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South India
39
MUST SEE SIGHTS
www.ptmcindiavacations.com
INDIA GARDEN CITY BANGALORE
Founded in 1537 by Kempegowda, a far sighted local chieftain, Bangalore has blossomed into
one of Asia's fastest growing cities. Bangalore combines the vibrant pace of a modern
metropolis with a quaint old - world charm. Perched at a height of 3250 feet above sea level, its
salubrious climate plays host to innumerable parks, gardens, lakes and verdant tree - lined
avenues that give it the sobriquet "Garden City".
Vidhana Soudha housing the State
Legislature and Secretariat, It is built
entirely of Bangalore granite in the Neo
Dravidian Style. Directly opposite it
stands the Gothic structure of the
Attara Kacheri which houses the State.
High Court The high Court building
was completed in 1868 and stands in
the green splendor of the Cubbon Park
laid out in 1864 by Lieutenant General
Sir Mark Cubbon.
The Lal Bagh Gardens, laid out in
1760 by Hyder Ali has an area of 240
acres. The glass house, inspired by the
Crystal Palace in London.
The Bangalore Palace : Built in 1887
by a Wodeyar King, with its vast
grounds and Tudor style architecture.
SHOPPING: Shopping in Bangalore is
a wonderful experience. Bangalore is a
city where one would find a wide array
of shopping markets, malls and plazas.
Commercial Street is famous for
shopping colorful clothes and dress
materials other than fashionable
jewelries. One can also look in for
shoes, art supplies, travel kits, sports,
etc. Westside is a very famous
shopping joint.
MUST SEE SIGHTS
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INDIA MYSORE
The city stands by rocky hill named after goddess Chamundi. It is a city of palaces and
museums. The palace of the Maharaja within the old fort is one of the most beautiful buildings in
India. The best time to visit Mysore is during Dussehra festivals in October.
The Mysore palace : Once the Residence of the Wodeyars, is one of the largest of its kind in India and one of the most splendid. This Indo-Saracenic building has among other things - a carved door, a solid gold throne and a gallery of exquisite paintings.
Chamundi hill : 13 kms from Mysore City is the Chamundi hills. Halfway up is the Nandi bull, a 4.8m monolith. Right on top is the 2000 years old chamundeswari Temple, dedicated to the patron goddess of the royal family.
Somnathpur : A highly developed specimen of Hoysala architecture, the e laborate ly car ved temple at Somnathpura (38km) are a must for those interested in temple touring in India.
Srirangapatna is nestled in the banks of river Cauvery is about 3 Kms. in length and one Km. in breadth.
SHOPPING: Mysore Silks, Mysore
Jasmine, Mysore Sandalwood are the
things that the city is famous for.
Mysore is famous for its handicrafts as
well. Most of the work is wood based.
The ar tifacts are made out of
sandalwood, rosewood and teakwood.
ENTERTAINMENT: The modes of
Entertainment in Mysore include an
amazing range of activities, starting
from the nightclubs, which include
bars and pubs where one can chill out
and relax, to cinemas, where one can
spend time watching films.
MUST SEE SIGHTS
www.ptmcindiavacations.com
INDIA HASSAN
This calm and peaceful town is a convenient base to visit Sravanabelagola, Belur and Halebid.
Belur : 38kms from Hassan with its
exquisite temples. The Chennakeshava
Temple is one of the finest of Hoysala
architecture. It took 103 years to
complete . The façade of the temple is
filled with intricate sculptures and
friezes with no portion left blank.
Elephants ,episodes from epics,
sensuous dancers... they are all there
awe inspiring in their intricate work-
manship. Inside are hand-lathe-turned
filigreed pillars. The Veera-narayana
Temple and the smaller shrines are well
worth a visit.
HALEBID : 27kms north-west of
Hassan and 17kms east of Belur is
Halebid. The Hoysaleswara temple
here is the wealth of sculptural details.
The walls of the temple are covered
with an endless variety of gods and
goddesses, animals, birds and
dancing girls. Yet no two facets of the
temple are the same. This magnificent
temple guarded by a Nandi bull was
never completed.
