The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Discover Karnataka, on wheels

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 10, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Discover Karnataka, on wheels

Special Correspondent

Third edition of Karnataka Heritage Hunt to be held on August 15

BANGALORE: It will be a "treasure hunt on wheels," but of a different kind. The third edition of the annual Karnataka Heritage Hunt, to be held on August 15, is expected to boost tourism and educate the participants about the heritage sites in the State.

With a supporting roadshow by the Karnataka Tourism Forum, the sponsors, it is likely to see over a thousand participants in both the four-wheeler and two-wheeler categories.

Every "touch point" in the treasure hunt will showcase the heritage and culture of Karnataka.

Organised as a family event, the Heritage Hunts held during the past two years attracted participants from various corporates in Bangalore.

K. Venkataraman, president, Karnataka Tourist Forum, said: "The Heritage Hunt has become a popular event and has been designed to create fun and entertainment for Bangaloreans. There are hundreds of prizes to be won and these are in the form of exciting holidays to various destinations. Among the many novel changes this year, there will be a display of tourist destinations of Karnataka at each touch point. These venues will be done up by students of tourism and hospitality from colleges in the city. The grand finale is planned at the Christ College auditorium. This show will include cultural performances, games and celebrations. The lunch will be exclusive Karnataka cuisine with the dishes typical of different regions of our State."

There will be five starting points from which the Heritage Hunt will be flagged off, and with many intermittent check points, each depicting a tourist destination.

Each participant will have to cover five points one after the other, solving the puzzles and brainteasers and the composite score will include points for costumes and vehicle decoration. It will not be about speed but about the knowledge of heritage sites in Karnataka.

D. Sushabh, Regional Director, Indiatourism, said: "Karnataka, with its bounties of nature, great treasures of art, culture, architecture and wildlife, is by itself a treasure hunt for visitors. It is a land of contrasts, a mix of tradition and modernity.

"Bangalore is a city in transition with the easygoing lifestyle, salubrious climate and swanky shopping malls. There is a vitality and vibrancy to this city. The Heritage Hunt on Independence Day should create an awareness about the State's tourism potential."

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