Karnataka is a state of charming contrasts, the modern blending harmoniously with the old, the modern, industrialised city of Bangalore on one extreme, and huge expanses of rural farming areas on the other. It has, also, some of the most magnificent monuments, temples, palaces and beaches in the country.It has a sprawling sea coast of nearly 260 kilometres.The colourful folk dances and art forms, the age-old traditions and rituals, the literature and the music ... there's so much to see - and feel - and experience in Karnataka. The state lies to the south of Goa and Maharashtra, to the west of Andhra Pradesh, to the north west of Tamil Nadu and to the north of Kerala.
Tourist attractions in the State include various parks in Bangalore; the former princely capital Mysore with the famous Brindavan Gardens and Mysore Palace, the 57 feet statue of Gomateshwara at Sharavanabelagola; Belur, Halebid and Somnathpura with the famous Hoysala monuments; Badami, Aihole and Pattadkal with 1300 year old rock-cut temples; the city of Hampi famous for its open air museum; Gulbarga, Bidar and Bijapur, renowned for their Indo-Saracenic monuments; Mangalore and Karwar for ports and beaches; Gokarna, Udupi, Dharamsthala, Melkote and Saundatti for famous pilgrimage centres; and Bandipur as well as Nagarhole for wildlife sanctuaries

General Information 

Karnataka has a written history of more than 2000 years. The state was ruled by great dynasties like the Mauryas, Nandas, Chalukyas, Pallavas and Hoysalas. Fifteen hundred years ago at Badami, in the north of the state, the Chalukyas built some of the earliest Hindu temples in India. All later south Indian temple architecture stems from the Chalukyan designs and the Pallava temples at Kanchipuram. The Hoysalas also left vivid evidence of their era in the form of beautiful temples at Somnathpur, Belur and Halebid. 

The Hindu kingdom of Vijaynagar was founded in 1336, with its capital at Hampi. This city is easily one of the most beautiful, extensive and fascinating cities of India's ruined kingdoms. Vijaynagar reached its peak in the early 1550s, but in 1565 fell to the Deccan Sultanates, when Bijapur gained importance as the capital of this kingdom. Today, Bijapur is a small city surrounded by an imposing wall, and packed with an impressive collection of mosques and other reminders of its glorious past. 

Karnataka was ruled by the Wodeyars after the fall of the Deccan sultanate, and then by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, before being taken over by the British.