We have planend & took print outs from http://maps.mapmyindia.com and google earth on 23rd night. Packed laggauges. My son is 1yr 11 months old. Need more care & clothes.
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Destination : Somanathpura
On 24th Morning, we got up at 6AM. We were myself, my wife, my brother, my mother-in-law & my little son Samyak. I took out my Alto car at 7AM. We started at 7:05AM from my apartment at N.S.Palya, BTM 2nd Stage.
We took Banngergatta road south, filled full tank of petrol & checked air in all 5 tiers including extra tier. Turned right towards NICE road after Meenakshi Temple. It was 13 Rs toll till Kanakpura road & 17 Rs toll from Kanakpura road to Mysore road SH 17 junction. Now onwards on Bangalore Mysore Higway SH17. Good road.
We have stopped near Ramanagar for break fast. We had home prepared Palav.
We drove without stop till 'Mandya'. It was arround 103KM. We took left turn towards 'Bannur'. We have asked locals for directions. Bad road indeed. Very bad.. One need to take right turn just before reaching Bannur to enter Bannur town. Distance from Mandya to Bannur is 26KM. Then took left turn to get into road to 'Somnatpur.' Same bad road condition.
We reached at 'Somnatpur' at 10:30AM. The distance between Bannur & Somanatpur is 8Km. This is a magnificent Hoysala Temple. Very very beautiful. I liked very much.
Note that temple opens at 9:00AM & closes at sharp 5:30PM. Parking charge 10Rs. Entry fees 5Rs per Person. Toilets are available & well maintained.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somanathapura
We took some photos. I have attached one to inspire you the heritage!
Next Destination : SivanaSamudram
We started at 12PM towards Sivanasamudra. Signboard were present. Locals will help. We continued on same road till 'Gargeshawari' village. From there we took left turn. There are sign boards. Locals will help too.
From Gargeshawari one west-east straight road till 'SivanaSamudra' junction. But Roads are of very very bad condition. Thanks to elected MPS, MLAs, Ministers, DCs, District Ministers & those voted for these dummies. We have cursed many times to these guys. Maximun speed, one can reach is 23Km/Hr. In this strech we have traversed Hullamballi, Saraguru, BoppaGowdanapura, Belakavadi villages. Here only 7km road strech were at good condition just before Belakavadi village. Just before the 'Saraguru' village at 21KM from Somanathpura, there is a sign board towards south for Talakad. Remember this for way back towards Talakad.
The distance between Somanathpura to SivanaSamudra junction is 35KM. Near SivanaSamudra junction, one can see sign boards to 'Gaganachukki' North on NH 209 & 'Barachukki' South on NH 209. These two are names of sivanasamudra's west & east falls names.
We drove north on NH 209 towards Gaganachukki Falls. After travelling 4Kms, need to take right from NH 209 at one junction. Ask locals for help. On this road, there is a check post. There we need to register the vehicle number & number of visiting people. Then crossed the small bridge. We have reached Gaganachukki Falls Parking ground at 1:30PM. Paid 20Rs as Parking charge. The distance between SivanaSamudra junction & Gaganachukki is 9KM. Walked down to view point to see the falls. Not much water in falls. Suggestion:It is better to not to waste time here at Gaganachukki. Because Barachukki is a good place to spend more time. View point is very near to parking place. We had lunch at small restarant near by. 15Rs for Anna Samber. Dosas were also available. It is better to have lunch here as there is no restarants at Barachukki or any other place, even though it is little bit sub-standard. This is the not the right season to see mighty falls. One can visit this place just after Monsoon. August-November to enjoy mighty falls.
Photo at Gaganachukki.
