Karnataka is a state on the west coast of southern India. It includes the region of Kanara, and the state's people are called Kanarese. Karnataka is famous for its goldfields and for the sandalwood from its forests.

Location and description. Karnataka is located in southwestern India. On its western flank is a 320-kilometre coastline fringing the Arabian Sea. To its north and northwest are Goa and Maharashtra. Andhra Pradesh forms its eastern border, while in the extreme southeast it has a common border with Tamil Nadu. The state's southwestern border is with Kerala. Karnataka measures more than 700 kilometres from north to south and 500 kilometres from east to west.

Climate. The whole of Karnataka has a monsoon season. Most of the rain comes within the five-month period from June to October. But in some areas, especially the west, there are two peaks of rainfall. Early rains come in May and are essential to the flowering of the coffee plants.

After these rains there is a drier period in June and July, with a second wet spell in September and October. The altitude helps reduce temperatures over much of the state. Average temperature ranges from 20 °C in December to 27 °C in May, the hottest month. This comparative coolness makes cities such as Bangalore and Mysore particularly attractive.

Tourist Centres: The garden city of Bangalore has been adjudged the cleanest city in India more than once. A trip from Banglore to Mysore, the capital of Wodeyars via Srirangapatnam, the capital of Tipu Sultan, is quite rewarding.

Mysore city is famous for the Dusshera festival during Sept-Oct. The famous Krishnaraja Sagar dam and Vrindavan gardens are nearby. Among the natural parks is Nadipur Wildlife sanctuary, 80 Kms. south of Mysore.

Belur, on the bank of river Yagachi, was once the flourishing capital of the Hoysala empire. The famous Hoysaleshwara temple is popular worldwide for its exquisite carvings. Shravanbelagola where the 18 metres statue of Gomateshwar stands is a Jain pilgrim centre. Gersoppa (Jog falls) is world famous.