About Karnataka & Bangalore

The capital of Karnataka, Bangalore is described as Asia's Silicon Valley. Developed as a centre for colonial rule in south India the garden city of Bangalore is the gateway to sights of superb temples at Halebid and Belur, the colossal Gomateshvara monolith at Sravana Belgola and the magnificent ruins of Hampi, the site of the great citadel of the Vijaynagara empire.

Mysore is a city of palaces, gardens, shady avenues and sacred temples. A city that has retained some of the charm of the old world with its many institutions that propagate Carnatic classical music and dance. With the Wodeyar rulers being great patrons of art and culture, the Dasara festival held during October/November every year, has become quite an event. The tradition is still carried on today and the 10-day long festivities showcases the rich culture and heritage of the city.

Dramatically situated within a horseshoe of red sandstone cliffs, overlooking the green waters of a large lake, the historical city of Badami or Vatapi, as it is also known as, is famous for its cave temples - all hewn out of sand stone on the precipice of a hill.

Hampi has been given UNESCO World Heritage status.  Situated on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra river, the 14^thcentury Hampi ruins lie scattered over approximately 26 square kilometers amidst giant boulders and vegetation. The ruins narrate the story of grandeur, splendor and fabulous wealth and the tale of men with infinite talent and power of creativity together with their capacity for senseless destruction.

Located in the southern Indian state of Karnataka and abutting the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Bandipur National Park became the southern most of the nine reserves specially established under Project Tiger in 1973.