Started towards 'Barachukki' at 2:20PM. Travelled back on same road till 'SivanaSamudra junction' as I mentioned earlier. Then again towards south. Cross the huge BRIDGE accoss Cavery river. We got a circle(junction), asked locals, observed sign boards. Took left. Again paid 20Rs as some road charge. Crossed a small bridge, then crossed 'Mandya Ranganatha Temple' and thought of visting temple while way back. One the way, one can take left to see again a Gaganachukki from Darga view point at 7KM from 'SivanaSamudra junction' . But it is not recommended as it is dangerous to see from the top of the falls. So we didn't go. Again back to road towards Barachukki. Reached Barachukki Falls Parking place at 2.55PM. The distance between Barachukki & 'SivanaSamudra junction' is 9KM. Here we paid no charge as we paid earlier for road charge. We climbed down to bottom of falls on steps. Very steep. 200 odd steps. Not recommded for elderly people. I took my son along with me. Difficult task to climb down with holding him. It looked like a pond of water at bottom of falls. Here I recommend that visitors should take extra pair of clothes with them before climbing down as one can enjoy river bathing depending upon the season(Avoid Mansoon). We took Coracle(Theppa in Kannada) ride. Charge was 100Rs per ride for 4 people. He took Coracle very very near to the falls. We had nice bath under the sprinkles of river Cavery water falling from top. Very very nice. After seeing we both & brother bathing, my son cried to have bath for him too. We made him to bath too. He enjoyed a lot. Bit cold. We took nearly 10 mins. Then again back to Coracle & to riverside. Now most difficult task to climb up with my son. I was able to carry him one third of the distance. Then my brother took him for next one third. By then I have lost all of my strength to climb up. I just slept there on steps as I could not climb up. I waited for 10 mins to recover the strength. My wife took my son for last one third. Finally reached the parking place. We started back from Barachukki at 4:30PM. On the way back we have visited 'Mandya Ranganath Temple'. Nice one. Sleeping Vishnu Idol is small compare to Aadi Ranganatha at Srirangapatna. I haven't visited yet Anthya Ranga at Srirangam in Tamilnadu. We travelled back again to Sivanasamudra Junction, crossing these 2 bridges.
Photos Barachukki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shivanasamudra
Next Destination: Talakad.
Then way back on same bad road till few killo meters after 'Saraguru' village, we took left turn at 14KM from 'SivanaSamudra junction', towards south as sign boards says Talakad some 10 Kms.
This road was better than earlier one. Just before Talakad, we got a junction at 4.50KM from Saragur Junction. we took straight towards Talakad. In this junction left towards 'Bettada Mallikarjuna' temple, we didn't go. Right means Cavery river at 50 Meters. On straight towards talakad, we got one more junction at 8KM from Saraguru Junction. Here right means towards Mysore. Near to juction, there is a petrol pump. This place we have noted for journey towards Mysore. We went straight towards Talakad Temples. Then got toll gate. Here we have paid 20Rs again. The toll guy asked for Guide for 120Rs. So we ignored him & went straight to reach at 'Vaidyanathee-shwara' temple at 6:20PM. The distance between Saraguru junctaion & Talakadu is 10KM. This is the main temple at Talakad. One guide approached us. He said 120Rs. We have bargained for 85 Rs. He agreed. This is too late as we have missed to see the Idol of "Keerthi Narayana Temple" as this temple belongs to Archeological Survey of India;closes at 5:30PM, mainly because of bad roads.
Guide took us on Sand Hill to show excavated temples from sand hill. Temples are Pathaleshwara, Maruleshwara, Keerthi Narayana Temple, Choudeshwari & 'Vaidyanathee-shwara'. He explained a Curse story of mythical Alamelamma as a reason for formation of sands. Here also one can have river bath. There is separate road to river Kavery where usualy people bath depending upon the season(Avoid Mansoon).
These temples belongs to Gangas,Cholas, Hoysala Dynasties.
Photos:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talakad
Some scientific analysis of sand formation: http://www.vikramsampath.com/royalmysore_excerpt_1.html
Next Destination : Mysore
We started towards Mysore at 7:30PM. Nearly 49Kms from Talakadu. We got into left, the road towards Mysore that I have mentioned earlier near petrol pump. The distance is 17Km to T.Narasimpur from Talakadu. We have crossed Cavery river bridge & Madapura village. This 17Km road stretch is worst among all roads, we have travelled so far. Max speed 20Km/hr. Since it was very dark at 7:30 & we were alone on this road, looked like very very scary. We were all waiting to reach T.Narasimpur. We toook right on Highway NH 212 which is nearly 1-2Km before T.Narasimpur Bridge. In T.Narasimpur Town Junction, we took right to cross bridge across river Kapila. Then Left towards Mysore road Highway 212NH. We have asked locals for help on directions. The distance between Mysore & T.Narasimpura is 32KM.
