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Kateel
During the early part of
Kaliyuga,
the good earth was stricken by famine and pestilence. It did not rain for years.
Even Brahmins were constrained to eat meat and the people were on the verge of
becoming cannibals.
Jabali, the great sage was disturbed in his
'Tapas' by these troubles. Through his 'Gnana
Drishti' he realized the
root cause of all this. He found that Arunasura the 'rakshasa' who escaped from
death and fled when Goddess Durga slew Shambasura had increased his life span by
following the teachings of his Guru. He had made the people stop all yagas and
yajnas as a revenge against the 'devas', and this has resulted in drought and
scarcity for years.
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What to see : : :
Durga Parameshwari Temple :
 Moved by compassion, Jabali desired to alleviate man's sufferings and decided to
perform a yajna to placate the devas. He approached Devendra in haven with a
request to permit him to take Kamadhenu for the ritual. Devendra informed Jabali
that Kamadhenu was not available but he could take his daughter Nandini instead.
Jabali then went to Nandini who, however refused to accompany him to the sinful
earth which had nourished such evil beings as Ravana and Karthivirya. Jabali
countered this by saying that the same earth also produced such saintly beings
as Ahalya.
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Kemangundi
215 Kms from Bangalore is Chickmagalur town. 55 Kms north from Chickmagalur town isKemman-
agundi, a scenic hill station on the Baba Budan range of hills. Kemmanagundi
is also known as K.R. Hills after Wodeyar King, Krishnaraja Wodeyar
who had made it his favourite summer camp. Kemmanagundi, at a height of 1,434
meters, is surrounded by thick forests and a salubrious climate the year. It has
beautifully laid out ornamental gardens and panoramic view of the mountains.
Kemmanagundi is the
ideal place to get away from the heat & dust, the crowds & traffic jams
of the cities. Quite peaceful serene, nesting amidst lush green forests.
Kemmanagundi is sure to revive & rejuvenate you, physically, mentally & spiritually.
The Panoramic views,
the ornamentally gardens, the songs of the birds of the birds, the rays of the
sun trying to peep through the of sun trying to peep through the trees. Time
tiptoes gently here & as you take a walk down an inviting mountain trail you
find yourself laughing aloud with the sheer joy of living ! But that's what
Kemmanagundi does to you. Recharge your batteries & puts you in torch with
yourself, with life & with your loved ones.
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Kukke
Kukke Subramanya is on the bank of river
Dhara. According to Hindu Mythology Lord Kumaraswamy
came to this place after killing the demon rulers Taraka, Shoorapadmasura
and others in a war; and Lord washed his Shakti Ayudha (a battle-axe in
the shape of a bayonet) in this river. From this onwards the river is famous as
Kumaradhara.
After his battle with the demons Lord Kumaraswamy came to the top of
Kumara Parvatha along with his brothers Lord Ganesha, Veerabahu and other aides.
He was received by Lord Indra along with other Gods; pleased by the success of
the war Indra prayed the Lord to be kind enough to marry his daughter Devasena.
This was agreed upon courteously and the marriage took place on the banks of
Kumaradhara on 'Margashira Shudda Shashti'. Lord Kumaraswamy also gave darshan
to Vasuki the head of nagas, who was making a penance here. Vasuki prayed to the
Lord to stay along with him permanently at this place and the Lord with the
boon.
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From that time it is believed that the Lord has made his spiritual presence in
this shrine along with his wife Devasena and Vasuki. Every year a famous car
festival is being held here on 'Margashira Shuddha Shashti' with special poojas
to the Lord.
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Madikeri
The cool bracing
wind whips the hair about your faces as you ramble along the streets that dip
and rise delightfully. Breathtaking views surprise you from pretty cottages as
you sniff appreciatively the heady fragrance of coffee blossoms. Madikeri
(previously known as Mercara), A picturesque charming town
situated at an elevation of over 5,000 ft (1,525 m) above sea level.
 Madikeri is the district headquarters of Kodagu
(formerly Coorg). Dubbed as the Scotland of India, Kodagu is the home
of colorful, robust, martial race - the Kodavas, Said to be the descendants of
the Greeks (Alexander's soldiers), the kodavas are fiercely independent. They
were never conquered by either Tipu Sultan neither the British. And so to this
day all kodavas retain the privilege of carrying firearms without a license.
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What to see :
Madikeri Fort:
In the centre of Madikeri, this 19th century fort houses a temple, a chapel, a prison and a small
museum. The fort also offers a beautiful view of Madikeri.
