Upcoming

Honnemardu

State
Karnataka

Honnemaradu meaning “a place of golden sand” is a small village nestled along the back waters of the River Sharavathi in Shimoga district in Karnataka. Located at the heart of the Malnad region, the village, situated on a hilltop overlooks the Linganamakki reservoir also called as Honnermadu resevoir which was formed as a result of damming the Sharavathi river in 1965. Honnermadu, the anme is derived from Honne tree and the fact that the village is submerged in the waters of the dam.

Accessibility

Air: Bangalore International Airport is the nearest airport, which is at distance of about 380 km from Honnemardu. Taxi charges about Rs 6000 from Bangalore to Hogenakkal. Bangalore is well connected to most of the major airports in India and abroad.

Rail: Talguppa is the nearest railhead, which is only about 12 km from the heart of the city Honenmardu. Talhuppa is connected to Shimoga and Bangalore. Talguppa to Honnemardu taxi cab charges about Rs 150 and three wheeled auto rickshaw charges about Rs 75.

Road: Honnemardu is well connected by KSRTC buses to the neighboring cities. Also it is connected to Shimoga nad Bangalore by deluxe private bus services. Bangalore to Honnemardu costs about Rs 1100 by tourist buses.

Things to do

Rafting and Kayaking: Honnemardu, with the water as the pivot of all activities, is a paradise for the adventurers seeking exciting water sports. One can tailor a holiday according to his needs in Honnemardu.

Adventure is what one looks in Honnemardu and adventure is what really one get! Get into a Coracle or a traditional circular boat made of bamboo and enjoy the thrilling experience. It is a hard job swimming in the deep pool, but once the skill of resting on your back with a life jacket; it is simply relaxing and nothing more than that. The water forms gigantic cushion which can absorb all stresses and strains and leaves you weightless as a meditating soul.

Three kinds of water boats are available here - the wind powered surf boat, canoe and the coracle, and one can try to have some nice experience with these. Windsurfing is challenging and meant for the heroic hearts, the canoes and the coracle are nice and pretty easy to learn. It is an amazing experience canoeing in the moonlight and also to lie under the star studded sky and listen to the soft mesmerizing sound of the calm waves.

Trekking: Trekking through the terrains of uneven forest is always challenging. One might catch a sight of the wildlife in the forests while trekking. Bison, deer and an occasional leopard are known to inhabit the hills. The most common reptiles in this trek are the green tree snake, Russell's viper and the cobra.

Watching the sunset from the hills is an awesome sight. Some of the roads in Honnemardu are concreted but most of them still are bumpy and kaccha passing through uneven lands. One can trek along these roads passing by small huts, and occasional villagers on bicycles. The trek one can enjoy with full of greenery and after some time on kaccha road, one could see the backwaters of Sharavathy river. One can also trek down to Jog Falls.

Bird Watching: The forests of Honnemardu are an adobe for many medicinal herbs and plants and home to wide diversity of birds, small animals, reptiles and butterflies. The populated forests around Honnemardu and Jog Falls are a birdwatcher’s paradise.

Many uncommon species can be spotted while walking along the valley. Some of these precious birds include the European bee-eater, orange-headed ground thrush, fairy blue bird, spectacular ruby-cheeked bulbul and rare scarlet minuets. One will find blue rock pigeons taking shelter on the rocks just middle of the misty waterfalls, swallows flying up and down, marvelous red whiskered bulbuls and the yellow-browed bulbuls.

This place is famous for many varieties of butterflies, beautiful red helens, blue bottles, blue mormons, striped tigers, and so many, truly a feast for any butterfly lover.

District
Shimoga district
STD Code
08183
Topic
Upcoming
Best time to visit
August – December

Hassan

State
Karnataka

194 kms from Bangalore is the District Headquarters of Hassan. This quiet and peaceful town is a convenient base to visit Sharavanabelagola, Belur and Halebid. Hassan offers a wide variety of accommodation. It is well connected by road and rail to Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore.
The picturesque town of Hassan is located in the heart of Malnad. Having a very pleasant climate throughout the year, Hassan 194 kms from Bangalore is the entry point for Belur, Halebid and Sravanabelagola. Sravanabelagola is a famous Jain pilgrimage with a 17 m high monolith of lord Bahubali standing tall. Belur was once the capital of the Hoysala kings.

