Trip to Jogfalls

Few days back on a weekend went to JOG Falls with my friends. Its a cool place. I went in Monsoon season. Full water. The trip was amazing.

About Jog Falls:

Jog FallsBear witness to nature’s headlong tumble as the Sharavati river makes a spectacular drop of 810ft. (253m) in four distinct cascades – known locally as Raja, Rani, Rover and Rocket – to create the highest falls in Asia.

The falls are at their best during the monsoon, with arching rainbows colouring the mist. When the sluice gates of the upstream Linganamakki Dam are closed, it is worth taking a walk right down to the bottom of the gorge.

Trip to Pondicherry

We started our trip on 22nd Oct 2004 at 4.00 A.M. Pondicherry (Pondi) is 7 hours journey from bangalore.

We reached to pondi at 1.30 p.m. then we started hunting for hotels. All were Jam packed in the city. Then we started trying for beach resorts far from the city..after a hunt of 2 hours we got a Beach resort which was 8 kms from the main city.

I liked the idea of the resort as it was very different...unlike other resorts...The resort had huts...the huts were made of bamboos..ground floor was made of bricks which u can call as drawing room..and upstair was a bedroom sort..no concrete floors..only bamboo...they provided mattress and pillows...

Back side of the resort was the beach...yup..pondi has got nice beaches...we stayed 3 days in Pondi but most of our time we spent in water (average was 6 hours a day)...playing in the sea...it was fun..and taking sun bath... now i am a bit scared as my face is buring and its all red and tanned..hope i will be normal soon..;)

About the city: Its a Union Territory. Language spoken by local people is Tamil. Places to move around are not much. One famous Aurobindo Ashram is there. Most of the aurobindo and mother's devotees come there for meditation.

Then there is a place called "Auroville". This place is the dream of the mother who wants to start a new world with peace ...people all over the world come to see this Auroville township... There is a MatriMandir. Famous Crystal ball is there.

well but i liked the beaches...its a small town..but the shopping area is good...the name of the main shopping street is J.N Street (JawaharLal Nehru). Nice commercial place. Most of the things u get at a reasonable price. I guess the Tax slab is different there.

u can see the link for details:

http://www.tourisminpondicherry.com/

Message for people who plan to pondi: Please dont forget to carry a sunscreen lotion. The place is too hot. And if u love bathing in sea for long hours then pls take the necessary ointments. :)

Trip to Mysore

The first weekend after joining this company, i went to Mysore with my friends. This place is very near to Bangalore. We started in the morning. The first place we saw was Srirangapatnam. We covered places one by one. I enjoyed the city. Its very different from Bangalore. Peaceful city with not much of traffic and crowd.

The Mysore Palace:

Once the residence of the Wodeyars, this structure is one of the largest of its kind in India. Built in 1912 in the Indo Saracenic style, this place excludes a grandeur that is unmatched. The Golden Royal Elephant Throne, the Durbar Hall, the Kalyana Mantap and the Gallery are the main attractions here. Photography is prohibited inside but yes i tool the palace outside photograph. The palace is really cool. Espec

Chamundi Hill:

Perched atop a hill is a 12th century temple of Chamundershwari. About 13 Kms from Mysore by road these is also a 1000 step walking track for all those young at heart to try. The gigantic 4.8 meter tall monolith of Nandi the sacred vehicle of Lord Shiva is a marvel to watch. Also close to the temple stands a gigantic statues of the demon Mahishasura.

St. Philomena's Church:

This beautiful Cathedral was built in 1956 and is one of the largest churches in the country. It has been built in the Gothic style with beautiful stain glass windows and lofty towers. The illuminated church in the evening is a wonderful site not to be missed.

Brindavan Gardens:

19 Kms north west of Mysore is the famous KRS dam. Built by the famous engineer Sir. M. Vishvesvariah this was one of the first multi purpose dams built in India. Adjacent to the dam is the beautiful Brindavan Garden. With lighting and musical fountains this place transforms it self into a fairy land in the evenings. Its a really big one..i got tired covering the garden only. Reaching for another end is really a tiresome job.

