Goa Hampi Mysore Karnataka Tour Package

After breakfast morning at leisure. Proceed for half day tour of Goa, including Old Goa churches, Mangeshi Temple, Dona paula, Shopping in Pannjim and evening enjoy the activities on board the one hour cruise on mandovi river.

After breakfast proceed for Badami, enroute visit Belgaum Fort. Inside it are most famous Kamala Basti, the Jain Temple and the Jama Masjid. The Kapileshwar Temple, the Ananthashayana. No story of Belgaum is complete without a mention of Kittur RaniChennamma. One of India's first freedom fighters, the queen's heroic resistance is still commemorated locally-in song and story. Her statue stands sentinel over Belgaum at a prominent square. Step out of the Fort and you have a wide choice of temples and churches to visit. THE KAPILESHWARA TEMPLE said to be the oldest, the ANANTHASHAYANA TEMPLE , the MARUTI TEMPLE and the temples of Shiva, Vithoba, Dyamavva and Military Mahadeva. Belgaum also has some very impressive churches. ST. MARY'S CHURCH, ST. XAVIER'S CHURCH (the oldest), St.Anthony's Church, the Cathedral of our Lady and the Methodist church. Arrive Badami and overnight at the Hotel in Badami.

After breakfast proceed for Hospet, enroute visit the Famous which was the second capital of the mighty Chalukyans. It is a place, which hosted most of the important state functions at that time. Along with Badami and Aihole, Pattadakal is also a centre of Chalukyan architectural extravaganza.There are many temples here, mostly dating back to 6th and 7th centuries AD. Some of the important temples are of the Virupaksha Temple, Mallikarjuna Temple, and the Papanatha Temple. Later drive another 13 kms to visit AIHOLE. Along with Badami and Pattadakal, Aihole completes the third dimension of Chalukyan architectural centres. Situated some 129 km off Bijapur, the place had an important position during the rule of the Chalukyas. There are a number of richly carved Hindu temples constructed in the 6th and 7th centuries. Some of the important temples of Aihole are Lad Khan Temple, the Meguti Temple, and the Durga Temple. There is also a small museum run by the archaeological department that showcases objects found in Aihole, mostly of the Chalukyan era.. Arrive Hospet and overnight at the Hotel in Hospet.

After breakfast proceed for sightseeing of hampi, which is a world heritage site. The most important sites in Hampi are - the 15-metre QUEEN’S BATH, a square bath is encircled is enclosed with gallery, verandas and overhanging Rajasthani balconies. The minor waterfall inside the bath was once poured with cool, perfumed water that flowed out through an underground drain. Open to sky and carefully shielded on all sides, the bath was a celebration of relaxed and opulent life, which was also the leitmotif of Hampi. A World Heritage Site, the VITHALA TEMPLEislocated 2 km east of Hampi Bazaar. It was built in the 16th century and displays the architectural splendour acquired by the artisans of Vijayanagar Empire. There are beautiful carvings on the walls of the temple and its columns are so balanced that they have musical qualities. Located on a hill top, the RAGHUNATH TEMPLEis known for its Dravidian style, excellent views from the rock above at sunset, and tranquil environment. One of the oldest monuments in the town, this 15th-century VIRUPAKSHA TEMPLEis part of the Hampi Bazaar area. The principal deity is Virupaksha, one of the many forms of Lord Shiva. Rising to a height of 50 metres from the ground, the temple belongs to the later Vijayanagar period, though many shrines inside the temple are much older. Most of the stone carvings are larger than life in size, as for instance the Nandi on the eastern end and Ganesha on southern end. There is also a 6.7-metre-high image of Narasimha, the half-manand half-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu, as well as a huge lingam, the phallicsymbol of Lord Shiva with its base in water. Situated near the Vithala Temple, the KING’S BALANCE has a golden past. According to legend, this balance was used to weigh the rulers against gold, jewels, and food that were later distributed to the Brahmins.  ACHYUTRAYA TEMPLE is a large temple complex dedicated to Lord Vishnu, whose image has been shown in a reclining position on the coils of a snake (Sheshnag). The LOTUS MAHAL is an exquisite pavilion located in the walled area of zenana near Hazara Ram Temple. Overnight at the Hotel in Hospet

After breakfast proceed for Hassan enroute visit BELUR AND HALEBID, the ancient capital of the Hoysalas, formerly known as Dwarasamudram (Gateway to the seas). The temples of Halebid, like those at Belur, represent one of the most artistically exuberant periods of Hindu cultural development. One of the marvellous temples is the Shiva Temple. The core of this temple was nearly complete in 1142, but sculptural embellishments continued for another three generations, and the shrine remained incomplete, when the Khiljis in 1310 and the Tughlaqs in 1327, invaded and plundered the town. On the southern entrances of the temple, are two small Nandi shrines.These Nandis (bulls) are elaborately carved, sporting jewellery and garlands. There is something very natural and life like about these images. The quainthamlet of Belur is located on the banks of the river Yagachi, 18 kms from Halebid. Once the capital of the Hoysala empire, it still draws hordes of visitors, who cannot get enough of its fascinating temples. Belur presents to the visitor some of the best and most refined Hindu art and architecture. If finely detailed carving and sculptures that seem to live fascinate you, then prepare to be entranced at the Chennakesava Temple. The earrings on the lobes of the lovely dancers can rotate, and droplets bead the hair of some. It’s almost as if a whole living world froze as you entered,waiting to take up where they paused after you leave. Built in 1116 AD to the flute-playing, butter-stealing but incredibly wise incarnation of Vishnu, Lord Krishna, this temple proves the amount of importance art enjoyed under the Hoysala kings. They encouraged the practice of having artists actually sign their pieces.  What is remarkable about this shrine is its compact structure, and perfect proportions. The wealth of sculptured friezes is simply unbelievable, since from the base to the projected eaves, every inch of available wall surface is covered with the most exquisitely sculptured images. But the Hoysala sculpture reaches its apogee in sculptures of celestial maidens, carved with amarvellous plasticity of modeling. Arrive hassan and overnight at the Hotel in Hassan.

After breakfast proceed for Mysore, Enroute visit Sravanbelgola,50 kms from Hassan. The Monk of the White Pond or Shravanbelagola is the oldest and the most important pilgrimage centre for the Jains in the country. The town is famous for being the home to the world’s tallest monolithic, the Gommateshwara statute. The 17-metre-high statue representing the saintly prince Bahubali was erected some time between AD 980 and 983. To reach the site of the statue, which stands on the hill, you need to climb a flight of about 700 steps carved in the steep granite slope. Arrive Mysore and over night at the Hotel in Mysore.

After breakfast proceed for Bangalore airport / Railway Station for onward journey.