History

Not much is known of the history of Hassan. It was under the control of great Hoysala Empire during 11th to 13th century AD. This was the period when the great temples of Belur and Halebid were constructed. The region of Hassan was also greatly influenced by Jainism and later it became a well-known center of Jain literature. The present-day Hassan is the headquarters of the district by the same name and a convenient base for the tourists visiting Belur and Halebid.

Accessibility

Air: Hassan does not have an airport. The nearest airport is Bangalore, from where one can take flights to major destinations in India like Delhi, Calcutta, and Mumbai. One can also take connecting flights to destinations abroad from Bangalore.

Rail: Hassan is connected to Bangalore, Mysore, and Mangalore by regular trains. The railway station is around 2 km east of town.

Road: Hassan is linked with Belur, Halebid, Shravanbelgola, Bangalore and Mysore by road. We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too. Mysore is 115kms and Bangalore is 185 kms from Hassan by road.

Shopping

There''s plenty to shop for here. The most sought after articles on sale in the markets here are silk, sandalwood and ivory. The collection of items that you will come across while shopping in Hassan are generally decorative and you can''t help but appreciate the craftsmanship and labour that has gone into producing these items.

Accommodation

Although there are quite a few hotels in Hassan, but apart from a comfortable stay they provide all the necessary amenities to guests. Hotels of Hassan offer a variety of accommodation options at reasonable rate. Some of the good hotels to stay in Hassan include Hoysala Village Resort, Southern Star, Hassan Ashok, Hotel Dwarka, Satyaprakash Hotel, Prashanth Tourist Home and Hotel Madhu Nivas.

Since Hassan is a rather small town, it does not have any of those super luxury hotels but has plenty of other comfortable places to stay. Some of the hotels are Hotel Hasan Ashoke, Hotel Southern Star, Hoysala Village Resort and a few others.

Hassan Ashok, ITDC B.M. Road, Hassan.
Hotel Apoorva, Park Road, Hassan.
Hotel Amblee Palika, Race Course Road, Hassan.
Hotel Sanman, Municipal Office Road, Hassan.
Vaisanavi Lodge, Church Road, Hassan.
Hotel Harsha Mahal, Church Road, Hassan.
Hotel Mahaveer, B.M Road, Hassan.

District
Hassan District
STD Code
08394
Topic
Upcoming
Best time to visit
October to March
Famous For
Entry point to Belur, Halebid and Sravanabelagola

Halebid

State
Karnataka

252 kms from Bangalore and 1525 m above sea level lies Madikeri, the district headquarters of Kodagu. Coorg or Kodagu (originally called Kodaimalenadu) means 'dense forest on steep hill'. Dubbed as the Scotland of India, this town has a lot to offer to the tourist. Misty hills, lush forest, acres and acres of tea and coffee plantation, orange groves, undulating streets and breathtaking views are what make Madikeri an unforgettable holiday destination.

Formerly known as Dwarasamudra, Halebid is also referred as the Gem of Indian Architecture. Once the capital of the Hoysala Empire after Belur, Halebid is famous for the remnants of the glorious Hoyasala period and has one of the finest Hoysala temples.

History

The construction of the Hoysaleswara Temple was completed in 1121 by King Vishnuvardhana. During the early 14th century, Halebidu was looted by Muslim invaders from Northern India, Malli Kafur (of the Delhi Sultanate), and the temple fell into a state of ruin and neglect. However, enough of the temple complex remains to showcase the greatness of the artistry of the site.
Sadly, while the Hoysala empire is very much part of Karnataka's historical consciousness and the sculpture and dancing of that era are still commemorated in the state, there is very little beyond the temples in Belur and Halebidu that remains in terms of the archaeological legacy of the Hoysala era.

