Hill station in Karnataka

Kundadri is a popular hill station in Karnataka. The state is blessed with a number of summer retreats and the scenic beauty of these places is non-parallel. Kundadri`s unspoilt beauty, the trekking trails and dense forests are a must see for every traveler. The paths leading to the mountains are still unexplored. If one is adventurous enough then these paths are waiting for them. Others can always admire it from a distance, as "A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever."

Jain Temple - Kundadri, Hill Station, KarnatakaThe Kundadri hills are perfect for trekking. A huge monolithic rock that is about 3200 feet high has over the ages turned into this hill station. Hence Kundadri is a monolithic rock formation. Apart from this an ancient Jain temple is also located here. This hill top temple dates back to 17th century. Two lakes beside the temple adorn it. The stagnant waters of the lakes flaunt floating lotuses. The quietude of this hill station in Karnataka is really impressive. Far away from madding crowd Kundadri will enable you to escape the drollness of city life.

The hill station was named after a Jain monk. According to legends Kundakundacharya, a Jain monk underwent great atonement and the place was named after the hermit. As a result this is also a popular center for Jain pilgrims. A swarm of tourists visit Kundadri, Karnataka during Makar Sankranti.

Sunsets, streams flowing at the foothill of the mountains, the clear blue sky, backwaters of Varahi Dam and the serene environment has made Kundadri most sought after holiday destinations in South India. These lesser-known places are the gems of Karnataka.

To arrive at Kundadri hill station, Karnataka you can travel by road from Theerthahali and Bangalore. The nearest railway station is Shimoga.

Mysore-India-karnataka

Dasara festival in Mysore
Mysore is very beautiful place in karnataka. Mysore is a corrupted version of "mysooru", which is derived from the word "mahishur" or "Mahishasurana Ooru", which means the town of Mahishasura in Kannada, the local language.

Mysore has been associated with the Puranic story found in the Devi Bhagavatha. According to the story in the Devi Purana,
Over the years Mysore has become synonymous with the Dasara (or Dussehra) festival. Dasara is the most extravagant festival of Mysore.
This festival has been celebrated in Mysore with great pomp and show since centuries. This tradition is still carried on though the scale of the celebrations has been watered down.

The Dasara festival is celebrated in the months of September and October each year. According to Hindu mythology the festival celebrates and commemorates the victory of Goddess

Chamundeshwari after slaying the demon Mahishasura and the triumph of good over evil. The Dasara festivities have become an integral part of the culture and life in Mysore.

Tourism places in India

*Mysore
* Bangalore
* Chennai
* Chidambaram
* Coimbatore
* Hyderabad
* Kanchipuram
* Kanyakumari
* Kodaikkanal
* Kovalam
* Kumarakom
* Kumbakonam
* Madurai
* Mamallapuram
* Munnar
* Mysore
* Rameshwaram
* Thanjavur
* Thekkedy
* Tiruchirapally
* Tirumala
* Trivandrum
*Goa
* Varkala Beach

Ellora Caves - Ellora, Maharashtra, India

The whole temple consists of a shrine with a ling at the rear of the hall with a Dravidian sikhara, a flat-roofed mandapa supported by sixteen pillars, a separate porch for Nandi surrounded by an open-court entered through a low gopura. There are two Dhvajastambhas (pillars with the flagstaff) in the courtyard. The grand sculpture of Ravana attempting to lift Mount Kailasa, the abode of Lord Shiva, with his full might is a landmark in Indian art.

All the carvings are done in more than one level. The lower storey consists of several large shrines while the gallery along the three sides at the rear contains huge sculpted panels. A two-storeyed gateway on the west side provides access to the main temple and the Nandi Mandapa, both on the same level, and is approximately seven meters high. The lower storey of the main temple as well as the Nandi Shrine are solid and cannot be entered. Stone bridges carved from the living rock connect the Nandi pavilion and the entrance porch of the temple. The main temple has a southern style superstructure. The lower storey has almost life-size elephants carved as if they are holding up the temple.

Caves India,

The exterior of the temple is richly carved with niches, plasters, windows as well as images of deities, mithunas (erotic male and female figures) and other figures. Most of the deities at the left of the entrance are Shaivaite (followers of Lord Shiva) while on the right hand side the deities are Vaishnavaites (followers of Lord Vishnu)

Ellora in India

Ellora is the finest example of cave temples with almost 34 caves with intricate interiors and ornamental facades.

Beautiful Ellora Caves - Ellora, Maharashtra, India

The Kailasa temple in cave 16 is a masterpiece in itself. The temple that took nearly 100 years to be completed, is decorated with themes and incidents from the Puranas.
Consisting of exquisite carvings, the cave temple is the most striking one amongst the other 30 at the site.
Though carved out of one single rock, the temple looks like a freestanding structural southern type temple.