About

Karnataka  is a state in the south western region of India  Karnataka State is situated between 11°31' and 18°14' north latitudes and 74°12' and 78°10'. The state covers an area of 191,976 square kilometres or 5.83 percent of the total geographical area of India. It is the seventh largest Indian state by area. With 61million inhabitants, Karnataka is the eighth largest state by population, comprising 30 districts. Karnataka isn't the home for kannada alone. It is home for tulu, kodava and konkani as well. Tulu and kodava languages use kannada as writing script. 

History

Karnataka has a recorded history of more than 2,000 years. Apart from its subjection to the rule of Nandas, Mauryas and the Satavahanas, Karnataka came to have indigenous dynasties like the Kadambas of Banavasi and the Gangas from the middle of the 4th century AD. The world renowned Gomateshwara monolith at Sharavanabelagola was installed by a Ganga minister Chavundaraya. The colossal rock cut image of Sri Gomateshwara is the most magnificent among all Jain works of art. Numerous visitors arrive at Shravanbelagola to gaze at this and other monuments. The Chalukyas of Badami (500-735 AD) reigned over a wider area, from the Narmada to the Kaveri from the days of Pulikeshi II (609-642 AD) who even defeated the mighty Harshavardhana of Kanauj. This dynasty created fine, everlasting and the most beautiful monuments at Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal, both structural and rock-cut. Aihole has been one of the cradles of temple architecture in the country. The Rashtrakutas (753-973 AD) of Malkhed who succeeded them heaped tributes on the rulers of Kanauj successively in the so-called 'Age of Imperial Kanauj'. Kannada literature developed during this period. Outstanding Jain scholars of India lived in their court. The Chalukyas of Kalyana (973 AD to 1189 AD) and their feudatories, the Hoysalas of Halebidu built exquisite temples, encouraged literature and various fine arts. Noted jurist Vijnaneshwara (work: Mitakshara) lived at Kalyana. The great religious leader Basaveshwara was a minister at Kalyana. Vijayanagar empire (1336-1646) patronised and fostered indigenous traditions and encouraged arts, religion and literature in Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil. Overseas trade flourished. The Bahamani Sultans (Capital: Gulbarga, later Bidar) and the Bijapur Adilshahis raised fine Indo-Saracenic buildings and encouraged Urdu and Persian literature. Advent of the Portuguese resulted in the introduction of new crops (Tobacco, Maize, Chillies, Groundnut, potato, etc). After the fall of the Peshwa (1818) and Tipu (1799), Karnataka came under British rule. Christian missionaries introduced English education and printing during the 19th century. Revolution in transport, communication and industries was ushered in. The urban middle-class emerged. Mysore dynasty initiated and helped industrialisation and cultural growth.

Karnataka has a recorded history of more than 2,000 years. Apart from its subjection to the rule of Nandas, Mauryas and the Satavahanas, Karnataka came to have indigenous dynasties like the Kadambas of Banavasi and the Gangas from the middle of the 4th century AD. The world renowned Gomateshwara monolith at Sharavanabelagola was installed by a Ganga minister Chavundaraya. The colossal rock cut image of Sri Gomateshwara is the most magnificent among all Jain works of art. Numerous visitors arrive at Shravanbelagola to gaze at this and other monuments. The Chalukyas of Badami (500-735 AD) reigned over a wider area, from the Narmada to the Kaveri from the days of Pulikeshi II (609-642 AD) who even defeated the mighty Harshavardhana of Kanauj. This dynasty created fine, everlasting and the most beautiful monuments at Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal, both structural and rock-cut. Aihole has been one of the cradles of temple architecture in the country. The Rashtrakutas (753-973 AD) of Malkhed who succeeded them heaped tributes on the rulers of Kanauj successively in the so-called 'Age of Imperial Kanauj'. Kannada literature developed during this period. Outstanding Jain scholars of India lived in their court. The Chalukyas of Kalyana (973 AD to 1189 AD) and their feudatories, the Hoysalas of Halebidu built exquisite temples, encouraged literature and various fine arts. Noted jurist Vijnaneshwara (work: Mitakshara) lived at Kalyana. The great religious leader Basaveshwara was a minister at Kalyana. Vijayanagar empire (1336-1646) patronised and fostered indigenous traditions and encouraged arts, religion and literature in Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil. Overseas trade flourished. The Bahamani Sultans (Capital: Gulbarga, later Bidar) and the Bijapur Adilshahis raised fine Indo-Saracenic buildings and encouraged Urdu and Persian literature. Advent of the Portuguese resulted in the introduction of new crops (Tobacco, Maize, Chillies, Groundnut, potato, etc). After the fall of the Peshwa (1818) and Tipu (1799), Karnataka came under British rule. Christian missionaries introduced English education and printing during the 19th century. Revolution in transport, communication and industries was ushered in. The urban middle-class emerged. Mysore dynasty initiated and helped industrialisation and cultural growth.

