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Head Office Address: Commissioner's Office

Department of Tourism 5th Floor, Indhana Bhavan, Race Course Road,

Bengaluru-560 009, Karnataka, India

☎ +91-80-2235-2828

[email protected]

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Heritage, History and Culture

Explore majestic ruins, tales, and the timeless soul of Karnataka

INTEREST

Every stone, every ruin in Karnataka speaks a story – of kings, warriors and its glorious history. Discover grander palaces, historic ruins and breathing traditions across its rich landscape.

Step into Karnataka’s Living Legacy

From ancient dynasties and sacred shrines to royal palaces and age-old forts, Karnataka’s heritage is woven through time like the intricate carvings on its temples. The state is a cradle of architectural brilliance, housing three UNESCO World Heritage Sites—Hampi, Pattadakal, and the Western Chalukya temples of Badami, Aihole, and Halebeedu. Each stone here tells stories of empires, trade, devotion, and art.

Travelers can lose themselves in the grandeur of Mysuru Palace, explore the dramatic ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire at Hampi, or marvel at the symmetry of Hoysala temple architecture in Belur and Halebeedu. Sacred sites like Sringeri and Shravanabelagola echo spiritual philosophies that shaped India’s past.

Karnataka doesn’t just preserve history—it celebrates it. Through festivals, restored heritage trails, and immersive storytelling, it invites every visitor to become part of its enduring saga. Whether you’re a history buff, culture lover, or spiritual seeker, Karnataka offers a journey that connects you to India’s magnificent legacy.

Popular Heritage Experiences

Sagara

Temples, Forts, and Misty Hills ...

Barkur

A Forgotten Port with a Royal Past ...

Magadi

The Land of Kempegowda’s Legacy ...

Harihara

The Twin-Culture City by the Tungabhadra ...

Nanjangudu

A Sacred Town on the Banks of Kabini Nanjangud, often called Dakshina Kashi, is steeped in spiritual...

Keladi

A quiet dynasty remembered in stone Tucked away in the lush greenery of the Western Ghats, Keladi wa...

Basavakalyana

Historic seat of social reform and royal power ...

Talakadu

Sand-covered secrets of a lost kingdom On the banks of the River Cauvery lies Talakad, a mysterious ...

Sagara

Temples, Forts, and Misty Hills ...

Barkur

A Forgotten Port with a Royal Past ...

Magadi

The Land of Kempegowda’s Legacy ...

Harihara

The Twin-Culture City by the Tungabhadra ...

Nanjangudu

A Sacred Town on the Banks of Kabini Nanjangud, often called Dakshina Kashi, is steeped in spiritual...

Keladi

A quiet dynasty remembered in stone Tucked away in the lush greenery of the Western Ghats, Keladi wa...

Basavakalyana

Historic seat of social reform and royal power ...

Talakadu

Sand-covered secrets of a lost kingdom On the banks of the River Cauvery lies Talakad, a mysterious ...

Popular Historical Experiences

Mirjan Fort

Coastal fortress with lush green vistas ...

Gajendragad Fort

Historical fort atop scenic hills ...

Bidar Fort

Majestic Bahmani fort with royal palaces ...

Manjarabad Fort

An iconic landmark and one of the most sought places to see in Karnataka is Manjarabad Fort. A star-...

Jamalabad Fort

Formerly known as Narasimha Angadi, Jamalabad in Belthangady taluk of South Canara district is famou...

Kavaledurga Fort

Kavaledurga is a fort resting on the top of a hill amidst a dense forest and it requires a trek of a...

Kalaburagi Fort

Said to have originally been built by Raja Gulchand of Warangal, Gulbarga Fort was later strengthene...

Bellary Fort

Historic stronghold atop Ballari Gudda hill ...

Mirjan Fort

Coastal fortress with lush green vistas ...

Gajendragad Fort

Historical fort atop scenic hills ...

Bidar Fort

Majestic Bahmani fort with royal palaces ...

Manjarabad Fort

An iconic landmark and one of the most sought places to see in Karnataka is Manjarabad Fort. A star-...

Jamalabad Fort

Formerly known as Narasimha Angadi, Jamalabad in Belthangady taluk of South Canara district is famou...

Kavaledurga Fort

Kavaledurga is a fort resting on the top of a hill amidst a dense forest and it requires a trek of a...

Kalaburagi Fort

Said to have originally been built by Raja Gulchand of Warangal, Gulbarga Fort was later strengthene...

Bellary Fort

Historic stronghold atop Ballari Gudda hill ...

Popular Cultural Experiences

Vara Mahalakshmi Vrata

Women’s festival for prosperity blessing ...

