Category: Incredible India

1. Mamiyur Temple
2. Anathavalam (Punnathur Kotta)
3. Marine World Public Aquarium
4. Panchavadi beach
5. Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple

2) Anathavalam (Punnathur Kotta)

One of the essential must-visit attractions in Guruvayur is the renowned elephant sanctuary located near the temple, commonly known as Anathavalam or Punnathur Kotta (Elephant Camp). Situated just about 2 kilometres from Mamiyur Temple, this sanctuary houses over 35 elephants, most of whom have been donated by devotees to the Guruvayur Temple over the years. This makes it one of the largest temple-dedicated elephant sanctuaries in India.

The sanctuary, set within the historic Punnathur Kotta palace—once the residence of a local ruler—now serves as a home and training center for these majestic elephants. It is also referred to as the “Palace for Elephants,” where the elephants are trained for temple rituals and participate in multiple festivals throughout the year, including the famous Thrissur Pooram. Visitors can watch the elephants being bathed, fed, and cared for, which is both a humbling and captivating experience that usually takes about an hour.

Punnathur Kotta is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with an entry fee of ₹20 per adult. Photography with mobile cameras is allowed without additional charges. There is ample parking available, and tickets do not need to be booked in advance. It’s important for visitors to know that riding the elephants is not permitted; the sanctuary focuses on respectful observation and care.

The sanctuary is known for its lush green surroundings and Ayurvedic treatments provided to the elephants to maintain their health. The site also honors the legendary elephant Guruvayur Kesavan, celebrated for his service at the temple for over five decades. The sanctuary presents a beautiful blend of cultural history, wildlife conservation, and religious traditions, providing travellers a unique and immersive experience near Guruvayur Temple.​​

More details can be found in :  https://guruvayurtemple.org/punnathur-kotta/

3)Marine World Public Aquarium

Started as a venture by Mr. Faisal R O and Mr. Nowsher Mohamed, Marine World is now under the partnership of many. The research for the institute started in 2000. The CISO Institute of Oceanic Studies Pvt Lmt. was started in 2007 by a team of expat businessmen and engineers, dedicated to the popularisation and awareness creation of the knowledge related to oceans, marine & freshwater animals. After much research and preparation, the Marine World Public Aquarium opened up on January 1, 2021 (Courtesy: Wikipedia).

The thoughtfully crafted exhibits with varied backdrops create a vibrant, non-monotonous experience that stands out among Indian aquariums, making it ideal for 2+ hours of exploration.​ They also entertain Exclusive school packages and group packages.

There are different attractions / options available:

• Under Water Tunnel
• Fish Feeding
• Touch Pool
• Artificial Rain Forest
• Artificial Mangrove Forest
• Fish Therapy
• Fish spa (surprisingly, this was free of cost and is covered with the ticket cost)

• Car Aquarium

• Glass Bridge
• Cylinder Aquarium

• Live Fish Catching

• Horror House
• 16D Cinema
• Mirror maze
• Souvenir shop
• Birds’ Park (You can feed birds here)

• Animal’s park

• Horror House
• 16D Cinema
• Mirror maze

• Souvenir shop
• Train
• Children’s park
• Restaurant

More details can be found in: https://marineworld.in/
There is also plenty of parking available here.

NOTE:  Despite the strong word-of-mouth reputation this place enjoys, its presence on social media remains quite limited. For instance, on TripAdvisor, there are barely ten reviews—surprisingly few for a destination of such appeal. The management could benefit from exploring new-age digital and social media marketing strategies to enhance visibility and attract visitors beyond Kerala. With the right online engagement, this hidden gem has the potential to become a must-visit destination for travellers everywhere.

