Religious Places in Karnataka For Peaceful Worship

Known For : Dharmasthala Temple Bahubali Statue Netravathi River Barrage

A famous pilgrim location for the Shaiva, Vaishnava and Jaina communities, Dharmasthala meaning the Land of Charity is a beautiful blend of heritage, culture and religion.

Best Time: October to March

8 Dharmasthala Attractions

Known For : Sringeri Mutt Kigga Sharadamba Temple

Best Time: Throughout the year

9 Sringeri Attractions

Known For : Murudeshwar Temple Netrani Island Murudeshwar Beach

With its major attraction as the huge Shiva temple, Murudeshwar is a religious site which also serves as the connecting point for popular scuba diving destination Netrani.

Best Time: October to May

8 Murudeshwar Attractions

Known For : Baba Budangiri Mullayanagiri Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary

If you love the aroma of freshly brewed coffee in the mornings, you are going to love Chikmagalur, which has a perpetual fragrance of coffee lingering in the air. Very famously known as the ‘Coffee Land of Karnataka’, Chikmagalur is situated in the foothills of the Mullayangiri Range in Karnataka and stands at an altitude of 3400 feet. Famous for its tall mountains, lush green forests and its tranquil environment (apart from its coffee production), Chikmagalur is a very popular tourist destination and is a quaint getaway from the busy life of the city.

Best Time: Throughout the year

22 Chikmagalur Attractions

Known For : Annapoorneshwari Temple Kalaseshwara Temple

Horanadu is a quaint little village boasting of pristine nature in and around. It is most famous for the Goddess Annapoorneeshwari Temple and its beautiful sights. It lies in Malnad, about 330 km from Bangalore and 136 km from Mangalore.

Best Time: Throughout the year

2 Horanadu Attractions

Known For : Abbey Falls Talacauvery Namdroling Monastery

Generally covered as a part of trips to Coorg, Madikeri is a quaint hill town in Karnataka with vast coffee plantations, lush forests and misty hills, all culminating into a breathtaking view.

Best Time: February to September

18 Madikeri Attractions

Known For : Trekking in Shivagange Temples in Shivagange

Shivagange, a hillock situated 56 km from Bangalore, is a combination of temples and scenic beauty that makes it both a pilgrimage as well as an adventure spot. From a distance, the hillock looks like a 'Shiva Linga' - A form of Lord Shiva.

Best Time: October to March

2 Shivagange Attractions

Known For : Durga Temple, Aihole Lad Khan Temple Ravanaphadi Cave Temples

Well known as the temple complex of Karnataka and home to about 125 Chalukyan temples, this city is a splendid touristy destination.

Best Time: October to March

23 Aihole Attractions

Known For : Cave Temples Agastya Lake Badami Fort

Located in a valley of rugged red sandstone, surrounding the Agastya Lake, Badami (formerly known as Vatapi) is an archaeological delight owing to its beautifully crafted sandstone cave temples, fortresses and carvings.

Best Time: October to Apr

14 Badami Attractions

Known For : Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple Nimishambha Temple Dariya Daulat Bagh

Srirangapatna is an egg-shaped island town amidst the Cauvery river in Mandya district of Karnataka. Situated at a distance of 18 kms from Mysore, the town is an architectural masterpiece of Hoysala and Vijayanagar styles. One of the most important Vaishnavite centres of pilgrimage- the Ranganathaswamy temple, is the major attraction of the town which draws thousands of tourists. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is one of the largest of its kind.

Best Time: July to March

16 Srirangapatna Attractions

Known For : Hoysala Temples at Mosale Shettihalli Church Bhagwan Bahubali Statue

Hassan is located 187kms from Bangalore lying in the Malnad and Maidan districts of Karnataka. The city derives its name from its presiding diety Goddess Hassanamba which in kanana language mean 'Smiling mother'.

Best Time: Throughout the year

22 Hassan Attractions

Known For : Somanathapura Panchalinga Darshana Mallikarjuna Temple

Talakad is a small mystical town steeped in the glorious past and heritage nestled on the left banks of River Kaveri. The town has been a witness to the rise and falls of several great kingdoms including Cholas, Pallavas, Gangas, Vijayanagar and Hoysalas.

Best Time: November to March

9 Talakadu Attractions

Known For : Padukone Trasi Shankaranarayana

Culturally rich, a treasure trove of mesmerizing nature and environ of spirituality define this temple town best. Lying on the western coast, the town is flanked by water bodies on three sides i.e. Panchgangavalli River in north, Kalaghar River in east and Arabian sea and picturesque Kodi back waters in west.

Best Time: October to Apr

12 Kundapura Attractions

Known For : Gomateshwara Statue Chandragiri Hill Temple Bhandari Basadi Temple

Located near Bengaluru, Sravanbelagola is an important Jain pilgrimage center with a 17 m tall sculpture of Lord Gomateswara called Bahubali statue as its prime attraction.

Best Time: October to Apr

8 Shravanbelagola Attractions

Known For : St. Mary's Island Malpe Beach Krishna Temple

Most famous for its South Indian restaurants all over the country, Udupi is a coastal town with carefully carved temples, architecturally splendid buildings, laidback beaches and unexplored forests.

Best Time: Throughout the year

31 Udupi Attractions

Known For : Chaturmukha Basadi Statue of Bahubali (Gomateshwara) Ramasamudra Lake

Karkala is a quaint small town with great historic significance and is blessed with several ancient temples. In fact, the town of Karkala itself is believed to have its roots going back to 10th century while under the rule of Alupas.