Vitla Pindi

Thrilling Krishna butter pot smashing festival ...

Nagamandala

Serpent worship folk dance ritual ...

Kambala

Buffalo racing traditional folk sport ...

Shravana belagola MahaMastakabhisheka

Monumental Jain idol anointing ceremony ...

Vairamudi Festival

Royal diamond crown deity procession ...

Bengaluru Karaga

Ancient folk festival celebrating Draupadi ...

Basavanagudi Kadalekai Parishe

Annual groundnut fair with rituals ...

Gowri Habba

Festival honoring Goddess Gowri ...

Gombe Habba

Gombe Habba or festival of dolls is celebrated by enthusiastic individuals during Dasara/Navaratri e...

Lalita Nritya

Graceful classical temple storytelling dance ...

Kombat (Deer Horn Dance)

Martial folk art with deer horns ...

Bhootha Aradhane

Ritual dance invoking spirits’ blessings. ...

Gaarudi Gombe

Vibrant parade of giant puppets ...

Veeragase

Intense Shaivite martial folk dance ...

Rangoli Metro Art Center, Bengaluru

An Urban Canvas for Art, Culture, and Community ...

Ravindra Kalakshetra, Bengaluru

A Stage Dedicated to the Spirit of Kannada Art and Culture ...

Ranga Shankara, Bengaluru

The Stage Where Theatre Lives Every Day ...

Utsav Rock Garden, Haveri District

An Open-Air Museum ...

Jaganmohan Palace Art Gallery and Auditorium, Mysuru

A Royal Palace Turned Treasure House of Art ...

Yakshagana

Coastal Karnataka’s signature folk dance performance Yakshagana is a traditional folk dance form pop...

Kamsale Nrutya

Kamsale Dance is a popular folk dance form in Mysuru Karnataka region. (Mysuru, Chamarajanagara and ...

Gombe Aata

Gombe Aata (play of dolls or Puppet show) is a unique form of art found in Karnataka. Gombe Aata inv...

Huli Vesha

Huli Vesha (Tiger Dance) Huli Vesha or Tiger faced dance is a dance form unique to coastal Karnataka...

Dollu Kunitha

Dollu Kunitha is a traditional dance form in Karnataka. Dollu Kunithâ is high on energy and per...

Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (KCP), Bengaluru

Overview Nestled in the heart of Bengaluru, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (KCP) is more than just a...

Weaving Traditions of Karnataka

Overview Karnataka is home to some of India’s most iconic and diverse textile traditions. From the l...

Mysore Painting

Overview With origins in the grand courts of the Wodeyar dynasty, Mysore painting is a traditional S...

Sandalwood Carving

Overview Delicate, fragrant, and timeless, sandalwood carving is one of Karnataka’s most treasured t...

Channapatna Toys

Overview In the quiet town of Channapatna, located between Bengaluru and Mysuru, a centuries-old tra...

Vara Mahalakshmi Vrata

Women’s festival for prosperity blessing ...

Vitla Pindi

Thrilling Krishna butter pot smashing festival ...

Nagamandala

Serpent worship folk dance ritual ...

Kambala

Buffalo racing traditional folk sport ...

Shravana belagola MahaMastakabhisheka

Monumental Jain idol anointing ceremony ...

Vairamudi Festival

Royal diamond crown deity procession ...

Bengaluru Karaga

Ancient folk festival celebrating Draupadi ...

Basavanagudi Kadalekai Parishe

Annual groundnut fair with rituals ...

Gowri Habba

Festival honoring Goddess Gowri ...

Gombe Habba

Gombe Habba or festival of dolls is celebrated by enthusiastic individuals during Dasara/Navaratri e...

Lalita Nritya

Graceful classical temple storytelling dance ...

Kombat (Deer Horn Dance)

Martial folk art with deer horns ...

Bhootha Aradhane

Ritual dance invoking spirits’ blessings. ...

Gaarudi Gombe

Vibrant parade of giant puppets ...

Veeragase

Intense Shaivite martial folk dance ...

Rangoli Metro Art Center, Bengaluru

An Urban Canvas for Art, Culture, and Community ...

Ravindra Kalakshetra, Bengaluru

A Stage Dedicated to the Spirit of Kannada Art and Culture ...

Ranga Shankara, Bengaluru

The Stage Where Theatre Lives Every Day ...

Utsav Rock Garden, Haveri District

An Open-Air Museum ...

Jaganmohan Palace Art Gallery and Auditorium, Mysuru

A Royal Palace Turned Treasure House of Art ...

Yakshagana

Coastal Karnataka’s signature folk dance performance Yakshagana is a traditional folk dance form pop...