MUST SEE SIGHTS
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INDIA POETRY IN STONE - HAMPI
Dotted around the hills and valleys are 500 plus monuments. Among them are beautiful temples,
basements of palaces, remains of aquatic structures, ancient market streets, royal pavilions,
bastions, royal platforms, treasury buildings, the list is practically endless. Hampi is a
backpackers paradise, the same way the pilgrims delight. In Hampi at every turn there is a
surprise. Every monument hides more than what they reveal. As an open museum, Hampi has
numerous popular (100 plus!) locations visitors throng.
Hampi : The Virupaksha Temple rises
majestically at the western end of a
700 m long street that was once the
famous Hampi bazaar.. Nearby is the
6.7m tall monolith of Ugra Narasimha,
seated under a canopy of a seven -
hooded snake. The most splendid
monument of Hampi is undoubtedly
the Vithala Temple Complex. The 56
pillars in the main hall produce musical
notes when struck. To the east of the
hall is the famous stone chariot with
stone wheels that actually revolve!
Hampi is full of surprises! Like the
King’s Balance where ruling kings
were weighed against grain, gold or
money which was then distributed to
poor. Or the Queen’s bath, with its
arched corridors, projecting balconies
and lotus shaped fountains.
Lotus Mahal in the‘ Zenana" enclosure.
A beautiful two - storied palace with
recessed archways set in geometric
regularity and opening out to the sun
and the wind like the petals of a flower.
The imposing Elephant Stables have
arched entrances and domes.
SHOPPING: There are shops all over
Hampi, especially outside the
Virupaksha temple and on the backside
of the temple, selling clothes, bags,
jewellery, shawls, toys etc
MUST SEE SIGHTS
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INDIA CAVE TEMPLES OF BADAMI
Badami - the earliest mention of Badami occurs in Ptolemy's Chronicles where it is called
Badamoi. The mighty Chalukyas Patronized art and architecture and were largely responsible for
the superb cave temples scooped out of the hillsides.
Cave I is a Shaivite shrine. The superb
image of Nataraja on the eastern wall is
a masterpiece of sculpture. Mahisha-
suramardini and the Ardhanariswara
images are alive with a rare vitality of
figure. The lingam in the rear cellar
establishes its Shaivite character.
Cave II has a famous sculpture of
Vishnu as Trivikarma and in Varahavtar.
Cave III excavated on the orders of
Mangalesh in 750 A.D., contains some
beautiful sculptures. Astounding vigor
and vitality is writ large on the
Trivikarma figure, as it raises its left
foot to encompass all that is there on
the surface of the earth.
AIHOLE : The erstwhile city of power is
now a mere sleeping village. The
temples follow a certain pattern - flat or
slightly inclined roofs occasionally
crowned by a small upper storey,
square or in rounded shikara form and
the pillared porticos - mandapams or
assembly hails.
PATTADAKAL : A world famous
heritage centre it has 10 major temples
representing Chalukyas architecture.
The magnificent Virupaksha temple
was constructed at Pattadakal during
the prime of Dravidian art.
MUST SEE SIGHTS
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INDIA BIJAPUR
A feudal town, surrounded by forts and bastions, bristling with ramparts on a bleak and arid
plain, Bijapur still displays the strength, which made a 20 year resistance to Emperor Aurangzeb
possible. Bijapur, "town of victory", was the capital of the Adil Shahs Sultans, Turkish in origin,
who ruled from 1489 to 1686.
Gol Gumbaz : Containing the tomb of
Mohammed Adil Shahi has the fourth
largest dome in the world. The interior
of the dome, mysterious unsupported,
has a whispering gallery under it,
whose acoustics are superb.
Jumma Masjid : Still used for worship,
has been called one of the first
mosques of India and holds an
exquisite copy of the Koran, written in
gold letters.
Ibrahim Roza : Was probably the
inspiration for Agra Tajmahal. Facing it
is a mosque, as delicately designed.
The Malik - e - Maidan is enormous
cannon, four teen feet long and
weighing 55 tons.
