Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Classical Dance Festival
( Jan/Feb, Pattadakal,
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)
Some of India's best
classical dance performances.
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Vijaya Utsav
(Hampi Festival; Jan, Hampi,,
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)
A three-day extravaganza
of culture, heritage and the arts at the foot of Hampi's Matanga Hill.
»
Tibetan New Year
( Feb, Bylakuppe,
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)
Lamas in Tibetan refugee settle-
ments take shifts leading nonstop prayers that span the weeklong celebrations.
»
Vairamudi Festival
( Mar/Apr, Melkote,
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)
Lord Vishnu is adorned with
jewels at Cheluvanarayana Temple, including a diamond-studded crown belonging to
Mysore's former maharajas.
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Ganesh Chaturthi
( Sep, Gokarna,
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)
Families march their Ganesh idols to
the sea at sunset.
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Dussehra
( Oct, Mysore,
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) Also spelt 'Dasara' in Mysore. The Maharaja's
Palace is lit up in the evenings and a vibrant procession hits town to the delight of thou-
sands.
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Lakshadeepotsava
( Nov, Dharmasthala,
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)
Thousands and thousands of
lamps light up this Jain pilgrimage town, offering spectacular photo ops.
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Huthri
( Nov/Dec, Madikeri,
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)
The Kodava community celebrates the start
of the harvesting season with ceremony, music, traditional dances and much feasting for a
week.
MAIN POINTS OF ENTRY
Many visitors arrive at Bengaluru's shiny modern airport, 40km north of the city. Mangalore on the western coast
serves as a transit point for those going north to Goa, or south to Kerala. Hubli in central Karnataka is also a rail-
way hub that links Hampi with Goa and Mumbai.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Fast Facts
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Population:
61.1 million
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Area:
191,791 sq km
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Capital:
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
»
Main languages:
Kannada, Hindi, English
