Karnataka’s Ancient History and Goa

Our Tour features the following locations

BANGALORE: Considered to be the cool cousin among India’s top four metros, Bangalore boasts a great foodie, music and café scene and an equally incredible bar and nightclub culture. The city is located close to some of the most beautiful vineyards that India has to offer, and while it lacks historical sites in the true sense, it more than makes up with its infectious buzz, glitzy malls, and cosmopolitan lifestyle. For a change of scenery, simply head over to one of the many museums, gardens, temples and palaces that Bangalore has to offer. There’s some beautiful Victorian-era architecture worth exploring as well!

MYSORE: Kings and traditions have always been an integral part of Mysore. The city boasts a fascinating history and is littered with beautiful temples and palaces from a bygone era. For a long time, Mysore basked in its ancient charm, happy as one of the slow-paced old-world towns in the country. However, the IT revolution has completely transformed Mysore into a flamboyant showstopper, a majestic city that presents the best of everything without losing out on its rich identity. Unlike most parts of the country, Mysore boasts of exceptional weather and its bustling bazaars are amazing places for discovering sandalwood items and incense. The UNESCO World Heritage listed Mysore Palace is easily the key attraction here, but yoga tourism and Ayurveda resorts are also becoming huge draws for tourists from all over the world. 

SHRAVANBELAGOLA: Located at a distance of 140 kms from Bangalore, Shravanabelagola is an important Jain pilgrimage centre in South India. Shravanabelagola is a delight for anyone interested in architectural wonders and ancient ruins. Its relics and sculptures date all the way back to the Indus Valley Civilization and that mammoth structure of Lord Bahubali, the tallest monolithic stone statue on the planet, narrates stories of sheer human genius. Carved out of a single block of granite, this statue is as perfect as any sculpture could ever be. For an experience of a lifetime, visit this ancient town during the Mahamastakabhisheka Festival, held once in 12 years. The next festival is slated to be held in the month of Feb 2018.

HASSAN: With a well-connected railhead and a wide range of hotels, Hassan offers a great spot to set up a base as you explore South Indian wonders like Sravanabegola, Halebid and Belur. Sravanabegola is one of the most important pilgrim centres for the Jains, dominated by a 17 m monolith of Lord Bahubali, the tallest monolithic statue on the planet. Halebid bears testimony to Karnataka’s cultural heritage with its 12th-century temples, exquisite carvings and stunning paintings. The Hoysaleswara temple is particularly unique as no two facets of the temple have the same design. Belur was once known to be the capital of the prosperous Hoysala Empire and is full of beautiful temples, intricate carvings and mesmerising architecture. 

HALEBID:  Though Halebid flourished as the capital of the beautiful Hoysala Empire for more than 150 years, it is mostly remembered for its stunning Hoysaleswara Temple, considered to be one of the most beautiful temples in the country. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple dates back to the 12th century and is known for its stunning carvings and grand architecture. Such is the sculptural extravaganza of this ancient beauty that it has been widely regarded as one of the greatest exhibitions of human genius, one of the most remarkable monuments ever created. Hoysaleswara has as many as 35000 intricately carved statues and sculptures depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata and carvings from the Upanishads and the Puranas. What’s more, no two facets of this work of art have the same design!

CHIKMAGALUR: Chikmagalur is a calm, serene town full of scenic surprises. Hills, valleys, streams and snow-white coffee blossoms are all here to woo. In and around Chikmagalur there are beautiful hill stations and places of picturesque beauty. The district is strewn with many holy spots and proliferates legends associated with stories from the epics of Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

HAMPI: The spell-binding ruins of Hampi have long drawn travellers from all over the world. You’ll probably have to experience a train journey to get there, but the alien-like landscape and mesmerising architecture are well worth your time. Hampi’s terrain is full of humongous boulders with paddy fields and banana plantations offering a respite from miles of rocky landscapes. In between all this chaos, you also come across countless ancient ruins and stunning temples that date all the way back to the Vijayanagara Empire. Key attractions in this UNESCO World Heritage Site include the Lakshmi Narasimha temple, Virupaksha Temple, Big Shivlinga temple and Hemakuta Hill temple. Hampi Bazaar is where you find most of the lodges, shops and restaurants. Located right next to the huge Virupaksha Temple, this is one of the best places to hang out while in Hampi.

BADAMI: This ancient capital of the Chalukyas is famous for its rock-cut temples dating back to the 5th and 8th centuries AD. These temples have been carved out of sandstone cliffs and have been dedicated to Hindu, Buddhist and Jain gods. Badami’s red sandstone cliffs give it that Wild West feeling, but as soon as the dust settles down, you’re treated to a fascinating sight of beautiful old houses, ancient doorways and exquisite carvings. Other attractions include the Agastyatirtha Tank, a beautiful body of water that is considered holy and divine and a wide range of adventure activities such as trekking, cave explorations and rock climbing.

GOA: Ever wondered how it would feel if you brought in western excess, threw it into a culturally rich Indian town and introduced tons of natural beauty and a laid-back, relaxed vibe for added effect? Goa looks like a far cry from the isolated white sand beach hideaway shown in Bourne Supremacy, but it’s still one of the most beautiful yet one of the most happening destinations you’ll ever visit. North Goa is where all the action takes place. It hosts most of those world-famous parties, and there’s always a Vegas-like adventure to become a part of. As you move down south, you’re slowly introduced to vast expanses of unspoilt beaches and exquisite resorts. Downing a drink in one of these beaches under the setting sun is perhaps the best thing to do here, but the smattering of spectacular Renaissance cathedrals, beautiful Hindu temples, and authentic Portuguese architecture offers a pleasant diversion to keep you occupied.

MUMBAI: Mumbai the city of dreams. One of the best and most cosmopolitan cities of Asia. The commercial lifeline of India. Home to Bollywood, the second largest film industry in the world. A place where some of the biggest slums share the area with sprawling metropolises. The epicentre for fashion and Indian wine. A trip to Mumbai is everything you’d expect from a major metropolis, yet so much more. It’s a humbling experience, to say the least. But it’s also fascinating, edgy and exciting. Those colonial-era relics, incredible bazaars, hidden wine cafes and enclaves of peace and serenity really do have a way of putting you at ease.