The "Lingayats" are the dominant caste group in Northern Karnataka, a peasant caste, the Vokkaligas is dominant in the South. There are many tribes in Karnataka. The nomadic "Lambanis" in the north and west are amongst the several tribal people in the hill region.

Karnataka is predominately a Hindu state with minorities like Muslims and Christians living here.

Language and Literature

Kannada is the principal language of Karnataka. In the border region, other Southern languages are spoken. Hindi is used for trade and business.

The earliest known classic literature is "Kavirajamarga", which dates from the 9th century. This is treatise on the art of writing poetry.

Pampa, Ponna and Ranna - the three gems of Kannada literature, developed a mixed form of poetry and prose in their writings in the 10th to the 12th century.

Basava, a Lingayat sect Shaivite Saint, towards the end of the 12th century started a new Hindu renaissance. He used simple rhyming prose to spread his teachings amongst the general public.

Krishna Deva Raya (ruled from 1509-29 AD), himself was a poet and wrote in Telegu and Sanskrit. During his time both were encouraged.

During the Vijaynagar Empire, from the 16th century many Vaishnavite devotional songs were penned.

With the advent of the Muslim rule, the Hindu art form and literature went underground. The Hindu faith and devotion instead formed its expression through the popular song, dance and entertainment form called the "Yakshagana" in Karnataka.

Dance, Drama and Music

Open air folk theatre or "Bayalata" of Karnataka is a famous dance form. This dance is performed at religious festivals and family celebrations. It usually starts at night and continues till the wee hours of the morning. This dance-drama usually has four or five actors/actresses, assisted by a jester. The theme in these is usually mythological but sometimes real life incidents are also highlighted.

"Doddata" is a less refined dance form than Yakshaganna. In both these dance forms, stories from "Ramayana" and "Mahabharta" are enacted. The costumes are elaborate, the make-up is loud, facial expression are vigorous and are accompanied with loud noises and war-cries.

Art and Architecture

Chalukyan Dynasty from 450 to 650 A.D, made a great contribution to the enrichment of Karnataka in the form of development of architectural wonders, notable amongst them being the temples at Aihole (Brahman temple design), Patta Dakal (North Indian Nagari principle) and Badami. Influence of Jainism of the Jain temples built in Karnataka can be seen at Badami.

The contribution of the Hoysala dynasty, four centuries later, in the field of Art and Architecture is no less. For example, temples at Belur, Halebid and Somnathpur, with a star shaped plan of the base and the shrine, bell shaped towers and extensively carved entrance and interiors, became a distinctive hall mark of this dynasty's temples.

Vijaynagar king's contribution to the advancement of Hinduism and distinct from of temple architecture seen mostly in their capital Hampi was no less. The temples of these times, blended with the rocky, boulder-ridden landscape of Hampi.

The Muslim influence on Karnataka's art and architecture is no less. One can see features like - domes, minarets etc.,  in the world's second largest dome the "Gol Gumbaz, fort at Gulbarga, Bidar, Dargaha of Hazrat Khwaja Banda Nawaz Gisudiraz, Gulbarga, Madrasah of Mohammed Gawan & Barid Shahi tomb complex at Bidar, to name a few.

Local Festivals

At Aihole in Feb-March, Ramalinga Car Festival is held.

At Bijapur in January, the "Siddhesvara Temple Festival" is held, which is a music festival accompanied by a Crafts Mela. In September, "Asar Mahal Urs" (Bijapur) festival in memory of the said saint is celebrated.

In October, "Dussehra" is celebrated with great pomp and pagentry in Mysore. Many foreign tourists flock Mysore during this season. Since Raja Wadeyar sponsored it in 1610, this festival is celebrated with great gusto. Elephants are bedecked, carrying status of Gods and Goddesses, horse driven chariots with bands, accompany this procession from the palace to Banni Mantap 5 km away. It symbolizes the victory of Goddess Chamundeswari (Durga) over the demon Mahishasura.

"Temple Car Festival" with a fifteen day fair is celebrated during March-April at the Chamundi Temple.

"Vairamudi Festival", lasts six days, during which deities are adorned with three diamond studded crowns at Melkote Temple, 52 km away from Mysore.

On 11th August every year "Feast of St. Philomena" in Mysore, is celebrated when the statue of the saint is taken out in a procession through the city and ends with a service at the cathedral.

In April, the "Karaga Sakti" (Mother Goddess worshipped as Draupadi), is celebrated. Devotees balance many pots on their head, one on top of the other. This festival is held on a moonlit night with a procession, consisting of the priest dressed as a woman balancing the pot on his head, and "Veerakumars" - who wave swords in the air.