Raja's Seat : According
to legend, the kings of Kodagu spent their evenings here. But what is
unforgettable about Raja's Seat is the spectacular sunset that one can enjoy
from here.
Nisargadhama
2 Kms from
Kushalnagar (30 kms from Madikeri) on the State Highway. There are a few islets
in the river Cauvery. The cluster of wooden huts, Nisargadhama is built to blend
with the sandalwood forest around. Apart from the lodging, a small canteen, a
deer park, children's playing area are added attractions.
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Mangalore
357 kms west of Bangalore is the district headquarters of Dakshina Kannada - Mangalore.
With an important port, this coastal town is a major commercial centre.
Mangalore could be your entry point to Beach Country - with its virgin and
unexplored beaches. 
While in Mangalore try and see a Yakshagana performance - an
elaborate dance form unique to Karnataka. The Kambala (buffalo race) is another
exciting event.
A trip to Mangalore would be incomplete without a visit to the 10th century
Manjunatha Temple, St. Aloysius Chapel, Mangala Devi Temple, Tipu's Battery and
the Jumma Masjid. The Ullal beach with casuarina groves is another attraction
that draws tourists all through the year.
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What to see :
Sultan Battery :
 It is situated in
Boloor 6 Km. away from Mangalore. It was built in Black Stones by Tippu
Sulthan to prevent warships to enter Gurpur river. Now the remaining part
of the fort is called as Tippu's Well. It is today a deserted spot but its
construction is bafflingly exquisite. Although it is a watchtower, it gives the
impression of a miniature fortress with its arrangements for mounting cannons
all-round.
Kadri Manjunath Temple :
Kadri is another ancient
historic spot in Mangalore. The Kadri Temple dating back to
about 1068 A.D. with its nine tanks, its square temple, nestling at thefoot of
the highest hill, draws to Mangalore hundreds of visitors annually.The
Lokeshwara bronze statue of the Kadri Manjunatha Temple is tipped to be the best
bronze statue in India. On top of the hill King Kundavarma Bupendra built a mutt
which came to be called 'Jogimutt'. There are some stone caves on top of the
hill which are known as the caves of the Pandavas.
Shri Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple :
Mangalore
is known as a pilgrim center and boasts of many sacred temples like Sharavu,
Kadri, Mangaladevi, Kudroli etc. Out of these Sri Sharavu Sharabeshwara - Sri
Mahaganapathy Kshetra is an outstanding, pious center of great illustrious
history of marathon 800 years.
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Murudeshwar
As all Gods including Indra had
got their wishes fulfilled, and attained the status of eternal bliss free from
rebirth by worshipping the 'Atmalinga' that had found place in the lotus-heart
of "Adimaye" by faith and penance, Ravana, the all-accomplished and
all powerful decided to get the 'Atmalinga' from Parameshwar so that he also
could become invincible and immortal by worshipping it. With this great ambition
he went to Kailasa and performed rigorous penance in solitude strictly following
the rites and singing hymns and doing a variety of dances Lord Parameshwar was
soon propitiated by Ravana's devotion and appeared in his true form with five
faces, three eyes and ten shoulders adorning Ganga and the moon God in his
matted hair, the sovereign serpent round his neck, a garland of skulls touching
his ankles, flanked by Goddess Parvathi on his left.
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Mysore
Mysore, the picturesque city of palaces, is located 770 m above sea level and 140 km
from Bangalore. For centuries Mysore was associates with royalty. It exudes a
quaint old world charm, that leaves the visitor spell - bound. A city steeped in
history, Mysore was once the stronghold of the Hoysalas, the Wodeyars and later
on, of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Mysore is derived from Mahisasura,
the demon king, who once lived here and was vanquished by Goddess Chamundi.
Mysore was the political capital of the Wodeyar dynasty which
ruled the state of Karnataka for some 150 years till the independence of the
country from the British. These kings were great patrons of art and culture and
Mysore was the cultural capital of the south under the rule of the Wodeyars. The
Wodeyars made the Dasara festival an event.
Mysore is a city of palaces, gardens, shady avenues and sacred temples and
retains some of the charm of the old world with its many institutions that
propagate Carnatic Classical music and dance.
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What to see :
Mysore Palace
 Once the residence of the
Wodeyars, this structure is one of the largest of its kind in India. Built in
1912 in the Indo-Saracenic style, this palace exudes a grandeur that is
unmatched. The Golden Royal Elephant Throne, the Durbar Hall, the Kalyana Mandap
and the Gallery are the main attractions here.
