Karnataka has the second-highest number of centrally protected monuments in India, with 506 monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), in addition to hundreds of monuments protected by the State Directorate of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage. The state is also home to more than 25,000 monuments and heritage structures, highlighting its remarkable historical wealth.
This clearly makes Karnataka an ideal destination for all history buffs looking to satiate their wanderlust in India. However, we understand how difficult it can be to pick a few destinations from thousands of monuments and heritage sites worth seeing across the state. Therefore, we thought of lending a helping hand by creating a list of famous historical places in Karnataka. This list would help you discover ancient sites, monuments in the heart of urban cities and important reminders of the state’s rich past, while serving as your heritage travel guide. So, without further ado, here are our top 13 must-visit historical places and monuments in Karnataka.
- Belagavi Fort
- Hampi Groups of Monuments
- Chaubara
- Bidar Fort
- Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur
- Gommateshvara Bahubali in Shravanabelagola
- Bangalore Palace
- Someshvara Temple
- Raja’s Tomb
- Mysore Palace
- Group of Monuments in Pattadakal
- Durga Temple in Aihole
- Namdroling Monastery in Bylakuppe
Also Check Out: Popular Karnataka Tour Packages
Belagavi Fort (Belgaum Fort)
The Belagavi Fort is a major landmark of the historic city of Belagavi and holds an important place as a heritage site in Karnataka, reflecting the rich history of the city. At the entrance of the fort, there are two shrines dedicated to Ganapati and Durga. The fort also houses two Jain basadis built in the Later Chalukyan style, dating to around 1204 AD. One of these temples is now in ruins. The Kamala Basadi, dedicated to Neminatha, is particularly notable for its Chalukyan architecture. It is believed that the fort complex once had numerous Jain and Shaiva temples, and stones from some of these older structures can still be found within the premises.
Apart from the Jain and Hindu temples, there are also historic mosques, including the Safa Masjid, situated inside the fort. The Safa Masjid features domes, arches and minarets, reflecting the architectural influences of the Deccan. The coexistence of temples and mosques within the fort complex reflects the diverse historical heritage of Belagavi.
Hampi Groups of Monuments
Situated on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra River, Hampi is a historic monument city that has become a popular tourist destination in North Karnataka and was once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. The city flourished from the establishment of the empire in AD 1336 until its decline following the Battle of Talikota in 1565. Major construction took place during the reign of several Vijayanagara rulers, with the period of Krishnadeva Raya, the empire’s most celebrated ruler, witnessing significant architectural development.
Today, although Hampi lies largely in ruins, it remains an epitome of rich architecture and reflects the remarkable skill and ambition behind its massive structures. Among the surviving monuments in Hampi is the Virupaksha Temple, which continues to be an active place of worship. Spread across a vast archaeological landscape, Hampi has more than 1,600 surviving remains, including temples, royal complexes, shrines, fortifications and other structures. Exploring these remarkable monuments and dramatic rock formations is sure to leave visitors awe-struck.
Chaubara
In the heart of Bidar town stands Chaubara, an ancient cylindrical watchtower and clock tower. Chaubara literally means a building that faces in four directions, and the tower stands at the intersection of the town’s main roads. It is believed to have been built in the pre-Islamic period, although its architecture reflects Islamic influences.
The tower has a circular base and is built of black trap masonry laid in lime, with a large clock placed at the top. A winding staircase of eighty steps leads to the top of the tower. Standing about 22 metres (71 feet) high, the tower was built as a watchtower and commands an impressive view of the surrounding plateau. This cylindrical structure remains an important historical landmark of Bidar and reflects the city’s rich architectural heritage.
Bidar Fort
Located on the edge of the Bidar Plateau, Bidar Fort is an important historical monument in Karnataka. The fort was rebuilt and extensively developed in 1428 by Ahmad Shah Bahmani, who shifted the Bahmani capital from Gulbarga to Bidar. Bidar Fort has numerous monuments within its complex, among the most prominent being the Rangin Mahal or Painted Palace; the Takht Mahal, or throne room; the Jami Masjid or Great Mosque; and the Solah Khamba Masjid or Sixteen-Pillar Mosque.
One of the unusual features of the fort is its historic water supply system, known as karez. It consisted of a network of underground channels connected to the surface through vertical shafts. The karez system helped transport water through underground tunnels to the fort and nearby settlements for various uses, including drinking, washing, watering livestock and irrigating fields.
Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur
The Gol Gumbaz is yet another important heritage monument to see in Karnataka. The monument is the mausoleum of Muhammad Adil Shah (AD 1627–1656), the seventh ruler of the Adil Shahi dynasty, and is regarded as one of the major landmarks of Bijapur. The Gol Gumbaz is an excellent example of Islamic architecture in the Deccan region.
The monument features distinctive elements of Deccan Islamic architecture with Persian influences, and its most noticeable feature is the massive central dome. The monument comprises a massive cube, octagonal seven-storied towers, arches on the sides, decorative paneling, pillars and a crescent finial surmounting the dome.
Gommateshvara Bahubali in Shravanabelagola
Commissioned by Chavundaraya, a minister and commander of the Western Ganga dynasty, the statue of Bahubali is among the must-see historical monuments in Karnataka. It is a 57-foot-tall statue situated atop Vindhyagiri Hill in Shravanabelagola, in the Hassan district of Karnataka.
This massive monolithic statue was consecrated in around 981 CE and is regarded as one of the largest free-standing monolithic statues in the world. The presence of this colossal statue makes Shravanabelagola an important Jain pilgrimage destination in Karnataka.
