15 days of Journey ,water falls, 2 historical places,3 different beaches, 4 days in more than 11 devotional places ,5 days stay in Hill stations, more than 3000 kms, one state and we are started from Hyderabad..
It was morning 5 am,started Journey from Hyderabad. We are so Excited, in fact we are running late as per our schedule we need to reach our destination by 9 pm but we took so much time for lunch and dinner we had in Bangalore.First day was so big day, we traveled almost 730 kms and finally Reached Mysuru at 11pm.
Mysuru, Karnataka
Maharaja Palace, Mysuru.
Mysore Palace is a historical palace and a royal residence at Mysore in the Indian State of Karnataka. It is the official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty and the seat of the Kingdom of Mysore. The palace is in the centre of Mysore, and faces the Chamundi Hills eastward.
It took 15 years to construct this beautiful palace(1897-1912).The way they Constructed was wonderful. Especially Audience Hall, Roof art, open theaters, Dining hall, Dance halls, Weapon storage rooms, stones they used,paintings, Maharaja room and many more.We spent whole day to see the complete palace architecture.
Next day early morning went to Chamundi hills. There was a long Que from morning ,we completed dharshan in 3 hours and blessed. asura Mahishasura (king of the city that is currently known as Mysore) was killed by goddess Chamundeswari (also called Chamundi) after a fierce battle. The goddess is also called Mahishasura Mardini.
Chamundi Hills
The Chamundeshwari Temple is a traditional Hindu temple located on the eastern edge of Mysore at the height of 1000ft on the Chamundi hills. Dedicated to and named after goddess Durga, the temple also has statues of Nandi and Mahishasura, the demon. Being one of the oldest temples in the palace city of Mysore, the temple is a must-visit attraction for the travellers. The Chamundeshwari Temple is considered as a Shakti Peetha and is one among the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas.
St. Philomena’s Cathedral.
Recognized as the second tallest church of Asia, St. Philomena’s Church was constructed to pay tribute to the Catholic Saint and martyr of Roman Catholic Church, Saint Philomena. It is one of the most important historical sites in Mysore and is frequently visited by tourists from all over the country. Being one of the most distinctive landmarks of the city, it looks even more beautiful in the evening sky and is given religious importance having a Neo-Gothic style of architecture which makes it all the more famous amongst masses.
Brindavan Gardens
The Brindavan Gardens, spread over 60 acres, is located at a distance of 21 km away from Mysore. Built across the notable river of India, Cauvery, it took around five years to complete the project. The well-synchronised fountain show with music, boating and well-manicured grass with flowerbeds are some of the top experiences of Brindavan Garden.
Constructed in 1932 by the Diwan of Mysore, Sir Mirza Ismail, Brindavan Garden is visited by millions of tourists every year. Divided into two parts, north and south, boating facility offered by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation which connects the two parts along with a walkway bridge.
In two days we Successfully covered Mysuru city including Palace,Church, Chamundi Hills and Brindavan Gardens and then next day left to Coorg.
Coorg, Scotland of India
Coorg is a tranquil, little town in Southern Karnataka, cradled in the Western Ghats. It is famous mainly for its austere sights, varied wildlife, world-class coffee and the Kodavas, the ethnic warrior people of Coorg.In recent years, the place has been gaining popularity as one of the most-visited tourist destinations in India. If you haven’t visited Coorg yet then You must visit this place.
Abbi Falls
It’s amazing how you can find peace and tranquillity in the middle of the rapturous sounds of a waterfall. Several streams combine on the steep slopes of the Western Ghats to form the Abbi Falls. From here, the water flows into the Cauvery river. The Kali Mata temple near the falls warrants a visit!
Home stay and Cusine
LITTLE JUNGLE home stay is a perfect holiday destination located in Coorg or Kodagu often called the Scotland of India for its breath taking scenic beauty.
The Coorgs are a martial race who are proud of their ethnic culture.Their hospitality is legendary. Coorg offers an array of exotic and delicious cuisine .
River Rafting
The best time for river rafting in Coorg is when the monsoon has spiked between July and September. During this period the white-water would be full and rapid flow is expected. One can also raft outside the heavy rainy season between December and January when the Stillwater will be less full of moderate flow and activity in the water. Stillwater rafting can also be done during the summer and winter seasons. The time for rafting in any of the locations is from 9 am to 3 pm and it can last for a maximum of 4hours which is the long-distance and a minimum of 30minutes for short distances.
Dubare Elephant Camp
There is something about elephants that brings out the child in us. Karnataka is famous for its elephants and the Dubare training facility is a delightful experience for any animal lover. And it’s not just elephants, one can also spot leopards, gaurs, bears, peacocks and partridges in the surrounding forests.
