Weekend
Rock Climbing Trips:
Weekend getaways are all about
chilling out to the brim and the
best way to let go all the fatigue
and tension of everyday life is
by indulging in nature based adventure
activities. There are places like
Savandurga and Madhugiri both
of which are fabulous destinations
for rock climbing. One of Asia's
biggest monolith is right here
at Savandurga. Landscaped rocky
peaks ideal for rock climbing
abounds in places like Turahalli,
New Rocks, Raogodlu, Badami, ,
Hampi, Kabbal Durga, Antara Gange
and Kunti Betta.
Holiday Tours to Bangalore India, there are numerous climbs of varying
grades in this part of Karnataka
and is spread over a vast area.
Weekend Treks & Wildlife
Safaris:
Karnataka is a land where nature
has been bountiful. There are
pockets of luxuriant foliages,
evergreen jungles, rugged mountains
and thunderous waterfalls all
of which are an open invitation
to the avid trekking enthusiasts.
The Western Ghats with its enviable
status of being one of the world's
few biodiversity hotspots is truly
an otherworldly experience as
far as trekking is concerned.
Endless trekking trails whereby
one gets an opportunity to pass
through impenetrable forest cover
enchants the most discerning trekkers.
You can blend trekking with camping
at verdant coffee estates and
if you have your adrenalin pumping,
you might even climb the summit
of the many peaks that abound
in Karnataka. Places like Coorg,
Dandeli, Pushpagiri, Ramanagara,
Kemmangundi, Kudremukh, Irrupu
Falls, Devarayanadurga, Bramhagiri,
and Tadiyandamol are ideal for
trekking.
One of the most enchanting trekking
spot is the one at Edakumeri which
stretches all of 52 Kms. and is
surrounded by dense evergreen
forest cover.
Those who have a penchant for
wildlife safaris would do well
to visit wildlife sanctuaries
like Bannerghatta National Park,
Kabini, Dandeli, MM Hills, BR
Hills, Bandipur National Park
and Nagarhole National Park all
of which offer unparalleled wildlife
holidays.
These parks are among the most
beautiful in Karnataka and there
are some fabulous jungle lodges
located within the peripheral
areas of these enchanting wildlife
sanctuaries.
The sanctuaries have
a rich diversity as far as wildlife
species are concerned. The best
way to explore the haunting wilderness
of these parks is by embarking
on a jeep safari that takes visitors
deep inside the park to witness
the wildlife drama. From herds
of elephants gracefully wending
their way across the jungles to
hyperactive monkeys jumping between
tree trunks with their young ones
tightly tucked in their bosom,
it's all here at Karnataka's wildlife
sanctuaries.
Weekends
on the Beach :
Karnataka with a coastline of
320 Kms. has some of the most
pristine and virgin beaches in
the whole of India. For instance
there is Karwar which is among
the most isolated of Karnataka
beaches. A weekend beach holiday
at the picturesque Karwar beach
is just what the doctor ordered
to rejuvenate ones body and mind.
The waves here are moderate and
the beach is palm fringed. Karwar
beach is bound by the imposing
Western Ghats its East graced
by the azure blue Arabian Sea
on the west. From the beach one
can clearly see numerous picture
postcard like islands on the distant
horizon.
There is also the bewitching Devbagh
beach located at a distance of
a mere 3 Kms. from Karwar and
is best known as a centre for
diving and snorkelling. This beach
is where nobel laureate Rabindranath
Tagore had once visited and he
was so inspired by this secluded
beach that he penned down his
first play based on his ethereal
experience of this beach.
From leisurely walks on the beachfront
to basking in a casuarina grove,
the beaches of Karnataka are among
the most alluring in the whole
of India. You can choose to stay
in thatched cottages and dine
outdoors under the starlit canopy
while the ocean splashes the shores.
On the Heritage Trail:
If you are a culture freak, Karnataka
wouldn't disappoint you. There
is a plethora of World Heritage
Sites in the state and as a tourist
you will be spoilt for a choice.
For instance, there is Pattadakal
which is conspicuous by its finely
carved temples that still exude
with the grandeur of the glorious
Chaulakayan empire. Pattadakal
is ideally located on the banks
of the shimmering Malaprabha river.
Pattadakal, in the days of yore
used to be a ceremonial hub where
the monarchs were crowned and
honored. The entire area is replete
with 10 principal temples, each
of them showcasing the architectural
grandeur of the Chaulakayan empire.