After travelling nearly 27KM on straight, no deviation on highway NH212, we have reached nearly outskirts of Mysore. Then at first junction, we took left as sign board says Mysore towards left. After reading every sign board of Palace routes at every junctions as we knew that Palace is at the center of city of Mysore. We reached city center at 9:30PM. While checking lodges as we didn't book earlier, we met a road side lodge agent. He offered to find a room. He gave a details of one hotel. He asked 20Rs. So we agreed. He came inside to our car. He checked that hotel. But no rooms were available. He checked with almost 15-17 Hotels. My brother accompanied him while checking. Finally we got a room at Hotel Luciya for 1500Rs plus Tax, near Prabha Theater. Agent asked us 150Rs. But we gave him 100 Rs, becacuse he did a wonderful job. Otherwise, it was very tough to find a hotel room at night 10PM, without knowing routes on peek long weekend days. We thought of returning to Bangalore also on frustration of not finding rooms. So learning is, book the hotel room in advance, if it is long weekend. The agent name is Shakeel Ahamad (9972650494). Very nice guy. One can call him, if you are at risk of not finding hotel rooms at Mysore.
Hotel was very decent 2bed + 1 bed AC. Family room. But problem of hot water. Night no hot water. Parking not enough space. Since we were the last one to occupy the room, we had to partk car on road. But secuity was assured by the gaurd of the hotel. We went for dinner at near by restarant near Prabha Theatre at 10:30PM. Then came back to hotel room, took bath & slept for the day. End of first day. A long journey. Exhausted.
Hotel Address : Hotel Luciya International
#1771, Sardar Patel Road(Old Bank Road), Near Prabha Theatre, Mysore 570 001
Ph : 0821-2420261, 2420461, 2420329, 4245596
email:mysore@luciyainternational.net http://www.luciyainternational.net/
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2nd Day at Mysore.
Next Visit : Chamundi Hills & Nandi
Morning we got up at 6AM. Took bath. But water was little bit hot. Not sufficient to recover from cold. No otherway also. We kept our laggage at hotel. Came out at 7AM. Had break fast at a restarant in front of the hotel. Started towards Chamundi Hills. There are enough road signs to have self guided. But keep in mind is that Chamundi Hills at south-east of Mysore.
Car can reach at top of the hill. Just before top of the hill, Toll gate. 10Rs. Here one road goes up & other road goes right towards Nandi. Remember this junction. Took road up. Reached top at 8AM. Parked car. Went for Chamudeshwari temple. Here the system is same as compare to Tirumala. Rich gets fast Dashana of goddess!!!. 3 types. 100Rs,very very fast. 20Rs less queue. Free means Hanuman tail. We took 20Rs queue!!!.
We came out of the temple. Took photos in front of Mysasura statue. Took car out of parking & came down till the toll gate. Stopped & saw the panoramic view of city of Mysore from Chamudi hills. One can see Palace, Phillomina Church.etc..
We took left towards Nandi. Big Bull. Had sugarcane juice. Nice taste. Then came down from Nandi on different route than the up root. Then we tought of visiting Palace. It was 9AM. But Palace opens at 10AM. So went to visit St.Phillomina Church.
Next Visit : St.Phillomina Church.
Very nice church. Church comes at north of the city. Ask locals for route. Note that church opens at 8AM for public.
Next Visit : Palace.
Then went for Palace visiting. Parked car at parking place. Long queue for tickets. 20Rs per ticket. Went inside the palace fort. Took photos out side of the palace. One cannot take camera inside the palace. There is camera locker inside the palace fort(entrance), but out side the palace towards right handside of the entrance. 5Rs for Camera locker. He will give card with key. Went inside the palace after removing footwares. 50 paise per each pair. Came out of the palace. There is one more little palace behind main palace. But it is not good as compare to main Palace. Near to 2nd Palace, there are Camel Rides & Elephant rides. 50Rs per person Elephant Ride & 20 Rs per person Camel Ride. We took both.. Nice experience. My son enjoyed a lot. Here one problem came. We wanted to take photos of rides. So I went back to camera locker & got the camera back & took the photos. So it is a better idea to get back the camera before getting into rides. One can ask these ride guys for path to collect camera from locker as this is little bit different than normal path. I went to locker to collect the camera & took photos. Came out from palace fort at 12PM. Now tough task to take the car out from parking place. All zig-zag parking. We had little heated fighting with other taxi drivers who parked their cars spaghetti way. Somehow managed to take out. 10Rs car parking charge. Came out from parking place at 12:30PM.
