KARNATAKA AND KERALA ON THE PART OF SRAVANABELAGOLA.

Bangalore / Hassan / Sravanabelagola / Belur / Halebid / Mysore / Cochin / Alleppey / Kovalam / Trivandrum.

Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days

ITINERARY:- 

JOURNEY with  A beautiful journey in Kerala and Karnataka, which in addition to including some "classic" places to visit in the region includes a very spectacular religious festival: in Sravanabelagola, a place of Jain pilgrimage, the Mahamasthakabhisheka takes place, a ceremony that is celebrated once every twelve years

01 Day - Arrive at Bangalore airport / Railway Station. 

BANGALORE - Arrival scheduled at local times after about 3 hours and 40 minutes flight. Completion of customs formalities, baggage collection, and meeting with our assistant for the transfer by private coach to the booked hotel: The rooms will be assigned around 2.00 pm Afternoon dedicated to the city view: Bengaluru (Bangalore) is the capital of the state of Karnataka and is considered one of the largest cities of India. Since 1947, given the independence of the British government, Bangalore has experienced a period of strong economic expansion, becoming a very important city from an industrial point of view, indeed the beating heart of the increasingly flourishing information and technology industry. Traffic is very often congested by high levels of pollution, but the city has maintained ample green spaces as it has managed to maintain the colonial heritage located in the central area of  Gandhi Nagar (old city). We will visit the TIPU SULTAN'S PALACE: built by the tiger of the south (the so-called Fateh Ali Tippu last governor who resisted the advance of the British Empire) in the year 1784. Remarkable for its frescoes and its mighty teak columns. TEMPLE OF BULL: built-in Dravidian style during the 16th century it is considered one of the most evocative temples of Bangalore, it houses inside a gigantic monolith that represents the bull Nandi. ISKON TEMPLE: a huge, richly decorated temple dedicated to an important Hindu deity. It contains golden shrines, murals, and hundreds of statues. Dedicated to the god Krishna was built by the company Hari Krishna in 1997. The cultural complex is an oasis of peace and serenity where many religious activities are held and where you can taste local dishes. Located on a hill of 2.8 hectares it is one of the largest religious complexes in the world. Return to the hotel during the night in Hotel. 

02 Day- BANGALORE / SHRAVANABELAGOLA / HASSAN 182 km approx. 4 hours.

After breakfast transfer to Hassan. On the way for the first time, they came into contact with the ceremonies of Shravanabelagola. In Sravanabelagola, an important pilgrimage site for the Jain, there is a 17-meter monolithic statue of the Lord of the Bahubali - Gomateshwara - the highest monolithic statue in the world. A ceremony called "mahamathakabhisheka" is celebrated here, in which hundreds of thousands of Jains from around the world will participate. This ceremony is a symbol of promoting peace in the world and respect for the peaceful coexistence of all beings. To get information about this meeting that takes place once every 12 years, you can visit this Overnight in Hassan, Hotel. 

03 Day- SHRAVANABELAGOLA (from Hassan 55 km 1 hour and 16 minutes) Breakfast and overnight stay in Hassan, Hotel. 

04 Day - HASSAN / MYSORE 150 km - about 3 hours

After Breakfast in the Hotel and departure for Belur and Halebid, also called Halebidu, the old capital, were the main centers of the Hoysala empire, in today's Karnataka. Hoysala's temples are relatively small, compared to the great buildings of the time, but present a unique style in the history of Indian art, which distinguishes them decisively from the styles of other contemporary dynasties, neighbors, and neighbors. The architectural innovation of these temples consists in having modified the classic Sancta Sanctorum, Garbha-griha, a square that rotates the plant to produce a star. Belur, on the banks of the Yagachi River, was the first capital of the sovereign Hoysala Vishnuvadhala and its main temple Chennakesava from 1116, whose construction took almost a century, is located inside a courtyard, surrounded by walls, on a star-shaped base that includes a walker. The temple is dedicated to Vishnu - Krishna but celebrates above all the victory of the Hoysala on the Chola in the battle of Talakod. At first sight, this temple does not seem to present elements of note, also because the superstructure is no longer present, but in reality, offers extraordinary examples of sculpture and bas-relief. Halebid was founded at the beginning of the eleventh century, with the name of Dwarasamudra, the gateway to the sea. It was destroyed on two occasions by the armies of the Sultanate of Delhi in 1311 and 1327. Abandoned for a long period, it then became the name of Halebidu, but remained a minor center. However, the great Hoysalesvara temple survived the destruction. It is the largest temple built by the dynasty, it was founded in 1121 but was never completed. Its superstructure, unlike that of the temple of Belur, was not destroyed: it was never built. Beautiful statues of divinity surround the temple, friezes sculpted minutely show elephants, lions, floral motifs, mythological animals, and knights. Majestic mythological and epic scenes offer episodes taken from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana that, if followed in a clockwise direction, unfold before the eyes in perfect sequence. A majestic Nandi bull presides over his mandapa, the hall that precedes the Sancta Sanctorum. Other remains in the area are reminiscent of the ancient presence of the capital around this building. Continue to Mysore and overnight at the Hotel or similar. 

