India, Sept. 28 -- "The stones here sing," says Chandra Naik as he taps the pillars of the ranga mandapa. I lean in, and to my astonishment, the distinct sounds of a jal tarang, a damru, and drums fill the air. I'm at the Vijay Vitthal Temple in Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Karnataka. This is the first stop on my road trip to explore three of the state's four UNESCO sites: the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala, the ruins of Hampi, and the Group of Monuments at Pattadakal. This journey will also take me through the hills of the Western Ghats, a natural wonder. The three monumental sites are cultural treasures, each representing a different dynasty that shaped Karnataka's rich history and heritage.

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