Sri Ramaprameya Swamy and Ambegalu Krishna temple, Dodda Mallur, Karnataka

The Bangalore-Mysore highway has a lot of interesting temples and places to see. Dodda Mallur is one such village, in Channapatna taluk, that hosts the famous Sri Ramaprameya Swamy and Ambegalu Krishna temple. The village is about 60 kms from Bangalore, and is located on the banks of the river Kanva, which has a dam few kilometers away.

We have been to this temple several times, and each visit is different. The temple is easy to locate. While driving on the highway, towards the end of Channapatna, you can see the temple entrance arch on your left-hand side. There is ample parking space available; Rs. 10 is collected as parking charges. The temple timings are 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM IST, and 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM IST.

This Vijayanagara-style temple/idol is said to be about 1500 years old, and the temple complex was built by Chola emporer Rajendra (4th century). The monolithic Dhwajasthamba is beautiful. It is said that Lord Rama himself to have stayed here; therefore, called Daskshina Ayodhya and the idol called Ramaprameya. Several sages too have stayed/visited this temple and composed songs in praise of the Gods.

The deity in the main sanctum is Lord Ramaprameya. The idol has been craved from Saligrama stone, holding Shanka, Chakra, Gada, and Padma in four hands. Don't forget to see the Utsava Murthy of this God! A walk towards the left of the main sanctum leads to the temple of Goddess Aravindavalli (Lakshmi), seated on lotus flower.

Continuing further, you see that sanctum of Lord Ambegalu Navaneetha Krishna. The idol is of infant Krishna, (seems to be) crawling towards the onlooker, and rests left hand on the peedham, holds a ball of butter in right hand, and wears Uda Dhaara (a thread made of silver) almost around the waist. sri Purandaradasa is said to have been inspired by this idol, and composed the famous song 'Jagadoddharana Adisidalu Yashodha!' It is believed that couples pray to this god to bestow them with a baby (, preferably a boy!). After the birth of the baby, the couples offer a cradle (made of silver/wood) to the temple, and perform puja or Tula Bhara (in front of the sanctum).

Walking further, you see Lord Vaikunatanath Swamy with His consorts. On the right-side of the Lord Ramaprameya sanctum, you can see the idol of Lord Hanuman. Interesting are the carvings on the pillars of various mantapas. You can see floral designs, chanka, naama, shanka, yaalis, and so on. A few portions of the pillars are left blank; not sure why. Outside the temple, opposite to the main entrance, you can see the Purandaradasa mantapa.

What interests me the most is the temple architecture, sculptures, and carvings. Here are a few photos of the temple complex; kindly note that photography of deities is strictly prohibited. I have tried to explain a few photos; still researching about a few others. If you have any information regarding this place, kindly leave a comment; thanks.

Sri Ramaprameya Swamy temple complex and Purandaradasa Mantapa

Carvings on pillars, within temple complex

Carvings of Hindu Mythical creatures, floral designs, Lord Shivalinga, elephant, and many others can be seen on the pillars. I have never before seen a creature with horse head and bird body; still researching about such a creature. In a Vaishnava temple, you can see carving of Lord Shivalinga; it's a beautiful and unique design. The circular floral designs are unique as well. Also note that almost all mythical creatures hold something in their trunks/beaks, as a symbol of offering to the Lord!

Carvings on pillars, Rathamantapa

This is a beautiful mantapa but neglected beyond comprehension. Various birds have made this mantapa their home, and their droppings have dirtied the mantapa. Some amazing carvings can be seen on the pillars. Lord Vishnu blessing the elephant, standing on the crocodile. Garuda with hands folded. According to my study of other temples, this carving can be Lord Hanuman with a bell, performing puja to the Lord. There are carvings of monkey kings in a combat, Lord Krishna on Kalinga Sarpa, Govardana Giri Dhaari, and Lord Vishnu on Garuda. Totally amazing!