The moment you enter the site,
your eyes fall on the exquisite
8th century temples of Jambulinga,
Galaganatha and Kadasiddeshvara.
They are conspicuous by their
rounded shikaras or spires. The
most attractive temple is the
Virupaksha temple replete with
a colossal gateway, numerous inscriptions
and a plethora of engravings from
the epics. Opposite to the temple
is a marquee which is conspicuous
by its Nandi.
The Mallikarjuna Temple too is
much like the Virupaksha Temple,
but is relatively smaller in size.
The elaborately designed Papanatha
Temple is another fine specimen
of Chaulakayan architecture and
is conspicuous by its ornate ceilings
and a 16 columned main antechamber.
There is also the Sangameshwara
Temple dating back to the era
of King Vijayaditya (696-733 AD)
and is the oldest temple in this
complex.
There is Hampi, which used to
be the capital of the glorious
Vijaynagara Empire of South India.
Today, Hampi has gained worldwide
recognition and has also been
conferred with the status of a
World Heritage Site. Hampi was
founded way back in 1336 by Harihara
and Bukka but was captured by
the marauding Mughals in 1556
and subsequently went into decline
and became deserted. However,
the ruins of Hampi still kindles
with memory of the splendor and
magnificence of its rich virile
past.
A visit to Tours in Bangalore India Hampi is a fascinating
journey into the past. The best
way to explore the grandeur of
Hampi is by walking through the
expressive ruins. The ruins are
exclusively located in two wings
- one is the Royal Centre and
the other is the Sacred Centre.
The Royal Centre is replete with
ruins of palaces, pavilions, baths,
royal stables and exquisite temples
while the Sacred Centre is on
the northern end of Hampi by the
banks of the Tungabhadra river.
A list of the most important sites
in Hampi have been compiled which
will act as a ready reckoner to
those tourists who intend to visit
this fascinating World Heritage
Site:
King's Palace:
The magnificent King's Palace
is the biggest enclosure and is
inclusive of two principal platform
columns. There is an underground
cell which must have been the
treasury or meeting hall. The
palace is doubly fortified and
there are a plethora of rare architectural
features.
Mahanavami
Dibba:
Mahanavami Dibba is indeed very
regal and this is where the monarchs
of the Vijaynagar Empire once
took their seat on splendid gem-studded
golden thrones and observeved
the proceedings. The Mahanavami
Dibba is conspicuous by its exquisitely
engraved posse of horses, soldiers,
and a variety of facets of the
day to day life which prevailed
in those days.
Queen's
Bath:
The Queens Bath is a fabulous
enclosure. Although from outside
it doesn't reveal much, but the
moment one step inside, the sheer
grandeur bedazzles the first time
visitor. There are elegantly done
up passageways, intricately designed
balconies and gorgeous fountains
from where perfumed water would
spew out for the ladies of the
royal harem.
Lotus
Mahal:
Lotus Mahal is among the most
attractive enclosures which have
been built at two levels. They
have immaculate pavilions at the
base and regal galleries above.
The Lotus Mahal is one of the
finest specimen of the Indo-Saracenic
style of architecture that existed
during the pinnacle of the Vijayanagar
Empire. The Mahal is conspicuous
by its gorgeously designed arches
that skillfully portrays the petals
of a flower blooming out in full
glory with the first rays of the
sun.
Hazara Rama
Temple:
The Hazara Rama Temple used to
serve as the de facto temple of
the royal family. The temple is
conspicuous by its intricately
carved bass relief that artistically
depicts scenes straight out of
Ramayana epic. The parapets are
regally adorned with images of
horses, elephants, dancing girls
and soldiers all decked up with
designer armories. The Ardha Mandapa
is magnificently sculptured with
the finest variety of granite
as the columns bear testimony
to it.
Vithala Temple:
The Vithala Temple is the piece
de resistnace as far as the ruins
of Hampi is concerned. There is
an outstanding chariot built of
stone that stands like a sentinel
bang in the middle of the courtyard.
The massive Ranga Mandapa is conspicuous
by its 56 musical columns that
resonates with melodious chimes
when thumped.
Pushkarni:
The Pushkarni is nothing but a
giant water tank. It was only
recently excavated and was an
integral part of the palace. The
tank has been beautifully sculpted
from the finest quality of granite.
