[charanreddy]

Post my marriage last year I got to know from my wife and in-laws that they had a 'mannat' to visit Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple and Puttur Mahalingeswara temple with me !

Since then it was always bugging me to complete that mannat and it came in form of my 2014 year-end vacation where I planned not just the temples but a bit of relaxation in Coorg as well

My plan was to leave with wife and in-laws early morning (by my standards) at 8:00 AM on 2nd of Jan from Bangalore, visit Dharmasthala temple with overnight stay, and Puttur and Kukke Subramanya next day. We would then drive to Coorg, while my in-laws returned to Bangalore.

On 2nd June, we started at about 8:30 AM from BTM, through nice road to Nelamangala, Hassan, Belur, Mudigere, Charmadi Ghats and Dharmasthala. We took this route as there was a notification about Shiradi Ghat being closed.

Bangalore - Mysore Highway : Very good condition till about Belur. Belur area has some potholes, nothing serious though.



Near Mudigere.



Near Charmadi Ghat due to high traffic from closure of Shiradi Ghat, Jams were commonplace and this delayed our journey by further 3hrs.

We reached Dharmasthala at about 6:30 and took a room in Netravati Lodge maintained by the temple board.

A quick darshan at about 7:30 followed by a meal in the temple itself. We were also lucky enough to meet H.H. Sri Veerendra Hegde, head of the temple and take a photo with him.

Next day we started for Puttur Mahalingeswara at about 9:30 AM and after darshan left for Kukke Subramanya temple at about 12:00PM. We were lucky enough to get darshan before the temple closed for the morning at 1:30 PM.



From there we drove to Victorian Verandaz, our homestay at Coorg for the next 3 days .

Its a 108 acre Coffee plantation close to Madikeri. Its easily one of the best places I've ever been interms of both beauty and hospitality.









My Kindle, Coffee and Coorg : Great combination !



In Coorg we visited a few places. Talacauvery, Chelavara Falls and Abbeyfalls to name a few.

View from tala cauvery.



Sunset from Raja seat.



Chelavara Falls



We found these chaps at Abbey falls: Looks like they had a busy day too.



Some Shots from the Homestay. The owner also had an immaculately maintained LHD Willy's jeep.









On the way back, with a heavy heart we returned to Bangalore Via Hunsur and Mysore. Not before visiting this beautiful Buddhist temple near Kushal Nagar.