SHOPPING: The artisans of Bijapur are
skilled traditionally and they make
variety of goods from stone, wood and
metal. Hand-woven Ikkat sarees,clay
toys, Lambini jewellery are the main
specialties of Bijapur.
MUST SEE SIGHTS
www.ptmcindiavacations.com
INDIA HYDERABAD
To the traveler, Hyderabad offers a fascinating panorama of the past, with richly mixed cultural
and historical traditions spanning 400 colourful years. Founded by Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah,
the fifth Sultan of Golconda in 1591, Hyderabad was built on the southern bank of river Musi
strategically placed, Hyderabad was the gateway to the southern Kingdoms. It’s fabulous
diamond mines and markets, too, were famous in history, while the Qutb Shahis themselves
were benevolent rulers, who encouraged the arts.
Charminar : The Charminar is as much the s igna tu re o f Hyderabad. Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, the founder of Hyderabad, built the Charminar in 1591 at the center of the original city layout. Legend has it that the Charminar was built as a charm, to ward off a deadly epidemic which was raging at the time. Four graceful minarets soar to a height of 48.7m above the ground. Within the Charminar are 45 prayer spaces & a Mosque.
Mecca Masjid : Is poetry in stone, with a hall measuring 67m, and soaring to a height of 54m. The roof is supported by fifteen graceful arches- five to each of the three sides.
Golconda Fort : The fort is famous for its acoustics, palaces, factories, ingenious water supply system and the famous Fateh Rahben Gun, one of the canons used in the last siege of Golconda by Aurangzeb.
SHOPPING: Laad Bazaar: This is the
famous, colourful shopping center of
the old city, tucked away in one of the
streets leading off from Charminar.
Bridal wear, pearls and the traditional
Hyderabadi glass and stone studded
bangles are sold here.
ENTERTAINMENT : Sound & Light
show at Golconda Fort - the show that
brings the legend of Golconda to life.
The show has voice-over of Bollywood
living legend Amitabh Bacchan.
www.ptmcindiavacations.com
BANGALORE - MYSORE - HASSAN - HAMPI - BADAMI - BIJAPUR - HYDERABAD
NORTH KARNATAKA WITH HYDERABAD
Day 1 Arrive BangaloreArrive Bangalore - the Garden City. Meeting & transfer to hotel. Check in
at hotel. This afternoon city tour of Garden City. This afternoon you
drive past Vidhana Soudha housing the State Legislature and
Secretariat, was conceived and executed by Kengal Hanumanthaiya,
the then Chief Minister, in 1956. It is built entirely of Bangalore granite in
the Neo Dravidian Style. Directly opposite it stands the Gothic structure
of the Attara Kacheri which houses the State High Court which was
completed in 1868 and stands in the green splendor of the Cubbon
Park laid out in 1864 by Lieutenant General Sir Mark Cubbon. The
LalBagh Gardens, laid out in 1760 by Hyder Ali has an area of 240
acres. The glass house, inspired by the Crystal Palace in London is a
favourite spot in LalBagh. The Bangalore Palace, built in 1887 by a
Wodeyar King, is today a favourite spot for picnickers and film-makers,
with its vast grounds and Tudor style architecture. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2 Bangalore - Mysore (175 Kms)Breakfast at hotel. Today you drive to Mysore - stands by rocky hill
named after goddess Chamundi. It is a city of palaces and museums.
The palace of the Maharaja within the old fort is one of the most
beautiful buildings in India. The best time to visit Mysore is during
Dussehra festivals. En route visit Srirangapatnam is an island
fortress-city is of great religious, cultural and historic importance. It is
situated about 14 Kms. from Mysore and 125 Kms. from Bangalore.
