Amblee Resort (check photo link on right )

I have not been complaining of nothing happening in life since a long time. With my sister’s marriage rush during the last 2 months I was fully occupied. However there was a certain joy when we decided to go to “Amblee Resorts” from office.

Amblee Resort is a quiet little place on the way to Mysore on the banks of River Cauvery. It’s actually very close to Mysore, maybe just 15kms to Mysore from there. The riverside was one of the best features of the resort. I could count off food and service as “adjustable” but the scenery was definitely soothing and refreshing.

I always spend a few hours to myself during the weekend. Those few hours are what pull me through the weekend. I hate sacrificing those precious hours for anything in the world. There were just three girls on this trip (better than the ones when I am the only girl :) however). There was so much of activity through out the day that I really didn’t get my time.

Therefore, as always on trips, I got up early morning and went to the riverside. This was a great experience. I listened to the water flowing across the small rocks. I watched the birds as they flew over the water. I watched the sun rise slowly and the skies turn red to blue. The early morning peace is irreplaceable. I realized that small things around you are so beautiful and matchless. I loved that hour I spent to myself. Then again there came my colleagues and back to fun filled time with others!

The Sea and Me!

I had a rocking weekend. We had a trip to the Paradise Isle Beach Resort at Malpe from office. It’s been years I haven’t been to the beach so the trip brought back a lot of childhood memories. On Sunday morning when the team was fast asleep due to late night disco, cricket match etc I woke up early to watch the sunrise at the beach. As I sat there and looked at the sea, there was a tide of thoughts through my mind.

The sea is something that brings mixed emotions to mind. The waves of Malpe beach were strong and violent. The tide had covered much a distance since the afternoon on Saturday. It looked as if the tide wanted to disturb the peace at the shore. Each time the shore wanted to settle down the waves soared against it. It does not understand that the shore needs time to settle. It just pushes the shore further in. If action could not hurt much, the waves even roared to seal the cruelty.It tried to put the fishermen in danger with the turbulent turns.

But then when I looked at the waves again and thought of the past day, there was a lot of happiness that flooded me. Now I looked at the sea with another angle. The sea brought a lot of hope. The shore even when hit continuously by the waves toiled against it. It seems to be mocking the waves that its hits will not break it. There is a lot of hope in the minds of the people who are at the shore. The lovers who walked silently on the shore, the fishing folks whose day depended on their catch, the joggers who hoped to lose weight, the elderly ones who hoped to live longer and healthy. That thought really put a smile on my face and I walked back happy!

Janapada Loka

This is where I spent my birthday last year and this is where we went again on the way to Amblee Resorts. This draft has been resting since a long time in my posts. I just dug it up today.

It is located some 50km on the Bangalore Mysore Highway and spreads more than 10 acres for sure, a really huge place. It’s like a treasure of Karnataka heritage! There is a large collection of household gadgets, masks, dolls, shadow puppets, agricultural, hunting and fishing stuff. There are some really old chariots, stone carvings of deities etc.


When I checked out the history of this place it was fascinating. This entire initiation was by H.L Gowda who felt the need to preserve tradition and folk forms of Karnataka. He also wanted to preserve it in the true village style. That’s exactly how this place is too! The things they have here reminded me of things I have at my ancestral home. The lamps, utensils, things we love to preserve even today. Hardly use them however!

The Kamat restaurant next to it is also a unique modeling. The restaurant is based on a village house complete with a cow shed and cows. The waiters sport traditional dress and the food served consists of typical home food. We loved the food here. Last time when I went we ate seperate orders but this time it was a buffet breakfast that was also too good. A must visit place specially if you are on the way to Mysore!

Avadhoota Datta Peetham and Bonsai Garden

This is one of those places not many would have visited while at Mysore. Actually we too landed there to kill some time before the palace visit. But being there was a soul rendering experience indeed.

The place called Avadhoota Datta Peetham is the ashram of Sri Ganapathi Sachidanada. A huge place filled with silence in the heart of the city. At the entrance of the ashram is a huge statue made out of mud, guess it Terra cotta. This is supposed to be a statue called "Moolikeswara" the Lord of the herbs, honoring Dhanvantri as the healing godhead. In addition to this there is also a garden filled with herbal plants they say is grown under the protection of this god.