Freedom Movement was followed by the movement for the unification of Karnataka. After Independence, the Mysore State was created in 1953, wherein all the Kannada dominant areas under different dispensations were unified and the enlarged Mysore state carved in 1956 and was renamed Karnataka in 1973.

Getting Around

By Bus

By Bus

Transportation is made easy by the numerous services available from the KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation). They ply not only intra-state buses, but also inter-state buses to neighboring states. KSRTC reservation counters are aplenty all over the state, and tickets can also be booked online.

Services available:

• Airavath:Semi-sleeper Volvo air conditioned ( a/c) buses.
• Club Class Airavath: Volvo Multi-Axle.
• Ambari: Corona AC sleeper class.
• Mayura and Meghadoot:Comfortable A/C buses.
• Rajahamsa:Non-A/C semi sleeper Deluxe buses comfortable for short distances,and cheap for longer journeys.

Also available are private bus services for interstate areas, as well as to neighboring states.

By Railway or Train

Even though Hubbali ( Hubli ) is headquarters of South Western Zone of Indian Railway, The train or railway connectivity within Karnataka state is poor. The state capital Bengaluru is connected only to few district headquarters by railroad. The district towns which are connected to Bengalooru are Dharwad,Belagavi,Tumakuru,Mandya, Mysuru,Chitradurga, Mangalooru (Kudla), Udupi (Odipu), Karwara,Kalburgi(Gulbarga),Chamarajanagara, Shivamogga,Davanagere,Chikballapura,Ramnagara,Chikmagalore and Raichur.

By Airplane

There are a few airports (Aerodromes) in Karnataka, but only handful of them are operational at Bengalooru, Mangaluru, Hubli and Belagaum (Balagavi). There are daily flights operating between Mangaluru (Mangalore) and Bengaluru (Bengalore).

Water transport

Karnataka has many rivers and sea shore line, Yet transportation by water is negligible as compared to other mode of transport in the state. One can find handful of boats sailing but mostly used for personal purposes or fishing.There are several factors which have hindered the water transportation in Karnataka.

taxi and cabs

There are private cars or vans available called as taxi available which can be hired. The fare might be on kilometer basis. Also extra money is charged by these taxis or private operators for travel in night or night stay. The rates must be negotiated before commencement of journey or travel with the operators. As of now they are expensive than travel by public transport buses.

Auto-rickshaw

Auto-rickshaw or simply called as Auto a three wheel passenger vehicle which is popular mode of transport for short distances say within a town or city. Even though fare are fixed by government for every kilometer of distance, It is hardly followed in many places of Karnataka. It is better to confirm fare for destinations to avoid haggling.

Cycle rickshaw's can be seen in few parts of northern Karnataka.

Rentals

Things to Pack/Carry

Access to language

If you do not speak the local language, be sure you have a way to communicate. That could mean a local who you are visiting, a guide, a dictionary, or a translation phone app. It’s a good idea to memorize some key phrases before you go, here are my favorites:

·         I don’t speak [local language]

·         Thank you

·Read More

Cuisine

Karnataka is a gracious host and offers a spread that appeals to every palate. Traditional Kannadiga cuisine is typically South Indian with a little bit of sweetness for added measure.

Karnataka is a gracious host and offers a spread that appeals to every palate. Traditional Kannadiga cuisine is typically South Indian with a little bit of sweetness for added measure.

