Chikmagalur - Coffee estates, superb weather and awesome hills

Chikmagalur which literally means Younger Daughter’s town, is close to Bangalore and is on most people’s travel list as it provides a wide range of travel and trek possibilities. The place is known for its coffee estates, lush green hills of Baba Budan Giri, Mullayanagiri and the Kudhremukh National Park. It is also very close to the world heritage center “Belur and Halebid” that celebrate the intricate detailed sculpted work of the Hoysala Empire.

Chikmagalur makes for a great weekend or long weekend trip for people living in and around Bangalore or even visiting it. 

How to Reach:

By Road – You can drive down , it is about 240 kilometers from Bangalore and can be scaled in about 5 to 5 ½ hours, the roads are mostly good.

You can also take a bus to Chikmagalur from Bangalore or whichever place you want to start from.

By Train : The nearest Rail head is at Kadur

By Air: Nearest Airport is at Bangalore

Driving down is the best option as the journey to and also in and around the place is beautiful laden with green on all sides, if it’s a monsoon drive even the better.

Things to Do :

There are plenty of places to see and things to do in this region. If trekking is what you love then Baba Budangiri, Mullayangiri and Kudhremukh have many trails to scale. If a short climb and watch sunset on the ridge is your thing then just stop pick a hill and climb it, Mullayangiri is just spectacular and you don’t need to reach the very top to get a great view, where ever your legs start to ache stop there and take in the view, it’s absolutely gorgeous.

Sunset at Mullayanagiri

You can visit the Kudhremukh national park and Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, drive down to Hebbe Falls, Ayyanakere lake, and Kalahatti falls. Do not forget to visit Belur and Halebid Temples on your way back to Bangalore it is exquisite and an Indian Architecural/ artistic marvel. 

Beautiful Temple Architecture and Relief Sculptures at Belur

You can walk around in some coffee estates, the possibilities are limitless, all depends on what you love the most, in chikmagalur you can afford to pick and choose that.

Things to Remember :

1. If you are traveling during monsoon, the monsoon here is heavy rain with fog filled roads and valleys. So carry a poncho or an umbrella always. If you are driving down , fog lights may be a good idea, especially if you have plans of off roading.

2. If you plan to trek in any of the hills, carry water and wear floaters or good shoes as the terrain is full of grass growth and rubble.

3. The hill tops are always windy and a little chill so carry warm wear.

4. If you are an ardent photographer carry a telephoto lens, and keep your camera at the ready always, you could spot something while trekking, walking or even driving which you wouldn’t want to miss.

5. Book your accommodation in advance in one of the many home stays and resorts, weekends most of them get filled quite easily.

Parinitha Konanur

Best Places to Scuba Dive in the World:

Scuba diving is an experience by itself, it is entering into a completely different reality, where the blue never ends and you would realize the number of living organisms that live under those blue white ripples that you see from the beach. The first thing to do if you are into scuba diving is to be good and really good at swimming and practice holding your breath. There are many places to actually get certified in India now, where one can practice and learn and then be certified.

Once all this is done you can head out to all those glorious exotic locations full of promise and amazement.

1. First on the list – and no points for guessing is “The Great Barrier Reef”in Australia. This is the world’s largest Coral system, which can be seen even from outer space and happens to be a world heritage site. This is the scuba divers pilgrimage center and a must visit to anyone who loves life , oceans , adventure and travel.

2. “Barrier Reef Belize “ is the next spot – in Belize a country wedged right between Mexico and Guatemala it provides one of the most scenic locations in the world. It is only second to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia in size and makes for a most amazing scuba diving experience.

3. “Grand Cayman Islands” This Caribbean delight is a quick way to the world of clear water, beautiful under water creatures and do not miss the “Stingray city”. 

4. “Straits of Gubal” in Egypt is where your pirate fantasy comes true, unlike the previous scuba diving picks this is not just a nature’s delight this is where you actually get to see sunken ships in close range.

5. “Malpelo Island Columbia”  Another World Heritage Site this is the Mount Everest for every Diver, the ultimate challenge , where sharks swim right beside you and you better have that heart of steel to see a hammerhead in close range.

Parinitha Konanur

Tips For Trekking with Safety

With many incidents and accidents happening in the recent past to do with trekking and trekkers like the Ombathu Gudda incident, I am writing this blog with a few must do’s and must never do’s on a trek.

First thing to do when planning on a trek is to see the level of difficulty, the norm is there are mainly three levels, the beginner level the mediocre level and a tough level.

If you are a first time trekker always go for a beginner level trek, if you are planning on some mediocre to difficult climbs in the near future, start with some simple treks and climbs with more experienced people before going to treacherous zones.