Bangalore Palace
Bangalore Palace was built in the late 19th century by the Wodeyar dynasty and is adorned with magnificent woodwork and Tudor-style architecture. It is, in fact, one of the finest historic monuments that must be visited in Karnataka. The palace has an architectural style inspired by castles in England, featuring fortified towers, Gothic windows, battlements and turrets.
Although the palace has apparently lost some of its original grandeur over the years, it still manages to attract tourists. The inner walls of Bangalore Palace are also adorned with paintings, including works from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Another notable attraction of the palace is a dining table associated with Sir Mirza Ismail, the Diwan of Mysore.
Raja’s Tomb
Raja’s Tomb, also known as Gaddige, is located in Madikeri, one of the beautiful holiday destinations of Karnataka. The monument features a distinctive Indo-Saracenic architectural style and houses the mortal remains of members of the Kodava royal family and court dignitaries. Though the structures feature Islamic-style domes and turrets, one can see Nandi figures carved on top of the corners.
Lord Shiva is also worshipped inside the tomb complex, reflecting the Hindu faith of the Kodava rulers. This is one of the features that makes these tombs different from many others. The complex also includes the memorials of two brave royal officials, Biddanda Bopu and his son Biddanda Somaiah, who served the Kodava rulers and were associated with the conflict against Tipu Sultan.
Mysore Palace
The official residence of the Wodeyar dynasty, Mysore Palace is certainly one of the most famous places to see in Karnataka. Built in the Indo-Saracenic style with elements of Hindu, Islamic and Gothic architecture, the present palace is a three-storey stone structure with marble domes and a 145-ft five-storey tower.
Designed by British architect Henry Irwin, the palace was completed in 1912 after the earlier wooden palace was destroyed by fire in 1897. The palace is surrounded by large gardens and has several temples within its complex. Mysore Palace is one of the finest historical attractions in Karnataka and is, therefore, unmissable.
Group of Monuments in Pattadakal
Keeping the rich history of Karnataka alive, the Group of Monuments at Pattadakal is ideal for heritage tourism in the state. These monuments represent the high point of an eclectic art that, under the Chalukya dynasty in the 7th and 8th centuries, achieved a harmonious blend of architectural forms from northern and southern India. At Pattadakal, one can explore an impressive series of nine Hindu temples as well as a Jain sanctuary.
One masterpiece from the group that stands out is the Virupaksha Temple, built around 740 AD by Queen Lokamahadevi to commemorate her husband King Vikramaditya II’s victory over the Pallavas of the South. Each temple here offers a delightful experience, with intricate carvings, sculptures and distinctive architectural forms, making Pattadakal an extraordinary place that should not be missed if you are a history buff.
Durga Temple in Aihole
Built during the 7th or early 8th century under the Chalukyas, the Durga Temple in Aihole is yet another remarkable religious monument that adds charm to Karnataka tourism and is worth seeing by visitors of all faiths. The architecture is distinctive and reflects the early development of both Dravida and Nagara styles. The temple is generally identified as being dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Its apsidal shape, in Indian traditional architecture, resembles the back of an elephant and is known as Gajaprishtha. One of the most striking features of the Durga Temple is its peristyle, which creates an ambulatory around the temple. The walls and pillars of this passage are adorned with intricate sculptures of Hindu gods, goddesses and other figures, making it one of the most remarkable monuments in Aihole.
Namdroling Monastery in Bylakuppe
The Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery, also known as Thegchog Namdrol Shedrub Dargye Ling, is regarded as the largest teaching centre of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in the world. This prestigious monastery is located in Bylakuppe, in Mysuru district, and is home to a large sangha community of monks and nuns, along with a religious college (or shedra), school and hospital.
The monastery was founded in 1963 by His Holiness the 3rd Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche, the 11th throne holder of the Palyul lineage, and has since become an important centre for the study and practice of Nyingma Buddhism in India. Visiting Namdroling is probably one of the best things to do on a Karnataka heritage tour.
Someshvara Temple
Halasuru Someshwara Temple is located in the historic neighbourhood of Halasuru, also known as Ulsoor, in Bengaluru. This Hindu place of worship is one of the oldest temples in Bengaluru and is believed to date back to the Chola period. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Someshwara Temple was later renovated and expanded during the Vijayanagara period under the rule of Hiriya Kempe Gowda II.
There are numerous notable sculptures and decorative features in the complex, including an impressive Nandi pillar and a tower adorned with sculptures of Hindu deities. There is also an open mantapa consisting of 48 intricately carved pillars. Other noteworthy artworks in the temple include sculptures depicting Ravana lifting Mount Kailash, Goddess Durga slaying Mahishasura, images of the Nayanmar or Tamil Shaivaite saints, scenes from the marriage of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, and the legendary seven Hindu sages.
Our advice would be not to rely only on this list, but to trust your wanderlust instincts and go beyond lists and maps while exploring Karnataka. This blog is just a way to take you one step closer to this historically rich and modern state; the rest is indeed in your hands. If you liked what we wrote, please make sure to give us a LIKE and SHARE.
You can also contact us for planning a holiday in Karnataka or anywhere across India. Tour My India offers a range of exciting tour packages that can be customised as per your needs and budget. You can give us a call or drop us an email for our best deals on India travel packages.
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About the author
From the Lake District, Nainital, Nidhi Singh is a travel writer whose love for mountains can be seen in her write ups. Talk about solo travelling, indulging in adventure activities, binging on good food, planning budget trips or the Aurora Borealis and you will get all her attention. It is the wanderlust that keeps her going and if at all she could get one wish granted she would love to live a life less ordinary. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.
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