The Journey to Mysore
Due to some work we started only later in the day around 12:30 PM on saturday from Banglore, occupants dadu and family (2+1). In the meantime I got the air checked 30 PSI front, 35 PSI rear and withdrew some
cash.
Faced slight traffic to reach the Mysore road and the Sun was on its glory, facing us.
The view near Maddur
The Safari
The Road
SH17 is extremely good till the end, apart from those barriers and speed rumblers across the whole
route everything about it is perfect.
Stopped at Indra Dhanush (Kamat was too crowded) for some grub ordered some Maddur Vada and Idlis
and then moved on. Spent some 45 min there.
Srirangapatnam
Took the diversion towards Gumbaz, resting place for the Tiger- Tippu Sultan and his family +
Warrior generals.
Hired a Guide to explain the place and architecture in detail. Took some 30-45 min to cover the place and then my wife and kid indulged in some horse riding outside, while I clicked.
Gumbaz
You can also see the Tipu Fort and Sangam (on same road) but we decided to move on to Mysore.
Mysore
I had already booked at Dasprakash Paradise and it took us some time to find the hotel as its not in the city, but on the outskirts so we had to see the Bus stand and railway station before reaching the hotel.
Hotel is big and location is good with ample parking space and calm surroundings. Checked-in around
5 PM, ordered some coffee and snacks.
Asked the reception for directions to Vrindavan Gardens and moved out by around 6:15 PM.
Vrindavan Gardens (KRS dam)
Its a long Journey to the dam, even more so for people staying into the city and the road is not good, but anyhow reached there around 7:15 PM.
The tickets are endless, toll ticket, camera ticket,
your ticket, moved in, its a long walk to the garden, so decided to take the ferry service through water (Rs 7, one way).
View from ferry
Started clicking pictures as it was already dark and couldnt see much beyond the garden lights.
Near one of the popular photo-spots they also check your camera ticket, so dont forget, but the
lights are dim, so you can hardly make out what written, as long as the ticket colour is pink, it
works.
The Garden with fountains
After few photo shoots went onto the Light & sound fountain, took a seat and waited for it to start. When it started it was good, you could also hear the whistles and hooting of the crowd as songs changed from one to another.
The Musical Fountain
That was the last show so, we moved out slightly before 8 PM to avoid the rush, took the ferry back and then there are hordes of people selling you one thing or the other.
Passed many cars moving at snails pace, stopping for those small rumblers but I glided through although not
very fast over them. Its extremely dark and difficult to spot the potholes. Reached hotel slightly before 9:00PM, ordered milk and food, freshened up and crashed into bed by 10.
Wokeup early on Sunday, around 7:45 AM, ordered tea, got ready, ordered breakfast and we were out of the room by 8:30 AM, took directions from the reception.
Chamundeshwari
The drive to Chamundeshwari was like the hills and the first hilldrive for my Safari, enjoyed it. Now there is a toll booth if you want to goto the temple but if you want to see the big Nandi bull, no need to pay the toll, just move onto the right diversion, its a one way, so you will reach back down and have to climb again if you change your mind later for the temple.
We went to the temple and parked, now just like everywhere normal darshan, Special darshan(Rs 20)
and direct darshan (Rs100), choose and pay as you feel comfortable, we took the special darshan, bit faster than normal but still 15-20 min in the queue.
Temple
Took the blessings and then came back to turn onto the Nandi bull road.
Nandi Bull
The view is extemely good on downhill and you can see the Mysore Palace and Race Course from here, if the sky is clear.
Race Course & Mysore Palace
The Zoo
On the way to Zoo took a wrong turn and got lost, asked some people and then back in lane, reached the Zoo, parked the safari under a tree.
The Main Attractions
Chimps & Gorilla
Rhino
After finishing the tour, reached hotel at around 1 PM, ordered food, ordered coffee.
Checked out by 3:00PM, reached home by Sunday, 5:30 PM, no stops inbetween.
Hotel Ratings- The (dasprakash) Paradise
Room - Average
Service - Good
Location - Good
Parking - Available
:D I see the travel bug has bitten you.
Wish you many more such adventures in your silver shadow. I'm sure there will be more, because this vehicle just makes you WANT to travel.
Next trip - Coorg.
Hey Dadu, wow nice travelogue and great pictures.
oh god, I was also there last before weekend. Was thinking of posting some pics here. Mysore is fabulous for a leisurely travel. The road to chamundeswari was a beauty to climb on. But to KRS, the roads are very bad.
\\HKP
Nice family trip and good pics too. Which camera did you use?
Nice writeup and sounds like you have had a good weekend.
That looks like the Lalith Mahal Palace hotel and not the 'Mysore Palace'.
