Bangalore: Perfection & Splendour In Every Aspect Of Life

Lucky is how I felt when all of a sudden one day, I finally got a chance to explore Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka. My aunt (my mom's sister) stays there at a place called Yalhanka. My cousin brother, Satyam, had a scheduled off from his office on the coming Friday, therefore I planned for a three-day weekend trip to Bangalore. As I arrived there, the city welcomed me with fascinatingly pleasant weather. Dada, that is what I call my cousin, told me that the main attractions of this historical city of Tipu Sultan lie in its monumental heritage.

On the bright and sunny Friday morning, we left for the beautiful Bangalore Palace. This 1887 monument seems to be quite similar to Windsor Castle of England. The palace has lavish and elegant interiors because of which it is, now-a-days, used as a venue for high society parties, weddings, and music concerts. Built in the Tudor style, the palace has wonderful Gothic windows, foiled windows, battlements, turrets, carving and paintings. While driving towards Vidhan Soudha, I observed countless multinational companies and numerous IT firms. The city is so developed with all these firms that it has been termed as the 'Silicon City'.

Vidhan Soudha, the seat of the state legislature of Karnataka, is the best example of neo Dravidian architecture. This most stunning structure was completed in 1956 when Shri Kengal Hanumanthaiah served as the chief minister of Mysore. The workers who built the structure were mostly prisoners who were set free after they completed the building. We had crispy dosas and a rice bowl along with sambhar in lunch at traditional restaurant. Another wonderful experience was the hot tea served in the earthen pots. Dada told me that Bangalore is the hub of Sandalwood (Kannada film industry) where more than fifty films are released every year. He also promised to take me to a concert the very next day.

We then headed for the famous Tipu Sultan's Tomb. This 1790 structure, built in teakwood, has a temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. I was mesmerized to see the intricately carved pillars and the art gallery of the fort. Another best attraction in Bangalore was the famous Lal-Bagh, built in about 240 aces of land. The garden houses over 1000 species of flora that include rare and enchanting collection of tropical plants, trees and herbs. It is also frequented for its Deer Park and Glass House. Our last destination of the day was MG Road, from where I bought a few traditional handicraft items like silk saris, intricately carved sandalwood items and tribal jewellery for my mom and aunt. We also had a plan to go to some pub or discotheque to unwind the hustle and bustle of the tiring day, as Bangalore has an energetic and vivacious multi-ethnic nightlife.

Relive The Glorious Past At Hampi

The Meteorological Office predicted that the monsoon this year would reach India a week earlier than usual. It was definitely a good news for all to get relief from the intense summer heat. I was delighted to note that Hampi, about 350 km from Bangalore, remained mostly clear and the temperature was also soothing. To reach Hampi, I need to cross Hospet. The nearby area is popular for a number of Buddhist sites. Hospet, basically, is the gateway town to the Hampi ruins. As I reached Hospet bus station (KSRTC bus station), I saw most of the long distance state buses terminating for Hampi from here. While in Hospet, I enjoyed a few snacks at a roadside dhaba and paid short visits to the unique Anantashayana temple of Anantashayana Gudi.

After spending a couple of hours in Hospet, I headed for Hampi, the erstwhile medieval Hindu kingdom of Vijaynagar. On entering the small city I was actually amazed and overwhelmed to see the wonderful temples, monolithic sculptures and monuments. The excellent workmanship of all these structures reflects the splendor of the Vijaynagar Empire. I hired an auto to explore the major attractions of the city. Kuldeep, the auto-driver, told me that Tungabhadra River is the most prominent feature of the city. He told me that Hampi can be broadly divided into two areas from tourism point of view: the Hampi Bazaar area and the Royal center near Kamalapuram. We started exploring the city from the Hampi Bazar area. The 15th century Virupaksha Temple is simply a unique structure. Dedicated to Virupaksha, a form of Lord Shiva, the temple rises about 50 m from the ground. I also visited Jain temples and a monolithic sculpture of Lord Narasimha (a form of Lord Vishnu) at the Hemakuta Hill on the southern part of the Virupaksha temple. I also devoted a little time to visit the World Heritage Vitthal temple (built in the 16th century), the deserted Sule Bazaar, the Achutraya temple, the Monolithic statue of Lord Ganesh, Nandi, the Kodandarama temple and the Krishna temple.

