Bangalore to Goa

Start your trip from Bangalore, popularly known as the Garden City. Start local sightseeing with a trip to Tipu Sultan’s Palace – a fine specimen of military architecture of the 18th century, Bull temple at Basavangudi, Vidhana Soudha, Cubbon Park and Lalbagh Botanical Gardens.

Drive to Mysore- the Sandalwood City.Visit Maharaja’s Palace – built in indosarcenic style of architecture and admire the Hoysala style carvings that adorn the temple. Head to Chamundi Hills – a monolith in granite of 5 metre high Nandi beautifully carved with garlands and bells. Explore Brindavan Gardens –with exotic flora, twinkling lights, swirling fountains and artificial waterfalls. Don’t miss the musical fountain as it dances to the tunes and harmony.

Day excursion to Somnathpur and Srirangapatna.SOMNATHPUR–This beautifully carved temple is dedicated to the Lord Siva. It is a star-shaped temple with triple towers- a fine example of Hoysala architecture. VisitSRIRANGAPATNA – The Little Island Fortress of Tipu Sultan, who was once known as the “Tiger Of Mysore”. Visit the Summer Palace and The Daria Daulat.

Chickmagalurhas many venerated monuments and temples all round the region. This town is a perfect base for visiting Belur and Halebid temples. You must visit the Fort, Ishwara temple, St.Joseph’s Cathedral and Kondandarama Temple.

Day excursion to Belur and Halebid.
Belur;40 km from Hassan is a temple town renowned for its exquisite temples. In 1117 AD, King Vishnuvardhana built the Channakeshwara temple to commemorate his conversion from Jainism to Vaishnavism.
Halebidlies 30 km from Hassan and is also known as Dwara Samudra, the wealthy capital of Hoysalas. This Hoysaleshwara temple stands tall on a platform like a casket in shining black stone carved withnumerous gods, goddesses, animals, birds and dancing girls. Visit the museum on the lawns with 12th century sculptures and gold coins in use at that time. Akilometer from Halebidlays Jain Basti hill built in the 8th century with gleaming carved black stone pillars surrounding it.

Visit the Fort that has 4 secret entrances, 19 gateways and ingenious water tanks. You will come across many ancient temples within its precincts; the Hidimbeshwara temple is the oldest among them.

Head towardsHampi, the World Heritage Center. It is the most beautiful and evocative of all the ruins in Karnataka. You will come across interesing sights and things here including; Kings Balance where kings were weighed against grain, gold or money that was later distributed to the poor, the Queen’s Bath with its arched corridors, Lotus Mahal Vittala Temple, Virupaksha Temple and Ugra Narasimha.

Soak in the experience of this World Heritage Site strolling through the eloquent ruins. Also visit the Royal Centre and the Sacred Centre. The Royal Centre has structures that look like palaces, baths, pavilions, royal stables, and temples for ceremonial use. Visit Vittthala temple and Virupaksha temple while you are there.

Drive to Badami where exquisite cave temples are situated to the golden period of Chalukyan rule. There are 4 cave temples made out of sandstone on the precipice of a hill dedicated to various Gods. The fresco paintings in the cave are similar to the ones seen at Ajanta.

Visit Aihole and Pattadakal temples. Aihole is oft called the Cradle of Indian Temple Architecture and has over 125 temples all intricately carved. The famous ones are Lad Khan Temple, Drug (fort) Temple, Ravalphadi Cave Temple, Konti Temple Complex, Jain Meguthi Temple. Also visit the Pattadaka l-a World Heritage center with 10 major temples representing early Chalukyan architecture. You must visit the Virupaksha, Mallikarjuna and Panatha temples.

Spend the day visitingBijapur, also called the City of Victory. Visit GolGumbaz- the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah. It is the second largest dome in the world, which is mysteriously unsupported by any pillar. The monument is famous for the whispering gallery under the dome with superb acoustics. You should also visit the Ibrahim Rouza, Jumma Masjid andthe Archaeological Museum.

Drive to Goa and unwind on the sandy beaches of this laid back town. Or board your flight / train to onward destination from Panjim, Goa’s Capital.