4)Panchavadi beach

Lunch:

Short break at Sterling Hotel:

5) Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple (Kerala’s Dwarka of the South):

Guruvayur Temple, dedicated to Lord Guruvayurappan (a form of Lord Krishna as baby Vishnu), draws thousands daily for prayers and wish fulfillment, creating a perpetual festival atmosphere. Revered as one of Kerala’s most sacred sites and the “Dwarka of the South,” it houses a 5,000-year-old idol believed to have been worshipped by Krishna in Dwarka before being relocated by Guru and Vayu, hence its name. The temple’s Kerala-style architecture features sloping tiled roofs, carved wooden panels, and a towering gopuram, enveloping visitors in Vedic chants, incense, and spiritual energy.​

Essential Timings and Darshan Tips:

The temple opens at 3:00 AM and closes at 9:15-9:30 PM, with a break from 1:30-4:30 PM; confirm exact times via the official site as they vary during festivals. Key events include morning Seeveli (elephant procession) at 6:15-7:00 AM and evening at 4:45-5:00 PM, plus Deeparadhana at 6:00 PM—aim for 4:30 PM darshan per your itinerary to avoid peak crowds. Broad shaded walkways protect from rain and sun; expect long queues for free annadanam (prasadam lunch) from the mega kitchen above the temple pond, serving 5,000 daily.​

More details can be found in:    https://guruvayurdevaswom.in/#/login

Practical Advice for Travelers

A. Guruvayur Temple Visitor Essentials

Guruvayur Temple enforces a strict dress code typical of South Indian temples to uphold sanctity. Men must wear plain white or cream dhoti (mundu) without shirts, optionally covering the upper body with an angavastram; trousers, jeans, or T-shirts are prohibited. Women require sarees, salwar kameez, or long skirts with blouses—leggings, shorts, or modern outfits not allowed; girls under 12 may wear pavada or frocks. Boys under 12 can wear shorts but enter bare-chested; rentals and changing rooms available at entrances.​

B. Queue and Accessibility Tips

C. Practical Facilities and Surroundings

D. Cultural Highlights

Famed for celebrity elephants like Guruvayur Keshavan, the temple feels safe amid family crowds. Malayalam dominates, but Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, English, and Hindi widely understood in Guruvayur-Thrissur. Popular for weddings and rituals, it blends devotion with vibrant traditions.​

E. Best Time to Visit Guruvayurappan Temple

How to reach

Sterling Guruvayur

Summary: While most pilgrims focus solely on Guruvayur Temple’s spiritual serenity, extending your stay transforms a sacred journey into a joyful family adventure blending devotion with discovery. Follow this curated full-day itinerary to explore nearby gems like the Punnathur Kotta Elephant Sanctuary, Marine World Public Aquarium and so on.

We covered the following places in a 1-day trip on 8^th Dec 2021.

Vayalada Viewpoint

Thonikadavu Viewpoint

Kakkayam Dam & Boating

Urakkuzhi Waterfalls

This was a road trip from Kakkodi, Calicut.

Route Map

NOTE: We couldn’t cover the Vayalada Mini Water Falls and Kariyathumpara during this trip.

1) Vayalada Viewpoint (Mullanpara):

Vayalada Viewpoint is around 17 kms (45 min by car) from Balussery, Calicut.

There are also few KSRTC bus services from Balussery to Vayalada.  If you are reaching this place via public transport, you can hire a jeep From the Vayalada junction/school, and they might charge around 500 rupees (for a 1.5Kms trip). You can also cover this distance by walk after getting down at Vayalada.

Irrespective of any vehicle (hired jeep or own vehicle), you cannot go till the hilltop in the same. You will have to park the vehicle down the hill and will have to do trekking of around 1Km. The trekking path is not that smooth.

NOTE: Even if you hire a Jeep, this 1km trekking/walking cannot be avoided.

A good point to park your car is near ‘Baby Thattukada’. Seems this small hotel is famous for homely food. I have read a lot of positive reviews about this hotel but we personally get a chance to try their food. There are also a few snack shops available enroute the viewing point.

There is no parking charges or ticket charges when you visit Vayalada view point. We did not find any public toilets in this place.