Then we entered the temple which is a universal religion support. There are people following Hinduism, Christianity, Islam everything! They pray to the All Mighty here. Did find a lot of foreigners here. Wonder if religion and peace of mind are following foreigners now a days. They always seem to appreciate religion better than
we Indians who fight on the basis of religion!!!



Another attraction of this place is the Bonsai garden said to be the largest in the country. There are 250 bonsai trees here brought from various countries. The trees range from months to 200 years old ones!! In the middle of the garden there is a path for an acupuncture walk that was refreshing. Here you can also find big pieces of all the birthday stones…sorry didn’t find diamonds!

Balmuri Falls fun!!

This visit to Balmuri Falls was a part of my trip around Bangalore and Mysore when my parents came here. A family friend and his family also accompanied us. For the convenience of my parents and others, (who are really bad at getting to places using public transport….Muscat life hangover!!) I hired a Sumo from office.

Balmuri Falls is located about 150 kms from Bangalore. This was our second stop after Chamundi Hills. For more information as to how to get there, it can be reached by driving down the Mysore Road (my favourite as I always say) to Srirangapatna and then taking the KRS Road to Belagula village. After that there is a narrow road to the right that finally leads to the falls.

Let me warn you…the last strip is a real torture to the backbone but a treat to the eyes. The lush green fields on both sides and the bumpy roads…An exciting combination. My dad screamed when his bald head hit the Sumo roof once or twice..He he…But used to the Sumo driving by these cab drivers I held tight!

As it was a Sunday that we had made it here it was pretty crowded. You really cannot have a deep swim or anything like that but can enjoy yourself in the water. As from my previous trips I realize that any place to visit in Bangalore is accompanied with monkeys for sure. My dad and uncle were imitating some. And I was commenting that the imitation act was unnecessary!!

We also took a ride in those little boats, Now here my dad and mom did not accompany us. Did I ever tell you..these things scare the hell out of them!! My mom is one of those kinds who still stands at the elevators and keeps swinging to and fro…Should I go?? Should I not??

The ride was fun for those turns we made the guy do without my aunty’s knowledge. She thought it was due to the force of the water. Later when she realize did was us she literally screamed. How I love to play these pranks?? Anyways loved the place…Surely recommended for a day out with friends especially during those slight shower days!!

Hot trip to the Big Banyan tree and Manchinbele dam

As I had mentioned earlier I went to visit the Big Banyan tree last week. As for some info about the place. It is just 25 kms from the City and you can reach the spot either from Kumbalgod on Mysore Road or from Chennenahalli on Magadi Road. It is the fourth largest banyan tree in India, 400 years old and spreads 3 acres altogether.

As for the route, I took the Mysore one. After 2 days of googling on the place and reading travel reports I thought this was better. The other reason is that I love Mysore Road travelling. But my joy ride on Mysore Road ended with Kengeri. After that it is a camel ride baby!! Be ready for anything at all. Moreover we just had google directions...no idea where we really going. But we did reach there...so thanks to all those bloggers!

Now the biggest debate here was that the place is really (at least none of us thought so..) not 3 or 4 acres...Hmm do we overblow information??? But it is really quite a sight. I really didn't expect to see a lot of people at the spot...but surprised again. There were a good lot of people. And more of monkeys.

Now that was a huge entertainment packaged I had not dreamt of. There was this one that ran off with a lady's handbag. And another one that took off an Omni's mirror. Now this one was really beauty concious must say! So anyone visiting this plaec...better be careful of your things.

From the Banyan Tree we also decided to visit Manchinbele dam that was 7 to 8 kms away. Again thanks to Google! Now this was a hot drive. Firstly the road was deserted, bumpy and hot. Moreover we had no idea where we were going. After 10 minutes we were deciding to head back when I caught glimpse of the superb sight. So much of water in Bangalore. I was excited.

We went all the way till the water which was surprisingly cold and clear. Residents around this place use this dam for their cattle, wash and have fun swimming around too! Now that we had come all this way I wanted to go on top of the dam too. But that was a disssapointment. The place for prohibited for visit. Some bloggers had actually written about this but there were some who went too. How...hmm...a question??

I had a real good day and a good bumpy ride too....But at the end of the day....a cold water bath and a good night sleep is cure for all!!!

