Destination Insider

Come explore with us

November 2014

Karnataka

Content

From the Explorer’s Desk

4The Toy City of Channapatna

5

Tabla Session in Mysore

6The ruins of Hampi

7

The Appealing Bijapur 8

Mumbai by Dawn and the Worli Koliwada Walk

9Photo Gallery

3

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Dear Partners

In this Destination Insider, we will help you discover a part of the country which has many varied splendors to offer! If you are looking for variety during your trip, Karnataka is just the getaway for you.

The green environment of southern Karnataka is in complete contrast with the landscape of the giant granite boulders at Hampi and the treeless extensive plateau landscape of Bijapur and Gulbarga. The scenic diversity is striking but equally varied are its historical monuments. Karnataka is home to some of the most powerfulempires of ancient and medieval India: the Vijanayagar, the Hoysala and the Chalukya. Each of them have built some of the most impressive temples in the country. You will be amazed by the World Heritage listed monuments of Hampi and Pattadakal, their most beautiful testimony. The more adventurous ones can even continue towards the north and discover the gems of the former Deccan Sultanates of Bijaipur, Bidar and Gulbarga.

Even though Karnataka still has some stretches of uneven network while travelling from one city to the next, the overall state has improved in terms of the roads. Moreover, not frequented by many tourists, I guarantee you that it is well worth travelling to the former State of Mysore, one of my favorite parts of India!

“One state, many worlds” - here's a motto that matches so well with the entire region.

Have a nice trip!

The five highlights of this tour would be:

The Toy City of ChannapatnaTabla Session in MysoreThe ruins of HampiThe Appealing BijapurMumbai by Dawn and the Worli Koliwada Walk

These are just some extracts from my detailed travel report,for the entire report you can write to me at

Until next time.

Jean-Noel Esteve

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jean.esteve@sita.in

From the Explorer’s Desk

India has this unique capacity to constantly surprise the traveller with its unpredictable features. Channapatna lives up to this. It is a village situated on the way from Bengaluru to Mysore. None of the travellers used to stop here but if you look carefully, this atypical village is locally famous for wooden toys and lacquer ware. As you enter the town, you will find shops (on both sides) displaying colourful wooden toys: wooden rocking horses, figurines of various Gods and Goddesses, spinning-tops, animals and even model trains. There is a very interesting story behind it: it is said that the art of making wooden toys dates backs to Tipu Sultan's rule, who ruled Mysore during the 18th century. The King invited Persian artisans to train the locals in the art of making of wooden toys. Even Michelle Obama bought some to take back to the White House. So do not hesitate to propose this stop, it will give your clients a good opportunity to buy local toys and simultaneously support the local community.

The Toy City of Channapatna

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I had a chance to attend a unique and unforgettable Tabla session. Famous for its artists, the capital of the former “Kingdom of Mysore,” is a good place to propose such an activity. Besides, we have very creative friends there, who propose interesting tours –not only the table session but cycling and walking tours. Seeing artists playing the Tabla is a real delight for the ears and a challenge for the eyes, as it is difficult to believe how fast their fingers can go. So, while in Mysore, we can propose the clients to attend this one hour introduction to the great musical instrument in a local artist's home (Midlin), who has been playing Tabla for about 20 years now. He will showcase a bit of his skills and then will teach you the basics.... and who knows, maybe you can be the next Zakir Hussain? Definitely an authentic and a unique session which will permit you to propose Mysore from a different perspective.

Tabla Session in Mysore

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Listed as UNESCO's World Heritage Site, Hampi, once the capital of the Hindu Empire Vijayanagara, is a wonderful open museum of history, architecture and religion. It is bound to amaze you. Spread over an area of more than 25 square kilometres (10 square miles), Hampi ruins are packed with giant temples, palaces, market streets, aquatic structures, fortifications and an abundance of other ancient monuments along with giant boulder strewn hills. Lost in the centre of Karnataka, the remoteness of Hampi offers a peaceful and unique ambience which is still unspoiled by mass tourism. I have been travelling in India for more than 10 years and without a shadow of a doubt, Hampi is one of my favourite places.

The ruins of Hampi

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Typically the kind of, off the beaten track stop-over which is easy to include in a classic itinerary for the ones who are ready to sacrifice their comfort in terms of accommodation. Connectivity is excellent, location is good (4 hours from Hampi, 3 hours from Badami), a place of major historical interest, Bijapur is an excellent idea if you want to propose something different. You would have to be careful regarding the accommodation and inform the client well in advance about the not so good quality. Because of this, Bijapur can't be proposed to everyone. But from an historical and architectural point of view, the relevance of Bijapur is indisputable because of two unique sites; Golgumbaz and Ibrahim Rouza. Besides, the warm welcome of the inhabitants gives prominence to the city…one of my best souvenir, the interaction with the people.

The Appealing Bijapur

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Besides the historical sites, if you want to spice up your clients stay in Mumbai,propose a deeper look at today's Mumbai, these two excursion are exactly what you need. Nurtured with local insights and innovations, they showcase unique sights and sounds to the traveler, who is looking at doing something beyond the ordinary. These are not just tours, but an experience, where the hero is the inimitable culture, the people and the unexplored yet distinct history. For “Mumbai by dawn,” I got up at the crack of dawn for an exclusive peek into the underbelly of the city and insights into what makes this magnificent city tick. It made me a part of the very active Mumbai before the locals get up from their bed. The Worli Koliwada Walk is another immersion but in an 800 year old fishing village - situated in the north of the city, it is a poignant reminder of the historical evolution of Mumbai that started with the Kolis. These experiences, made my stay in Mumbai extraordinary and everlasting.

“Mumbai by Dawn” and the“Worli Koliwada Walk”

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Photo Gallery

Badami

Durga Temple-Aihole

A student-Sri Rangapatnam

Chennakesava Temple-Belur

Hoysalesvara Temple Halebid

Shiva chest - Elephanta Caves

Devaraja Market - Mysore

Ibrahim Rouza-Bijapur

Somnathpur - Master piece of theHoysala architecture

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Note: These images are part of Sita’s photo bank and have a copyright.In case you would like to use the images, please write to us at jean.esteve@sita.in