Tourism in Karnataka
[5] The ancient sculptured temples, modern cities, hill ranges, forests and beaches are some tourism centers.
The Karnataka government has introduced The Golden Chariot – a train which connects popular tourist destinations in the state and Goa.
Utsav Rock Garden, a museum in the Haveri district, features a cultural heritage and educational tourist center.
Lakkundi in Gadag District has a large Brahma Jinalaya of Chalukya style, built by a noble lady, Attimabbe.
The temple features a 61 feet (18.6 m) tall monolithic idol of the Shri 1008 Bhagavan Parshvanatha and the smaller statues of the other 8 Jain teerthankaras.
Nearby is Murdeshwar where a huge modern Shiva temple in the Dravidian Style has been raised, renovating an ancient shrine.
Basava Kalyana (Kalyani), the ancient Chalukya capital in Bidar District was the place where he conducted his socio-religious movement.
Ulavi in Uttara Kannada, a quiet place amidst forests, has the samadhi of Chennabasavanna, Basaveshwara's nephew.
The following places are visited by devotees of Shakti Coastal Karnataka is the stronghold of Hindu and Jain pilgrimage spots with Udupi and its many temples being the centre of Dvaita philosophy, Gokarna is known for Vedic studies, Sringeri has the first of the Shankaracharya mathas and is important for its Advaita philosophy, Karkala and Mudabidri are well known places of Jain worship and Vaishnava rituals.
Exquisite Vijayanagar temples built in Chalukya – Malabar region combinational style are seen in Bhatkal, Kumta, Shirali etc.
Sunny beaches at places like Malpe, Murdeshwar, Maravanthe, Gokarna, Kumta have spectacular mountains to the east.
South Karnataka is a unique combination of spectacular vesara style Hoysala architecture, colossal Jain monuments, colonial buildings and palaces of the Kingdom of Mysore, impregnable fort at Chitradurga and densely forested wildlife sanctuaries that offer some of the best eco-tourism available in the country.
Scenic forests and the high density of wild animals of this region are a popular attraction for those interested in the wilder side of life.
The river Kaveri flows east from Kodagu District and along its way one finds important tourist destinations like Shivanasamudra and nearby Sivasamudram Falls, Srirangapattana and Melkote etc.
Bengaluru the capital is a cosmopolitan city with parks, pubs, restaurants, shopping and fast-paced technology-rich lifestyle.
Recently, the government of India has proposed to the UNESCO to include important ecosystems in the Western Ghats as a World Heritage Site.
Two subclusters of natural areas occurring in the list are entirely in the Karnataka region covering several wildlife sanctuaries and some reserve forests.
The state is home to the largest concentration of Asian Elephants along Kabini River in Nagarahole and Bandipur parks.
The Doraji wildlife sanctuary and areas in Karnataka like Bellary district, Chitradurga are strongholds of the sloth bear.
Karnataka is notable for having the highest populations of elephants, Gaur bison, and tigers in India, with numbers exceeding 6000, 8000 and 400 respectively.
Jungle Lodges & Resorts, a state-run organization, offers camping and safari facilities in several wildlife sanctuaries.
It has potential for development into an eco-beach tourism site on the adjacent land classified under CRZ II, within 200 meters from the High Tide Line (HTL).
In Goa, farmers and fishermen are permitted by the government and tourism department to operate beach cottages and shacks to attract both international and domestic tourists from September to May each year.
The presence of Nilgiris, Western Ghats, rocky regions, waterfalls and lots of lakes and rivers make it an attractive destination.
Certain activities at some regions namely Rock climbing at Hampi and Ramnagaram; Mountain biking at Nilgiris; Rafting at Honnemaradu in Sagara, Bheemeshwari, Dandeli and Coorg are famous.
Besides this Sawandurga, Manchinbele (Feverpitch basecamp), Bheemeshwari Antharagange are also famous for rappelling, river crossing, caving and kayaking.
Fever pitch base camp has been developed by tourism industry professionals which is located 40 km from Bangalore near Magadi.
Along with some ISO certified government owned hospitals, private institutions which provide international quality services have caused health care industry to grow up to 30% during 2004–05.
The train travels to the Karnataka's tourist destinations like Bangalore, Kabini, Mysore, Beluru, Halebidu, Shravanabelagola, Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal, Aihole and Goa.
Train coaches are named after the Karnataka dynasties like Kadamba, Hoysala, Rashtrakuta, Ganga, Chalukya, Bahamani, Adil Shahi, Sangama, Satavahana, Yadukula and Vijayanagar.