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Regards,
Asha

Sighting Wild Life - Jungle Safaris at Kabini, Nagarhole Reserve, Karnataka

Recently, we decided to drive to Kabini, stay there for a day or two, and enjoy the jungle safaris. We opted for one jungle jeep safari and one boat safari; both were excellent. In this blog, I shall share photos of wild life that we saw in both these safaris but will narrate only about jeep safari. In the following blog-post, I shall share photos of birds and narrate about boat safari. Thanks in advance for viewing and reading!

We went on the evening jeep safari; we were transferred from our resort to the Jungle Lodge Resort, and from there the jeep safari began. The jeeps are in good condition. The guide, Mr. Soma, and the driver, Mr. Lokesh, were knowledgeable about the Kabini/Nagarhole Reserve. Our jeep had mixed crowd - professional photographers with their huge lenses occupied prime seats, and amateur photographers and everyone else took other seats.  

When the safari started, the guide spoke about the reserve and about having sighted leopards and tigers in the recent previous safaris. We were all enthusiastic about sighting these cats. As the jeep moved deeper into the forest, we were greeted by elephants, boars, spotted deers, monkeys, languars, gaurs, and so on. 

Saw a lot of birds but sadly the driver/guide don't stop, mainly, because everyone wants to see the wild cats! I spotted a jungle owlet and asked the driver to stop for a photo. Saw plum headed parakeets, kingfishers, and other birds; but couldn't click a photo nor stop to appreciate the beauty. 

As we headed deeper, everyone got restless, and each jeep that passed by indicated that they hadn't sighted the wild cats. The driver of our jeep went to most of the waterholes in anticipation of sighting of the cats but no luck. That morning they sighted two leopards with a kill, sitting on a tree; the driver drove past that tree as well; no luck. 

And then the driver received a phone call from another driver informing about the leopard sitting on the very same tree. Oh, what joy! He drove the jeep at great speed; thought we were flying inside the forest reserve. When we went to the spot, there was already a jeep positioned at the best angle, filled with pro photographers, clicking away to glory. We were able to get only a glimpse of the far-away leopard. 

People without a zoom lens/binoculars weren't lucky; they had difficulty in spotting the leopard. The guide offered his binoculars to whoever wanted it. I must add this tip - when you are on a safari, please get your own binoculars. Similar concept to packing-using your toothbrush vs borrowing from other travelers. Firstly, it's never good to ask someone else's equipment. Honestly. Secondly, not all guides have good quality binoculars or the binoculars maybe worn out. Thirdly, learn to use your eyes; try spotting using your eyes, and then use whatever equipment.

If you are a pro photographer, please click one or two photos, and then give way to the others in the jeep to see the wild life. Come on, you are a pro/expert; means that you don't need to click 100-1000 photos of the same subject! Remember that others too have paid for the safari. Otherwise, please talk to Jungle Lodge Resorts to arrange for a separate jeep. 

When on such safaris, please adhere to the rules/guidelines. Never ever get down from the jeep or climb the top of the jeep. Always respect the guide/driver, and listen to them. Your one stupid move can be unsafe for everyone. Don't mimic wild animals or irritate them. We saw vehicles that had stopped inside the reserve. One or two vehicles honked! 

All right, enough said. Here are photo collages of the wild animals that we saw during our jeep and boat safaris. ENJOY!

Leopard, wild boar, elephants, spotted deer, samba deep, monkey, languar, gaur, crocodile, and mongoose

Regards,

Asha

About Veera Narayana Temple - Belavadi

Chikkamagalur district of Karnataka is known for its scenic beauty and temples. The temples such as that at Belur, Halebeedu, and Belavadi flaunt Hoysala architecture and craftsmanship. Belavadi is a small village that hosts the Veera Narayana temple. It is said that the prince Bheema killed Bakasura (demon) at this place to protect the people.

 

The Veera Narayana temple is about 25 kilometers from Belur and about 9 kilometers from Halebeedu. Tourists flock and flood Belur and Halebeedu; however, most of them aren't aware of the temple at Belavadi. Thus, when we visited the temple, we were the only people other than the priests at the temple.

 

The Veera Narayana temple is a Vaishnava temple and has three shrines. The temple is made of soapstone, and was built during 1206 AD by Hoysala Empire King Veera Ballala II. As you enter, you are greeted by idols of elephants, and the common mantap. The deities are different forms of Lord Vishnu. At the centre shrine, Lord Narayana stands tall (8 feet), has four hands, and stands on padmasana. The idol is absolutely beautiful.

