Hassan and Coorg (3 Nights / 4 Days)

<p>• Welcome at Bangalore & proceed to Hassan, noted for its enchanting natural scenic beauty is also a veritable treasure-house of Hoysala architecture and sculpture, the best specimens of which are at Belur and Halebeed.</p><p>• En-route visit Shravanabelagola, a Jain pilgrim destination at an altitude of about 3350 feet above sea level famous for the monolith of Bahubali or Gommateshwara who was a King who renounced his kingdom and spent the rest of his life meditating till he attained Nirvana. The naked statue of Gommateshwara is 58 feet high and 26 feet wide and has 10 feet long feet. The statue was carved out of the black granite of the hill and is a picture of serenity and composure.</p><p>• On arrival check in at hotel.</p><p>• Later visit Hoysaleswara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple was built during the 12th century and the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana built it.</p><p>• Chennakesava Temple is situated on the Yagachi River at Belur. Lord Vishnu is worshipped in this temple. The ornate gopurams in the Chennakesava temple are attractive. When one enters the temple, one gets a feel of the grandeur of the Hoysalas.</p><p>• Overnight stay at Hotel.</p><p></p>

<p>• After Breakfast, checkout from hotel & and proceed to Coorg, located in the south-west part of Karnataka bordering Kerala. Coorg is one of India’s famous travel destination and has been called the Scotland of India by the British and also called as the Kashmir of South India. Coorg’s natural beauty, the people, the culture and the food is the major attraction which draws people towards Coorg from all over the world.</p><p>• En-route visit Tibetan Golden Temple near Bailkoppa. This Tibetan settlement is the the second largest Tibetan settlement outside Tibet. There are over 7,000 monks and students at the Tibetan monastery. After the Chinese took over Tibet, the refugees were settled at Bylkuppe near Kushalnagar and the Buddhist Monastery was re-established here in 1972. The 40 ft tall golden Buddha statues are the major attractions of Bailkoppa. The statues of Buddha, Padmasambhava, and Amitayus are the notable ones. The walls of the temples and the institutions are decorated with colorful paintings depicting gods and demons from Tibetan Buddhist mythology. The altar is decorated with flowers, candles and incense sticks. Apart from the calm and peaceful surroundings there are shopping centers near the temples where one can shop for traditional Tibetan items like costumes, statues, carpets, jewelery etc.</p><p>• Upon arrival check in at hotel.</p><p>• Evening visit Raja’s Seat or the Seat of the King is a famous sunset point in Madikeri. It was once the platform from which the kings of Kodagu used to enjoy glorious sunsets. The spot got its name as it was the favourite recreational place for the kings. Raja’s seat stands inside a splendid garden of seasonal flowers and musical fountains. The garden becomes a colourful sight when the flowering plants are in full bloom. Today it is a famous destination of Madikeri that is visited by tourists throughout the year.</p><p>• Overnight stay at Hotel.</p><p></p>

<p>• Later proceed for sightseeing by covering some of interesting places such as Talacauvery a holy pilgrimage for the Hindus. Located at the Brahmagiri hills and considered to be the origin of the river Kaveri, it is situated 1276m above the sea level. At present there is a tank at the place where Kaveri is believed to have originated. The river originates as a spring supplying water to this tank. This tank is considered to be a holy place to bathe on special days. Nearby there is also a small temple dedicated to Lord Agastheeswara and frequently visited by the pilgrims.</p><p>• Sri Omkareshwara Temple built in 1741 by the King Lingarajendra II, for exculpation against Brahma Hatya. Built in the Mughal style, this temple involves Indo Islamic and Gothic architecture. There are not many Shiva temples in India that share similar architectural style. Also, Shivalingas that go by the name of Omkareshwara, are also a rarity in India. The temple's sanctum sanctorum and it's entrance is not smaller as one would find in most temples across India. The temple in general occupies a vast and wide area.</p><p>• The Madikeri Fort has an intriguing historical past. It was initially built of mud, and later replaced to the present structure by Tipu Sultan. The grand monument houses an Anglican church, a temple, a prison and a museum. Offering a panoramic views of the city, the entrance of the fort is adorned by two fascinating mortar elephants. The fort also holds remnants of the erstwhile British era, including a vintage clock tower. Sunsets viewed from the fort are simply magical.</p><p>• Abbey falls is one of the most amazing attractions in the Coorg. . The picturesque view of the fall will surely take your breath away and also provide you with quite a few Kodak moments. The waterfall comes down from a height of 70 feet and provides a superb vista. You will also find a hanging bridge across the gorge from which an exceptional view of this waterfall is a sight to remember.</p><p>• Overnight stay at Hotel.</p><p></p>

<p>After breakfast, check out from hotel & proceed to Bangalore/Mysore for departure, back to home with beautiful memories of a life time trip.</p>