Place:- Mysore
Hotel Booked:- Mysore (near to Mysore Palace)
(Saturday 12.00 to Sunday 11.00)
How to Reach: Mysore is having its own airport. The nearest international airport is Bangalore. Mysore Junction is the city's main station, and there are daily trains plying the route to Bangalore.
If you are coming to Bangalore Airport, there are direct buses (FLYBUS) from Bangalore Airport to Mysore which will cost you around aprox. INR800. Alternatively, you can reach to Mysore Satellite Bus Stand from Airport and then catch Mysore buses, later will cost you half of the former mode. Buses run every 5 minutes from Bangalore. There is a choice of air-conditioned and ordinary vehicles.
Place to Visit: According to Hindu mythology, the demon Mahishasura was slain by the Goddess Chamundi at the place where present-day Mysore is located. A statue of Mahishasura stands on Chamundi Hill on the outskirts of the city. Darshan Timings: 7:30am to 2:00pm, 3:30pm to 6:00pm, 7:30pm to 9:00pm
Morning 8.00am
Chamundeshwari Temple: Book a taxi/auto and go to darshan of Ma Chamundeshwari or Ma Chamundi at Chamundi Hills. A key feature is the statue of Mahishasura bearing a sword in his right hand and a cobra in the left. Within the temple's sanctum stands a sculpted depiction of Chamundeshwari. She is seated with her right heel pressed against the lowest of the seven chakras. This cross-legged yogic posture echoes the posture of Lord Shiva. Worshipers believe that this powerful yogic posture, if mastered, provides an added dimensional view of the universe. While returning, have a darshan of huge Nandi Statue(which is 4.9m tall and 7.6m long and carved out of a single piece of black granite). You can also have a panoramic view of full Mysore from the Chamundi Hills. Frequent buses are also available at very cheap rate.
Afternoon 2.00 pm after taking lunch
Mysore Palace: Go inside the Mysore Palace and have a look inside of Palace. Intricately carved rosewood doors and ceilings some with inlaid ivory work, marble figurines, collections of caskets, paintings of the members of the royal family and other objects of personal use exhibit such opulence, though age as worn them out a bit with slight discolouration.
Try to observ the beautiful palace in evening during Dussehra time, Sundays and national holidays between 7:00PM-7:45PM when the palace is illuminated by close to 100,000 bulbs.
On the last day, of the 10 day festival of Dussehra, a procession of the state's guards lead the Goddess Chamundi seated on a golden howdah mounted on an elephant. The procession is followed by various tableaux, a visual treat rarely seen anywhere else in the world
Night, you can have visit at local market. If you are at Mysore during Dussehra, you can also visit an event(there are many events which organised during Dussehra time)
You can also visit Brindavan Gardens, Mysore Zoo,Mysore Sand Sculpture Museum., Wax Museum if time permits/during long stay.
Famous:-
Place to Stay: -
Best Time to Visit: - Throughout the year but try not to visit during Dussehra Time. I prefer t go on initial days of Dussehra.
Eat: - Bisibele Baath, Masala Poori, Masala Dosa
Purchase:- Purchase wooden items
Do: -
Next:- On Sunday early Morning
around 8.00am, take bus for Coorg.
Place:- Coorg
Hotel Booked:- Coorg (Kushalnagar)
(Sunday 12.00 to Monday 11.00)
Coorg (Madikeri)
(Monday 12.00 to Tuesday 11.00)
How to Reach: Mysore is nearest airport. The nearest international airport is Bangalore. Mysore Junction is the nearest station. You can reach to Mysore Satellite Bus Stand from Airport and then catch Coorg Bus.
Place to Visit:
Sunday After reaching to Coorg(Kushalnagar) we have gone directly gone to Golden Temple.
Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery (Golden Temple) Bylakuppe Tibetan settlement. 6 Kms from the town of Kushalnagar and 35 Kms from the Madikeri. Timings: 07:00-20:00 (All days). We reached the gates of the Monastery which itself gave an idea of the kind of architecture inside. As soon as we entered inside the temple, it was altogether a different world for me. Tibetan settlement is the second largest Tibetan settlement outside Tibet. There are over 7,000 monks and students at the Tibetan monastery. This Golden Template houses have a 40ft tall Buddha Statue. Golden temple gets its name “Golden” because of the golden paintings above the monastery. The monastery or the Golden temple from a distance looks like a replica of a typical Tibetan monastery. Namdroling Monastery also locally known as the “Golden temple”, situated over a small hill settlement called “Bylakuppe” is one of the largest teaching center of Tibetan Buddhism in the world near KushalNagar, Madikeri in Karnataka.
