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The city offers itself as an ideal base to explore the fascinating and culturally rich state of Karnataka. Your itinerary to Bangalore should also include a visit to these places.
Janapada Loka (53km)
A subsidiary of Karnataka Janapada Parishath, it is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of folk culture. This complex spread over 15 acres has an art gallery, open air-theater, studio and a museum.
Shivaganga (56km)
This conical hill offers breath-taking view of the city from the top. For the devotees two shrines dedicated to Lord Gangadhareshwara and Goddess Honnadevi holds special attraction.
Channapatna (60 km)
This town is famous for its lacquer ware and handcrafted wooden toys.
Savandurga (61 km)
This tourist spot near Magadi is another place enjoyed by the trekkers.
Nandi Hills (68 km)
A range of majestic hills (with the highest peak being 1,478 m) studded with the shimmering Amritha Samovar Lake and strewn with walks of sylvan beauty. This hill station was a popular summer retreat even in Tipu Sultan 's days. Tipu's Drop, a 600 meters-high cliff face, provides a good view over the surrounding country.
Bandipur Wild life Sanctuary (80km from Mysore)
This wild life sanctuary lies on Mysore-Ootacamund road and is a part of a larger national park that also includes the neighboring wildlife sanctuaries of Mudumalai in Tamilnadu and Waynad in Kerala.This was once the Mysore Maharaja's private wildlife reserve. The sanctuary is noted for herds of gaur (Indian bison), chital, spotted deer, elephants, chital, sambar and Panther etc.
Dharmastala (75 kms)
It lies east of Mangalore. It has number of Jain Bastis including Manjunatha temple.
You can see the 14m-high statue of Bahubali.The festival season can be enjoyed with three days Manjunatheshwara festival in November.Venur (50 km) is located north east of Mangalore .It boasts eight bastis and 11m-high statue of Bahubali dating back to 1604 stands on the southern bank of the Gurupur River. A further 35km northeast lays Karkal and Mudabidri with temples dating 15th century. In addition, 13m-high statue of Gomateshvara second in height only to the massive monolith at Sravanabelagola is located on a tranquil hillock on the outskirts of the town.
Jog Falls are highest in India. The longest of the four falls is the Raja that drops 293m and the cascades are at their fullest during monsoons. The spectacular countryside is ideal for hiking.
Nagarhole national park (93 kms)
It lies southwest of Mysore in an isolated pocket of the Kodagu region. If you are lucky, you can sight tigers also. You can more easily see leopards, elephants, gaur, barking deer, wild dogs, macaques and common langur. The best time to view wild life is from April to May and November to February.
Mekedatu (98 km)
This scenic spot is traveler's delight where Cauvery River squeezes through a narrow gauge. The river Arkavathi flows through a deep gorge over which a goat can easily leap. Hence the name Mekedatu.You can offer puja at Temple Sangameshwara at the confluence of the river Arkavathi and Cauvery.
Somanathpur (Around 100 km)
Built around 1260 AD during the heyday of the Hoysala kings, the Sri Channakeshara temple is at Somnathpur. It is a masterpiece of Hoysala architecture. The walls of the star-shaped temple are literally covered with superb sculptures in stone depicting various scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad-Gita and the life and times of the Hoysala kings .If you like this place then don't miss the other Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebid, north of Mysore.
Sringeri(100kms)
It lies north-east of Mangalore.It is an unspoilt small town nestled among the lush green hills of Chikmagalur.The Vidyashanker Temple has zodiac pillars and huge paved courtyard.The Tunga river flows past the temple giving it serene ambience.
Talakad (132 kms)
It is located 132 kms from Bangalore on Mysore Road on the left bank of the river Cauvery. The Vaidyeshwara Temple built in Dravidian style is visible though this pilgrim center is buried in sand. It is known for Panchalinga Darshan once in 12 years.
Hogenakal (140 kms)
This is a picturesque picnic spot is located near Bangalore via Dharmapuri. At several places from varying heights the Cauvery river falls here. These are also known as "Smoking Rocks" because of the mist.
Mysore (140 km)
Sandalwood city! This city is popular with the travelers as it is easy to move around with suitable climate and abundant heritage sites. Mysore was named after mythical Mahisuru, where goddess Chamundi slew the demon Mahishasura.There are plenty of reasons why you would not want to miss Mysore.Until independence, the city was the seat of the Maharajas of Mysore, a princely state covering about a third of present day Karnataka, and their walled Indo-Saracenic palace in the center of the city is a major attraction drawing visitors from all over the world. The beautiful profile of Maharaja's palace dominates the city's skyline. It is an important tourist attraction with extravaganza of color, stained glass, mirrors, with richly carved wooden doors and mosaic floors. The palace also house series of paintings depicting the life in Mysore during that time. If you happen to visit the palace on Sunday nights or during Dusshera festival you will witness spectacular display of illumination with 97,000 light bulbs.
The 10 days Dusshera festival draw huge crowds every year. It falls in late September or October. On the last day dazzling procession is taken out with richly caparisoned elephants with their retainers, cavalry in their colorful uniform and flower-bedecked images of deities glide through the streets with devotees thronging the sides. Mysore is a crafts center and there are numerous shops selling incredible range of sandalwood, rosewood and teak carvings and furniture. Mysore is also well known world over for its silk, sandalwood and incense. Hardly anyone comes here and leaves empty-handed. Deva raja Fruit and Vegetable market is one of the most colorful market selling fruits and vegetables of all shapes, sizes and color. Mysore zoo attract people especially children with pretty gardens on the eastern edge of the city center. The Government Sandalwood oil factory where sandalwood oil is distilled and incense sticks are made can be a rich learning experience. Shri Jayachamarajendra Art gallery displays paintings by RajaRaviVarma and also objects de art belonging to Wodeyars.St Philomena's Cathedral is of interest as it is one of the largest churches in India.It is built in neo-gothic style.
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