Just having stamina and a fit body doesn’t make you a good trekker, a presence of mind and love for nature are a sure shot must. Always listen to the instructors or friends who have had more experience.

Never take forces of nature and wild animals for granted, they are unpredictable and hence a sensible mind has to be applied. Going too close to Elephants to take a good photograph, or making too much noise in the jungle, trying to swim in rapid rivers just because you have done a few laps on a stagnant waters like in a swimming pool is stupid and must never be attempted. Never over stress yourself, if a beginner take your time and if you have an injury let others know and don’t make it worse.

Always go through weather reports before attempting any long duration treks in jungles, understand the climate, the route, soil conditions, before heading out. Preferably go in larger gangs in the beginning so that you can go in your own pace and there will always be company through the trek. Always look out for fellow travelers, keep an eye on others and keep your eyes and ears open. 

Always take a permit from the forest officials if required, and inform your friends and relatives as to where exactly you are going. 

Always carry enough water and juices as you tend to get dehydrated quickly in treks and climbs. Keep some sort of high carbohydrate snack in backpack like chocolates with nuts in them. Carry a waste disposal cover to dump waste in, and never litter in the forests. If they are dry thickets with Bamboo growth do not through cigarette buds or any lit matches as the chances of causing a fire are very high. 

These are a few things to keep in mind, if done with responsibility trekking can be adventurous and amazing , giving you glimpses of nature that you never dreamt of.

Parinitha Konanur

Travel Books – The Must Reads

For most avid travelers the very act of traveling becomes an integral part of their lives, if they have full time jobs they look forward to that trip with bated breath , for travelers who are also photographers or writers their work gets infused into the travel experience or vice versa. Most travelers are inspired, by people , their friends who travel, by movies that show destinations with ardour and spirit, or most often than not by books. 

In this blog I am trying to give you the names of books that have more often than not inspired many a traveler to look outside his existent box and leave with a backpack and a vivid day dream, wandering into different places, locales, cultures and destinations.

Some of the best books are a must read for the traveling heart.

1. Jack Kerouac’s – On the Road 

   This is a beat generation cult classic describing in detail and on the go depictions of their journey. Of what they saw felt and experienced. This beat generation book is a must read for travelers as it opens up a new vista of possibilities, and a wonderful way to experience travel.

2. Ernesto Che Guevara’s – The Motorcycle Diaries

   This is a beautiful book and a memoir of the revolutionary Che Guevara and his journey with his friend Alberto Granado riding around in South America on a motorcycle. 

3. John Steinbeck’s – Travels with Charlie – In search of America

     This is a travelogue written by Steinbeck  , It recounts the trip Steinbeck took with his French Poodle – Charlie. It is their story, their journey through United States in a camper truck.

4. George Orwell’s – Homage to Catalina

    This is a travelogue, political history and also partly autobiographical. It is a warm story with English humour about the Spanish Civil War. 

5. Jon Krakauer’s – Into the wild

    An absolute must read this book recounts in true form and content the journey of a young lad Christopher Mc Candless who leaves all his possessions and goes into the wild to live in the Alaskan wilderness with the bare minimal luggage. His death , his views and his philosophies all etched into this book, it will surely prove inspirational.

Parinitha Konanur

    

Yercaud – A Perfect Weekend Get Away

Yercaud a hill station in Salem District Tamil Nadu is about 230 kilometers from Bangalore and makes for a superb weekend getaway. The climate of Yercaud is pleasant throughout the year and attracts a variety of tourists and travelers.

Yercaud derives its name from “Yeri” Lake and “Kaadu” Forrest in Tamil. Located in the Shevaroy range of Hills in Eastern Ghats. Historically speaking stone age implements have been found in the shrine in Shevaroy hills. 

Yercaud Lake View

How to Get there -  

By road – Take the Hosur road from Silk Board signal, reach Hosur then take the NH 47 superb stretch of road, reach Krishnagiri – Dharmpuri then Salem then reach Yercaud taking a turn from the highway into a smaller road. With about 20 hairpin bends and awesome view you will reach the top of the hill.

By Rail – Nearest train junction is at Salem

By Bus - There are plenty of buses available to Yercaud from Bangalore and other places in Tamil Nadu. 

When to Go – Yercaud has a pleasant climate through the year , but sees more visitors during summer. The rainy times are also quite enjoyable with a splendid view. 

What to do – There are plenty of things one can do in Yercaud depending on your preferences. There is the Yercaud lake right in the middle of the town, it is touristy and is thronging with visitors, but the road side food available around the lake is delicious and a must have. Especially the maize corn. 