Accessibility

Air: Mangalore is the nearest domestic airport, which is 168 km away and Bangalore is the nearest international airport, which is 222 km away. Taxi cab costs about Rs 2500 from Mangalore and Rs 3500 from Bangalore. Mangalore air terminal is connected to Bangalore and Chennai. Bangalore airport is well connected to almost all airports in India. International flights to major foreign cities are also operated from Bangalore.

Rail: The nearest railway station is Hassan, which is 27 km from Halebid. It takes about Rs 400 for taxi to reach Halebid from Hassan. Hassan is connected to many cities in Karnataka and neighboring states.

Road: Halebid is well connected by KSRTC bus services. It is connected to all major cities nearby, including Bangalore, which is 222 km away from Halebid. Private buses are available from Bangalore majestic bus station to Halebid, costing about Rs 600.

Shopping

Halebid, the temple town in Karnataka is a must see place for the spiritual tourist. Shopping in Halebid can be fascinating for tourists looking for stone idols, sculptures and terracotta items. Hassan enroute to Belur is also a good place for shopping for curios, which are typical of the state of Karnataka.

Karnataka has a rich tradition of handicrafts and silk sarees, sandalwood, ivory brassware and wooden toys that you can buy in Bangalore from the government-sponsored emporia or from the numerous shopping malls in Bangalore.

Accommodation

The hotels in Halebid and Hassan cater to all categories of tourists, those belonging to the star category as well as the budget hotels. The hotels in Halebid include Karnataka Tourism's Mayura Santhala, Tourist Cottages of Department Of Tourism, Halebid and Traveller's Bungalow of PWD, Halebid.

Some of the prominent hotels in Hassan:

3 Star Hotels

Hotel Hassan Ashok

2 Star Hotels

Hotel Southern Star

Other Star Hotels

Hotel Suvarna Regency
Hoysala Village Resort

District
Hassan district
STD Code
08177
Topic
Upcoming
Termperature
Summer 22-40°C, Winter 10-32°C
Best time to visit
October - February

Kukke Subramanya

State
Karnataka

Kukke Subramanya is a Hindu temple located in the village of Subramanya in the Sullia taluk of Dakshina Kannada District near Mangalore, Karnataka, India. The temple is one of the pristine pilgrimage locations in India. Here Lord Subrahmanya is worshipped as the lord of all serpents. The epics relate that the divine serpent Vasuki and other serpents found refuge under Lord Subrahmanya when threatened by Garuda.

Kukke Subrahmanya, dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya, also called Murugan, is a Hindu temple situated in Subramanya, in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, India. The God Subrahmanya is worshipped for his divine power as a snake as the epics relate that the divine serpent Vasuki and other snakes found safety under God Subrahmanya. It is famous for Sarpa Samsakara or Sarpa Dosha.

History

There are many interesting stories on how the village got its name. The village used to be earlier known as Kukke Pattana. According to one legend, the mythical Vasuki and other snakes took refuge from Garuda under Lord Subrahmanya in the village caves. Vasuki installed the linga of Lord Siva in a cave or kukke and hence it came to be known as Kukke Linga and the place as Kukkepura.
In the local language “kukke” means “basket” and the worship of linga in a basket led to the place acquiring its name. Lord Kumara (another name for Lord Subrahmanya) came to the river after killing the demon ruler Taraka and washed his weapon, the Shakti Ayudha, in this river. From then onwards, the river came to be known as Kumaradhara.

Accessibility

Air: Mangalore is the nearest Airport, which is 115 km away and Bangalore is the nearest major international Airport, which is 340 km away. Taxi cab costs about Rs 2000 from Mangalore and Rs 6000 from Bangalore. Mangalore air terminal is connected to Bangalore, Chennai and many South Indian cities. Bangalore airport is well connected to almost all airports in India. International flights to major foreign cities are also operated from Bangalore.

