After residing in Bengaluru (or Bangalore) for 2 years, I had tried
exploring it as much I can. Since it is blessed to be in midst of hills
on all 4 directions, it enjoys probably “the best” metro climate. And
ofcourse, gives away lot of hills and rivers and viewpoints to explore. I have
finally
decided to put down- “Places to visit in Bengaluru” and will start with
the most recent visited ones from Bangalore Southà
#1. Omkar hills
 |
| Omkar Hills |
#1. Omkar hills
This place is said to be the highest point in Bangalore. It
is in RajaRajeshwari Nagar. When driving on Mysore Road from Bangalore, take the
left at Uttarahalli Main Road, drive past the BGS Apollo hospital and then take
the right next to JSS College. This road goes to the top of Omkar Hills. Omkar
Hills has a dwadasha jyothirlinga (caution: elders are bound to get more & more
devotional/emotional/sentimental!) temple and Ashram which was founded by Shri
Shivapuri Mahaswamiji.
You’ll enjoy the strong breeze here and the panoramically
view of the city is super awesome. Just behind the temple is world's second
largest clock, said to be bigger than the Big Ben, the clock
tower in London,
and its making took two years.
 |
| Dodda Alada Mara |
Upon climbing a few steps you can see an old banyan tree
surrounded by statues (Ramanujacharya, Shankaracharya, Madhwacharya, Jesus,
Koran, Buddha, Mahaveera and the Guru Granth Sahib) representing various
faiths/religions and singing aloud strong message of unity in equally strong
blowing wind.
#2. Dodda Alada Mara or Big Banyan Tree
This tree is a giant 400 year old located in the village of Kettohalli.
Before you google this village, it is really easy to access the place if you
can identify a small road next to Rajarajeshwari Dental college (near Kumbalagod
junction)! This single plant covers 3 acres. In the 2000s, the main root
of the tree
succumbed to natural disease, and thus the tree now looks like many different
trees with over thousand aerial roots.
 |
| Manchinbele Dam |
The tree has fenced boundaries, and benches for people to
sit. There is a small shrine, many monkeys, some lays and soothing shades- good picnic
place indeed!
#3. Manchinbele Dam
This beautiful dam is constructed by Sir M Visvesvaraya which is around 9 km s further ahead from Big Banyan tree (don't miss the left at Chandrappa Circle). River Arkavathi
forms the back waters of the Manchinbele Dam. You’ll find a couple or two
government appointed watchman’s eating your head and money! This place suffers from govt.’s poor tourism showcasing- not much publicity, no maintenance, lack of connectivity, lack of proper security and lifeguards. Apart from that,
really wonderful place to be!
 |
| On Top of Dam |
#4. Ruppi’s Hotel & Resort
This is a place run and owned by Kannada film industries
famous Real Star, Upendra. I visited this place for a short snack after
visiting Dodda Alada Mara and Manchinbele Dam. This is just a km away from Dodda
Alada Mara. Onion pakoda and onion rings that we ordered along with the chai
were just delicious. Interiors, cottages, playgrounds and restaurants- all have
looked good to me in my first impression. I have promised myself to visit this
place again to explore!
 |
| Ruppi's Hotel & Resort |
I recommend you to cover all 4 places mentioned above in the
order- 2,3,4,1! Will take less than half a day and to be at Omkar hills at
around 7.30pm will be the best thing to do! It’ll energize you for the rest of
the coming week, guaranteed!
No greens,
Cloudy & Chirpy,
I set out to search,
White flowers...
Bangalore had Blossomed,
Red flowers...
Green flowers...
Blue flowers...
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for leaving a kind word at each offering,
it is in this generosity that a true sense of
belonging is born. [Lines from Rebecca's blogpost]