• Shivanasamudra

• Talakad

• Somanathpura

• Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary

• Balmuri Falls

• Brindavan Gardens

• Nagarahole

• Srirangapattana

• Mysore

• Nanjangud

• Bandipur National Park

• Shravanabelagola

• Belur

• Nandi Hills

• Mekedatu

• Bannergahatta

• Halebidu

• Kemmangundi

• Kudremukh

• Kukke Subramanya

• Dharmastala

• Mudabidri

• Karkala

• Sringeri

• Agumbe

• Hornadu

• Kollur

• Gokarna

• Mangalore

• Udupi

• Murudeshwara

• Karwar

• Hampi

• Aihole

• Pattadakal

• Badami

• Bijapur

• Jog Falls

• Yana

Following Kempegowda’s rule, many sovereigns and dynasties ruled Bangalore. Bangalore grew and prospered under the good influence of monarchs such as Tipu Sultan and the rulers of the Wodeyar dynasty.


Origin of Name

Bangalore was first known as Benguluru. The earliest reference to the name Benguluru was found in a 9th century Ganga inscription on herostone. This inscription was found in Begur and Benguluru is referred to as a place in which a battle was fought. Most scholars believe that the name has a floral origin and is derived from the tree Benga, also known as the Indian Kino (Pterocarpus marsupium roxb.).

The story goes that the name was obtained from benda kala ooru, which when translated from Kannada means ‘the village of boiled beans’. Hoysala Ballala visited this village while on a hunting expedition and was extremely hungry. He was fed boiled beans and hence named the place Benguluru. However, this story does not hold much water because the name Benguluru was much older than Ballala and the Hoysala dynasty!

The place that was referred to as Benguluru in the Ganga inscription was originally a hamlet and is found even today in a place called Kodigehalli, which is not too far away from Hebbal. Today however, this hamlet is called Halebenguluru or Old Bangalore.

It is believed that when Kempegowda 1 built the new capital in 1537, he used a more anglacised version of the name Benguluru and called the town Bangalore. Kempegowda 1’s mother and wife both belonged to the township that is known as Halebenguluru today.

Mysore
Situated in the southern part of the Deccan Plateau, Mysore District is an undulating tableland, covered in parts by granite outcrops and fringed by verdant forests. From ancient times, this district has played a significant role in the history of South India. Mysore District is a popular tourist destination, offering several attractions ranging from the royal splendour of Mysore City and its fabulous Dasara Festival to exquisite temples, pilgrimage centres and scenic spots.

Mysore city is at 770m above sea level and 140 Kms from Bangalore. Also known as the City of Palaces, Mysore retains a quaint charm, that never fails to enchant.

Mysore was the capital of the Wodeyar dynasty, feudatories of the Vijayanagar Empire, who declared their independence in the 16th century and ruled in Mysore until independence, barring three decades when Haider Ali and his son Tipu Sultan wrested power from them. Mysore today, is a pleasant city with an old world charm, contributed by its broad shady avenues, well laid out gardens, fine buildings and a salubrious climate.

From here if one road takes you to the hebbe waterfall and en route to kemman gundi , about 20Kms before there is deviation for one more waterfall know as Kalhatta giri water falls. This beautiful water fall has a temple nearby which can be approached after crossing the waterfall.

KUDREMUKH is trek's territory. The richness of its flora and fauna waiting to be discovered. Caves asking to be explored. Ruins and traces of old civilizations inviting a study. Lovely, unspoiled places to camp….can any trekker resist KUDREMUKH.Situated at 1,894.3 meters above sea level, KUDREMUKH is rich in iron ore deposits. The KUDREMUKH Iron Ore Company conducts mining operations, benefaction and transportation of the ore as slurry through pipelines to the post at Panambar near Mangalore. This has given a new life to the region into a humming modern township, without taking its natural beauty.