Shiva Temple @ Airport Road

When the mind is in turmoil and you feel that there seems nothing that is going right, I always find solaec at a temple. Not one of those kinds who go to the temple every week or go there to find God. I just go when I feel the need to relive myself.
One place I love in Bangalore is the Shiva Temple on Airport Road behind Kemp Fort. A huge statue of Shiva in yoga posture, the biggest in the world..... mesmerising anyone at all. This is one place that I had seen in a lot of photograhps and movies but it took a year in Bangalore for me to go there.

I was really amazed to see this place nicely tuckd away at the back of a heavy traffic Airport Road and that too at the back of Kemp Fort!! Later discovered that it was built by the owners of the place.

The entrance has a statue of Lord Ganesh and then Lord Shiva. Here we see Lord Shiva in the Padmasana pose with Ganga flowing from the knot in his hair. Behind the idol there is the holy cave and within the cave are twelve beautifully decorated Shiv Lingas. The best is the one made of ice that doesn't melt.

In front of the idol is a small wishing pond where you drop a coin and make a wish. No prizes for what I wished!! The entire place is so serene with the Om Nama Shivaya mantra recited repeatedly that really does lift you above.

The idol can be viewed best from inside Kemp Fort. So even though you are not going to visit the Kailas...this is one place you can be to!

Away to Banargatta National Park

This is about 22 kms south of Bangalore. The drive to the place is really good in case you are not going there on one of those hot summer days. And if you are going on one of those slight drizzle, sun behind the clouds, lazy afternoons…you will love the ride as I did….

Reached there in the afternoon at about 1. They have an entrance fee of Rs.25 and the prices currently for a grand safari that is a tour to see the Lions, Tigers & Herbivores costs Rs 80/- on regular days and Rs 110.00 on weekends. I was a bit worried if they had cheated me giving me a ticket for a moving camera or still camera…Anyways realised I was safe…That’s what happens if you don’t know the local language…You are always in doubt if you are understood correct.

The prime attraction of the zoo is the butterfly park that was added last year. It also has an Aquarium, a Children's park, Crocodile Farm, Snake park, Prehistoric animals park and a Museum. The best part of the place is the Safari they take you to. Now let me tell you…please don’t expect the kind of hospitality at the Bandipur Safaris. This is pretty basic but still ok.

The funny part is that they take you in this caged vehicle and when you look at the animals you wonder what is on their minds. Do you think they would be thinking of us as the exhibits??? They are roaming in the open. It is us who are behind bars here!!! So you get to see the Deer park, Bear park, Tiger park and the Lion Park. You get to see the white tiger as well which is a pretty animal…I mean not the ferocious looker!!

Apart from the ride what really amused me are the kids in the bus. There were ones who were excited in seeing all the wild life. They were cramming all over the bus trying to see the animals. There were one asking strange questions like…Mom what do they eat? Why are they walking simply? Hmph….kids will always be so!!!

For further details check this link

A wild ride to Bandipur

A place I really wanted to go to…It had been long since a lot of colleagues talked about this place so when some of my friends said “Why not go here???” I literally jumped on this opportunity. I mean why not!!!! I am a trip freak. Take me to any new place I’m always at my best.
Bandipur turned out to be beyond my expectations. It was living with nature to the word. It’s located at the foothills of Mysore-Ooty highway. The place is a beauty with lush green and that really drove us wild. From Bandipur we drove another few kilometers to our cottage, ‘Tiger Ranch’. This private cottage is at the heart of deep forest. With about 8 private huts, the cottage provides you with an amazing experience of staying deep inside the forest. The cottage is made of bamboo and so are the cots.
The night at the cottage was awesome. Imagine yourself in the midst of a jungle staying at a hut. The fierce wind making some horrible sounds and the darkness playing havoc all around!!! The night was so cold that I was hugging myself in spite the warm clothes and blankets. Believe it or not there is no generator functioning after 11 in the night. So you are left with just a lantern for the rest of the night in the deep jungle.
The trip was a major experience to me. After all the routine life at office, it was a time to break free. All the dancing, singing and trekking made me feel closer to myself all over again. The trek was so serene. We were watching out for all the strange flora that I had never seen before.

On the way back we stopped at a sunflower garden which was heavenly. Just felt straight out of those movies..Remember Tujhe dekha tho in DDLJ?? I really recommend a trip to anyone who is looking for a weekend get away with peace.