Culture Tour of Karnataka

Tour Highlights
Bangalore	Tipu Sultan Palace, ISKCON Temple, Lal Bagh Garden, Vidhan Saudha
Hassan	Chennakeshawa Temple in Belur & Hoyasaleshwara Temple in Helebid
Hampi	Vitthal Temple, Queen's Bath & Lotus Mahal
Mysore	Maharaja Palace, Chamundi Hill

Day 01: Arrive Bangalore

Arrive Bangalore, after a traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our representative would assist you at the airport & transfer you to hotel. Bangalore, the garden city. The spacious city has many imposing structures full of historic & modern architecture. The majestic Vidhana Soudha, a magnificent post-independence structure housing the State legislature & Secretariat, stands in the center of the city with its attractive dome & galleries.
Overnight stay in Bangalore

Day 02: Bangalore – Mysore (150 kms - 3 hrs)

Today morning we take a guided tour of Bangalore, visiting Tipu Sultan Palace; the layout of the palace gives the idea of the ethnic Mughallifestyle. The fort & its remains present the history of the era in which it was built. The construction of the Tipu palace was started by Haider Ali & completed by Tipu Sultan, it is now a museum. Also visit ISKCON Temple, harmonious blend of the Dravidian & modern architecture. The building has some of the modern facilities along with Vedic preaching library.

Next we visit the Lal Bagh Garden, name Lal Bagh has been given to it for the wonderfully bloomed red roses that remain blooming all through the year. Haider Ali started building this garden in 1760

Afternoon we drive down to Mysore, capital city of the Wodeyars kingdom. It has always enchanted its admirers with its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad avenues & sacred temples. There's an old world charm about the city that reaches out to everyone.
Overnight stay in Mysore

Day 03: Mysore

Today we take a tour of Mysore, we visit the Srirangapatna, the historic capital of Tipu Sultan known for his struggle againstBritish rule. Several monuments relating to his rule are sprinkled across the island. Later we visit Darya Daulat, commonly known as Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan is situated amidst scenic surroundings on an island formed by two branches of the River Cauvery. We also visit Maharaja Palace, designed by British architect Henry Irwin, the Amba Villas Palace as it is also known, was completed in 1912. Chamundi Hill, which is topped with a 12th century temple of Durga with the magnificent 5m tall Nandi, Carved from single piece of granite in 1659, its one of largest in India.
In the evening we visit Brindavan Gardens, dancing musical fountains on the terraces of Krishnarajasagar Dam, is a vast stretch of the most delicately planned symphony in architecture, horticulture, engineering & aesthetics.
Overnight stay in Mysore

Day 04: Mysore – Shravanabelagola - Hassan (120 kms – 3 hrs)

Today we drive to Hassan en route visiting Shravanabelagola, The statue of Gommateshvara Bahubali at Shravanabelagola is one of the most important tirthas (pilgrimage destinations) in Jainism, one that reached a peak in architectural and sculptural activity under the patronage of Western Ganag dynasty of Talakad.
Further we drive to Hassan. Arrive and check in to hotel. Hassan, founded in the 11th century, by Channa Krishnappa Naik, a Palegar. The place is called Hassan after the Goddess Hasanamba (the smiling Goddess) presiding deity of the town.
Overnight stay in Hassan

Day 05: Hassan – Belur & Halebid – Hospet (330 kms – 7 hrs)

Today we drive to Hospet en route we take a tour of Chennakeshawa Temple at Belur, built in the year 1117 AD to celebrate Hoysala military victories & it took over a hundred years to complete. Stories from the Purans, Upanishads & other mythological sources have been executed in the most exquisite & authentic detail, tales from Ramayana & Mahabharata. We also visit the Hoyasaleshwara Temple at Helebid, built by Kettuvallam, during 1121 AD. Dedicated to Lord Siva has two shrines connected by pillared walls & in each shrine is a Lingam Hoyasaleshwara & Shanthaleshwara.
Further we drive to Hospet, once a beautiful capital city of Vijaynagar empire, in ancient days was known as Nagalapura. The city was razed to the ground by Sultan of South India in the year 1565.
Overnight stay in Hospet

Day 06: Hospet - Excursion of Hampi

Today we take a day excursion to Hampi, the capital city of the Vijaynagar Empire. Founded by Harihara & Bukka in 1336, it fell to the Muslim rulers in 1565 after the disastrous Battle of Talikota, subsequently lapsed into decline & abandonment. The once proud city of victory is now a city of desolation.

We visit the ruins of the Virupaksha Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva & Pampadevi. This is the only temple that is still used for worship. The temple, with its nine-storied Gopuram & ceiling of the ranga mantapa is beautifully painted with scenes from the epics & Puranas. Later visit Vittala, a splendid 56 musical pillars complex. To the east of the hall is the famous Stone Chariot with stone wheels that actually revolve. Several of the carved pillars were attacked & a large portion of the central part has been destroyed.
We also visit Elephant stables, a beautiful example of Hindu-Muslim style of architecture, housed about 11 elephants in separate compartments. Queen's bath, structure has a very plain exterior but interior is stunningly ornate, with graceful arched corridors, projecting balconies. Lotus Mahal, lotus flower top, this two-story structure has beautiful arc ways set in geometric regularity. It was an air-cooled summer palace of the queen.
Overnight stay in Hospet

Day 07: Hospet – Bangalore (330 kms – 6.5 hrs) & Departure

Today we will drive back to Bangalore to board the flight for onward destination.

Our Tour concludes: We thank you for your patronage & ensures a punctual transfer to the Airport for onward travel.