Weekend getaways Towards Mysore

Somnathpura can be covered in a day's trip from Bangalore. Somnathapura is about 175 kms from Bangalore towards Kanakapura.

Somanathpur which is in Mysore district, is famous for the Kesava temple. One of the last temples to be built by the Hoysala dynasty, Keshava temple is an archaelogically protected monument.

Somanathpur is named after the 13th Century minister, Soma, of the Hoysala King Narasimha III. It is a fantastic piece of art, with three identical shrines built on a raised platform.

The main diety is Keshava. There is no worship in the temple since the idols have been disecrated. Other deities include Janardhana and Venugopala.

This is a big banyan tree spread over 4 acres of land. The tree is said to be about 400 years old. It has spread so much through its branches taking roots in the ground that it cannot be said which one is the original trunk.

The tree has been decaying for a long time and several trunks/branches have got worn out. There are even termites at several places in the tree. However, it still presents a mesmerising sight. If you are staying in Bangalore, a trip to this place is a must :)

There are not many options to for eating. It's better to carry your own food. And be careful while eating there. There are several monkeys who are brave enough to snatch stuff from your hands. You can also feed the monkeys. Buy a packet of peanuts from there and give them peanuts one by one. They behave very gentlemenly when they know that the food in your hand is all theirs!

The place is off Mysore Road. Coming from Bangalore side, after approx 5kms after Kengeri, you will find the Rajarajeshwari Dental College to your right side. Take a right to the road next to the college, keep going straight for about 6kms approx.

Kanva reservoir is an artificial lake about 69 kms from Bangalore off the Mysore Road. It is made by putting a dam on Kanva river which is a tributary of Cauvery. It has been named after sage Kanva who lived in this area in the times of Ramayana.

It is a good place for one day picnic especially when it's not very sunny. You can take your car right upto the water front and enjoy a coracle ride in the reservoir.

About 3 kms from the dam, there is a temple of Purushotthama Thirtha (Gavi). It's an important pilgrimage center for Madhwa Brahmins.

Sholay was shot in Ramanagara (which was called Ramgarh in the movie). The reservoir from where Basanti starts a flight with Dhanno could be this.

Getting there: From Bangalore, head towards Mysore. After Ramanagara, there is Kamat Lokaruchi on the right. 1 km onwards, there is a break in the median. Take the right turn from there. There are also some boards showing the directions on the way.

Other places closeby: Janapad Loka and Magadi.

Bandipur National Park is a beautiful forest reserve located in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. This national park occupies a special place in India's efforts towards natural conservation. It was created in the 1930s from the local Maharaja Voodiyar's hunting lands, and named Venugopal Wildlife Park. The highest peak is Gopalaswamy hill. The main perennial rivers of the Reserve are Nugu, Kabini and Moyar.

The Bandipur National Park is covered with a mix of deciduous forests, evergreen forests and scrub, which is provided by the waters of the Moyar River. The major types of fauna in this reserve are the Asian elephant, gaur, sambhar, chital, mouse deer, four horned antelope, wild pig, black naped hare and the Indian porcupine. Apart from being home to the Asiatic elephant, Bandipur also has a large number of tigers, which count around 66 in number.

Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the 15 sanctuaries belonging to the Project Tiger Scheme launched in 1973, by the World Wide Fund for Nature                                                                                 

The Bandipur National Park is one of its own kind in Asia as it has huge elephant herds.

The Bandipur region is also rich in avian population.During summer, the backwaters of the Kabini Reservoir provide the best opportunity to the tourists to observe large mammals, especially the elephant and the gaur. The best time to spot elephant herds is in the rainy season.

The major attraction at Bandipur National forest is the Safari. Visitors make it a point to use the jungle safari at the national park since the facilities are one among the best.

The Safari is held under the guidance of the Forest Department and only forest department vehicles are allowed to go through the park during the nights.

Individual vehicles and roaming around in the park is strictly prohibited.

Forest department also maintains lodges and cottages at the Bandipur National park for visitor convenience, right inside the forest. The stay is pleasant with food provided inside the resorts.

There are few private players providing accommodation facilities, though outside the forest area.

The best season to visit would be from March-July and September-November.

The Bandipur National Park is 220 kms from Bangalore; 80 kms from Mysore and 80 kms from Ooty

Melkote (also known as Melukote), a historic town, is located at a distance of 50 km from Mysore. Melkote is situated in Pandavapura Taluk of Mandya district.

 Melkote is one of the holy places of Karnataka. It is built on rocky hills known as Yadavagiri or Yadugiri overlooking the Kaveri valley.  The famous  Vaishnava philosopher and teacher Ramanujacharya lived in this town for around 12 years in 12th century AD, and soon after Melkote became a center of learned community called Mandyam Iyengars, who were into scholarship of Sanskrit language, Vedas, and Indian sciences.

The main diety is Cheluvanarayana Swamy, the idol of which is believed to have been worshipped by Lord Rama and His son Kusha.

Vairamudi Utsav or Vairamudi festival

This temple of Melkote is popular for its Vairamudi Utsav, which is held in the month of March/April, the procession idol of Cheluvaraya Narayana Swamy is decorated with a diamond crown and taken out in procession. The Vairamudi utsav, which is the chief annual celebration, is witnessed by more than 4 lakh people.

