Unique Places in State of Karnataka

This is the link to the elephant foundation / ngo that i was talking about. YOu can contact the owners by email and then decide if you think it is the place for you.

If you need help with accomodation please email me details of ur visit and i can help find u a place within ur budget

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95 Kms from south-west of Chikmagalur town is KUDREMUKH (horse face) range, so named because of the unique shape of the KUDREMUKH peak. Overlooking the Arabian sea, the broad hills are chained to one another with deep valley & steep precipices.

As yet undiscovered by tourist, KUDREMUKH is secluded hill station which retains much of its pristine, natural beauty. Lush green forest interspersed with rivers, grassy slopes, captivating cascades and rare orchids. What a idyllic background for trekking !

Yes, KUDREMUKH is trek's territory. The richness of its flora and fauna waiting to be discovered. Caves asking to be explored. Ruins and traces of old civilizations inviting a study. Lovely, unspoiled places to camp….can any trekker resist KUDREMUKH.

Situated at 1,894.3 meters above sea level, KUDREMUKH is rich in iron ore deposits. The KUDREMUKH Iron Ore Company conducts mining operations, benefaction and transportation of the ore as slurry through pipelines to the post at Panambar near Mangalore. This has given a new life to the region into a humming modern township, without taking its natural beauty.

A diverse assemblage of endangered large mammals is found in the Park supporting three large mammal predator species Tiger, Leopard and Wild Dogs. The important tiger prey base found within the Park is Gaur, Sambar, Wild Pig, Muntjac, Chevrotain, Bonnet Macaque, Common Langur and the Lion Tailed Macaque.

Kudremukh receives an average annual rainfall of 7,000mm. The wet climate and the tremendous water retentive capacity of the shoal grasslands and forests has led to the formation of thousands of perennial streams in the region converging to form three major rivers of the region - Tunga, Bhadra and Nethravathi - that form an important lifeline for the people of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, providing sustenance and livelihood to the millions of people living downstram.

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In the northern-most part of Karnataka lies Bidar - a tiny district steeped in history. The fort, the cannons, palaces in ruins, the magnificent tombs and the massive monuments, all combine to make a visit to the one-time capital of the Bahamani and Barid Shahi dynasties, truly memorable.

The most converient way to begin your sightseeing is from the Bidar Fort. Five darwazas (gates) with imposing bastions lead into a little town nestling within the ramparts.

Enter from the Gumbad Darwaza and steps lead you to the Rangin Mahal. The royal residence has elaborately carved wooden pillars, Persian couplets engraved in encaustic tiles and exquisite nother-of-pearl inlay work. Near the palace are the royal kitchens and the royal baths. Further on are the ladies' apartments with a sixteen columned prayer hall built in 14323.

The Solah Kambah Masjid as it is popularly known, is the oldest Muslim building in Bidar and one of the largest in India. Not to be missed are the Gagan Mahal, the Diwan-E-Am where the fabulous turquoise throne once rested, the takhat Mahal, the Royal Pavilion, the Hazar Kothari and the Naubat Khana.

Once the exhaustive tour of the Fort is complete, move on to the Bahamani tombs at Ashtur. The interiors of the tombs are adorned with well - preserved paintings that are excellent examples of medieval Muslim art. The outer walls are decorated in title work.

Right in the heart Bidar town stands the Chaubaara a 71 foot tower. You can have a splendid view from the top of the Chubara. The Madrasa of Mahamud Gawan is anoteh important building in Bidar.

Architecturally similar to the Madrasa at Fez, this university was once a renowned centre of learning, attracting scholars fro all over the Muslim world. The rock temple at Narasimha Zarni is also worth a visit. Situated in a big cave, the temple is carved into the plateau and to approach the deity, you'll have to wade through water.

While in Bidar, don't forget to visit Basavakalyan - 80 kms away. Earlier known as Kalyani, this was the capital of the later chalukayas in the 10th Century. Embracing a large area, this ancient town.. "Surpassed in beauty and splendour all other cities in the world". It became famous as a centre of wealth and prosperity, a seat of learning an abode of spiritual wisdom.

