Situated on the western coast of South India, Karnataka offers a rich and varied fare to the tourist. Age old monuments lie scattered throughout the state making it a paradise for the cultural tourist, while the garden city of Bangalore, and Mysore the capital of the erstwhile Maharajas- wildlife sanctuaries and the magnificent scenic beauty of Sivasmudram, Kemmangundi and Mercara provide enormous variety making the state a truly fascinating and rewarding destination.
The history of Karnataka comes vividly into focus starting with the reign of Chandragupta Maurya (321-297 B.C.), who is said to have spent his last years at Sravanabelagola. Stone edicts, bearing his grandson Emperor Ashoka’s Buddhist belief, can be seen at Raichur and Chitradrga. The Satavahanas too after the Mauryas, set up Buddhist stupas and viharas during the 1st Century B.C Later, the colossal statue of Lord Gomateshvara and the Jain temple were built around the 11th and the 14th centuries were architectural masters and are famous for what might be called their architectural gems at Somnathpur, Belur and Halebid. The Vijaynagar Empire with its capital at Hampi was founded in 1336. It has also left its mark in the embellishment of older temples and the building of new ones. Striding through history came Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, who ruled the erstwhile state of Mysore from Srirangapatnam until the return of the Wodeyar dynasty that steered Karnataka into the 20th century.