Karnataka (capital Bengaluru) is the biggest state in South India and its capital city Bengaluru is famous for its diverse culture, IT hub and bars and pubs. Once called the Garden City of India is now actually devoid of Gardens and Lakes due to unprecedented growth of IT industry.
Here are the must-see places in Karnataka :
1)
Hampi : Hampi is a historical city within the ruins of the city of Vijayanagara Empire and are declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One can visit Hampi easily through buses and through train till Hospet and then take a bus from Hospet.
Things to Do at Hampi : Rent a bicycle and drive around the whole city, Visit the city during the famous Hampi Festival when the city is filled with lights and various events are going on, Visit the famous temples, ruins and explore the city.
2)
Western Ghats : Western Ghats is giant, huge series of mountains that runs parallel to the Western Coast of India, covers seven Indian Western states and has a huge variety of flora and fauna along with many waterfalls and national sanctuaries. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the eight "hottest hotspots" of biological diversity in the world. One can not visit Western Ghats as a place to visit since its stretch is as long as 1,600 km, but one can visit the famous places in Western Ghats. Here are the famous places that one shoud visit in Western Ghats (particularly in the monsoon December/January time) that fall in Karnataka state :
Jog Falls,
Trek and Camp at Kumara Parvata,
Chikmagalur
Please check the post about Kerala, South India to see even know about even more beautiful places in Western Ghats.
3)
Gokarna : Gokarna is a mystic, astonishing, peaceful and relaxing beach on the Western Coast of India. Gokarna was famous for the Lord Shiva Temple and devotees, and is now also popular for its unexplored, unspoiled beaches (particularly Kudle beach, which is best enjoyed around Christmas time when various artists come together and jam together, dancers dance to the music, artists perform stunts to the music and none of this is organised). Kudle beach is a perfect place to relax and do nothing. Smoke a joint, do some yoga, go to the ocean, come back, smoke a joint, eat something, relax, watch the ocean, smoke a joint and go into the ocean and on and on . . .
I have been visiting Gokarna for three years in a row now (2013,14,15) and it is definitely getting commercialised and won't be here in this list anymore as I saw people with speedboats lately disturbing the relaxing environment of the beach, so, if you need to visit Gokarna, do it before it gets spoilt.
4)
Mysore Palace : Mysore Palace is a must-visit place but only during pre-Dussehra time. Palace will be closed on Dussehra and a day before, so plan your trip 3-4 days before Dussehra.