Karkala is surrounded by hills and a lagoon. It is famous for the charming Karkala temple, Jain stupa and a gigantic statue of the Jain god, Gandharva. The temple is situated on the top of a hill with a stone staircase cut into the face of the rock of the rising hill. The Jains built this temple on top of a hill in AD 1000 to erect a memorial and place of worship to their god, the Gandharva. The rich architecture, the florid Hoysala type sculptures and the unique style of construction and architectural design of the staircases and porticos are the important characteristic of the temples of Karkala At the foot or the entrance to the Jain temple is a special set of footprints embedded in a rock that is preserved in a little shrine dedicated to the Gandharva. These footprints are unique because they are believed to be the actual impressions of the holy saint, dating back a thousand years or more.

Deity in the Annapoorneshwari Temple is said to have been installed by renowned Sage Agastya. The sanctum was renovated in recent years by a learned astrologer, Venkitasubba Jois. With the installation of the new image of Adi Shakti, now the temple is called Adi-Shaktyatmaka Shri Annapoorneshwari. Deity of the temple has been designed in unique manner. The single image depicts the Devi standing on a peeta with Devi Gayatri, Sri Chakra, Shanku and Chakra in Her four hands. The recently renovated sanctum of the temple is surrounded by Adi Sesha. While the Padma Peeta is formed by Ashtagaja, Koorma and others.

Kollur is one of the seven pilgrimages which were created by Parashurama. It is is situated at the banks of the never drying river Sauparnika. While the other pilgrimages created by Parashurama are devoted to Lord Shiva, Lord Subramanya and Lord Ganesha, this is the only one devoted to goddess Parvathi.

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.

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. Mangalesha (598 - 610 AD) brother of Kiritavarman I completed the construction of the cave temples & endowed the temples with the village on the occasion of the installation of the image of Vishnu.

• History of Mysore

• Anthropological Survey of India

• Shivansamudram

• Mysore Palace & Residetial Musuem

• Regional Museum of natural History

• Belur

• Mysore Zoological Gardens

• Dhvanyaloka-Centre for Indian Studies

• Halebid

• The Jaganmohan Palace

• Nagarahole National Park

• Talakad

• Chamundi Hills

• Krishnaraj Sagar Dam & Brindavan Gardens

• MM Hills or Malai Mahadeshwara Hills

• Rail Museum

• Srirangapatna

• Nanjangud

• Devaraja Market

• Balmuri Falls

• Himvad Gopal Swamy Hills

• Kukkarahalli / Karanji / Lingambudi Lakes

• Tonnurkere

• Bandipur National Park

• Lord Venkateshwara Temple on Najangud Road

• Kokkrebellur Bird Sanctury

• Biligiri Rangana Hills

• St.Philomena's Church

• Rangantittu Bird Sanctury

• Nisargadhama

• Folklore Museum

• Melkote

• Tibetian Settlements Bylakuppe & Golden Temple

• Lalitha Mahal Palace

• Somanathpura

• Clock Towers

• Shravanbelagola

History of Mysore

Mysore is 770 m above the sea level and 140 Kms from the State Capital Bangalore, Mysore is the erswhile Capital of the Wodeyar's, the rulers of Mysore State since the 14th Century with an exception of 40 years regime of hyder Ali & tippu Sultan.

Earlier in 10th Century, Mysore was known as "Mahisur", the town where the buffalo headed Mahishasur was slain by Goddess Durga. Mysore expands to "Mahishasura Ouru". It is Believed that during one of the wars between devils, demons on the one hand & God , Goddess on the other, mahishasura over powered Gods. Witnesing this Goddess Durga incarnated as the fierceful Chamundeshwari, cosequently killed Mahishasura atop the hill, from then on this hill is dedicated to Chamundeshwari and named as Chamundi Hill., situated at Eastern End of the Royal Family worshipped Goddess Chamundeshwari as the Palace deity. Mysore Dasara is the celebration of this Victory over the evil. The Dasara Celebration is spread over 10 days during September- October even to this day. mysore city is decorated colorfully,and hosts cultural events, like music, dance & darma. The finale is Dasara Procession including the famous Jamboosavari (The Golden Hawda). This Jamboo savari goes thriough the main throughfares of Mysore City and retreats at the Torchlight Parade Grounds at Bannimantap. Mysore also associates with the Mahabharatha and King Ashoka of the 3rd Century BC.

