Karnataka beyond sea, silk, and sandalwood

In Southern India, Karnataka is an aureate realm of sea, silk, and sandalwood conjoined with long palm-fringed coastal bays. This beautiful state is a melting pot of rich architectural, cultural, and natural heritage, with an engaging allure of fascinating city life, intricate palaces, animal sanctuaries, yoga retreats, ancient ruins, and beaches. Despite its proximity to the Arabian and Laccadive sea, Karnataka is not just known for its remote beaches, but also toys, adventures, temples and river resorts.

Bangalore, the silicon valley capital, lies at its heart, known for its IT clusters, delicious cuisine, and vibrant nightlife. A trip to the countryside reveals the ever-relevant regal splendour, hills, spice and coffee farms, and wildlife teeming with elephants and tigers, among other things. According to legend, silk and sandalwood were at their peak in Karnataka during Tipu Sultan’s reign. Both were favoured by the affluent! Having said that, India is the only country in the world that grows four different types of silk, and Karnataka alone accounts for 45 per cent of the country’s total production.

Eri, Mulberry, Wild Tussar, and the Wild Golden Muga are the silks produced. Mysore and Ramanagara are the largest silk cocoon markets in Asia, with dominating sericulture. Mysore Silk is the name given to the natural, pure, and environmentally friendly silk produced in this region. Mysore, also known as the Sandalwood City of Karnataka, is nestled between sandalwood trees. Sandalwood, one of the costliest woods in the world, is a thick, yellowish, fine-grained wood with a long-lasting scent.

While most imperilled species are in the rural mountains of Kalrayan, Kurnool, Chittoor, Shevaroy, and Nellore, Mysore sandalwood is renowned worldwide for its high quality, medicinal properties, and enticing aroma. Gokarna, Murdeshwar, and Karwar’s immaculate coasts are dotted, with rock-strewn relics and lonely sands interwoven with hammocks and multicoloured sunsets. Get off the beaten path and see Hampi, an old hamlet stocked with intricately carved stone chariots and temple complexes from the Vijayanagara Empire. Alternatively, head to the northern end for evocative Islamic ruins or the southeast for a Bear Sanctuary.

Karnataka provides travellers with a plethora of options, including an unforgettable culinary adventure. Karnataka serves a wide variety of classic rice, and ragi dishes with a suitable conclusion of frothy filter coffee served on the side; in anything from hole-in-the-wall cafes to old-school resto-pubs. Here are some of the most prominent cities in the state that you should visit.

Bangalore

Bangalore or Bengaluru, one of India’s cosmopolitan cities, is blessed with modern infrastructure, a luxurious environment, and a vibrant food and shopping scene. Bangalore is a trip through beautiful gardens and charming Victorian-era architecture with its round-the-clock lifestyle. The city centre harkens back to the British Raj of the 18th century, while the outskirts represent its modernity. 

Amongst Bangalore’s green escapes, Lalbagh is one of India’s oldest botanical gardens and the first of its sort, with defined trails, glasshouses, and ornamental flowers strewn over the grounds. King Hyder Ali commissioned this 240-acre park, completed by his successor Tipu Sultan. Bangalore Residence, Bannerghatta National Park, Planetarium, Cubbon Park, Vidhana Soudha, Wonderla, and Tipu Sultan’s summer palace are all worth visiting.

Mangalore

Mangaluru or Mangalore’s character alternates between carefree coastal and frenzied city life. Locals affectionately refer to this port city as Kudla, as it is named for the Hindu Goddess Mangaladevi and serves as a vital gateway to the Konkan coast. Mangalore, also known as Manguluru, is one of Karnataka’s most beautiful beach towns, stretching along the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats.

Its pleasant attraction has been sitting arms since the 6th century, thanks to its tranquil beaches, scenic rivers, holy temples, delectable seafood, and helpful residents. Mangalore retains much of its colonial and Indian charm, having been ruled by various powerful dynasties, including the Chalukyas, Hoysalas, Kadambas, Portuguese, Rashtrakutas, and the Vijayanagar dynasty.

Mysore

Mysore, the old sandalwood city of Karnataka, is located southwest of Bangalore, nestled amid the Chamundi Hills’ foothills. Mysuru (renamed in 2014) is one of Karnataka’s most charming cities to visit. Mysuru’s deep-rooted history and culture sparkle like a pearl, whether it’s through royal legacy or alleyways filled with spice, silk, incense, and sandalwood merchants or through stunning architecture. The Wadiyar dynasty, Hyder Ali, and Tipu Sultan; each contributed significantly to the city’s learning. While the Wadiyars valued art and culture, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan helped boost the economy by cultivating mulberry silk plantations.

Mysuru was the capital of the Kingdom for about 600 years. After the British acquired control of the Mysore State in 1831, they named Bangalore as its capital. Mysore Palace, Sand Museum, Chamundeshwari Temple, Brindavan Gardens, St. Philomena’s Cathedral, and Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary are among the greatest locations to visit in Mysore.

Udupi

Udupi, a picturesque city in Karnataka with quiet golden beaches, should be on everyone’s bucket list. Udupi, also known as Odipu or Rajata Peetha, is the administrative capital of Karnataka and one of the state’s most popular tourist destinations. The non-coastal side of Udupi features tranquil monasteries and historic Hindu temples, while the beach enjoys stunning sunsets with St. Mary island in the background.

The city’s most significant holy places include Krishna Temple, Ananteshwar Temple, Anegudde Vinayaka Temple, and Chandramoulishwar Temple. Take a trip to Kadike, Kapu, Mattu, and Polipu for less-travelled beaches. Udupi cuisine borrows flavours from Tuluva-Mangalorean cuisine and consists primarily of beans, grains, fruits, and vegetables.

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