Why You Should Visit Karnataka India

If you haven’t already taken a look at our India Overall post, read that first. It will give you so many tips and tricks to prepare for your trip. Here we will dive into the specific region of Karnataka to give our recommendations on this beautiful state in southern India. Glad you are interested in why you should visit Karnataka India! 

Located in southwestern India, Karnataka is the 8th largest state by population in India. The capital city of Bengaluru is quickly becoming a tech hub bringing many companies and tech jobs to the area. The language spoken in Karnataka is Kannada, spoken by 44 million native speakers and 15 million second or third language speakers. The language is 1,200 years old! 

The weather in Karnataka is very pleasant. Never freezing, this place stays warm year round only dipping to single digits Celsius (above freezing) in winter. There are three main regions that experience different weather and different rainfall throughout the year. The coastal area receives the majority of the monsoon rains. The hilly region on the edge of the Western Ghats receives slightly less rainfall but it is strikingly beautiful. And finally the largest region is on the arid plains of the Deccan Plateau making it very dry. 

Bengaluru / Bangalore 

As the tech capital of India, a “Silicon Valley”, Bengaluru has exploded in size recently. With over 11 million people, the city at some points feels crowded with lots of traffic but there was a quietness to the parks and sidewalks that didn’t feel hectic at all. Tech companies started coming to Bengaluru in the 1980’s with Texas Instruments being the first. However now almost all major brands have an IT or tech center here. This employment opportunity has been drawing so many young people from the countryside for a good education and a better job. You can feel the tech vibe as the gorgeous buildings line the major highways. 

Also the really fun restaurants, bars and cafes that have popped up around the tech centers make it feel like a really modern city. We were impressed with the variety of food options from sushi to burgers to pizza and of course Indian food. Take a stroll down Brigade Street just south of Mahatma Gandhi Road. Here you’ll find shopping for every brand name like Birkenstocks, ASIC, Adidas, United Colors of Bennaton, Samsung and Starbucks. Take a turn down Church Street for less traffic noise (the honking is out of control) and for cuter restaurants and coffee shops. We’d recommend Foo restaurant on Brigade Road for Pan Asian food or Ebony for northern Indian on the 13th floor with a nice view. This area also hosts many craft breweries where you’ll see a ton of tech workers having a pint after work. 

If you enjoy a good park, Bengaluru has some amazing green spaces. Most of them were built over 100 years ago so the growth of the trees is incredible. Lalbagh Botanical Garden is nice to walk around and has that old world charm, Sri Chamarajendra Park is miles of green space right downtown near the government buildings, and Ulsoor Lake is a breath of fresh air from the congestion of the city. 

If you want more shopping, stop by Commercial Street for more deals, jewelry stores and local dresses. Just a few streets away is Russel Market which is more of a wholesale market but still fun to walk around and see the vendors selling flowers, fruits, and vegetables. 

As for where to stay, the city has all levels of accommodations from The Ritz Carlton to budget hotels. If you’re looking for an adorable quiet retreat for the hustle and bustle but within walking distance from the action, we’d recommend Casa Cottage. This adorable hotel is more like a home stay with basic necessities in a green garden like setting. Their open air dining space for breakfast made for a great start to the day! Not only the people who run it, but also the people we met staying there, were all so lovely.

Mysuru / Mysore 

Just 3 hours southwest of Bengaluru is the city of gardens, the city of palaces, Mysuru/Mysore. With a population of just 1 million people and no high rises, it feels like a refreshing treat after the big city. The area is very lush and green, with high humidity most of the year. Mysuru is known for their fabulous silks and sandalwood which you can find sold all over the city. On your way, stop at the island between two rivers called Srirangapatna. The fort and Summer Palace were built by Tipu Sultan in the 1780s. Tipu Sultan fought 4 wars against the British in this area. After his defeat, the British kept the Summer Palace intact (which you can still see today) with every inch of this place covered in beautiful paintings. Unfortunately Tipu’s palace where he lived inside the fort was destroyed while they were trying to find his wealth after killing him. You can see just the foundation and part of a few walls here today. However, from his old palace, make sure to take a walk down to the river. Here you will see locals participating in burial and celebration rituals. Many people will bathe or lounge in the water as well. It’s quite the community hot spot and a good display of the Hindu traditions and rituals. 

The island also has an amazing bird sanctuary, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, where you can see many different types of birds. This happens to be a migratory breeding ground for pelicans, little cormorants, egret, and herons. They all live in harmony with the crocodiles. Your entrance fee will get you a 20 minute boat ride to see more of the wildlife up close. 

For lunch, we recommend a stop at Amblee Holiday Resort for a nice meal on the river at a good price. The food was delicious and it was pleasant sitting by the river with a cool breeze. 

The city is called the city of palaces as there are 7 palaces owned by the old royal family. Only one is open to the public now but it is stunning. Mysore Palace is a definite must see. The tile work and coloring are outstanding. The ornate chandeliers, stained glass, and wooden carved doors are just so intricate and pretty. Do be warned that you will need to take off your shoes to walk through the palace and our feet did get a little dirty. Pro tip: the palace is lit up every Sunday from 7-8 pm and on special holidays/festivals. This is a must see as it shines so bright! Fun fact, although the royal family doesn’t rule today in a traditional sense, the current king and his family still live here at Mysore Palace. The royal family has been very beloved as they treated their people well throughout history. The current king participates in ceremonies, is involved in politics and is well respected. 