In Nov-Dec, the "Kadalekaye Parishe" (groundnut eating) festival is held at the Bull Temple.

Vijaynagar's Navratri Festival is celebrated around mid September - October.

In Hampi (Jan-Feb), the Virupaksha Temple Car Festival is held, which is quite famous. The annual Purandaradasa Aradhana Music festival at Vithala Temple is also held.

The Muslims in Hospet celebrate the Muharram   with its firewalkers, as elsewhere.

The above were some of the major festivals, including the local ones, celebrated in Karnataka.

Karnataka is famous for its Thali dishes. This is cheap, filling and usually fairly easy on the foreigners stomach. The South Indian Thali consists of rice, surrounded by several bowls of vegetables and sauces, all eaten with large helpings of Roti (wheat pancakes).

The other famous dishes offered in Karnataka's eating outlets are the famous Dosas, Idlis (steamed rice cakes) served with coconut chutney, Sambhar (pulse) and Rasam.

Most of the dishes here are vegetarian, but in big and cosmopolitan cities like Bangalore one can find pubs and restaurants offering international cuisine.

Steaming hot cup of coffee is a favorite drink for all at anytime of the day.

Coconut milk is another natural and refreshing drink available in abundance and enjoyed by all.

Karnataka, with an area of 192,000 sq km, offers varied options to the tourist to explore - like the exquisitely carved Temples, Rockcut Caves, Gardens, National Parks and Bird Sanctuary, Falls, Forts, Palaces, Mangrove forests, coastline with its Beaches, Hill stations etc. all at one go.

Om Kareshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Madikeri in the Kodagu district, with its cool and clean air, is an interesting place to visit in Karanataka.

Bull Temple

The "Bull Temple" is found in Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka. Bangalore is relatively a new city and it dates as recently as 1537, when the Vijaynagar Kingdom made a grant of land to an ally called Kempe Gowda. In the 18th century, Haidar Ali, Tipu Sultan and the Wadiyar dynasty of Mysore strengthened it. The British later enlarged it and shifted the main cantonement from Srirangapatnam to a much higher and healthier Bangalore. Today, Bangalore is a fast growing city with business opportunity galore. Due to its fast growing computer industry, it's been nicknamed "India's Silicon Valley". Bull Temple is one of the places to visit in Bangalore. Kempe Gowda made many temples like the ones dedicated to Anjaneya (God of Power), Vinayaka (God of good fortune), Nandi (Shiva's bull mount).

Place Chart : The Bull temple at Basavanagudi is in Bangalore at the top of a hill. One can take a taxi to the temple or brave a good walk up the hill.

Climate : The climate of Bangalore is even and pleasant throughout the year. For the foreigners coming from cold climates, the month of December and January are good, with a maximum temperature nearly 28 degrees centigrade.

Clothing : During the summer months (May, June), the maximum temperature is nearly 32deg - 34deg centigrade and cool cottons are recommended. During the winter months of December and January the maximum temperature is between 25deg - 28deg centigrade. Therefore light woolens for the night can be used.

Language : Kannada is the principal language spoken here. In addition, people are well versed in English, and a little bit in Hindi also. Bangalore is a cosmopolitan city.

Main Features of the Temple :

In the shrine atop the hill, a massive garlanded black and shiny Nandi (Shiva's mount, the bull) is ensconsed, which dates back to 1786. It is 5 mt in height and ever 6 mt in length. The size of the Nandi is overwhelming. At the back is a small Lingam Shrine. It modern Gopuram rises gracefully and majestically. The underground "Sri-Gavi Gandadhareshwara Temple" is equally fascinating, where on every January 14th (Makara Sankranti), they say a ray of light passes between the horn of a Nandi outside the temple and lights the idol kept inside. Three levels of excavations have been carried out in the cave. One can see the black stone Hanuman here. On the way to the Bull Temple, one comes across a temple dedicated to the Elephant God Ganesha. The Bull temple is abuzz with great activity during the Shivratri festival.

Local festival Kadalekaye Parishe (Ground nut fair) held during November-December at the Bull Temple, includes a groundnut eating festival. The farmers offer this first harvest collection to Nandi.

Timings : Entry to the temple is free and the daily timings are from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

CLIMATE: The monsoon season is very humid on the coasts and the Ghats. During June to September the Western coast in extremely wet due to the onslaught of the monsoon. It receives about 1,500 mm of rainfall in June and July alone. On the East of the Western Ghats, which is a rain shadow area, the rainfall decreases rapidly. Bangalore has an annual rainfall of just over 800-mm.