It is mandatory to maintain silence inside the temple. The normal tradition includes burning a incense stick inside the temple; sitting on the carpet and feeling spirituality. The floor are made up of the marble and mostly covered with the carpet. While the side walls are full of Tibetan paintings showing Gods and Demons. Besides art & paintings, one can also see the sacred things for traditional worshiping methodology like sacred texts, horns, trumpets, incense sticks, bells, prayer beads, Prayer wheels, prayer flags, drums etc. Please also make sure that you respect their religious authenticity and do not violet any religious tradition. Apart from the worshiping materials, it’s also worth taking a look at the doors and the architecture of the Monasteries. Apart from this, you can also perceive a sense of responsibility, dedication & discipline in every disciple over there. Doors are decorated with silk clothing and articulated paintings which are worth taking a look. A beautiful door of the golden temple A decorated door covered with silk. It is also worth taking the visit of the whole campus and see how the monks and disciples live their together. How their religion an spirituality purify the air with floating prayer flags across the valley sending their messages on the winds; the ring of the bell enchanting the vibes of the surroundings; rotation of the prayer wheels carrying the hymns. Tibetan prayer flags Prayer flags carrying the prayer across the valley It is also worth lighting a prayer lamp for the peace outside the monastery and see the common life of the monks there. Prayer lamps Peace-prayer lamps at the Monastery
The settlement of Bylakuppe first had the shape of a Bamboo cottage in 1960s over the small hills away from the civilization and town of Kushalnagar. This settlement came into existence in India after one of the throne holders of the Nyingma, oldest of the four Tibetan Buddhism school, was annexed by China and he was forced to leave Tibet with his disciples. In 1972, the Buddhist refugees were re-established here by the government here and in 1978, their first teaching school was established. The Teaching school in Tibetan is called “Shedra”.
Take your lunch at Golden Temple
After that visit
Nishargadhama. There was a hanging bridge over the entrance, which was very enjoyable as it was shaking while walking. Though this place claimed to be a wild life sanctuary, we hardly found any animal other than deer and rabbit. Furthermore, the maintenance of this place is very poor. However, one thing I liked about this place is, the sculptures made by coloring trees. Entry ticket for this place is Rs 30/- per head.
Nisargadhama is a beautiful island off the state highway, two km from Kushalanagar town and 28 km from Madikeri. The 64-acre island, surrounded by the Cauvery river, can be accessed by walking across a hanging bridge. Its breathtaking beautiful surrounding are lush with thick foliage of bamboo groves, sandalwood and teak trees. It has lovely river-side cottages which can accommodate five persons. Elephant rides and boating are some of the other attractions. There is a deer park, children’s park and orchidarium in the resort
After that visit
Chiklihole reservoir
Monday Morning
Consult with Taxi for visit of below mentioned place and for drop at Madikeri at end.
Dubare Elephant Camp,The camp remained open from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, reopened by 4:30 PM to5.30pm We crossed Cauvery river in a boat which charged Rs 20/- each including the entry fee to the camp. Before I visited this place, I was in an impression that what would be so special about an elephant camp that people like about it. But it changed by the time I left that place. This place has around 150 Elephants, which are being trained under naturalists. In the Dubare elephant camp, there are many activities offered Jungle Lodge and Resorts which visitors not only can enjoy also can participate in a very nominal cost. The various activities conducted here are, Elephant Grooming: Elephants been given a scrub-bath in the River and also watch how oil is applied on their forehead, tusks and other aspects of Elephant grooming. Elephant feeding: Visitors can watch the food being prepared for the Elephants and how they are fed.Commands: The Mahouts demonstrate the various commands the Elephants can obey.
To get to the camp you will need to cross the small still water lagoon over motor boat or still water rafting or by a small trek over a rocky pathway (no trekking in rainy seasons). Ideally you can raft across the river to reach the camp and trek back over the river over the rock pathway. The boat ride will cost you Rs.20/person. If you are young and dont mind wetting your feet, the rocky path is fun and is not dangerous.
You could also do white water rafting at this place. The rafting distance is about 7 km and path is a great combination of rocks and water. A must do if you are looking for some adventure
Rafting @ Dubare Elephant Camp We went for a rafting in the nearby Cauvery River. As it was not monsoon, it can merely be called as rafting, however, we enjoyed that a lot.
