Typical Ulsoor residential skyline

Some apartment building in Cambridge layout

RMZ Millenia Tower located near Ulsoor lake

Lido Mall which also houses Hotel Ista

The burning tree!

The evening twilight over Ulsoor

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It was quite sometime since I visited Nandi hills. Recently, one early morning my buddies mooted to visit Nandi Hills. Morning the climate was overcast in Bangalore so we could guess the amazing climate at Nandi hills. So got ready with biking gear and get set for Nandi hills by 8 am. This was the first time I visited Nandi hills by bike and it was a completely different experience. Earlier, I have visited by bus and car. As we were coming closer to Nandi hills, the climate started to be more like a hills. And as we started to climb, it started to become more cold. This trip was more about enjoying the climate and have fun with friends. I am not going to write what you can see there. You can check that from one of my earlier article on Nandi Hills.

No sooner we reached near Tipu’s drop it started drizzling. Amazing feeling to feel the droplets of water with cool breeze surrounded by mist. We sat and slept by the one of the edges of the rock to feel nature by its side. However, this may be the last we have done that. As the authorities are fencing the side as one guy fell from the rock and lost his life while taking pictures.

Had food at KSTDC Mayura Pinetop. Food is average and costly by standards. No more now … I will let the pictures do the talking.

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Location: In the northern part of Tumkur district of Karnataka.

Distance: 145 km from Bangalore, 23 km from Madhugiri and 20 km from Hindupur, Andhra Pradesh

Time taken: 2.5 – 3 hrs

Route: Bangalore – Tumkur road – Neelamangala – Dobbespet (take right turn under flyover) – Koratagere – Madhugiri – Puravara – Maidenahalli – Jayamangalai Black Buck Reserve

Note: After Madhugiri, look for a left deviation with a big board featuring a blackbuck and Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve. Take that left and look for further such boards for direction. If you are in confusion ask the villagers.

How to reach there: Private vehicle

Where to have food: It may be ideal to carry food so that you can have little picnic. Or you have light stuffs at Puravara – I suggest you try the egg fry sell by a vendor at the junction, you can have food at Madhugiri but it suffers on cleanliness. The best would be come back on the highway and have at either Kamat Lokaruchi or Reliance A1.

Where to stay: At Jayamangali forest guest house

What to see: Black bucks and various birds.

Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve was earlier know as Maidenahalli Blackbuck reserve forest. It is located near Maidenahalli village. This 3.23 sq km reserve forest is the only protected area in Tumkur district. Apart from here blackbucks are also found in Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary in karnataka. Other species of mammals like wolf, jungle cat, India grey mongoose, Rabbit etc, reptiles and birds are available.

Please note that wildlife is watched best either early in the morning or in the evening. If you want to be there early in the morning say by 6 – 7 am then you must leave from Bangalore by 3.30 – 4 am. One can visit the reserve throughout the day and to view the black bucks you will have to trail them for some distance through the grassland.

After driving through rugged highlands you will reach a blue gate which is the entrance to Jayamangali Black Buck Reserve. You will be asked by the forest reserve staff to enter your name and vehicle numbers. Also, you will be asked to give Rs 100 for camera fees. But as per my knowledge there is no camera frees. I countered the staffs and they fumbled. We gave only Rs 50. It depends upto you whether you want to give or not. You can park your vehicle near the water tank. Walk little further on the left hand side of the mud road and you will find a watch tower. Your view from the watch tower will be more interesting if you have a binocular.

The left hand side of the road inside has large grasses and bushes which will give a feel of a deciduous forest. One can walk in for little bit of jungle photography. On the right hand side of the road has the maximum number of blackbuck of herds. To take decent picture of wildlife here one must have a good camera with more than 10x zoom. This was one of the best wildlife experience I ever had. You get to see Blackbucks in their natural environment and so close. This thrill is you play hide and seek and trail them to view them. On the other hand blackbucks also watch you if are coming to close!

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Location: In Anekal taluk

Distance: 25 km from Bangalore

How to reach there: BMTC Volvo AC buses (Fare Rs 25 from Majestic), BMTC ordinary buses, hired vehicles or by your own vehicle.

