Cradle Of Indian Architecture Located 43 Kms from Kudala Sangama, Aihole was the ancient capital of Chalukyas. Famous as the cradle of "Indian Architecture", Aihole has over a hundred temples scattered around the village. 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.

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 cave temples - all hewn out of sand stone on the precipice of a hill. The largest and most ornamental is the third cave temple dedicated to Vishnu. Overlooking the cave temples is a reservoir dotted with temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva.

Southern Banaras Belur, the temple town is located 34 kms from Hassan. Famous for its exquisite temple, Belur is known as the Dakshina Varanasi or Southern Banaras. The serenity of Belur is attributed to the celebrated Chennakesava Temple built by the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 A.D to commemorate his conversion from Jainism to Vaishnavism. The main structure of the temple, which is star-shaped, is a homogenous architectural unit on a raised platform. Inside, even in the darkness, you can see the hand-lathe turned shining pillars, each unique in its own splendoure

The ancient town of Bijapur, dotted with mosques, mausoleums, palaces and fortifications, was the capital of the Adil Shahi Dynasty. Once the capital of the Adil Shahis, it was a city that "exceeded anything of its kind in Europe". Even today, it retains its dignity and royal grandeur. Still strongly Muslim in character, Bijapur has many places of historical, cultural and architectural interest. Even though many of the structures were damaged by Aurangazeb, Bijapur remains a must-see town.

Located 17 kms from Belur, Halebid was known as Dwara Samudra, the wealthy capital of the Hoysalas. The great city of Dwarasamudra flourished as a Capital of the Hoysala Empire during the 12th & 13th centuries. During the reign of Veeraballala II, the grandson of Vishnuvardhana, it reached the greatness of its zenith. Veeraballala II extended his empire from sea to sea between the Cauvery & Krishna rivers. Halebid has several strikingly beautiful Hoysala temples and Jain shrines

Hampi, the land of surprises was founded in the middle of 14th Century by two local princes, Hakka & Bukka. The Vijayanagar Empire came to be celebrated for its might and wealth and as a show piece of imperial magnificence. Vijayanagara is such that the pupil of the eye has never seen a place like it... " So eulogized Abdul Razaq, a Muslim envoy who visited Hampi.

Located 770m above sea level and 140 Kms from Bangalore, Mysore, the imperial city, was the erstwhile capital of the Wodeyars. Also known as the city of Palaces, Mysore has never failed to mesmerise the tourists with its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad shady avenues and sacred temples.

Situated on the left bank of the Malaprabha River, Pattadakkal is a World Heritage Centre. The town has 10 major temples representing early Chalukyan architecture. This place reached its pinnacle of glory under the Chalukyas from the seventh to the ninth centuries functioning as a royal commemorative site. The biggest temple here, dedicated to Virupaksha, has a massive gateway and several inscriptions.

The Most Revered Jain Pilgrimage Wedged between two stark rocky hills, the legendary pilgrim centre of Shravan Belagola and shrine of the Jains since early times is 150 km from Bangalore, 52 km from Hassan and 80 km from Mysore. Shravanbelagola is one of the oldest and most important Jain pilgrim centres in India.

The name translates to "the city of Sri-Ranga" the main deity of this tempe town. This town is an island in the river Kavery and was the old capital o the ruler Tippu Sultan - nicknamed the Tiger of Mysore. At the heart of this twn is the temple dedicated to Sri Ranga, whom Tippu used to worship (though h was a muslim by faith). The granite statue in reclining posture is both long a is part of three such unique temples. The other two similar stutues can beseen in Tiruvananthapuram (capital of Kerala State) and Srirangam (Tamil Nadu).The town is full of forts, palaces and ruins, standing testimony to the fiercewarrior that Tippu Sultan was, as the King of Mysore in the 18th century. Two lines of fortification, separated by water between them and also beingan island in the river Kavery, made his capital an extremely tough target for-the British to fight with