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Have you always wanted to experience a Train Journey in India and see a bit more what the Country has to offer (without going too far?)
Well now here’s your chance. Let ‘Lawrence of India’ guide you on this Temples of Karnataka Tour, showing you some of the hidden gems the State has to offer. New for this year, Lawrence has composed the Tour himself so it’s not something you would find anywhere else. Lawrence is a fun, friendly, approachable person, not to mention professional and passionate. Along with his wealth of knowledge and his interesting facts & stories he is the difference of what makes a good tour a really great one.
Featured by Chris Tarrant on his Extreme Railway Series your journey will start on the Konkan Railway on-board the passenger train from Margao to Udupi. The Konkan Railway runs down the west coast of India connecting the port cities of Mumbai and Mangalore. Although the British Empire built 40,000 miles of track across the vast sub-continent between, they stayed clear of this narrow, boggy strip of land as it was such a treacherous and difficult environment in which to build a railway.
As a result, Western India remained undeveloped until over 100 years later when a brave Indian engineer took on the daunting task. Known as 'The People's Railway' it opened in January 1998, finally connecting the remote villages along the route to the outside world. Be entertained by the Train Vendors who come up & down the carriages selling things from Tea & Coffee to Snacks & Playing Cards, you never know what’s coming next. Sit back, relax & take your positions for the day as you chugger through towns & villages and watch the local people go by. Be entertained by the Train Vendors who come up & down the carriages selling things from Tea & Coffee to Snacks & Playing Cards, you never know what’s coming next. Sit back, relax & take your positions for the day as you chugger through towns & villages and watch the local people go by.
Spend your evening relaxing in the Hotel’s Bar & Restaurant or sample some local cuisine in one of many nearby places. Ensure you get some rest and wake up feeling refreshed, ready to enjoy the drive through the Karnatakan Countryside and explore the enchanting Temples of Karnataka.
First stop of the day will be Agumbe View Point, located 2000 feet above sea level it is the highest point in Southern India and receives the most rainfall. We’ll be taking the Agumbe Ghat Road, an engineering marvel of the British age built in 1839 and because of the narrow, winding, twisting bends it's considered to be one of the most challenging roads to drive in Karnataka. Agumbe is famously known as the Cobra Capital of India due to the number of Cobra’s that are found here.
Get your cameras and be ready to capture the magnificent views of the Karnatakan Countryside.
Then we’ll be making our way to Vidyashankar Temple, a 1000-year architectural beauty in Sringeri. There are 12 pillars representing the 12 signs of the Zodiac. You’ll be in awe of the cleverly constructed masterpiece where the morning rays of sun fall on the Pillar representing the Zodiac Sign for that month. Very interesting to see, it’s no surprise it’s on many peoples Bucket Lists. The river flowing alongside the Temple has a Fish Sanctuary and is home to thousands of fish. The Mahseer Fish is an important icon in India and is worshipped in several Temples. It is customary for the devotees who visit the Temple to feed the Fish with Puffed Rice, Bread or Toast so if you have the chance to pick some up, bring it along with you!
Next we’ll be driving through Chikmagalur, known as the ‘Coffee Land’ of India. It was here that the first Coffee Crop was grown many years ago. It was Baba Budan, an Indian Muslim Saint that discovered Coffee when he travelled to Mocha (Yemen) on his pilgrimage to Mecca. To introduce its taste to India, he sneaked 7 Coffee Beans in his thick beard and planted them on the Chandragiri Hills of Chikmagalur. It was for forbidden to take Coffee Seeds out of Arabia at that time. However, because the number 7 is sacred in Islam, the Saint's act of bringing the Coffee Beans was considered a religious deed. Chikmagalur is famous for its stunning natural beauty, lush green hills, Waterfalls and not to mention endless Coffee Estates – it’s an experience not to be missed!
Lastly we visit 3 Temples that are some of oldest Temples in India and have been around somewhat 500 years before Hampi. Protected by the ASI (The Archaeological Survey of India) an Indian government agency that is responsible for the archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural historical monuments in the country. Made from Soap Stone, all the Temples are a quality work of art made during the Hoysala era which was an important period in the development of South Indian Art, Architecture and Religion. A government organized guide will take on a tour through each of the Temples, you’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time and you’ll be amazed in the history that lies behind them.
Chennakeshava Temple was built in the town of Belur, a famous site for the Hoysala Kingdom. The Hoysala Empire ruled most of what is now Karnataka between the 10th and the 14th century. The star shaped Temple is believed to have taken around 103 years to build and is a timeless beauty. It’s one of the oldest and grandest Temples of Karnataka’s Hassan District. Visitors flock here to admire the most intricate sculptors & art and embrace the charm that this place holds, many leave feeling spiritually elevated.
Veeranarayana Temple in Belvadi is an architectural marvel. Words fail to describe the mastery and skill of the sculptors. This Temple is 270 feet long and there are 84 carved Elephants inside however the most impressive feature is the 108 Pillars that shine like metal, you can see your reflection in them like looking into a Mirror. This Temple also houses one of the most famous sculptures of Lord Krishna, said to be the most beautiful one in the whole of India. The sculptures are so divine and beautifully done they immediately bring peace and serenity to you.
Hoysaleswara is a Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, a sculptural wonder to be seen and admired. Out of all the Temples this stands out the most from that era as it’s in its complete form having survived the attacks during the Mughal period. The manual carving detail on the structure is unbelievable, with many saying they are far better than the ones found in Hampi Compared to other artists the exquisite carvings by the Hoysala artists are class apart.
For anyone who appreciates Art & History, this is Photographer’s paradise – a real treat to your eyes.
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