Pilgrimage Tourism in Karnataka includes the temples dedicated to different Hindu gods and goddesses. There are at least 52 temples in the state Karnataka. This state is famous for temples that are also architectural delights. However, Somnathpur is only hors d`oeuvre to the main architectural course. However, the temples at Halebid, Belur, Badani, Aihole and Pattadakal are also known for their architectural grandeur. This is probably the reason why Karnataka has been called the cradle of India`s temple architecture. Some are freestanding structures; others have been carved out of granite hills.

First were the cave temples of Badami and Aihole, carved in the second half of the 6th century AD. By the beginning of the 7th century, the transition from the rock-cut medium to structural techniques was already underway. Belur is a striking example of the latter, as is Halebid.

What are striking about the religious places of Karnataka, are not the Hindu temples but the Jain pilgrim centres. Amongst these, Shravanabelagola has to be mentioned. It has the largest monolithic stone statue of the Bhagavan Gometeshwara Bahubali. Devotees from all over the sub-continent gather here to pay their homage.

Besides this there are other religious sites in Karnataka that include Gokarna Math, Udupi, Mookambika Temple, Dharmasthala, Iskcon Temple, Yellamma Temple, Venur, Sringeri, Karkala, Inam Dattatreya Peetha, Talacauvery, Banavasi, Khwaja Bande Nawaz Durgah, Sharanabasaveshwara Shrine, Basavakalyan, Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib-Bidar, Banashankari Temple at Amargol, Kudalasangama, Murudeshwar Temple, Siddhaganga, Shivaganga, Devarayanadurga, Nanjangud, Melkote, Talkad and Mudabidri.

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