Melukote and Thonnur Lake Trip

Melukote is one of the alluring and photogenic places near to Bangalore, which always invite travellers to visit it and enjoy its serene beauty and divine destination. After planning for this place a number of times in past, I could finally visit it before the end of this year. We hit the highway early morning and soon we took diversion for Hassan road in Neelamangla. After two hours’ drive, we halted at a restaurant to recharge ourselves with delicious south Indian breakfast. After a good hot cup of tea, we started again and soon reached to the small sleeping town Melukote. 

A decent crowd was moving towards renowned “Yoga Narsimha temple” which is at hill. As our group had elders, we skipped it and moved to the Kalyani. It is one of the largest Kalyani we saw. Kalyani has a spectacular view. In addition to Kalyani, Melukote has a number of small manmade water body to restore rain water. It is one of the wonderful engineering to conserve the water naturally. From Kalyani we moved to “Raya Gopura”. This is one of the unfinished structures but being situated at height, provide a mighty view of stunning surroundings. This is a perfect place for photoshoot. A number of Bollywood songs and local movie filmized here. We went up on the Gopura to have a better view of the vicinity. 

We visited Cheluvanaryana Swamy temple on the foothills of Raya Gopura. After spending few good hours in Melukote, we started our journey to Thonnur Kere. About half an hour drive away from Melukote, this is a huge lake. We spent some time here and enjoyed the enormity of it. Place is decently crowded. We made our way back to the city now. Drive on the road is scenic with good eateries and fresh breeze make the drive more memorable.

Dandiganahalli Dam Trip

Recently I went through a beautiful picture of Dandiganahalli Dam. After exploring about this place I realised that it is one of the least discovered places around Bangalore. This place is located in a serene natural dwelling just ninety kilometres outside of Bangalore. On a beautiful Saturday morning, we started the drive for this less known place. On the way we stopped at a famous restaurant “Paratha Factory” for getting the taste of yummy parathas and hot refreshing tea. We passed through the bustling town Chikkaballapura. Drive of last five kilometres was though narrow lanes of villages and secluded hills. When we reached, we were welcomed by a slice of untouched serenity. Nestled in between green hills, the reservoir reverberates with peace and calm and is the best place to relax and rejuvenate. There is a long wooden bridge built that stretches out to the water and boasts of beautiful views of the surroundings. 

The place is great to have some good photoshoots and walk in the lap of nature. Dandiganahalli Dam makes for the best day trip and a perfect escape from the chaos of the city.

Day Trip to Shivanasamudra and Talakad

When my sister and her family visited us during Dussera holiday, we were looking for a short one day outing from Bangalore. After a lot of discussions we decided for the trip to Shivanasamudra falls. With kids very excited about the trip, we hit the road early morning. Once we were out of Bangalore, we stopped at a small eatery in Kanakpura road. We had south Indian breakfast and tea before we started our journey once again. Road was well maintained and morning drive was good. Our first stop was at Barachukki waterfalls. After parking our vehicle we had sugarcane juice before everyone started walking towards the fall. One of the monkey snatched juice glass from hands of my five year old son and having feast upon it on roadside. After having a loud monkey laugh, mood was on high. It got elevated when we reached to the viewing point. Fall was not at its peak but still it was full flow of water pouring down from the rocky cliffs. It was a first visit to falls for my nephews and they were delighted. Our next stop was Gaganchukki falls. We passed along river Kaveri passing some old bridges. Soon we reached to Gaganchukki falls which is much bigger than Barachukki falls. There is a view point downstairs. A loud noise from gushing water makes the view more memorable. The greenery around the falls and milky white mist water are the sights, to be remembered for long. From here I could see the first hydropower plant of India built by GE. Karnataka tourism maintains a nice resort and restaurant here. A delicious lunch here makes the trip complete.

After an hour rest we started for Talakadu which is at further half an hour drive. Roads were beautifully laid and one will get to cross few bridges which will give a beautiful view of Kavery river flowing in full brim. We could also enjoy beautiful paddy fields along our drive. The place is famous for sandy river bank. It was a big crowd when we reached. It was a feel and ambience of beach there. We had a coracle ride in Kaveri. It was a lovely place where we enjoyed in the water. The drive back to Bangalore was full of talk about beautiful pictures we took and moments we enjoyed there.

Jog Falls Trip

It was end of September and Monsoon was finished just a month back. Our family planned for Jog falls trip. It was a trip after a long time. We had late night train from Bangalore and anticipating traffic on the weekend we started little early for station. We had to wait for few hours there. My son was carrying his tiny toy car and so he started playing with his grandfather. Train came on time and we were settled comfortably in our berths. Next morning when we woke up we found the train halted at a small station for long. There was some problem on track ahead due to night long rain. This station was too small and there was not even a tea shop. Fortunately it was near to the state highway and there were two small roadside eateries nearby. We had tea and packed some idly for our breakfast. Train started after few hours and reached to its last destination Talaguppa late. This was not a big station as well but one can easily get taxis. We hired one to reach our resort.