• Obbatu or Holige is one of the most loved sweet dishes of Karnataka. It is mostly made with a mixture of chana dal and jaggery stuffed in maida dough and rolled. 
• Mysore Pak This tasty sweet basically makes use of Bengal gram, sugar, ghee, cardamom and water and is named after the famous Mysore city. Mysore Pak also has a very even consistency and literally melts in your mouth.
• Idli and Uddina vada Made from soaked and ground rice and dal, idli can be found in a variety of forms which include thatte idli, rava idli and button idli. Idli Vada is usually served with chutney and sambar and has a great fan following world over. Especially for calorie conscious people, idli is the best digestive food.
• Chowchow bath This dish can be made very quickly and is mostly made from rava or sooji. Some people even call it as uppitu and kesaribath, the former being the spicy dish and the latter the sweet part. Kesaribath tastes really delicious and includes a nice quantity of ghee, nuts and even pineapple.
• Dosa Made from fermented batter of rice and black lentils, masala dosa tastes best with chutney and sambar. The alu stuffing and the special red chutney coated inside the dosa, makes it finger licking good. Apart from masala dosa, rava dosa, ragi dosa and onion dosa also dominate most of the Karnataka hotels and homes. Also dosa has become so popular that, almost 100 types of different dosas are prepared each day in plenty of fast food joints in Karnataka.
• Jolada roti and akki roti A very famous dish of north Karnataka is Jolada rotti or jowar roti and Akki roti or roti made from rice flour. These rottis, are great when accompanied with bringal and black channa or a spicy power made of peanuts. Mostly eaten during the lunch hours, jolada rotti is highly beneficial for weight loss, as it contains lot of fibers. It even keeps your BP and cholesterol under control. So never miss this solid dish when in North Karnataka.
• Bisi bele bath A wholesome dish which contains rice, vegetables and lentils and tastes the most authentic, is Bisibelebath. It basically forms a part of the main course of South Indian meals and tastes best when eaten with some ghee and spicy potato chips. Especially during winters, piping hot Bisibelebath is like heavenly food.
• Udupi Sambar and Gojju As rice is the staple food of Karnataka, Sambar and Gojju is prepared almost every day in the households. Udupi Sambar as it is famously called, is a stew made using lentils and vegetables and tempered with mustard, curry leaves, asafoetida and red chilli for extra flavour and aroma. Sambar powders are also prepared by grounding plenty of spices, which is usually a secret passed on through generations.
• Ragi Mudde and Sopinna Saru Ragi has immense health benefits and is quite inexpensive when compared to other millets, which makes it very popular in Karnataka. Also cooking ragi with water to make Mudde consumes bare minimum time.Soppina Saru, which is nothing but green leafy vegetables and lentils cooked with spices, goes very well with mudde. It gives a very nice taste and makes gulping the mudde easy.
• Maddur vada A very tempting and popular snack found in Karnataka is the Maddur vada. It originated from tiny town called Maddur and tastes very crispy when served hot. The taste gets even better when eaten with coconut chutney. Also, the combination of Maddur vada with hot filter coffee can just make your day.

Best time to Visit

Winter is the perfect time to visit Karnataka. Vicinity to Arabian Sea makes beaches of Karnataka little warmer and profusely sunny. During the months of November – April, sky remains clear and temperature ranges between 20 – 30 degrees in daytime. Thanks to its elevated lands, Karnataka never experiences hot and humid summer, although monsoon is bit humid here. Monsoon also invites lots of heavy shower and thunder from the month of June to September. The peak season for Karnataka travel is from October to March, covering the post-monsoon and winter seasons, as the climate is generally pleasant over the entire State. The brief winter period does not result in harsh cold weather making it the ideal time to visit Karnataka. We recommend you not to plan your journey during the months of monsoon as this may hamper your travel plan severely.

Winter is the perfect time to visit Karnataka. Vicinity to Arabian Sea makes beaches of Karnataka little warmer and profusely sunny. During the months of November – April, sky remains clear and temperature ranges between 20 – 30 degrees in daytime. Thanks to its elevated lands, Karnataka never experiences hot and humid summer, although monsoon is bit humid here. Monsoon also invites lots of heavy shower and thunder from the month of June to September. The peak season for Karnataka travel is from October to March, covering the post-monsoon and winter seasons, as the climate is generally pleasant over the entire State. The brief winter period does not result in harsh cold weather making it the ideal time to visit Karnataka. We recommend you not to plan your journey during the months of monsoon as this may hamper your travel plan severely.