Rail: Nearest rail head is Subramanya Road railway station, which is nearly 7 km from Kukke in the Mangalore - Bangalore rail route. Auto rickshaws cost about Rs 50 and Taxi costs about Rs 150 from railway station to the Kukke temple.

Road: KSRTC operates bus services from many neighboring cities to Kukke Subramanya. Buses at regular intervals are available from Mangalore and Bangalore. KSRTC super deluxe bus costs about Rs 250 from Mangalore and Rs 600 from Bangalore to Kukke.

Things to do

Trekking: The adventurous tourists can trek in the terrains of Kumara Parvata and nearby forests. There are no roads leading to the mountains. To reach Kumara Parvata, one has to climb Sesha Parvatha.

There are some trekking trails in Kumara Parvata. Trek to the top of Kumara Parvatha which is 4000 ft above sea level and the trek will take you through dense green forest as well as some rocky terrain.

The railway tracks from Sakleshpur to Kukke Subrahmanya extend makes for a grand trek with its several tunnels and bridges, thick evergreen forests, streams and rivers. These treks are very challenging and the reminiscences will remain long after one has returned to the high-speed life of the large cities.

District
Dakshina Kannada
STD Code
08257
Topic
Upcoming
Termperature
Summer 25-40°C, Winter 15-28°C
Famous For
Oct - May

Madikeri

State
Karnataka

The charming town of Madikeri is the district headquarters of Kodagu, formerly called Coorg. When the British occupied Kodagu they nicknamed it the “Scotland of India”. Lying in the Western ghats at an altitude of 5,000 feet above sea level, the picturesque hill station, dotted with red-roof topped homes, has an economy that mainly depends on agriculture, coffee plantations and tourism.

The Kodavas, easily identified by their distinctive dresses and ways, are the main inhabitants of this region and consider Madikeri their home.

History

Madikeri was formerly called Muddurajakeri after Mudduraja, a Haleri King who ruled Kodagu. After gaining independent from the Nayakas in 17th century the town was briefly occupied in the 18th century by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan before regaining its independence.

Accessibility

Air: Nearest airport to Madikeri is Mangalore terminal, which is about 136 km from Madikeri. Taxi charge for the travel from Mangalore to Madikeri is about Rs 2500. Nearest International airport is Karipur (Kozhikode), which is 180 km away from Madikeri. It cost around Rs 3500 from Madikeri to Karipur. Karipur airport is connected to many Arab cities. Mangalore air terminal is connected to Bangalore and Chennai.

Rail: The nearest railway stations are Hassan, Thalassery, Kannur and Kasrgod, all are nearly 115 km away from Madikeri. Nearby major railhead is Managalore which is connected to all cities in India with rail facilities.

Road: Madikeri is well connected by KSRTC buses of Kerala and Karnataka. Many private buses also connect Madikeri with other nearby cities.

Shopping

Madikeri is famous for coffee and pork, you can also try for good quality liquor which suites the local condition.

Things to do

Trekking: Madikeri is probably the best place in Karnataka to indulge in adventurous trekking. There are number of trek routes that turn out to be a great fun. Some of them are apt for starters, but there are few that are good enough to test even the most experienced.

Thandiyandamole and Pushpagiri, rising to a height of 5729 feet and 5626 feet respectively are the highest peaks of all in Madikeri. Though not very high from a good trekkers perspective, it is their steepness that makes them tough to conquer.

These trek routes still do not see a lot a lot of human intervention, due to which they are kept very clean and green. The picturesque surroundings only add to the allure of these trek routes.

District
Kodagu District
STD Code
08272
Topic
Upcoming
WGW_Bangalore
Best time to visit
October to April

Malai Mahadeshwara Hills

State
Karnataka

Male Mahadeshwara Hills is situated about 142 km from Mysore and is a sacred place, with its famous Shiva temple. Mahadeswara, as lord Shiva is called in this place, is a deity worshipped by one and all in the surrounding places. Amidst dense forest, the temple attracts not only the pilgrims but also nature lovers.