We had bookings in Hotel Mayura Gerusoppa which is placed just in front of Jog falls. When our taxi reached to the resort, we could clearly hear the magnificent sound of falls and could smell the cool breezes in the atmosphere. This is the best place to stay in Jog. Rooms have a very clear view of falls through its fifteen feet wide open windows. All the rooms are too much comfortable to give a relaxed and soothing holiday experience to the travellers and the tourists. After getting ready we went to cafeteria first as we reached late and everyone was hungry enough, to not wait for a view of falls from nearby. Cafeteria was housefull and we had to wait for long to get seat. Once food was served the complaints of waiting vanished as the food was delicious. After the lunch we went to the viewpoint. Falls was not at its peak as monsoon was passed sometime back but still magnificent. The drop from so high cliff to very down in the valley is mesmerizing. There are so many segmented falls part of Jog but four are the main; Raja, Rani, Rocket and Roarer falls. For some of us it was a first visit to any falls. We had some good clicks there and my son also displayed his new photography skills. We set at viewpoint for more than an hour. Weather was hot and humid. After a tea we went to our room and had a sleep. I woke up just before evening and went for a walk outside falls area. In late evening we went to the musical fountain in the resort campus. It was not a great show but a good addition in the list of a tourist. In dinner cafeteria was almost vacant and we had delicious dinner again. We had another view of thundering falls in dark night before going for sleep.

Next morning we woke up early and went for a walk. Walking around the falls when sun is still not upon us, gives very refreshing joy. Today water in falls was more as water was released from dam for some maintenance work. It was better and bigger. We checked out from resort and hired a taxi for local sight seeing. Driver took us to Shravathi nature camp where we did boating in the dam. We also visited Raja stone and hanging rope bridge before driver dropped us back in resort. We had plenty of time and so we just sat in front of falls for few hours before going back to Talaguppa station. This small journey goes among water bodies and beetle orchards. Near station we found a decent small restaurant and got the food packed for night. Train started and reached Bangalore on time. In early morning, heavy rain just like Jog welcomed us at station and we found difficulty in coming out and getting a taxi. Once we reached home, we were with sweet memories of Jog trip.

Trip to Bandipur Forest

It was a cool Sunday morning. We started our Bandipur trip in early morning so we could skip the city traffic. By seven, we were out of city and on Mysore road. Next two hours morning drive was soothing for everyone. Mysore road is full of good eateries and we stopped at one to have breakfast and tea. In next one more hour we reached to Srirangapatna town. Our first stop was Tipu Sultan's summer palace which is also known as Dariyal Daulat Bagh. Next we went to Tipu's tomb, where Tipu breathed his last during war.  After interaction with Tipu,'s history we were back to road to Bandipur. 

After five hours of drive, we reached to MC resort which is located just at the start of Bandipur forest area. This place is having very calm ambiance and in between small hills. We got four cottage rooms which just have everything one need. Room was not highly spacious but sufficient to give comfortable stay. Room opens into open veranda, a perfect idling place. Ambiance inside is clean and resort has children play area, swimming pool and a good restaurant. Food has lot of variety and were delicious.

After an hour of rest we went to Jungle safari reception point. We booked open jeep for jungle safari. Near reception, monkeys were the point of attraction. They were quick enough to snatch food items from visitors. Safari took us inside jungle which has number of wild animals. Heard of deer can be seen in any corner. We could see peacock, lizards, elephants and other animals and birds. At one water body we waited long for tiger, but we were not fortunate to see this majestic animal of jungle. I believe morning safari has better chance to have a glimpse of them. After two hours of safari we were back to reception point. Then we came back to resort.

Next morning we got ready and enjoyed roaming in the resort before having a heavy and tasty breakfast. We checked out from resort and after an hour long driving we reached to Mysore palace. I have visited it before but for most of the people in our group it was the maiden visit. They were impressed with the beauty and architecture of the palace. Kids enjoyed the elephant ride in the palace backyard. After visiting the palace we had our lunch in a restaurant in downtown. After lunch we started our journey back to Bangalore. Drive on Mysore road is always joyful. Our next stop was at Ramanagaram which is famous for wooden toys. No one can leave these wooden toy shops without being impressed with its craftsmanship. After a tea there, our car was again on the road but it was slowed to minimum once it entered into Bangalore city. Traffic was huge and it took a lot of patience driving in the middle of concrete jungle we have in the city. We could reach home after evening and it was time to appreciate the great trip of Bandipur forest we just finished.

Drive to Yelagiri Hills

It was end of June but not typical summer for Bangalore. Despite a cool weather in Bangalore, we thought of going to Yelagiri hills just for a nice drive and family outing. Yelagiri is a very small hill station but due to short distance from Bangalore it is a good drive for outing. Most of the drive is on Chennai highway which has great road except considerable wait on toll plazas. There are number of good eateries on this road. The restaurant where we stopped was full of tourists and so we could have coffee only. From Krishnagiri we took left and drove on AH45 for next twenty kilometers. This road was again good. Then we left highway and drove on village side roads for next ten kilometers to reach a small town Ponneri which is at foothill for Yelagiri. From here drive of next ten kilometers which has fourteen hairpin bends is scenic and eye catching. Traffic on this road was not high but there were tourists vehicles stopped at haipin bends to capture the lush green beauty in their cameras. Each hairpin bend offers a different view of green valley down under it. After three hours of drive for one hundred and fifty kilometers, we reached on top of Yelagiri hills. It was ten o'clock by now and first thing we had is, a great breakfast just near to the lake entrance.