A sanskrit college, Sri Veda Vedantha Bodhini Sanskrit Mahapathashala which was established as early as in 1854, is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the state

How to reach Melkote

Melkote is around 150 kms from Bangalore and 50 kms from Mysore.

From Bangalore: Take the Mysore road

Bangalore -> Channapatna -> Mandya-> (After Mandya take a right) -> Melkote

Buses are available from Bangalore to Melkote. Alternatively, one can take bus to Mandya or Pandavapura and then go to Melkote

From Mysore:

Mysore -> Srirangapata (Take a left after crossing second Kaveri bridge) -> Pandavapura -> Jakkanahalli Cross -> Melkote

Buses are also available from Mysore to Melkote.

Other places around Melkote

Melkote Wildlife Sanctuary located around Melkote is home to wolves, jungle cats, leopards and numerous indigenous species of birds

Shravanabelagola (40) and Mysore (50) are close to Melkote

Food at Melkote

Though there are some restuarants and Iyengar Mess in Melkote, nothing like a good tasty food in one of the priests' house.

Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta is located in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka and is part of Bandipur National Park.

Being in Bangalore, you havent seen anything, if you havent visited Gopalaswamy Betta

The name - Himavad meaning fog, as the hill be covered with fog almost through out the year, even during peak summer. And Gopalaswamy, beacause of Krishna temple. This temple was built in early fourteenth century by Cholas. And main speciality of the place is wild elephants which can be seen in herds.

Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta enveloped in mist, are literally an abode in the clouds giving one an ethereal feeling of walking in them. As the mist rises from the hillock, the surroundings become visible offering breathtaking glimpses.

Parched at a height of 1454m, the hill top is the tallest peak in the Bandipur National Park range. Far more wooded and quiet than many other hill stations, Gopalaswamy Betta boasts of many scenic valleys, gorges and hills like Neeladri, Hamsadri, Garudadri, and Mallikajunagiri. Abounding in rare flora, the region is virtually a storehouse of medicinal plants.

How to reach Gopalaswamy Betta

Gopalaswamy betta is around 220 kms from Bangalore, and 70 kms from Mysore.

Bangalore - Maddur - Mysore - Gundlupet - Gopalaswamy Betta. From Gundlupet, Gopalaswamy betta is around 10 kms. The roads are not great, but picturesque.

There are also KSRTC buses available from Bangalore to Gopalaswamy Betta.

Entry fee is collected  at the forest depeartment checkpost at foot of the hill.

Food and accommodation at Gopalaswamy Betta

There is no food available at Gopalaswamy Betta. The nearest food is at Gundlupet.

Tourists are not allowed to stay at the hill top after 5 and the temple is also closed. There is a forest department guest house on top of the hill, but accommodation is difficult to get.

Trekking at Gopalaswamy Betta

Being in the middle of Bandipur National park and surrounded by natural hills and forest, Gopalaswamy Betta is a trekker's paradise. The walk in the forest and on the hill gives a feeling of walking through the clouds.

Although forest department needs to be notified about formal treks inside the forest, an informal walk behind the temple is allowed.

For a full-fledged day-long trek in the Gopalaswamy Betta, forest department permit is required and should be accompanied by a forest guard. Most of the times, trekkers pass-by elephants and wild animals.

Places near Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta

Bandipur National Park, Mysore and Ooty are close to Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta

Remember Sholay? Gabbar Singh walking up and down a hillock and the horses passing through a rocky path? That's Ramadevara Betta for you :)

It's very close to Ramanagaram off Bangalore Mysore highway. There is a Rama temple atop the hill and hence the name Ramadevara Betta. Betta is Hill/hillock in Kannada.

Shivanasamudra, the closest waterfall around Bangalore. Situated, at around 120 kms from Bangalore, Shivanasamudra offers adventure and serenity.

The river Kaveri forms splits into two and drops over a cliff and joins again forming the island town of Shivanasamudra. Ganganachukki and Bharachukki are the two water falls.
Ganganachukki is the one that attracts tourists at a large number, as it is also the bigger of the falls.
Shivanasamudra also boasts of the first Hydro-electric power station in Asia, set up way back in 1902.

What can you do near Shivanasamudra?
Go for a trek down the falls; one can go till the bottom of the falls
Go for a coracle ride
Visit nearby temples - Shivanasamudra belongs to the Madhya Ranga -the second of the Ranganatha temples on Kaveri basin, the first being Srirangapatna and the third being Tiruchi
Just relax and enjoy the beauty of the green paradise, bathe in the stream, and inhale fresh air

How to reach Shivanasamudra

Take the Bangalore-Mysore Road; After Maddur Bus Stand, take a left towards Malavalli to reach Shivanasamudra

Alternativley, take the Bangalore-Kanakapura Road; After Kanakapura, take a right to reach Malavalli and then to Shivanasamudra

Food and Accommodation at Shivanasamudra

Food is available at a hotel at Shivanasamudra/Gaganachukki; no accommodation is available. Maddur is the best place for food though.

Places around Shivanasamudra

Talakadu is 30 kms from Shivanasamudra and further is Somanathpura