Tourism in Karnataka
Tourism in Karnataka
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Tourism in Karnataka

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Tourism in Karnataka

Karnataka, the sixth largest state in India, was ranked as the third most popular state in the country for tourism in 2014. It is home to 507 of the 3600 centrally protected monuments in India, second only to Uttar Pradesh. The State Directorate of Archaeology and Museums protects an additional 752 monuments and another 25,000 monuments are yet to receive protection.

The ancient sculptured temples, modern cities, hill ranges, forests and beaches are some tourism centers. Broadly, tourism in Karnataka is divided into four geographical regions: North Karnataka, the Hill Stations, Coastal Karnataka and South Karnataka.

The Karnataka government has introduced The Golden Chariot – a train which connects popular tourist destinations in the state and Goa.

The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation is the governmental body that works to promote tourism in Karnataka.

North Karnataka has monuments that date back to the 5th century. Kannada royal capitals are also present here. Monuments constructed by the Badami Chalukya are located at Pattadakal, Aihole and Badami. Aihole is called the cradle of Indian architecture and has over 125 temples and monuments built between 450 and 1100 CE. Rashtrakuta monuments at Lokapura, Bilgi and Kuknur and Kalyani Chalukyas monuments built in Gadag style of architecture at Lakkundi, Gadag, Itagi (in Koppal District) and the Vijayanagar empire temples at Vijayanagara are some examples. Hampi in Bellary district has ruins spread over an area of 125 km2. There are fifty four world heritage monuments and six hundred and fifty national monuments (ASI). An additional three hundred monuments await protection. The Deccan sultanate monuments at Bijapur and Gulbarga show unique and discreet Hindu influences, and rival the Muslim monuments of North India. Archeologically important locations like Sannati, Kanaganahalli in Kalaburagi district have thrown more light on Buddhist centers of the 1st century BCE to 3rd century CE. The first ever statue of emperor Ashoka with his queens and a Prakrit inscription Rayo Ashoka (ASI) has been found.

Important locations surrounding Badami are Kudalasangama, Aihole, Pattadakal, Mahakuta and Banashankari.

Regions surrounding Hampi can be visited from Hampi/Hosapete, or from Hubli. There are Kuknur, Itagi, Gadag, Lakkundi, Dambal, Haveri, Kaginele, Bankapura.

Utsav Rock Garden, a museum in the Haveri district, features a cultural heritage and educational tourist center. It is notable for having over 2000 sculptures relating to the depiction of rural life.

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