Since Vayalada is 2000 Feet above sea level, it has all the charm of a hill station, and you can get a panoramic view of the Peruvannamuzhi Dam, Koorachundu and Perambra towns from the highest point. There are different viewpoints like Mount Vayalada viewpoint, Islands View Mullanpara and Kottakunnu viewpoint.

Lot of people visit here during the sunrise/sunset.

When we visited, there were lot of Fog and hence couldn’t get a great view from the hilltop.

Avoid mid afternoon time, as it might be quite hot at the hilltop. There are a few resorts/homestays here (like Vayalada viewpoint Resort).

The place is full of empty plastic bottles, covers and cans. This is one thing that disappointed me a lot. We Keralites/Indians always fail to keep our nature clean. We have the habit of throwing the garbage wherever we like.

To a certain extend, I will have to blame the state Tourism department aswell. There is no proper pathway or hoardings/signboard to reach this place. They should also add a few garbage bins at this place. Atleast after seeing that, people might start putting the litter in the bins.

We had skipped the Vayalada Mini Falls.

2) Thonikadavu Viewpoint:

After Vayalada, our next destination was Thonikadavu Viewpoint.

NOTE: We had to skip Kariyathumpara, as it was closed due to some reason.

Enroute, there are many picturesque locations.

Known as the ‘Ooty of Malabar’, Thonikadavu is an offbeat location near Kariyathumpara and on the way to Kakkayam dam in Kozhikode district.

The towering watchtower, placid river and greenery provide a refreshing sight to visitors. It is a wonderful picnic spot for tourists. If you are a photographer, you will definitely love this place.

Seems Tourism Department has many plans for this place and the towering watchtower (inaugurated in Feb 2021) is a best example for that. Unfortunately, no much shops were opened during the time we visited. Public toilets were available.

The actual project had different plans like setting up of boat services, viewpoints, six rain shelters, amphitheatre, and children’s park, besides the watchtower. When we visited this place in December 2021, we did not see any boat service there. There is an entry fee to get inside the Thonikadavu Viewpoint. If I remember correctly, it was Rs. 40/adult.

3) Kakkayam Dam & Boating:

After Thonikadavu Viewpoint, our next destination was Kakkayam Dam & Boating.

Enroute, there are many picturesque locations. Please drive carefully as the roads in this part are quite narrow.

The main attractions near this tourist place are Kakkayam valley (Dam and Boating) and Urakkuzhi Waterfalls.

Kakkayam is a stunning dam site in Kozhikode that is famous for its trekking trails and boating options and seems Kakkayam has an abundant wildlife population aswell. This is a perfect place to have a quiet secluded picnic with your friends and family.

I have not seen much public transport options in this part of the region. So, either you will have to depend on your own vehicle or hire a jeep or autorickshaw.

This reservoir comes as part of the Kuttiyadi Hydro Electric Project & is located at a height of about 2450 ft above sea level.

There are 2 different ticket counters enroute, one by the Forest department (checkpost) and the other one is the actual entry ticket. If I remember correctly, it was Rs. 40/adult (at checkpost) and Rs. 20 /adult (entry ticket).

Kakkayam valley is famous for Film shooting. Many Film songs and albums were shot here, and it is now a favorite place for the album makers.

There are enough parking place available. Few (1 or 2) hotels and few public toilets available here.

There are speed boat services available here at a charge of Rs. 1000 (maximum 6 people including kids; this number includes boat driver aswell). The boating time was around 15 minutes, if I remember correctly.

These boat rides give us an exclusive view of the dam area, along with a bunch of small waterfalls (2 waterfalls; one is Ambalappara waterfalls) and you get to see a lot of dense forest during that trip. The 2 waterfalls are hidden inside the forest and are hardly accessible by roads.

The good thing is that the boat driver will take you very close to the falls, so there are lot of good photography options.

Would recommend this boat ride as it is completely worth.  Keep your cameras ready for some stunning photos and videos.