Srirangapatna is nestled in the banks of river Cauvery is about 3 Kms. in
length and one Km. in breadth. The town derives its name from the
presiding deity of Ranganatha Swamy temple situated at the western
end of the island in the Cauvery River. Continue to Mysore & Check in at
hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3 MysoreBreakfast at hotel. Today you visit the sights of Mysore. The Mysore
palace - Once the Residence of the Wodeyars, is one of the largest of
its kind in India and one of the most splendid. This Indo-Saracenic
building has among other things - a carved door, a solid gold throne and
a gallery of exquisite paintings. Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery - It
is a palace transformed into an art gallery with paintings dating from
1875. The collection includes paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, the
Russian Svetoslav Roerich and the traditional Mysore 'gold leaf' style of
painting. Chamundi hill - 13 kms from Mysore City is the Chamundi
hills. Halfway up is the Nandi bull, a 4.8m monolith. Right on top is the
2000 years old chamundeswari Temple, dedicated to the patron
goddess of the royal family. St.Philomena's church: It, in the Gothic
www.ptmcindiavacations.com
BANGALORE - MYSORE - HASSAN - HAMPI - BADAMI - BIJAPUR - HYDERABAD
NORTH KARNATAKA WITH HYDERABAD
style, is one of the largest churches in the country and has Stained
glass windows. This afternoon you make and excursion to
Somnathpur - a highly developed specimen of Hoysala architecture,
the elaborately carved temple at Somnathpura (38km) are a must for
those interested in temple touring in India. The temple is set on a
chiseled plinth guarded at intervals by miniature elephants. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 4 Mysore - Hassan (150 Kms)Breakfast at hotel. Today you drive to Hassan. En route visit
Sravanabelagola, this one of the most important Jain pilgrim centers
with the 17m high monolith of Lord Bahubali- said to be the world's
tallest monolith statue .Thousands of devotees congregate here to
perform the 'Mahamastakabhisheka'. A spectacular ceremony held
once in 12 years when the 1000 year old statue is anointed with milk,
curds, ghee, saffron and gold coins. Continue to Hassan & Check in at
hotel. This afternoon visit the temples of Belur group. The
Chennakeshava Temple is one of the finest of Hoysala architecture. It
took 103 years to complete. The façade of the temple is filled with
intricate sculptures and friezes with no portion left blank. Elephants,
episodes from epics, sensuous dancers... they are all there awe
inspiring in their intricate workmanship. Inside are handlathe - turned
filigreed pillars. The Veeranarayana Temple and the smaller shrines are
well worth a visit. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5 Hassan - Hospet (250 Kms)Breakfast at hotel. This morning visit the Halebid group of temples.
The Hoysaleswara temple here is the wealth of sculptural details. The
walls of the temple are covered with an endless variety of gods and
goddesses ,animals ,birds and dancing girls. Yet no two facets of the
temple are the same. This magnificent temple guarded by a Nandi bull
was never completed ,despite 86 years of labor. Thereafter you drive to
Hospet. Check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6 Hospet - Hampi - HospetBreakfast at hotel. Today you make a full day excursion to - one can still glimpse the splendor of Viajaynagara in Its ruins. The Virupaksha Temple rises majestically at the western end of a 700 m long street that was once the famous Hampi bazaar. This is the only temple at Hampi that is still used for worship. Nearby is the 6.7-m tall monolith of Ugra Narasimha, seated under a canopy of a seven-hooded snake. The most splendid monument of Hampi is undoubtedly the Vithala Temple Complex. The 56 pillars in the main hall produce musical notes when struck. To the east of the hall is the famous stone
Hampi
www.ptmcindiavacations.com
BANGALORE - MYSORE - HASSAN - HAMPI - BADAMI - BIJAPUR - HYDERABAD
NORTH KARNATAKA WITH HYDERABAD
chariot with stone wheels that actually revolve! Hampi is full of surprises! Like the King’s Balance where ruling kings were weighed against grain, gold or money which was then distributed to poor. Or the Queen’s bath, with its arched corridors, projecting balconies and lotus shaped fountains. Or even the Lotus Mahal in the ‘ Zenana" enclosure. A beautiful two – storied palace with recessed archways set in geometric regularity and opening out to the sun and the wind like the petals of a flower. The imposing Elephant Stables have arched entrances and domes. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7 Hospet - Aihole - Pattadakal - Badami (200 Kms)Breakfast at hotel. Today you drive to Badami. En route visit Aihole & Pattadakal. Aihole - the erstwhile city of power is now a mere sleeping village. The temples follow a certain pattern - flat or slightly inclined roofs occasionally crowned by a small upper storey, square or in rounded shikara form and the pillared porticos - mandapams or assembly hails. The apsidal Durga temple is the loveliest of all temples in Aihole. Of particular beauty is the image of Shiva standing beside his favorite Nandi. The image of Durga and the Varahavatar of Vishnu are marvellous in craftsmanship. - A world famous heritage centre it has 10 major temples representing Chalukyas architecture. The magnificent Virupaksha temple was constructed at Pattadakal during the prime of Vijayaditya and Vikramaditya II and shows the unmistakable. Influence of the Dravidian art. Continue to Badami & Check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 8 BadamiBreakfast at hotel. This morning visit the Cave temples of Badami.
