Ooty, queen of hillstation

Ooty is a british legacy to discover the lost scotland. It was laid out in 1847 by Marquis of Tweedale laid over 55 acres of land. The lawn is well maintained and landscaped with alluring beauty to nature lovers. There are innumerable nos of rare species such as cork trees, 20 million year old Italian fossilled tree and variety of flowers.



The route to Ooty from Bangalore is through the outskirts of Mysore, which is 135 kms on the old mysore road. One has to take a left deviation before entering Mysore city and travel upto the edge and take a right turn towards Najangud. The road upto Mysore is well laid out, on the national highway, one has to watch for sand trucks who may be driving rashly though. There are of number of traffic barriers laid out throughout the route which can be fatal, the police is to blame for it, but nevertheless 60 km is safe speed and prescribed limit. One does tend to overspeed, one needs to watch for checking enroute by cops for overspeeding. The road after Nanjangud upto to Gundlupet can be a difficult stretch with lot of potholes.





Bandipur is a wild life sanctuary which falls enroute to Ooty. One needs to reach this spot early because the trips close by 9 am, we were lucky to reach just in time. A safari ride costs Rs 95/- per head otherwise a jeep cost Rs 1600/- for a group. One makes a choice according to budget. The total trip is 6 kms inside the forest, one gets to spot wildlife, like elephant, deer, bison, sambhar, and if one is lucky but rare sightings of tiger, which is in adjacent Madumalai forest. The greenery is alluring, the photo shoots and videography can be great.






After crossing the Bandipur forests, one enters TN territory with Madumali range. There are 2 routes one is via Gudlur another through Kalhatti, if the vehicle is not in condition, it is not advisable to use this route, because of steep hair pin bends. It can really test the driving skills and vehicle condition to the hilt. Maruthi 800 users should be careful, with tyres skidding and braking becoming extremely difficult, better to use 1st and 2nd gear only to control momentum. Please remember right of way is for vehicles ascending not descending. No time for blame game. It is better to avoid traveling by scooter or two wheeler it can be dangerous, particularly with kids around. One passes through dense forest, one can spot plenty of deers, rare bisons, peacocks and elephants. It is better to stop safe distance away from the elephants, lest it charges. One has to be aware that the elephants generally travels in herds for its own survival.




The clouds start hitting the road, as one touches the peak, the weather turns air conditioned even during summer. The people are definitely warm and friendly. The most important tourists attractions are botanical garden, rose garden, boating lake and doddabeta. There are other spots such as Pykara boating, Film shooting spots, welligton etc.




Accomodation @ Ooty can be expensive during summer vacations. However one can find reasonably priced dormitories at Youth Hostels and Mutts. There are no of browsing centres for burning CDs and downloading photos. Plenty of food restaurants are available in and around the Gandhi square.



One can buy plenty of herbal and medicinal oils for various common ailments, such as cold, asthma, joint pains etc. The purchases can be made at horticultural shops and government vending points at Botanical gardens. Parking fees can be expensive for vehicles but one has to bear with a brunt.



There are plenty of spices also being sold in shops such as cinnamon, pepper, cardamom. The eucalyptus oil is good for cold, camphor oil is good for massaging, guather oil for joint pains, cinchona oil for driving out mosquitos etc.



We stayed @ Dasprakash hotel in Mysore and undertook one day trip to Ooty since we had to cover other spots around Mysore. Ooty and Mysore can be a great weekend getaway if one starts early from Bangalore and be prepared to reach late in the night. One can definitely relish the AC trip to Ooty, the queen of hillstation in India. It is an absolute backpacker’s delight.

Ooty, away concrete jungle

Ooty is a british legacy to discover the lost scotland. It was laid out in 1847 by Marquis of Tweedale laid over 55 acres of land. The lawn is well maintained and landscaped with alluring beauty to nature lovers. There are innumerable nos of rare species such as cork trees, 20 million year old Italian fossilled tree and variety of flowers.