Do check when you plan to come as a yearly 10 day festival held in October will draw people from all over Karnataka. This festival makes prices of accommodations skyrocket and travel will become difficult during this time. However the festival is complete with processions of the king and royals on elephants, festivals with dancing and flowers, carnivals with games and rides, and is held on the palace grounds each year. People come from all over the province to celebrate. It’s a wild and fun party. 

Just down the road is Devaraja Market. This market was originally built over 100 years ago by the king to make sure the farmers had shade while selling their goods instead of roasting in the hot sun. Although the government now runs the market, they continue to keep rent so low to provide their own people a stable way to make an income. Walking through here feels like walking back in time with all the old stalls. There are three sections: a fruit section, flower section and vegetable section. With over 700 vendors who sell everything from fresh coconuts to ridged gourds, make sure to take time exploring it all. Afterwards, cross the street to Indra Cafe Paras for a quick snack. A coffee/tea, a Mysore Pak (shortbread like cookie made from gram flour and sugar so it’s gluten free), and a masala dosa make the perfect snack! 

Make a drive up Chamundi Hill to experience a Hindu temple with the locals. When Chamundeshwari Temple was originally built in the 12th century, there was no road leading to the temple. Instead there was a 1,000 step staircase installed in which worshippers would walk up the stairs marking each step with colorful chalk. Worshipers still do this as a way to pay penance. There is now a road and parking lot at the top for those who wish to drive up. Come on a Sunday, if you are able, to experience the thriving scene. Worshipers offer fruits, flowers, and incense. Coconuts are smashed, music is played, people are excited. It’s quite busy and hectic but it’s a fun way to be a part of the energy. The lines to go inside are very long on the weekend, sometimes hours long, so you may want to skip going inside or come on a weekday when there aren’t so many visitors. Pro tip: if you want to experience some of the culture without having to walk up the 1,000 steps, drive to the top, walk down about 500 steps to the Nandi Statue which is a bull carved from the rock of the hill. That way you get part of the experience without having to get super sweaty from going uphill.

A few more restaurant recommendations that we enjoyed: New Mysore Refreshments for the masala dosa and dal fry. It has a drive up service where they can serve you in your car but their open air seating is very nice. Om Shanthi Restaurant has an excellent and adorable South Indian Thali – set lunch menu with small bowls of curries, rice, crackers, bread, and sweets. 

Mysore is known for silk and sandalwood. It is said that almost 50% of India’s mulberry silk production comes from Mysore. There are many beautiful stores where you can buy silk scarves, silk clothing, and even bring home a gorgeous silk saree. Sandalwood is also grown here. You can buy statues, tables, decorations all made from the wonderful smelling sandalwood. There are many soaps, perfumes and incense you can purchase. 

Nagarahole Tiger Reserve

India has many tiger reserves that protect and provide land for tigers in their natural habitat. At Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, you can see a wide variety of animals including: tigers, leopards, wild boar, Indian buffalo, monkeys, giant squirrel, mongoose, deer, many birds, and so much more. Take a jeep safari ride either from 6-9am or 3-6pm to see the best wildlife. We really enjoyed the experience because although you are able to see the animals fairly close, the nature reserve does an amazing job to make sure they remain wild by not feeding, enticing or interfering with the animals. We definitely recommend you make a stop here if you enjoy nature and animals. There are options for a boat safari on the river as well. We were not able to see as many animals but we did see a crocodile, river otters, Indian eagles and many other birds. 

There are many eco-friendly lodges in the area where you can stay close to the forest preserve. For a luxury experience, we recommend Kaav Lodge for an intimate setting as there are less than 10 rooms on site or The Serai Kabini which is larger and on the water. Most provide a meal package with the room so three meals a day are delicious and so fun to eat out with nature. 

Hampi 

The other popular destination in Karnataka is Hampi. Here you will find an amazing UNESCO World Heritage site that shows the vast expanse of ruins showcasing the grandness of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1300-1550 AD. As a sacred place, it became the capital of the area for many years. In modern times, archeologists have unearthed palaces, temples, water systems and other infrastructure. These elaborate ruins are vast. We’d recommend 2-3 days to explore as it’s the largest complex of ruins in India! Be prepared to be amazed by the magnificent stone chariot standing in the Vijaya Vithala Temple courtyard or marvel at the 500 ancient monuments, beautiful temples, bustling street markets, bastions, treasury building and captivating remains. It’s truly a unique place. While talking to tourists and travelers, many return multiple times to this location so it’s a must see for sure! 

Overall we really enjoyed Karnataka. We enjoy old cities and really liked Mysore and to be honest even Bengaluru. They both felt very real and very welcoming. Also the nature in Karnataka is amazing. We’d recommend you go on a safari in at least one of the many Tiger Reserves in India to see amazing animals!