Located in southwest India, Karnataka is most famous for its magical hills, majestic waterfalls and undomesticated wildlife. From its exuberant art and culture of multilingual ethnicity, astounding dance forms, mesmerising music, sophisticated heritage, zealous festivities, elegant clothing and delectable cuisine, Karnataka has a plethora of historical secrets, interwoven within a rich and varied culture.
Cities of Karnataka like Bengaluru and Mysuru are known for there nightlife and temples. There are so many magnificent things in Karnataka that one should not miss. So, take a look at these hidden gems and try to visit all of them while you are exploring this magnificent State. Aakanksha Umath reports…
1. Delta Beach, Kodi-Bengare, Kundapura
Delta Beach, also known as Kodi Bengre Beach, is located in a small village of Kodi Bengre in Udupi district, Karnataka. The beach is located at an estuary where the Swarna River meets the Arabian Sea. Just imagine, while travelling through the country side, small cottages on either side of the road and towering coconut trees, like you are having a great ride and you reach a dead end! Just a foot trail leading inside the woods.
2. Kaveldurg fort, Agumbe
Kavaledurga is a fort resting on the top of a hill amidst a dense forest and it requires a trek of at least 5 km to reach the summit. A spectacular combination of history and natural beauty, several shrines to Virupaksha, Vijaya Vittala, Veerabhadra, Mallara and Bhuvaneshwari are housed in the fort. Besides the ruins and an old palace, a mosque built by Venkatappa Nayaka can also be found here. It is also a scenic spot to view the sun setting in the Arabian Sea.
The mighty Arabian sea on one side and lovely Western Ghats just a few 100 kms apart. That’s the beauty of Manipal, as diverse is its population, similarly diversified is the terrain.
Agumbe hills, a section of the Western Ghats, lie just a 100 Km from Manipal. Dense jungle and serpentine roads, the perfect recipe for an avid traveler, will greet you on your way to the ruins and remnants of this 9th century fort.
3. Devarayanadurga Hills
Devarayanadurga or DD Hills which translates to “the fort of God” is a tranquil hill station located near Tumkur district in the state of Karnataka. Situated at an elevation of 4000 ft, Devarayanadurga is a perfect weekend getaway from Bangalore to live among the trees and visit the beautifully crafted temples.
4. Jogimatti Forest
Jogimatti is a hill station and forest reserve in Chitradurga district, Karnataka, India. The reserve covers 10,048.97 hectares in Chitradurga, Holalkere and Hiriyur taluks, 10 kilometres south of the city of Chitradurga. Jogimatti is the highest point in the district, at 3,803 feet in elevation, and one of the coolest places in the state. The vegetation is dry deciduous forest and scrub. It is rich in wildlife and until the 1950s was tiger habitat, but is threatened by encroachment from farms and from nearby windmills, which endanger birds.
5. Honnemardu Lake
The Honnemardu lake is a big water reservoir that was created due to the damming of River Sharavathi. The reservoir area used to be a village before the dam was built. Now, post the construction, the village is very sparsely populated and the Honnemardu Lake is pretty much the only tourist sight.