After having lunch in the Hampi Bazar, Kuldeep took me to the Royal Center, where I saw the Lotus Mahal, a perfect blend of Indo-Islamic architecture. The Archaeological Museum at Kamalapuram, Mustard Ganesha and Noblemen's palace are again the masterpieces. Famous for its architectural ruins, Hampi is declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. After having such a great experience at Hampi, I moved on to Bangalore.

Hassan: A Perfect Vacation Gateway For Nature Lovers & History Buffs

After much anticipation I decided to visit Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka. I was told that Hassan, a land of serenity and beautiful architectural patterns, lies in between Mysore and Bangalore. Therefore I figured out to extract a few hours to explore that small city as well. It was quite early in the morning when I arrived Hassan from Mysore by train. I enjoyed a cup of coffee at the waiting room of the railway station and deposited my luggage to the concerned authorities/attendants.

The city had caught 'Suvarna Karnataka Rajyotshava' festive fever. People from all age groups were enjoying the festival with full vigour and enthusiasm. From the cultural art forms to the food and lifestyle- every aspect of life in Hassan seemed to be highly influenced by the Hoysalas Dynasty that ruled over the city for about three consecutive centuries (from 11th to 13th century). While having my brunch in a restaurant, I met a group of tourists from Spain. They were assisted by a local guide. I asked them if I could be a part of their group for one day, to which they all were agreed. The guide told us that the city is also named 'Dwara Samudra' because of its rich cultural heritage and 'Poor Man's Ooty' because of its distinguished natural beauty.

The guide took us to the famous temple of Hasanamba. It is the most prominent place of the city and opens once a year for festive celebrations. Apart from that, the guide took us to the Hoysaleshvara Temple complex. The temple is an architectural wonder from every point of view. I was overwhelmed to see the linga sanctuary, huge statues of Gods-Goddesses, spacious columned interiors, fringes of naturalistic and fanciful animals, and animated carvings of scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

In the evening, the group was planning to go for excursion points like the Jain pilgrimage of Shravanabelagola, Chennakeshava Temple in Belur and the temples of Halebid. It was getting dark and I had to rush back to the railway station. Therefore I bid them all good bye. My last halt in Hassan was the MG Road from where I bouwght a fe handicrafts and textile garments. K R Puram and Gandhi Bazaar are other popular market areas for such souvenirs and jewellery. The day was a bit tiring but this unexplored city was the perfect stop for me. Located at a distance of about 194 km from Bangalore, this small city stands above the sea level at the height of 957 meters.

Mysore: Preserving The Age Old Glory Of The Yadu & Wadiyar Dynasty

I had heard a lot about the scenic beauty and the rich cultural heritage of Mysore- the cultural capital of Karnataka. Fortunately I could extract an entire day for Mysore located at the base of the Chamundi Hills.I did my research, packed my bags and embarked to the 'city of palaces' where the great emperor Tipu Sultan created a golden chapter in Indian history. I decided to stay in Hotel Ginger, designed specially for self service. There was no bell boy, no room service and no waiter to entertain me. But that was a great experience while staying in a huge hotel without any assistance or interference.

I had my brunch in the restaurant of the hotel and headed towards the major attractions of the city. I hired an auto and asked him to take me to the Mysore Palace first. The autowala told me that the city flourished under the kingdom of Tipu Sultan. He was the one who made Mysore the 'Jewel of Karnataka' and contributed a lot in art and culture. The palace, once the residence of the Wadiyar Kings, is an excellent example of the Indo-Saracenic architectural style. I was visiting such heavily crafted doors, splendid art works, carved pillars and ornate ceilings for the first time and these were simply fabulous. I also paid a short visit to the museum inside the palace, which exhibits paintings, jewellery, etc. that once belonged to the Wadiyar Dynasty.

