Coorg - the exploited paradise

It had been 7 years since I last went to Madekeri, in Coorg district of Karnataka. Back then it was beautifully natural, mostly untouched by the harsh hands of civilization. Now that gorgeous wilderness has been bruatally mauled by tourism and has been tamed to submission. No longer the hike into the jungle to watch those cascading falls a peaceful and tranquail experience but a very fussy and crowded one. This time when I went to Abby falls I could see plastic garbage everywhere and it made me really sad.

Abbey Falls, Coorg, Karnataka

I wish the tourists wouldn't do such harm to the very environ they are here to admire. Also I wish the tourism department along with developing the area restrict the sale of non-degradable items near such natural resourses and keep the serenity of the place in tact. Even after such ill teatment by its adorers the place still proudly lays bear its beauty for everyone to enjoy. I only wish that it is not completly spoiled like another tourist spot that I have recently.

Talakaveri, Coorg, Karnataka

see Kodugu...


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Sanchari Mahotsava 2016

Yesterday was an amazingly refreshing day spent in Indiranagar Sangeet sabha. We were  to witness some of the young people in banglore showcase their talent in Sanchari Mahotsava 2016.

 The program started of with a 'Tilana' by giggling little school girls all decked up in glittering jewelry, it was cute to watch. They enjoyed their performance and so did we. 

Then came the vocals, where six kids performed two songs each, some were divine and some needed more practice but I was really amazed at the talent of these kids who could sing so beautifully at such an young age. 

The whole event was was carried out quiet professionally which showed that these kids meant business. 

There was also a mesmerizing performance by one of the teachers, her voice soothing, her countenance pleasing and her songs filled the whole auditorium with a serenity. It was a pleasant experience, for those few moments I was transformed to my happy place. I was there with my husband and 2 year old kid and neither gave me trouble during the show, (you know how husbands are if its not sports or action movies, they get bored), infact my 2 year old was so moved by the music that he too tried a few ragas (not the crying kind mind you), it was so cute to watch, well that's what good music does, it moves people.  

The program ended with three spirited performances of Bharatanatyam by Prardhana, Rohit and Aishwarya although Rohit's performance was my favourite. I say this because I have seen grace and vigour in his performance, his facial expression matched his steps and his steps were in tune withe music, I am no expert in Bharatanatyam, but his was my clear favorite because I enjoyed watching it, and in the end isn't it all that counts. 

The day ended with a display of some spectacular paintings by Surya Natarajan from her studio Zilpa. She also offers art classes for Adults & kids in Tanjore painting, Glass paintings, reverse glass paintings, oil and acrylics.

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Mekadatu - the goats leap

If you search for this place on the net you will find people chilling out in the water and having fun, it is an exciting place to be... but its dangerous as well and that makes it more exciting. Situated in the dense forests, two life giving rivers merge and then flow through the ravine into a narrow gorge. This place is a testament to the power of nature, looking over the water, on to the surrounding hills covered with dense forests makes us feel so small and insignificant.

Just taking a moment away form your camera, phone and laptop just to behold the wonder, that is nature is enough to soothe your soul. The rocks here are not chiselled or sculptured yet they radiate great beauty. The armored riverbed here is filled with motley of parti-coloured pebbles add a picturesque charm to this place.

The waters that look so deceptively calm on the surface behold within them the power to even cut through rock and stone.The flora and fauna,... everything here is a work of art. The turbulent relation between water and rock creates a amazing scenery that arrests your heart.

Getting here : We can reach this place by driving to Sangama which is a mere 90 km from Banglore. then taking a coracle over to the other side of the river to board a bus that goes through the rocky road and reach the view point from where we could get a great view of the Mekadaatu where the goat leapt to escape from the lion.

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Dodda Alada Mara - Big Banyan Tree

After exercising our vote early on Thursday morning we had the rest of the day for our self so me, my husband and my parents set out to have an early lunch in my favourite restaurant Royal Andhra Spice in Rajarajeshwari Nagar. The food here is excellent, the chicken 65 is lip smacking and the non-veg thali they offer is value for money. After a delightful meal we stil had half a day to spend so we have decided at a whim to visit the Big Banyan tree near Kengeri. Every tourist blog in banglore refers to this place but they do have mixed reviews, some say it was too long a distance to visit a tree and there is nothing much to do there, others write that this place is worth the visit since we are free and in no hurry we decided to check the place out.

Google maps is the best App on our phones, it is the best way to reach destinations we have not been to before. Earlier we had to stop at every fork in the road and ben in the street asking for directions but with this app. we are there without a glitch.