The walk upto Montfort school is pleasant and takes you through the charming town. The green house which cultivates a variety of flowers and spices. Some of the view points are “Pagoda point” “lady’s seat” and “Karadiyur View point” , the best is probably the Karadiyur view point with a brilliant view of  the valley , you can reach here in a car/bike and walk about 1.5 to 2 easy kilometers and the route is full of vegetation and sometimes you can get to see loads of butterflies while you take the walk. One can also choose to trek or cycle in Yercaud there are many fascinating routes to take. 

Karadiyur View Point

The temples that you can visit are “Sevarayan Temple” and “Sri Lalitha Tripura Sundari “ temple . 

If you prefer to eat well and stay within the reach of your hotel and laze your weekend in an awesome place with the best weather conditions , this is the best place to visit. It has many resorts and hotels that are clean and nice. Some of the hotels have options of taking entire cottages if you are going in a large gang, were you get a balcony and large rooms.

The Summer Festival would also be a great time to visit Yercaud when there are flowers shows, Dogs show, Boat races and a village fair, this happens for a week in the month of May.

Parinitha Konanur

Kutch – The wet and Dry land

Kutch is in Gujurat and the largest district in India. The name Kutch itself means something that can be wet and dry at the same time. Even though this is one of the most beautiful places in India, it is barely talked about and nearly not as thronged by tourists as Rajasthan or Kerala is done. But this might well be the good thing for travelers who like to indulge in the place for its absolute beauty and cultural richness. If you have already been to Rajasthan and loved the forts and the dunes you will love Kutch even more. 

Rann of Kutch is a large part of the district which is shallow wetland , it submerges in rain water and then dries up in dry seasons. The place gives ample opportunities for the sentimental traveler who wants to sink himself into the large expanse of natures beauty. The place is also known for its many sanctuaries. Including the Banni Grasslands reserve and Chari Dhand Wetland Conservation Reserve. 

Another very interesting fact is that Kutch is that some major towns of the Indus Valley Civilazation are in Kutch . Dholivara being one of them is one of the biggest archeological sites in India. 

Steeped in history , complimented by mother nature and furnished by cultural richness and embellished with amazing tribal and folk art this is a must visit place in India. Kutch is also known for the tribal jewelery and handicrafts.

The main things one can do in Kutch is Desert safaris in jeeps, Camel rides, and ofcourse shop the local handicrafts. Then one can also go to the ran of Kutch Sanctuary which is known for its rare wild ass. One can enjoy the desert as well as the Mandvi beach for some blue waters. One can visit the Prag mahal , Lakhpat gurudwara. The forts to visit are Kanthkot, Roha and Tera. 

Another very interesting tit bit is that [ even though you are not an avid Bollywood film watcher ] most of the movie “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam” were set in Kutch, and the sets were made according to the culture and traditions found in Kutch. As a matter of fact I was in school when I watched the film and thought “I should go to this place” though at that time I assumed it was Rajasthan [ for me all dunes were in Rajasthan – I was a kid – what did I know ] and then wondered why were they speaking Gujurati if it was Rajasthan, and finally concluded they were rich Gujaratis settles in Rajasthan.

Kutch has also gained a lot of popularity with the motorcycle riding masses and now and is known as the Holy Grail for Riding in India.  Especially with the Royal Enfields this is an all time favorite only seconding Ladakh.

October to February might be the best time to visit as it is cool and pleasant climate.  Or one can even time it with the Rann utsav which happens in the month of December. It will give you an opportunity to indulge in the folk dance, music, camel safaris and even live in tents.  

Parinitha Konanur

Mysore – The Land of Maharjas, Mythology and More

Mysore is one of the oldest cities in India, and has had its share in the history of the country. This old city houses many historic relics, monuments, places of interest, art and architecture, legends and more. 

Situated about 150 kilometers from the capital of Karnataka Bangalore, Mysore has been for long known for being the capital of the Kingdom on Mysore, and has also been the cultural capital of Karnataka for centuries and continues to be so till date. The most renowned Mysore Dasara , has become well known throughout the world which takes place in the Mysore palace. The Mysore fort was built by Charamaja Wodeyar III in the 16^th Century, what was then called the Mahishuru Fort, now anglicized to spell “Mysore”. 

This city of wonder has been the center for art and literature for centuries , Mysore also gives its name to the splendid “Mysore Silk Saree” a specific smooth silk saree variety. Mysore was also ruled by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, when it reached its peak of military Power.

