Tourism in Kolar district will comprise visiting a number of different temples and places of historic interest located in the city. A journey to Kolar district is bound to be a most fulfilling experience for the religiously inclined as there are a number of temples found located here.

Pilgrimage Tourism In Kolar District
Located 3 Kms from Kolar, the Antharagange is a sacred stream which pours sweet water from the mouth of a bull. This scenic spot, known as Shatha Shringa Parvatha, abounds in rocks of many shapes and rare flora and fauna. The hill top, resembling snakehood- (Havina Hede), gives a bird`s eye view of the seven towns. It is a trekker`s delight, accessible from two routes, steep steps on one side and a motorable route on the other. The granite temple of Neelakanteshwara, at the foothills, is an added attraction.

Known as the Gaya of the south, Avani has a cluster of Ramalingeshwara temples all within one courtyard dedicated to Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna as well as a Shankar Math built by the Nolamba dynasty. Legend has it, that the hill above was home to Valmiki`s ashram, where Lava and Kusha were born and raised.

Mulbagal situated 29 Kms from Kolar, is a popular tourist spot, enroute Tirupati. The Anjaneya temple and the Someshwara temple, with its exquisite bronze icon of the Dancing Nataraja, from the time of the Vijayanagar Empire are a great draw. The tomb of Haider Oulia, a great Muslim saint and 13 Kms. away, the tomb of the 15th Century Madhwa saint, Shripadaraya are also popular spots.

On the way from Chikkaballapur to Gouribidanur, the village of Rangasthala has a beautiful temple of Lord Ranganatha (Lord Vishnu) in the Vijayanagar style.

Kurdumale, twelve Kms. away from Mulbagal, was the capital of the Hoysala Empire. The giant, thirteen and a half foot sculpture of Kurdumale Ganesha and the Someshwara temple, attract thousands of visitors from the surrounding states.

Modelled on the famous Venkateshwara temple of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh nearby, the Bangaru Tirupati temple is thronged by pilgrims, particularly during the month of Shravana (July-August). Darshan of the deity is through a small window in the sanctum.

Virupakshi, located 5 Kms from Mulbagal, has a Virupaksha temple. It was built during the reign of the Vijayanagar King Deva Raya II. The Parvati shrine here has the figure of a lion on front of it just like Nandi in front of the Shiva temples. This is rather unusual.

Leisure Tourism In Kolar District
The Kolar Gold fields in Karnataka go a long way down in history. This little mining town, about 22 Kms, east of Bengaluru, was once the pride of the erstwhile Mysore state, and also that of India. This gold mine produced a sizeable amount of gold during the days of the British Raj. It employed nationals from Britain, Italy, Germany and also a good number of Anglo-Indians.

The town of Kaivara is associated with the epic Mahabharata. Known as Ekchakrapura, this is where the Pandavas of Mahabharata lived in exile, incognito. Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers is said to have killed the asura (demon) Bakasura, who was tormenting the people. Myth has it that a nearby cave in the hill contains the corpse of the demon, which supposedly drips blood during Shivaratri. There is a garden complex in Kaivara, containing gardens and musical fountains. Also, in the garden are five cottages named after the pandavas and a mini zoo with herbarium. The temples of Amaranarayana and Bhimeshwara as well as the Yogi Narayana ashram are worth a visit.

Budikote is a village, about 15 Kms. southwest of Bangarpet town, whose history dates to the 8th Century A.D. Budikote, meaning "fort of ashes" is said to derive its name from an immense holocaust, believed to have been performed there, in its hoary past. Budikote is the birthplace of Hyder Ali and a spot among the boulders in the fort is known to tourists as the place where his cradle was rocked. The important temples here are those of Venkataramana and Someshwara.

Muddenhalli is the birthplace of Sir M. Visweswaraya, visionary engineer and statesman and architect of Karnataka`s progress. Many tourists visit his home, now converted into a museum. The village of Nandi, houses the Bhoga Nandeeshwara temple. It is really a confluence of two temples and one of the finest examples of Dravidian temple architecture.

The various places of religious and historical interest are well worth a visit when visiting Kolar district.