Karnataka Tourism

Karnataka is blessed with many waterfalls and the tallest water fall in India is at Jog (Shimoga District) where the river Sharavati jumps from a height of 293 mts. into four cascades of everlasting beauty. Presently the falls will be active with full zoom only during one month following the rainy season (July-October).The Cauvery at Shivasamudra falls (in Mandya district) has twin jumps, Gaganachukki and Bharachukki, one km away from each other and their water has been harnessed for production of Hydel power from 1902. Mandya district has also a fall of the Shimsha, 14 km from Bluff, the power station of Shivasamudra. The river Shimsha is a tributary of the Cauvery and its falls is in Malavalli taluk, Mandya district. Kodagu district with its headquarters at Madikeri, a perennial hill-station, has the Abbi Falls, five km away from it. The Irpu falls of the river Lakshmana Tirtha, in Kodagu District, is 48 km from Virajpet, has also an old Rameshwara temple near it. Chikmagalur district has many water falls. The hill station at Kemmannugundi has the Hebbe Falls and it is created by a stream later joining the Bhadra river, and the water jumps down from a height of about 500 feet. Manikyadhara is yet another water falls near the famous pilgrim centre Baba Budangiri Dattatreya Peetha and here water spills down like small balls and visitors can enjoy a memorable shower bath.

The Kallatti Falls at Kallattipura in Tarikere tq is 10 km from Kemmannugundi; water leaps down here from a height of 400 feet and there is an old Veerabhadra temple very near the Falls. Mysore district has the picturesque Chunchanakatte Falls at the place of the same name, besides which there is a Rama temple. Uttara Kannada is famous for its Unchalli (Lushington) also called 'Keppa Joga' Falls, about 450 feet in height and the Aghanashini river creates this water cascade at a place which can be reached from Yellapur (19 km away) and also from Siddapur (12 km) via, Kolsirsi, Heggarne and Unchalli. From Unchalli one has to walk five km from through the thick forest to reach the witnessing spot of this falls. The Magod Falls (situated at a distance of eight km from Yellapur) of the Bedti River can be reached from Siddapura (35 kms) as well as Yellapur in Uttara Kannada. The Chaya Bhagavathi falls, (five kms away from Narayanapur) in Surpur tq, the Yattipota falls near Chincholi, the Gurmitkal falls (four kms from Gurmitkal) in Yadgiri Tq. the Kotikal falls near Badami and the Kabbargi Falls in Koppal district are noteworthy. Belgaum District has the famous Gokak Falls, which is eight km away from the Gokak Town and Gokak Road Railway Station. The 170 feet tall cascade here is called 'Mini Niagara' for its spread and shape. Hydro Electric Power was harnessed here to mechanically run the cotton mill as early as in 1887. There are many beautiful old temples at Gokak falls beginning from Badami Chalukyas till Later Chalukyan times and Vijayanagara periods and also a suspension bridge across the river Ghataprabha. The artificial but, attractive waterfalls at Sogala (Baihongal Tq.) needs special mention. The Mahadayi river creates the Vajrapoha Falls in the thick Jamboti forest in Khanapur taluk. While the river travels towards Goa, it is called Mandovi. A second falls of it at the lower valley from a height of 50 mtrs. although inaccessible, can be reached from Asoge, which is six kms. away from this falls. Near Bangalore is Muthyalamaduvu falls not far away from Anekal, and 40 kms from Bangalore. The proper season to visit these water falls is between September and January and Gokak Falls must be visited in July-August when it will be in full bloom.

To the religious-minded and the devotees of every denomination, there are places worthy of a visit. To the Muslim, one of the oldest mosques of Karnataka is in the Gulbarga Fort, built in 1367. by the Bahmani King Muhammad Shah I. It is the biggest mosque in Karnataka, and when compared in plan and design, the mosque resembles the mosque at Cardova in Spain. The Jamiya masjid in Ferozabad of Gulbarga Tq is of Bahamani period. Hirabibi masjid at Hirapur (Gulbarga), masjids at Gogi, Sagar etc. are noteworthy. The Jamiya mosque in Bijapur is another wonderful huge monument built by All Adilshah (16th century). It has a proportionate dome and its mihrab is gorgeously painted.

