Since last 2 years I was planning this trip for Dusshera and due to other trips it got pushed to the next year.
The festivity brings out the Beauty of a city on a whole different level, the city is rejoicing on the whole celebrating a festival as big as Dusshera.
A dear friend of mine is based in Bangalore so I landed in Bangalore and after some random mall walking and restaurant nik nakking we packed up for Mysore and Bandipur forest.
We hit the road once again to reach our next destination which was Bandipur forest. We had chosen Windflower Resort for the weekend. We got all settled and after some time decided to go have some tea at the Serai Resort which was about 20 mins from where we were. The drive to go was easy and our hot chocolate and snacks were refreshing after the long day. The return drive to our resort was a bit shaky as there is no signal nor light and it was in the middle of the jungle and we got a little off the track but, nevertheless reached the resort safely. We were asked to get into our condos before 8pm - which we figured out why- there was a herd of deers who were passing by and we rushed into our rooms.
The next day we first went on a trek which was quite exciting as just the previous day a wild cat the size of a leopard was spotted. but as far as it went for us - we only saw some birds and fox. Later I got into the pool which was not only my way to relax but also a pond for the deers who came there silently to quench their thirst as I quietly floated.
We took the 3pm jungle drive where we were lucky to spot a pair of cheetah besides a herd of elephants, wild bulls, ox, peacocks, snakes and deers are the most common animals to see there.
It was our last day and we just wanted to relax, so my friend chose to go on the trail trekking and I got into the pool. We had an unwinding day and didn't do much.
Next day we were all set to leave by noon and reached Bangalore by evening.
The highway was a bit clogged but we managed.
We were back to the hustle bustle of city life and routine. Next day I took a flight back to Hyd and that was a memorable end to a much awaited Dussera vacation.
The festivity brings out the Beauty of a city on a whole different level, the city is rejoicing on the whole celebrating a festival as big as Dusshera.
A dear friend of mine is based in Bangalore so I landed in Bangalore and after some random mall walking and restaurant nik nakking we packed up for Mysore and Bandipur forest.
Early next morning we jumped in our car and hit the road. After about 1:30 min of driving it was time to change guards and for me to take wheel but not on an empty stomach, so we stopped over at the popular Kamat Lokaruchi restaurant which was quite crowded even on a week day morning. They have a buffet system with a fixed menu with a plate full, including puri-subji, fresh hot idly, wada and dosa, fruits, typical pongal and sweet rice, and not to forget juice, tea coffee and milk and top it up delicious pineapple halva. That menu is just for breakfast and is sinfully yummy and high caloried but also would be a sin to not taste the Karnatik cuisine.
With a mission to reach Mysore in time for the festival we hit the highway, which was a great drive. We collected our passes from an acquaintance and checked in to our hotel and rushed off in a auto to the Mysore Palace. Today was the grand finale day of the 10 days Dusshera festival and the whole city was invited. The road diversions the well lit streets, the hustle bustle and the security check were all adding to the fun. We reached the palace in good time and probably were the last to enter and we ran passed the grand corridors of the palace, going through various levels of security checks. We got lucky to get passes for the tent just opposite to the grandstand and a direct front row seats to see the procession and the performances. It is a mini parade with dancers, musicians, and huge tablos heavily decorated depicting the advancements in the city over the year. This parade is a mini version of the 26th January parade that happens in Delhi. In the Finale there are 3 well embellished elephants and on one of them the Chamundeshwari Devi is seated on a small golden temple like throne which is magnificently escorted by the women and men cavalry who march pass at the tune of the typical army beats. The march pass parades to the end of the field and on their return they stop at the King's stage where the King paid his respects and offered some flowers. It was an experience.
The crowd is well handled and were quite organised in their descent after the programme. In the evening we couldn't resist visiting the Lalitha Mahal Hotel where we took loads of pics over tea. The grandeur of its presence is maintained and it still has the old rustic chram. The brightly lit Mysore Palace by the evening was a marvel to watch (Its lit up for only one hour). There is a fireworks show and another parade by the evening at a different venue.
The next day we were scheduled to reach our resort at Bandipur but it would be a shame if we had left without taking a tour of the Mysore Palace. So we took the tour and it was heavily crowded right from the start to finish, but absolutely worth the wait. The Palace is well maintained and has an absolute royal feel to it. The chandeliers, the flooring, the walls, the carpets, the staircase and everything there was. The stands from where the king appeared the previous day- were huge and the view was panoramic.With a mission to reach Mysore in time for the festival we hit the highway, which was a great drive. We collected our passes from an acquaintance and checked in to our hotel and rushed off in a auto to the Mysore Palace. Today was the grand finale day of the 10 days Dusshera festival and the whole city was invited. The road diversions the well lit streets, the hustle bustle and the security check were all adding to the fun. We reached the palace in good time and probably were the last to enter and we ran passed the grand corridors of the palace, going through various levels of security checks. We got lucky to get passes for the tent just opposite to the grandstand and a direct front row seats to see the procession and the performances. It is a mini parade with dancers, musicians, and huge tablos heavily decorated depicting the advancements in the city over the year. This parade is a mini version of the 26th January parade that happens in Delhi. In the Finale there are 3 well embellished elephants and on one of them the Chamundeshwari Devi is seated on a small golden temple like throne which is magnificently escorted by the women and men cavalry who march pass at the tune of the typical army beats. The march pass parades to the end of the field and on their return they stop at the King's stage where the King paid his respects and offered some flowers. It was an experience.
The crowd is well handled and were quite organised in their descent after the programme. In the evening we couldn't resist visiting the Lalitha Mahal Hotel where we took loads of pics over tea. The grandeur of its presence is maintained and it still has the old rustic chram. The brightly lit Mysore Palace by the evening was a marvel to watch (Its lit up for only one hour). There is a fireworks show and another parade by the evening at a different venue.
We hit the road once again to reach our next destination which was Bandipur forest. We had chosen Windflower Resort for the weekend. We got all settled and after some time decided to go have some tea at the Serai Resort which was about 20 mins from where we were. The drive to go was easy and our hot chocolate and snacks were refreshing after the long day. The return drive to our resort was a bit shaky as there is no signal nor light and it was in the middle of the jungle and we got a little off the track but, nevertheless reached the resort safely. We were asked to get into our condos before 8pm - which we figured out why- there was a herd of deers who were passing by and we rushed into our rooms.
The next day we first went on a trek which was quite exciting as just the previous day a wild cat the size of a leopard was spotted. but as far as it went for us - we only saw some birds and fox. Later I got into the pool which was not only my way to relax but also a pond for the deers who came there silently to quench their thirst as I quietly floated.
We took the 3pm jungle drive where we were lucky to spot a pair of cheetah besides a herd of elephants, wild bulls, ox, peacocks, snakes and deers are the most common animals to see there.
It was our last day and we just wanted to relax, so my friend chose to go on the trail trekking and I got into the pool. We had an unwinding day and didn't do much.
Next day we were all set to leave by noon and reached Bangalore by evening.
The highway was a bit clogged but we managed.
We were back to the hustle bustle of city life and routine. Next day I took a flight back to Hyd and that was a memorable end to a much awaited Dussera vacation.
No comments:
Post a Comment