Things to Do in Karnataka
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.
Lord Gomateshwara was the son of the first Jain Tirthankara, Lord Adinatha. Apart from this wonderful statue, this place also has some beautiful hills to explore. Chandragiri and Vindhyagiri hills surround the place and offer several interesting trails for trekking and camping around the area. You can also hire a palanquin to enjoy the view from the hill top without doing all the walking.
The other major attraction here is the Bhandari Basadi Temple which is the largest temple in Shravanabelagola built in 1126 by the treasurer of the Hoysala Kings. If you are lucky, you can witness the Mahamastakabhisheka of Lord Bahubali, which happens once every 12 years.
You can also enjoy many other attractions in this city, such as waterfalls, military warehouses, tombs and palaces. If you want to see some rare and beautiful birds, then you can visit the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary. Other attractions here include the Gumbaz, Dariya Daulat Baug, Sangam, Balmuri Falls, Karighatta Temple, Srirangapatna Fort, the Obelisk and Jama Masjid.
The best time to plan your visit to Srirangapatna is during the winter months between October to March. The weather remains pleasant for outdoor activities, sightseeing and shopping. Summers can ruin your trip because of excess heat. The temperatures range between 32°C to 40°C making it difficult for any outdoor activities. Monsoons are not ideal either as the rains can get very heavy and dampen your trip. However, if you do go during monsoons the only advantage would be the great price drops in the things you can buy.
Other popular attractions in this town are Hoysaleswara Temple, Basadi Halli, Yagachi Dam, Kedareswara Temple, and the Archaeological Museum. While visiting the Halebid city, do not forget to enjoy the Hoysala Mahotsava. This festival represents the cultural performances, programs and different forms of art.
The best time to visit Halebid is between October to February. The temperature at this time is perfect to explore the town and different attractions. You will get around 10 to 25 degrees temperature, which is best for traveling and makes the place more beautiful. The temperature rises to 44 degrees in the summer, which is best to avoid. But if you want to catch the festival, then you will need to visit this place in March.
The point that makes Pattadakal different from other places is that the popular structures here represent both South Indian and North Indian style of architecture. A Jain temple named Rashtrakuta is also very beautiful, which is known to be built by Vikramaditya II's wife Queen Lokamahadevi. Apart from these, you can visit Sangameshwara Temple, Malliikarjuna Temple, Jain temple, Galaganatha temple and Papanatha Temple. It is also a major UNESCO World Heritage site showcasing some of the most interesting attractions in Karnataka.
The best time to visit Pattadakal is between October to March as well as July to September. The temperature between October to March stays around 10 to 32 degrees and in monsoon, the temperature stays also very good to visit places around. But do not visit the place in summer as the place can get very hot during the day in Summer. During the day the temperature ranges between 35°C to 40°C but it gets relatively cooler in the evenings and early mornings.
The Fort on the top is at a height of 1,117 m. You can visit other attractions, such as Ghati Subramanya Temple, Grover Zampa Vineyards, Chikka Madhure Shani Mahatma Temple, Kinvah Vineyards. Popular amongst trekkers the Village itself serves as a base for these treks and there are many day treks as well as night treks organized here.You can also indulge in bike rides to reach the top of some hills.
The best time to visit Makalidurga is in the winter months between October to March. This is also the best time to trek, as the roads and trails are dry and make it easy to trek. Do not visit the place in monsoon if you want to trek as the rocks and the roads get slippery and it can be dangerous to trek in the weather. Also, Due to heavy rains, blockage of roads and rock brakes is very common.
There are some temples nearby and a wildlife sanctuary which visitors can explore. You can do many outdoor activities here, such as fishing, boating, water sports, swimming in the Kaveri River. Many people also come here to trek the mountains and click some amazing photos of the waterfalls.
The place is at its best during monsoon and winter and both these seasons are ideal to enjoy the waterfall and other attractions here. In winter the place is filled with tourists because of the pleasant weather and breezy ambience. In monsoon, you can enjoy the waterfall at its best. The water increases, which makes the roars more powerful and increases the beauty of the place. Summers are not really ideal for a trip to the Shivanasamudra Falls as the temperatures are really high and the humidity level is also high.
Talakadu
Talakadu offers some really exciting activities including coracle rides on the Kaveri River. Talakadu is located 120km away from Bangalore airport. You can catch a train to Mysore to reach Talakadu as the Mysore railway station is only 45km away from this place.
The best time to visit Talakadu is between November to March. The weather is pleasant and you can enjoy the rides on the River or indulge in a picnic with friends and family. This is a great time to indulge in temple hopping and enjoy the local cuisines.
The weather is very hot during the summers with temperatures going up to almost 40°C. This is not ideal for outdoor activities or sightseeing. In monsoon, heavy rains and bad weather will ruin your visit and make the roads and temples muddy.
The place is also very famous for manufacturing handloom clothes and blankets. You can visit the market places and explore the variety of these locally manufactured clothes and other products. Madhugiri located at a height of 3930 feet also offers some of the best trekking and hiking trails.
