KARNATAKA

Karnataka : The name Karnataka is derived from 'Karunadu', which literally means 'lofty land' as it is situated on the western edge of the Deccan plateau and opens out on the Arabian Sea. Karnataka has seen many great empires like the Maurya Empire in 4^th century B.C., the Satavahanas, the Kadambas, the Chulakyas, the Yadavas, the Hoysalas, the great Vijaynagar empire in the 14^th century, rule of Wodeyar dynasty, Hyder Ali & Tipu Sultan.

Karnataka is predominantly rural and agrarian. There are a number of big industries. The state is well known for its grand palaces, beautiful gardens, ornate temples and historical monuments. It's attractions are varied and diverting. The 'Garden City' of Bangalore is also called the 'Silicon Valley of India'.

State Government : http://www.karnataka.gov.in

Capital :	Bangalore
Area :	191,791 square Kilometers
Population :	52,850,562 (2001 census)
Literacy :	66.64% (2001)
Language :	Kannada
Roads :	142,754 Kms
Railways :	3,059 Kms
Airport :	Bangalore, Belgaum, Bellary, Hubli, Mysore, Mangalore
Seaport :	Karwar, Mangalore
Climate :	Summer (35° - 26° C), Winter (25° - 14° C), Monsoon : June to September
Best Season :	October to April
Places of Interest :	State Tourism : http://kstdc.nic.in
	Aivalli / Aihole : Temples, Sculpture, Caves. Badami : Temples, Sculpture, Fort, Caves. Bandipur : National Park. Bangalore : Fun city with restaurants, night clubs and cinemas aplenty but still a Garden City, Museums, Handicrafts, Palaces, Temples, Aquarium, Fort, Lake, Horse-racing, 'Silicon Valley' of India. [Bannerghatta National Park (28 Kms) : Wildlife Sanctuary. Chamrajnagar (199 Kms) : Picnic spot. Ramohalli (28 Kms) : Giant Banyan tree.] Belgaum : Fort. [Ghataprabha (60 Kms) : Wildlife sanctuary. Gokak (90 Kms) : Waterfalls.] Bhadravati : Industrial centre. Bidar : Forts, Mosques. Bijapur : Muslim culture and architecture, Gol Gumbaz, Mausoleum, Mosques, Towers. Channapatna : Handicrafts. Chikmagalur : Coffee plantations, Forests, Hill station. [Baba Budan (26 Kms) : Hindu & Muslim pilgrim centre. Kemmannugundi (56 Kms) : Hill station.] Chitradurga : Fort, Temples. Dandeli : Wildlife sanctuary. [Mundgod : Waterfalls nearby.] Dhramastala : Hindu pilgrim centre. Dharwad : University town. Gokaran : Temples, Beach. Gulbarga : Fort, Mosques, Temples. Halebidu / Hassan : Ancient Hoysala sculpture & architecture, Temples. Hampi / Munirabad : Believed to be capital of Bali and SSugreeva - the 'monkey kings' of the epic Ramayana, Also the Vijayanagar capital, ruins of Temples (14 sq. kms), Palaces, Forts. Jog Falls : Waterfalls, Spa. Karwar : Beaches, Fishing. Kolar : Gold mines. Madikeri : Hill station, Fort, Palaces, Plantations. Mangalore : Temples, Port. [Panambul (10 Kms) : Beach, Port. Suratakal (25 Kms) : Beach. Ullal (16 Kms) : Beach.] Mudabidri : Jain Temples, Sculpture. Mysore : City of Palaces, Gardens, Zoo, Museums, Church, Food Institute, Silk Factory, Sandal Oil factory, Art Gallery. [Chamundi (13 Kms) : Temples, Nandi sculpture. Krishnarajasagara Brindavan Gardens, Special lighting. Ranganathittu Sanctuary (16 Kms) : Bird sanctuary. Shrirangapattana (16 Kms) : Tippu Sultan's island Capital, Palaces, Forts, Frescoes, Mosques.] Nagarahole : Wildlife Park. Nandi Hills : Health resort, Pilgrim centre. Nanjangud : Temples. Patadkal : Temples, Sculpture. Raichur : Fort. Shravanabelagola : Jain pilgrim centre, Gomateswara statue (18 mtr.), Frescoes. Sivasamudram : Waterfalls, Temple. Somanathpur : Temple. Sringeri : Temples. Tala Kaveri : Hindu pilgrim centre, source of river Kaveri. Tumkur : Nearby pilgrim centres. [Kaidala (5 Kms), Kyatsandra (6 Kms) and Devarayadurga (14 Kms).] Tungabhadra : Dam-site holiday resort. Udupi : Hindu pilgrim centre, Cuisine. [Malpe (6 Kms) : Beach. Manipal (5 Kms) : health resort. Maravanthe (34 Kms) : Beach, Surfing.]
Festivals :	Makar Sankranti (Janauary), Ugadi, Ram Navami, Karaga (April), Dussehra (October), Rajyaotsava Day (1st November), Diwali (October / November).