The entire city was busy in the preparations of Dussehra Festival, which was going to be held the next month. The autowala told me that a 2.5 mile long procession serves as the main attraction of the festival. This procession starts from the gates of Mysore Palace and an idol of Goddess Chamundeswari is taken on a beautifully decorated elephant. While having a few snacks at a roadside dhaba, I met a guide named 'Dara' who told me that it was the place where Goddess Chamundi killed Demon Mahishasura. Therefore the city was named Mysore after him only.

The autowala also took me to St. Philomena's Church (a great example of neo-Gothic structures), Brindavan Gardens, Rail Museum and Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery (famous for the paintings of Mysore kings and princes). I was really overwhelmed to see the spirit of the city that still retains all the traditional values. Mysore is also famous for sandalwood and rosewood products. My last halt was the market area from where I bought the famous Mysore silk sarees for my mother and granny. This short trip to Mysore was simply remarkable in the true sense of the word.

Cochin and Guruvayur: The Perfect Marriage of Modernity and Age Old Traditions

To enjoyed Monsoon at its best, I managed to board the train to Cochin- the Queen of the Arabian Sea- located between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. Apart from the equatorial climate, the city offers a number of Tea/Coffee and Spice plantations and historical monuments on the south west coast of India. I got a cozy accommodation unit in Hotel Abad Plaza (3 star hotel), just 2 km from the railway station.

I had a sauna bath in the hotel to refresh my senses for exploring Cochin in a well planned manner the next day. I was offered awesome sea-food in dinner along with a few live performances of Kerala's traditional music and dance. While chatting with the manager, I got to know that Cochin is not only called the commercial hub of this thriving state, but also the industrial capital. The manager assisted me with Nishu, who has been guiding tourists in Cochin and the nearby regions for last 7 years.

Our trip started the next morning with the Dutch Palace (Stancher Palace). This Portuguese structure, built in 1557, showcases wonderful murals (wall paintings) in its bed-chambers and other rooms. These murals depict scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranic legends connected with Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, Kumara and Durga. Meanwhile, Nishu told me that Cochin was ruled by the Dutch, British and the Portuguese but it still retains its cultural identity. I, too, observed a unique mix and match of traditional as well Western architecture and lifestyle in every aspect of Cochin. Nishu also took me to the Bolghatty Palace (on palm fringed Bolghatty Island) and St. Francis Church (built in 1503 by Portugese Franciscan friars; India's oldest European-built church). We had some rice and sambhar (traditional vegetarian south Indian dish) in our lunch at a small roadside shop.

On requesting for some excursions, Nishu took me to Guruvayu- some 100 km from Cochin. On our way to Guruvayur, I saw villagers busy in growing spices, tea, coffee, dry-fruits, rubber, timber etc. Finally, we reached Guruvayur- the Dwarka of south- one of the greatest pilgrimages of Kerala. I received some kind of religious vibes while entering that small town in Thrissur district, and I was right. Nishu told me that Guruvayur is synonymous with its Guruvayurappan Temple, which is dedicated to Balagopalan (Lord Krishna in childhood). Its beautiful paintings, nakkashi and murals depict the life stages and stories of Shri Krishna in an extraordinary way. I also saw a few people making arrangements for marriages in the temple.

Our next halt was the famous Punnathurkotta or Anakotta elephant sanctuary. The best part with the sanctuary is that all the elephants here are the offerings made by the devotees to the temple god. While returning to Cochin, Nishu told me that the Guruvayur residents are very addicted to festivals and celebrations. They organize a huge celebration every month, and the biggest is Thrissur Pooram. This festival is marked with huge processions of caparisoned elephants, and traditional dance performances wearing colorful dresses and giant umbrellas.

On my way to hotel, I spent a few minutes at M.G. Road and Marine Drive road, which are quite famous for shopping. Cochin has business diversions in gold and textile retailing, sea food exports, ship-building, fishing industry and information technology also. I found the city well nurtured in terms of tradition, culture and beauty.