After a satisfying breakfast we went to lake. Lake was not so big but well maintained. There were number of boats and a long queue. Boating was little costly but this is the main attraction of the place. I guess lake was not so deep. We spent half an hour in lake and then we roamed around. There are some rides and well maintained park in lake premises. Kids had fun in park whereas parents went for a refreshing walk. From lake we moved towards Nature park. On road from lake to Nature park, there were numbers of  road side shops selling jack fruits and fried fishes. Nature park has good landscaping and well made scenery but still there is a miss of Midas touch in the park. Yelagiri hills is not very big but worth visiting due to its cool ambiance and less exploited as it is less popular. There are number of resorts and homestay. I knew about the good track to Swamimalai peak and Murugan temple on top but we happily skipped these as we had senior citizens in our group. After staying in Yelagiri for four hours we started our journey back for Bangalore. This time we changed our route and drove via Jolarpettai. After crossing Krishnagiri toll, we stopped at an eatery for late lunch. In next two hours we were back to home with happy moments of Yelagiri hills trip.

Lepakshi Visit

It was end of March, the summer was just started. We were looking for a short trip near to Bangalore‬. Lepakshi fits into that, which is just at little as more than hundred kilometers. We started late in morning from Whitefield and took the airport road. Traffic was not bad as it was Saturday. Reaching to Devanahalli took one hour. After that we moved on NH44 Hyderabad road. This road is one of the best roads we have in country, I guess. Four lane road on both sides with service roads, diverted out of passing towns and not much traffic load, make the drive excellent. Speed more than one-forty looks very comfortable to me. As there is almost no crossing road, one hardly have to press brake. Next seventy kilometers did not take much time. Then we took diversion for Lepakshi. Last fifteen kilometers road was also fine. So after total two hours drive we reached to Lepakshi.

The small town welcomes tourists with a Big nandi at its entrance. Signboards are pretty good. Then comes the APTRC run Haritha hotel. Lepakshi temple is very near to that. We parked our car there and we had to run inside temple as Sun was on top and floor was baking. Temple is well maintained. After spending one hour we came out and went to buy toy for my son. We had food which we brought from home. The return drive was again great. Driving on Hyderabad road was one of the best drives I had. In next two hours we were back to home. Lepakshi trip took only half day and take you far from Bangalore busy day to give a refreshing experience.

Yercaud Trip

It was the year end. Christmas weekend was long so we planned to go to Yercaud hills which is two hundrthed and twenty five kilometers only from Bangalore. Early morning we started in Ertiga car which was good enough for six people and four small kids though there was a space crunch for luggage. In one hour we reached to tollgate of Chennai highway. It was a long queue there, probably due to weekend. Journey from there was comfortable as road is very well. Drive was smooth and speed more than hundred and ten is standard here. After one more hour we stopped in between to have our breakfast. Restaurant was crowded and after a wait of fifteen minutes we could get a seat. After breakfast, we started again and soon we reached to Salem city. Passing through the city took half an hour. Once we crossed the city, the road to the hill was not very far. We paid toll at entrance check post. Signboard there shows that there are twenty hairpin bends. Drive from that point was adventurous. The sharp bends, deep valleys, monkeys sitting on roadside walls made the drive eventful. After another half an hour we reached to the small sleepy town Yercaud. We passed besides the lake. Golden Nest resort where we had booking, was not very far. From the lake road it was at five hundred meters only but we had to drive very upward. The first view of resort was great. We did check-in and moved to our rooms. Rooms were great. A hall having kitchen connected to the bedroom and having a balcony from where there was a view of lake. Soon we got ready and went to restaurant. Restaurant was at the top of the hill and road was very steep. It was tiresome effort but view of valley from restaurant was worth rewarding. Food was good and ambiance of restaurant was soothing. After the late lunch there, we went to the lake. 

Yercaud lake is very scenic. One can spend hours there. There we took tickets for boating. We spent one hour in boats in the calm lake. Lake is surrounded by roads from almost all side with a botanical garden on one end. There was a decent crowd at the lake which is the main center of attraction for this hill town. From lake we went to Rose garden which was not very well maintained. Then we went to Lady's seat, which is the famous view point. We could see the deep valleys and hairpin bend roads. There was a Telescope House but was closed as it was late evening. This place is a gem but poorly maintained. There was no proper sitting places and it was mostly occupied by street vendors. It was very cold and having tea was the best thing one can have. After spending some good time, we went back to the resort. In night we came to the lake again. It was eight pm only but town was almost sleeping with few tourists enjoying their dinner in lakeside restaurants. After a short walk around the lake we went back to our resort and had dinner in the restaurant. Food was again awesome.

