KARNATAKA

Karnataka is the eighth largest Indian state by area, the ninth largest by population.

The generally accepted one is that Karnataka is derived from the Kannada words karu and nādu, meaning elevated land. The British used the word Carnatic (sometimes Karnatak) to describe both sides of peninsular India, south of the Krishna River.

At 300B.C., it had formed the southern tip of Mauryan empire. Its boundaries enlarged or receded swaying to the drum beats of history The origins of Karnataka emerge through the mists of antiquity. Celebrated in lore and legend, an array of dynasties that marched through this land is thrilling. The grandiloquent temples, the sturdy Indo-Arabic edifices, the Gomata colossus stretching itself to the very sky in all its naked glory, transport one into a historic dream sequence.

Karnataka state comprises 29 districts, grouped into four divisions.

Belgaum Division, Gulbarga Division, Bangalore Division, Mysore Division;

Districts :

Bagalkot, Belgaum , Bijapur , Dharwad ,Gadag , Haveri ,Bellary , Bidar,
Gulbarga , Koppal, Raichur , Bangalore , Bangalore Chikballapur , Chitradurga, Davanagere, Kolar,Ramanagara, Shimoga, Tumkur , Chamarajanagar ,Chikmagalur Hassan , Mandya , Mysore District , Dakshina Kannada ,Udupi, Uttara Kannada ,Kodagu.

Holy places:

Darmasthala, Shri Chamundeswari Temple, Shri Gavi Gangadhareshwara,

Shri Mookambika Temple, Shri Omkareshwara Temple.

Hill stations:

Nandi Hills, Madikeri,BR Hills, Kudremukh, KemmanaGundi.

Trekking:

Savandurga, Bheeneshwari,Kalavaarahalli Betta.

Water Falls:

Jog, Abbey, Iruppu,Balamuri, Gokak,Unchalli.

Forts:

Sri Rangapatnam, Bidar, Bijapur, Vijayanagar.