Banglore

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Get yourself an Ayurvedic massage at the Ayurveda Gram Spa Village (Tel: 5765 1090) Explore the colourful, crowded lanes of Chikpet, Brigade Road and Commercial Street and feast your eyes on the city?s hippest crowd. Brigade Road and other major commercial centers in Bangalore, are a slice straight out of America. Eat the butter masala dosas at the Darshinis and Shanti Sagars spread across the city. Rent a bicycle or just walk around the city in the early morning hours. The busiest of roads never look more peaceful and grand. The Laser shows at Nasa on Church Street are big crowd pullers. A do not miss! Visit the Jakkur Aerodrome and watch planes and helicopters taking off. There are air shows held here sometimes and if it is happening while you are here, DO NOT miss it. Akin to a carnival in the sky, you can catch the MiG?s, Mirage and Sukhoi fighter planes, the much sought after Hawks, all indulging in sky robotics. Around sunset, you could take a drive along the Koramangala ring road, armed with some snacks and coffee, park yourself and watch planes take off and the traffic go by peaceful. It is breathtaking. Cubbon Park Cubbon Park is one of the largest and most green areas in Bangalore. There is an imposing red Gothic structure within this park called the Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall, which houses the public library. Walking distance from here are the High Court, Government Museum, Technology Museum, aquarium and the Jawaharlal Bal Bhavan. Lalbagh Started by Hyder Ali in 1760 and completed by Tipu Sultan, this 240-acre landscaped park is home to some very rare species of plants. The Glass House, inspired by the Crystal Palace in London, is the venue for the bi-annual flower show. Lalbagh is about 4 km from the Vidhana Soudha in the beautiful residential layout of Jayanagar. Entry to the park is free between 6 am and 9 am and 6 pm to 7 pm. ISKCON Temple – Must Watch For cycling enthusiasts Bangalore has plenty of biking areas. A number of rental outlets are based in the city, if your hotel doesn't provide one. You could contact Bangalore Aerosports and join other cycling enthusiasts on a trip around the city. 9845213374 Museum M.G.Road – Club. KFC (McDonald) , Musical Garden, Kids Camp.

MySore : Entertainment To catch the latest releases, check out Chamundeshwari Talkies (Sayyaji Rao Road, Tel: 2520732), Gayathri Talkies (Chamaraja Road, Tel: 2443568), Lido (Chandragupta Road, Tel: 2420885) and New Opera Talkies (Curzon Park Road, Tel: 2443386). Visit the Devaraja Fruit and Vegetable Market. A typical Indian market square, it makes an ideal subject for photography, with its rainbow palate ofcolours, people, animals, smells and sounds. Stretching all the way through Sayaji Road, this market is a great place to view the local life and people. Make a trip to the Folklore Museum in the Mysore University Campus. It contains exquisite exhibits from rural areas, including wooden houses, masks, leather puppets, ceremonial dresses and more. Visit the Sri Ranga Pavilion. It houses two royal coaches that formed part of the train of Maharaja of Mysore, reflecting the era of bygone splendour. Interestingly, the beautifully carved wooden pillars, doors and balustrades from the old Srirangapatna Railway Station have been used in the construction of this pavilion. Nightlife Mysore is just breaking out of the traditional mould and night life is still quite young. The most popular is Planet X, an Egyptian style hookah bar at the foot of the Chamundi hills. Just Blues is another local favourite. Most watering holes around the city close by 11pm. Kidding around GRS Fantasy Park On the way to Brindavan Gardens, there are water games, amusement rides, kid's pool and a food court here. You can also shake a leg at the discotheque here. WonderlaAround 28 km from Mysore, it makes for a great weekend getaway with its funfilled water rides and sports. The Lazy River and its waves will engulf you in a rhapsody you do not want to get out of. Wonderla Bamba, Techno Jump, the House of Horrors, and Y-Scream are some unforgettable rides. The laser show on Sunday is a big draw. Fun FortTheme rides, an aqua dance floor, play pools, an African settlement, Baghdad Street, Egyptian art, and amphitheatre ensure the fort is indeed fun. Fun Fort is located in the heart of Srirangapatnam on the Bangalore-Mysore Highway Planet XThe locals vouch it is the best entertainment complex in the city. About 5 km from the zoo and close to the Lalitha Mahal Palace, it offers Go- carting, bowling, video games, and several restaurants

