Posted 31 January 2023 in Travel Wanderlust
Located towards the south of India, the state of Karnataka is a popular tourist destination in the country. The state is a true melting pot. It brings people from different cultures and ethnicities together. So, in Karnataka, you will find Tamilians, Kannadigas, Malayalis all living together, irrespective of their religious differences. However, what is also interesting to see is that Karnataka is also a melting pot of landscapes. This means that this is one state where you will find a confluence of the mountains, oceans and forests.
Karnataka is the best place to experience nature in its most pristine state. There are about 25 wildlife sanctuaries in the state, in addition to coffee and tea plantations, lots of waterfalls and forest reserves. If Karnataka is the ideal spot to discover nature at its best, it is also rich in monuments and history. Karnataka is the home to the world’s largest monolith structure, which is the statue of Lord Gomteshwar.
The capital of Karnataka, Bengaluru, is the hub of the IT sector in India, making it a very important destination for corporates and start-up companies. So while you are in Karnataka, you must visit the hill stations, the cities near the coastal areas and the forests. Some places worth visiting in Karnataka are Bengaluru, Chikmagalur, Coorg, Hampi, Gokarna and more.
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Popularly known as the Coffee Land of Karnataka, Chikmagalur is a hill station that is known for its greenery. It is a great spot for trekking and adventure activities. The hill station is also home to many temples like Sharadamba Temple, Kondana Temple and more. The coffee plantations are the highlight of the place. You can also witness numerous waterfalls here like Jhari Waterfalls, Shankar Falls and more.
Another haven for coffee, Coorg is sometimes also referred to as the Scotland of India. With its beautiful landscapes, greenery and amazing weather, the name is really justified! Coorg is known for water rafting activities. Once here, you must try the handmade truffles, which will be available in any bakery. It is the perfect place to be in if you need an escape from your routine lives.
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Another hill station that offers stunning views, green landscapes and lots of fun activities is Nandi Hills. It is known for its fortresses and temples as well. Nandi Hills was Tipu Sultan’s summer retreat? You can visit the place where he used to stay during his retreat. In addition, you can enjoy a host of adventurous activities here like trekking, paragliding and cycling.
Situated in the middle of dense, green forests is the hill station of Sirsi. Its tropical forest is home to countless animals and beautiful waterfalls. There are bird sanctuaries and reserve forests that you can visit here, to explore the rich flora and fauna of Sirsi. The hill station is also the home to the popular Shivaganga Falls.
Ramanagara is the location where the popular movie ‘Sholay’ was shot. This is one of the reasons why this hill station attracts many visitors from around the country and abroad. Other than that, Ramanagara is an ideal place for bird watching, trekking, rock climbing and wildlife photography.
Popularly known as the Cherapunji of the South, Agumbe is known to be the home of many different types of medicinal plants. It might interest you to know that ‘Malgudi Days’ was filmed at this hill station. This place is worth a visit during the monsoons, when the waterfalls are in full swing. Agumbe is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can also try trekking, nature walks, hiking and lots of more activities.
Mostly known as BR Hills, this hill station is the passage connecting the Eastern Ghats to the Western Ghats. The rivers Cauvery and Kapila flow here and they look beautiful during the monsoon season. Moreover, there is the famous Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife here, which attracts many tourists. This place is ideal for fishing, boat rides, rafting, elephant safari and nature walks.
This hill station is rich in religious relics. There is a famous temple of Shiva here that is a must-visit. Other than that, this is a good place to explore the flora and fauna as there are dense forests here. You can try your hand at wildlife photography and bird watching here, as the forests provide you with the perfect setting. Don’t forget to look out for elephants here as you’ll find them in plenty!
Located just 69 km away from Bengaluru, this hill station is perched in the lap of nature. This place is famous for its hidden caves, volcanic rocks and temples. Once here, you can go trekking, rock climbing and camping. For people escaping their concrete jungle lives back in the city, it is the perfect place to be at.
If you are looking for a slightly lesser-known location in Karnataka, then Kundadri Hills is the perfect place. This hill station is preserved in its pristine form since not many tourists have been able to discover it as of now. This place is the home to lots of waterfalls like Kudlu Falls, Barkana Falls and more. Don’t forget to enjoy a beautiful sunset at Sunset Point here.
Commuting in Karnataka isn’t a problem because you have different options for transportation. You can either hire a taxi that can lead you to your destination in no time! You can also bring your own car and drive from one city to another in Karnataka. Since the roads are good, the drive will be memorable.
Alternatively, you can also travel within Karnataka using the local buses. KSRTC offers many intra-state buses for convenient commuting. There are also trains that connect different towns and cities of Karnataka. So, if you wish to experience a memorable train journey, you can hop on to one of the trains.
Autos are the best mode to travel if you want to commute nearby. Make sure you know the fares so that you are not overcharged by the driver. The metro has also made its entry in different cities of Karnataka, like Bengaluru. It is the quickest mode of commuting and has the least amount of problems.
The climate of Karnataka is subtropical. The winters, from the months of October to February, are cool. Summers, from March to May, are warm and humid. The monsoon period is from June to September, when the state experiences heavy rainfall.
The best time to visit Karnataka is between the months of October and April. This is the wintertime in the state, when exploring the places is easier as the weather is pleasant. This is the best time to go for wildlife safaris, explore the monuments or visit the beaches. Moreover, during this time, you can also witness the famous Mysuru Dassara celebrations.
In summers, Karnataka is warm and humid, as it is located close to the coastal area. It might not be a good time to explore the state as the weather might tire you out. Monsoon is a good time to visit the waterfalls, which are at their best.
There is no doubt that Karnataka is a state of a kind with its amalgamation of forests, oceans and mountains. The state is an example of happiness in diversity because here you find people from different religious groups, ethnicities and cultures coexisting harmoniously and peacefully.