Omkareshwar Temple
Abbey Falls, the main attraction of Madikeri, breathtaking waterfall where the Kaveri River cascades down a rock face from a height of 70 feet. A hanging bridge has now been built across the gorge here offering a good view of the falls. The falls can be reached by a narrow road from Madikeri. Cars can reach the entrance of these falls from where a downhill walk of 500 metres (on slightly paved 150 stair steps) takes one to the waterfalls.Even during the summer there is plenty of water in these falls. The roar of the falls can be heard from the main road, from where a path goes through lovely coffee and cardamom plantations right up to them. The chirping of innumerable birds which are easier heard then seen, fill the air with sweet music. Do remember to take your binoculars and camera when you go there.
Mandalpatti Peak (skip) Good to go by adventure lover
Plantation Mainly 2 types of coffee are grown in the region – Arabica and Robusta. As the name suggests, Robusta is a strong plant with a life of around 80 years while Arabica lasts for about 40 years. According to the learned, the Robusta variety of coffee ranks amongst the best in the world for its flavor and aroma. Karnataka produces 70% of the total coffee produced in India. The process involves cultivation, harvesting, cleaning and sun drying. The coffee beans are then packed in 50 kg bags and sent for further processing which essentially is roasting. This is the key. The method of roasting coupled with quality of the bean determines the flavor and aroma. And thus the price. By the way, the most expensive coffee in the world is retrieved from a civet’s shit!
Raja's Seat According to legend, the kings of Kodagu spent their evenings here. But what's unforgettable about Raja's seat is the spectacular sunset that one can enjoy from here. A sophisticated musical fountain is also located here. Best timings for viewing the sunset and the musical fountains are from 17:30 to 19:30 Hrs. It is not always possible to see the sunset due to cloud cover. However, if you miss the sunset, an alternative is to visit the place early morning around 7am.
Tuesday Morning
You can take bus which start from Madikeri Bus Stand or book a taxi/auto for the ride
Talacauvery 43kms is the origin of Cauvery River from the Bramhagiri Hills. This place is treated as the holiest place in Kanataka. A small spring, Brahma kundike, situated 1276 m above sea level, marks the origin of the Caurvery, a temple was built on the spot where regular puja rituals took place. The temple is dedicated to Lord Agastheeswara, who is considered to be the link between great Sage Agasthya and river Cauvery. From Talakaveri, steps lead-up to the nearby Brahmagiri peak, where the seven great sages called the Sapta Maharishis performed a special yagna.
River Kaveri which is one of the 7 sacred rivers of Sapta Sindhus of the Hindu scriptures, originated at a place is called Talakaveri (head of Cauvery) in the Brahmagiri hills, at about 4,500 ft above sea level. This place is marked by a tirtha kundike or Brahma kundike (small spring/pond) from where the river emerges as a small perennial spring, but flows underground again to emerge a short distance away. It is about 48 km from Madikeri.
There is a shrine near the kundike and a big tank in front of it where devotees baths before offering prayers. There are 2 temples, a Shiva temple and with a rare and ancient Shiva Linga, and another temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. This temple has a holy Ashwantha tree where, according to legend, the Trimurtis - Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh gave darshan to sage Agastya.
Legends also has it that every year on Tulasankramana day Goddess Parvati appears in the Kundike as the sacred teerthodbhava. This occasion is marked by the sudden unsurge of water in the kundike and is considered very auspicious
From Talakaveri, 365 steps lead up to the nearby Brahmagri peak, where the 7 great sages called the Sapta Maharishis had performed a special yagna. From the peak, as well as on the drive to Talakaveri, tourists can enjoy a good view of the misty blue Brahmagiri hills. On a clear and sunny day you can view the glittering of the mangalore sea just before sunset.
Bagamandala - Temple and river confluence At a distance of 39 kms from Madikeri, 8 kms before reaching TalaKaveri, Bhagamandala is on the banks of the confluence of three rivers, Cauvery, Kannike and the sub terranian Sujyoti, popularly known as "Triveni Sangama". The famous Sri Bhagandeswara temple is located on the bank of the river over here. Pilgrims visiting Bhagamandala bathe (or sprinkle water on your head) in the Triveni Sangama, confluence of rivers and worship at the temple complex. Watch out for the wooden carvings in the temple. The subrahmanya idol in the temple is a swayambu and the temple was established by a rishi named Bhagamandala. The temple serves free lunch - you get rice, sambar and buttermilk. Not a lavish lunch, but a clean,simple vegetarian option instead of the poorly maintained restaurants in the neighbourhood.
Famous:-
Place to Stay: -
Best Time to Visit: - Throughout the year.
Eat: - Kadubu
Purchase:- Spice and Coffee
Do: -
Next:- Take Bus and move to Coorg before 2.00pm. It will take 8 hr to reach Bangalore Airport. You can also go to Mysore first and take FLYBUS to reach Bangalore Airport directly.
or
You can go to Mangalore Airport to reach to your destination