Next day we woke up early. There was no plan to go anywhere as my son was not well in the night. After the breakfast we spent an hour in the resort and then started back for Bangalore. The return journey started with the sharp bends and few people were feeling uncomfortable. Near one of the bend, a small waterfalls was there. We stopped there to have some good photos. After the hill road we passed Salem town. We took few small breaks before Kriahnagiri. I was driving after that. In next one hour we reached to home.

I found this small hill station very calm and unexplored. Local administration should improve the lake and Lady's seat so tourists should spend more time there. In any case it's one of the cool gateways from Bangalore.

Tirumala Tirupati Darshan

After staying in Bangalore for more than eight years, it was my first visit to Tirupati temple, one of the most visited Hindu temples. I always would like to avoid very crowded places especially when it is of religious significance. I don't get a feel of spirituality in the temples where there is a long queue for darshan and am sure there is no God there when there are different categories of darshan tickets based on how much you can pay for it. That's the reason I always skipped visiting Tirupati. This time I visited here to join one of the family function planned there.

Journey to Tirupati city was planned by train which reaches there very early in morning. We had a booking in Kalyan Residency for stay, which is very near to the station. We reached there by walk in five minutes. Hotel was decent with good appearance and well maintained. Rooms were comfortable. We got ready in next hour to proceed for darshan. We booked a Tempo Traveller to go to Tirumala. Journey from city to the hill was great. Roads were nice with great view of hills. In next one hour we reached to Tirumala. We had very tasteful south Indian lunch before going for darshan. We were informed that people can go in dhoti or in traditional attire only, so we purchased dhoti there from street side vendor. Then the long walk started. Though it was weekday and long queue was not there but still one had to walk a long distance to reach the gate where darshan tickets were checked which were booked online. Then we reached to the waiting hall. After half an hour time, we were directed towards the temple for darshan. Darshan time people got was not more than one minute. Within minutes we were out of main temple, where devotees were doing parikarma. They were donating money generously which is one of the specialty of this temple. Visit to the temple doesn't get completed without a view of the Big cash counting room. Then prasadam was taken from another counter. One of the best things about temple is it's well disciplined crowd management.

After the darshan, we went to the hall where people donate their hair. The mundan of two family kids was planned there. After completion of this ritual, we went for lunch. From there we were back to hotel in next one hour. After a short rest, we went outside to roam in the city. City is clean and vibrant. There are lots of hotels and restaurants near to the station. We had dinner in a nearby restaurant before we went to station to board our train to Bangalore.

Drive to Panchapalli Dam

It was the last Sunday of June. Thoughtlessly in early morning we decided to go for a drive. After thinking on couple of choices we decided to go to Panchapalli dam. I have read about this place in few blogs but then again it is not a common destination for Bangalore travellers.

We were four people and we started from Whitefield in my Grandi 10 car using Google maps. We passed through Sarjapur and crossed Chennai highway near Attibele. After that we passed a number of villages and then a small town Denkenikottai. There was a big temple in the town with an age-old pond in its premises. After total eighty kilometers of drive we reached to Panchapalli dam. A small group of bikers were just leaving the place. The dam was much better than my expectations. We parked our car there and went for a walk on dam barrage. Water in dam was not much. Few native folks were inside the water. We also went down near to the water body and laid our bare legs in the calm little sea. It was a very pleasant touch. View of the little sea from that point was overwhelming. After disbursing a good one hour we started back. There was no eatery near to the dam or in the way upto Hosur. In Denkenikottai bus stand we bought some food as we were badly hungry. After lunch we started again and this time we came through Hosur city. In Hosur, we parked our car in the shop 'The Chennai Silk'. This Shop is a big shopping mall in itself with more than five hundred employees. My wife bought few sarees there. In next one hour of drive we were back to home.

This place is a hidden gem, very near to Bangalore‬ and can be covered in half day. Going to Panchapalli is worth given its quietness, scenic and less popular places among travellers.

Weekend in Chikkamagalur

After a long time I planned for a long trip. It was the end of month of May, the peak of summer. Though Chikkamagalur has a number of hill stations, but it is advised to skip this place at this time. This part of the beautiful western ghat is hotter than Bangalore in this month. Even after aware of this, I decided to visit here as I just wanted to go for a long drive.

Early Saturday morning, I with few of my family members started this trip in Hyundai Ascent car which was well comfortable for four adults and three kids. Early morning drive is always great. We hit the Tumakuru road in next half an hour. Drive from Yeswantpur to Tumakuru on this well maintained highway was very smooth. There we took a diversion for Tiptur-Birur road. This road was also good except a few kilometers. In between we stopped at Cafe Coffee Day shop for getting refreshed. On this road there are no good eateries and travelers has to use CCD for getting refreshed. They pay good amount for coffee which they might not be looking for but there are no other options available as well.

