We have so many historical places in Karnataka, the possibilities are endless. The history of a place or idea is often present in the monuments, buildings, and stories that have been left behind. There are also some sites worth considering when considering all places around Karnataka.
Karnataka, a state in south-central India, is famous for its scenic beauty and culture. It attracts over six million tourists every year. With all this popularity, it’s not surprising that the tourism industry in Karnataka is flourishing.
There is no shortage of historical sites in Karnataka, but what I will list below is not even half the full list of significant ones in Karnataka. If you happen to be looking for a place with a history shrouded by antiquity or preserved by time, chances are it exists within the various regions of Karnataka. If you are looking for the best places that should definitely be on your list to visit then here are some of my recommendations that might also interest you. Read through this blog post and find out more about these places.
Historical Places To Must Visit
Hampi
Hampi is a small town in the state of Karnataka in Southern India. It is a well-known historical site from the 16th century and is now an important tourist destination. In these magnificent ruins, visitors can wander through temples and markets or even take a bike through open fields dotted with huge stone boulders.
Hampi became a World Heritage Site in 1986 when it was inscribe by UNESCO as “sites consisting of the ruins of Vijayanagara, capital of one of the great Hindu empires”. It’s located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. Since starting with 12 acres in 1986, conservation efforts have expanded Hampi to nearly 120 acres over the last three decades. It is one of the best historical places to visit in Karnataka.
Also Check: Virupaksha Temple
Dandeli
Dandeli, Karnataka is a popular tourist destination in India. The town is situated at the foothills of the Western Ghats and is nestled in a valley between two rivers- Kali and Suktel. The area comprises dense forests, hills, waterfalls and other attractions that make it popular among tourists from around the world. It has some beautiful limestone caves from ancient periods and Kavala caves is one of the famous caves which attracts many tourists.
The other name for this region is ‘Dandaka’ which means an undulating land covered with forest between hills or mountains. One can reach Dandeli from Kundapura which lies 45 kilometres away. You can also enjoy some of the exciting water sports and adventure activities here.
Shimoga or Shivmogga
Shimoga is a small yet prosperous town in the state of Karnataka in India. It is on the bank of the Malpasupula River and is surrounded by hills, forests and agricultural lands. This town is famous as the home to many social activists, including Basava Jayachamarla, a well-known philosopher from the 11th century AD.
Shimoga has been attracting increasing numbers of tourists from all over India for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. The name “Shimoga” literally means a place that can be forded. At Shivaratri Festival one can witness various events like ‘jagaran’ (a provocative art performance) and ‘kichadi’ (a community celebration).
Ramnagaram
Ramnagaram is a tourism destination in the state of Karnataka. It is a town in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, Ramanagaram (also spelt as Ramanguram) is a popular destination for those looking to enjoy the greenery and relaxation on offer.
The town is located on the banks of the Kaveri river and it has two dams, namely Govt. Dam and Jawa Dam are suitable for water sports, boating and fishing. A number of temples from different ages can be found here such as Sri Varadaraja Swamy Temple that dates back to the 9th century AD with inscriptions from the 10th century AD.
The place hosts its fair share of natural beauties which make it one of the most favourite holiday destinations among travellers across India.
Badami
Badami is a beautiful place that has managed to preserve its ancient culture. The place is more famous due to its rock-cut temple structures. Recently it has become popular as a tourism destination among tourists who are captivate by its natural beauty.
Badami was previously known as Vatapi and was the capital city of Chalukyas for about 350 years. The cultural heritage site here still contains monuments like carvings, paintings, sculptures and inscriptions which represent the grandeur of this era.
Aihole
Aihole is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. The word Aihole was mentioned for the first time in the epic Mahabharata, where its name appears as Ajigulapura. Ancient texts refer to Aihole as one of the earliest and most important cities in India, dating back to at least circa 1st millennium BC. The city has more than 100 temples which are carve from the time period of the Chalukyas dynasty.
According to historians and archaeologists, this city served as an important trading hub between Northern India and Western Asia from circa mid-seventh century BCE onwards. Aihol is a historical place that has great significance among Indians that date back to 132 B.C.
Hassan
Hassan is a bustling city, where you can spend days exploring its several ancient monuments and mingling with the locals. Known for its peaceful atmosphere, Hassan is the perfect destination to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing. Though Hassan can be quite overrun with tourists during peak season in summer.
September to November is one of the best times to visit this scenic city. Hassan’s colourful history makes it an essential destination for any history buff. It is a fantastic place for photography enthusiasts.
Bidar
Bidar is a historical town in northeastern Karnataka, India. Once the capital of the Bahmani Sultanate, Bidar is now an important market centre. The rich history of Bidar also gives it many monuments to visit, some dating back centuries ago. One must visit this place to witness some of the best historical places in Karnataka.
Bidar has a variety of sites to explore including attractions like Chitrakoot Fort, Jama Masjid Mosque, Royal Baths, Sikandara Fort and Mazra-e-Jahan Numa Palace. The city also offers many opportunities for religious tourism with various mosques including the Jama Masjid Mosque that dates back 500 years or more.
Bijapur
Bijapur is a city in the Bidar district of Karnataka state. The town is located 460 kilometres from Bangalore and 570 kilometres from Hyderabad. It was once the capital of the historic Bijapur Sultanate, which was one of the important medieval Indian kingdoms.
You can visit various sites in and around Bijapur to enquire about this significant heritage site, including Golgumbaz, Ibrahim Rauza, Jumma Masjid, Jami Masjid, Jama Masjid Complex, Shahi Hammam (public bath), Ashtur near Ramanagaram Hill ranges and many other locations related to the history of this region.
Belur
Belur is a town near Hassan, Karnataka. The town is the home of the famous Belur Temple, one of the destinations on the world heritage list. The temple was built in the Hoysala style of architecture and is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The temple complex consists of a large number of shrines including those dedicated to Nandi (a bull), Ganesha (the elephant god) and Shiva’s various incarnations such as Rameswaramurti.
Pattadakal
Pattadakal is a small town located in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is one of the few UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India, and one of its most popular tourist attractions. It was once the capital of the Chalukya dynasty that ruled much of southern India from here in 500-700 A.D. The place holds a special position in the list of historical places in Karnataka.
