Most people would know Bengaluru and that it is the primary information technology (IT) hub in the country. However, the state of Karnataka has a lot more to offer and its full potential as a top tourist destination is just starting to get realized. When planning to explore the wonders of Karnataka, it’s advisable that you start your journey from Bengaluru. There are direct flights to Bengaluru from various cities in India and several global locations as well.

In Bengaluru, you will have access to the best hotels such as Shangri-La Hotel, which is a 5-star deluxe hotel located near to the airport. It provides splendid views of the city and offers various services and amenities such as 24/7 front desk, express check-in and check-out, spa, outdoor pool, dedicated health club, gym, etc.

You can also book your stay at Taj Hotels, which is widely popular worldwide and is considered the epitome of luxury. Here, you can take a refreshing break before you embark on your tour of Karnataka. Another benefit of starting your journey in Bengaluru is that you can contact a plethora of tour operators and get the best deals for holiday packages.

To give you a glimpse of the various marvels that await you in Karnataka, let’s take a look at the top 10 destinations most frequented by tourists in the state.

Mysore Palace: This majestic structure was designed by Henry Irwin, who was a British consultant architect of Madras State. The Mysore Palace holds a rich cultural legacy and is a delight for art lovers. It reflects the influence of the Wadiyar dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1950. Visitors are hugely impressed by its Indo-Saracenic style of design that is characterized by various arches, colonnades, turrets and domes. Also not to be missed are the massive chandeliers, domed ceilings, cast-iron pillars and Belgian stained glass.

Hampi: This is the ancient capital city of Vijayanagara, which has been frequented by travellers from all across the globe, ever since it was built. In the earlier era, it was frequented by the Orientals, Arabs, Persians and Portuguese. In ancient times, Hampi was the hub for cultural and commercial exchanges. Its religious significance is that it is considered the place where Hindu god Shiva married Parvati.

Bijapur: This is among the top heritage destinations in Karnataka. It was once the nerve center of the Bijapur kingdom, which was ruled by Mohammed Adil Shah in the 1600s. Bijapur was later ruled by the descendants of Adil Shah. The area is dotted with various structures of historical and architectural importance. Visitors come to Bijapur for its various palaces, mosques, fortifications, mausoleums, and gateways. The huge Gol Gumbaz is the most prominent structure and it dominates the landscape.

Kolar: This was once the ancient capital of the Ganga kingdom and is popular for its magnificent temples. The structures were developed by the Gangas and later improvements were made during the Chola Empire. When in Kolar, visit the Someshwara Temple and the famous Makbara that is the grave of relatives of Haidar Ali, the sultan of Mysore. Kolar is famous for its country made blankets called ‘Kambli’.

Gokarna: This is one of the most popular beach destinations in Karnataka. It is popular for its spectacular beaches, pristine coves, rocky cliffs, and old-world temples. The cliffs surrounding the beaches in Gokarna offer panoramic views of the Arabian Sea. Apart from just lazing in the sun, you can try other stuff too such as jet-skiing, fishing, spotting dolphins, etc.

Murudeshwar: This is where you should go if you are looking for solitude. The beaches here are surrounded by various hillocks and you can climb one of these and just watch the waves move in and out relentlessly like forever. Murudeshwar is another name of Hindu god Shiva. It is home to the tallest statue of Shiva in entire India. The famous Murudeshwar temple is also worth exploring.

Jog Falls: This is where the Sharavati River decides to take a deep plunge, creating one of the most spectacular sights for people to view. The river cascades down around 253 meters, which provides for breathtaking views of this natural wonder. Jog Falls are best viewed during the monsoon season when the waters are in great abundance.

Coorg: This is as close you can get to a humanly imaginable paradise. Coorg is popular for its myriad of scenic views, coffee plantations, old-world charms, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine. This was where the ancient kings came to relax and the legacy continues even today. Coorg has been able to maintain it pristine landscapes, much to the delight of nature lovers.

Kudremukh National Park: Also referred to as the Horse Face Range, this area derives its name from a mountain that is shaped like the face of a horse. The scenic hills provide spectacular views of the Arabian Sea. The area is one of the most favorite destinations for trekkers. Gushing rivers, lush green forests, captivating waterfalls, wild orchids, and grassy slopes are some of the attractions in the area.

Udupi: Most popular for its tasty cuisine, Udupi is also a famous pilgrimage center in Karnataka. One of the most visited spots in Udupi is the Krishna Temple. The vibrant Paryaya Festival is also held in Udupi every alternate year and it is frequented by thousands of devotees.

Karnataka has plenty of other interesting places to visit. There's so much to explore in its various cities such as Mysore, Hubli, Mangalore, and Bengaluru and top destinations that include a wide variety of heritage sites, pristine beaches, nature & wildlife, adventure destinations and spiritual centers. It is a melting pot of various cultures, cuisines, art forms, and festivals, which make it a traveller's delight.

