The majestic coastlines of the Arabian Sea serve Karnataka, situated in southwest India, coming up with numerous tourist destinations. With Bangalore as its capital known for its shopping and nightlife, Karnataka is recognised as a versatile state catering to the travelling needs of people globally. Not only this, the infamous tourist destinations such as those of Gokarna, Mysore, Hampi, and Chikmagalur to name a few, nestle themselves here. The best things to do in Karnataka are flexible enough to include activities like whitewater rafting and becoming a party animal under the category of tourist attraction.
Karnataka has something as modish and lively as Bangalore brimming with its pub, malls, IT companies and cafes alike, and something as serene as the contrasting tranquillity offered by the Coorg hills. The state has received the prestige of being recognised having the maximum number of tourist destinations where people from worldwide flock to experience the versatile ethnicity the place has given birth to. Karnataka has many places to visit which will leave awestruck like Lal bhag garden, Kudremukh National Park, Iruppu Falls, Mullayanagiri, Mudabidiri etc.
The state has maintained a consistent ratio of natural destinations and manmade wonders, which gives it a unique stand among the Indian touring places. Karnataka could equally charm you with its palaces and forts and with its waterfalls and national parks. For adventure lovers, this place might come in the shape of a paradise as activities like rock climbing, white water rafting, cycling, parasailing and much more dominate the natural destinations here.
With hills, national parks and beaches to fill your travelling quota, there is little that Karnataka has managed to miss. Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) being the busiest airport in India in Bengaluru ensures its ease of international accessibility whereas the Konkan railway takes care of its intra-transport facilities. The best things to do in Karnataka could not be missed in a lifetime, as the state offers some of the unique activities and cultural experiences that go unrivalled all over the country.
This pilgrim town is situated on the southern edge of Bangalore at Hanur Taluk district of Chamarajanagara district.
The temple does not only draws lakhs of pilgrims from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and devotees each year but the incredible location of the Shiva Temple amid lush green forest belt attracts hordes of nature enthusiasts as well making it one of the best things to see in Bangalore
The temple is dedicated to the saint Mahadeshwara who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Apparently, the temple became famous because of Veerappan, whenever he would hold any hostage, the family would walk up to this shrine and pray.
Earlier, the road leading to this hill temple was unpaved and treacherous but now it is paved and well-maintained route.
Location: Hanur taluk of Chamarajanagar district of Southern Karnataka. It is situated at about 150 km from Mysuru and about 210 km from Bengaluru
Best Time to Visit: During Mahashivaratri when you can witness the the 'Kamsale Nritya' where devotees dance with cymbals.
Timings: 6.00 AM to 8.00 AM, 10.30 AM to 12 PM and 6.45 PM to 8.30 PM on regular days. The timing may change on special days or festivals.
Average time required to visit the temple: 1 to 2 hours.
Also, check best hill stations near Bangalore for amazing weekend.
Manchanabele is a small village located on the outskirts of Bangalore that is known for its picturesque dam and adjoining reservoir.
It is a short 40km drive away from Bangalore and has recently emerged as a popular weekend retreat for the people of the Bangalore because of the peace, natural beauty and serenity offered by the place.
Manchanabele Dam, which is sought out by travellers, adventurers, families and friends, is built over the Arkavathy river.
It is a mighty reservoir that is used to promote farming and irrigation in the nearby areas. The presence of the reservoir has led to the formation of a beautiful lake on which activities such as boating and kayaking are conducted. It is also popular amongst the tourists because of the incredible natural beauty that one can witness near the Manchanabele Dam.
Even though the reservoir was a popular place for people to explore and swim in, it is now cordoned off and cannot be accessed by the public because of a few incidents.
However, the whole expanse of the lake and the reservoir can be seen from a distance and you can catch a stunning sunset from the vicinity of the lake.
Because of the popularity of the place, several adventure resorts and retreats have sprung up. You can access Manchanabele Dam via Dabbaguli village or from Magadi Road, where you will find most of the accommodations in the area.
