Badami - Blend Art And Adventure At The Spellbinding Caves Of Badami

A picturesque town in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, Badami is situated by the Agastya Lake. This town was previously known as Vatapi, which according to legend was the name of the wicked Asura slain by sage Agastya, christening this town Vatapi. The Chalukyas, the erstwhile rulers of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh during the sixth and eighth centuries renamed Vatapi to Badami. The royal Chalukya family is famed for their spectacular Dravidian architecture finely woven with the Nagara mode of North India. Badami is a town of historical and religious importance for its majestic rock cut temples created of red sandstone surrounding the Agastya lake.  Visitors looking to visit Badami can make arrangements by air, rail or road. Hubli and Belgaum are the nearest airports with connectivity to Mumbai and Bangalore, the Badami railway station which is five kilometres from the nearest bus stand and through wide, smooth roads from Bangalore, Hubli, Gadag, Solanpur and Bijapur.

Within the town, one can commute by Auto Rickshaw, taxis and buses. The most popular travel route is Hubli-Badami-Hampi where one gets to visit architectural marvels in Karnataka in the span of about five days. The best season to visit Badami is between winter and summer, during the October-March span. Some of the popular tourist destinations within this scenic town are outlined below.

 Badami Cave Temples

Attraction: Monolith rock-cut temples and exquisite sculptures The rock-cut Badami temples were sculpted between the late sixth century and early eighth centuries. These cave temples feature carvings depicting the great Chalukya rulers and their grand lifestyles as well as the benevolent and secular nature of the reign, with a large number of sculptures and wall carvings representing Hindu idols and God as well as the Buddhist and Jain way of life. Many temples are carved out of a single rock and bear witness to the craftsmanship and skill of the great sculptors of the age. The four cave temples are famous world over for their architectural prowess.

 Archaeological Museum

Attraction: Storehouse of cultural artefacts and beautiful sculptures The museum is an excellent medium for historians and tourists to relive the age of the Chalukyas. The museum houses the finest sculptures and artefacts from the glory days of the Chalukyas. The Lajja-Gauri image of the fertility cult that once flourished in the area is a rare and unique item preserved in this museum. One can visit the archaeological museum between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Saturday to Thursday.

The Bhutanatha temple

Attraction : Beautifully carved shrine in a scenic location Visitors to Badami can also offer prayers at the Bhutanatha temple that houses a small but beautifully crafted shrine. The temple has been in existence since the early fifth century, one of the few surviving structures of the Chalukya period, also bearing testimony to the tolerance and craftsmanship of the age. The shrine is located facing a shimmering lake, making for a calm and tranquil atmosphere for devotees to offer prayers.

Badami Fort

Attraction: An edifice of historical value, popular for its stunning view of the cliff overlooking the famous cave temples. The famous Badami fort is a must-see for tourists visiting the architectural hub of Badami. It lies to the East of the Bhuthnath temple, and is ensconced among lush green trees, resting atop a steep cliff, overlooking the fabulous Badami cave temples. Tourists are required to negotiate a steep climb and are rewarded with a spectacular view of the valley and small yet historically important shrines that dot the ascent. The fort houses a temple that showcases the grandeur and splendour typical of the Chalukyas.

 Entry Fee:

Citizens of India and visitors from SAARC countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan and Afghanistan and BIMSTEC Countries including Thailand and Myanmar pay a rate of Rs. 5 per head.

Others:

US $2 or Indian Rs. 100/- per head

Plan a trip with family and friends to the idyllic town of Badami for the perfect blend of history and scenery. 

Gokarna - Pilgrim's Paradise At The Beaches Of Gokarna

A picturesque town in North Karnataka, Gokarna is a popular tourist destination as well as a pilgrim's paradise, as it is well endowed with temples and shrines dedicated to various deities. Bordered by coconut groves, palm trees, sandy shores and sapphire waters, this town is a beautiful destination to relax, unwind and indulge in local history and culture. One can visit Gokarna throughout the year. It is better to avoid the beaches during the rainy season. One can reach Gokarna via rail from Ankola, Karwar, Hubli, Kumta, Mangalore and Margao. For those looking to reach Gokarna by road, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation operates tourist buses from Hampi, Hospet, Bangalore and Mangalore. One can also drive down from Goa. Private buses also operate from Hampi and Hospet.  One can also choose to drive down from Goa. The nearest airport is in Goa, the Dabolim airport. 

Tourist places of interest in Gokarna include the following destinations.

Mahabaleshvara Temple

Attraction: Pilgrim Center The Mahabaleshvara Temple is one of the largest in Gokarna and is a popular pilgrimage spot for those travelling through Karnataka on a religious trip. The temple is located towards the Western end of town, towards the beach offering visitors to the temple a scenic view amid calm waters and sandy shores.

  

Maha Ganapati Temple

Attraction: Temple in honour of Lord Ganesha The Maha Ganapati Temple is a few metres away from the Shiva temple, constructed in honour of Lord Ganesha for his part in procuring the AtmaLinga from Ravana. For domestic and foreign tourists not familiar with the custom, one visits the Ganesha temple before the Shiva temple.