Even today, Basavakalyan is remembered for the saints who made this city their home - Basaveshwara, Akka-mahadevi, Channabasavanna and Siddharama.

Temples and mathas, mosques and durgahs, and a Fort constructed by the Chalukyas of Kalyana beckon the tourist at Basavakalyan.

Languages Spoken:
Kannada, Hindi, Urdu, English.

When to go there:
The best time to visit Bidar is between September to February

How to go there:
Road:
Bidari is connected by road to most places in south India. Some of these are: · Hyderabad (136 kms) · Bangalore (669 kms) · Bijapur (280 kms) · Basavakalyan (73 kms) KSRTC Buses ply from Bidar at Bangalore, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Raichur and Sholapur.

Rail:
Bidar is connected by rail with Bangalore, Bombay and Hyderabad.

Air:
The nearest airport is Hyderabad. (136 kms).

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Far from the din of the city, lies the calm and peaceful Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, the largest wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka.

Nestling some very rare animal and birds is an unspoilt, untouched and unexplored treasure of wildlife. Where you can race with the wind, trek down nature trails.

Hearken to the whisper in the air and see wonder in every tree in the awesome forest. Sight crocodiles basking in the sun and flocks of beautiful waterbirds as you float down the river Kali in a coracle.

Witness the miracle of a butterfly, a giant spider 's web or a blade of grass, each of which is an inscription of hope.

The Wild Population :

Sloth Bear, Bush Grail, Deer, Elephant, Sambar, Tiger, Gaur, Panther and Partridge are some of the many inhabitants of the sanctuary.

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252 kms from Bangalore and 1525 m above sea level lies Madikeri, the district headquarters of Kodagu. Coorg or Kodagu(originally called Kodaimalenadu) means 'dense forest on steep hill'. Dubbed as the Scotland of India, this town has a lot to offer to the tourist. Misty hills, lush forest, acres and acres of tea and coffee plantation, orange groves, undulating streets and breathtaking views are what make Madikeri an unforgettable holiday destination.

Madikeri Fort

This 19th century fort, in the centre of Madikeri, houses a temple, a chapel, prison and a small museum. The fort offers a beautiful view of Madikeri.

Raja's Seat
According to legend, the kings of Kodagu spent their evenings here. But what's unforgettable about Raja's seat is the spectacular sunset that one can enjoy from here

River Kaveri which is one of the 7 sacred rivers of Sapta Sindhus of the Hindu scriptures, originated at a place is called Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri hills, at about 4,500 ft above sea level.

There is a sacred spot called Iruppu in south Kodagu on the Brahmagiri range of hills. River Lakshmana-tirtha flows nearby. Legend says that Rama and Lakshmana, warrior Gods, passed this way while searching for Rama's concert, Sita. Rama asked Lakshmana to fetch some drinking water for him. Lakshmana shot an arrow into the Brahmagiri hills and brought into being river Lakshmanatirtha.

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The enchanting 247 square-mile park was originally designated as a game sanctuary. Nagarhole, in the Coffee land of Coorg was declared a National park in 1974. It has recently been renamed 'Rajiv Gandhi National Park.' Gentle slopes and shallow valleys surround it on all sides. Huge herds of Asian Elephants flock here together and it is blessed with wildlife abundance. You find a variety of trees and shrubs often making it a sanctuary for illegal timber traders. Among reptiles, the marsh crocodile, monitor lizard, rock python and several other species can be found. Aquatic and terrestrial tortoises, frogs, toads and tree frogs and a myriad insects, including some very colourful butterflies, adorn this lovely southern jungle of India.

Getting there:

Air: Nearest Airport is Bangalore.

Rail: Nearest rail junction is Mysore.

Road: 5hrs from Bangalore.

Accommodation:
The King's Sanctuary, Jungle Inn

Weather and Best Time To Visit:
Nagarahole National Park has a moderate climate, with 3 seasons;
Summer - March to May (33°C maximum)
Monsoon - June to September (1300mm - 1800 mm rainfall)
Winter - November to February (14° C minimum)

Best season to visit November- February