* Activities Islands and Lakes Blue Lagoon Hire an auto from Brindavan Gardens to this picturesque island created in the backwaters of the KRS Dam. But be careful when stepping in, there are tiny whirlpools. Blue Lagoon is 2 km from KRS Dam. Kukkaranahalli Lake For more fun by the waters, drive to this lake in Manasa Gangotri. Frequented by bird watchers, water sport enthusiasts and nature lovers, it offers boating facilities. The lake is close to the railway station and the city bus stand, so commuting is easy. Karanji Lake At the foot of Chamundi Hills and close to the city center, the lake is home to over 90 species of birds. It also houses India's largest walkthrough aviary. There are boating facilities available. The lake is open all days except Tuesdays. Chunchanakatte Falls Watch the Aghanashini River create this water cascade which screams down from a height of about 450 feet. It is near Yellapur, 19 km from Mysore. Called Mini Niagara, Gokak Falls is another pretty sight. Though only a 170 feet fall, it is famous for its spread and shape. The Falls must be visited in July-August when it is in full force

Gardens and Sanctuaries Krishna Raja Sagar Dam and Brindavan Gardens You have just got to see these. About 15 km from the city, this dam has been built across the Kaveri. The brain child of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV and completed with help from Sir. M. Vishwesharaya, it is still considered an engineering marvel. The Brindavan Gardens are laid out below KRS, using the water from the dam. Stay on till dusk, when the garden is lit up and the dancing fountains begin their tricks. Jayachamrajendra Zoological Gardens One of the best and largest zoos in India, the JZG has more than 2,000 species of animals and birds. It has reproduced some rare and endangered animals in captivity. The zoo is open 8 am-5pm and the entry fee is Rs. 10 for adults and Rs. 5 for children. It is about 15 km northeast of Mysore city on the Mysore-Bangalore State Highway.

Palace and Museums Mysore Palace Mysore's biggest attraction, this was from where the Wodeyars ruled over their thriving empire. Don't miss out on the main Durbar Hall (Diwan-e-Khas) and the Personal Durbar Hall, the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Siddalinga Swamy and K. Venkatappa are rare visual treats. You can visit the palace daily between 10 am and 5.30 pm. The entry fee is a nominal Rs. 15 per head. Photography is prohibited and shoes have to be left outside. The palace is lit up entirely between 7 pm and 8 pm on Sundays and public holidays and also during the 10 days of Dasara celebrations. Jaganmohan Palace and Art Gallery Take a peek at the state and personal memorabilia of the Wodeyars

and a collection of rare musical instruments. The Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery attached to the palace has a rich haul of Ravi Varmas and Roerichs. You can also see traditional gold leaf paintings of Mysore. The Jaganmohan Palace, incidentally, was built in 1861 as an auditorium for the royal family. Talakad Once the capital of the Ganga Dynasty, the Archeological Survey of India is now unearthing a whole lot of temples submerged in the sands of the Kaveri here. The river bank makes an ideal picnic spot. There is also a temple to Shiva as Vaidyeshwara.

Religious Places Chamundi Hills No trip to Mysore is complete without a trip up these hills. It is the abode of the all powerful Goddess, Chamundi or Chamundeswari. There is a motorable road in addition to the 1000 steps which takes you to the top of the hills. The climb is steep, but worth the trouble as it gives unparalleled view of the city. The famous 5-m high Nandi (Lord Shiva's bull) carved out of a single boulder is half-way up the hill. Regular buses ply the route from Mysore uphill. St. Philomena's ChurchThis impressive Gothic structure is one of the largest churches in India. There are two towers, shooting to a height of 165 feet each. Festivals Dasara (October/November) Mysore is synonymous with Dasara (Dusshera). Religious and cultural programmes mark the 10-day-long celebrations. Tourists from India and abroad come to the city to witness it. Yugadi (April) The Kannadiga new year day of Yugadi is celebrated with equal devotion and delight as Dasara. Mysore also celebrates festivals like Makara Sankramana, Ramanavami, Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali and Christmas.