Madikeri Fort
A place for the history lovers, the original Madikeri Fort was built in the 17th century by Mudduraja and was rebuilt in granite by Tipu Sultan in 1790. Near the fort is a museum that exhibits a lot of Tipu Sultan’s possessions as well as artefacts from the British era.
Omkareshwara Temple
Built by Lingarajendra II in 1820, this temple of Lord Shiva is a mix of Gothic and Islamic architecture. The Shivlinga installed at the temple was brought all the way from Kashi. It is all the more fascinating because the temple has an Islamic architectural style. With its central dome and four minarets, it resembles a Muslim Dargah.
Golden Temple – Bylakuppe
You will be surprised to know that Coorg has the biggest Tibetan settlement in South India. When you visit Bylakuppe, make sure to go to the Namdroling monastery, buy handicrafts and enjoy authentic Tibetan momos.
On the 3rd day of Trip we reached Coorg and we are there for 2 days.On 5th day we need to leave the place but i had a feeling that i don’t want to leave this place,i became mad of about the place So if you haven’t been to Coorg already, the next time you pack your bags for a trip, you should be heading to Southern Karnataka!
Dharmasthala
Sri Manjunatha Swamy temple
Dharmasthala is located in the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka which houses Sri Manjunatha Swamy temple. The iconic temple is located on the banks of Nethravathi river standing as one of the most significant abodes of Shiva.This particular temple is marked as a unique abode of Shiva for a reason that it is run by a Jain Bunt family and rituals being performed by Vaishnava priests.
Bahubali Statue
Dharmasthala also houses a statue of Bahubali, carved out of single rock. It is about 39 feet in height which look spectacular.
Bahubali which means the ‘One with Strong Arms’, is a legendary figure known for his Strength, Power and Intellect. His persona is highly praised and is considered an essential aspect of the Jain religion. The sculptured statue stands at a massive height of 57 feet and is carved out of a single rock. Some visit the statue to offer their prayers and some to come one step closer to peace and salvation.
Ram Mandir, Dharmasthala.
At a distance of 3.5 km from the Shri Manjunath Temple.. Simple yet elegant in its construction, this temple has marble idols of Lord Ram, Lord Lakshman, and Goddess Sita. Each year this temple is thronged by devotees who visit the temple to meditate or worship their revered deities. In addition to being a spiritual centre, the temple site has unparalleled natural beauty as well. The temple complex overlooks the mighty Western Ghats with the Netravati River in the backdrop.Built in 2003, Ram Mandir was established by Nithyananda Swami who was a well-known spiritual leader and yoga guru. The temple houses 36 idols of its presiding deities in the two floors. The temple is adorned with pristine marble shrines of Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Goddess Sita and is embellished with subtle carvings.
Kukke Subramanya Temple
The temple is located in the range of beautiful Western Ghats. There is Kumara Parvatha overlooking the temple; a popular hiking destination for trekkers across South India.The temple is famous for practices related to Naga Dosha and lores attached to them are way beyond our logic.Kumara Parvatha looks gorgeous in the backdrop to the temple entrance and Shesha Parvatha looks exactly like a Cobra protecting the temple shrine of Subramanya. Shesha Parvatha meaning a mountain shaped like a six-headed serpent.
As one enters the temple, exactly between the sanctum and the entrance, there is the Garuda Pillar covered with silver. It is believed that the pillar was placed here to protect devotees from the poisonous flames arising from the breath of Vasuki, who resides inside.
One interesting thing here is about its prasadam, it is the earth from the Anthill, Called Mrithike.
– Day 6
Hornadu
Horanadu is a holy Hindu town located in Malnad, Karnataka. Carpeted with green paddy fields and accompanied by a hilly backdrop, this region lies at an altitude of 2726 feet. With pristine natural beauty, Horanadu is also famous for its extensive collection of dry fruits, cashew nuts and almonds along with tea, coffee and spice markets.
Hornadu Hills -day 7
The route to Hornadu goes through ghats and dense forests creating an amazing travel experience for the visitors. During winter, Horanadu looks like a heaven on earth and there is no exaggeration to it.
Annapoorneeshwari Temple
The temple is located at Hornadu, 100 km from Chikmagalur in the thick forest valleys of Western Ghats. It is dedicated to Shri Annaporneshwari, an incarnation of Goddess Parvathi.It also called as Adishakthyathmika Sri Annapoorneshwari temple or Shri Kshetra Horanadu temple, located on the banks of river Bhadra. In the context of mythology, it is believed that the idol here was established by Agasthya Rishi in the 8th century.Speaking a little about temple’s architecture, it is adorned with beautiful sculptures. The main mantapa being located on the left-hand side of the temple’s entrance, one can see an amazing view of carvings on the ceilings of the temple. The magnificent Adishesha surrounds the main sanctum while the Padma Peetha constitutes Koorma and Ashtagaja.
Chikmagalur
Popularly known as the ‘Coffee Land of Karnataka’, Chikmagalur is situated in the foothills of the Mullayangiri Range and is one of the most beautiful hill stations in Karnataka. Chikmagalur has a perpetual fragrance of coffee lingering in the air with it plenty of coffee plantations. Famous for its tall mountains, lush green forests and its tranquil environment (apart from its coffee production), Chikmagalur is a very popular tourist destination and is a quick retreat for the people of Karnataka.
Chikmagalur is a very popular trekking spot and boasts of many incredible trekking trails, such as the Mullayangiri trek, the Kemmanagundi trek, and the Baba Budangiri trek. Mullayangiri is the highest peak in all of Karnataka and is the best place to get a perfect view of the sun rising from behind the mountains.It is the 8th day of our Trip.
Random pictures from Chikmagalur Hill Station
Shringeri
This beautiful place showcases the past and the present through a beautiful architecture that it is blended in. In case you are planning a trip to Chikmagalur, do not forget to add this attraction to the must-visit places of the town. You are going to get a lot of peace away from the noise and monotonous routine to unwind and breathe.
Sringeri Sharada Peetham
Nestled amongst the backdrop of the exquisite Malnad Hills on the banks of River Tunga and established by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, Sringeri Sharada Peetham is named after the great Rishi Rishyashringa. The prime deity of the temple is Sharadhamba Devi. Adi Shankaracharya initially placed a sandalwood idol of the deity here which later developed into this huge beautiful place of worship and an important pilgrim place.
Vidyashankara Temple, Sringeri
A perfect example of South Indian as well as Vijayanagara styles of architecture, this temple is dedicated to the pontiff Vidyashankara.
Many inscriptions depicting the era of the Vijayanagara emperors are seen on the interiors of the structure.
Shravanabelagola
Shravanabelagola was home to the famous ruler Chandragupta Maurya after he embraced Jainism, to live the rest of his days as a monk.The 58 feet tall statue of Gommateshwara is the largest of its kind in the world! Every 12 years, large offerings are made to this statue, drawing tourists and pilgrims from all around the world. Shravanabelagola has two hills, called Chandragiri and Vindyagiri. The Sacred places here are spread out over these two hills.The temple which houses the statue of Gommateshwara is on top of the Vindyagiri hill and takes 600 steps from the base.You will definitely be blown away by the detail with which the carvings on the walls of the temples have been made. This is unlike any other temple you’d have visited.There are a large number of shrines and basadis spread throughout Shravanabelagola. You can visit as many of them as you like, for each one has a history of its own.
After 7 Days of Long Long Journey in Hill Stations , more than 2700 feet Hight from Sea level slowly on 10th day of trip we reached Ground Level and Reached Udupi.
Udupi
Malpe Beach, Udupi.
At a distance of 10 Kms from Udupi Railway Station, Malpe Beach spreads between the Swarna Nandi River and Maple Port. It is one of the finest beaches in Karnataka. The endless stretch of palm trees, the clear blue sky and the clear blue waters of the Arabian Sea set the perfect mood for an unforgettable holiday. Malpe Beach is characterized by a silver-white sand beach and rocky islands. It is a great place for boating and swimming.( day 10)
Krishna Temple, Udupi
the Krishna Temple or the Udupi Sri Krishna Matha is one of the most auspicious temples dedicated to Lord Krishna. The idol of Krishna is adorned with jewels and a golden chariot. What makes the temple unique, is its worshipping pattern. The prayers and process of the whole worship take place only through a silver-plated window with nine holes called the Navagraha Kitiki. A temple known as Udupi Anantheshwara Temple surrounds the Shree Krishna Matha. This temple traces back to 1,000 years.
The temple bears a resemblance to a living ashram, fostering daily life and devotion. It is also the birthplace of Daasa Sahitya, a Udupi form of literature. Every two years, the administration and temple offerings are managed cyclically between the eight mathas. They are collectively known as Ashta Mathagalu. It is because Krishna’s mother Yashoda wanted to see him take the form of a child, his idol has seen the same kind.
