Karnataka has been ruled by some very prominent rulers over a number of years. They were great patrons of art and spent a significant amount of money promoting artists. This can be seen in the beautiful artistic structures that have withstood the passage of time, weather, and the onslaught of the rulers who reigned subsequently. In present times, one can see both the government and the people trying their best to maintain these structures, if not restore them to their former glory. Such is the beauty of these structures that they cannot be replicated. UNESCO has declared several of these architectural marvels as World Heritage Sites, and they are a must-visit if you ever tour the state.
Hampi: Bellary, Northern Karnataka
- Location: Northern Karnataka
- Built In: 14th century (Vijayanagara Empire)
- Built By: Vijayanagara Kings
- Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
- How to Reach: 353 km from Bangalore, 74 km from Bellary
- Sightseeing: Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple, King’s Balance, Elephant Stables
The ancient city of Hampi existed on the banks of the River Tungabhadra. It was ruled by the kings of the Vijayanagara Empire, who reigned from 1336 to 1565. The Vijayanagara rulers were considered great patrons of art, and this is very evident in the ruins that still exist in the city of Hampi. They built beautiful stone structures that housed temples and other similar monuments. Some of these are still worshipped by the people of the place. One such place is the Virupaksha Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. This magnificent work of art in stone is visited by tourists who come here to see the structure, as well as pilgrims who come to worship Virupaksha.
There are other important sites near Hampi, such as Anegundi, Achyutaraya Temple, Chandramouleshwara Temple, Ugra Narasimha Temple, Hazara Rama Temple, etc. There are also several other structures that are visited, such as the King’s Balance, the various canals, the Elephant Stables, the Madhavan Palace, which has more than one lakh pillars, and the famous Vittala Temple, where the stone chariot, which has now become the face of Karnataka Tourism, can be seen. The entire place is filled with wonders that will leave anyone awestruck.
One can reach the ruins of Hampi from Bangalore. It is about 353 km away from the Silicon City. The nearest town is Bellary, which is just 74 km away. The best time to visit is during the Hampi festival, held annually in November and organized by the government of Karnataka.
Pattadakal: Bijapur District
- Location: Bijapur District
- Built In: 7th-8th century (Chalukya dynasty)
- Built By: Chalukya Kings
- Timings: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
- How to Reach: 514 km from Bangalore, 22 km from Bagalkot
- Sightseeing: Virupaksha Temple, Sangameshwara Temple, Mallikarjuna Temple
The River Malaprabha flows through the famous Pattadakal. Famous for its combination of Dravidian and Nagara architecture, Pattadakal was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the rich culture and history it upholds. It was under the reign of the Chalukya kings that this place grew and gained the glory it maintains to this day. Among the monuments built by them, the most famous is the Virupaksha Temple, commissioned by Queen Lokamahadevi. Other important and famous monuments are the Sangameshwara Temple, the Mallikarjuna Temple, the Kashivishvanatha Temple, the Galaganath Temple, the Papanatha Temple, the Jain Temples, etc.
Most of these structures are either built in the Dravidian style or the Nagara style, or are a mixture of both. The Virupaksha Temple is still visited as a place of pilgrimage, and tourists from all over the world come here to marvel at its glory. It stands as a monument to the dedication and patronage of the Chalukya kings toward art and culture.
Pattadakal is about 514 km away from Bangalore. There is good rail and road connectivity to this place, and the best time to visit is during the months from October to February.
Other Heritage Sites in Karnataka
Apart from those that have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites, there are several other places in Karnataka that speak of its legacy. Though they do not feature on UNESCO’s list, they are still beautiful, great works of art and places that must be visited if in Karnataka.
Badami Caves
- Location: Bagalkot District
- Built In: 6th century (Chalukya dynasty)
- Built By: Chalukya Kings
- Timings: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
- How to Reach: 500 km from Bangalore, 30 km from Bagalkot
- Sightseeing: Vaishnava, Shiva, and Jain Temples, Archaeological Museum
Another beautiful work of art is the Badami Caves in the Bagalkot district. Known for the temples within the caves, the place is famous and most visited by those who love to learn more about the rich culture of Karnataka. The main features of the caves are the four temples. Two of them are Vaishnava temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. One is a Shiva temple, and the other is dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras.
