Usually I highlight a specific place, but this time around, it’s a whole region. Or rather, a state: Karnataka, deep in the south of India. Most visitors stick to the country’s north, New Delhi, Mumbai, and Agra. But let me tell you, if you never migrate south, you are doing yourself a serious disservice.
I’ve been to India a few times, but Karnataka (“Kar-NA-taka”) really stands out. It was once a pain in the @$$ to reach, but with brand-spanking-new airports at Bangalore and Hyderabad, this whole region, basically the “Other India,” is now open and ready to seep you off your feet. There are two world heritage sites, 44 major monuments, five national parks, 21 wildlife sanctuaries, and 6000 elephants. So who needs the Taj Mahal?
This is one of those places where there is so much available you short-circuit. Begin at Hampi, the grand, stone-hewn capital of the old Vijayanagara Empire. Southern India was a pit-stop on the Silk Road, and its cities grew as sumptuous as possible; Hampi was/is so impressive, a 15thcentury Persian ambassador remarked, “The city is such that the pupil of the eye has never seen a place like it.” Just as impressive are the cities of Hassan and Aihole, the latter whose 125 temples set the standard for Hindu architecture throughout India and into Southeast Asia. Then there is the Gol Gumbaz, a massive domed mausoleum that also goes by the “Whispering Dome.” This is really cool: any whisper can be heard 121 feet from the source, and echoes back nine times.
And then there is the Mysore Palace. If you’ve ever seen an India palace lit up with individual little light bulbs, chances are it was this one. The fanciful architecture, with puckered arches and onion domes, is called “Indo-Saracenic.” Now a museum, the best to time visit is during the spectacular 10-day Mysore Dasara festival (September-October, depending on the lunar calendar).
India dazzles. It’s just part of the culture. For something a little more tranquil, I visited Shivanasamudra Falls. Now let’s just forget how GREEN the surrounding foliage is, these two cataracts are formed by the Cauvery River tumbling down 246 feet into the gorge below. In your hurry to cram it all in, this is actually a welcome respite. Water is a big part of southern India’s draw; Dandeli is one of the better white-water rapids you’ve probably never heard of.
It just goes to pay that if you stray off the usual, you usually get rewarded.
Interested? Karnatakatourism.org is great place to start. Steele Luxury Travel has fantastic luxury hotel deals in India and offers discounted business class and economy class airfare to India and destinations beyond. Visit www.SteeleTravel.com for more details!