Srirangapatna:

14 Kms north east on the Bangalore Mysore highway, this island fortress was once the capital of the warrior king Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. There are beautiful monuments that are well worth a visit.

I did some shopping. Bought one Mysore silk saree for my mom from my first salary. I know she liked it. :)

While coming back, We went to a Waterpark in Mysore called as GRS Fantasy park. Amazing rides they have. I enjoyed the waterpark more than the city ;)

Planning to go again for the fantasy park with a big group this time.

Trip to Nandi Hills

There is nothing special as such about this hill...its a very onrdinary hill...especially for those who have seen hill stations. First time i went to Nandi with my 3 friends on 20th june 2003. It was my B'day and we thought of going to a far place...we went on bikes. We took a diversion from the straight road and found one secret place...it was simply amazing. It was an Old temple. We took shelter there as it was raining heavily. We enjoyed the place. To be very frank that deserted place was anytime better than the Nandi Hills.

we had a picnic there...enjoyed the most there...it was drizzling when we came back...it was the most wonderful one day trip of my life.

About Nandi Hills:

This is a beautiful place about 58 km from Bangalore. The road is charming and the journey is best enjoyed in a four-wheeler (though it's not too bad even on a two-wheeler). There are lots of beautiful spots on the way where one can open a picnic hamper and eat. (For those who don't prefer to take anything, there are quite a few dhabas). On the way is 'Tiger of Mysore' Tipu Sultan's birthplace, near a town called Devanahalli.

The Nandi Hills is about 4,850 feet above sea level, with a fairly extensive plateau. The road uphill is motorable till the top. The Nandi Hills was one of the retreats of Tipu Sultan. There is also a place called Tipu's drop - from where Tipu's captives would be punished by being pushed down. This point offers magnificient view of the surrounding hills.

It is a good picnic spot. Best time to see is Sunrise/Sunset.

Trip to Coorg

My first trip with my friends in First Year. We were 15 people (5 gals and rest guys). I still remember it was Lohri...Punjabi festival and we celebrated at our friends place had fun there..after the classmates left..we had the plan to go to coorg..a nice place in Karnataka itself..we book a big Van. Opted for a night journey to save time...taking off from college was a big issue...we reached coorg...booked 2 rooms for 2 hours...just to get fresh...then we started with sight seeing...whole day we were covering places...

Had lot of fun...In abbey falls..we were playing with water..but all of a sudden Nitin got hurt..and blood started spurring from his leg..we got tensed..we rushed to a Doctor nearby..we all were worried...he was not able to walk...

After that we went to some tibetan colony...very peaceful place...not many ppl go there...hardly ppl know about it...Again we started in the nite and came back to bangalore next morning...only worst part was we all were sleeping in the class on Monday morning ;)

About Coorg:

Coorg or Kodagu is known to visitors and tourists as the Scotland of India and the Kashmir of the south for its scenic beauty. A visitor from the plains is naturally struck by its landscap e and natural scenery and feels as if he were in a different country altogether. Coorg (Kodagu) is a coffee country.
Madikeri:The capital of Coorg formerly called Mercara, Madikeri is often known as the Scotland of India. It has enchanted millions of travellers with its misty hills, lush forests, coffee plantations and breath taking views. Also known for its lovely climate, Madikeri is a world record holder for the cardamom crop.

Abby Falls: Just 7 kilometers from Madikeri town is Abbi Falls. The narrow road to Abbi Falls is a combination of steep ups and downs, twists and turns, wriggling through the green and dense foliage of surrounding coffee plantations. Situated on private property, a narrow pathway of broken twigs and decaying leaves leads you downward to where the waterfall can be seen.

Splashing hard against the huge boulders of rock, unmindful of the crevices and hollows, the water drops at enormous speed accompanied by gushing sounds. This white wall of water creates a misty cloud with its moisture-like spray and descends into a flowing stream to perhaps, amalgamate with the River Cauvery somewhere in the vicinity.

Tibetan Colony: Golden Temple :is in the Tibetan colony, where Tibetans keep their culture and heritage intact. Dalai Lama visits this temple to offer prayers occasionally.