When travelers go to Mysore, there is a lot to see, if you happen to go there during the Dasara festival the which is the “Nada Habba” or the festival of the state of Karnataka, one can witness the splendid festivities go on through the ten days of the festival. One can witness the happenings in the palace and the procession in front of it. Also do try and befriend a localite and visit their house, the “Dasara Gombe” is an arrangement of dolls during the festival and most localites will have it arranged in their house, till date. This is the most splendid sight, with new additions and old traditions mixed and juxtaposed to a lovely rhythm. 

The places to visit are – 

Apart from the palaces – are – The Chamundi Hills where legend has it that the Demon Mahishasura was killed by goddess Chamundi after a battle. The legends of Chamundi and the history of Mysore have always been interlinked and is therefore a must visit place.

The other Near by places of interest are –

The Brindhavan Gardens, KRS dam, along with this there are loads of places near by for a days visit like Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta which has a temple on a hill top with a splendid view , Then there is the “Somnathpur Temple” a magnificent temple with Hoysala architecture, it is situated about 35 kilometers from Mysore. 

Bylakuppe , the Tibetan Monastery in Kushalnagar is about 85 kilometers from Mysore. 13 kilometers away is Srirangapatna – a must go place when you visit Mysore, which has a fort, the Daria daulat Bagh and a museum. 

Parinitha Konanur

Shravanabelagola – The Magnificent Monolith

 Karnataka is a place to visit, for people coming from all walks of life. Those of you who want to see the beaches, the mountains, the rain cladden roads, villages, heritage sites, cultural hot spots, food specific people, all kinds of travelers will find something to match their taste in the this vast and wonderful state.

Shravanabelagola is the place any traveler would want to visit. It is one of the most important heritage sites of Karnataka and has been well known for centuries for its magnificent Monolith of Bahubalai also Known as Gomateshwara. This place has the spiritual aura, magnificent architectural memoirs signifying the rich history of the place. Bahubali was a jain “Arihantha”[ someone who has reached the stage just before the state of “Siddha” ]

The Monolith was built in 981 AD in the Vindyagiri Hill, it is a gigantic 57 feet tall, it was built by “Chavundaraya” who was a military commander and minister in the court of the western Ganga Dynasty of Talakad. He was also known to be a poet. 

Shravanabelagola has two hills, Chandragiri and Vindhyagiri. Chandragiri is known to have been the place where Chandragupta Maurya did penance, and the great king Asoka built Chandragupta Basadi to commemorate it, on this hill. Chandragiri is also known for its other memorials of several Sravakas [ Disciples]  who meditated there from the 5^th century AD.  It is considered as one of the most important Jain pilgrimages.

The “Mahamastakabhisheka” is held every 12 years , where hundreds of liters of milk, honey, saffron, KumKum and turmeric is used to wash this gigantic sculpture, it’s a spectacle and definitely should be experienced once in a life time. 

Many inscriptions can be found here, dating back to the 600 AD, most of these inscriptions are in Haleganada – or Old Kannada, describing the rise of the Western Ganga Dynasty, the Hoysala empire, and the Wodeyar Dynasty.

This place is filled with such historical relics and would please an historian, traveler or a person with interest in art and history.

Sharavanabelagola is about 158 kms from Bangalore, and can be reached by Bus, or own transport easily. The bus you will have to take in case you decide on a bus is the Hassan City bus , Shravanabelagola will be the next stop after Chennarayanapattina. The place can be visited in all seasons but best season is between October and February. 

Parinitha Konanur

Palolem - The beauty of South Goa

The first time I had been to Goa I was expecting unbearable seaside heat, dry climate and people filled beaches, thronging with commercialized  hot spots. But to my pleasant surprise it was not as hot, it had a lot of greenery and vegetation  even though the north beaches were commercialized it wasn’t enough to wrinkle my nose. 

I remember three years ago being absolutely fascinated by the place, feeling that the reverence for the place from variety of people was neither over hyped nor misjudged due to less exposure to unknown beaches. I was ecstatic to find curving roads lined with trees and small Portuguese influenced colourful and quaint houses. Happy and friendly people walking by, though the restaurant owners at the beaches were more clichéd than the most popular Bollywood movie, with their fake accents and their poor imitation of what they thought of the west. Though the only disappointing part was that I was of the belief that this hippie heaven would have retained some of its classic rock and country music feel, I was heart broken to hear trance everywhere, except a very few shacks and restaurants playing a few Bob Marley numbers. 

Sunset at Palolem ...