Murudeshwar
Murudeshwara Temple
Murudeshwara temple is one of the rarest abodes of Shiva on earth to have a hollow linga. In Yogic culture, it is said that the infinite energy source has taken the shape of Linga, and so it is worshipped and adored. Also, it represents the masculine force in creation. Here in Murudeshwara, it is denoted as Athma Linga whose history dates back to the times of Ramayana.
Murudeshwara houses a Shiva statue which is simply a breathtaking effigy. It is said to be the tallest Shiva statue in the world followed by Nepal’s Kailashnath Mahadev statue and Coimbatore’s Adi Yogi. It stands at a height of 123 feet, said to have constructed by over 200 skilled artists. The statue is designed in a way that it reflects sunlight directly giving out a sparkling look and a divine sight to catch.
Murudeshwar Beach
Gokarna
Mahabaleshwar Temple
Story behind the Temple ; We all know the story of Athma linga. It has so happened that the King Ravana’s mother wished for Athma linga (the ultimate form of Shiva) and Ravana went to Kailash to get that for his mother. With his penance, Ravana gets Athma linga from Shiva on a condition that it should not be placed on the ground before he reaches Lanka. Knowing this, Narada realized that Ravana will attain immortality with this Athma linga and continue to destroy life on earth. So, Devas requested Ganesha to prevent the Atma Linga from reaching Lanka.
Ravana was a Brahmin and a great devotee who kept his ritual practices and had never missed them, even on a single day. So, Ganesha with a plan of using this fact took the form of a Brahmin Boy and came to Ravana. It was an evening time and Ravana had to perform his evening rituals. With Atma Linga in his hands, he was worried as he cannot keep the linga down. So, Ganesha came in and accosted Ravana. Ravana gave the Linga to him and asked not to put it on the ground. Ganesha made a deal saying that he would call his name thrice, and if Ravana did not return then he would place Atma Linga on the ground.It was a trick played and Ganesha placed Linga on the ground and disappeared. After knowing that it was a trick played by Devas, Ravana tries to destroy the Linga. In that effort, linga gets scattered into pieces. Different pieces fell in different places but origianl atma Linga was came to shape of Ear of Cow then this place named as Gokarna ( Go-cow karna-Ear).
Maha Ganapathi temple, Gokarna
Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, this temple is located near the Mahabaleshwara temple and quite popular among pilgrims visiting Gokarna.
As per the legend of Lord Shiva’s blessings, visitors are supposed to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha before visiting the Mahabaleshwara temple.
Half Moon Beach – Gokarna
The beach gets its name from the shape of a half-moon. It is accessible only via the rocky trekking route from Om Beach or by boat. You must make it a point to bathe here in the clear waters and enjoy delicious food at a lone shack which can be easily identified. Since there is lack of electricity on this beach, you won’t find tourists staying here for long. This beach is the third stop on the beach trek in Gokarna.
on Day -12 we came here after Gokarna temple Dharshan. We stayed here fro two days in two different Beach Resorts. Especially Half moon beach was best place to chill out and Views of Om beach from our Guest house window still in my mind….
OM Beach- Gokarna
Shaped like the symbol for “Om”, this beach in Gokarna is quite popular for its cafe culture and for the water sports one can always enjoy here. This beach is ideally enjoyed in the evenings when one can take in a gorgeous view of the sunset. Om beach is accessible by road and is the second stop on the beach trek in Gokarna.
On 14 day we came here to Hospet and visited Tungabhadra Dam and took rest on same day night here. Next day early in the morning left to Hampi.
Tungabhadra Dam
Tungabhadra Dam, set up across river Tungabhadra, is one of the chief attractions of the town of Hospet. The multi-purpose reservoir was built by Dr. Thirumalai Iyengar, an engineer from Chennai. The dam has a storage capacity of 135 thousand million cubic feet.
The dam gets filled with water during rains and water is supplied to the canals. It fulfils requirements of electricity, irrigation of land as well as prevents natural disasters like floods. Over the years, the site of the reservoir has become a popular picnic or tourist spot.
Besides, the water body has various species of fish and other aquatic animals. Species such as greater flamingos, spot-billed pelicans, storks and others can also be spotted at the site. Tourists visit in large numbers to the artificial water body to spot movements of birds and fishing.
Hampi-Vijayanagar Empire
Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagar empire around 1500 AD, and by some accounts, the second largest city in the world at that time. Over the next centuries it fell out of importance, and now you can explore the ruins of a lot of temples and other structures spread out over a vast area. The terrain around Hampi is as mysterious as the ruins itself – the city is surrounded by boulders of different sizes, and you can climb to the top of them with a little effort to get a stunning view of the entire city and the geography. It is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. Famous for its massive, beautifully carved temples, especially the Virupaksha Temple, dedicated to the patron deity of the empire. You can also find remains of the old aqueducts, canals and military barracks and stables here. Hampi was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986 and many efforts have been taken to restore the lost glory of the place – very limited (if any) modern establishments are allowed in the main area, which gives an authentic feel to the ruins.
Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
The Virupaksha temple (or Prasanna Virupaksha temple) is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra river at Hampi. Built during the 7th century, the beautiful architecture and history of the temple have made it a UNESCO World Heritage site. The temple is abode to one of the forms of Lord Shiva called Lord Virupaksha. While it is located at present-day Hampi, it was once a smaller shrine in the middle of the ancient and majestic Vijayanagara empire. You will find beautiful stone inscriptions dating back to the 7th century on the walls of the temple as proof of its rich heritage. Architecture-lovers and history-buffs, do visit the temple when you are in Hampi!
The temple has tall towers or gopurams acting as gateways to the inner sanctums, as is usually seen in temples of south Indian style architecture. While many devotees visit the temple during festival seasons like the Car Festival, it is otherwise less crowded.
The gopurams lead to many inner corridors and halls, all decorated with ornate stone-work. The sculptures depict mythological stories of numerous Gods and Goddesses. The main deity of the temple is Lord Virupaksha, but it is also abode to few other Hindu deities too.
Vithala Temple, Hampi
The most impressive structure in Hampi, the Vithala Temple dates back to the 16th century and is a truly splendid example of rich architecture. The famous stone chariot, which has become an iconic symbol of the architecture of Hampi, is located inside the premises of this temple.
The temple complex is spread over a huge area. The main gate has an impressive arch with carvings, and opens in a large courtyard which has the famous stone chariot in the center. The main temple is located just behind the chariot and has beautiful carvings. There are also several other smaller temples inside the courtyard, all of which are definitely worth a visit. The carvings on the walls/pillars of these structures depict various gods in different forms.
Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
This temple features the biggest effigy in Hampi, of Narasimha sitting on SeshaNaag i.e. the seven-headed snake acting as a shelter to him. The idol of Goddess Lakshmi is placed along with that of Narasimha. Known to be the biggest monolith statue in Hampi, the statue itself was built during 1528 AD and was erected during the reign of the Vijayanagara ruler Krishnadevaraya. The statue currently is housed at the Archaeological Museum at Kamalapura after it was mutilated when the Mughals raided Hampi.
Sasivekalu Ganesh, Hampi
Sasivekalu Ganesh has a gigantic monolithic statue of Lord Ganesha. The statue is over 8 feet tall and was created in the memory of a Vijayanagara King – King Narasimha II. It is often associated with the legend of Ganesha when he tied a snake around his belly when his stomach was about to burst after he had consumed a lot of food. The snake can be clearly seen around Lord Ganesha’s belly.
Kadalekalu Ganesh, Hampi
Kadalekalu Ganesh is an important religious attraction in Hampi. The temple has traditional stone architecture and is located on Hemakuta Hill and has a huge 15 feet monolithic statue of Lord Ganesha which is a believed to be one of the largest in the world. The reason why the attraction is called Kadalekalu is because the belly of the deity is chiselled to look like Kadalekalu (Bengal gram).
With this Place we successfully Completed our 15 days of Beautiful Journey in Different locations of Karnataka State. Hope you like to know about these places through this blog. If you have time just go for a visit to these places, am sure you will definitely find Something more beautiful Stuff there.And Thanks for Reading 🙂
Sairam Devarakonda 
Wow 🤩
I really loved these pictures, especially the temples and statues 😃
It’s really great to know about India. I’m so so happy to see these beautiful places.
Thanks so much for taking the many pictures and the write ups.
I’m definitely saving these in case I have someone to refer this post to
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much for your love❤
If you visit these places, when you came to india you will find something more beautiful there.and thanks for sharing this blog.❤🥰🤩
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are highly welcome 🙏
Yes, I have a future agenda to come to India and I believe that I will find something very interesting there.
You are welcome 🤗Your blog is a wonderful blog to be honest
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awwe🤩 Feeling Great to hear these lines..😍 you inspired me in different level😊definitely I’ll come up with many more interesting things through this blog😇😇 please share if you like this blog😇 Thank you so much❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
so beautiful! well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you😍🤩❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sairam thank you for following my blog. I’m so happy I found your blog and followed as well. The places you see are beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Brandy shearer for your appreciation🤩❤. I’m also happy that you like my blog and followed as well. Hope you will share this blog to others also.🤩 thank you😇😊😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing so many beautiful sites in South India. I’m overwhelmed by how many places you described here.
LikeLike