Mandya

Historic city known for the massive Adoni Fort perched on a granite hill, one of the largest forts in the Deccan plateau with a network of underground passages. The ancient Rajoleswara Temple, the historic Jumma Masjid, and the sacred Ramatalai Temple reflect the city's rich heritage. Adoni was once a prosperous trading center under the Vijayanagara Empire and showcases a charming blend of Telugu and Kannada cultures.

Known as the "Cherrapunji of South India" for receiving some of the highest rainfall in India, Agumbe is a biodiversity hotspot and one of the last surviving lowland rainforest ecosystems in the Western Ghats. This small village in Shivamogga district gained fame as the setting for the iconic Malgudi Days TV series based on R.K. Narayan's stories. Agumbe is home to the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, the world's longest-running King Cobra monitoring and research station. The stunning sunset viewpoint from Agumbe Ghats offers panoramic views of the Arabian Sea on clear days, while the nearby Barkana Falls (one of the tallest waterfalls in Karnataka) and Onake Abbi Falls add to the natural splendor.

Acclaimed as the cradle of Hindu temple architecture, Aihole is an idyllic village on the banks of the Malaprabha River with over 100 ancient temples scattered across its landscape. Among these, the most impressive is the Durga Temple with its semicircular apse, elevated plinth, and a gallery encircling the sanctum — a revolutionary design that influenced centuries of Indian temple building. The Lad Khan Temple, Huchimalli Gudi, and Ravanaphadi cave demonstrate the evolutionary journey of Chalukya architecture from simple rock-cut shrines to elaborate structural temples. Walking through Aihole is like walking through an open-air museum spanning centuries of Indian artistry.