 

The southern shrine belongs to Lord Venugopala (8 feet tall). This is a form of Lord Krishna playing his flute. When I saw this idol, I was totally mesmerised. The lord standing in tribangi position under the tree, playful smile on the His face, and almost closed eyes! Along the side of the idol, you can see carvings of shravana kumaras, gopikas, cows and calves, and gopalakas dancing, and Rukmini and Sathyabhama. This idol is gorgeous.

 

The northern shrine hosts Lord Yoganarashimha (7 feet tall). The lord sits in yogamudra and wears the yoga patti. In two of lord's hands are shanka (conch) and chakra (disc); the other two hands rest on the knees. Sridevi and Bhoodevi stand next to the lord on either side.  

 

I took a while to seep in the beauty of the idols. The hands of the craftsman must have had magic to transform a plain lifeless soapstone in to charming idols! I must have gone round the temple more than three times observing the beauty. We spent more than 4-5 hours there.

 

A must-visit place for anyone planning a trip to Chikkamagalur district!

Elephants and decorations

Temple complex and pillars

Carvings on the ceilings

Side view of temple complex and a gopuram

Sculptures of Lords

Friezes

References:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veera_Narayana_Temple,_Belavadi
• http://templesofkarnataka.com/navigation/details.php?id=3

Regards,

Asha

Govardhana Giridhari - A frieze at Belavadi

The Veera Narayana temple, Belavadi was built around 1200 AD by Hoysala Empire King Veera Ballala II. If you plan to travel to Karnataka, ensure that you visit this temple. It's gorgeous!

 

 Walking around the temple, you can see this beautiful piece of stonework. The stonework has been destroyed during invasion. The centre piece depicts Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhana hill; the left and right pieces show the cows and cowherd. The story goes like this - when the angry Lord Indra lashed rains, Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan hill and held it up. His people and cattle took shelter under the hill. Lord Krishna was the epitome of kindness.

 

Participating in Thursday Challenge - OLD (Buildings, People, Antiques, Books, Food, Vehicles,...)! Please also see photos submitted by other participants.

 

 

Detailed write-up about the temple - http://onholidaytours.blogspot.in/2013/11/about-veera-narayana-temple-belavadi.html

 

Regards,

Asha



Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi

Wordless Wednesday!

 

An excellent example of Hoysala temple architecture, at Veera Narayan temple, Belavadi, Karnataka, India!

Detailed write-up about the temple - http://onholidaytours.blogspot.in/2013/11/about-veera-narayana-temple-belavadi.html

Regards,

Asha

Pollibetta, Coorg

We take less than a minute to decide upon our next travel. The destination that we choose this time around was Pollibetta, Coorg. Though we have visited Coorg several times, we knew for sure that this trip would be awesome. Reason? Well, just a great feeling!

From Bangalore, we drove to Hunsur, taking the Bidadi-Mandya route. From Hunsur, we drove towards Periyapatana, and then deviated to the Siddapur-Gonikoppa road. The K. R. S road and the road leading to Pollibetta were pathetic. But our Scorpio loved the roads! We followed the Plantation Trails/Orange Country hoardings. Yes, we stopped at several places to stretch our legs and to absorb the greenery.

The cottage staff were kind to call us to find out if we needed assistance during our drive. When we arrived at Pollibetta, we loved it! Quiet little place covered with trees and coffee plants. Peaceful and healthy faces that greeted even the strangers with a smile. Yes, yes, these were the indication of a lovely holiday!

The Cottabetta bungalow is gorgeous. It's an old British bungalow that has been renovated, and what a beautiful job Tata staff has done! When we arrived, the staff greeted us with kumkum and turmeric, introduced themselves and the facilities, and then took us to our room. We loved the room! Our stomaches were growling, and we blindly followed our nose towards the dining hall. The hall's main attraction was something unimaginable - the splendid one-piece dining table made from teak wood!