Best Time: September to March

10 Karkala Attractions

Known For : Panambur Beach St Aloysius Chapel

Located between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, the port city of Mangalore or Mangaluru is known for its swaying coconut palms, beautiful beaches and temple architecture. It is also an important industrial, commercial, educational and healthcare hub of the state of Karnataka.

Best Time: Throughout the year

28 Mangalore Attractions

Known For : Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal Kashiviswanatha Temple Jain Temple

Pattadakal is a tiny village, also known as Raktapura or Pattadakallu, houses a series of ten magnificent stone temples which date back to the 7th and 8th century. Out of these ten, nine are Hindu temples and one is a Jain temple. Lying close to the Badami and Aihole centres of Chalukya monuments, it is a protected site, managed by ASI (Archaeological Survey of India).
These grand, imposing structures were inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. All ten temples are majestic in their sheer size and detailed architecture, reflective of a blend of North Indian Nagara and South Indian Dravidian construction styles. Lying alongside the Malaprabha river, they have aptly earned the epithet “cradle of Indian temple architecture”. The friezes on temple walls depict stories from various Hindu scriptures and tales, such as Mahabharata, Ramayana, Bhagavata Purana, Panchatantra, and Kir't'rjun'ya.

Best Time: October to March

8 Pattadakal Attractions

Known For : Om Beach Mahabaleshwara Temple Paradise Beach, Gokarna

With its pristine beaches and breathtaking landscapes, Gokarna is a Hindu pilgrimage town in Karnataka and a newly found hub for beach lovers and hippies.

Best Time: Throughout the year

20 Gokarna Attractions

Known For : Gopalaswamy Hills Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

Situated in the state of Karnataka, Bandipur National Park was once the hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Mysore. It was later established as a reserve in 1974, and these deciduous forests rich in wildlife and flora have become a popular tourist attraction since then. Due to a lot of wildlife casualties due to tourist traffic, a ban on traffic between 9 PM to 6 AM has been established to ensure the safety of the animal population.

Best Time: October to May

2 Bandipur Attractions

Known For : Kunduvada Kere Bagali Sri Anjaneya Swamy Temple

Steeped in rich past, culture and heritage, Davanagere is a place to witness the beautiful architectural marvels. Linked to many Chalukya Dynasty and Tipu Sultan, this place today is best known for its cotton mills and thus often referred to as the 'Manchester of East'.

Best Time: October to March

11 Davanagere Attractions

Known For : Tipu's Drop Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple Tipu's Summer Residence

It is often said that 'the best places are off the beaten path', and Nandi Hills is a clear testimony to that. Located around 60 kilometres away from Bangalore, Nandi Hills is one such tourist spot that has gradually been discovered by visitors over the years, and has now become a well-known holiday spot. Situated at a height of 4851 feet above sea level, this ancient hill fortress is an idyllic escape from the daily city life. Once used as the summer retreat of Tipu Sultan, Nandi Hills is scattered with shrines and monument, and is surrounded by mesmerizing views, making this place no less than a hidden paradise.

Best Time: October to June

12 Nandi Hills Attractions

Known For : Kudremukh Trek Kudremukh National Park Hanuman Gundi Falls

With the promise of a picturesque view of a mountain in the shape of a horse face, Kudremukh is famous for its biodiversity and scenic beauty.

Best Time: October to May

10 Kudremukh Attractions

Known For : Tagore Beach Scuba Diving and Snorkeling Lighthouse, Devbagh

Pristine blue water, picture perfect backdrop of beautiful mountains and lush green belt of casuarinas trees blend together perfectly to give you a destination not to be missed i.e. Devbagh.

Best Time: October to Apr

11 Devbagh Attractions

Known For : Kodachadri Jog Falls Agumbe

With nature in its full bloom, the town of Shimoga has been a home to several great dynasties and kingdoms. Steeped in rich heritage and culture, this main city of Shimoga District derives its name from the words 'Shiv-Mukha' implying 'Face of Lord Shiva'.

Best Time: July to December

37 Shimoga Attractions

Known For : Abbey Falls Raja's Seat Mandalpatti

Located amidst imposing mountains in Karnataka with a perpetually misty landscape, Coorg is the place to be for all nature lovers.  This popular coffee producing hill station is not only popular for its beautiful green hills and the streams cutting right through them. It also stands as a popular destination because of its culture and people. The Kodavas, a local clan specialising in martial arts, are especially notable for their keen hospitality. 

Best Time: October to March

37 Coorg Attractions

Known For : Bidar Fort Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib Narasimha Jhira Cave Temple

If you enjoy a city tinted in the shade of past and glorified with rich culture and heritage, then Bidar is just your kind of place. Situated in the state of Karnataka, Bidar is a city with great historic significance.

Best Time: October to March

11 Bidar Attractions

Known For : Gokarna: Mahabaleshwar Temple Om Beach Mirjan Fort

The beautiful town of Kumta situated amidst the marvelous wonders of nature is one of the most enticing places to visit in Karnataka. Lying on the coastline of Arabian Sea, it offers tantalizing beaches, fascinating black rocks, intriguing temples and sprawling greenery, Kumta is all about relaxing, unwinding and solitude.

Best Time: October to March

11 Kumta Attractions

Known For : Padukone Village Kodachadri Maravanthe Beach

Maravanthe is a getaway which can be best described as nature's basket full of mesmerizing picturesque views. A beautiful beach town with white sand spread miles and miles along the coast fetches the beach a nickname of Virgin Beach.

Best Time: October to March

10 Maravanthe Attractions