4) Urakkuzhi Waterfalls:

The Urakkuzhi Waterfalls is near to the dam. You can either walk both sides (main entrance to the falls and return) or you can hire a forest department jeep for Rs.250 (up and down). Actual dam is in this route. Distance will be around a 1.2kms or so one side. There is well paved road till the falls except the last few meters which is quite difficult to walk.

Urakkuzhi Waterfalls is considered as one of the most dangerous waterfalls in Kerala. The Forest department staff told us that if anybody accidently fall from there, no search operation will be carried out to recover the body.

Note:  This is supposedly the place where police disposed comrade Rajan’s body (no evidence or proof though) during the nationwide Emergency in India in 1976. The legal battle that his father Prof Eachara Warrier fought against the state government was the first Habeus corpus suit filed in Kerala.

It is worth to note that you can see only the top part of the waterfalls.  What we can see from the viewpoint is just some water disappearing into a steep.  You cannot view this tall waterfall in its full glory from its front or bottom. The falling water will not be visible from below aswell, because the water is passing through the rocks (we can’t reach to the falling area easily right now because the trekking to that spot is not available).  So, keep your expectations limited.

The best time to visit here is monsoon. The rocks around were curved due to the force of waterfall and the rocks are in the shape of “Ural” (Malayalam word) that’s why it’s called Uralkkuzhi Waterfalls.

The waterfall is guarded well by fencing and watchers will be there for guidance.

Here you can also see a stone which is looking like a man’s face. There was one hanging bridge, but it got completely damaged during 2018 flood and it not been reconstructed yet.

One very important point to note is the large presence of leeches (a tiny blood sucking parasitic or predatory worm, closely related to earthworms) near to the Urakkuzhi Waterfalls. Until the time when blood starts coming, you will never realise that a Leech has bit you. It is highly recommended to carry a small box of Salt (or a lemon) with you. If you find that a leech has bit you, don’t get panic. Just drop some salt on the body of the leech and it will fall down. Don’t try to remove the leech directly by any means, as it might turn out to be more dangerous. So, keep an extra eye on Leech bites while you are walking.

Summary: This is definitely a day trip that people in Calicut or neighbouring places can try. Its worth the money, scenery, and the experience. A family of 4 (2 adults + 2 kids) might have to spend less than Rs. 1500 which includes entry tickets (Thonikadavu/Kakkayam) / jeep and speed boat safari in Kakkayam. Food and petrol charges would be additional.

Ezharakund waterfalls in Kudiyanmala, Kannur is a tourist destination maintained by the Kannur District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC).

This is one of the most picturesque waterfalls of Kannur district, situated on the Paithalmala valley close to the Kerala-Karnataka border, located at about 50 Km Northeast of Kannur via Sreekandapuram and Kudiyanmala.

Address: Kudiyanmala Pottenplave Rd, Pottenplave, Vellad, Kerala 670582

Roads in this part of Kannur are really good (mostly tarred roads). At some places, it’s a bit narrow.

The name Ezharakund  literally translates to seven and a half pits in malayalam (local language widely spoken in Kerala, India).

This waterfalls comprises of multiple levels of rocky natural pools of varying sizes and depths that contain crystal clear water for most period of the year.

We covered this destination as a part of a day trip from Koyilandy. During this one day trip we covered Parassinikadavu Temple, Palakayyam thattu and Ezharakund waterfalls.

We parked our taxi (parking charge for Innova was around Rs.50) near to the base station.  

Please remember there is an entry fee of Rs.100/person.

You are not allowed to take your vehicle directly to the falls (at the top) from the base station.

From the base station we hired a local jeep to reach the top of the waterfalls.

You can request for a jeep at the reception of the base station and they will arrange one for you.  The jeeps are not readily available at the base station. It will take some time for the jeeps to arrive at the base station. There are seats available near the base station and you can also capture some photographs while waiting for the jeep.