05 Day - MYSORE the city of the Palaces. Breakfast at the hotel. The cultural capital of Karnataka is not only the proud home of numerous historic palaces, the most famous of which was the residence of the Wodeyar dynasty, who ruled the area for 700 years until Indian independence, but is also one of the top centers for the teaching of Yoga Mysore also known as Mahishur has its origins in the mythical past of India when the goddess Chamundeshwari who resided on Chamunda hill killed the evil buffalo head of the demons Mahishasura. Mysore Dasara is the celebration of this victory of good over evil. Mysore is also associated with the Mahabharata and with King Ashoka of the 3rd century A.C. During the reign of the Wodeyar it reached its maximum splendor as a fabulous center of oriental grandeur. Mysore is located 770 m above sea level; the imperial city was the capital of the Wodeyars. Today Mysore is one of the largest cities in Karnataka, a city known worldwide for its production of sandalwood and silk. In the morning visit the temple of Somnathpur (the temple of Keshava, in the style of Hoysala, which unlike those of Belur and Halebid was completed) and Srirangapatnam where there are the ruins of the capital of the kingdom of the sultans Hyder Ali and Tipu, which from here governed much of southern India in the 18th century. There is a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Ranganatha, a manifestation of Vishnu. It is worth going to lunch or dinner at Lalitha Mahal: the food is good, the dining room very sumptuous, and you can also visit the maharaja's residence. (if it's hot, it's a great place to get some fresh air in the gardens or the pool). In the afternoon visit to the Mysore palace built in 1912, in Indo-Saracen style, where the Golden Royal throne, the durbar hall, the Kalyana Mandap, and the gallery are definitely worth a visit. Visit the colorful bazaar., And the possibility to visit a silk weaving factory: Overnight at the Hotel

06 Day - MYSORE / BANGALORE / COCHIN 3 hours of road + 1 hour Flight

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure by bus to Bangalore airport and continue with a local flight to Cochin. Accommodation in the reserved rooms at the Hotel. In the evening you can attend a Kathakali dance show 

07 Day - COCHIN Breakfast at the hotel. Full day dedicated to Cochin's visit. Visit the Synagogue built in 1568. Inside are preserved large Old Testament scrolls and copper plates on which are described the privileges accorded to the Jews by the governors of Cochin. The floor is in Chinese tiles. The Dutch Palace (Dutch Palace) was built by the Portuguese and given to the Raja of Cochin in 1555. Mural paintings of the seventeenth century. Represent epic scenes of the Ramayana. St. Francis Church; was built-in 1510 by the Portuguese, it is believed that this is the first church built in India by Europeans. The tomb of Vasco de Gama. The Chinese fishing nets that you see in the harbor are of Chinese heritage, left after contact with these people. Overnight at the hotel.

08 Day - COCHIN / ALLEPPEY 55 Km 2. Hrs. about Two hours on the road.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Alleppey and backwaters, arrival and accommodation on the luxury house Boat. Lunch, dinner, and overnight in a houseboat. You will cross the "Kuttanad", which literally means "below sea level". This beautiful and luxuriant land, the 'rice cobbler' of Kerala, marks the placid pace of life of people living on the backwaters. The clear waters of the lagoon are an integral part of life in Kerala. They originate from tumultuous rivers in the high mountains, which pass through tea and coffee plantations, rubber and spice plantations, sugar cane fields, and tapioca, to end up being the placid waters on which they are sailing. These waters are used as vital communication routes for the country; for the transport of people and merchandise, it is often the only link between the isolated villages and the crowded metropolises of Kerala. For the visitor, witnessing this Kerala that lives along the channels of the backwaters can be a unique experience. 

09 Day - ALLEPPEY / KOVALAM 160 km about 3 hours and 40 minutes.

Breakfast in the boathouse. Departure for Kovalam and accommodation in the reserved rooms at the Hotel Afternoon dedicated to seaside activities.

10 Day - KOVALAM Breakfast. A day dedicated to seaside activities or you are invited to relax with massages and typical Ayurvedic Indian treatments. The open house overlooks the pool and serves local fish and ethnic cuisine, while the Ocean Grill prepares seafood dishes on the beach. 

11 Day - KOVALAM Breakfast. A day dedicated to seaside activities or you are invited to relax with massages and typical Indian Ayurvedic treatments. Overlooking the pool, the Open House offers local seafood and ethnic cuisine. Ocean Grill serves seafood dishes on the beach. 

12 Day - KOVALAM Breakfast. A day dedicated to seaside activities or you are invited to relax with massages and typical Indian Ayurveda treatments. Overlooking the pool, the Open House offers local seafood and ethnic cuisine. Ocean Grill serves seafood dishes on the beach. 

13 Day - KOVALAM Breakfast. A day dedicated to seaside activities or you are invited to relax with massages and typical Indian Ayurveda treatments. Overlooking the pool, the Open House offers local seafood and ethnic cuisine. Ocean Grill serves seafood dishes on the beach.

14 Day - TRIVANDRUM At about Departure from the hotel to the Transfer to the Trivandrum airport (22 km approximately 40 minutes)