The culture of Karnataka has rich heritage. The lineage of Indian rulers like Mauryas, Chalukyas, The Hoysalas have left behind their embossments in various elements of culture of Karnataka. Diverse religion and languages of the indigenes had contributed in its ethnic grandness. The famous rock editcs of King Asoka, epitomizing regal artistry and aestheticism, are landmarks , thus making the region familiar to the people of the entire world. Karnataka is a home of various tribes like Kodavas, Konkanis, and Tuluvas. Besides Tibetan Buddhists and Siddhi folks live there. Karnataka`s art forms encompass huge ambit of majestic festivals ,music, drama, and royal cuisine.

Festivals
No wonder the impact of royal dynasties has enabled the culture of Karnataka to encompass all the exquisite wealth of festival festivities. These are

Hampi Festival ( Vijaya Utsav)
It is celebrated reminiscing the aura of Vijaygarh kings . Festivals of similar types also are held in places like Halebid, Pattadakal, Karavalli and Lakkundi. The time of their celebration is the winter month of November.
Tula Sankramana
It is a festival of joy commemorating the worship of Goddess Cauvery. Also known as theerthodbhava and is celebrated in the month of October with enthusiasm especially in Kodagu of Karnataka region. Believing that the Goddess will emerge from water , the `bhaktas` from all over the world gather in huge number ,take dip into the holy water of the Cauvery water and seek blessings from the deity. Pattadakkal Dance Festival
This is a festival of dance celebrated in jubilance at the premises of beautiful temples of Pattadakkal, the ancient capital of the chalukyan kings.. It is feted in the month of January.

Moreover, other festivals like Holi, Makar Sankranti, Dusshera , Diwali are celebrated in full frolic and vivacity , just like any other state of Indian subcontinent.

Vairamudi Festival
In Melkote this festival is feted in the month of March when the idol Lord Vishnu is being decked up with precious crown studded with diamond brought out from the palace of Mysore.

Kambala (Buffalo Race)
This festival of buffalo racing was celebrated with lots of exuberance by the royal kings and the people of the Karnataka keep up this tradition of royal sport.

Hoysala Mahotsava
This magnificent festival of dance takes place in places like Belur and Helebid .The fantabulous Hoysala temples are perfect embodiment of exquisite work of sculptures, thus making it the perfect locale for this cultural fete. It is famous in the month of March.

Music and dance
The culture of Karnataka is revered for its storehouse of music and dance forms. Especially Karnataka is august for its wealth of Indian classical music. Both Carnatic and Hindustani music proliferated in this region. The `Haridasa` movement of 16th century has bestowed the status of performing art style to Carnatic music. Purandara Dasa, the famous `Haridasas`, is acknowledged as the `Karnataka Sangeeta Pitamaha`. There are famous musicians also belonging to the genre of Hindustani musicians. Another musical genre of Carnatic school , namely Gamaka is practiced in various regions of Karnataka. It is popular and well appreciated by the music lovers from all over the world for its unique technique of story telling. Here a person hums a verse of a poem, employing worthy ragas full of melodious tunes. There is another person who goes on explaining the entailing of the stanza with anecdotes and instances.

The culture of Karnataka is ennobled by various dance forms namely Veeragase and Kamsale etc. Dollu Kunitha is a special dance form practiced by male shepherds of Kuruba community with the accopaniment of coloured drums. Devare Thatte Kunitha, Yellammana Kunitha, Suggi Kunitha and others have derived their names from the deity or the symbol or instruments that are used.

Karnataka patronizes Bharatanatya, the illustrious dance style of South India. They cherished popular awards like Kalidas Samman, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan . Other mainstream classical dances here include Kuchipudi and Kathak.

Cuisine Lifestyle
The rich heritage of culture of Karnataka makes an ideal tourist spot . Karnataka`s richness in culture and tradition, epitomizing through the wondrous monuments, has mesmerized every one from teens to oldies. The palatial hotels have thronged in the region to suit the requirements of tourists especially the foreigners who frequent the place through out the year. Mayura Hotels, Priyanka Palace Hotel, Hotel Kanishka International are some famous hotels satisfying the their customers with excellent amenities.

. Education is given a place of priority by the people of Karnataka. As per the 2001 census, Karnataka has a very literacy rate. Karnataka is an abode of some of the premiere educational and research organizations of India namely the Indian Institute of Science, the Indian Institute of Management and the National Law School of India University.

The arena of literature and poetry too is very profound. A unique poetry on expressionism known as Kannada Bhavageete has developed and it dealt with vivid subjects like love, nature, and philosophy.

The place is renowned for its classical folk theatre Yakshagana. Contemporary theatres too flourished in full-fledge in Karnataka. Activities of theatre organizations like Ninasam, Ranga Shankara and Rangayana are quite prominent in the state.The highly acclaimed Mysore school of painting had its origin in Karnataka. Kannada literature is a well- known name in the world of Indian literature.

The share of Karnataka to the diversified culture of India is no less deficient to that of any other states of India. Its contribution in the fields of art, music, religion and philosophy are emblematic.