The jeep charges was around Rs. 300 (one side) and you can pay the money (cash only) to the jeep driver after reaching the top of the falls.

Our recommendation is to take a jeep one side (preferably onward journey to the falls) and you can return from the falls to the basestation by walk.

However we have seen people who walk both up and down the falls and please remember that it would really test your fitness levels.

The jeep journey is really nice and you would love that trip, for sure.

While going in jeep, you will find few houses on both sides of the road.

The jeep will take you to the topmost part of the falls. After getting down, you need to show your tickets to the staff at the gate. From that gate, it is hardly few meters to the falls.

There is also a small observatory tower, from where you can capture some good photographs of the falls.

The falls make a unique scene. It is like few kettles stacked one after the other. As the water over flows the first, it fills in the second kettle and so on. The area is still a hidden treasure although the state government is working to develop it.

We had visited this place in December and during that time,  we could see people swimming / bathing in the water.

There are two pools which is safe to swim. These are watched over by life guards and life jackets are also available. There are also changing rooms near the falls.

After exploring the falls, you can walk back (at your own time convenience) to the base station.

Its almost 1.2 km walk from the falls to the base station and would easily take around 1 hour to reach down. Children can also easily walk.

Tourism department has constructed a pedestrian pathway  from the base station till the falls.  

The pathways are properly marked and safety rails are fixed in many places in order to prevent people from entering the stream. These metal rails are very  helpful to hold, while walking.

On certain points throughout the walkway, there are guards on duty. We were told that there are around 20 guards in and around this place at any point of time.

In many sections of the trail, benches are placed to rest and enjoy the views. Overall, this is a very family friendly place, catered for  any age group.

Please note that this place is relatively busy on Saturday/Sunday and on Public Holidays. There is a small shop serving snacks and tea are present near to the base station. There are a few home stays and resorts near by.

Best time to visit: 

Due to the abundance of shades along the walking trail, you can visit here anytime of the day and will have a good experience.

People say that Monsoon time mainly june – August is the best time to visit this falls.

However, it might not be a good idea to visit during heavy rainy days  as the stream and the waterfall can overflow to the trails

Opening time is 9AM – 6 PM

How to reach
Ezharakund Waterfalls is located from Kannur around 50 km via Chirakkal – Kololam Rd. The nearest railway station is Kannur, about 39 km and Kannur International Airport, about 59 km.

Popular destinations near by:

1. Parassinikadavu Sree Muthappan Temple
2. Palakkayam Thattu
3. Paithalmala

Summary : Ezharakund falls in Kannur is a real gift of nature . Though not that popular yet, we definitely recommend you to visit this place to experience the beautiful waterfalls and the walking trail. You would never be disappointed, that is a GUARANTEE..

We travelled to Agumbe in November 2015. My friend and his family accompanied us for this entire trip.

The route that we followed was : Bangalore –> Agumbe –> Jog Falls –> Mookambika Temple (Kudajadri) –> Murudeshwar –> Gokarna Om Beach –> Shimoga –> Bangalore.

My fellow travellers in Bangalore: This is one of the best trips that you can plan from Bangalore. You can cover some beautiful places in this entire road trip. Our’s was a 4N/5D trip; 1 night in Agumbe, 1 night in Gokarna , 2 nights in Shimoga

Agumbe is one of the least explored tourist destinations in Karnataka. It is a small village located in Shimoga district, in the Malnad region of Karnataka, India. Its also known as the place of origin of Malgudy. If you grew up in the 90s and have never heard of Malgudi Days, there’s something missing in your life. Malgudi — a fictitious town from R.K. Narayan’s novel — is actually Agumbe Village.

(Doddamane house below)

Agumbe is popular for 3 things:

1) Snakes especially King Cobra (the most venomous snake in the world)

2) Heavy Rainfall (also known as ‘The Cherrapunji of the South’)

3) Sunset (there is a sunset point 10 minutes away from town)

Agumbe has very limited visitor accommodation (1 hotel and 3-4 Home stays only). So book your stay in advance.