The Malika Jahan mosque in black stone is another notable mosque in Bijapur. Bidar has the famous Solha-kamb mosque with 16 cylindrical pillars was raised in 1423. The Andu masjid, (Bijapur), the Mahal masjid of Afzalpur and the Khali masjid of Aland built during Adilshahi period are some beautiful examples of Islamic architecture. Raichur has Ekminar mosque and Lakshmeshwar (Gadag dt) has artistically raised mosque in the style of a Hindu temple of Adilshahi times. Belgaum has the fine Safa mosque of Adilshahi times in the fort built by Asad Khan Lahiri. Another mosque in the fort is Jamia Masjid raised by Sher Khan of Bijapur in 1586-87. Bhatkal has magnificent Chinnada Palli and the mosque at Mangalore port is known for its fine wood work. The Jamiya Mosque at Srirangapattana with its two tall minarets is the creation of Tipu. Sira has a mosque of Mughul times. The Mosque in the City Market, Bangalore, is a large modern structure in marble with a series of windows crowned by arched canopies and rows of minaret-like pillasters.

The Dargas of Muslim Saints and Kings are equally famous. The Bande Nawaz Darga at Gulbarga is in a vast sprawling complex where a Mughul mosque is also seen. The Mausoleum of Ahmed Shah Wali, at Ashtur near Bidar is a tall structure with paintings in it. The prince is venerated as a saint by both the Hindus and Muslims. Bijapur has two princely Mausoleums. Ibrahim Rauza, a twin structure is standing on arched platform. One end of the platform has a tomb and another end a mosque, both domed structures with the domes emerging from lotus petals and having metallic pinnacles on them. Gol Gumbaz is the most famous mausoleum of another prince. The Yakub Kadri darga at Yadagiri, Sarmast darga at Sagar, Ladle Mashak darga at Aland, Amin Sab darga at Ijeri (Jevargi tq), Chanda Husaini darga at Gogi, Sayad Abib Sha Wali darga at Hirapur near Gulbarga. Haji Khudanma Husaini darga at Chincholi, Chita Sha Wali darga at Chitapur, Khaji Shahabuddin darga at Karjagi (Afzalpur tq) are some of the Important dargas situated in Gulbarga District. The Panje Sab Darga at Talikote. Hajisab and Badakalsab darga at Tikota (Bijapur tq) and Hasan Dongri dargah at Bilgi are noteworthy. Darga of Malik Rihan is the most notable with its Polygonal layout, a Mughul Structure at Sira. The Gumbaz where rest Haider and Tipu's mortal remains is a tall structure with a huge dome at Shrirangapattana. Its doors have fine inlay work. Syed Madani Darga at Ullala near Mangalore is a modern structure. At the Asar Mahal palace of Bijapur, Hazrat Bal, a hair of the Prophet is believed to be preserved in a casket. Wherever there is Muslim population they also raise dargas ("chillas") of Mehboob Subani (famous Saint from Baghdad) and Chamansha Wali. Uruses are also held at these places. Many of the uruses are very large gatherings, attended by Hindus also as at the Raja Bagh Sawar urns at Yamanur near Navalgund or the one of Ahmadshah Wali at Ashtur near Bidar, which is also considered as the jatra of Veerashaiva Saint Allamaprabhu. A Veerashaiva priest officiates at it, beginning the rituals by doning green robes.

For those interested in seeing churches, the best are at Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore. Though Christianity was propagated by the efforts of the Portuguese in Kanara {coastal area) far earlier than on the plateau, many of the churches they raised on the coast during the 16th to 18th Century were razed to the ground by the Mysore ruler in 1790s. Mangalore has the magnificent St. Rozario Cathedral church with its tall frontal towers. The original building was of 1526, rebuilt in 1910. Milagres Church with beautiful tall facade accommodating many artistic images on its parapet, reminds one of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Equally notable is Our Lady of Sorrow church at Kodialbail built in 1857. It has a frontal tall wall facade divided into four rectangles of equal size with a pediment atop them. Mangalore has the Shanti Cathedral of the Basel Mission (now C.S.I.) raised in 1862 which is a beautiful simple structure with its complex well-planned layout.Virajpeth in Kodagu has a Catholic Church in Gothic style. It celebrated its bicentenary in 1993. The small Anglican Church in Madikeri, now houses the Government Museum managed by the State Archaeology Department has some rare antiquities and beautiful glass paintings.

Coorg is the best place to visit in karnataka state and india. this is one of the beautiful hillstation in india. Coorg Tourism day by day having improvements.