A Mesmerizing Trip on Alleppey Houseboat

A comfortable evening journey by bus brought me to the 'Venice of the east'- Alleppey (Alappuzha), in Kerala. With a mood to explore the entire city on a houseboat, I was booked in a houseboat provided by ATDC (Alleppey Tourism Development Co-operative Society) for one day. That was a huge houseboat ('Kettuvallom'- as people call it locally) and was well equipped with all the modern amenities like proper bedroom, AC, attached washroom, kitchen, tea/coffee maker and lounge area. I was provided with two assistants and a chef. They served me a mouth-watering rice preparation and my favourite fish curry in dinner. I spent a few late hours under the twinkling stars. The assistants told me that Alleppey was amongst the most busy trade centers in India. It was spotted when traders from across the world came here searching for souvenirs and black gold. Later the British established it as a trade port in the late 18th century. Even today, Alleppey is a center for prawn farming and Coir carpet industries.

The next morning, we started off towards the major destinations of the city. It was my first experience of exploring a destination on water. We first sailed towards the 18th century Krishnapuram Palace, which lies about 47 km from the city centre. I walked inside the fort to see the elegant double storeyed structure that displays characteristics of Kerala architecture in its gabled roofs, windows and corridors. It also houses the largest mural painting in Kerala called the Gajendra Moksham, a 14 by 11 feet work of art. I also visited several antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes at the palace. Meanwhile, the chef cooked breakfast for me and offered with a glass of orange juice.

Till the afternoon, we had explored enough of waterways (the huge networks of lagoons, canals, and lakes) along with water lilies and migratory birds. I saw a few local people busy in practicing for the Champakulam Moolam Boat Race, which was scheduled in the next month. I still wonder how the small children are capable of sailing these boats with such a perfection in the region. As the town is established on a narrow land spit between Arabian Sea and Vembanad Lake, these waterways serve as a lifeline to the entire region.

I was also taken to enjoy the splendid natural beauty at the Pathiramanal Island, where I spotted hundreds of the migratory birds. The island, sandwiched between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom, offers the matchless natural beauty. I also enjoyed the short sightseeing trip to R-Block, its backwaters and the nearby paddy fields. My entire day on a houseboat was simply outstanding. That was an unforgettable holiday amidst the backwaters in Alleppey or the passageways to the beauty.

Kanyakumari: The Land's End Of India

Another interesting journey, majestic hills and plains bordered by colourful sea-shores, coconut trees and paddy fields, elevated patches of red cliffs and undulating valleys- I departed for the southernmost tip of India- the last destination 'Kanyakumari' (or Cape Comorin). It was a cool Sunday morning when I reached at the confluence of the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. The natural environment was peaceful and really stunning. I hired a guide from the bus stand only and asked him to first take me to a restaurant. While I was having my breakfast, my guide, Tahir, acquainted me with some interesting information about the city's history, various dynasties like the Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas & the Nayaks, attractions, and lifestyle.

We started off with the Gandhi Memorial. The National monument resembles an Orissa temple. Tahir also took me to the Kumari Amman Temple. He told me that it was the place where Devi Kanya- the Virgin Goddess and the incarnation of Goddess Parvati- did penance to marry Lord Siva. It is perhaps the most revered Hindu site in the region. Tahir insisted me to visit the Nagaraja Temple that resembles Chinese architecture of Budha Viharas and is known for a number of idols and images. But I refused as I was left with a little time in Kanyakumari. We together had a few local sea-food items in lunch at a small dhaba and continued our excursion.

I wished to see a few historical places, and Tahir took me to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, the world famous site because of a huge statue of Swami Vivekananda, the great Indian philosopher and social reformist, who is said to have meditated here. The statue is situated about 500 metres in the sea which is easily accessible by boat. An isolated place Dhyana Mandapam is also built here for one to meditate. Apart from that, the 18th century Vattakotta Fort is also a wonderful monument, showcasing the best of Dutch architecture.

I realized that Kanyakumari is a renowned pilgrimage and a romantic destination as well. Couples can be seen enjoying the marvellous sight of Sunrise & Sunset and fishing at the multi-coloured sea shore. I truly liked this short visit to the city of culture, history, arts and economy. I bid good bye to Tahir and got into a bus heading towards Alleppey. On my way to Alleppey, I also had glimpse of the picturesque village of Thottapally, located in the south of the Alleppey district. The lively fishing harbour, serene backwaters and holy shrines together make it a paradise for nature lovers. It was getting dark and I could see the houseboats twinkling in the backwaters. I was very much excited to experience the life on the waters in this green paradise.