First off, here’s wishing all my readers a wonderful 2018! Hope your year is filled with joy, fun and of course many happy travels! Here is a quick post on the Kallu Ganapati temple which is a hidden gem near the town of Barkur in Udupi district. Dedicated to the Lord of Beginnings or Lord… Continue reading Kallu Ganapati temple: Padumundu, Shiriyara: A photoessay
The temple town of Udupi in Karnataka is famous for more reasons than one. A bustling town, a little over 400 km from Bangalore, Udupi is synonymous with the Krishna temple or Krishna mutt as it is also known. With several beaches and a picturesque countryside, this coastal town is one of the most visited… Continue reading Udupi cuisine: soulful and steeped in tradition
As you enter the gates of the Royal Orchid Metropole hotel situated in the heart of Mysore city, you are instantly transported into a world full of charm, style and understated grandeur. Originally built as the guest house of the Maharaja of Mysore, this 97-year-old building has been beautifully transformed into a heritage hotel and… Continue reading Royal Orchid Metropole, Mysore: an ideal combination of the classic and contemporary
Brindavan Gardens Impeccably maintained lawns, manicured bushes, exquisitely crated fountains and lush greenery are some of the first things that catch your attention as you make your way down the stairs of the legendary Brindavan gardens. One of the major tourist attractions of Mysore since its completion in 1932, the beautiful gardens attract as many… Continue reading Royal Orchid Brindavan Garden Palace and Spa: luxury in the lap of nature
“Welcome to the Land of Toys” says the green signboard as you drive down to Channapatna on the Mysore-Bengaluru highway. Located about 60 km from Bengaluru, the town is also known as “Gombegala Ooru” in Kannada, which translates into toy town. The little town is synonymous with the production of wooden toys and lacware, which… Continue reading A toy story: wooden toys of Channapatna, Karnataka
Reaching Dharmasthala just as the temple gates closed for the afternoon break was a tad disappointing. Given the fact that it was a long weekend, the highways were crowded and it was a rather tiring drive. Hoards of pilgrims were already queuing up to obtain a darshan of Lord Manjunatha in the evening session at… Continue reading Ageless beauties galore: Manjusha car museum, Dharmastala
The exquisite temples of Pattadakal and Badami in the southern state of Karnataka are yet another illustration of the rich and unique heritage of India. Located less than 500 km from Bangalore, the temples at Pattadakal and Badami demonstrate excellence of the Chalukyan School of Architecture and date between the fifth and eighth century AD.… Continue reading Pattadakal and Badami: Evolution of Chalukyan temple architecture
Driving between Bengaluru and Mysuru, travellers whiz past a sign pointing to Ramanagara barely even noticing it. It’s a tiny town that few visit, but what looks like a forgotten place actually has a mix of eclectic sights. Called Shamserabad during the era of Tipu Sultan, and Closepet during the British Raj era after Sir… Continue reading Heritage Getaway: Mighty Ruins and Silk Weavers in Ramanagara
Located about seven km from the temple town of Udupi is the quiet, seemingly nondescript town of Pajaka. This town is off the conventional pilgrimage circuit of Udupi. However, Pajaka is a town that is significant for a variety of reasons. The foremost of these is the fact that this town is the birthplace of… Continue reading A philosopher’s home: Pajakakshetra, Udupi
South India’s 4,000-year-old history has witnessed the rise and fall of various powerful dynasties including the Pallavas, Cholas, Cheras and Hoysalas. Many of these rulers built elaborate temples that were not only centers of worship but more often than not , they were the nucleus of all activities around which settlements grew. There were also… Continue reading Poetry on stone: Sculptural magnificence of the temples of Halebid & Belur
