Skywatch Friday - Road to Pangong Lake, Ladakh

Some pictures always makes you take a relook and bring back the lovely memories of a trip. It is well known that Pangong Lake in Ladakh is an amazing place. What we liked more was the lovely journey to the lake from Leh through myriad hues of Ladakh landscape. 

Like the adage goes "It is the journey which matters, not the destination", it applies to any drives in Ladakh. More so to Pangong.

For more stories on Ladakh and details on visiting the place, please click this link in this blog.

Ladakh Diaries

Bandipur - Jungle is Alive!

We never get tired of visiting Bandipur.

There is always an aura of excitement when you plan a trip to a national park like Bandipur. Especially when you are visiting a park famous for its tigers. Anyone who has been to forests will agree that spotting big cats is anything but a chance. One has to be lucky. It is the excitement of looking for the elusive cat in its natural habitat which brings us back to Bandipur.

We were there last year and again in the month of may this year. The sightings were very good during this year's summer. Our plan to go during summer got delayed and mango showers had already arrived making sightings difficult. Nevertheless, the forest was alive with so many animals which made our day. We missed seeing the tiger. But we were treated with rare sighting of Leopard.

A picture is worth a thousand words!

This is a pictologue of us getting bewitched in the jungles of Bandipur. 

We get into our jeep for Safari as the sun comes up in the east 

I will also join you on the Safari!

Looking for my breakfast - Indian Grey Mongoose 

Motherly care!

Am i doing good? Peacock walk! 

Who's there? - Monitor lizard 

Click me now! Golden Tailed Mongoose

In Pensive mood - Langur

Barking deer 

Samba Deer

This was only the beginning. We were to get an experience of our lifetime - seeing Leopard in all glory and almost geting chased by a tusker!

We will share it in next Part. Stay tuned.

The Second part of our experience in Bandipur can be read by clicking the link below.

Bandipur 2 - Tale of a Big Cat!

Road Trip Vignettes - Lovely landscape around Mysore!

We could not wait to post this picture.

We were driving back from Mysore to Bangalore in the morning today. It had rained heavily on the previous night. The fields looked fresh as if they had taken a good shower!

We found this lovely landscape on the way to Bannur. This region is considered as "Rice bowl" of Karnataka. The paddy crop is ripening and getting ready for harvesting. When it is time for harvesting, the paddy fields turn golden yellow. The fields provide a beautiful contrast to the green colour of trees, grey flowers of Sugarcane and blue sky above. 

You will find such lovely landscape if you are driving during this time of the year in and around Mysore, Coorg and in Malnad region. Look out and enjoy these lovely colours.

Skywatch Friday - Gangaikonda Cholapuram

We have been to Brihadeshwara temple in Thanjavur many times. But every time, we have been to Thanjavur, somehow we used to miss another great temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram. This time we did not want to miss this. 

On the way back from Thanjavur, we stopped over at this great temple. It was around noon and the sky was clear with few clouds. The mighty tower seemed to be reaching the sky. 

A detailed post on Thanjavur will follow. Till then, if you are interested to know more about Chola temples you may click on this link.

Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Wiki

Skywatch Friday - Rejuvenation in Bandipur!

We were in Bandipur National Park in May this year. 

This year's summer was very severe in the forests of Bandipur and Mudumalai.  The forest department had to hire water tankers to fill the water holes. It was also the best time for spotting the big cats. Our aim was also doing just that. But when we decided to finally make it to the forests, couple of good mango showers had ensured there was enough water in the forest. This meant there was glim chance of seeing big cats. (However we were lucky to spot a leopard twice. We will write about it in detail later) But the forests had been rejuvenated. The leaves had sprouted on the dry trees and the forest was looking fresh and green.

When we were going on safari, we noticed this tree - not sure about the name - which was looking lovely with a clear sky for the background. The new leaves had sprouted and covered the complete tree. They looked like flowers from the distance. The tender leaves were crimson in colour which made the tree look beautiful. 

These are the small charms of wandering in the forests. If you are unlucky to miss seeing big cats, these little things help you go back with fond memories and luring you to return!

Road trip Vignettes - Refreshing Tender Coconuts on Ooty road!

Being roadtrippers, one thing we always relish during our drives is the "tender coconut". It is very refreshing and healthy. This is especially so when you drive anywhere in Karnataka when you will always come across a small roadside outlet selling tender coconuts. There is nothing beautiful about these places. 

But if you have travelled to Ooty from Mysore, you would have noticed the fascinating array of coconuts on the road. They are arranged like a pillar which is visible from a long distance enticing curiosity. When you come near, you realise that they are beautifully arranged tender coconuts. Having travelled many times on this stretch, we always stop at one of these places to savour it and refresh ourselves. 

Few months back, we did stop at this place near Nanjanagud. The coconuts were arranged beautifully and they looked aesthetically brilliant. We asked, Siddappa, the owner of the outlet what made him do this when many of his peers elsewhere just kept them. The answer was insightful. 

"We wanted to do something different from others and thought of this. Also it looks nice. Isn't it?"

 "Yes, it is. Has your business increased once you installed the "coco pillar"? 

"Yes, it has. people stop to check it out of curiosity and then ask for tender coconuts."

Any innovative idea, is always welcomed and so is Siddappa's others of his ilk on this road. Sure, it also helps him to earn few extra bucks as well!

Now you know where to stop when you drive to Ooty from Mysore. Stop at any othese places and and get refreshed!

Want to read more vignettes from our road trips? Please click here.

Road Trip Vignettes

India Travel Stories from others - Hema Ramprasad on "Mysore and Yoga"

Mysore, the cultural capital of Karnataka in South India is well known for its beautiful palace. Not many know that Mysore is also famous for its Yoga teachers and Yoga tradition. The famous Yoga Guru Sri B K S Iyengar is from Mysore. The city has a grand old tradition of imparting Yoga to discerning students.

We thought of sharing this excellent article by Ms Hema Ramprasad which is published in the latest issue of Indian publication of National Geographic Traveller. She has given lot of details which is very helpful for anyone looking for a "Yoga holiday" in Mysore. This is the best season to be in Mysore when the rains have come to an end and there is a nip in the air. The city still retains its laid back charm which is apt for a yoga holiday!

Read all about "Mysore and Yoga" by clicking this link. 

Head and Shoulders - A Journey through Mysore's Yoga subculture

For other related posts on Mysore, please click this link

Exploring Mysore