Capital : Bangalore
Language : Kannada
Area : 191, 773 sq km
Tourist season : Sept to March
Climate : coastal to tropical
Population : 50 million
Major Cities/Towns : Bangalore, Hubli-Dharwad, Belgaum, Bellary, Gulbarga, Mangalore, Mysore,Bhadravati, Bijapur, Chitradurga, Gadag-Betagiri, hospet, KGF, Mandya, Raichur, Shimoga, Tumkur.
Major Ports : Mangalore Airports Bangalore, Belgaum, Mangalore
Religion : Hindus, Jains, Muslims, Christians
Monsoon : October to December
Rainfall : 500 mm to over 4000 mm.

Pattadakal
Pattadakal - a World Heritage Centre - has 10 major temples representing early Chalukyan architecture. The biggest temple here, is dedicated to Virupaksha. Besides this temple is a group of temples remarkable primarily, for representing two chief styles of Indian architecture, side by side.

Belgaum
The district Headquarters, Belgaum is a charming blend of the old and the new. In the heart of Belgaum is the Fort, Kapileshwara Temple, Ananthashayana Temple etc..Belgaum also has some very impressive churches.

Badami
The capital of the early Chalukyas, Badami is picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills. Badami is famous for its four cave temples - all hewn out of sand stone on the precipice of a hill.

Dharwad
Dharwad, calm, peaceful with a picturesque beauty, this town still retains its old-world charm. Dotting the town are a number of beautiful churches and temples. Dharwad is also a famous educational centre.

Hampi
"Vijayanagara is such that the pupil of the eye has never seen a place like it...". You can still glimpse the splendour of Vijayanagara - one of the largest empires in the history of India - in its ruins. Hampi is full of surprises.

Bijapur
Think of Bijapur and the first thing that comes to mind is Gol Gumbaz, Jumma Masjid. You can spend days exploring Bijapur.

Gulbarga
Gulbarga is a unique synthesis of two cultures. Filled with beautiful palaces, mosques, stately buildings and bazaars.

Aihole
Famous as the "Cradle of Indian Architecture", Aihole has over a hundred temples scattered around the village. The oldest temple here is, perhaps, the Lad Khan temple dating back to the 5th Century. Not to be missed is the Konthi Temple Complex.

Mangalore
Mangalore, District Headquarters of Dakshina Kannada and a modern major port which boasts of a long history of maritime trade. Places of interest are Kadri Hill, Manjunath Temple, St. Aloysius College of Chapel and Jumma Masjid.

Bangalore
The capital of Karnataka, Bangalore is located in the south-east of the State. Rapid industrialisation has not drastically altered the pace of life here, which is comparitively unhurried. This, coupled with the agreeable climate, the greenery, the cleanliness, the sense of order, make Bangalore India's most congenial City.

Mysore
Mysore, once the capital of the Wodeyars, still remains its old-world charm. Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills and Brindavan Gardens are the main attractions.

Srirangapatna
This island of Tipu Sultan on the Bangalore-Mysore highway was the capital of the warrior-kings Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. Ranganathittu Bird Santury, 4 Kms from Srirangapatna is home to several exotic species of birds. Fort, Daria Daulat Bagh, Gumbaz are not to be missed.