Karnataka Overview - II
Last Updated on Monday, 18 January 2010 14:29 Written by Manjunath H Sunday, 10 January 2010 18:50
SRIRANGAPATTANA: 
The island fortress of the legendary warrior king Tipu Sultan is just 16km from Mysore city. Inside the fortress is Tipu's mosque with its twin minarets, the celebrated Ranganatha SwamyTemple, Tipu's Summer Palace, the Wellesley Bridge, and the dungeons where British officers were once imprisoned.
SOMANATHPUR: 
Situated in the unobtrusive village of Somnathpur, 35km from Mysore, the exquisitely carved, star-shaped temple with triple towers is a perfect example of Hoysala architecture.
BELUR: 
On the banks of the Yagachi river in Belur, a star-shaped temple with hand lathe-turned filigreed pillars and sculptures will take your breath away. It is the only Hoysala temple still in active worship. Friezes of charging elephants, each different from the other, mythological figures, military scenes, dancers and musicians, and elaborate decorative motifs charge the imagination.
HALEBEEDU: 
Just 17km away from Belur is Halebid, the ancient capital of the Hoysalas. The temple, perched on a star-shaped base amidst lawns, is a sculptural extravaganza. Its walls are richly carved with an endless variety of Hindu deities, sages, stylised animals, birds, and friezes depicting the life of the Hoysala kings.
BANGALORE PALACE:
Modelled on the lines of the Windsor Castle, the Bangalore Palace flaunts turreted parapets, battlements, fortified towers, and arches. Entry to the palace is restricted. It was built by Odeyars of Mysore.
TIPU’S FORT AND PALACE: 
A visit to Tipu's Fort is an enriching experience. Built in 1791, this summer retreat of Tipu Sultan in Bangalore is a two-storied ornate wooden structure with fluted pillars, cusped arches and balconies. It now houses a museum, which contains artefacts relating to the Hyder-Tipu regime.
BELLARY : 
Bellary Fort Built a top the Ballary Gudda or Fort Hill, during Vijayanagar times by Hanumappa Nayaka . Hyder Ali took possession from the Nayaka 's in 1769 , got the fort renovated . and modified with the help of French engineer. Legend has it that the engineer was hanged , for over looking the fact that the neighboring Kumbra Gudda was taller than Bellary Gudda.
ADI CHUNCHANAGIRI: 
The seat of the Swami of the Vokkaliga community, this small town is a noted center of Bhairva Worship . The main attraction here is the gangadeshwara Temple , Which attracts pilgrims in thousands during the annual Jatra and the Peacock Sanctuary . The Matha provides accommodation for guest visitors at its guest house .
ARTISTIC KARNATAKA: 
Karnataka has a wide range of songs and dances that revolve around hunting food gathering and burial rites. The state's rich and vibrant culture is reflected in varied art forms: Yakshagana, puppetry or Bombeatta, Bhootha Aradhane, Krishna Parijatha, Nagamandala and the various Kunithas
YAKSHAGANA: 
A trip to the coastal belt would be incomplete without watching the Yakshagana - an elaborate dance-drama performance unique to Karnataka.
TOGALU GOMBEYAATA: 
The ancient art of leather puppetry draws heavily from mythology, especially stories from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. This art form is still prevalent in some remote villages.
BHOOTA AARADHANE: 
No less interesting is the Bhootha Aradhane or devil worship, very common in the coastal towns of Karnataka. Idols representing 'bhoothas' are taken out in a procession to the beating of drums and bursting of firecrackers. As the procession ends, the idols are placed on a pedestal.
NAAGAMANDALA: 
People of Dakshina Kannada perform an elaborate ritual called Nagamandala to appease the serpent spirit. It is conducted in an extravagant manner throughout the night, wherein dancers known as the Vaidyas dress themselves as nagakannikas and dance the night away.
CLASSICAL DANCES:
The Mysore style of Bharatanatyam, which is the oldest and most popular form of classical dance in India, is widely performed here. Other mainstream classical dances here include Kuchipudi and Kathak.
KRISHNA PARIJATA:
A folk theatre art form popular in Uttar Karnataka. It is a combination of Yakshagana and Byalatta with themes culled from the great epic Mahabharata.
MUSIC: 
Imbued with the devotion of Kanaka Dasa and Purandara Dasa, the music of Karnataka flourished under the royal patronage of the Vijayanagar Empire and the Wodeyars. Direct in descent in the Mysore Veena tradition are Veene Seshanna and Veenae Doreswamy Iyengar. T. Chowdiah gave the violin in Carnatic music a new character altogether. Gangubai Hangal, Bhimsen Joshi, Mallikarjuna Mansur, Kumar Gandharwa, Basavaraj Rajguru, and Puttaraj Gavai M .Venkatesh Kumar, Siddaram jambaldinni,narasimhlu vadavati are some of the illustrious names in Karnataka's contribution to Hindustani music.
DIVINE KARNATAKA: 
Karnataka is as much famed for its shrines, mosques, churches, and Jain basadis as it is for its natural and scenic splendours. These architectural wonders hold the key to the state's spiritual and historical past. Legends mingle with history, giving its shrines an evocative ambience that brings to life the richness of the state's spiritual culture. The religious circuit fascinates pilgrims and tourists as the enigma of Indian philosophy unravels in its architecture, religion, and cultural traditions.
GOKARNA: 
This coastal town draws Hindu pilgrims, Sanskrit scholars, and beach buffs alike. Apart from its famed beaches and the Centre for Sanskrit Learning..
UDUPI: 
Approximately 60km from Mangalore is the Vaishnavite pilgrimage town of Udupi. This was the sanctum of Madhwacharya, the great Sanskrit philosopher. It is as much renowned for its chefs, cuisine, and restaurants as it is for its Krishna Temple and various mutts.
MOOKAMBIKA TEMPLE: 
130km from Mangalore, amid the green canopy of the Western Ghats, lies the village of Kollur. Here, the Mookambika Temple, one of the seven most sacred spots of the coastal region, is dedicated to the goddess of emotional power and strength.
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