After six hours of travel, five hours drive and covering 260 kilometers, we reached to our resort 'The last resort' at nine o'clock. Check-in was easy. We got our cottage which had a decent cot. Outside we had a Sofa and a carom board. Resort has a good ambiance. There is beholding view of hills from its courtyard and it has very well maintained garden. Our kids started playing. In next two hours we got ready and had well prepared breakfast. After the appetizing breakfast, we left resort to visit Kemmanagundi. First stop was at Kalanithi falls which was a big disappointment for us. This place was very dirty. A temple was there at the footsteps of falls where devotees were taking bath but filth were spread all around. This is the perfect case to show, how we destroy the nature in name of religion and how tourists liter the unwanted stuffs at places they came to enjoy beauty. After this disappointment, we moved to Kemmanagundi hills. Landscape view of Kemmanugudi hills which has green lush grassland is scenic and striking. Road to Hebbe falls was closed for private vehicles so we went to Shanthi falls. After the end of the tar road, we saw cars going on mud road and so we followed them too. After a short drive on the very narrow, one way and water filled mud road we realized that the road was not meant for cars. There was no place to turn back too. It was near Z-point. We drove to the end of hill and came back. Thankfully no vehicle came in between, otherwise we could have faced a real nightmare. After all these adventures, we reached back to resort just at lunch time. In night, resort has arranged bonfire for individual cottages and we enjoyed it a lot. Kids had a great time sitting out and playing in night.

Next morning we did an early checkout and drove towards Belur though it was not in our original plan. We passed through ghat road in early morning. After two hours we crossed Chikkamagalur town and in next half an hour we were in Belur. We had our breakfast there before going to the famous Chennakeshava  temple built by Hoysala empire. The temple is standing on a platform which has very detailed exquisite art work on its wall. Stories from Ramayana and Mahabharta have been carved beautifully in the boundary walls. From Belur, we went to Halebidu temple which was at twenty kilometers only. Here temple complex comprises of Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples. Both of the Belur and halebidu temples are the best example of fine work done by Hoysala sculptors.

After Halebidu, we were back on road for Bangalore. After a drive for more than hundred kilometers we reached to Tumakuru. We had lunch in between. After crossing Neelamangla we faced very heavy rain but did not stop. We reached to our home in late evening with a great fill of a complete and memorable Chikmagalurur trip.

A Drive to Kaiwara

It was first Sunday of September, when we had a short drive to Kaiwara which is around sixty kms from Whitefield, Bangalore. This place is mostly known for the religious purpose and its historical and mythological tales of Mahabharata. It took us two hours of driving as most of the road after Hoskote was under construction. After a drive of thirty-five kms on Chintamni road or SH35, we reached to Kaiwara cross. We took a lunch here before we started again. After merely there kms, we reached to Kaiwara town. First stop we had was at Sri yogi narayana Matth. It was a well maintained ashram with a beautiful white painted temple. Look like Ashram was usually utilized for marriage ceremonies. After having a short walk, we moved towards Bhimlengeshwara temple but it was a deserted view there and was not in very good state. Then we moved to Viakuntha temple or Thathya cave which is on a small hill, little outside of town. This temple has a nice view with its rocky landscape and paddy fields side-by. This place must be good for hiking. In front of the cave there was a national park or zoo maintained by forest department but it was mostly having empty look and suggested only for a big group.

Though there was not much thing to do or see in Kaiwara but I loved to drive to this place for its natural beauty and quietness. It again took two hour drive to reach back to our home.

Vellore fort temple

Last month I went for a long car drive to Vellore, a city in state of Tamilnadu. It was a 200km drive oneway from Bangalore and the longest for me by car.  I with my family started on early Sunday morning and it took four hours to reach there. In between we had a short break. This four hours drive was fun for me. We had to meet a relative there. While returning we thought of checking out the Vellore fort.

Vellore fort which is in the midst of the city is more kind of a temple rather than a fort. Temple is surrounded by a small water channel, which tells that it may be a small fort sometime but is dried now. It was just before the temple closing time and so we entered the premises quickly. There was a small crowd.   We had darshan inside and then we had a walk in the premises and had a close look at its architecture.

While returning my son was not filling well so it was not a very good drive but I could make the return journey safely and in next four hours.

A short drive to Kotilingeshwara

On last weekend I went for a short drive to Kotilingeshwara temple which is not very far from Bangalore. Though it was a short drive but the longest one for me after owning a car. We started late in morning at around nine and we took the Malur village road rather than Kolar highway. Driving on village road is always soothing. It was a single lane road but driving was still easy as there was very minimal traffic. We passed the towns of Malur and Bangarpet. The distance of 75 kms was covered in two hours without taking any break. This place is very near to famous Kolar gold field mines which is closed now.

The temple premises has good shaded parking area where we parked our Grand i10. We took the entrance ticket to enter the temple. Ticket for camera including mobiles was costly as hundred bucks and no-one was buying it.  Temple authority should reduce the cost.

In Kannada, and Hindi too; koti means crore so Kotilingeshwara means one crore Shivalingas. The priest claimed that there are ninety lakhs shivalingas in the temple premises but I guess it was in few lakhs only. I am not very religious person and always want to avoid very crowded places but entered in main temple where there was a long queue of devotees. After the darshan, we took some photos while kids were busy playing in midst of shivalingas. After coming out of temple we sat at a small eatery and had our lunch which we brought from home. Then we started back for Bangalore and in next three hours we were back to our home. In between we stopped our car to a village haat to buy vegetables and few other stuffs. Driving was fun as usual. This short drive was just the beginning of many long drives in near future !