It is a breath-taking place for a day trip or just a relaxing weekend outing with your friends and loved ones.
Karnataka creates a magnificent land of wonders as the Eastern and the Western Ghats bordering the state have given rise to several rivers making popular tourist destinations on the way. The place is also famous for its rich archaeological and historical significance backed by temples and forts. Check out the best things to do here in Karnataka:
Karnataka has shaped itself to suit the adventurous people with every kind of adrenaline-inducing needs. For the overtly courageous ones, there is the activity as daring as skydiving, whereas for the not-so-daring ones, you could find cycling and hiking tours. Nonetheless, the diverse landscape and the endless greenish lush of the flora around calls for a breathtaking view with each of these activities.
The most appealing aspect of trekking in Karnataka is reflected by the pleasant weather and the abundance of forests all around, which create an overall fantastic ambience for any trekker. Also, the trekking routes here are safe enough to allow you to trek even during the night time. You could choose any trekking expedition as per your wish, be it a weeklong hiking venture or a few long hours of trekking up the hills.
Campsites in Karnataka come with the heavenly backdrops of coffee plantations or waterfalls. There is no way anything else could possibly beat a camping experience in any part of Karnataka, especially of those listed below:
The rush of rapid thick silver streams rushing down from great heights has given rise to numerous cascades all across the state. Each of them is a sight worth drooling over and most maintain their charm consistently through every season. Karnataka’s waterfalls come in different types, be it in block, cascade, segmented, or plunge. Check out the list of the country’s most wondrous waterfalls:
White water rafting in Karnataka is one of the top activities here with spots like SitaNadi and Bheemeshwari promising you an experience of a lifetime. It is generally done in a flowing water or with the one with a turbulent stream, and for that, these are the best spots you could try your mind and body at:
These experiences in Karnataka generally priced around INR 1000, but they are likely to change depending on the season and the destination you pick.
Out of 34 biodiversity hotspots all over the world, four of them rest in the Indian subcontinent. One of them is the Western Ghats, and you could obviously guess now how rich this spot is with its diversification of flora and fauna. The conservative centres especially the ones of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve are equally thrilling and fun to explore:
Do not fool yourself into getting overwhelmed by the bustling crowds and streets of the IT hub of Bangalore, as the place is equally capable of producing some of the finest spiritual experiences of the country. The ashrams, forts, temples, and festivals of Karnataka are typical of the state with unique practices and beliefs that India is so revered for. Check out the top spiritual destinations in Karnataka:
Karnataka’s exquisite make of the terrains and the obvious pleasant weather make the overall rock and wall climbing experiences quite sublime. Commune with nature as you engage yourself with these formidable ventures worth cherishing for a lifetime.
Karnataka serves one of the best dive sites of India found just off Murdeshwar. Netrani is a small-uninhabited island entertaining the adventurous yearning of the travellers. With water depth ranging between 6 and 40 meters and visibility from 15 and 30 meters, the destination is perfect for divers of all levels of experience.
The service is offered here at the cost of INR 5000 attracting a horde of interested tourists all year round.
The curvature and the straightness of the biking trails are versatile enough to give you the experience you want in Karnataka’s biking routes. Bangalore is especially popular for its biking trails hardly failing to impress bikers who come to seek solace here. Check out the most eminent biking trails of Karnataka:
Diving from a height of 10,000 feet with only the safety of a parachute attached to you is daunting enough to make you question if the experience is safe at all. Although there are not many records of death associated with these practices in Karnataka, nonetheless, it is foolish to try it without any fitness or activity experience at all.
Mysore nestles a few prominent skydiving sites with the Chamundi Hills being the most famed of them all. The cost of skydiving here during the weekend is INR 42,000 whereas it INR 35,000 in the weekdays.
Being one of the most celebrated coastal destinations of India, it is impossible for Karnataka to not leave its visitors in awe of its calendar-worthy beaches. The beach destinations here are thoughtful enough to include other sightseeing tours so that you are not too bored gazing at the breathtaking horizon of the sea (which is doubtful). Check out the favourite beaches of the state: