TRAVEL TO MYSORE AND COORG VIA BANGALORE
Dates: Oct 4, 2019 to Oct 10, 2019
Airlines: Indigo
Journey: CCU-BLR-CCU
Travel Agent: ACE CONSORTIUM at Ekdalia
Hotel: The President (Mysore), Madikeri Heritage (Coorg)
Climate: Mild
Rainfall: Moderate
Itinerary:
Oct 4 Journey from Kolkata to Bangalore
Journey from Bangalore to Mysore
Mysore Palace
Oct 5 Journey from Mysore to Coorg
Bylakuppe (Namdroling Monastery)
Cauvery Nisargadhama
Dubare Elephant Camp
Oct 6 Abbey Falls
Madikeri Fort
Omkareshwara Temple
Raja’s Seat
Oct 7 Bhagamandala
Talacauvery
Oct 8 Journey from Coorg to Mysore
Brindavan Gardens
Tipu Sultan’s Palace
Oct 9 Mysore Palace
Lalitha Mahal
Jaganmohan Palace
Melody World Wax Museum
Chamundi Hills & Chamundeshwari Temple
Oct 10 Journey from Mysore to Bangalore
Journey from Bangalore to Kolkata
Travelogue
The roads from Bangalore to Mysore are spectacular-smooth and picturesque. We reached Mysore in the evening and the lights were on at 7 pm. I have never viewed anything so regal and majestic as the Mysore Palace which when lit, basked in its glory. We were fortunate to visit Mysore during Navratri because the Palace is lit up only during this time. The Namdroling Monastery was a magnificent structure and the surroundings were very serene and calm. It is great as a meditation spot. Cauvery Nisargadhama had a scary bridge which swung in the wind. I could not overcome my fear and go to the other side. There were lots of greenery all around. In the Dubare Elephant camp, again there was a fearsome boat ride which could take us closer to the elephants but we chose not to take it. The Abbey Falls hike was a bit too much for us and so we stopped midway and viewed the Falls from afar. Raja’s Seat was a well-manicured garden with some stone animal sculptures. We did not get down at Omkareshwara Temple. Madikeri Fort was in ruins. We enjoyed the viewpoints at Bhagamandala and Talacauvery. Brindavan Gardens was breathtaking in its size and magnificence. We could not cover it in its entirety. Tipu Sultan’s Palace was dilapidated. There was a museum adjoining Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace and it was quite wellstocked with original weapons. The following day we had lunch at the well-decorated Lalitha Mahal. There was also a short horse-cart ride which we enjoyed thoroughly. We stopped at the Melody Wax Museum but the museum fell short of our expectations. We visited the Chamundi Hills and Chamundeshwari Temple stood tall in its ethereal charm. Jaganmohan Palace was closed when we visited it but still could feel the ethnic grandeur. The star attraction of this trip was the Mysore Palace which was grandiose, gorgeous and outstanding. The Hotel President was a very good hotel. Their President Special Ice Cream is to die for. Madikeri Heritage was strictly okay but it included dinner in the room tariff and that’s why it earned brownie points. Barring a little rainfall in Coorg, the weather was mostly in our favor. Special mention must be made of Vasu, our driver, who drove us for the round-trip from and to Bangalore and pepped up our journey with beautiful anecdotes and insights of a localite.
AninditaRoyMusings 