Karnataka

Aihole

Once the capital of the early Chalukyan dynasty (6th to 8th centuries), Aihole is a picturesque village on the banks of the Malaprabha river. Variously called Ayyavole & Aryapura in the inscriptions, Aihole is historically famous as the cradle of Hindu temple architecture. There are about 125 temples divided into 22 groups scattered all over the villages and nearby fields. Most of these temples were built between the 6th & 8th centuries and some even earlier. Temple at Aihole Only mere traces of a fort dating from the 6th century can be seen today. A large number of prehistoric sites have been found in Morera Angadigalu, near the Meguti hillocks in Aihole. Excavations near some temples have yielded traces of antique pottery and bases of structures constructed with bricks of pre-Chalukyan times. More temples are being excavated every day bearing witness to the vigorous experimentation on temple architecture which went on at Aihole more than 14 centuries ago.

Badami

Badami, the one time capital of the Chalukyas , is noted several temples, some structural & other rock-cut, of the 6th & 7th Centuries. The foundations of Badami, or Vatapi as it was called, were laid by Pulakeshi I (535 - 566 AD) his son Kirtivarman, the Ist (567 - 598 AD), beautified the town with temples & other buildings. Caves of Badami

Mangalesha (598 - 610 AD) brother of KiritavarmanI completed the construction of the cave temples & endowed the temples with the village on the occasion of the installation of the image of Vishnu. The greatest ruler of the dynasty was Pulakeshi II (610-642 AD) who among others defeated the Pallava King Mahendra VermanI. The Pallava later captured & destroyed Badami to avenge their defeat Badami was also in the possession of the Vijayanagar Kings, The Adil Shahis, The Savanur Nawabs, The Marathas, Hyder Ali & finally the British who made it part of the Bombay Presidency.

Bangalore

Bangalore is Asia's Silicon Valley because of its thriving information technology industry. Bangalore is India's fifth - largest and fastest - growing city. Until its high-tech boom began in the late 1980s, it was known as the Garden City, with greenery flourishing in its pleasant, temperate climate.

Today with a growing population of young professionals, it has acquired a vibrant, cosmopolitan air. Bangalore was founded in the 16th century by a local chieftain, Kempe Gowda, but derives its name from the Kannada word benda kaluru, or "boiled beans", which an old woman gave a 10th century Hoysala King when he turned up hungry at her doorstep.

Belgaum

This bustling city of Karnataka was an important garrison town under the British. Nestling on the foothills of the Western Ghats, this British cantonment has a picture of contrasts with historical forts, temples and natural beauty all around. During British era, Belgaum had significant military presence. It was also a provincial centre under the Adil Shahi rulers of Bijapur, the Marathas of Pune and as well as the Mughals. Today, Belgaum is a full fledged district and a municipal corporation bordering Goa and Maharashtra.

To the east of the city is the Belgaum Fort, a blend of Hindu-Muslim architecture. Inside the fort you can see temples and mosques co-exist in perfect harmony. The fort was built in the 12th century A.D by the local Ratta rulers. It was renovated and built on by successive rulers. At the entrance gate, you will find two Shrines - one dedicated to Lord Ganesha and the other to Goddess Durga.

Bidar

The city of Bidar rose to prominence when it became the Bahmani capital during the reign of Ahmad Shah Bahman (1423-1436 A.D) in 1429. Ahmed Shah was awestruck by the scenic beauty and climate of the place and he decided to build a new city near its ancient fortress and called it Ahmadabad-Bidar. Ahmad Shah also laid the foundations of the Bidar fort.

When the Bahmani dynasty eventually collapsed in 1538, the sultanate broke up into five independent sultanates, known as the Deccan sultanates. Bidar became a part of the Barid Shahi dynasty. In 1543 Ali Barid assumed royal appellation of Shah. The Bidar Sultanate was absorbed by the Bijapur Sultanate to the west in 1619, which was in turn conquered by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1686.

Hampi

Once the majestic capital of the powerful Vijayanagara Empire, Hampi is now a ruined city of ancient palaces and forts. Founded by Harihara and Bukka in 1336, the landscape of Hampi was dotted with magnificent palaces, sacred temples, massive fortifications, baths, markets, pavilions, and stables for royal elephants. The Vijayanagara kings were great patrons of art and Hampi became the epicenter of a flourishing indigenous culture.

All of these were gradually reduced to rubble as the Empire fell to the Muslim invaders of North India in 1565 after the disastrous Battle of Talikota. The victors mercilessly pillaged this capital city and the ruins were left to tell the tale of the bygone era. Now declared a World

Mysore

Situated between fertile fields and wooded hills, Mysore was the capital of Wodeyar rulers, who were Governors of southern Karnataka under the Vijayanagar kings. Modern Mysore is the creation of Tipu Sultan who in 1793, revamped the old city and built the present day Mysore. It is the cultural epicenter of Karnataka retaining the old world charm. There are some elegant buildings erected under the Wodeyars, enhance the wide tree-lined streets. The palaces, temples, churches, well laid gardens and parks have made this city one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the state. Tourists from all over the world visit this magnificent city during Dassehra festival owing to its great importance here

Mysore is a beautiful city full of elegant public buildings erected under the Wodeyar rulers. The most delightful is the Amba Vilas Palace situated on the heart of the city. To its west is the Jagmohan Palace, constructed to mark the coronation ceremony of Krishnaraja III. Near the northwestern corner of the Amba Vilas Palace is Krishnaraja circle where a statue of Krishnaraja Wodeyar stands beneath a pavilion. The Shaayaji Rao Road that leads out from this circle is the principal shopping centre of the town.