Release Date: September 22, 2017
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Anjali Patil, Raghubir Yadav
Director: Amit Masurkar
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Duration: 1 hour 46 minutes      

As Bollywood is in the grip of superstars, peppy songs, and fictional stories, the movie Newton comes as a refreshing break. Newton is a sarcastic take on the current political system and everything that’s wrong with it. The movie showcases the fact that the world we live in has become so corrupt that anyone who still believes in truth and honesty is treated like an alien from a different planet. However, the movie also gives hope in that there are people who are still fighting to change the system and make a positive difference to the lives of people. While elections are interesting, Newton explores the seemingly drab world of people who conduct elections. It shows their fears and challenges, which is something unique to present in a movie.

The movie follows the life of a righteous elections officer Newton (Rao) who is not afraid to speak the truth. Newton believes in doing the right things and he will go to any extreme to achieve that. Newton is sent on an important assignment to conduct polls in a village that is located in Naxalite area. There’s a risk to life in the Naxalite area, but Newton accepts the challenge and goes with his team to conduct the election. While in the area, he meets Aatma Singh (Tripathi), who is just the opposite of Newton. Aatma Singh believes in getting the job done, irrespective of whether it is done in the right or wrong manner. Most of the other members in Newton’s team have also become lazy and indifferent, and don’t care much about the system. It’s up to Newton to let them see the true picture and make them realize that until you make efforts, there won’t be any change.

The very fact that the movie delves into a topic that has rarely been highlighted makes it quite interesting to watch. And to make an engaging story out of a seemingly uninteresting topic makes it even better. The credit goes to writer-director Amit Masurkar and Mayank Tewari, who have beautifully captured the finer aspects of what it’s like to work with honesty in a remote corner of India, surrounded by dense jungles and the constant threat of Naxalites.

Sir Isaac Newton may have got his inspiration from a falling apple, but this Newton really soars. It will delight you with its simplicity and subtle humor.

Evenings are that time of the day when we really crave for some junk food. Be it the street side chaat or some desi Chinese fast food, you just can’t stop yourself from your craving. But one should be careful about the kind of and amount of this ‘unhealthy food’ that we intake in the name of evening snacks.

The situation gets worse for those who go to the office. After struggling through the entire day, you tend to get exhausted and need a good break in the evening, and hence you opt for unhealthy eating habits.

Below are some ways to combat this craving:

The key here is to avoid outside food and try to keep ourselves healthy by eating low-fat homemade food

I know it might sound a bit awkward for many of you, but it is very important to communicate your feelings and desires to your partner about sex. Like you might have something to say, even your partner also might be facing a similar situation. So go break the ice and talk about it. We guarantee it will only increase the love between the two of you, and you will surely indulge in better love making after this!

Trying A New Sexual Fetish:
Before trying a new sexual fetish, it’s advisable to discuss it with your partner to ensure that you both are really in for it.

Period Sex:
Periods make you horny and so ask your partner if he’ll be up for some period sex and see where it goes from there. It’s only natural to crave some action, right?

Any Kind Of Sexual Discomfort:
‘Cuz if you’re not enjoying yourself then any kind of intimacy is not worth it at all. Maybe, demonstrate what actually works for you in bed?!

Discussing Turn Offs:
Stinky feet, unbrushed teeth or anything particular that your partner does which just puts you off, discuss it. If his ego is fragile, set up a shower-foreplay, so you can make sure you’re both minty fresh before you get down and dirty, nudge-nudge, wink-win.

Below are some ways in which we can overcome ageing effectively:

Apart from relaxation, workout is also important for our mind just like our bodies. Below are some brain exercise:

Some practices to follow for this:

As we have already said that these will not cure the disease completely but will at least lessen the symptoms, and make you feel better.

Release Date: September 15, 2017
Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Diana Penty, Ronit Roy, Gippy Grewal, Deepak Dobriyal, Rajesh Sharma, Inaamulhaq, Ravi Kishan
Director: Ranjit Tiwari
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
Duration: 2 hours 13 minutes    

There’s a reason why some of us like prison-break movies and just can’t seem to get enough of it. May be the liking stems from our inherent knowledge that the earth is essentially a prison and getting out from it is quite impossible, unless you have worked hard to acquire the resources needed to achieve escape velocity. Life in prison is mostly the same, with the twin possibilities that you either complete your full time there or acquire the resources to break free. Lucknow Central also delves into the lives of people who have been punished for no mistake of their own. The movie sends the message that life is not fair and that you can either keep blaming your destiny or take steps to make changes and set things right.

The movie follows the life of Kishan Girhotra (Farhan), who hails from a small town but aspires to become a top singer. However, his dreams are wasted when he is accused of murdering an IAS officer. He is innocent, but still he gets jailed for a crime he did not commit. However, just as everything seems bleak, he gets support from some of the other prisoners and an NGO worker (Diana Penty). Together, they plan to form a rock band inside the jail and start to pursue their interest in music once again. However, as jail officials soon discover, there is more to their plans than meets the eye. Will Kishan and his group succeed in their plans or will they be condemned to the confines of the prison walls forever?

Lucknow Central works as a feel-good movie, as it has the essential message of winning against all odds. This appeals to the audience and covers up for the faults of the movie. Farhan has done a good job in his role of a small town guy with big ambitions. He has effectively portrayed the usual flaws and strengths that are evident in such a character. Other actors have also delivered good performances.

If you like crime stories, Lucknow Central is just the thing you need. Watch it for its engaging suspense and an evolved climax that will surprise you.