Route: Bangalore – Bannerghatta road – Bannerghatta National park

Where to have food: Shops and restaurants near the park

Where to stay: Jungle Lodges and Resorts

What to see: Zoo, Safari and Butterfly park

Bannerghatta National Park is one of the most visited tourist destination in Bangalore. I visited this park for the first time way back in 2001 and the last was visit was yesterday. I found a lot of new additions. A new bus bay, a nicely laid parking lot, new buildings and new aesthetics of the park. It can be a one day or half day visit depending upon the time you have. However, I suggest you reach there by 10 – 11 am, so that you can see everything at your own pace.

Note:

Parking fee for Two wheeler: Rs 5 and for 4 wheeler: Rs 10
Entry fee for the Zoo: Rs 45 per adult
Safari: Rs 160 per person
Camera fees: Rs 25
Timings: 10 am to 5 pm. One can stay inside upto 5.30 pm. Last safari is at 4.30 pm.

Ideally you can first go for safari and then see the Butterfly park. Followed by lunch and then go for the zoo. The whole park is around 25000 acres in size. The zoo has various wildlife. In snakes it has rat snake, King Cobra, Python etc. Various birds like Pelican, peacock, painted stork, golden owl etc. Among others are sloth bear, Lion Tailed Macau, Hippopotamus, Alligator, Leopard, Jackal, Emu etc.

The safari is typically done by a 709 bus from where you can see lions, Royal Bengal tigers and white tigers in their natural habitat from close quarters. The Butterfly park opened in 2006. It is a glass house structure. The exquisite natural settings is an amazing place to see colorful Butterflies.

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Ulsoor if we go by definition is a congested and noisy place. But there is one abode of peace in this locality where peace is broken only by passing buses. Ramakrishna Math, Ulsoor is also know as Vivekananda Ashram (its earlier name). It was established in 1906 by few people who were tuned to philosophy propagated by swami Vivekananda. In Bangalore there is another Ramakrishna Math at Basavanagudi. Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission is headquartered in Belur Math, Howrah, West Bengal.

In 2003 Ramakrishna Math, Ulsoor was renovated with lawn gardens. One huge statue of Lord Shiva was erected on the left hand of the main temple. Behind the Shiva statue they made a small cave where statues of deities like Ganesha, Lakshmi etc were installed. A lotus pond has been created in front of the Shiva statue and water is sprinkled from the hair of Lord Shiva on special occasions. On the right hand side you can see the statue of Swami Vivekandana. On one side of Vivekananda statue small statues of various other religious preachers were installed like Basavanna, Thiruvallar etc. The structure of the main temple is also very simple and very naturally blends with the surrounding.

Shoe keeping center has been created for safe keeping of your shoes. A tap is nearby if you would like to wash your hands and legs. Besides the shoe keeping center there is an aquarium. Vehicle parking place has been earmarked near the entrance. The center also has a book center which has good collection of books.

Library Timings: 9 am to 12 noon and 4.30 pm to 6.30 (weekdays) and 4.30 pm to 6.30 (weekends)

I find this place very spiritually enlightening. One can go there and spend time in peace. No one will bother you with any gyan, unless you ask them.

Address:

Ramakrishna Math Ulsoor,
opposite to Adarsha Theatre,
Swami Vivekananda Road (old Madras road),
Ulsoor, Bangalore – 560 008
Karnataka, India
Website: http://www.ramakrishnamath.in

Timings: 5 am to 12 noon and 4 pm to 8.30 pm

The first rays of sun on CMH road in between 100 ft road junction and CMH hospital