Getaway to Pondicherry

After a long time I was out for a travel and this time it was the small beach town Pondicherry. It was the end of February and weather was perfect to visit here with family. We started little late in morning at around eight. Quickly we could hit the Chennai highway. We stopped in between at a roadside eatery to have breakfast. After sometime we left Chennai highway for Pondicherry road. Road from here to up-to Pondicherry was not in the good state. Construction work was going on and the road was severely damaged. It was good that we had Innova cab, which still provided much comfort in endless series of potholes. After a more than seven hour journey we entered into Pondicherry state. It was almost four of evening when we reached there. After so long journey, a short rest was much needed. Fortunately hotel booked was quite comfortable. Hotel Lotus Pondi, where I had booking was very near to beach. Hotel rooms were clean and all the facilities required were available but bed was of small size. Hotel reception is adorable and staff is courteous. Given the cost of stay it was a well find and a great value for money. Overall staying in Lotus Pondy hotel was very much comfortable and highly recommended for budget travelers.

After a very short break we went to the beach which was just at walking distance. Reaching to beach was very mesmerizing particularly after the long travel. We saw the French memorial and had some good photos. Breeze coming from sea was very soothing. It was evening time so there was a decent crowd. We had a walk along sea shore called as MG road. We saw Gandhi statue, secretariat and old light house; and had a good cup of tea before turning back to our hotel. That two hours on beach took off our tiredness. After some time in hotel, we went for a walk outside which is called as French colony. Seeing the old buildings in french architecture and House-names in French was great. We got a small north Indian dhaba where we got our dinner packed. After a simple but tasty dinner we went for the sleep.

Next morning we woke up early. After getting ready we went to Sri Vinayagar temple, which is one of the oldest and renowned temple of Pondy. From there we went to Sir Aurobindo Ashram, which is a must for a traveller coming to Pondicherry. Then we went to beach side restaurant and had great breakfast and tea. We went back to our hotel and packed our stuffs. Now we moved to Auroville which is founded as global spiritual city. It was a drive to outskirts of Pondicherry. At the entrance we got a video introduction session and then we moved to the view point by walk. We saw the sacred Banyan tree on the way. After a long walk we reached to the view point to witness a great architectural monument. From Auroville we started back for Bangalore. We thought of visiting Tiruvannamalai temple which is one of the oldest temple of Tamilnadu but it was closing time when we reached there and could not go inside. After taking short breaks for lunch and tea we reached to our home by seven with some good memories of Pondicherry.

A Soothing Morning in Lalbagh

This was the first time I visited Lalbgh Botanical Garden which is in the center of Bangalore city. I had few guests and I took them for a city sight seeing. Timing could not be better. It was the first Sunday after 15th August when flower show is being organised in Lalbagh. This well famous garden was on its best. It was nine of early morning and garden was just opened. It was less crowded. Weather was very pleasant and so every one of us found this garden very much smoothing. Garden was well maintained and clean as opposite to what most of the people say about it. I never thought it could be so much refreshing. We spent few hours roaming there. I felt its always better to come here early morning. We could see hundreds of pigeon and different birds. Glass house and Rose garden are their attraction but I found bird watching and cool early morning wind very mesmerizing. A pleasant day started with a soothing morning.

After a good time we came out of the sprawling Lalbagh and had a short visit to Tipu Sultan fort which is very nearby. Though there was not much to see here but it is a nice place in the busy surrounding buzzing market. After that we went to Freedom Park which was converted from the central jail to a nice park and museum. Unfortunately in daytime it is closed and open in early morning or late evening only. Then we went to famous ISKCON temple. This was my maiden visit to this magnificent temple and I found it delightful in midst of the "hare krishna" chanting going on. 

A Trip to Coorg

This weekend I visited Coorg, which was in my list from a long time. Coorg also known as Kodagu is well known hill station of Karnataka and famed for its luscious greenery, coffee farms and Kaveri water streams flowing through the valley. I have been in Coorg before but mostly stayed in the resort only on last trip except a trekking. It was Orange county resort which is one of the luxurious resorts in this country and we enjoyed every bit of it on being there. This time plan was to visit Madikeri. We were five people on this trip and it was a journey by car. We started early at five in morning on Saturday. Starting early means you can save minimum one hour from Bangalore traffic. Reaching Kengeri road from Marathalli took one hour only. Early morning drive is always a pleasure. In next one hour we stopped at a Kamath restaurant and had good breakfast of traditional south Indian foods including dosa and idlis. After getting recharged, we started again and reached to Srirangapatna in next one hour. There we took diversion from Mysore road and drove on KRS dam road to skip the Mysore city traffic. We used the GPS on phone to make sure that we are not heading in a wrong direction. Road was not very good and had bad patches. After next 18 KMs of village side road, we hit the Madikeri road again. Road after that was picturesque and with a great view full of green landscape. We stopped in between and had some good photo shots. By eleven we reached to Madikeri after a 260KM drive. Just before the town, we saw a Shiva temple on the hill and visited it, which is named as Bhadrakaleswari temple. After that we moved to our resort, Hotel Mayura Valley View. This is a KSTDC maintained hotel. I was apprehensive about this choice as this is a government run hotel and some reviews on Internet were also not very good. I booked it due to proximity to major attractions of the town and good price but this hotel was a pleasant surprise. This is situated next to Raja's seat. Rooms were big and well maintained. You can get the same valley view what you get from Raja's seat, from almost all of the rooms. This hotel was a real value for money. We checked-in, got ready quickly for lunch and it was delicious. After taking a small rest we left for Abbey falls first.