The route to Ooty from Bangalore is through the outskirts of Mysore, which is 135 kms on the old mysore road. One has to take a left deviation before entering Mysore city and travel upto the edge and take a right turn towards Najangud. The road upto Mysore is well laid out, on the national highway, one has to watch for sand trucks who may be driving rashly though. There are of number of traffic barriers laid out throughout the route which can be fatal, the police is to blame for it, but nevertheless 60 km is safe speed and prescribed limit. One does tend to overspeed, one needs to watch for checking enroute by cops for overspeeding. The road after Nanjangud upto to Gundlupet can be a difficult stretch with lot of potholes.


Bandipur is a wild life sanctuary which falls enroute to Ooty. One needs to reach this spot early because the trips close by 9 am, we were lucky to reach just in time. A safari ride costs Rs 95/- per head otherwise a jeep cost Rs 1600/- for a group. One makes a choice according to budget. The total trip is 6 kms inside the forest, one gets to spot wildlife, like elephant, deer, bison, sambhar, and if one is lucky but rare sightings of tiger, which is in adjacent Madumalai forest. The greenery is alluring, the photo shoots and videography can be great.


After crossing the Bandipur forests, one enters TN territory with Madumali range. There are 2 routes one is via Gudlur another through Kalhatti, if the vehicle is not in condition, it is not advisable to use this route, because of steep hair pin bends. It can really test the driving skills and vehicle condition to the hilt. Maruthi 800 users should be careful, with tyres skidding and braking becoming extremely difficult, better to use 1st and 2nd gear only to control momentum. Please remember right of way is for vehicles ascending not descending. No time for blame game. It is better to avoid traveling by scooter or two wheeler it can be dangerous, particularly with kids around. One passes through dense forest, one can spot plenty of deers, rare bisons, peacocks and elephants. It is better to stop safe distance away from the elephants, lest it charges. One has to be aware that the elephants generally travels in herds for its own survival.



The clouds start hitting the road, as one touches the peak, the weather turns air conditioned even during summer. The people are definitely warm and friendly. The most important tourists attractions are botanical garden, rose garden, boating lake and doddabeta. There are other spots such as Pykara boating, Film shooting spots, welligton etc.




Accomodation @ Ooty can be expensive during summer vacations. However one can find reasonably priced dormitories at Youth Hostels and Mutts. There are no of browsing centres for burning CDs and downloading photos. Plenty of food restaurants are available in and around the Gandhi square.


One can buy plenty of herbal and medicinal oils for various common ailments, such as cold, asthma, joint pains etc. The purchases can be made at horticultural shops and government vending points at Botanical gardens. Parking fees can be expensive for vehicles but one has to bear with a brunt and pay up.


There are plenty of spices also being sold in shops such as cinnamon, pepper, cardamom. The eucalyptus oil is good for cold, camphor oil is good for massaging, guather oil for joint pains, cinchona oil for driving out mosquitos etc.

We stayed @ Dasprakash hotel in Mysore and undertook one day trip to Ooty since we had to cover other spots around Mysore. Ooty and Mysore can be a great weekend getaway if one starts early from Bangalore and be prepared to reach late in the night. One can definitely relish the AC trip to Ooty, the queen of hillstation in India. It is an absolute backpacker’s delight.

LUMBINI GARDENS

Lumbini Gardensis now RAJKUMAR boating club, what is the name as long as it delivers what it promises, an wholesum entertainment for a family. Earlier the entry fee was plugged at Rs 20 on weekdays and Rs 30 now it is flat Rs 30/- per adult. There is a camera fee of Rs 50 ( which is exhorbitant according to me ) The best publicity in the absence of high advertising budget is to ensure maximum photos are circulated among the population. Anyways people with high resolution cell camera still will be able to capture photos.


There is a water ride which costs Rs 50/- Artificial bowling machine which costs Rs 50/-, most of the rides including boating cost Rs 50/- except a few rides for small kids which cost Rs 20/-


One can enjoy snacks such chat,popcorn and other packed stuff. The prices are pegged a little higher than the market price. The food quality is not so great but bearable. For coffee lovers there is Cafe day.



There are lot of lake fishes spotted around the lake, once it was a haven for the migratory bird now since scorching summer is around the birds have vanished because of lack of green cover. Adjescent portion of the lake is yet to be developed. There is no water. We were suprised that mosquitos have started swarming the lake, which is a downer, if one wants to safe from mosquito borne disease one is advised to carry mosquito repellent cream from Godrej or Odomos.