The cottages have a veranda that leads to the bedroom (with attached bathroom). The bedroom either has two single beds or a single queen-sized bed. The cots and other furniture are again old teak ones. The windows are fun; one can bend and exit out through the window. Well, the staff knows people may do such stupid stuff, and therefore, they have covered the area with nets that act as security screens. The food was delicious; mostly, simple Coorg cuisine. The freshness of the produce adds a delicate flavor to all the dishes. The fruits taste delicious. Oh, everything feels awesome! :-)

We had almost the entire bungalow for ourselves, to explore and to admire. The garden flaunted pretty and colorful flowers. The neatly maintained lawn stole our attention. The array of trees surrounding the bungalow resembled armed soldiers. The staff told us that elephants could be spotted a few meters away from the bungalow. Ta da... That's not fun, they warned. The elephants are wild and can be notorious. We were advised not to venture alone at odd hours - early mornings and late nights without informing staff or seeking their assistance.

Oh, the next morning was amazing! At 4.30 am, we stood outside, waiting for the dawn to break. We did this task on all the days that we stayed. The first ray of the Sun peeps through the darkness, and then several hundreds of rays follow. Within seconds, the sky had several mesmerizing hues. The first birds to wake up and to sing were the bulbuls; oh, were they restless! Waves of birds took turns to sing and to greet the Sun. My words can't describe our experience. One must be at that place to experience the sunrise.

One can drive to nearby tourist spots - Madikeri, Naraghole, Dubare, and other places - or try the 'Within the gates' activities:

• Lazy Daisies - Bonfire & BBQ, Stroll through aromatic coffee estates
• Nature Lovers - Guided bird watching tour, plantation jeep drive, coffee picking experience, and tea picking experience
• Sporty Types - Golf, A game of badminton or tennis, cycling

In the morning, a walk through the Golf course is refreshing. Walking on the morning dews that are settled on the lawn is soothing. If one maintains silence, one can also observe birds. When we went for the walk, we experienced rain for a brief while. We saw birds too. We extended our walk with our dear guide, Mr. Uday, and then saw the hornbill. Was a rare sighting! The list of birds that we spotted and photographed are available at Our Nature Friends blogsite. (Total of 35+ birds spotted during our journey from Bangalore to Pollibetta.)

Next time you are planning for a vacation, please consider Pollibetta. Have fun! Oh, and do buy the honey and other products that the estate sells.

Couple of things to remember:

• When residing at the bungalow, respect privacy of other guests, and respect heritage of the place.
• When going on a walk, please maintain silence; you may spot a bird or an animal. Please don't play music or allow your mobile phones to ring their crazy lengthy tunes. The wild isn't interested in those tunes; they play better ones. Just listen.
• Some plants may be protected, don't pick them.
• Don't venture away without seeking advice from the staff or informing them.
• Wild animals are unpredictable; follow the guide's instructions.
• If you are unable to spot all listed birds/animals of the place, please don't pester the guide/staff. According to seasons, birds and animals visit the place.

On way - paddy fields

Cottabetta Bungalow Photos

Shades of dawn :)

Coffee beans, and old temples at Golf course

Food spread!

Regards,
Asha

Our World Tuesday - July 2, 2013

Hello world! :-)

Belur is a famous tourist place of Karnataka, India. Belur flaunts Chennakeshava temple, one of the finest Hoysala architecture and workmanship. Well, infinite number of people have tried to capture the temple's beauty in their cameras. Here is my humble attempt.

A glimpse of Chennakeshava temple, Belur

I'm participating in Our World Tuesday. Please check out little worlds of other participants.

Regards,
Asha

Agalatti River Retreat - Sakleshpur, Karnataka

On the Republic Day (2013), we drove to Sakleshpur, and to the Agalatti River Retreat. We were pleased to see Harsh, who received us in his usual warm and friendly manner. It was a few years since we visited Sakleshpur; we were glad to be visiting again.

Harsha's new retreat is lovely, amidst Nature. Various parts of the property are still being developed. We totally submerged in the beauty of the surroundings. The trees, flowers, bees, and birds seemed to be in sync with one another. The rooms and tents were neat, cute, and comfortable.