Directions: This big banyan tree at Kethohalli of South Banglore taluk is 28 km from Bengaluru city and a little outside Kegeri. If you are driving on Banglore-Mysore highway you cannot miss Rajarajeshwari Medical College to your left and if you go further we find a road between Rajarajeshwari Dental and boys hostel and Rajarajeshwari Engineering College to our right. This road is the Dodda Alada Mara road, follow this well paved road to the big banyan tree.

On the Dodda Alada Mara rd we find many nurseries full of blooming roses and many beautiful flowers. The banyan tree itself spreads across 3 Acers of land which has been developed into a park for visitors and serves as a picnic spot. Inspite of spreading through such a vast area this mammoth tree is but the fourth largest banyan tree in India. The tree, they say, is around 400 years old, although the main trunk is dead aerial shoots that grow down into the soil forming additional trunks have kept the tree alive and still growing. The dept. of horticulture has taken the responsibility of preserving the tree and made necessary arrangements to provide the propping roots enough support so that they could grow strong and establish themselves. The tree appears to be a grove of trees providing shade and shelter to its visitors. Despite it's many adversities the tree is still strong and the jetting branches reach out of the park area are a true testment for its will to survive. 







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Mutyalamaduvu

It was a Sunday morning, and we were totally free of engagements (which by the way is a very rare case). We decided to go on a long drive, just me and my husband cruising in my car. Went to Bannergatte but did not want to stop there so we drove further...we knew that there is a picnic spot somewhere in Anekal called Mutyalamaduvu. In Kannada language, Muthyalamaduvu means Pearl Valley

It is a beautiful gorge with a sleek little ravine flowing through it and surrounded by lush green forest infested with mischievious monkeys with their devil may care attitude. Although it is a picnic spot you might want to be careful with your food these little devils could gang up on you, so I suggest you have your food before descending the gorge that way you can enjoy  the place in peace. The tourisim of Karnataka has provided us with minimum facilities and gazibos to sit and eat.

The  stairs leading to the ravine is not long and ends up near the temple of Shiva on the right and a beautiful waterfall that ends up in a little pond. Here the water from the falls slides down the flora of the place creating an illusion of a sting of pearls, hence the name Pearl Valley. The source of this water is the Onakanahalli Tank located nearby.

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Hampi - Melody in Stone

Hampi is an ernstwhile village in Karnataka
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Second Cave Temple of Badami

The second cave is dedicated to Vishnu in his Varaha and Vamana avataras. The cave has a verandah and ascending a few steps is the pillared hall and a sanctum santorium cut out into the cliff from the rear wall of the cave temple. In the outer walls of the verandah we find two dwarapalakas standing with lotus flowers in hand, and are flanked by a women at the bottom. The symbolism used by the crafters while depicting men, women, ganas or animals in smaller sizes might be to show their stature hence they could be servants or helpers.

As we enter the pillared hall we find the sculptures of Bhuvaraha to our right and that of Trivikrama to our left. Varaha Swamy is the Deity worshipped by the Chalukya Kings and is the emblem and royal seal. According to legend Vishnu in the form of Varaha (A boar) rescued Prithvi (Earth) lifted the Earth out of the ocean. Here Earth is depicted as Prithvi maata (Mother Earth) hence we can find Varaha swamy sculpture holding up  a lady, while  celestial beings watch him reverently.

The wall on the other side of the pillared hall is adorned with the depiction of a detailed story of Vamana avatar of Vishnu. Vishnu in his dwarf form went to the asura king Bali and asked him for dakshina (offering to a brahmin) while the king was performing a yagam. The king was obliged to grant him dakshina as he asked for them at such an auspicious occassion. The king who was resourceful and prosperous didn't think twice in granting the dakshina of a dwarf brahmin's choice of three foot land. As soon as the king agreed Vishnu in the form of a dwarf brahmin assumed a gigantic form and placed one foot on the Heavens and one on the Earth and asked Bali where he should place the third foot for which Bali bent down humbly on his knees and offered his head on which Vamana kept his third foot.

The sculpture depicts the whole story in one scene where we can see Vamana as a dwarf with a bowl in his right hand and an umbrella in his left. King Bali promising his dakshina by offering water from his kalasa. Then Vishnu assuming his gigantic form and extending his feet. Finally Bali admitting his frailty and submitting to Vishnu by clinging to Vishnus leg.

The ganas appear in different postures as musicians and dancers celebrating.

Celestial couple depicted in the ceiling of the Cave 2

 Design of Swastiks on the ceiling

Vishnu riding on Garuda 

 Depictions of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva,

 Bead and Flower designs embossed on to the faces of the pillars.

 Flower and Fish design on the ceiling                                             Celestial couples depicted on the face  of the pillars.

 Towards Cave 3

Madhu Latha (Dogiparthi) Srungavarapu