CMH road in between 100 ft road junction and CMH hospital

Double road, Indiranagar near BDA complex

Double road, Indiranagar near BDA complex

The Metro rail viaduct on CMH road near HDFC bank

The Metro rail viaduct on CMH road near HDFC bank

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Last sunday evening I visited the Kalyana Venkateshwara temple at Gokul, Mathikere. I saw this temple once when I was traveling from Hebbal using the Outer Ring road to reach Yeshwantpur and thought of visiting it later. This temple was constructed by a prominent Bangalorean MS Ramaiah. Perhaps you have heard of MS Ramaiah college – it is run by that family. The temple is dedicated to lord Venkateshwara – the same deity at Tirupathi (Andhra Pradesh). At the entrance of the temple there is a jajastamba (tower) made of brass as typically found in many south Indian temples. Inside you have the deity of Venkateshwara. You can walk besides the sanctum sanatorium to take rounds around the deity. At the backside of the Venkateshwara deity you can see a picture of the idol of Lord Venkateshwara at Tirupathi claimed to be taken in 1875. At the left hand side of the sanctum sanatorium, there is a large bell.

The temple is nicely maintained and has benches outside to sit. You are supposed to keep shoes outside for which you are expected to pay e.g. Rs 1 – 2. I am very disappointed that they do not allow to take pictures inside and even prevent people to take pictures outside. On the right hand side of the temple is a big choultry where marriages takes place.

Address:
Kalyana Venkateshwara temple
Dr.M.S.Ramaiah’s compound
Gokul, Mathikere, Bangalore
Landmark: Ask for Gokul

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Location: 13 km from Bangalore – Mysore highway after Chanapatna if you are traveling from Bangalore

Distance: Around 75 km from Bangalore

Route: Bangalore – Mysore road – Kengeri – Bidadi – Ramnagaram – Chanapatna – left turn at Kokkere Bellur board (13 km from this turn) – Kokkere Bellur

How to Reach there: The best is private vehicle as public transport is not that frequent. However, you can come upto Maddur by KSRTC bus and then from Maddur to Kokkere Bellur by other bus.

Where to eat: There is no restaurant to eat in Kokkere Bellur. However, you can eat at Coffee Day on Bangalore – Mysore highway near Chanapatna or at Kamat Upahar or at any dhabas.

What to see: Beautiful migratory birds

Kokkere Bellur is a nondescript village located in Mandya district of Karnataka. Here every year in the month of January migratory birds particularly painted stork and Pelicans arrive here in huge numbers. They typically nest on Tamarind trees. The bird Painted Stork is known as Kokkere in Kannada, the local language and this is how the village got its name. The forest department compensates every villager on whose trees the birds nest so that they do not harm those trees. Indeed a good concept.

About our trip:

To the see the birds you must be in Kokkere Bellur by 7 am. Even better if you can reach earlier. We started around 4.45 am in the morning from Marathahalli. We decided to take NICE road so drove all the way to Hosur road to get on NICE road. From there to Mysore road via NICE road cost Rs 30 per bike. Apart from that the route was also longer. So I suggest you unless you are staying in the vicinity of NICE road junction on Bannerghatta road or Hosur road do not take NICE road. Go for Mysore road as it will be traffic free during dawn and wont cost you anything. During our ride through NICE road in the dark it was chilling cold. We were looking for every cover to avoid the cold wind.

By the time we crossed Bidadi the sky started to clear up. Just after crossing Ramnagaram there is a lake on the left hand side besides the highway. It also has a beautiful garden lawn with sitting arrangement. There we saw a beautiful sunrise – one of the best I have ever soon. On the other side of the lake there is a mosque with trees in the background. The sun was rising from behind the trees with its first light falling on the lake making beautiful colour effect. After a bit of photography there we were on the road again. I suggest you look for a Kokkere Bellur board on the left hand side after you cross Chanapatna which will ask you to take a left turn. Take left turn there and ride of another 13 km to reach Kokkere Bellur. On the country road you will first find Tailur lake on the left hand side. If you would like you can have short break here for photography. Continue further and you will come to a circle, take left and within few meters look for an open gate on the right hand side. These open gates are typical in Karnataka villages. Go through the gate little further and look for birds on the trees. If you are confused ask the villagers for the actual spot of bird nesting.

That was one of the best bird sighting I had ever done. Beautiful painted stork and pelicans were all over the trees. Painted stork has large sharp beck and long thin limbs. They are no wonder called Painted stork as they look like someone has painted them very carefully. Pelicans on the other hand are huge birds with a huge beck. Also, they make lots of noise. I was told by one villager that most bird arrives after January 15. So plan your trip after Jan 15. I suggest you walk through the village settings however make sure not to harm any paddy field or surroundings.