Plan a trip to Madhugiri between the months of October to March. This is the best time as the weather is pleasant and perfect for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Summers are not conducive at all as the temperatures go really high at around 38°C to 40°C. Monsoons bring with it moderate to heavy showers which can dampen your trip. Trekking is also not advisable during this time as the trails get muddy and quite slippery as well.
Sringeri
Another point of interest in Sringeri is the way they celebrate their festivals. If you are lucky, you can also catch a glimpse of their colorful cultural rituals and Navratri festival and the unbelievable crown of countless people.
The best time to visit Sringeri is between October to March when the weather and ideal to explore all the attractions here. The temperature stays around 21-24 degrees, which is great to enjoy the place more comfortably. If you visit Sringeri in monsoon, then you might get medium to heavy rains, which can interrupt the trip and other activities. But, monsoon also makes the scenery more enjoyable and enthralling, the temperature stays around 23 to 29 degrees. Avoid visiting the place in summer as the temperature can rise to 30 to 32 degrees.
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Karnataka Things To Do FAQs
What are the best things to do in Karnataka?
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:
- Experience the Vairamudi Festival
- Experience Laksha Deepotsavam
- Visit the Gol Gumbaz
- Tour Pattadakal
- Visit the Brindavan Gardens
- Visit the Mysore Zoo
- Skydive in Mysore
- White water raft at Bheemeshwari and Kodagu
What are the best adventure activities to do 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.
- Static skydiving in Mysore
- Microlight Flying in Bengaluru (Jakkur airfield), Coorg and Mysore
- White Water Rafting in Bheemeshwari, Madikeri, Kali River and much more
- Scuba Diving in Murdeshwar
- Rock Climbing in Ramanagara, Savanaduga, Turahalli and Madhugiri
- Trekking in Coorg, Kodachadri
- Aquatic parasailing in Malpe beach, Gokarna Beach
- Jetski Ride in Gokarna Beach, Varuana Lake (Mysore), Netravathi (Mangalore)
- Motorbiking
- Cycling
Which are the most adventurous places for trekking in Karnataka?
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.
- Mullayanagiri (Near Chikmagalur)
- Z Point (Near Kemmanagundi)
- Skandagiri / KalavaraDurga (Near Bangalore)
- Kumara Parvatha(Near Mangalore)
- Nandi Hills (Near Bangalore)
- Yana (Near Jog Falls)
- Madhugiri (Near Bangalore)
- Kunti Betta (Near Srirangapatna)
- Yedakumeri / Green Route Trek (Near Mangalore)
Which are the best campsites in Karnataka?
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:
- Kalhatty, Ooty
- Coorg –Votecad
- Foothills of Jenukallu mountain, Sakleshpur
- Seagot, Wayanad
- Dabbaguli
- Kodamballi, Channapatna
Which are some famous waterfalls to visit in Karnataka?
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:
- Arasinagundi Falls, Kollur
- Gokak Falls, Belgaum
- Kadambi Falls, Kudremukh
- Benne Hole Falls, Karwar
- Jog Falls, Shimoga
- Sural Falls, Belgaum
- Abbey Falls, Coorg
- Lalguli Falls, Karwar
Where can I do river rafting in Karnataka? How much will it cost me?
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:
- Kabini River
- Kondaji
- Barapole River
- Sita River
- Sowparnika River
These experiences in Karnataka generally priced around INR 1000, but they are likely to change depending on the season and the destination you pick.
Which are some destinations to visit for wildlife safari experience in Karnataka?
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:
- Nagarahole National Park
- Mudumalai National Park
- Bandipur National Park
- Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bannerghatta National Park
Which are the best places to visit for a spiritual experience in Karnataka?
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:
- Ramakrishna Math, Bangalore
- Shri Sridhara Swami Ashram, Shimoga
- Fireflies Ashram, Kaggalipura
- Vishwa Shanti Ashram, Arishinakunte
- Chamundi Temple
- Holy Trinity Church
- Iskcon Temple
- Shree GaviGangadeshwara Temple
Which are the best locations for rock climbing 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.
- Savandurga
- Hampi and Badami
- Yana
- Skandagiri
- Madhugiri
Where can I do scuba diving in Karnataka? How much will it cost me?
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.
Which are some famous routes for biking in Karnataka?
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:
- Bheemeshwari, 105 km from Bangalore
- Savandurga, Karnataka, 50 Km from Bangalore
- Wayanad, 265 km from Bangalore
- Ooty, 266 km from Bangalore
- Shivanasamudram Falls, 135 km from Bangalore on road
- Hampi, 350 km from Bangalore
- Biligiriranga Hills, 200 km from Bangalore
- Bangalore to Sakleshpur
- Yercaud, 213 km from Bangalore
- Kabini River, 209 km from Bangalore
Where can I enjoy skydiving in Karnataka? Is it safe to do it? What are its charges?
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.
Which are some famous beaches to visit in Karnataka? What are the activities to do there?
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:
- Kaup Beach
- Karwar Beach
- Gokarna’s Beach town
- Netrani Beach
- St. Mary Island
- Ullal Beach
- Malpe Beach
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