Overall it is quite nesting ground for love birds, nobody will be dare to disturb their privacy. The kids will definitely enjoy 2 to 3 hours of fun filled rides and water games. Overall it is a family place to spend some hours apart from multiplexes. Great photographic opportunity definitely is provided by nature. If one is lucky he gets to shoot the birds.

Bangalore Fort History

Inside the ramparts of the Bangalore Fort

Bangalore Fort is situated bang in the middle of the city market area, which is also known as K.R. Market. The foundation of the fort was laid by Kempegowda marking the four corners of the city, one at Yelahanka, another at Mekhri circle ( Ramanshree garden), Ulsoor gate in the East, Kengeri in west and City market as the southern boundary.




Tracing back the history of Bangalore from 1537, one comes across various twists & turns in its history. Bangalore was essentially under the Vijaynagar empire, Kempe Gowda was a feudal lord under Vijaynagar emperors. In 1565 Sultans witch hunted the fleeing Vijaynagar royalty for their unparalled wealth. In 1638 Adil shah army captured the Fort. They ruled Blore for 5 decades and it was attacked and captured by Mughals belonging to Aurangazeb from Sira. In 1687 Bangalore was sold to Chickadevaraja Wodeyar for 3 lakh pagodas. The wodeyars built a fort near the bellary road stretching upto cant area. In 1759, Hyder Ali who was serving as one of the commander’s under Wodeyar’s received Blore as a Jagir. Hyder Ali wanted Tipu Sultan to establish his skills in territorial development. The foundation for Lalbagh was laid. Basically Bangalore seemed to have served as a Barracks for armies of Vijaynagar Rulers, Wodeyars, Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan and the British. The British defeated Tipu sultan in 1791 and took over the Blore Fort. Tipu sultan was betrayed once again and he died fighting the British in 1799 @ Srirangapatnam. The province was handed back to Wodeyar’s till 1831. The British could not ignore the abundant wealth of Gold being mined at KGF. They took charge of the Golden goose till 1947, when attained freedom.



The Government of Karnataka has now located Vani Vilas and Victoria hospital in the Fort Area, using the barracks. There is a new complex under construction, wherein we hope the entire hospital will get shifted leaving the heritage to be preserved. It is sad to note that slowly the historical edifice is getting destroyed day in day out. The Fort enterance is preserved in pristine condition, with some vandalism. The gatekeeper who is presently housed to take care of the historical Fort seems to be a doubtful character. I hope proper protection in the form of recognized security is provided to safeguard the Fort.



Hyder Ali laid the foundation for the summer palace just adjacent to the Fort which was completed by Tipu sultan in 1791. He seems to have hardly stayed in Blore to enjoy the luxury, since the British defeated him and evicted him from Blore Fort in 1791. Tipu Sultans palace in Srirangapatna is much more lavish and pomp. But if we add Lalbagh to the Fort and Palace one can imagine the grandeur of the design, which unfortunately was not enjoyed by the planners. The British seems to have really enjoyed their stay in the Fort.



It is now the responsibility of the govt. to restore the heritage of Bangalore by clearing hospital and other municipal school occupants. The grandiose of B’lore can be retained if only authorities take note and act on it.

Shivgange, a test of physical fitness

Sharada Peet of Sringeri Mutt

Nandi, a symbol of Shiva's power



steps leading to Shivgange peak

Shivgange is an ideal religious cum adventure trip for a family or group of friends. One has to travel on NH4 to reach Dobbaspet and take a left turn beneath the flyover. The total distance is 62 km from Blore.

After seeing the Yoganarasimha and Shiva temple one has to keep ascending

Things to see @ Shivagange are Sharada Peet, Pataganga, Yoganarashima temple, Veerabhadra temple, Hidden water spring ( accessible for lucky people ), and other small temples. Enroute one encounters different sizes of Nandi. There is a subramani temple and augustiya thirta too.

