🏯 KSTDC – Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation

Overview

Karnataka is a land of ancient temples, UNESCO heritage sites, sacred rivers, and grand festivals. To bring these treasures closer to pilgrims and cultural travelers, the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) was established in 1971. As the official tourism arm of the state, KSTDC offers heritage hotels, curated temple circuits, cultural packages, and spiritual treks, making Karnataka’s sacred and cultural wealth accessible to visitors from around the world.

🌿 Preserving Karnataka’s Cultural & Heritage Tourism

KSTDC plays a vital role in promoting the state’s spiritual and cultural identity through:

  • Mayura Group of Hotels – heritage-style hotels near temples, forts, and natural wonders.
  • Temple & Heritage Circuits – curated tours across Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal, Aihole, Shravanabelagola, and Mysuru.
  • Festival Tourism – packages around Mysuru Dasara, Hampi Utsav, and other temple festivals.
  • Sacred Treks – treks to hilltop shrines and monolithic statues.

🕉️ Spiritual & Pilgrimage Tours by KSTDC

KSTDC curates tours to Karnataka’s holiest destinations, supporting pilgrims with guided experiences and accommodations:

  • Hampi & Vijayanagara Heritage – Temples of Virupaksha, Vittala, and other UNESCO sites.
  • Mysuru Temples & Chamundeshwari Hills – A sacred seat of Shakti worship.
  • Shravanabelagola – World-famous Jain pilgrimage site with the towering Bahubali statue.
  • Murudeshwar Temple – Dedicated to Lord Shiva, overlooking the Arabian Sea.
  • Udupi Krishna Temple – A revered Vaishnavite pilgrimage center.
  • Dharmasthala & Kukke Subramanya – Renowned pilgrimage sites in the Western Ghats.
  • Jog Falls & Nearby Temples – Blending natural beauty with spiritual visits.

🚆 Golden Chariot – Karnataka’s Heritage Train

One of KSTDC’s most iconic contributions is the Golden Chariot, a luxury heritage train that takes travelers on a spiritual and cultural journey through Karnataka and South India.

Highlights include:

  • Hampi’s temples and monuments.
  • Mysuru’s palaces and Chamundeshwari Temple.
  • Shravanabelagola Jain pilgrimage.
  • Belur and Halebidu’s Hoysala temples.

This unique experience combines royal luxury with heritage and devotion.

🏨 Accommodation – Mayura Hotels & Resorts

KSTDC manages the Mayura chain of hotels, strategically located near cultural and spiritual centers:

  • Mayura Yatrinivas in Mysuru, near Chamundeshwari Temple.
  • Mayura Bhuvaneshwari at Hampi, within walking distance of Virupaksha Temple.
  • Mayura Gerusoppa near Jog Falls and temples.
  • Mayura Velapuri at Belur, close to Chennakesava Temple.

These accommodations are safe, affordable, and ideally placed for pilgrims and heritage travelers.

🎉 Festivals & Cultural Programs Supported by KSTDC

Karnataka’s festivals are both spiritual and cultural extravaganzas. KSTDC promotes and supports:

  • Mysuru Dasara – The state’s grandest festival, combining royal traditions, processions, and temple rituals.
  • Hampi Utsav – Celebrating the legacy of the Vijayanagara Empire with music, dance, and temple festivities.
  • Mahamastakabhisheka (Shravanabelagola) – The grand Jain ritual held every 12 years.
  • Kukke Subramanya & Dharmasthala Annual Festivals – Deeply rooted in devotion.

🛕 Sacred Treks & Religious Adventures

Karnataka offers some of India’s most memorable sacred treks through its hills and forests:

  • Chamundi Hills (Mysuru) – A climb of 1,000 steps to the Chamundeshwari Temple.
  • Shravanabelagola – Trekking to the hilltop statue of Bahubali.
  • Kodachadri Trek (Western Ghats) – Leading to the Sarvajna Peetha of Adi Shankaracharya.
  • Kudremukh Hills – With shrines linked to local deities.

These treks blend devotion with adventure, making them powerful spiritual experiences.

đź“Ś Practical Information

  • Official Website: Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC)
  • Booking Options: Mayura Hotels, Golden Chariot tours, and pilgrimage packages available online.
  • Best Time to Visit:
    • October–March: For Mysuru Dasara, Hampi Utsav, and temple circuits.
    • December–February: Ideal for treks and spiritual retreats.
    • Monsoon (June–September): For pilgrims seeking lush green temple landscapes in the Western Ghats.

🌸 Why Choose KSTDC for Spiritual & Heritage Travel?

  • Authenticity – Backed by the Government of Karnataka, ensuring safe services.
  • Pilgrimage Support – From Chamundi Hills to Murudeshwar, covering major temples.
  • Heritage Immersion – Hampi, Belur, Halebidu, Shravanabelagola circuits.
  • Cultural Festivals – Exclusive access to Karnataka’s most spectacular temple and heritage festivals.

For seekers of devotion, heritage, and culture, KSTDC is the trusted gateway to Karnataka’s spiritual and cultural soul.