Karnataka is an enchanting state located in the south of India, home to lush green forests, scenic landscape, beaches, ancient temples and forts. The architectural wonders of Karnataka explain how grandeur the state is and the rich culture and heritage it has. Due to its historical sites and rich culture and heritage, Karnataka is one of the most preferred choices of the foreign travelers.
The Travel Agents in India works hard to provide an incredible historical and cultural experience to the foreign travelers. Here, we go on a journey to divorce the important temples and forts that Karnataka houses, telling stories of the bygone era, making them an interesting place to explore:
The list of temples in Karnataka with grand architectural style
To let you have a better idea about the grand ancient temples located in Karnataka, we have listed them below. These famous architectural wonders comprises of Dravidian, Vijayanagara and Hoysala architectural style and they tells the stories of the glorious past, the devotion of the people towards God, the skills of the craftsman and the evolution of the culture of the region.
- Hampi’s Virupaksha Temple
The ancient Virupaksha Temple in Hampi which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the architectural wonders of the ancient city of Hampi. This temple was built in the 7th century and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The gateway towers of this temple are spectacular and seems like it is rising over the Tungabhadra River. The temple comprises of intricate carvings on the stone walls with scenes depicting from the Hindu mythology, offering a unique scene to witness. The highlight of this temple is the grand annual chariot festival, if foreign travelers are visiting during this time, they must definitely attend it. Do include in the itinerary of the India Tour Packages!
- Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu
There is another ancient temple called Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu, which is located within a short drive from Belur. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the gems of the Hoysala dynasty. The temple complex comprises of intricate stone carvings of deities, and creatures from the Hindu mythology.
- Chennakesava Temple, Belur
Another masterpiece of the architectural wonders of Karnataka is the Chennakesava Temple in Belur which by built by King Vishnuvardhana in the 12th century. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is famous for its intricate stone carvings with scenes depicting from Hindu mythology, the the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas. One of the highlight of this temple is the start-shaped platform with intricate carvings, which represents the craftsmanship of the skilled workers of ancient times.
- Pattadakal, group of temples
Pattadakal is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Karnataka because the region boasts architectural wonders; it comprises a collection of Hindu and Jain temples like the Virupaksha Temple and Mallikarjuna Temple. The temples of Pattadakal were built by the rulers of Chalukya dynasty and the architectural design of these temples consists of a blend of Dravidian and Nagara architectural styles.
- Badami Cave Temples
Built during the 6th century, this rock cut cave temple is one of the extraordinary works of the skilled artisans of that period. This architectural wonder comprises of Hindu, Buddhism and Jain architectural design. The Badami Cave Temples have been carved out of red sandstone cliffs and has four main caves which have statues of Lord Vishnu, Jain Tirthankaras and Lord Shiva. The highlights of the Badami Cave Temples are the statues of of Nataraja and Varaha. With the help of the Travel Agents in India do explore these cave temples for an immersive cultural experience in India.
- Murudeshwar Temple
Murudeshwar Temple is one of the famous one of the tallest in the world, dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is around 123-feet-tall statue. The architectural design of the temple comprises of intricate stone carvings on the walls and statues, making it a spectacular sight to visit. What adds to the beauty of the temple is that it is near the coastal region overlooking the Arabian Sea.
- Kudalasangama, comprises of group of temples
Kudalasangama is located between the confluence of the rivers Malaprabha and Krishna. This ancient pilgrimage center was founded by the Lingayat sect, and is home to stunning temples. The pilgrims who are the followers of Basavanna offered their prayers here.
The list of forts in Karnataka with grand architectural style
There are many forts in Karnataka that lets foreign travelers witness the architectural style of the ancient marvels and know the history of the glorious past. Each fort has its own history and has withstood many battles and rule of the different dynasties. Let’s find out about the different forts in Karnataka that takes you back to the ancient era of the region.
- Chitradurga Fort
Chitradurga Fort is also referred to as Fort of Stones or Kallina Kote and is one of the architectural glory of the region. The fort is situated in between the undulating rocky terrain, and the walls of the fort acted as protection against invaders. There are around seven concentric walls and the fort had many entryways, secret underground passages and bastions. There are many stories and folklore associated with the fort.
- Bidar Fort
Bidar Fort was built during the 15th century during the rule of the Bahmani Sultanate and comprises of spectacular Persian architectural style. Inside the complex of the fort there is Rangin Mahal, Takht Mahal, with stunning designs adding to the allure.
- Gulbarga Fort
Another stunning marvel is the Gulbarga Fort, the massive walls of the fort acted as strong defense against the invaders. Inside the fort complex is the Jama Masjid which is famous for its domeless design. This fort was built during the Bahmani era and is one of the finest examples of that era.
- Bellary Fort
The Bellary Fort is situated at the top of a granite hill and offers mesmerizing views of the surrounding. This fort was built during the rule of the glorious Vijayanagara Empire, but later it was occupied by Hyder Ali and was expanded into two parts: the lower fort and the upper fort. The Bellary Fort acted as one of the strongest defense wall against the invasion of the enemies.
- Kittur Fort
Kittur Fort is another splendor of Karnataka, and was of great strategic defense for Rani Chennamma against British forces. What now remains are the ruins, but it showcases how the fort played an important role in struggle against the British rule in India.
- Mirjan Fort
Mirjan Fort is located in Gokarna, nestled in between the lush-green valleys of the region. This fort was built in the 16th century and was an important point of defense against the British rule in India.
- Srirangapatna Fort
Srirangapatna Fort was built during the rule of Tipu Sultan, and is situated near Mysore. This fort is famous for its splendid architectural style and is designed in both Indo- Islamic architectural styles. Tourists visiting this fort can visit other places like Dariya Daulat Bagh and Gumbaz.
To having a hassle-free and immersive tour experience, foreign travelers should opt for the best India Tour Packages.
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