Specialties from Districts of Karnataka

Overview: In a post-Covid world, people will not wish to travel far and wide pretty soon. However, they may wish to explore some good places in their neighborhood. While its very good to visit local attraction, its great if one can help buy local crafts and local food to help the artisans and boost the economy. Highlighting the specialties from each district of Karnataka:

1. Bagalkot: Aminagad in Hungund taluk is famous for a sweet savoury Karadantu, made out of edible gum, dry fruits and jaggery. Guledagudda Khana is a unique textile, and is a 4000 year old fabric, and is handloomed in the small town of Guledagudda. Ilkal sari is a traditional form of sari which is a common feminine wear in India. Ilkal saris are woven using cotton warp on the body and art silk warp for border and art silk warp for pallu portion of the sari.

Amingad Kardant Shop

Ilkal Saree Weaver

2. Bangalore Rural: Bangalore Rose Onion, having a GI indicator, is grown in 16 taluks of Bengaluru rural. This is exported to several countries across South East Asia. The exotic fruit Devanahalli Chakota, or Pomello is a variety of the citrus fruit Pomelo, exclusively grown in the region around Devanahalli taluk, Bangalore Rural District.
3.Bangalore Urban: One local wholesale textile street in Bangalore is Ramachandrapura, where one can purchase Towel, linen, curtains, pillow covers at a wholsesale rate per kg. Mysore Sandal Soap is another product which is widely manufactured in Bangalore Urban.
4. Belgaum: This is the district of sweets, with the popular Kunda and Gokak Kardant native to Belgaum District.
5. Bellary: Hampi is the centre for buying locally made clothes, musical instruments, stone artefacts and Sandur tribal accessories.
6. Bidar: Bidar is known for its famous Bidriware, a metal handicraft developed by the Bahamani Sultans in the 14th century, initially learnt from Persia.

Bidriware

7. Chamarajanagar: One can buy some beautiful souvenirs of sandalwood carvings at the local markets, since Sandalwood is grown widely in this part of the state.
8. Chikkaballapur: Nandi Hills is popular for Wine tours and tasting, with several vineyards in the vicinity. Hop on to a quick wine tour and buy some great options of wine.

Vineyard

9. Chikkamagalur: Coffee was first introduced in India from Arabia in Chikkamagalur around 350 years ago in Baba Budan Giri hills. Taste different varieties of local coffee when in the district. Also buy some local handicrafts made out of coffee wood, aromatic sandalwood, berries, pepper, and ambrosial perfumes.
10. Chitradurga: Chitradurga district is known for the Molakalmuru Sarees which are weaved in the village of Molakalmuru, which is also called Kanchipuram of Karnataka.

Molakalmuru Sarees

11. Dakshina Kannada: Introduced for the first time in 1975 by Y. Prabhakar Kamath, Gadbad ice cream is served in a tall glass with one layer of kesar ice-cream, a thin layer of jelly, some dry-fruits, then strawberry ice-cream, fresh fruits and vanilla ice-cream. This was patronized by Ideal ice cream, which is still popular across Mangalore. Another popular Mangalorean snack is the Mangalore Bajji made out of maida, curd, gram flour, rice flour, chopped onion, coriander leaves, coconut, jeera, green chillies, curry leaves, and salt.

Gadbad Ice Cream

12. Davanagere: Very popular for its crispy Benne(butter) Dosas with mashed potato, Mirchi mandakki and the textile industry.

Davanagere Benne Dosa

13. Dharwad: Dharwad district is known for its Khadi garments, and most importantly, the Khadi unit in Bengeri village is the one of its kind in India where the National Flag is manufactured. Apart from this, the district is known for its popular Dharwad Pedas. Savanur village is known for its kharas (namkeen snacks)

Savanur Khara

14. Gadag: Hebbal village in Shirhatti taluk is known for its wooden handicrafts like doorframes, doors, and carved figures.
15. Hassan: In the stalls near the Chennakeshava temple in Halebeedu, the souvenirs sold in the stalls include a range of stone products like idols, mantapas, pavilions as well as lamps of various shapes and sizes.
16. Haveri: Byadagi chillies, exported and widely used variety of chillies, is used and exported all through India. This variety of chillies is used in various South Indian cuisines, like Bisibele bath, sambar and chutney. Not only for food, Bydagi chilly is also in the preparation of nail polish and lipsticks.
17. Kalaburgi: The district is known for Toor Dal, grown widely in the region. Another important item available in the district is Shahabad stones, a kind of limestone. This stone has been used in construction for many centuries and people buy this from here to far away places.