History

It is believed that Swamy Mahadeshwara, a young saint from Srishaila, Andhra Pradesh travel all the way MM hills. He was blessed with divine powers and miracles which he performed for the welfare of the natives here. He freed many saints from black magic. It is believed that the Swamy Mahadeshwara moved about on a tiger. Many laurels are sung on the holiness to this day and lakhs of devotees throng to see this Shaiva temple from all parts of South India. In Puranas (Hindu literature), the hills of Mahadeshwara are described as Anumale, Jenumale, Kanumale, Pachchemale, Pavalamale, Ponnachimale and Kongumal.

Accessibility

Air: The nearest airport in Bangalore.

Rail: The nearest railhead is Bangalore.

Road:

Accommodation

The boarding and lodging with modern amenities are also to all the visiting devotees provided with sincerly. The guest houses include Mahadeshwara Bhavana, Gurudarshini, Giridarshini, Shivadarshini etc.

District
Chamarajanagar district
STD Code
08225
Topic
Upcoming

Malpe

State
Karnataka

Malpe is a natural port about six kilometers to the west of Udupi, Karnataka, India. An important port and fishing harbor on the Karnataka coast, Malpe is situated at the mouth of the Udyavara River. It is a suburb in Udupi city and is administerd by Udupi City Municipality. Malpe is situated at the mouth of the Udyavara River. In addition to being a port and a fishing hub, Malpe is also a beach town.

The endless stretch of golden sand, palm trees, blue sky and the flow of the sea, attracts a large number of tourists to Malpe beach.

Malpe is a perfect picnic place with its silvery, virgin beach. St. Mary's Island is nearby attraction.

Accessibility

Air: The nearest airport is Bajpe, Mangalore that is about 60 km from Malpe.

Rail: The nearest railhead is Udupi, which is about 4 km from Malpe.

Road: Malpe is well connected by road with Udupi.

Topic
Upcoming
Best time to visit
October To January
Famous For
St. Mary's Island

Mangalore

State
Karnataka

The city of Mangalore is on the western coast of India facing the Arabian Sea with the mountains of the Western Ghats in the background. It is among the main ports of southern India and is the chief port of its state of Karnataka. Once a sleepy old town, Mangalore is rapidly moving forward industrially. Yet it retains some of its old charms.
Mangalore is located near the backwaters formed by the convergence of the rivers Netravathi and Gurupur. At 357 km from Bangalore, Mangalore is also a pilgrim city with lots of people visiting the city for its temples.

History

The city is named after a Hindu deity, Mangaladevi, The Goddess of Fortune. When the Portuguese in 1498 came here they started calling the place Mangalore and the name stayed through the British rule.
Mangalore finds mention in both the Ramayana, and Mahabharata epics. At various times, Mangalore was ruled by Kadambas, , Chalukyas, Hoysalas, Rashtrakutas, and the Vijayanagar dynasty. In 1520, the Portunguese took control of Mangalore from the Vijayanagar dynasty. In 1799, the British annexed Mangalore and was part of the Madras Presidency. In 1956, the city became a part of Karnataka.

The city developed as a major port during the reign of Haider Ali, and has had a history of the shipping and maritime activities. The city today has developed into a major commercial seaport and business centre.

Accessibility

Air: Mangalore Bajpe airport is located nearly 10 km away from the heart of the city. Mangalore airport is connected to many cities India. Regular flights are available from Mangalore to Bangalore and Chennai. Taxi services are available from airport to city costing about Rs 200.

Rail: Mangalore is a major rail junction in South railway of India. The city is well connected to all major cities in India. Regular train services are there from Mangalore to Kochi, Chennai, Bangalore and Trivandrum.

Road: KSRTC buses of Kerala and Karnataka connect all major cities in Kerala and Karnataka with Mangalore. Volvo bus services are available from Mangalore to Bangalore, Chennai and Trivandrum. Bus fare is about Rs 4 per km per person.

Shopping

Central Market: The Central Market, busy with buyers and sellers of vegetables and fruit, is located in the heart of Mangalore city, usually a bustling area. This is Mangalore’s main vegetable market. This market offers any variety of fruits; vegetables, provisions, flowers and all types of house hold articles.