Abbey falls is about 8KMs from the resort and the road is narrow and with lot of turns. Driving was tough and view outside was of lush green deep jungle. Sooner we reached there and parked our car near entrance. From there it was a short walk downwards to reach the falls. There was a massive flow from falls as it was monsoon time. It was a soothing experience. There was a hanging bridge also to get the good view of falls. After spending some good time there, we moved back to Madikeri town. Next we went to see the Madikeri fort which is now converted to District colectrate. It was a small fort which is being used as office now. Fort was surrounded by decent walls and we could see some old small palaces and chapels. A museum is inside the premises to showcase the Madikeri history but we skipped that part. It was evening now and so we moved to Raja's sit to watch sunset. Raja's seat is well maintained garden with a sunset point and gives the breath taking valley view. There is a toy train for hardly one KM long track inside the garden. We enjoyed this shortest ever train journey a lot. Then we moved to the valley view point. We could see the great Coorg valley from there. We sat there for some time to enjoy the quiteness. Weather was getting cold and valley was full of roaming clouds and misty fogs. As sun can be hardly seen in that weather, so we skipped the sunset and left for the market. Madikeri is a small but decent market. We purchased a raincoat, a jacket and other stuffs. Then we moved back to resort. After spending some time in chit-chat, we went to the restaurant for dinner. They took a lot of time to take order but food was served very quickly and it was very tasteful. 

Next morning we left the resort little late than our earlier plan. Morning was very pleasant and misty. We drove to Kushalnagar to visit Tibettian Golden temple. We reached there at nine o'clock. The temple which is one of the biggest settlement of Tibettian in this country is beautiful. When we reached, it was their pray time so we got a glimpse of Tibettian pray rituals. We had the breakfast nearby and after a short shopping we moved to Nisargadhama which is at bank of Kaveri river. We crossed the Kaveri river by a hanging bridge. This place was a kind of small jungle with a zoo and some tree top sitting place to enjoy the surroundings. We had a short walk in the jungle before we came out. Now we started back for Bangalore. In this trip we skipped two major attraction of coorg,  Talakaveri and Dubbare elephant camp but were happy to have two great days. In next three hours we reached to Channapatna. In between we had a decent lunch and faced traffic in Mandya and Srirangapatna. In Channapatna we stopped near a toy shop. Channapatna is very famous for its wooden toy factories. We could not visit a factory there but everyone of us was quite amazed with the toys they make. I could never imagine that the wooden toys can meet the functionality and attractiveness of Chinese plastic toys. We bought few toys and then started again for Bangalore. Once we entered the city it was full of traffic chaos due to metro work. It took around two hour drive in city to reach back to home in Marathalli. Overall this trip was one of the best. Thanks to my brother-in-laws for a long and smooth driving. We enjoyed the misty Coorg trip a lot. 

Trek to Siddara Betta

It was a long time since I went for an outing. So when on Friday evening Shridhara asked if I am interested to join him for a trekking in Siddara Betta, I just said yes. Without knowing much about the place, I started from my house early morning on Saturday (7th July).  It was a cool start of the day and went to Hope Farm first to receive Shridhara. His friend Rajesh was supposed to join us in Dobbaspet. Sridhara drove the bike and it took one hour to come out of city and hit Tumkur road. Driving on Tumkur road or NH4 was a good time and we reached to Dobbaspet in next half an hour. There we left the NH4 and drove till Koratagere town. In between some patches of roads were not good but it was a good village side road and full of picturesque. In Koratagere we met Rajesh, had tea at one road side shop and moved towards our destination. At eleven thirty we reached to Siddara Betta. It was 120 KMs from Hope Farm and took little more than three hours. We parked our bikes near a shop at the foothill. There we hired one local villager as our guide. He was well aware of the hill and look like a regular guide to the trekkers.

Just after the start of trek, I felt some doziness and got a weird feeling that I can not make it. Same was with Shridhara but we overcame on this and started going up again. The hill was steep in starting. There were steps made on the boulders to help trekker to climb up. Rajesh is a regular trekker and he was going up smoothly. I was following him. From different positions at the hill, we could see the plane below for awesome views. We moved further up and after one hour of trekking we reached up to the Shiva temple which is in a cave. We removed our shoes and entered into the cave. There is a water well inside the cave and the priest said that this is a holy kund. After initial hesitation I had a bath with the cold water and felt relieved of all the tiredness. In fact there are several small wells on the top. One can get water if he will dig five feet only. After a small puja, our guide took us for the cave exploration. Moving in the cave was difficult and sometime you have to crawl under the boulders. It's difficult to go inside without a guide or familiar person. We saw some small den where saints used to stay and do meditation for years. Though I did not find any saint there but I could feel that it is the best place to meditate; before trekker like us started coming here :-). This hill is also famous for its medicinal and curative plants. I could realize that the stories which I heard in childhood; might be true that saints used to meditate for years with some leaves and water.