Kamsale Nrutya

Kamsale Dance is a popular folk dance form in Mysuru Karnataka region. (Mysuru, Chamarajanagara and ...

Gombe Aata

Gombe Aata (play of dolls or Puppet show) is a unique form of art found in Karnataka. Gombe Aata inv...

Huli Vesha

Huli Vesha (Tiger Dance) Huli Vesha or Tiger faced dance is a dance form unique to coastal Karnataka...

Dollu Kunitha

Dollu Kunitha is a traditional dance form in Karnataka. Dollu Kunithâ is high on energy and per...

Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (KCP), Bengaluru

Overview Nestled in the heart of Bengaluru, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (KCP) is more than just a...

Weaving Traditions of Karnataka

Overview Karnataka is home to some of India’s most iconic and diverse textile traditions. From the l...

Mysore Painting

Overview With origins in the grand courts of the Wodeyar dynasty, Mysore painting is a traditional S...

Sandalwood Carving

Overview Delicate, fragrant, and timeless, sandalwood carving is one of Karnataka’s most treasured t...

Channapatna Toys

Overview In the quiet town of Channapatna, located between Bengaluru and Mysuru, a centuries-old tra...

Blogs

View All
Kadalekayi Parishe 2025: Celebrating Bengaluru’s 500 -Year-Old Groundnut Tradition
BLOG

Kadalekayi Parishe 2025: Celebrating Bengaluru’s 500 -Year-Old Groundnut Tradition

Read More
Connect 2025: Gadag Chapter – Strengthening Karnataka’s Tourism Network
BLOG

Connect 2025: Gadag Chapter – Strengthening Karnataka’s Tourism Network

Read More
Deepavali Celebrations in Karnataka: A Festival of Lights and Joy
BLOG

Deepavali Celebrations in Karnataka: A Festival of Lights and Joy

Read More
Mysuru Dasara 2025 – Nada Habba of Karnataka
BLOG

Mysuru Dasara 2025 – Nada Habba of Karnataka

Read More
Trailblazing Transformation: Karnataka’s Sustainable Tourism Revolution.
BLOG

Trailblazing Transformation: Karnataka’s Sustainable Tourism Revolution.

Read More
View All

Gallery

Gallery Image 1
Black Panther, Kabini

The elusive Black Panther of Kabini is a rare wildlife marvel that has earned global fame. Spotted occasionally in the dense forests of Nagarhole National Park, it adds a thrilling allure to Karnataka’s rich biodiversity.

Gallery Image 2
Maravanthe Beach

Maravanthe Beach offers a unique coastal experience where the highway runs between the roaring Arabian Sea on one side and the calm Souparnika River on the other. With its stunning contrast of landscapes, golden sands, and scenic sunsets, it’s one of Karnataka’s most picturesque beach drives.

Gallery Image 3
Kambala

The elusive Black Panther of Kabini is a rare wildlife marvel that has earned global fame. Spotted occasionally in the dense forests of Nagarhole National Park, it adds a thrilling allure to Karnataka’s rich biodiversity.

Gallery Image 4
Sunset at the Beach

As the sun dips into the Arabian Sea, Karnataka’s coastline transforms into a canvas of gold and crimson. Whether you’re at Gokarna, Malpe, or Kaup, the gentle waves, swaying palms, and vibrant skies create a serene, soul-soothing spectacle that lingers long after the light fades.

Tourism Video
Tourism Highlights
Watch our tourism video showcasing key attractions.
Gallery Image 6
Mysore Palace Illuminated

By day it’s royal, by night it’s magical—the Mysore Palace dazzles when lit up with nearly 100,000 bulbs. This weekend spectacle transforms the historical site into a fairy-tale vision, drawing crowds in awe of its grandeur.

Gallery Image 7
Yakshagana Folk Art

Yakshagana is a vibrant folk theatre form from coastal Karnataka, blending dance, music, elaborate costumes, and storytelling. With its dramatic expressions and mythological themes, it captivates audiences through all-night performances that are equal parts spiritual and spectacular.

Gallery Image 8
Vidhan Soudha

Standing tall in Bengaluru, Vidhana Soudha is the seat of Karnataka’s legislature and a symbol of state pride. With its majestic neo-Dravidian architecture and illuminated façade by night, it’s a striking landmark that blends tradition with democratic governance.

Gallery Image 9
Stone Chariot, Hampi

A masterpiece of Vijayanagara architecture, the Stone Chariot at Hampi’s Vittala Temple is one of India’s most iconic monuments. Carved entirely out of stone, this monolithic chariot stands as a testament to the artistic brilliance and engineering prowess of a bygone era.