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KARNATAKA Extending
over 192000 sq. Km on the Western half of the Deccan Plateau
bounded by Andhra Pradesh in the east, Maharashtra in the
north and Tamil Nadu/Kerala on the south; Karnatka emerge
through the mists of antiquity. The historian is thrilled by
the array of dynasties that marched their armies to battle and
ruled over this land. It is here the skilled artists have
treated stone like ivory and executed filigree work of great
finesse.
It was to Sravanbelgola, Karnatka, in the 3rd century BC that
Chandragupta Maurya, India's first great emperor, retreated
after he had renounced worldly ways and embraced Jainism. Many
centuries later, the mighty 17 meter high statue of
Gomateshvaras, which celebrated its 1000th anniversary in
1981, was erected at Sravanbelgola. Fifteen hundred years ago
at Badami in the north of the state, the Chalukyan built some
of the earliest Hindu temples in India. All later south India
temple architecture stems from the Chalukyan designs at Badami.
Hampi is one of the most beautiful, extensive and fascinating
of India's ruined kingdoms.
The temples at Belur & Halebid are the masterpiece of most
artistically exuberant periods of Hindu culture development.
The city Palace of Mysore, the Brindavan Gardens, well laid
out garden city of Bangalore, the wildlife sanctuaries at
Nagerhole and Bandipur and rich spices and coffee plantation
areas are many other attractions.
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