Though the Wodeyars ruled Mysore as small chieftains much before 1399 AD,it's only during 1399 Yaduraya founded this dynasty. From then onwards Mysore saw as many as 24 rulers till the year 1940. The 25th ruler of the Wodeyar Dynasty was His Highness Sri Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar, whose kingdom was absorbed by the Democratic India and Monarchy was totally abolished. Even till this date the Prince His Highness Sri Srikantadatta Wodeyar resides in private quarters at the Great Mysore Palace.

The Hyder Ali & Tippu Sultan's regime was during 1761-1799. In the year 1799, the 1st war of Mysore was faught between Tippu Sultan and British, in which Tippu lost his life and his Kingdom to the Britishers. Afterwhich, Mysore was restored by the Wodeyars family.

Geographically Mysore city is approximately 11 square Kilometers. Mysore city known as city of Palaces has always kept upto the expectations of the tourists from all the world over, Mysore has a rich heritage, well-landscaped gardens, sacred temples & traditional customs. Mysore has aquired it's place in the world map for it's famous Dasara Celebrations, fine & exotic sandalwood carvings and inlay works, Mysore Silk Sarees, Mysore is also famous for Jasmine flower which is called as "Mysooru Mallige" and a savory named as "Mysore Pak" a sweet liked by one and all.

Most spoken language is Kannada, however Hindi, English & Urdu can also be easily conversed among the general public.Mysore is well connected by road, rail & air(restricted to personalize helipad services offered by some aviation agencies only).

Local buses autos or by a private taxi. Mysore has two Bus Stands, one catering as an Inter-State, Inter-District Bus Stand (KSRTC Suburban Bus Stand) and the other is local bus stand(City Bus Stand). While commuting by autorickshaws, it is adviceable to look out for an autorickshaw stand and board an auto. Pay only by the meter, travelling to the extention areas in an autorickshaw by night is difficult. During night the auto fare is 50% over the meter fare.some auto drivers may ask extra if your destination is in a remote area. Ensure you have proper change for short distance travel in autorickshaw, as the minimum fare for two kilometers is Rs10/-. the authorities have recently started a prepaid autorickshaw satnd in Railway Station to felicitate rail commuters.

Eating & Drinking Out
Usually Mysoreans relish on South Indian Dishes like Dosas,Idly, Vada Sambar, Bisi Belebath and a hot cuppa filtered coffee.barring a few speciality restaurants, there are such no speciality cuisines restaurants in Mysore city we find multi cuisine restaurants serving North Indian, Tandoori Chinese & Continental Cuisine. While you are at the one of the multi-cuisine restaurants, enquire for the dish of the day and feel safe. Usually all most all the restaurants serve filter water & you also could request for boiled water.

Sight Seeing
Look out for the daily trips organised by tour operators. Daily sight seeing trips include attactions like Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills, Mysore Zoological Gardens, Jaganmohan Palace, St. Phiomena's Church, KRS Dam / Brindavan Gardens. there are other tourist attractions in and around Mysore City like Nanjangud also known as "Dakshina Kashi", Srirangapatna,Rangantittu Bird Sanctury, Nagarahole National Park, Talakad, Belur Halebid, Sravanbelagola, hampi, Bandipur Wildlife Sanctury, Ooty, Bangalore, Talacauvery, Bhagmandala, Abbey Falls, Irappu Falls, Mangalore , Melakote, Goaplswamy Hills, Shivanasamudra. Kabini River Resorts., BR Hills, MM Hills, and a lots more......