The area houses from small petty shops to big super market malls. Electronics good are offered here at reasonable rates. Tourists fond of shopping are always fascinated towards this market.

Accommodation

There are a number of hotels and lodges are available in the Mangalore city. One can easily opt for the different ranges available here. These hotels also provide good delicacies to indulge on. We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Mangalore.

Mangalore is dotted with a wide-variety of hotels ranging from five-star hotels to budget hotels. Most of the Mangalore hotels are located around the KS Rao Road, south from bus stand and and suit most pockets. Some of the famous hotels are Poonja International, RSTDC Mayura Netrawathi, Mangalore International, Hotel Manorama, Hotel Manorama, Hotel Moti Mahal, Hotel Navratna, Summer Sands Beach Resort, Navaratna Palace, Hotel Vishwa Bhavan, Hotel Woodside, and Hotel Vishwa.

District
Dakshina Kannada
STD Code
0824
Topic
Upcoming
Termperature
Summer 21-45°C, Winter 22-32°C
Best time to visit
September to February
Famous For
A port city.

Maravanthe

State
Karnataka

Maravanthe, in the state of Karnataka is a small seaside town along the West Coast Highway stretching alongside the Arabian Sea on one side and the Souparnika river on the other, with the undulating Kodachadri Hills in the background.
Located 50km from Udupi and close to the temple town of Kollur, Marawanthe is starting to attract more tourists over the years.
The beach here is considered to be the best stretch of beach in all of Karnataka. As the town is still fairly untouched by mass tourism, the beaches are pristine and quiet.

Accessibility

Air: Nearest airport is Mangalore which is at a distance of nearly 110 km away from the Maravanthe beach. Mangalore is well connected to many airports in South India. Taxi facilities are available from Mangalore to Maravanthe, costing about Rs 2000. Bangalore international airport can be used as a connecting airport for foreign travelers.

Rail: Kundapur, which is 18 km away, is the nearest railhead from Maravanthe. Taxi farer from Kundapur to Maravanthe is abour Rs 400. Mangalore is the major railway junction closest to Maravanthe. Mangalore is well connected with all railway stations in India.

Road: Maravanthe beach is well connected with all other cities in and around by Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses. Tourist deluxe bus services are available from Marvanthe to Bangalore (450 km), Gokarna (130 km) and Goa (275 km). These buses charge about Rs 3 to Rs 4 per km.

Things to do

Water Sports: The beach at Maravanthe is a famous picnic spot. It is as beautiful as an angel. The waters in the beach are safe for swimming. The vast but gentle tides looks as if it is inviting the visitors with appealing arms outstretched to play with them.

The best time for visiting is from October to January. This beach is well known for its water sports. Sea riding and underwater sports are the main attractions. The seawater is safe for swimming. There is enough scope and reliable facilities for scuba diving and snorkeling. Spicy sea food is the food specialty found in this beach.

STD Code
08254
Topic
Upcoming
Best time to visit
October and February

Mutatti

State
Karnataka

Muthathi is a small village on the bank of Kaveri. The road to Muthathi runs along the river, and you can stop at places to spend time on the river bank or dip your feet in shallow waters. The village and the approach road are within the boundary of Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.

History

Muthathi is one of the famous forest place which has connection with Ramayana. When Sita Devi (wife of Lord Sri Rama) was taking bath at this place, her nose studd falls into the river. Anjaneya will come to the rescue, finds the studd and returns to Sita maatha. Anjaneya gets the name Muthetharaya because of this instance and there is a small temple for Anjaneya at this place.

Accessibility

Air: Bangalore International Airport is the nearest airport to all the destinations of Kaveri Sangama.

Rail: The nearest railway station is in Bangalore.

Road: Muthathi is at a distance of 90Kms from Bangalore via kanakapura and Sathanur ( or Halagur ). Only bus transportation available to reach.

District
Bangalore Rural
Topic
Upcoming
Best time to visit
Jun - Feb
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