Then went for lunch. It is difficult find restarants near Palace. So we went near to Prabha Theatre & had nice veg lunch at near by hotel.
Next Visit : Zoo.
Now headed towards Zoo. Parking again a problem. We have parked the car at side of the road at 200 meters from the zoo entrance. Ticket price 25Rs per each person & 10Rs for Camera. Note that zoo opens at 8:30AM, closes at 5PM. We entered at 2PM inside the zoo. Very big zoo. Too much to walk. Because of peek noon, we were totally tired. There is only one short cut to finish it early. But we have to miss some animals. We have seen Giraffe, Tigers, Elephats, Zibra, forest bull, various of birds, snakes..etc.. We came out at 4:00PM & went to the hotel for rest.
Our plan of visiting zoo at noon was a wrong decision.
So Better plan according to open timings: Start at 7 towards Chamundi Hills, 9-11AM at Zoo, 11:30 to 1:30PM at Palace, Lunch, 2:30PM at Church, Reach KRS at 5PM. If still time left, one can visit Jagmohan palace too in between.
Next Visit : KRS Brindavan
We have checked out the hotel at 5PM started towards KRS Brindavan. One can ask locals for the route inside city. Later there are plenty of signboards every junction to get into KRS. On the way to KRS we had evening snacks. It was very much traffic jam all along the way. Full jam. One can't imagine the rush, the amount of people came in. Horible.. Looks like a very very big festival. Just before entering, one has to pass the bridge accross Kaveri. Very next to this bridge, there is a juction. Remember this juction for way back. Left road goes to KRS, right road goes to Pandavapura. Eventhough it was arrond 25 KMs from Mysore City, we have reached there at 7:30PM. Parking was a big problem. Can't imagine. We enquired guys over there that what to see inside. They said garden, garden lighting, Musical Fountain, Matha Kavery Temple & Dam. Morover lightings will be shutdown by 8:30PM. Please note that weekend lightings start at 5:30PM to 8:30PM. So it is better to be there by 4-4:30 on weekend evenings. Since we have reached at wrong timings, we thought of going back without visiting inside the garden. Some how took the car out, waiting on roads for 30 mins to get just car to pass on road. Pathetic. One has to have patience. I won't recommend for short tempered guys to visit there! I drove till the Bridge junction. After seeing the junction, I asked the policeman to route to Bangalore. He suggested to take left & go through Pandavapura to avoid trafic jam on normal road to Mysore or Srirangapattana (From Srirangapattana one can get into SH 17, Banaglore-Mysore Highway, without going to Mysore back). Now I heard first time 'Pandavapura', don't know the route. I checked the time, it was 8:15PM, ok locals would be available to guide, if stuck at any forthcoming junctions. Luckily, infornt of our car, a S.R.S travels bus was there. He took same route as police suggested us. Now we thought of following the bus. Good idea indeed. We thought, the bus will go either of Bangalore,Mysore or Hassan as normal judgement on north-east, south & north directions respectively. Roads were very nice. So it was very easy to follow the bus, evethough its speed was at 65Km/hr. We have reached near Pandavapur Railway station after following bus. There was railway gate infront us. Waited for 10 mins to open the gate. Then again followed the bus & reached SH17 Bangalore-Mysore Highway just before Srirangapattana from Bangalore side. Bus went to Mysore side, we took Bangalore side.
Now good drive on SH17. We stopped just before Mandya to have dinner at Hotel Haripriya. Filled 500Rs petrol too. Now at 10:30PM again started non stop till our home. We didn't take NICE road as it was at midnight. So we took outer ring road, Banasankari, Jayadev Fly over and reached home at 12:35AM. Meter reading was showing total of 494 Kms. Good Journey. End of 2nd Day. Approximate expenditure was 6500Rs including petrol, 1Rs maintenace per Km & rest all charges.
The road conditions & charges are as of 24-Jan-2009.
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