We walked in the streams that flow through the property. Played on the swings that were tied to the trees alongside the stream. It was fun to swing high, and let the feet glide over the stream. Even though the Sun was bright, the stream water was cool. Couldn't resist a dip in the stream.

The food that was served was homely. Harsha had got a special dish made - the Shavige (vermicelli). Oh God, we love this dish! Of course, we polished off our plates. He also served watermelon juice; the fruit has grown on the property, and the fruit was sweet.

I found a guava fruit that had fallen down; tasted it, and was it delicious! The pepper creepers hugged the tall trees. The chikoo fruits adorned the trees. The cute little pineapples peeped to see who the visitors were. The super spicy chillies looked like stars in the sky. Beautiful!

We wished that we could halt at the retreat that night, but we had to return to Hassan. Promising to visit again, we bid goodbye to Harsha, and drove back.

Regards,
Asha

Dubare, Karnataka

On the spur of the moment, I called the Jungle Lodge Resort and asked if they could accommodate us during the weekend. Well, in such a short notice, I did not expect the resort to have just one river-view cottage available. Some magic must have happened, or we were plain lucky!

On Saturday morning, we hopped on to our little car, and drove off. The weather was awesome; cloudy, and at times, drizzle. The landscape kept changing from urban to semi-urban to semi-rural to rural, as though it was a movie. Everything seemed to mesmerize us.

The route we took was: Bangalore - Kengeri - Bidadi - Ramanagaram - Channapatana - Maddur - Mandya - Srirangapatana - Hunsur - Periyapatana - Khusalnagar - Dubare. The journey was splendid. For breakfast, we stopped at one of the Cafe Coffee Day outlets at Maddur. Well, we broke our breakfast rule of having Thatte Idlis at Bidadi. There's always a next time to taste those soft and delicious idlis.

On our journey, we saw that the farmers were either setting the fields to sow paddy or were paddy-planting. The ibises, herons, and several other birds were enjoying the worms and insects that sprung out due to ploughing. A few fields grew sugarcane. Other fields cultivated tobacco. We stopped to stretch our legs and also to admire the serene scenery. For more details about tobacco cultivation, see Tobacco Plants and Flowers.

We hadn't seen Nisargadhama, and therefore, we stopped there. River Cauvery is the main reason for several places to flourish. Was fun to walk on the hanging bridge. Usually, people on one-day trips visit this place. But one can also stay at the cottages available. Some visitors were making a lot of noise, and seemed to be destroying the swings that hung from the trees. We had to ignore them, and move away. We saw the deer park; but elephant rides suspended. By the time we returned from the deer park, the security guards had shooed away the bunch of trouble-causing men. Peace graced the place again.

We reached the reached Dubare by noon. We parked our car at the parking lot allocated to the Jungle Lodge resort, and then hopped on to a boat that took us to the resort. We love this resort because of the excellent service. The friendly staff greeted us, and gave us a superb river-view cottage. We unpacked, freshened up, and attacked the lunch buffet. We sat facing the river, and relished our lunch. The food was homely and tasty. Oh, God, the dessert - Vermicelli Payasam - was delicious!

By 4:00 pm, tea was served, and we were ready for a jeep safari. Three jeeps got ready for us and other guests. The kids were hyper excited. Rules given to us was that we had to maintain silence during the safari. The rain had just stopped, and we hoped that rain wouldn't spoil our safari. Of course, the road would be a mess.

As we drove into the jungle, the guide explained that the jungle was man-made as well as natural. The jungle is covered with bamboo plants and teak trees. It's cute to see a variety of orchid plants clinging to the trees. We spotted a stag; it stood on the middle of the road. Saw us, and sprinted away. Later, we saw deer that ran across the road. We saw peasants and other birds.

We were one with nature, and suddenly, we were shaken by the trumpeting of an elephant. The guides stopped the jeeps, and... Silence. All of us listened carefully, and voila, again the elephant trumpeted. We saw the back of the elephant, and hoped that we could see the whole elephant. But the elephant moved deeper in to the jungle. After a few minutes, we heard the loudest noise every - the trumpeting of an adult elephant. That's when we realized that the elephant was with her baby!

