Bangalore,
the garden city of India, is a modern, bustling city which is rapidly
expanding into an industrial centre. The city is the gateway to some of
the most interesting historic architecture in India, with a wide and tumultuous
past. Steeped with history and teeming with forts and palaces, the countryside
is as picturesque as the glorious past it projects. The temples at Belur
and Halebid, along with that of Somnathpur,
are one of the most artistically exuberant periods of Hindu cultural development.
Shravanabelgola is one of the oldest Jain pilgrimage centres in India
and the site of the huge statue of Lord Bahubali. Hampi,
near Hospet, was once the capital of one the largest Hindu empire in Indian
history.
ADDED ATTRACTION (Rates on request).
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A visit to 'Nrityagram', a unique cultural experience that gives you an insight into the soul of India. The programme includes an explanation about the background of the history of a 60 minute training session of Guru-Shishya (teacher and pupil) relation, followed by a pure vegetarian lunch with teachers and students, served in the traditional manner.
HOW TO GET THERE :
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Road : Connects to all major road
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Air : Air services links Bangalore to almost every city in India.
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Rail : Bangalore has direct rail connections to Madras, Bombay, Delhi, Ahmedabad and all important places en-route.
ONE DAY EXCURSIONS AROUND BANGALORE :
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Shravanabelagola, Belur & Halebid: The district town of Hassan (194 km) is a convenient base for visits to Shravanabelagola, the oldest Jain shrine in South India and the beautiful Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebid.
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Shravanabelagola (150 km): A huge monolithic statue of the Jain saint Gomateswara,standing on the Indragiri Hill here, dominates the landscape. It is said that the Mauryan king Chandragupta came here in 'the "3rd century BC, after renouncing the world.
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Halebid (216 km):
The Hoysaleshwara Temple at Halebid, the finest example of the
- Hoysala style of temple architecture, is noted for its abundance
of exuberant sculpture and fine workmanship.
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Belur (222 km): The star shaped Chennakeshava Temple stands on a high platform. Its exterior is ornamented with bands of exquisite carving - an endless variety of animals, birds, gods, goddesses are sculpted in the finest detail.
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Access : Hassan is well-connected by rail and road to Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore.
Last modified: 26/02/2004