The rock-cut temples are magnificent in their architecture and highlight the Dravidian and Nagara styles, seen mostly during the reign of the Chalukyas. In each of these temples, one will find a mantap, veranda, pillars, and a place for the god’s carved image. There is an archaeological museum for history enthusiasts, where one can learn more about the history of the caves and the rulers. There is also a fort nearby that is worth a visit. It is located about 500 km from Bangalore and 30 km from Bagalkot. The best time to visit is during the annual fairs organized in the months of January and February.
Lakkundi
- Location: Gadag District
- Built In: 10th-12th century (Hoysalas, Chalukyas)
- Built By: Hoysalas, Chalukyas
- Timings: Open all day
- How to Reach: 11 km from Gadag
- Sightseeing: Mallikarjuna Temple, Jain Basadi, 101-step well
Lakkundi is another historical site in the Gadag district that one must visit. The great dynasties like the Hoysalas, Chalukyas, and Kalachuris, who established empires in the region in subsequent periods, have left their marks, making Lakkundi a remarkable site for beautifully done stone architecture. More than 50 temples exist here, and among them, the temples of Mallikarjuna, Veerabhadra, Nanneshwara, Lakshminarayana, and Kasivishvesvara are all famous for their beautiful architecture. There is also an ornately done Jain Basadi among the ruins. Among other structures, the 101-step well is also a must-see.
Lakkundi is close to the city of Hampi. In fact, Lakkundi lies on the way to Hampi, about 11 km from Gadag. However, most tourists do not know about its existence, and because of that, they lose a great opportunity to see the glorious stone-cut work that exists nowhere else but here. If ever on the way to Hampi, insist on visiting Lakkundi.
Chitradurga Fort
- Location: Chitradurga District
- Built In: 17th century (Nayakas of Chitradurga)
- Built By: Nayakas of Chitradurga
- Timings: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
- How to Reach: 200 km from Bangalore, 120 km from Hampi
- Sightseeing: Hidimbeshwara Temple, Panchalinga Caves
Chitradurga Fort has been very famous in the textbooks of the state for the heroic deed of one lady named Obavva, who killed the soldiers trying to enter the fort through a small opening in the wall. Chitradurga is also mentioned in the epic Mahabharata, which makes the history and importance of the site evident. The place was ruled by several prominent dynasties, like the Hoysalas, Chalukyas, and the Rashtrakutas, before being taken over by Hyder Ali. During their reign, several beautiful rock temples and other structures were built for the benefit of their subjects. This historical site has several temples and a beautiful fort. There are about 18 temples inside, and among them, the temple of Hidimbeshwara is very popular.
Other important temples include the temples of Siddeshwara, Ekanathamma, Hanuman, Nandi, Krishna, etc. There are several other structures that are a must-see, like the rainwater harvesting structure, which was built to collect rainwater and connected to reservoirs, the Panchalinga caves dedicated to Lord Shiva, warehouses that housed grain, and a masjid that was a later addition by Hyder Ali once he took over the kingdom from the Nayakas. The place where Onake Obavva killed the soldiers is also a must-see.
It is located about 120 km away from Hampi and about 200 km away from Bangalore and is well connected by rail as well as road.
Gulbarga Fort: Gulbarga
- Location: Gulbarga District
- Built In: 14th century (Bahamani Sultanate)
- Built By: Bahamani Kings
- Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
- How to Reach: 610 km from Bangalore
- Sightseeing: Jama Masjid, Khwaja Bande Nawaz Tomb, Elephant Stables
Another beautiful and historical place is the Gulbarga Fort. Taken care of by the Archaeological Survey of India, the fort is a must-visit for its great history. It dates back to the 13th century and was built by the kings of the Bahamani dynasty. The fort houses temples, buildings, elephant stables, courtyards, ammunition go-downs, etc. The famous Jama Masjid is also within this same fort. One must also visit the tombs of Khwaja Bande Nawaz. From the fort, the scenery is picturesque. One can see the Golconda tombs from the fort. The fort is well connected and is about 610 km away from the city of Bangalore.