When we returned, hot beverages and biscuits were awaiting us. We sipped tea, and then retired to our cottage. By 8:30 pm, the dinner buffet was ready. The aroma of food pulled us towards the dining area. The phulkas were soft and yummy. We could hear the river gurgle; seemed like it was narrating a story to us. I wonder how many stories she has, and how many people she has seen! After warming ourselves at the bonfire, we hit our sacks.

The next morning, we were up and ready by 6:00 am. Rain had showered during the night, and was drizzling in the morning. Letting the raindrops kiss us, sipping hot coffee, and watching the river were all marvelous experiences. The raindrops fall on the huge cobwebs, which were woven on the trees, and made webs visible to us. The delicate bamboo leaves tried hard to hold on to the raindrops, which were bubbly and wanted to jump off to explore their own world. The birds were shaking off the raindrops from their feathers. Oh, God, that was life!

We marched towards the elephant bathing area, and stood waiting for the elephants to majestically walk towards the river. This is supposed to be t-h-e main attraction of the resort. One by one the elephants came, carefully walked down the slopes, and went in to the water. The mammoths instructed the elephants to lay on one side so that they could scrub it. That's were all of us joined to help the mammoths. Of course, the elephants enjoyed the bath! It was fun to watch their trunks blowing out water or trying to catch the scent of human.

After the bath, the elephants moved to the feeding area. We can buy cucumbers, coconut, and other fruits and give it to the elephants. The elephants are fed dried grass, coconuts, bananas, and huge balls of ragi and horsegram. Because of rains, the elephant ride and coracle ride were cancelled.

Ah, time had come for us to depart, and return home. We bid goodbye to the staff and the place, and drove back to Bangalore. We reached Bangalore by 5:00 pm, and were we rejuvenated!

Regards,
Asha

Chikmagalur - Eagle Eye Resort - A drive in the past

We have driven to Chikmagalur so many times that I have lost count. With every season, the place looks different (, mostly awesome). The roads may be the same each time we drive, but the experience is totally different. In this blog, I write about my visit to Chikmagalur a few years ago (with office friends). We drove from Bangalore to Chikmagalur; rain showers accompanied us on our journey. The weather was beautiful. The landscape was Green. The raindrops added a sense of romance. And the company was good. What more can one ask for?

Lake on the way to Chikmagalur

Mist-covered road

A village near Chikmagalur

We stayed at Eagle Eye resort, which is about 48 kilometers from Chikamagalur and about 2100 ft. above the sea level. The resort is situated at the Hoscodu Estate (130 acres). One has to drive deep into the estate to spot this resort. Tucked away in the silent valley, this resort is worth a visit. Of course, we were delighted to see the resort and the breath-taking view of the valley. I understand that the resort has undergone a few renovations and additions recently.

Estate road

We were to stay at a tree house, which is about 750 sq. ft, and has a portico, bedroom, and bathroom attached. The hammocks at the portico make one utterly lazy. Sounds exciting, isn't it? During day, the tree houses look absolutely inviting; however, during night, it's a different experience. Let me come back to that. The resort, as you already know, offers tree houses, cottages, rooms, and villas for travelers to stay. The forest wood is put to good use in cottages and furniture.

Now comes my favorite part - food! The resort serves delicious, healthy, and nutritious food. Some dishes are typical to Chikmagalur region, such as the Akki Roti, Akki Shavige, Kadabu, and dishes made from Jackfruit. Yes, non-vegetarian dishes are served too. Although the resort has an option of à la carte, they mostly serve buffet. The dining hall stands on the edge of a cliff; the view is serene. Ensure that you go for a walk to admire the orchids and other flora.

Dining hall

Cottages

Jackfruits

Orchid flowers

There is a lake in the property. Someone from the resort will accompany you to the lake. Coracles are available; a must try. The resort also arranges for treks, safari, and other activities. Ensure that you inform them earlier so that they can get permissions from forest department and make necessary arrangements. The resort has a badminton court, and guests can use it free of charge. It's located at one edge of a cliff; so don't go looking for the shuttlecock, in case it decides to glide down the cliff. At evenings, the resort arranges for drinks and snack here, and also starts a bonfire. You can dance to the music too!