This time we decided on south Goa , Palolem and its surrounding beaches. A good choice, if I say so myself. We left Bangalore on the Chennai Vasco Express, to be dropped at Margao station. Margao is 45 kilometers from Palolem, so we hired a bike at Margao for 150rs a day, a nice active, new and all. Then we started our ride, even though I expected good roads, I was pleasantly surprised at how nice these roads were, clean, new tar, without humps or cavities to mar our pleasure of riding. The 40 odd kilometers flew by without a glitch. We arrived at Palolem roughly around 3.30. Got a shack on the beach for 200rs per day, You can get for cheaper rates in off season. But this one had an attached bathroom and a small little sitting area in front. We unpacked and ate a lot, to satisfy a hunger that was caused by not eating in the night and morning. The sunset was just spell bounding. Very little people scattered around, mauve and pink painted skies, reflected immaculately on the surmounting waves. 

The next day we left to Agonda which was an easy 8 kilometers away. Agonda is even less populated than Palolem. It was more popular with the localites, than with tourists. That is always good, because you get to see local habits and behavior and probably even mingle with them. There were large families that had gathered around trees, with food supplies and Frisbee. We just laid down under a tree and spent the hot afternoon in the cool breeze reading and sleeping under it. After a good meal we sat down to experience another sunset. Here the sunset was more golden with a crisp silhouette of the hills. The way back was equally enthralling with non lit roads and a cool breeze.

sunset at Agonda ....

The next day we thought of going to Vasco, but that turned out to be about 65 kilometers, we started of late so that would be too late, so we thought of Old Goa. This a man told us would be 25 kilometers from when we reach a particular spot on the highway. We took the superb road again, the hot sun not bothering us with the thick vegetation providing a superb feel and a cool air. Then we reached a spot where we saw a board going to Cabo De Rama to our left. We asked how far Old Goa was from there, they said it would be another 25 kilometers, we had already traveled a cool 20 kilometers by then. So we made an impulsive turn to Cabo De Rama. The road was almost empty throughout. Whomever we asked for directions, dint know there was such a place at all near by, we had a feeling that we weren’t pronouncing it right. Because when we aksed for Palolem – they pronounced it as “Palll-o – llim” , we still headed on, then we found this large clearing, with a stench, my friend told me it must be the fish drying area, it turned out to be so too. There were hundreds of Cranes and Herons perched on the stone bricks, obviously attracted by the number of fishes available easily. The smell was over whelming. There was an old lady who explained it all to us, what they did , how they got the fish and how they dried it. Then we headed to Cabo De Rama. There the road just ended on to a church and fort, or so we thought. The Santo Antonio church was perched amidst the fort structure. The Glass covered shrine for Mary was beautiful with over hanging Bougainvillea. 

Mary's Shrine in Santo Antonio Church in Cabo De Rama ...

Then we went up the fort, the view is so splendid that everyone needs to go there to experience it. Then we did a little bit of exploration and found our own secret passage. The place has an amazing aura, a feel that is hard to describe. The green waters below lashing, huge eagles soaring above the rocks, the fort menacingly looking down. We spent quite a lot of time there and headed back. We had seen a board that said this way to Agonda, I guessed that would be a nearer route back and we took it. Now this road was immeasurably pleasurable even more than the roads we had already taken, some parts of the road were caved out of eart and green vegetation over hanging it, just pure beauty. And in parts of the route one can see the shimmering beach below, the view is exquisite. That was our last day at Goa so we ate to our hearts content, with a sunken heart that dint want to leave. 

Parinitha Konanur

Must see places – No matter what

There are a few places you will see there are a few places you ought to see and there are those places that you ought not miss no matter what .

This is my own personal must see places, it is by no means a universally accepted list , you guys can read acknowledge and even add your own “Must See” places in the comments section …

1. Machu Pichu – The 15^th Century Inca site in Peru, a must visit , due to absolute enthralling natural beauty, history and more.

2.  Tuscany – Tuscany in Italy is a sure shot must see for all those who love gorgeous landscapes, amazing art, culture and heritage and those who just love food and celebrate life.

3. Bali – An Indonesian Island , a Must see for its rich green, beautiful locales, rich culture, temples and more.

4. Bhutan – Beautiful places , mesmerizing Dzongs, and an amazing way of life that ought to be witnessed.

5. Norway – For its compelling landscapes, mountains, and gorgeous natural bounty along with quaint and beautiful houses. Also never to miss are the Northern Lights or the Aurora Borealis.

Kolli hills

This  is the water falls at Kolli Hills, a hill station in Tamil Nadu, it is around 300 km from Bangalore. a Superb weekend destination with a number of activities to do , pleasant climate and not that far from town. Take the Hosur road , pass Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri and Salem and You can ask for directions once you reach Rasipuram.

Activities - Mild treks, walk to waterfalls
Good place to lounge and relax
Climate is very pleasant

Parinitha Konanur