Historically High – North Karnataka

As you make your journey through the land, the vast expanse of open fields, the black soil underneath punctuated with sunflower and maize fields across, and the rustic and earthy feel in the air, is an experience that’s reminiscent of our roots.

    This is North Karnataka – a land which gave us women fighters like ‘Onake’ Obavva and Kittur Rani Chennamma from the pre-Independence days, and where social revolutionaries like Basavanna& Santa ShishunalaShareef tried to cleanse many of the social stigmas with their ways and preaching. Indeed, it is a land with rich culture and heritage.Today, it is fast emerging as a tourist destination as well with many historical destinations spread across this region. Let’s take a quick tour of some of the places that you could visit in North Karnataka.

Badami, Bagalkot:-
Formerly known as Vatapi, Badamiwas the capital city of the Chalukyas who ruled from 540 to 757 AD. It houses the cave temple and other structures in the ravine at the foot of a rugged, red sandstone outcrop that surrounds Agastyalake.It is also the melting point of Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Hinduism, Jainism and a little extent Buddhism. The most famous sculpture is the 18 handed Nataraja displaying 81 different forms.

GolGumbaz, Bijapur:-
GolGumbaz, the mausoleum of Muhammad Adil Shah (AD 1626 –56), is one of the most famous places drawing thousands of tourists every year. The main attraction is the inner periphery of the dome. This gallery is called the ‘Whispering Gallery’, because even the finest whisper or sound made in it is heard from side to side and even a single loud clap is distinctly echoed over ten times. This is an important monument depicting the Indo- Islamic architecture.

BanashankariAmma Temple:-
Located at Cholachagudd near Badami, in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, BanashankariAmma temple is dedicated to the Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. It was originally built by Chalukyas during the 7th century as it was their family diety. Later it was renovated by the Marathas in the 18th century. Every year the BanashankariRathYatra is held on the full moon day in January attracting a huge number of devotees including from the neighbouring states.

Kudalasangama:-
Kudalasangama is the place where social reformer Guru Basavanna’s Samadhi is located who is the founder of Lingayat faith. It is an important center of pilgrimage for people of the Lingayat faith. There are several temples around Kudalasangama and attracts visitors for reasons like touristry, faith, architecture etc.

So, a visit to North Karnataka should be certainly on your cards.