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PALAKA RESORTS, HASSAN, KARNATAKA, INDIA.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the heart of Karnataka architecture, greenery and water. The resort is excellent with good ambience, luxurious facilities, very good food, great activities, friendly staff, relaxing atmosphere, kids pool/activities, nice walks around coconut groove, etc. The resort itself is very nicely located close to a backwater and a dam, and is easy to locate as it is just off the Hassan-Mysore highway.

We were told to go to Coorg or Chikmagalur, but on suggestion of a friend, ended up visiting this resort about 30 kms from Hassan. We drove down from Bangalore after touring Bangalore. We took the Bangalore-Mangalore road, starting early morning and reaching the resort in 4 hours. Apart from going to Belur, Halebid and Shravanabelagola, we visited Sri Ramadevara Dam, Ramanathpur temples, Gorur Dam, Shettyhalli Church, etc.

We went as a group of 3 families and stayed for 3 nights and 4 days, but never got bored as there is so much activity to do in the resort. The adults and kids enjoyed the swimming pool. We visited the nearby coconut grooves, caught up with the birds around the dam and backwaters which is just a short walk away. The vegetarian food was very tasty, not spicy and the restaurant was a pleasant experience.

Lots of sight seeing - ancient Hoysala architecture, dams, water, green paddy fields, sparse populated areas, etc!

Water sports, swimming, temple tours, resting in a hammock reading a book, tractor rides, etc.

About 4 hours from Bangalore. Start early in the morning from Bangalore to avoid the traffic on the Bangalore-Mumbai Road till Nelamangala. After that it is a nice car trip. Carry a map along with you.

UNEXPLORED GEMS OF HASSAN

Everyone knows about Belur, Halebid and Shravanabelagola in Hassan. However, within driving distance of Palaka Resorts, you can explore many lesser known attractions. The suggested itinerary: Palaka – Ramanathpur (50 kms) – Gorur Dam (25 kms) – Shettyhalli Church (20 kms) – Mosale Hoysala Temples (30 kms) – Sri Ramadevara Hill (10 kms) – Palaka (10 kms). The roads are very good and the drive is very pleasant amidst greenery and very less traffic. Pack lunch from the resort and take this day long picnic. Be sure to spot the variety of flora (sunflower, corn, paddy, etc) and fauna (animals and birds) around you.

RAMANATHPUR TEMPLES This is a holy town on the banks of River Cauvery. This temple town is also known as “Dakshin Kashi” for its many temples that are at the banks of the river. There are over 5 temples within walking distance of one another. The river has a rich variety of fishes, some of which are revered. Right behind the Rameshwara temple, there are steps leading to the river where one can feed the fish after buying fish feed from vendors. You can also spot many birds. It is said that there is a cave in the waterbed that one can enter during the summer months.

GORUR DAM This dam was built across the Hemavathy river in early 1900s and forms the Hemavathi Reservoir. 46 villages were submerged by the dam waters. One needs permission from relevant authorities to go to the top of the dam to view the Hemavathi Reservoir. This town is also the birthplace of Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar who is a stalwart in Kannada literature.

SHETTYHALLI CHURCH This church is said to have been built about 450 years and is in Gothic architecture. The church gets submerged by the Hemavathy River backwaters. However, the water recedes during the summer months and one can go into the crumbling church. During this time, once a year, prayers are held and lamp is light in the church. When the church is submerged, you may find a coracle that would take you closer to the church. The new church is built in Portuguese style in the town.

MOSALE HOYSALA TEMPLES There are 2 temples – Chennakeshava and Someshwara temples – built in Hoysala architecture with intricate details.

SRI RANGANATHA HILL This temple is recently constructed and is situated on top of a hill. The Hanuman statue .The temple itself is of recent architecture. The drive to the hill is very picturesque and the road is very good. The temple is open from 6.30 am to 5 pm.

Other attractions within driving distance include: '''•	Nuggehalli - Kesava Temple •	Haranahalli - Chennakeshava and Someshwara temples •	Doddagadavalli - Lakshmidevi Temple on the Hassan-Belur road •	Hosaholalu - Lakshmirarayana Temple'''

'UNEXPLORED GEMS OF HASSAN brought to you byPalaka Resorts Near Sri Ramadevara DamHassan-Mysore Road	Ocio Hospitality leisure@ocioindia.com '080-41158187