Gopalswamy Betta and Bandipur!

Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, is a hill located in the Chamarajanagar district and around 70Km from mysore. We went there by car (in Oct 2011) and till Gundalpet it was a nice drive. But then from bottom of the hill to hilltop, it’s a difficult journey (bad road, narrow as well). This temple falls under Bandipur National park area. From the mountain top we could see 3 other hill tops. Coincidentally we saw 2 wild elephants very far (miles away –on another hill) .

From there we went to Bandipur national park. Its exorbitantly costly (Rs. 300 per person) but it was nice. As expected there we saw a couple of elephants, a bison, deers, peacocks. That’s what generally everybody finds in the wild forest.

Yagati

It was a nice experience to go to my grandma's villege – Yagati (in kadur taluk) in Nov 2011, where dad studied till his 2nd/3rd standard. Going to ancestral villege gives you some very soothing feeling, may be just can't be expressed by words. There are 3-4 temples - gadagina veer narayana temple (the original statue which inspired kumara vyasa to write the kumara bharatha), gram devate, aanjanaya swami devasthana, Kalleshwara. Also there is one lake just backside of our house. We crossed the kere yeri and then went to our farm and had lots of tender coconut to drink.

Nanjangud!

Its been almost an year that I had been to Mysore. This time (July 2011) we went to Nanjangudu - a temple city which is around 45 minutes drive from mysore. A very nice, big shiva temple with many pillars on the kapila (kabini) river bank is the main attraction of this city. The temple is also famous as Tipu sultan gave title 'Hakim Nanjunda' to the god. There was one elephant - thats the best part of my visits to indian temples. We (mainly my son) gave him 'Muli' and it was fun to watch this big elephant. I wanted to get 'nanjungudu halpudi' which I managed to get in my next trip to Bandipur.

Pyramid Vally!

Around 27 km from Banashankari, I feel its the best place for an outing. Get away from traffic and pass the Sri Sri Ravishankar Ashram and head towards this vally. Its not a very big area but a nice one and is under developement. We went there in Jun 2011.

The pyramid, meditation centre is absolutely nice. This is the only pyramid center I have seen so I cant compare it with others. They have maintained nice silence over there. Kids below 6 are not allowed. I like to go there and be there for at least a couple of hours. But I go with family so may be just 10 min is what I can afford.

Also they serve food for free (but those who can afford can or should donate money equal to at lease their food).

Bannergatta National Park

Its been 6 years in Blore and I had not been to Bannergatta National Park. But fortunately I got an opportunity to go there two times in last one month (Jun 2011). Outside the zoo its alike a mela and many eatables,junk food you can get there. The desi style.

The entry fees to zoo is Rs 45. Whereas the Safari is Rs 160. When I compare the safari with vandalur zoo of Chennai, I feel BNP is way better. They mentioned in website that its 100 Sq. Km. But when I asked forest ranger, he told me that its about 50 Sq. Km.

The zoo is smaller than Mysore zoo but still a nice one. As usual, we could see monkeys, leopards, jackals, elephants, deers, crocodiles, snakes, bears, zebra and turtles. Some birds were also there - mainly storks. Something special of this zoo - then it would be elephant rides and butterfly park. The ride is too crowded and so not enjoyable and I did not go for it. But where will you get en elephant ride otherwise? The butterfly park, they have to improve. I could see only 10-15 butter flies and that too no very special kind. So it was a bit disappointing. There is trekking also for 1 or 2 hours. But I did not go for it. May be some time I will.

I think sunday is not the correct time to go, but both the times I went there on sundays. Too crowded. But overall, a nice outing.