Koti Tirtha

Attraction: Artificial water tank

The Koti Tirtha is an artificial water tank used by pilgrims and priests for ritual bathing as it is considered holy by the locals. This sacred tank can be approached from the Venkateshwara temple, from the West.

There are five beaches in Gokarna, the Gokarna beach, The Om beach, the Kudle beach, Paradise beach and the Half-moon beach. While all the beaches are stunningly beautiful, the Gokarna beach is popular with pilgrims and the Kudle beach and Om beach is more popular with tourists. The Gokarna beach is a long narrow strip of sand, rock and sea, situated towards the edge of town. Kudle beach is a popular tourist spot offering visitors an idyllic vista of the deep blue waters of the Arabian sea, with five star hotels and resorts offering guests a fabulous view of the sea.

Om beach is further along the coast from Kudle and is christened for its unique shape , the auspicious Indian 'Aum', created by the rocky terrain of the beach. This beach can be visited throughout the year, except in the rainy season. One must be wary of strong currents while visiting these beaches. Om beach offers tourists budget yet cosy accommodation in the form of Bamboo or concrete beach huts. Half moon beach is a small but idyllic tourist destination, accessible through the Om beach. One is offered budget accommodation in the beach, with small huts and restaurants for guests visiting Half-Moon beach. Paradise beach is the farthest from the town of Gokarna. A beautiful tourist destination, ideal for honeymoon couples and those on an intimate getaway as this beach is very private and offers only basic facilities for those looking to soak up the sun and take a break from the daily hustle of civilization. There is no accommodation on the beach.

Entry Fee

No entry fee.

Plan a holiday in the picturesque town of Gokarna for a vacation you will never forget!

Hampi- Travel Back In Time To The Glorious Vijayanagara Empire At Hampi

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Hampi is one of the most famous historical spots across the globe. This town in Karnataka has featured in popular English movies for its exquisite architectural offering, the pride of the vastly wealthy and advanced Vijayanagara empire. Hampi is located near Hospet town in Karnataka and served as the Capital of the revered Vijayanagara empire, a stronghold of the Kings of the age. Besides its main attraction, the superbly carved temples, the vast stretches of hills forming a magnificent backdrop to the temples adds beauty and splendour to this heritage town. Hampi is sanctified town and is revered in the eyes of devout Hindus as it is the Pampakshethra - home of Lady Pampa, daughter of Lord Brahma and venerable wife and companion to Lord Shiva. During the glory days of the old, Hampi was a thriving commercial hub of the Empire with an abundance of precious stones and gems, most popular for trading horses and diamonds!

A visitor's haven, this idyllic town is bordered by lush green valleys and rocky hills bordering the most beautiful temples in the South. Other important tourist spots include royal pavilions, treasury buildings, ancient markets, the palace remains, aquatic structures including public baths, bastions and public platforms. October to March is the best season for tourists looking to witness the splendour of this former Vijayanagara stronghold.

One can visit Hampi via air, road and rail. The nearest airport is Hubli which is connected to major cities across the country. The closest railway station is the Hospet junction about thirteen kilometres away from Hampi with frequent trains like Hyderabad, Goa and Bangalore arriving at this junction. One can reach Hampi by road through State transport buses that ply between Hampi and Hospet. Within Hampi, one can commute through taxis, motorcycles, cars and rickshaws.

Tourists can visit popular sightseeing spots and temples that include the Virupaksha temple, an exquisitely carved temple devoted to Hindu deities, the Vijaya Vittala temple dedicated to the Vijayanagar empire, the gigantic Queens Bath, a renowned public structure, the beautiful Lotus Mahal, the sacred Elephant stables, the world famous Hazara Rama temple demonstrating the architectural prowess of the craftsmen of the age, Archaeological museum, the storehouse of local artefacts and marvellous sculptures, the Ganesha sculptures, Pushkarni, the Lakshmimarasimha and the Badavalinga.  

Among the most famous temples in Hampi is the splendid Vijaya Vittala temple, known the world over not only for its magnificent carvings and sculptures but for the 56 musical pillars created to emanate 56 different musical notes covering different musical instruments! A battalion of archaeologists have yet to uncover the secret of this unique temple, catapulting this remarkable temple to the list of the  world's most incredible historical edifices.

The golden rays from a glorious sunset turn the temples of Hampi to creations of pure gold, a breathtaking sight for tourists and first time visitors.

Among the famous places to visit in Hampi include the Lakshmi Narasimha, a monolithic structure, the exquisite Stone chariot and the massive Ganesha statues.

Entry Fee:

For Indian citizens the rate is Rs. 10/- per head and there is no entry fee for the children below 12 years. 

For foreigners: $5 per head. This ticket is valid for one day to visit three monuments of the Vittala Temple, the Elephant stables and the Zenena Enclosure.

Entry fee to the Archaeological Museum is Rs.5/- per head.

Hampi is one of the most beautiful spots to visit in the South. Plan a visit to the majestic temples to appreciate fine art and architecture, not found anywhere else in the world!