Karnataka, the sixth largest state in India, has been ranked as the third most popular state in the country for tourism in 2014.
It is home to 507 of the 3600 centrally protected monuments in India, second only to Uttar Pradesh. The State Directorate of Archaeology and Museums protects an additional 752 monuments and another 25,000 monuments are yet to receive protection.
Mahamastakabhisheka of Gommateshwara statue (the largest ancient monolithic statue in the world), at Shravanabelagola
Virupaksha Temple Hampi
Distance from major cities of Karnataka to North Karnataka
Gol Gumbaz Bijapur
Badami, formerly known as Vātāpi, is a town and headquarters of a taluk by the same name, in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. It was the regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas from 540 to 757. It is famous for its rock cut monuments such as the Badami cave temples, as well as the structural temples such as the Bhutanatha temples, Badami Shivalaya and Jambulingesvara Temple. It is located in a ravine at the foot of a rugged, red sandstone outcrop that surrounds Agastya lake.
Badami Cave Temples
Old Kannada inscription of Chalukya King Mangalesha dated 578 CE at Badami cave temple no.3
Agastya lake
Yellamma temple at Badami, early phase construction, 11th century