-
Not included
-
Entry fees included
-
Bangalore, India
-
October to March
-
Free cancellation up to 72 hours before departure.
-
English-speaking wildlife guide (Bandipur) + English tour guide (Ooty).
-
Included
-
Not included.
-
English
-
Breakfast included; lunch/dinner available at additional cost.
-
Hotel lobby
-
Complimentary bottled water provided.
-
UPI, Credit/Debit Cards, Bank Transfer, Cash.
-
Available daily – subject to safari slot availability
-
Air-conditioned private car.
-
12
-
65
-
1
Overview
This unique day tour unravels the mysteries of two extraordinary heritage destinations — Somnathpur and Talakadu.
At Somnathpur, you’ll explore the 13th-century Chennakesava Temple, a masterpiece of Hoysala architecture built on a star-shaped platform and adorned with hundreds of intricate sculptures. This UNESCO World Heritage site features stunning carvings of gods, dancers, musicians — even sculptures with their noses mysteriously cut, adding to the enigma.
Talakadu, once a prosperous town with over 30 temples, was dramatically buried under sand due to a legendary Queen’s curse. Today, several temples have been excavated, revealing beautiful structures hidden beneath dunes. You will visit the ancient Shiva temples of Vaidyanatheshwara and Pataleshwara, including a Lingam that changes color from red to black to white through the day.
This tour blends mythology, history, architecture, and geological wonder — one of the most intriguing cultural experiences from Bangalore.
Highlights
- Explore the magnificent Somnathpur Chennakesava Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Study 800-year-old Hoysala sculptures carved in soapstone with breathtaking detail
- Unravel the mystery of the Queen’s curse that buried Talakadu under sand dunes
- Visit five ancient temples excavated from the sand, including Vaidyanatheshwara
- Witness the legendary color-changing Lingam at Pataleshwara Temple
- Discover ceilings carved to depict 16 stages of a blooming banana flower
- Option for a bullock-cart ride through Talakadu’s sandy terrain
- Private AC car + English-speaking cultural guide
- A perfect mix of history, mythology, geology & architecture
