Badami

Badami is a small town located in Karnataka. It is known for rock sculpture and temple architecture. The town was originally known as Vatapi and was the seat of government of the Badami Chalukyas in the 6th century AD. The name Vatapi has its origins in a mythological tale of the Ramayana.According to mythology, Vatapi and Ilvala were two demons. They used to eat beggars alive by tricking them. Vatapi would pose as red meat which Ilvala then offered to the beggars. Before the beggars could digest the meat, Ilavala would call out Vatapi’s name and he would rip through the beggars’ body.Ilvala had a boon of calling back people from anywhere by just calling out their name. However, once, Sage Agastya ate and digested Vatapi before his elder brother could call out his name. Thus, Vatapi’s life was brought to an end.Historically speaking, Badami was the Chalukya Dynasty’s capital from the 6th to 8th century AD. The city was founded by a Chlukya ruler named Pulakesi in the 6th century.

Kavaledurga Fort -Thirthahalli

Kavaledurga is a historical place loCated at a distance of 16 Km from Thirthahalli  in Shimoga district.
Kavaledurga is situated 5056 ft above sea level and the place is well known for a magnificent fort called Kavaledurga Fort built on the hill top.

Kavaledurga Fort is now in a ruined state to a large extent except few structures like the two fortresses and some temple like Lakshminarayana Temple, the Mylaareshwara shrine still stand the rampage of time and humans. The two circular bastions that form a gateway to the second level of the fort are called "Nagaari Baagilu". The Lakshminarayana Temple on the top of a huge rock in the fort premises still remains strong. As you move on, you can come across the ruins of Darbar Hall and Queen s private swimming pool. This large fort constructed at Kavaledurga around 9th century AD, boasts of beautiful architecture and great construction plans of those times

Most of the fort is in a ruined state but once you are on the top, you can have a panoramic view of the entire surrounding at the foot of the hill fort. In the fort premises, there is a monolithic rock on which you have a small temple called as "Shikhareshwara Temple", probably because it is on the top most part and can be seen from the foot of the hill. To reach this temple, one has to climb the sloping smooth rock. In the third level of the fort you have a Kaashi Vishwanatha Temple. This is a special type of the temple where you can see two stone pillars (dwajasthambam) in front of the temple. At the entrance of this temple, there is a mantapam called "Tulabhaara Mantapa" and on one of the walls, there is a sketch of one of the court dancers. 

Jamalabad Fort

Jamalabad Fort is situated in the Jamalabad village of Kudremukh region. This fort was built in 1794 by Tipu Sultan, who is commonly known as Tiger of Mysore. Jamalabad village is located at the foot of a high rock which is a part of Kudremukh hills, near Belthangady.

Jamalabad was earlier known as Narasimhagudi. Orginally a mud fort existed on the hilltop, which was takenover by Tipu in the 17th century. Records say that Tipu reconstructed/ fortified the structure in 1794. Later the fort has fallen into the hands of British in the successive wars that have taken place with Tipu, in between 17th and 18th centuries.Today this place is dilapidated

However the hilltop which is approximately 1700 feet above sea level, offers a great view of the valley beneath. This place is visited by trekkers.