Try your luck to swipe the water from the spring

Ascending the hillock can be very tiresome and not meant for physically unfit. One should take care to wear good cushioned footwear with grip so that one avoids skids and slippery surface. The monkey’s enroute can be nasty, trying to snatch foodstuff and other eatables. They don’t grab at water bottles thankfully. It is better to leave behind foodstuff in the vehicle or at ground zero. Please don t be misguided by people advising you to leave behind your footwear at the ground level.


The temples have been modified with lime or chunna paint, destroying the originality of the Chola and Vijaynagar sculptures. One can witness the original beauty of artisan’s work in the desolate temple just besides Patalganga. These edifices are ignored by the priests and temple management. ASI should initiate proceedings to take over the temple to protect the heritage.

check out the original temple sculpture




Climbing to the peak of the Shivgange is quite physically demanding, it is better to undertake trip early morning @ around 7 am to 8 am or in the evening before 5 pm. One can really enjoy if one is inclined to live upto the challenge of overcoming obstacles in life. If one feels their knees are jerky and obese persons are advised to abort the ascent @ Veerbhadra temple which is the midpoint.



Get your bags packing if you are looking for checking out your physical fitness, forget threadmill test, Shivgange is a real litmus test for physical fitness.

Madhugiri Fort, moonlight trekking recommended

Madhugiri Fort – Reach for the skies :

There is so little information on Madhugiri Fort on the net, I decided to check out the facts. We drove from B’lore travelling on NH-4 which is tolled 6 lane road after Peenya. The drive upto Jallahalli cross could be testing in view of signals and repairs underway. Once we get past the hurdle, we reach the Belur cross and from thereon the drive is superb delight, the toll booth collects Rs 22/- for a car returning on the same day. We hit the Dobbaspet junction where one has to take the road below the flyover and one comes to the first junction wherein one has to deviate for Shivgange which is 7 kms away. The next main junction under the flyover leads on the left towards Koratagere and Madhugiri, which is 55 kms away on good road, except in portions where road is in various stages of construction. Watch out for nasty potholes.

The origin of the fort dates back to the Ganga period, who were great builders. They began construction and midway the territory was conquered by the Nolamba dynasty for a short period, who too left the fort unfinished, Vijaynagar empire feudal Raja Heera Gowda took up the task of finishing the magnificient fort which literally raises to the sky. After the fall of the Vijaynagar empire in 1565, the fort was under sieze by various feudatories providing protection for the few surviving nobles and royalties from the massacre unleashed by the sultans.


In 1678, the Fort was captured by Devaraja of Dalavoy dynasty, who were the commanders under Wodeyar’s and later turned out to be rulers. Hyder Ali annexed the fort after defeating the dalavoys in 1761. Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan were engrossed in waging war ( 4 Anglo mysore battles ) with the British and had very little time to complete the Fortification with Islamic structures.



After the death of Tipu Sultan in 1799 in the final battle with british @ Srirangapatnam the entire terriorty was leased to the Wodeyar family in 1830. The British manned the fort for a brief period and used the premises to jail the mutineers in 1857. Since the Fort was built in a impregnable manner, it served as barracks and prison. The same is now converted into a civil court.

The steps leading to the peak of the fort is steep in many a places. First one comes across a huge corridor with tanks for storage of rain water. The palace housing the kings and commanders are destroyed. The watch towers surrounding fort is still in pristine condition. The boundary walls are in various stages of collapse, which is being re-constructed by the ASI. The main gate is also being renovated. The enterance to the fort is majestic and there are jain basadi’s on its sides.

The fort has multiple enterance known as Anthara Bagilu, Diddi Bagilu, Mysore Bagilu etc. There are a number mantapas located in various parts of the fort. There are number of springs across the fort. The ideal time to visit the fort is early morning which will be a trekking exercise and easy on the foot. The sunshine can add to the exhaustion. In case one does not have option it is better to carry an umbrella and sunscreen. The view of the madhugiri town is majestic from the watch tower. One can have beautiful view of the moon rise, if one happens to visit during the full moon time. The sunset too can be beautifully photographed.


Currently there are plans to relay the steps leading to peak of the Fort which can be cumbersome for children and elderly people. A ropeway can be considered too. The for needs landscaping and lot of greenery to be developed to preserve its structure, otherwise it is bound crumble in due course. An ideal trekking spot during full days is recommended in groups.