Shravanabelagola -158 Kms. from Bangalore or 51 Kms. from Hassan, this is a main pilgrim centre of Jains. It has a 17 meters high monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali. The symmetry in stone was created around 983 AD by Chamundraya. Mahamastakabhisheka is a ceremony held once in every 12 years where the statue is anointed with milk, curds, ghee, saffron and gold coins. The next Mahamastakabhisheka is due in 2005.

Belur - 222 Kms. from Bangalore. This is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. The Chennakeshava Temple took 103 years to complete and deserves all admiration. The Veeranjaneya Temple and many other small temples are also beautiful.

Halebid - 216 Kms. from Bangalore. The Hoysaleswara Temple here is full of intricately carved sculptures. This temple is guarded by a Nandi Bull which is incomplete despite 86 years of work on it!

Hampi -353 Kms. from Bangalore. This was the old capital of Vijayanagar Kingdom on the bank of the river Tungabhadra. 6 Kms. from Hospet. Vast relics of the empire can be seen here. It tells the visitors about the glory that was the Vijayanagar empire. 6 Kms. from Hospet one can also find the Tungabhadra Dam.

Mysore -140 Kms. from Bangalore. This city was the capital of Wodeyars. Mysore is one of the most important as well as famous tourist centers of Karnataka. The Mysore Palace, Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, St. Philomena's Church, Mysore Zoo, Chamundi Hills, KRS Dam & Brindavan Gardens are a few places to see in Mysore. Srirangapatna, Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary, Melkote, Somanathapur, Talakad, Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve, Cauvery Fishing Camp, Nagarhole National Park, Biligiri Rangana Betta are a few places around Mysore worth visiting. Mysore has so much to offer to visitors that they can stay here for a week without having to spend a minute idle.

Srirangapatna - 123 Kms. from Bangalore on Mysore road. This historic place is surrounded by two branches of the Cauvery river. The Daria Doulat Bagh has a museum where some of Tippu's belongings are displayed. Tippu's Mausoleum and a large imposing mosque with tall minarets are also here. The town also has a Traveller's Bungalow for visitors.

Talakad -132 Kms. from Bangalore on Mysore Road. Adorning the left bank of the river Cauvery, this pilgrim centre is buried in sand. The Vaidyeshwara Temple built in Dravidian style is visible. It is known for Panchalinga Darshan once in 12 years.

Hogenakal -About 140 Kms. from Bangalore via Dharmpuri. This is a picturesque picnic spot. At several places from varying heights the Cauvery river falls here. These are also known as "Smoking Rocks" because of the mist.

Ranganthittu - 125 Kms. from Bangalore on Mysore Road. This sanctuary is home to exotic birds coming all the way from Siberia, Australia and North America. Stretching on both sides of river Cauvery, its home to birds, otters and crocodiles. Take a ride in a cane boat, to see them, accompanied by the open bill stork, the white ibis, egret, heron, partridge or cormorant, an endless variety of delightful birds.

Bandipur - 217 Kms. from Bangalore on the way to Ooty touching Mysore. Bandipur Sanctuary was set up by the Mysore Maharajas in 1931, at the foot of Nilgiri Hills. Travel into the forest, on well laid roads, to see elephants, barking deer, quail, wild dogs, sambar, hornbill, giant squirrels. Endless variety of flora and fauna flourish here, rosewood, teak, bamboo and sandal. Bandipur is a center for Project Tiger.

Nagarhole - 236 Kms. from Bangalore. In the Mysore and Kodagu districts is the Nagarhole National Park, getaway for nature lovers. If you want to tour Nagarhole in royal style, do it on elephant back. Jeeps and vans are also available. See the four horned antelope, warblers, spotted deer, panther, mouse deer, gaur and giant flying squirrel.

Chickmagalur - 251 Kms. from Bangalore. A town resting in Baba Budan Mountains. The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Kemmanagundi, Sringeri are a few tourist places near Chickmagalur.

Bhadra - 257 Kms. from Bangalore. Badhra Sanctuary is in Chickmaglur and Shimoga districts. The great Indian gaur, mongoose, barking deer, flying fox, elephant, panther, macaque, babbler, barbet, bluejay, kingfisher, robin and weaver bird can be seen here.

Kemmanagundi - 380 Kms. from Bangalore. Kemmanagundi, a hamlet, lies in the Tarikere taluk of Chickmaglur district. Situated on the Baba-Budan range at a height of 1434 meters, its quite and peaceful, amidst forests.

