Discovering Richness of the Most Beautiful Heritages in Karnataka with Travel Packages from Kolkata

Exploring the rich heritages of Karnataka is an exciting journey that takes you through a diverse range of historical sites. Each of these heritage sites has its own unique charm and significance. Karnataka’s historical sites range from ancient temples and forts to royal palaces and archaeological wonders.

Here’s a list of some of the most beautiful and must visit heritage sites of Karnataka:

Virupaksha Temple: One of the most famous of Hampi monuments

1. Hampi with Travel Packages from Kolkata, Delhi:

Hampi is perhaps the most famous historical site in Karnataka and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century. It was one of the most prosperous cities in the whole world, as noted by the European travelers. Visit Hampi with travel packages from Kolkata.

A group of Deccan confederacy of rulers conquered Hampi in 1565. Plunder of this beautiful city took place for over six months. Hampi was subsequently abandoned forever.

Hampi has over 500 ancient monuments, beautiful temples, bustling street markets, bastions, treasury building and captivating remains of Vijayanagar Empire. The architecture is simply stunning. Intricate carvings on the temples, and rock-cut monuments in this now ruined city looks so amazing.

Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple, Lotus Mahal and the ruins of the royal enclosure are must-visit attractions in Hampi. You can also find remains of the old aqueducts, canals and military barracks and stables here. Hampi became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986. Archeological Survey of India and other organizations are making several efforts to restore the lost glory of the place.

Boulders of different sizes surround Hampi, 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 River Tungabhadra.

Cave No. 4, Badami Cave, Badami

2. Badami with Travel Packages from Kolkata, Delhi:

Badami, formerly known as Vatapi, was the capital of the Chalukya dynasty.

This is in Bagalkot District in Karnataka. The site is famous for its Brahmanical and Jain cave temples carved out of red sandstone cliffs. These date back to the 6th century and 7th Century. You can visit Badami with travel packages from Kolkata.

There are four cave temples here and a lake called Agastya Lake. These are the major attractions here. Under royal patronage, four rock-cut caves of Bramhanical, Buddhist and Jainese religion, were carved into the southern hill. The norther hill also witnessed construction of three structural temples in south Indian style. The cave –III has an inscription from 578AD, which mention the regent King Mangalesha as the patron.

The Badami cave temples represent some of the earliest known examples of Hindu temples in the Deccan region.

3. Pattadakal and Aihole with Travel Packages from Kolkata, Delhi:

Ravan Pahadi Cave Temple, Aihole

These towns are famous for their Chalukyan temples and are collectively a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit these with the best tour packages from Kolkata.

Aihole is a major archaeological site featuring over 120 stone and cave temples spread along the Malaprabha river valley, in Bagalakote district of Karnataka. These are mostly Hindu temples, but some are Jain temples. One temple is a Buddhist one.

Aihole is some 35km from Badami and is often called the “Cradle of Indian Architecture”. There are as many as 16 types of free-standing temples and 4 types of rock-cut shrines in Aihole.

Pattadakal, also called Raktapura, on the other hand, is a complex of 7th and 8th century Hindu and Jain temples. The group of temples with intricate carvings showcase a blend of North and South Indian architectural styles. The Hindu temples are generally dedicated to Shiva, but elements of Vaishnavism and Shaktism theology and legends are also present here.

4. Belur and Halebid with Travel Packages from Kolkata, Delhi:

Hoysalewara Temple, Halebid

These twin temple towns are famous for their exquisite Hoysala architecture. Both Belur and Halebid (or Halebidu) are situated in Hassan District in Karnataka, and can be visited with the best tour packages from Kolkata.

Halebid, called as Dorasamudra by the Hoysala rulers, became the regal capital of the Hoysala Empire in 1060. The forces of Delhi Sultanate looted and ravaged the town in the 14th Century. This brought its decline. Hoysaleswara Temple, known for its intricate sculptures, is the most notable surviving monument in Halebid. 

Belur, situated on the banks of River Yagachi, was the capital of the Hoysalas before they made Halebid its new capital. Prominent remains of Hoysala architecture are there in Belur. Most prominent of these is the Chennakesava Temple, a Vishnu Temple, which was originally called Vijaya-Narayana temple by the King. The towering gopuram of the temple is easily visible from a distance.

The oldest temple in Belur, however, is Sankaresvara temple. Also called Shankaralingeshwara temple, this temple is a Shiva temple. This is not completely intact though. Ruins of its mandapa are scattered nearby.

These temples are a testament to the artistic excellence of the Hoysala dynasty.

5. Bijapur with the best Tour Packages from Kolkata, Delhi:

Gol Gumbaz, Bijapur

Bijapur, also called Vijayapura or the “City of Victory,”  is famous for its Islamic architecture built during Adil Shahi dynasty rulers.

The Gol Gumbaz, Ibrahim Rauza, and Jama Masjid are remarkable structures that showcase the city’s historical grandeur.

The Kalyani Chalukyas established Bijapur in the 10th–11th centuries and was known as Vijayapura (city of victory). The city passed on to Yadavas after Chalukya’s demise. In 1347, Bahmani Sultanate conquered it. After the split of the Bahmani Sultanate, the Bijapur Sultanate ruled here. Bijapur owes much of its greatness to Yusuf Adil Shah, the founder of the independent state of Bijapur.

Gol Gumbaz is the mausoleum of Sultan Muhammad Adil Shah and features one of the largest domes in the world. It’s an architectural marvel and offers a unique acoustic experience in its whispering gallery.

6: Mysore with the best tour packages from Kolkata, Delhi:

The Mysore Palace, also known as the Amba Vilas Palace, is a grand royal residence. It is one of the most famous landmarks of Mysore. It served as the official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty.

It’s a symbol of Mysore’s royal heritage and is particularly enchanting when illuminated during the Dasara festival and on public holidays.

It showcases Indo-Saracenic architecture with beautiful interiors, ornate ceilings, courtyards, and a rich history.

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