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- PLACE TO SEE |
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Bangalore
: An
air-conditioned city, a garden city, the Silicon
Valley of India, the fastest developing city in
the world, these are some of the attributes used
to describe this beautiful city which has a lot
to offer you. A dynamic Happening city, with innumerable
cultural events organized every evening, you can
choose from a Hindustan vocal concert, of a Carnatic
Veena recital, or fusion music to pure western
classical music, a play, or an |
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exhibition
of a famous painter. You can taste of Bangalore. But
the connoisseur can take his pick from any of the multicuisine
restaurants
of the city, Bangalore is also known as the city
of Golf Courses.
Bangalore has a population of more than 56 lakhs.
Besides Kannada, which is the official language
of the state, Bangaloreans are also comfortable
with English,
Hindi, Tamil, Telegu, etc., |
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| Badami
: also
has eighteen inscriptionsranging from the sixth
to the sixteenth century. After
you have exclaimed over the beautiful sculptures
and admired the exquisite carvings, stop by at
the museum set up by the Archaeological Survey
of India.
Rock-cut cave temples, gateways, forts, inscriptions,
sculptures that seem to
come alive
under your eyes. Badami has to be seen to be believed. Climb a flight of steps
to reach the ancient caves all hewn out of sand stone on the precipice of a
hill. The capital of the Early Chalukyas, Badami (also known as Vatapi), is
picturesquely situated at the mouth of a Ravine between two rocky hills.
There are four caves here. The first three belong to the Vedic
faith and the fourth cave is the only Jain temple in Badami. Enter
the first cave temple past Shiva's door keepers and there he is ! The eighteen
armed Nataraja stricking 81 dance poses !
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Bijapur :
Gol Gumbaz boasts of the second largest
dome in the world. 44 meters in diameter, this
dome forms a highly sensitive echo-chamber. The
slightest whisper echoes seven times over and the
tick of a clock held at one end can be distinctly
heard at the opposite end - 125 feet away ! But
there's a
lot more to Bijapur.
On the western outskirts of the city lies the mausoleum of Ibrahim Adil
Shah II - Ibrahim Roza, said to have inspired the Taj Mahal in Agra. Embracing
1,16,300 square feet is the Jumma Masjid - "one
of the finest mosques in India".
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Hampi : The erstwhile Capital
of Vijayanagara Empire - Hampi, takes you through
the pages of history, since 14th Century. Each
deformed stone sculpture has a great story to narrate,
no wonder this happens to be the World Heritage
Centre.
" Vijayanagara" is such that the pupil of they eye has never seen a place
like it.." so eulogized Abdul Razaq, a Muslim envoy who visited Hampi, the
erstwhile capital of the Vijayanagara kingdom, in 1443. You can still glimpse
the splendour
of Vijayanagara in its ruins. The Virupaksha Temple rises majestically
at the western end of a 700m long street that was once the famous Hampi bazaar.
This is the only temple at Hampi that is still used for worship. Nearby is the
6.7 m tall monolith of Ugra Narasimha, seated under a canopy of a seven hooded
snake.
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Hassan :Is
called "Poor
Man's Ooty". Ooty is a popular Holiday hill
station in India. It hosts the Master Control
Facility of India's space programme.
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Channakeshava
Temple Belur: The Channakeshava temple at Belur, which was (the earlier Capital
of Hoysala Kingdom) built by the emperor Vishnuvardhana, during 1117 AD to commemorate
his conversion from Jainism to Vaishnavism, has attracted connoisseurs of art
the World over, through its intricate sculpting
wonders
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Belur- Halebid : 38 kms from
Hassan in Belur. 17 km east of Belur is Halebid.
The best example of Hoysala architecture built
in the 12th century, it is sheer profusion of stone
sculptures. Awe inspiring craftsmanship has left
no stone
blank. Inside are hand lathe turned pillars.
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Koramangala
: Also called
Koravangala in Dudda Hubli of Hassan taluk is
about 8 kms to the East of Hassan town. The
village contains
three temples in
the Hoysala style of architecture built in the 12th century
A.D.
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Shravanabelagola: Said to
be the world's tallest monolithic statue, it is
in dedication to Prince Bahubali, a Jain Saint.
The anointment ceremony is performed once in 12
years.
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Shimoga : As per traditional
derivations ,the name pertains to Lord Shiva (
'Shiva - Mukha' - Face of shiva , 'Shivana - Mogu'
- Nose of shiva, 'Shivana - Mogge' - Buds of flowers
meant for shiva ) . According to the legend, the
place had the ashram of the famous sage 'Durvasa'
who was noted for his sharpness of temper. He used
to keep on the oven a pot boiling with sweet herbs.
Once, some cowherds, who chanced upon it, tasted
the beverage out of curiosity and called the place
'Sihi- Moge' (Sweet Pot) , Which was later called
as
'SHIMOGA'.
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Mysore : Mysore
is
more than palaces, parks and temples . the exotic fragrance of Mysore Jasmine. the
melodious strains of the Veena. the rich aroma of filter coffee. traditional
carvings on fragrant sandalwood, rosewood and ivory . the rustle of rich silks . delicious
Nanjangud bananas . Hot 'N' Spicy Bisi-bele-hulianna . mouthwatering Mysore Pak,
a traditional sweetmeat . It is a gourmet's delight and a Shopper's paradise.
Shop at Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium or in the little backstreets and bylanes
that offer some exciting bargains. Mysore Come, experience it for
yourself.
Steeped in History Mysore, capital city of the Wodeyars. Adobe of untold grandeur
and glory, where the rich heritage of the Wodeyars is carefully preserved to
this day in its magnificent places, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings,
board shady avenues and sacred temples.
There's an old world charm about the city that reaches out and leaves no one
untouched. Mysore, or Mahishur as it was called then, traces its history back
to the mythical past, when Godess Chamundeshwari of Chamundi Hills
killed the wicked buffalo-headed Demon, Mahishasura.
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