Shimoga - 273 Kms. South-West of Bangalore. This place was once the home of Keladi Nayakas. The fort, Church of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Government Museum are worth seeing. Gajanur, Tyaverekoppa, Agumbe, Jog Falls are scenic spots around Shimoga, well worth a visit.

Jog - 378 Kms. from Bangalore & 80 Kms. from Shimoga. Jog, a hamlet of Kargal village, is famous for its magnificent waterfalls. The Sharavathi River flowing over a rocky bed takes a spectacular leap from a height of 292 meters and divides into 4 smaller ones, Raja, Rani, Rocket and Roarer. Best time to visit this place is just after the monsoons during June-November.

Mangalore - 357 Kms. West of Bangalore lies the coast of Mangalore. The visiting places in Mangalore are St. Aloysius Chapel, Mangala Devi Temple, Ullal beach. Around Mangalore too, there are places to be seen, like Katil, Moodabidri, Karkala, Udupi, Malpe Beach, St. Mary's Island, Maravanthe and Kollur. Mangalore has lots of beautiful beaches and great scenic spots around.

Coorg - Cradled in the seductive charms of the Western Ghats, Coorg is one of the loveliest districts of Karnataka. It is a thick wooded region (altitude 823 - 2700 meters) with coffee plantations, orange groves and smiling rice fields.

Madikeri - 252 Kms. from Bangalore is this hill station of Madikeri, which is 1525 Kms. above sea level. It is called the Scotland of India, for its breathtaking scenic beauty. The Fort, Om Kareshwara Temple, Raja's seat are a few spots in Madikeri that deserve a visit. The Abbey Falls, Bhagamandala and Talacauvery lie around Madikeri are worth visiting.

Aihole - 483 Kms. from Bangalore. The earliest capital of Chalukyas(6th to 7th century A.D.), Aihole is a picturesque village, the cradle of Indian architecture, with over 100 temples. The oldest Lad Khan Temple dates back to the 5th century. The Durga Temple is also very famous.

Bijapur - 550 Kms. from Bangalore. Bijapur is best known for its Gol Gumbaz, the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah. The second largest dome in the world, 44 meters in diameter, it is a highly sensitive echo chamber where the tick of a clock held at one end can be heard at the opposite end, 125 feet away. The Ibrahim Roza in Bijapur is said to have inspired the Taj Mahal at Agra.

Karwar - 520 Kms. from Bangalore. Pristine white sands, palms lining the beaches. Karwar, a charming town, with glorious weather, has all the makings of a perfect holiday. There is a 300 years old Venkatarama Temple, the unique Octagonal Church… all sure to leave you with lingering memories.

Gokarna - 60 Kms. from Karwar by road. Literally meaning "Cow's Ear", this town is formed by the ear shaped confluence of two rivers. Gokarna is renowned for Atmalinga in an ancient temple which is also in the shape of a cow's ear. Legend has it that Ravana tried to pull it out after Lord Ganesh had permanently placed it there. He was sent there by his father Lord Shiva to prevent Ravana from taking it back to Lanka and enhancing his power. It is a Sanskrit learning center. Om beach, a paradise by the sea in the shape of an Om is also located here. Don't miss the sunsets here.

Murudeshwar - 16 Kms. from Bhatkal. This picturesque place has a gorgeous temple perched on a hillock by the shore. The temple which embodies a linga is believed to have erupted when Ravana flung the cloth covering the Atmalinga at Gokarna while lifting it. Bounded by the shimmering sea and rolling hills, this place is a favourite tourist spot.

Malpe - 6 Kms. from Udupi. An ideal picnic spot with its virgin beach. The endless stretch of golden sand, graciously swaying palm trees, the clear blue sky, gurgle of the sea… all set the perfect mood for an unforgettable holiday.

Dharmastala - 349 Kms. from Bangalore via Hassan. 60 Kms. from Mangalore. Dharmastala is a remarkable example of communal harmony. The Manjunatha Temple attracts thousands of people all through the year. Every person who come here, irrespective of caste or creed is welcomed and given a free meal. During the Laksha Deepotsava, the temple is illuminated with one lakh lamps.

Sringeri - This is a well known pilgrim center on the left bank of the River Tunga in Chickmagalur. Sri Adi Shankaracharya, the exponent of the Advaita philosophy, founded this monastery. There are 12 zodiac pillars in Vaidya Shankara Shrine which are arranged so that the rays of the sun fall on the pillar corresponding to the months. In front of the temple are stone lions, with stone spheres inside their mouths that can be rotated.