After the cave exploration we started trekking again and this time it was easy as it was mostly plane. Then we reached to the top of Siddara Betta and feel amazed to see the view of sister hills and surrounding. It was a big plane atop of hill and we thought of having a night trek or night stay on the hill. As it was late after noon so we started our lunch which we got packed in Dobbaspet. Lunch after a long trek will always taste delicious and thats what it was. After spending some time there we started coming down. In end of the coming down, our guide took us to a different and very slippery trek making it more challenging. While coming we could see the cave where people used to organize yoga camp. When we reached back to the foothill we were tired enough but had to drive back. We had a tea, paid the guide and started back. It started raining in between but stopped in a very short time too. After driving for 90 KM in one go I stopped just before city entrance. I always feel difficulty in finding ways in city and get confused in signal chaos. Sridhara drove the bike for rest of the stretch. By eight I reached back to my house with a pleasure of the good trekking and tiredness to get retire in the bed soon.

In Quite Land of Pyramid Valley

Last Friday was Ugadi and I visited the Pyramid Valley on this occasion with my wife and my mother. The Pyramid valley is a new age meditation center and situated on Kanakpura road, 50 KMs from Marathalli in Bangalore. It took us little more than one hour to reach there. The location is very quite and in between of small hills which makes it perfect to feel calm and relaxed. This center is initiated by Brahmarshi Patriji, who claims that doing meditation in pyramid is more powerful. So a grand pyramid of 102 ft height is constructed in the midst of this quite land and which can accommodate five thousands people at a time for meditation. When we entered the valley, we got a brief about meditation at the reception. After that we had a walk inside the beautiful campus before reaching to pyramid entrance. A Buddha statue was situated at the entrance as a symbol of peace. Pyramid was one of the marvelous architecture and built in scientific way to store radiated cosmic energy drawn from the universe. Inside the pyramid, it was a pin drop silence. We sat in a corner and had a short meditation. I am not sure if meditation in pyramid makes a difference as they claim; but quietness and calmness of the surrounding was rejuvenating. In the center of pyramid there was a king's chamber at 34 ft height which they claim to be most energetic spot inside. We went up to there but I could not feel a difference except it was hot so we came down quickly. After spending some quite time inside, we came out and went to the cafeteria. It was lunch time and they serve free lunch. Lunch was very simple but very tasty. We had a walk again in the campus before we headed back for our home. One thing is sure, this is one of the peaceful place to get away but not kind of have fun. The best thing is, they emphasis on natural meditation and peacefulness; not trying to sell something or pitching their thought or asking for anything. The mantra there is 'leave your distractions and observe your breathe".

New Year Day in Anthargange

We started our new year with a short but great trip of Anthargange temple which is situatated on Kolar hills and only 70KMS from Bangalore. I read about Kolar Gold mines in my childhood. Kolar Gold Fields called as KGF is abondoned now but for travelers and explorers it can be treasure including Anthargange, Kolar hills, Kotilingeshwara, Avani temple and Chikka Trirupati. We planned for Anthargange and started our journey from Marathalli at ten o' clock, drove towards Hoskote through Hope farm junction . Road to Hoskote was nice and once we hit NH4 just before Hoskote it was very wide and completly traffic free. In next half an hour we took our break at a Cafe Coffee Day outlet. We had a good coffee, some good photo shots and moved again for Kolar. Landscape on both sides of road after that was a rocky terrain. In next fifteen minutes we reached to Kolar town. There we met Sumanth who was a localite and friend of Sumit bhaiya. He guided us to reach Anthargange temple or Kolar hills which is about 3KMS from Kolar town. We parked our bikes there and moved towards the temple. There were a lot of monkeys on hills and on the way to temple. It was very crowded there because of new year day otherwise these monkeys could have been frightening for travelers. It was about two hundred steps to go up and reach the temple. On top we saw the Antharagange temple which has its mythological significance of Ramyana era. Just near the temple, there is a natural spring which is believed to be as pious as Ganga. Water coming out of this is natural and pure. Water comes out from the small cleft and fill the diagonal pond underneath it. Unfortunately it was dirty probably because the people take bath there.

After visiting the temple, we climbed up the hill. It was a perfect place for trekking and cave exploration. There are villages on the hills and it would have been a great idea to explore the Kolar hills a further more. After climbing little further on the rocky hills, we could see the panoramic view of Kolar town. We decided to come down after having some good photos of the hills range. From Kolar hills we went to the Chinmaya Ashram near to the town. We parked our bikes there and had the home made delicious lunch. We started back for Bangalore after that. Driving on NH4 was fun and we touched the 100KM/hr. We reached back to home in next one hour after a non stop drive.