Sir Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery:
Housed in the Jaganmohan Palace, this gallery has a collection of exquisite paintings dating
back to 1875. The collection includes paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, the Russian
Svetoslav Roerich and the traditional Mysore gold leaf style of painting.
Chamundi Hills
Towering over the city, these
hills are 13 kms away from Mysore. Halfway - up is the Nandi Bull, a 4.8-m
monolith. Right on top is the 2000-year-old Chamundeswari Temple, dedicated to
the patron goddess of the royal family.
Brindavan Gardens
(Mandya Dist.):
19 kms north-west of Mysore
is the KRS Dam and the ornamental Brindavan Gardens. The musical fountains and
colourful lights transform this place into a fairy land in the evenings.
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Nandi Hills
Nandi Hills, 65 Kms from Bangalore
and 1,478 meters above sea level is Bangalore's own hill station. It was Tipu
Sultan's summer retreat and Tipu's fort walls still stand as testimony to
history. The rivers Pennar, Palar and Arkavati originate from these hills. A
flight of 1.175 steps lead from the base of the hills to the top. A popular hill
resort of the Bangaloreans. The Tipu's Drop, a 600 meter high cliff, where
prisoners were hurled down the precipice is
an awe-inspiring sight. Atop the hill is the Yoganandishwara temple.
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What to see : Nandi Village
:
Situated
at the north-eastern base of Nandi Hills, this village was, for some time a
British Military Station. The Bhoga Nandishwara Temple Complex here is
architecturally, one of the most important Dravidian- style structures in the
State. Muddenahalli :
The home town of Sri
M.Visveswaraya, the architect of modern Karnataka. Muddenahalli is just a few
Kilometers from Nandi Hills. The house of this genius is now a museum. Top Shimango
273kms north-west of Bangalore is
Shimoga, once a stronghold of the Keladi Nayakas. Worth seeing here is the Fort,
the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Government Museum.
What to see :
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Jog Falls :
Situated
on the borders of Shimoga and North Kanara , 110 Kms from shimoga city is the
world famous Jog falls. The river sharavati , flowing over a rocky bed comes
down in four distinct falls Raja, Rani, Roarer and Rocket (names given to four
water falls) . The effect is greatly heightened by the wild and beautiful region
around which is covered with a wealth of luxuriant vegetation. Also some
important places around jog falls are Linganmakki dam, constructed across river
sharavati ,Mahatma Gandhi Power station.The place is connected by road to
shimoga city and number of government & private buses ply between shimoga
and jog falls. Accomodation is available in and around jog falls. Agumbe : On
the other side , the district is famous for Agumbe (95 Kms from shimoga city) also known as the Chirapunji of south india, Since the average rainfall of this
place is highest in south india.. Agumbe is also famous for its glorious SUNSET.
The place is situated 826 Mtrs above sea level and sorrounded by hills, trees
and greenary. The sunset here is most exiting thing to watch. Before the sunsets
in the western sea, it takes different shapes and colors. A platform is built
for viewing the sunset. Jumping streams shining like silver threads along the
mountain flanks with a variety of fauna and flora provide exhilerating scenic
beauty. About 4 Kms from Agumbe is a small water fall known as Vanake-Abbe, the
scene around which is highly fascinating.Buses available every half an hour from
shimoga city.
Gudavi
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A
place famous for bird sanctuary is one of the best 5 bird sanctuaries of
karnataka. It is spread over an area of 73.68 Hectares is 15 kms from Sorab
taluk of shimoga district. As per 1993 survey, it is told that 191 different
types of birds are found at this place. A natural lake and the trees gives
shelter to this birds. Some important birds found are White Pebis, Stone Bill,
Egrate, Cormorant, Snake bird, Heronetc..Different birds immigrate from other
parts of the world in different seasons for breeding. A platform is built for a
closer look of birds. Top Udupi
About 60 Kms from Mangalore is a
fairly large and upcoming town that was sanctum of Madhvacharya, the great
Sanskrit Philosopher. The famous temple here, has a fascinating idol of Lord
Krishna that is richly adorned with jewels.
The main attraction of this temple is the 'Kanakana Kindi' -a small windowthrough which Krishna is believed to have given darshan to his ardent devotee,
Kanakadasa.
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See : Sri Krishna Mutt: 
Udupi is famous
for its Sri Krishna Mutt which though small is quite beautiful. There is no
front door for this mutt. Instead there is a small window through which one
could always get the darshana of the idol from outside the mutt. In front of the
window there is a small 'gopuram'. The main entrance to the mutt is on the
southern side. As on enters, on the right side is a tank called Madhwa
Pushkarani. This tank has stone steps all round and a mantapam in the center.
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