Shahabad Stones

18. Kodagu: Kodagu speciality lies in the varieties of food, which is a delight for non-vegetarians. Pandi Curry, or Pork Curry and Kadambattu (Steamed rice) is prepared in Kodagu style, is savoured in this region.Like other places in the Western Ghats, coffee is grown in Kodagu, specially in Somwarpete. Coffea arabica is also grown in some parts of southern and western Kodagu, the historical area of coffee production.Coorg Orange, a high-yielding and fine-flavoured fruit has been an inter-crop among coffee plantations for over 160 years. The Monsooned Malabar Arabica Coffee and the Monsooned Malabar Robusta Coffee have a great demand in Scandinavian countries because of their unique colour and special taste

Kodagu Delicacies

19. Kolar: Shivarayapattana is a small village known for the sculptors who carve beautiful stone images. These images are carved mostly for the temples or on order.

Shivarayapatna Craftwork

20. Koppal: A village known for crafts since the Vijayanagar empire, the crafts, paintings and wood carvings of Kinnal village are popular till date. The craftwork is prepared by lightweight wood and a naturally prepared paste. Koppal is also known for Bhagyanagare sarees, handwoven in the town. Anegundi is known for its Banana fibre crafts.

Kinnal Toys

Bhagyanagar Sarees

Banana Fibre Crafts

21.Mandya: On the route between Bangalore and Mysore is the town of Maddur, popular for its snack called Maddur Vada. Though it is sold all along the route, this snack originated from Maddur and hence named so.
22. Mysore: Mysore is the cultural capital of Karnataka. So there are several unique products which can be purchased from here. Traditional Paintings, Mysore Pak, Mysore Masala Dosa, Mysore Silk, Sandalwood oil, Agarbathis.

Mysore Silk Saree

23. Raichur: A few women of Potnal village have formed a terracotta-based livelihood enterprise called Chiguru. They make earrings, necklaces, chains, bracelets, bangles, wall decor, hangings and key chains of different sizes, colours and shapes, earning their livelihood.
24. Ramanagara: Chennapatna is popular as the Land of Toys, with local craftsmen manufacturing wooden toys and painting with vegetable extract. Silk is also extracted here widely which is used in producing Mysore Silks

Chennapatna Toy

25. Shimoga: Gudigars are a clan of craftsmen who are specialised in carving intricate designs on wood, mainly sandalwood. They are concentrated in the Sagara and Soraba taluks. The articles they make are sold at government emporiums.
26. Tumkur: Along with Arecanut growing centre, Kyatasandra is known for Bamboo workers' craft, and the main product out of bamboo is the mango basket, which is sold across the state.
27. Udupi: Udupi cuisine is popular worldwide with its vegetarian food served on a plantain leaf. Neer Dosa is a speciality of the Tulu Nadu region, which is a thin and light dosa, and smooth as water. The ‘Mattu Gulla’, a special variety of brinjal, grown in and around Mattu village in Udupi district, is sought after for its unique taste.
28. Uttara Kannada: Being rich in cultural and tribal heritage, one can gather many souvenirs from this district. From Bendu crafts to Patrode(a dish) to wood carvings at Yellapur, artisans across the district work tirelessly to create masterpieces. The district is also known for Ayurveda and is home to several varieties of medicinal herbs available in Ayurveda shops in Sirsi.

Banavasi Crafts

29. Vijayapura: Similar to Kolhapuri chappals, Vijayapura is also known for its own set of tradiditonal chappals, known by different names. Indi Taluk in Vijayapura District is also known for its lemons.
30. Yadgir: The district is known for textiles and chemicals. The Government is setting up a textile park in the district, which is currently in progress.