Resort lake 

Snow-capped?

At dawn

Now came the time when we had to go to our tree houses. Oops... The night had covered everything with a thick Black blanket. No lights to guide. The resort assistants carried a torch, and guided us to our houses. A cute dog followed. As night grew heavy, we heard beating of drums - continuous beating till morning. There were other sounds; some recognizable, some not. With each sound, we woke up to greet the darkness. Why the beating of drums you ask? Oh, that's to keep the devils away. Nah... I'm kidding. That's to keep the elephants at bay. :-)

We didn't trek or use the safari service; you can imagine how lazy the group was. But what we did was to drive to Kemmanagundi. That drive was splendid. The bald hills covered with grass, the narrow roads, and the view - a divine combination. Due to rains, the road to Hebbe falls was in bad shape; we did not trek to the falls. The whole trip was to unwind and relax, rather than hop from place to place or from one activity to another. Memorable one.

For information about places to visit, see http://www.eagleeyeholidays.com/location.php.

Kemmangundi hills

Clouds

Hope you enjoy your trip to Chikmagalur and your stay at Eagle Eye resort.

Regards,

Asha 

Bylakuppe - Jan 2012

On the Republic Day holiday, we were in a mood to drive out of town. Our inital plan was to stop at Kokrebellur, and then proceed towards Bylakuppe. But because we woke up late and started our journey late, we couldn't visit Kokarebellur; drove straight to Bylakuppe.

Bylakuppe is a Tibetian (refugee) settlement, and hosts the beautiful Golden Temple, SOS Village, Nunnery, etc. Bylakuppe is about 220 kilometers from Bangalore; takes about four and half hours to reach. The route includes the following places:

Bangalore - Kengeri - Bidadi - Ramanagara - Channapatna - Mandya - Hunsur - Bylakuppe

The traffic was crazy in the morning; many people driving out of town. We stopped at Bidadi for breakfast; the White and soft idlis were a delightful treat. As we continued our journey, the colorful wooden toys of Channapatna greeted us; next, the sugarcane and paddy fields of Mandya. The cranes sitting on the fields resembled small dots on a sheet of paper. I have always loved this part of Karnataka.

Thatte idli

Throughout the journey, we saw vendors selling tender coconut water. How could we resist the temptation of drink one or two tender coconuts? We also parceled two more for later use. About 2-3 kilometers to Bylakuppe, there is a Cafe Coffee Day; we stretched, relaxed, and ate our lunch. A few morsels of food inside our stomach, we were ready to drive on.

As we entered Bylakuppe, we saw prayer flags, agricultural lands allocated to Tibetians, houses they occupy, small hotels (Kerala hotels!), and monks. Kerala hotels serving Tibetian food (along with native cuisine)! That's the beauty of India. We drove past the Nunnery, and headed start towards the Golden Temple or monastery.

There is no entrance fees to the monastery. Just remember that you are entering a sacred temple, and that you need to respect it and respect privacy of monks or people living there. The temple complex is kept clean; please do not dirty it. Most of the times, we tend to talk loudly due to our excitement; here, maintain silence. Let the Gods, murals, and architecture talk about themselves.

The temple door is painted Red and has handles made of brass. When you enter inside, you'll realize that that door was indeed a door to heaven. In front of you are idols of three gigantic gods - Guru Padmasambhava, Lord Buddha, and Buddha Amitayus. The Lord Buddha's idol is 60 ft. in height; whereas, the other idols are 58 ft. All idols are made of copper, plated with gold, and hence the name - Golden Temple.

Take your time to see and seep in the beauty of this colorful and divine place. I have a few photos for you.

Entrance

Bell

Tower

Brass door handle

The Lords

Goddess

Dalai Lama

Smaller

Dragon

Reflection of Lord Buddha on the floor

Mural

Mural

One of the pillars

Prayer Flags

Young monks

Offerings

On our way back, we had dinner at Kamat Lokaruchi. The roads were peaceful, and we reached home earlier than expected. Which place will I blog about next, you ask? I don't know yet. :-)

Regards,
Asha