OOTY Must See, Must Do • • • • •

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Visit the flower show and feel yourself enveloped by a swathe of intoxicating fragrances. Chug along in a train journey that will imprint itself on your mind with the breathtaking views it offers. Pick up a hamper of home-made chocolates, fudges and preserves for your loved ones. Mingle with the industrious tea workers while strolling through the famous tea gardens. Pay obeisance to nature that exists in the form of a million year old tree fossil at the Botanical Gardens. Activities Lake Ooty Lake Boating is most popular in this artificial lake dredged out as an irrigation tank by John Sullivan, the first collector of Ooty. The garden, snack bars, and pony rides ensure there's plenty of crowd around here. Gardens Rose Garden Roses, roses and more roses. That is the famed rose garden. Ever heard of black and green roses Well, this rose garden has them. Keep your cameras ready, for folks back home may think you are pulling a fast one! The roses here come in all fragrance and have over 2,000 varieties; this is the largest collection one can find in the country today. Botanical Gardens The famed Botanical Garden in Ooty is home to some rare species of trees and herbs. Don't miss the million year-old tree fossil kept here. A rare sight indeed. Museum & Hill Top Government Museum Set up in 1989, it showcases arts and artifacts of the local Toda tribe. It's open 10.00 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm, all days except Fridays and second Saturdays. Hills If you think that Ooty is one of the highest points, we would like to correct you! At a height of 2,623 metres, Doddabetta Peak is the highest point in that part of the hills. It is about 10kms form Ooty town centre. Yes, do take a trip to the mist covered summit of Doddabetta, on a relatively clear day the view it offers is amazing! You can see the plains of Coimbatore out there in a distance and also the Mysore Plateau

Religious Places St. Stevens Church Founded in the 1820s, this is one of the first colonial structures in Ooty. The cemetery has the graves many of Ooty's famous names. Kandal Cross Catholics believe the church has a relic of the True Cross on which Jesus was crucified, and they say it can cure the sick. Union and Holy Trinity Churches The two churches contain beautiful stained glass windows. There are plaques listing the battalions that frequented the church. The quiet cemetery is also worth a visit. Festivals Ooty seems to have a festival for every season. Come May and it's time for the Summer Festival and the famous flower show. Tea and Tourism Fest happens in January. The popular religious fests are Taipoosam in the Elk Hill Murugan Temple in February, and the Ooty Mariamman Fest in April. Palace Fernhill Palace The erstwhile summer residence of the Maharaja of Mysore, Fernhill Palace resembles a Swiss chalet. It is now a heritage hotel. Adventure Trekking: There are numerous trekking trails going up from Ooty. For more info as well as for hiring guides, contact the Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association (Mount Stewart Hill, Tel: 447167) Hang Gliding: The district tourism department organises hang gliding courses between March and May every year. The tourist office on Charing Cross would be the place to contact for more information. Fishing: Trout, carp and trench fishing is possible once you get a license from the Assistant Director of Fisheries.

Entertainment & Night Life Entertainment The walks, pony rides and boating will leave little time for anything else. But for those interested, the Gymkhana offers golfing. Thankfully, it's open to all, not just members and their guests. There are no amusement parks in Ooty, but Mettupalayam just a stone's throw away, boasts of Black Thunder, one of the first water theme parks in India. Nightlife Tuck into bed, that's what Ooty does. There are no nightclubs or pubs. Most restaurants too don't entertain after 11 pm.

Kidding around Kamaraj Sagar (Sandy Nallah Reservoir): An ideal picnic spot on the slopes of the Wenlock Downs, the reservoir offers excellent fishing opportunities. If lucky, you can see the shooting of a film, since the idyllic setting is a favourite with southern filmmakers. For Adventure Freaks If ready for a bit of adventure, the hills beckon. Trekking: There are numerous trekking trails going up from Ooty. For more info as well as for hiring guides, contact the Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association (Mount Stewart Hill, Tel: 447167) Hang Gliding: The district tourism department organises hang gliding courses between March and May every year. The tourist office on Charing Cross would be the place to contact for more information. Fishing: Trout, carp and trench fishing is possible once you get a license from the Assistant Director of Fisheries. OOTY – COIMBTORE – RAMESHWARAM MUST Watch