Karnataka, a land with unlimited enchantments, is a state situated in the western coastline of South India. Created on November, 1956, the city was originally known as the State of Mysore, renamed as Karnataka in 1973.

Bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, Goa to the northwest, Maharashtra to the north, Andhra Pradesh to the east, Tamil Nadu to the southeast and Kerala to the southwest. Karnataka is the eight largest Indian states by area with 191,976km2, the ninth largest by population and comprises 29 districts.

The official language is Kannada. Its name is derived from the Kannada words karu and nadu, meaning elevated land. But karu nadu may also be read as Karu (black) and nadu (region), as a reference to the black cotton soil found in the Bayaluseeme region of Karnataka.

Mysore Palace - Karnataka

Karnataka has been home to some of the most powerful empires of ancient and medieval India, due to its antiquity that dates to the Paleolithic times. The early inhabitants of Karnataka knew the use of iron far earlier than the North and iron weapons, dating back to 1200 BC. Part of Karnataka was subject to the rule of the Nandas and the Mauryas, and then under the rule of the Satavahanas for about 450 years, the city was identified by a painted pottery popularly known as russet-coated-pottery. Probably at this time the city made nourishing trade contact with the Roman Empire, because numerous Roman coins have been found in the region. Kadambas succeeded the Satavahanas and established the Kadamba kingdom. After the disintegration of the Kadamba Empire, the dynasty survived to govern as the Mahamandaleshwaras.

During the medieval period, the region initiated a brilliant epoch with the emergence of the Badami Chalukyas, who gave the most noteworthy contribution of this dynasty is the magnificient Kailash temple at Ellora caves. But during the glorious days were eclipsed by the Rashtrakutas. Time later the Chalukyas of Kalyana overthrew the Rastrakutas in 973, and started a new trend in the art of temple building, using a softer stone medium. The constructions of a series of more than three hundred highly ornate temples found at Beluru, Helebidu, Somanathapura, Arasikere and Amritapura some are wonderful works of art, made by the Hoysalas.

The founding of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century A.D. marked the culmination of the achievements of the people of south India. The dynasty ruled two centuries the whole of South India, witnessing a great flowering in all the fields of art and literature and also a stout defence of its cultural heritage against external invaders.

Marathas take the control over the northern districts of Karnataka with the weakening of the Mughul power in the north. Haidar Ali merged the Keladi kingdom in Mysore in 1763. Then after the overthrow of Tipu, Haidar’s son, Karnataka came under British rule, so after having been subject to a number of administrations, Karnataka became in a single state in 1956.

Aromatic coffee, arecanut and sandalwood plantations are some more of its indispensable attractions. The city promotes various heritage tours of Karnataka highlighting the popular Hampi town, the historical Badami caves and many Hindu temples that have served as important factors in tourist of all ages.

The most important cities of Karnataka are Bangalore – “the Garden city of India” - and the most important commercial centre of India, the historical city of Mysore and the port city of Mangalore. Karnataka is a beautiful piece of land which has almost all sort of vegetation from dry barren land to lush green forests; also it is home to many wildlife sanctuaries, waterfalls and mountains. Some of the national parks are Bandipur, Bannerghatta, Nagarhole, Kudermukh, Dandeli and Anshi, besides the state houses sanctuaries like Rangantittu Bird Sancturay, Brahmagiri and Pushpagiri Wild LifeSanctuaries. Some of the most famous waterfalls are Magor falls, Lalgulli falls, Sathod falls, Shivanasamudra falls and Shivganga falls. Some of the popular caves of Karnataka are Yana caves, Kavala caves, Syntheri rocks in North Kannada district and Sugriva's cave in Hampi. Besides the most famous attractions, the world heritage site of Hampi and Pattadakal.

The temples at Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal in Bijapur are major attraction for lovers of art. The temple of Halebedu, Belur and Somanathpur are famous for architectural splendour. Built around 900 years ago the Kesava temple of Belur is an excellent example of Hoysala art. The 12th century Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples of Halebid are masterpieces of Hindu art.

Karnataka is famous for a large number of forts like Bidar, Gulbarga, Bijapur, Vijayanagara, Badami, Basava Kalyan, Srirangapattan, Keladi, Chitradurga and Mysore. There are several hill forts like the forts at the Nandi Hill, Savanadurga and Madhugiri, Pavagada, Midigeshi. The coastal island forts like Bahadurgadh, Basavaraja Durga, Devagad and Kurmagad are very famous.