Kokkere Bellur is amazing for bird photography. However, note that to shoot birds you would need an advanced point and shoot camera or an DSLR with telephoto lens. For high zoom point and shoot cameras I suggest Cannon SX130, SX 20 and SX30 and Nikkon L110 or P100.

Note: River Shimsha is nearby. You can also visit there.

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For quite sometime I wanted to visit Lalbagh in Bangalore for birding. Today I visited in the evening, but I was late by the time I reached there. As we entered it was already the twilight zone and very soon it became dark. However, within that short time I was able to take some good pictures. These are different types of pictures – capturing the flights of birds and the twilight zone.

We entered from the west gate and just after the parking area is a granite hill. From the top of this hill you can see UB city clearly. Got two crisp shot of UB city.

This hill also has one of the 4 watch tower built by Kempe Gowda in Bangalore. With light turning pale, birds (mostly crow) were flocking back to trees and some of them were sitting on the watch tower. One of them was still in flight.

Then we took a small walk little further from the hill. On the way found Marigold flowers in full bloom.

We just sat for sometime on the bench, guards started whistling. Which means its time to leave. However, before leaving I was able to capture two nice pictures of twilight zone.

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I visited Siddara Betta(hill) when I visited Madhugiri fort along with one of my friend. I am going to share the story of the trip to Siddara Betta now.

Siddara betta is located near to Koratagere village. Once you cross Koratagere village, on the way to Madhugiri fort look for a Karnataka tourism yellow board asking you to a left turn for Siddara betta. On this road if you ride another 5 – 6 km from this point, you will reach the base of Siddara betta. You can visit Siddara betta for two reasons – adventure trekking and religious visit. One has to climb through the steps to reach the top of the hill which has a shrine of Lord Siddalingeshwara(Shiva) inside a cave.

Distance: Around 100 km from Bangalore, 35 km from Tumkur and 10 km from Koratagere.

Route: Bangalore – Tumkur road – Nelmangala – Dobaspet (take right turn under flyover) – Koratagere – SiddaraBetta

How to reach there: The best way to reach there is private vehicle. As public transport is rare from Koratagere to Siddara betta.

We visited Siddara betta after visiting Madhugiri fort. It was a planning mistake as at both the places we had to climb. So I suggest not visit Madhugiri and Siddara betta the same day. If you visit Madhugiri, do visit the nearby Maidanahalli Blackbuck sanctuary and cover Siddara betta any other day. We started climbing on Siddara betta around 3 pm. In the beginning it looks like it is a small way to the top but as you start climbing it is like never ending. One has to climb more than 3 km to reach the top. However, there are steps and rods to hold onto. But at places you will have to manage through slopes and stones. Climb on Siddara betta is not as steep as at Shivaganga. The sun was descending on the horizon as were reaching near the top. We were really tired after reaching the plateau where the cave temple is located. Climbing two hills in a span of 6 – 7 hours has taken its toll.

After little rest, we went inside the cave. Here at one corner the idol of lord Siddalingeshwara is situated. On the other sides you will many idols including nag dev (snake god). Here at a point water was coming out continuously and it is believed to be holy. We touched the water on our head for his divine blessings. I also saw a custom where a person was pouring those cold water on people and it was virtually a bath with all cloths on before going to pray to the lord. The view from the top is good with many small hills in the vicinity covered by short dry forest. The descend from the top was quite quick and we were back on the road by 6 pm. After riding little bit were fighting torrential rain and we had to halt for sometime. Since then rain was playing hide and seek until we reached Bangalore.

Note: I see Shande mentioned in his blog that, Sanjeevani drug which was used to cure Lakshman (younger brother of lord Ram) during Ramayana was found at Siddara betta. But as far as I know sanjeevani drug was found from Gandha madan parvat (mountain) in the Himalayas and Hanuman extracted the whole mountain as he was unable to recognize the particular plant.

Caution: Be aware of monkey. If you are carrying any food item or items for puja to the shrine take special care.

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