Three Major Indian Cliamte Seasons - Summer, Winter, Monsoons

Karnataka

Indian Arts & Culture State Capital Bangalore Population('000s in 1991) 44,977 Area('000 sq. km) 192 Females per 1000 males (1991) 960 Literacy rate (1991) 56 Ratio of urban population (1991) 30.9 Net Domestic Product(Rs. million at current prices in 1992-93) 291,220 Per Capita Income(Rs. at current prices in 1992-93) 6,313 Principal Languages Kannada

The state of Karnataka, formerly known as Mysore, is a state of dramatic contrasts, with the modern, industrialised city of Bangalore on one extreme, and huge expanses of rural farming areas on the other. Karnataka also has some of the most fascinating ancient architecture in India. The state lies to the south of Goa and Maharashtra, to the west of Andhra Pradesh, to the north west of Tamil Nadu and to the north of Kerala. It has a sprawling sea coast of nearly 260 kilometres. Major parts of the State lie in the Deccan plateau, mostly in the rain-shadow areas.

Karnataka has a written history of more than 2000 years. The state was ruled by great dynasties like the Mauryas, Nandas, Chalukyas, Pallavas and Hoysalas. Fifteen hundred years ago at Badami, in the north of the state, the Chalukyas built some of the earliest Hindu temples in India. All later south Indian temple architecture stems from the Chalukyan designs and the Pallava temples at Kanchipuram. The Hoysalas also left vivid evidence of their era in the form of beautiful temples at Somnathpur, Belur and Halebid.

The Hindu kingdom of Vijaynagar was founded in 1336, with its capital at Hampi. This city is easily one of the most beautiful, extensive and fascinating cities of India's ruined kingdoms. Vijaynagar reached its peak in the early 1550s, but in 1565 fell to the Deccan Sultanates, when Bijapur gained importance as the capital of this kingdom. Today, Bijapur is a small city surrounded by an imposing wall, and packed with an impressive collection of mosques and other reminders of its glorious past.

Tourist attractions in the State include various parks in Bangalore; the former princely capital Mysore with the famous Brindavan Gardens and Mysore Palace, the 57 feet statue of Gomateshwara at Sharavanabelagola; Belur, Halebid and Somnathpura with the famous Hoysala monuments; Badami, Aihole and Pattadkal with 1300 year old rock-cut temples; the city of Hampi famous for its open air museum; Gulbarga, Bidar and Bijapur, renowned for their Indo-Saracenic monuments; Mangalore and Karwar for ports and beaches; Gokarna, Udupi, Dharamsthala, Melkote and Saundatti for famous pilgrimage centres; and Bandipur as well as Nagarhole for wildlife sanctuaries.