Tips

Read More

• Currency: India’s currency is called ‘Rupee’ and it comes in the denominations of Rs 1, Rs 2, Rs 5, Rs 10, Rs 20, Rs 50, Rs 100, Rs 200, Rs 500 and Rs 2000. One can exchange the currency from the airport but dealers charge some percent of the total amount and on the airport, you don’t have any choice left so you can bargain. So it is better to convert the currency at least before 1 week of traveling from the dealers in your area.
  
• Be ready to pay cash especially in remote areas and not with cards
• Only carry the amount of money required for transit and food, keep everything else on your card. (Pro tip: Keep emergency cash in your suitcase/bag concealed within clothes)
• Airport Timings: When you are travelling, be on time at the airport. In case of domestic flight reach 2 hours before and in case of international flights arrive 3 hours before at the airport.
• Drinking Water: Although there is no scarcity of water in India but when it comes to clean drinking water you have to think twice before use. Always use a mineral water bottle for drinking, flossing and brushing in trains.
• Research work: As you are traveling to India for the first time then do some research work about the place before arriving like the attractions of the destinations you will visit. Save your time with the proper information about the closing days of specific monuments, museums, archaeological sites or any Government Institutions.
• Book your hotel before coming as on the spot booking will make your journey troublesome sometimes.
• Stay healthy: Before trying something new think about hygiene and your diet. Stay healthy to enjoy the fascinating beauty of India. If you are not used to spicy food then while ordering food, tell in advance for lesser spicy preparation. (Even that would be spicy for many non-Indians)
• Wear modestly: people stare generally if you are wearing shorts / revealing clothes. Also, at some temples, etc.they don't allow to enter if you are in skirts/ shorts/ mini etc.
• Language won't be a problem if you know Hindi & English - while traveling in North & South India respectively. Local language changes from state to state here, in many cases.
• While packing, consider which part of India you will be covering. Here there are deserts, snowfalls, beaches, forests and what not! Also consider season during which you are traveling - except for some part of South (where it is almost hot throughout) and for some part of North East (where it always rains); generally we have three different seasons - depending on time of year & part of India you are traveling, you will need different types of clothes.
• Opening Hours: Banks: 10am-pm/4m Mon-Fri and 10 am to 1pm/4pm on Sat. Restaurants:8am-10pm. Bars and clubs:Noon-12: 30 pm. Shops:10am- 8pm
• Get an Indian phone You can't book trains/buses online without one. 
• Carry medicines (antibiotics, Digene, ORS, band-aids etc) you will never know what you might pick up through food or water.
• Do not use soap bars, they create a goupy mess everywhere and are a pain to dry, carry liquid hand soap and bathing gel instead. (Also carry hand sanitizer)
• Keep an extra pair of batteries for your camera and mobile phones for when charging points aren't available.
• Keep emergency contacts on speed dial in case of an emergency situation.
• Clean up after you eat, perform proper waste and garbage disposal.
• If you're using public washrooms make sure to keep it clean.
• Get the Google Maps app on your phone.
• Don't believe everything the booking agents say.
• Walk on the right side of the road Walk against traffic, not with it (left side).  Walking with traffic is a little easier but it made me stressed out.  The cars and motorcycles will only miss you by a foot or two at most. 
• Be open-minded. Don’t be afraid to take public transit Trains  Buses: Whenever you have the option to take a train, do it. It's relatively punctual, comfortable, and safe.
• In India, the roadside local vendors generally sale cut fruits & salads, but you've to use uncut fruits to avoid the contamination.
• Try to add curd in your meal for better digestion and use less oily & less spicy food.
• if you select summer time to visit India then must use sunscreen, wear sunglasses and drink plenty of liquids to avoid the negative effect of hot and harsh conditions. Coconut water is healthy and the safest option.
• For any emergency support, always carry extra copies of your photographs and keep photocopies of your passport and other legal identities with you.
• For the local transfers, pre-paid taxi services are a better option because in India there is no rule for fixed fares. So, avoid bargaining and rate card issues and try the better option of pre-paid taxi services.
• Avoid carrying a big amount of cash with you. Use ATMs services or other instant banking favorable options where most of the international cards are accepted and you can easily exchange your amount into Indian currency.
• Follow the proper VISA formalities, whether you are under Tourist Visa, Business Visa, Student/ Employment Visa, Entry Visa or Transit Visa.