KOPPAL

             

                Sprawling over an area of 7,190 sq km, Koppal is an administrative district located in the state of Karnataka. Formerly known as Kopana Nagara, Koppal is situated at an altitude 529 m, the destination is known for its temples.

The history of the region dates back to the time when kingdoms of Shathavahanas, Gangas, Hoysalas and Chalukya dynasties ruled the country. During the reign of King Nrupathunga, the place derived its name from the poetic work of Kavirajamarga, where it was mentioned as Vidita Maha Kopana Nagara.

During the rule of Ashoka, Jainism spread in the region at a high pace, owing to which it was named as Jainkashi. Before independence of India, Koppal was under the control of Nizam of Hyderabad. Though India got independence on 15th August 1947, but still Koppal had to struggle for its independence from the Nizam of Hyderabad. However, on 18th September 1948, both Hyderabad and Karnataka gained their independence from Nizam.

On 1st April 1998, this district was carved out of Raichur District of Gulbarga Revenue Division, which consists of four taluks namely, Koppal, Gangavathi, Kushtagi and Yelburga. One of the most prominent temples of the destination is Mahadeva Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built by Western Chalukya, this temple is located at Itagi. Another famous temple of the destination is Kashivishveshwara Temple. This temple dates back to the time when the Chalukya Empire ruled Koppal.

There are several other temples located within the destination, which are also famous such as Amriteshwara Temple, Siddhesvara Temple and Dodda Basappa Temple. The most prominent fact about all these temples is that these are carved out from pure sandstone.

Flights, trains and buses, all are available for travellers planning to explore this historic destination. The nearest domestic airport located to the destination is Hubli Airport, which is at a distance of 124 km from Koppal. For tourists travelling from different parts of the country can board flights to Bengaluru International Airport, which is located at a distance of 390 km from the destination.

Trains are also available for travellers, which are served by Koppal Railway Station, located at a distance of 2.4 km from the destination. In addition to flights and trains, tourists can also board buses from places like Hyderabad and Hubli to Koppal, which terminate at Koppal Bus Station.

The best time to explore the destination is from the month of October to the month of March.



  

Top 10 Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

       India is blessed with enchanting wildlife sanctuaries which consist of beautiful floral and fauna. More amazing is the animal wealth of India. Sadly, many of them are getting fast extinct. Thus wildlife sanctuaries in India as well as national parks aid in preserving the wildlife of India.  Watching untamed wildlife in its real and natural habitat is a treat and the below mentioned destinations offer the visitors to indulge in just that.


        

1. Corbett National Park, Uttaranchal

The Corbett National Park in Uttaranchal is undoubtedly the most sought after and popular wildlife tourist destinations of India. The oldest national park of Asia has had many documentaries made in its entourage. It is active in the Government of India initiative to protect the endangered and soon becoming extinct Tigers. The park has derived its name from the writer Jim Corbett, whose wildlife stories are very popular and unique as the park history itself.

2. Kaziranga National Park, Assam

The Kaziranga National Park in the state of Assam is one of the finest national parks that are working actively in conserving the rare One Horned Indian Rhinoceros. There are a lot of Rhinos in the park as well as some of the rarest breeds of wildlife of North East India. The Kaziranga National Park is situated between the two districts of Assam, namely, Nagaon and Gola ghat.

3. Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka

The famous Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary is a famous wildlife sanctuary of south India, located inKarnataka. It is home to the Asian Elephants and one can see them in their natural habitat. The wildlife sanctuary is placed in between the Deccan Plateau and the regal Western Ghats. Lush greenery and awesome backdrops make the Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries of India. The place is almost 80 kms away from Mysore and Ooty and almost 215 kms away from Bangalore.

4. Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh

The Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the most prolific national parks of Madhya Pradesh. It is also one of the most visited national parks of India, and rightly so too. Located 197 kms away from Jabalpur, it is quite easily reachable. It boasts of housing the highest number of tigers, more than the number found in any other wildlife sanctuaries of India. The Bandhavgarh national park is definitely one of the best places to visit to enlighten oneself of the preserved wildlife of India.

5. Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Kanha National Park is another of the famous national parks of Madhya Pradesh. It was established in the year 1955. The park has garnered a lot of attention due to its efforts in saving the rare and ready to get extinct species – the Swamp Deer, also known as Barasingha. It is also one of the best maintained parks in the whole of Asia. The other feature of the Kanha National Park is the Bamni Dadar, another name for Sunset Point. The view from this point, of the animals grazing, etc is something that the visitors never forget in a hurry!

6. Gir National Park and  Sasan Gir Sanctuary, Gujarat

The Gir National Park and the Sasan Gir Sanctuary of Gujarat is the only place in India having Asiatic Lions. The best time to visit the place and watch some lions strolling by is from the months of October to June. The park was established on 18th September, 1965 and was especially come up to preserve the rare Asiatic Lions. The National Park as well as the sanctuary has lots of rivers, streams, rocky hills as well as deep ravines.

7. Keoladeo Ghana National Park – Bharatpur, Rajasthan

The Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur, Rajasthan was formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. The prolific national park houses many varieties of thousands of bird species. These flock in the winters and thus that is the best season to visit the national park. Visitors get first hand knowledge on the various types of birds of India and get to see them in real. It is the best trip for families who have a lot of school going children in their group. They may have just learnt about the birds in their school books and not seen them in real.

8. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is a very famous wildlife sanctuary of southern India. It is located in gods own country, Kerala and covers a total land area of 777 sq. kms. The sanctuary was established in the year 1950 as a nice wildlife sanctuary. It got transferred as a tiger reserve in the year 1978. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is on the hills of Western Ghats and thus there is lush greenery everywhere. The animals live in their natural habitat. The main animals found here are elephants, Tigers, Nilgiri Tahrs, Nilgiri Langurs, etc.

9. Pench National Park, Maharashtra

Nestled in the lower side of the Satpura hills, the Pench National Park sits beautifully. Established in the year 1975, the sanctuary was declared as a National Park due to its importance and role in giving shelter to many animal and bird species. River Pench flows through the park and that is how the Pench national park got its name. The major inhabitants of the park are rare species of varied mammals, birds, fishes, amphibians, reptiles as well as scores of insects.

10. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan

The Ranthambore National Park is situated in the south of Rajasthan, in Sawai Madhopur district. Located at a distance of almost 30 kms away from the nearest city of Jaipur, the Ranthamborenational park is the most celebrated national parks of not only Rajasthan, but the whole of India.

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TOP 5 BIRD IN INDIA

The shy and reclusive Red-headed Trogon is a bird of dense tropical broadleaved forests in the eastern parts of India. The 35 cm bird is usually found in pairs sitting motionless on a shaded branch. Females are browner but equally attractive.

Trogons belong to the Trogonidae which has a worldwide distribution. India has 3 species of trogons.

Image: Red-headed Trogon male

Photographer: Tanmoy Ghosh / S Sen 

TOP 4 BIRD IN INDIA

India's national bird is also its largest. Adult males with their long green train measure 230cms. The drabber females are much smaller at 86cms. The male’s shimmering fanned display is one of the most beautiful sights in nature.

The Indian Peafowl is a resident species in the subcontinent and can be found in moist or dry deciduous forests, forest edges and near human habitation.

Peafowls belong to the genus Pavo of the pheasant family, Phasianidae

Image: Indian Peafowl male

Photographer: Nikhil Devasar

TOP 3 BIRD IN INDIA

The 20 cm Indian Pitta is a small and dumpy bird which occurs in many parts of the country. Its brilliant colours light up the dark and wet forest understory in which it leads a shy existence.

A resident species, this Pitta breeds in the north and winters down south and can occur almost anywhere on migration.

Pittas are passerine birds of the family, Pittidae which occur mainly in tropical Asia and Australasia. The name Pitta is derived from the  Telegu word 'pitta' which means a small bird.

Image: Indian Pitta

Photographer: Vatsal Trivedi 

TOP 2 BIRD IN INDIA

The Sarus, at 156cms, is our tallest  bird. The Sarus has a special place in the heart of Indians because of their beauty and their strong pair-bonding.

Once a common sight in wetlands and agricultural fields over much of India, the Sarus today has sadly dwindled in numbers and is considered to be a vulnerable species.

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds of the order Gruiformes, and family Gruidae.

 

Image: Sarus Crane
 

Photographer: Sumit Sen