Karnataka - One State Many Worlds

It is widely known and believed that India is a land of history, culture, traditions, et al. It is true and indeed India is a land of incredible geographic as well as demographic attraction and that is why history as a subject has always fascinated scholars in India and abroad alike. The multi lingual states and secular approach to accommodate every religion and all the believers of the religions and the dynamic culture and the cultural differences all propagate in this country of several origins. India can well be a land of charmers and affluent and destitute all at the same time. The reason why I am accentuating the fact of India's rich heritage and history is because one of its own states is noteworthy of its verdant history, culture, and of late, development in the IT sector.

Karnataka is a state which has attracted students, industrialists, tourists, artists and scholars from every field from the turn of the last century. It has also given birth to prominent personalities in the past and has seen the rise of several film stars and sports stars of late. The northern districts of Karnataka have attracted a lot of tourists ever since the rule of the Chalukyas and the Hindu kingdoms of Vijayanagra and the Muslim invasion saw the construction of more forts and buildings in the city-states. The architectural sites and temples of these districts were truly built in the Dravidian designs and have stood attractive and beautiful for anybody to admire them notwithstanding the demography. Some of the noteworthy designs would include the temples at Hampi like the Vithala temple, the Virupaksha Temple, the Stone Chariots….The districts of Badami, Belgaum, Bellary still house the caves and temples built in the eras of the Deccan rulers. To the south, there is Mysore, once the capital of the state and the kingdom under Tipu Sultan. The Sultanate of Mysore and the neighboring areas have seen a lot of tourists because of the magnificent buildings and the architectural layout of the townships.

The state also boasts of wildlife and natural beauties. The wildlife parks at Bandipur and Bhadra are the most sought after destinations for the nature and wildlife lovers. The district of Shimoga has the famous Jog Falls and also hill-stations that are frequented by tourists all round the year. There are other favorites that would include Chikmaglur and Coorg where one is greeted with the endearing weather and the fascinating sceneries. To the west, Karwar is a place surrounded by the Western Ghats and has rich flora and fauna. Mangalore is another district to the west that is by the Arabian Sea. Bound by the Western Ghats and the commercial town to the west coast, Mangalore has a lot of tourist attractions including beaches and a little distant from it is the Manipal study centers (another hot spot for students).

However, the British invasion had brought about a lot of architectural changes and beautiful buildings that still stand in the cities of Mangalore and Bangalore today. There were cantonments that the British built and enjoyed their Raj to the utmost. Fortunately, the good hands of the state politicians have not destroyed these and they enrich the charm and beauty of the cities. I have lived in the tech-city and the capital for over five years now and have visited quite a few of the districts mentioned above. But if I were to pick or choose the best tourist destination from among those, I wouldn’t be able to do so. I would frankly say that the capital city has almost everything that is architectural genius, monumental, scenic or even modern and hi-tech. There are markets for the poor, shopping malls and destinations for the affluent. There are transport services connecting every part of the city and add to it the construction of the metro-rails now. The city has seen the rise of the IT Sector and can be credited with the title of Silicon Valley in India. The boom in the IT market, the software companies making the city their base and the investments from foreign companies have also contributed to the national GDP immensely. The city has one of the largest number of pubs, one of the largest Universities in the world and the largest number of engineering colleges in the country. Bangalore also ranked highest in the number of smokers and the count of two-wheelers. These have added to the woos of the city’s climatic conditions which may not live up to it being named the Garden City due to the lush green parks and gardens in several housing areas of the city.

There is the magnificent and beautiful Vidhan Soudha which is the legislative house and was built to symbolize the sovereignty of the people of the state. It is well protected from the public and tourists but since it lies in the heart of the city, is easily noticeable even while touring the city on a bus or in a car. The Lal Bagh Garden is famous for its collection of flowers and plants of botanical interests. The ISKCON Temple, Yashwantpur is a must-see for every tourist and promoted by all tour guides along with the Big Banyan Tree that is a few hundred years old. Travel a little away from the city and we have the Nandi Hills, the Banerghatta National park, the Wonder La. These are frequent weekend getaways for busy employees and students alike. The new Bangalore International Airport too is an attractive state-of-the art building and has garnered in appreciation and admiration from travelers as well as locals.

I wouldn’t think twice calling Bangalore my favorite city not only because of the fact that I have lived here for so long but also because it has never been boring here. The city has taught me lessons that have made huge impacts in my life. I came across people who can never be forgotten. The busy shopping streets at Malleshwaram and the early morning teas at Shivaji Nagar are the highlights of my early life. While the late night hang-outs and shopping at Brigade Road and Koramangla have been exciting, the dinners at Church Street and Punjabi Dhaba have been fabulous. Though I may or may not be able to display the city in its greatest picture, I believe the city will always have tourists and invite people from every part of the country to shift base here. It may not be in the best interest of the state and its people, but the sate of Karnataka is a land of elephants, pillars, jog falls, technology, temples, coffee plantations, and beautiful people making it more and more attractive.

 

I choose to write this article on the occasion of Kannada rajyotsava knowing it is the time to celebrate the state's formation and commemorate its rich culture, history and beauty.