Cave 1 is a Shaivite shrine. The superb image of Nataraja on the eastern
wall is a masterpiece of sculpture. Mahishasuramardini and the
Ardhanariswara images are alive with a rare vitality of figure. The
lingam in the rear cellar establishes its Shaivite character. Cave II has a
famous sculpture of Vishnu as Trivikarma and in Varahavtar. Cave III
excavated on the orders of Mangalesh in 750 A.D., contains some
beautiful sculpture. Astounding vigor and vitalit is writ large on the
Trivikarma figure, as it raises its left foot to encompass all that is there
on the surface of the earth. Vishnu as Harihara, sitting on the coils of
the five headed Cobra is marvelous in its composure and divine power.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 9 Badami - Bijapur (135 Kms)Breakfast at hotel. Today you drive to Bijapur. Check in at hotel. This
afternoon visit Gol Gumbaz - containing the tomb of Mohammed Adil
Shahi has the fourth largest dome in the world. The interior of the dome,
Pattadakal
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BANGALORE - MYSORE - HASSAN - HAMPI - BADAMI - BIJAPUR - HYDERABAD
NORTH KARNATAKA WITH HYDERABAD
mysterious unsupported, has a whispering gallery under it, whose
acoustics are superb. Jumma Masjid - still used for worship, has been
called one of the first mosques of India and holds an exquisite copy of
the Koran, written in gold letters. Ibrahim Roza - was probably the
inspiration for Agra Tajmahal. Facing it is a mosque, as delicately
designed. The Malik - e - Maidan is enormous cannon, fourteen feet
long and weighing 55 tons. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 Bijapur - Gulbarga - Hyderabad (385 Kms)Breakfast at hotel. Today you drive to Hyderabad. En route visit
Gulbarga. First a great mosque built in 1367 along the lines of the
mosque at Cordoba in Spain, in a fort covering several hectares. The
ceiling is composed of small domes held up by pillars arranged in such
a way that the mullah reading the prayers can be seen from all parts of
building. The acoustics are exceptional: sounds travel across the room
with no distortion. Continue to Hyderabad & Check in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 HyderabadBreakfast at hotel. This morning sightseeing tour of Hyderabad.
Charminar - is as much the signature of Hyderabad. Mohammed Quli
Qutb Shah, the founder of Hyderabad, built the Charminar in 1951 at the
center of the original city layout. Four graceful minarets soar to a height
of 48.7m above the ground. Within the Charminar are 45 prayer spaces
& a Mosque. Mecca Masjid - is poetry in stone, with a hall measuring
67m, and soaring to a height of 54m. Salarjung Museum house one of
the biggest one-man collections of antiques in the world. The Objects
d'art includes Persian carpets, Mughal miniatures, Chinese porcelain
and Japanese lacquer ware. Laad Bazaar - This is the famous, colorful
shopping center of the old city, tucked away in one of the streets leading
off from Charminar. This afternoon visit Golconda Fort - one of the
most famous forts in South India. The name originates from the Telugu
words "Golla Konda", meaning "Shepherd's Hill". Golcunda was
originally a mud fort, which passed to the Brahmani dynasty, and, later,
to the Qutb Shahis, who held it from1518. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 Depart HyderabadTransfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.
*World Heritage Sites