Bidar Fort: Bidar
- Location: Bidar District
- Built In: 8th century (Mughal enhancements)
- Built By: Chalukyas, Mughals
- Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
- How to Reach: 740 km from Bangalore
- Sightseeing: Takht Mahal, Rangeen Mahal, Bidriware
The rulers of the Chalukya dynasty built this fort during their reign in Bidar in the 8th century. However, the fort gained its popularity during the rule of the Mughals, who further enhanced the fort by building more structures around and inside it. There are about seven different entrances to the fort, which are a must-see. The several mosques, palaces, baths, kitchens, and gardens are also beautifully done, showcasing Mughal architecture.
Among the palaces, there is Takht Mahal, where the coronation of the kings would take place. Rangeen Mahal, Tarkash Mahal, and Jali Mahal, etc., are a must-see. The royal bath, called Hammam, and the royal kitchen, called Shahi Matkhab, are also famous and must be seen on a trip here. The fort is about 740 km away from the city of Bangalore. If ever on a trip here, Bidriware, the most popular handicraft of this place, is a must-buy. It is said that the ware is made using metals along with black soil taken from within the fort, making it unique and exclusive to the state.
Belur-Halebidu: Hassan
- Location: Hassan District
- Built In: 11th-12th century (Hoysala dynasty)
- Built By: Hoysala Kings
- Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
- How to Reach: 31 km from Hassan
- Sightseeing: Chennakeshava Temple, Hoysaleshwara Temple
Another place filled with history is the sites of Belur and Halebidu. Such is the beauty of the place that it has been proposed to be included in UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Located in the district of Hassan, Belur and Halebidu attract tourists due to the beautiful stone carvings here. In Belur, one can see the magnificent stone carvings done during the reign of the Hoysala dynasty. The most popular of these structures is the Chennakeshava Temple, which has the most beautiful carvings. This place is not just visited by tourists but also by devotees who worship Lord Vishnu even now. The Lady with the Mirror is a very famous sculpture here. Another unique feature is the elephants that go all around the temple walls. It is said that no two elephants are alike. Such was the craftsmanship of the period.
Halebidu is another beautiful place that is a must-visit. Located a little farther, about 16 km from Belur, this place has several stone structures that are testimonies to the architecture of the period. There are two temples, the Hoysaleshwara Temple and the Kedareshwara Temple, here. It also has two Jain Basadis. The temple architecture is beautiful, with scenes from various Hindu mythology, figures of dancers, as well as birds and animals. Here too, no two figures are alike. There is also a huge Ganesha and Nandi stone carving that can be seen. The closest city is Hassan, from where this place is 31 km away.
Shravanabelagola: Hassan
- Location: Hassan District
- Built In: 10th century
- Built By: Ganga Dynasty
- Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
- How to Reach: 158 km from Bangalore
- Sightseeing: Bahubali Statue, Mahamastakabhisheka (every 12 years)
The huge monolithic statue of Bahubali is in the district of Hassan, about 158 km away from Bangalore. It is in the city of Shravanabelagola and is an important site of history and worship. The most popular event is the Mahamastakabhisheka, which takes place once every 12 years. The statue has inscriptions in Kannada, Tamil, and Marathi. There are more than 800 inscriptions here at this place that speak of the various kings and kingdoms that ruled the land. This is one monument filled with history that is still well-preserved, making it a must-visit if ever in the state.
There are several other historical places like Somnathpur, which has several stone temples, the fort of Tipu, etc., that speak volumes about the history and heritage of the state. Some of them have already gained the status of World Heritage Sites, while some have been proposed to be given the same status. On the whole, these places are full of history and are a must-visit if ever in the state of Karnataka.
