giri

Baba Budan Giri is a mountain in Western Ghats located 40 kms from Chikmagaluru town. It is one of the major attraction in Chikmagaluru and pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Muslims. Every year for “Datta Jayanti” celebrations 1000’s of people come from surrounding places with orange flag. A very special thing in this mountain is Unique flowers called kurinji blooms in these hill once every 12 years. At that time complete hill will be filled with flowers. Next is expected in 2018 as last seen on 2006.

9. Sigandur

Sigandur is located in western ghats of Sagara Taluk, Shivamogga District, Karnataka. Sigandur is famous for temple popularly known as Shri Sigandur Chowdeshwari Temple. It is a very beautiful place surrounded by backwater of River Sharavathi. To reach temple we need to take ferry or commonly called as Launch. For tourists it makes a nice ride along with their vehicles.
Note: during holidays or festival you have to wait for many hours to cross the river instead leave your vehicle and take a jeep or auto after crossing the water. As i have seen launch service will start at 6am and close at 6pm.

For this service we need to pay Rs 2 per passenger, Rs 15- Rs 20 per vehicle.

And one important thing to remember, this service was mainly started to help locals as many area got submerged after building Linganamakki Reservoir, so Local vehicles and Buses get priority over tourist vehicles. Have a good ride.

Jog Falls is very close to this place

10. Chitradurga

Chitradurga Fort is located in Chitradurga district, Karnataka. Fort is also known as Kallina Kote. It is round 180kms from Bengaluru. Very close to Bengaluru – Pune highway. This place has a very huge historic story, fort was build around 800years back when ruled by Chalukyas and Hoysalas.

We all know about Onake Obavva and Obavvana kindi, it is in this place.