Best part of Agumbe is its location, which is surrounded by lush greenery with no signs & sounds of traffic.

Some places worth visiting:

Agumbe Rain forest
Research Station (ARRS)
Barkana falls
Jogi and Gundi falls
Koodlu Falls

Kundadri Hills (Jain Temple) : It is a hill (826 mt) with dense forests in the Wastern Ghats. This hill is known for 17th century Jain temple. Two small ponds formed by the rock on one side of this temple provided water to earlier sages.

Government of Karnataka joined hands with a philanthropist from Mumbai to construct an all-weather road to the top of the hill.

We stayed at Naveen’s Belachikatte Home stay. We were one of the first families who stayed in that new homestay and infact I was the first person to review this homestay on Trip advisor.

We got a chance to try some really nice Malnad cuisine from this homestay. Thanks to Naveen and his family for making our trip a memorable one.

Note: Please ensure to fill your vehicle’s fuel tank before reaching here. We missed to do so and had to go down the 18 hair pin bends to reach down the ghat section just to fill the petrol in our car. We did not see any petrol pumps on the main town. May be over a period of time, things might have changed.

The gladdest moment in human life, me thinks, is a departure into unknown lands – Sir Richard Burton

We visited Kabini in June 2017. Kabini has been in my bucket list for a long time and I had to wait for a couple of years to make it happen.

Route Map from Bangalore:

Kabini is a wildlife reserve near Mysore and is a part of the Nagarhole forest range. Nagarhole national park is popularly known as Rajiv Gandhi National park. These were once a private hunting ground for the royal family of Mysore. Kabini is a smaller part in this park, named after the Kabini river that flows through it. Kabini river originates in Kerala, flows eastwards to join the much larger River Cauvery, eventually discharging into Bay of Bengal at end of its journey, after passing though most of Tamil Nadu and Southern Karnataka.

We went for the Jungle safari. it is organized under the supervision and control of the government officials (Forest Department).

We took the Morning Safari in the Bus arranged by the Forest Department. I was told that many people visited this place mainly to see the Black Panther(BP). Across the whole safari, we were also eagerly waiting to see a Black Panther(BP). But unfortunately, we couldn’t see one. But we were indeed happy that we saw a lot of another wild animals. Don’t forget to take binoculars and camera while going for safaris.

I think the safari at this region happens in different zones. If you are planning multiple safaris, make sure you go to different zones each time.

The river plays an important role in attracting the wild animals to this region. Elephants, tiger, deer and so on are a regular sight in this region.

For all the nature lovers, this is definitely a must-see place. It has everything a wild life enthusiast aspire for. Once we pass Mysore, we can feel the change in temperature.

Accomodation:

We stayed in Red Earth Resort. Would certainly recommend this resort to all my fellow travellers. I have also read and heard wonderful reviews about some other resorts in this region like Serai, Orange County, Jungle Lodge, Waterwoods, The Bison and so on.

All the accommodation options available in Kabini are quite costly. There is no way that you can find a cheaper option. But all are definitely worth the money that you pay. Many of the resorts are nearby the Kaveri river.

As it’s a wildlife reserve area, you might not see any restaurants nearby. So, you will have to eat your food at the resort itself.

A good traveller has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving

– Lao Tzu

ROUTE MAP

We visited Kollur Mookambika temple in November 2015. We decided to include Kodachadri in this trip and I feel that inclusion was a great decision. I would certainly recommend Kudajadri to my fellow travellers here. The Mahindra 4 wheel jeep safari to Kudajaadri is a great experience. You get the jeep to Kodachadri from the entrance of the Mookambika temple itself.

The route that we followed was : Bangalore –> Agumbe –> Jog Falls –> Mookambika Temple (Kudajadri) –> Murudeshwar –> Gokarna Om Beach –> Shimoga –> Bangalore.

My fellow travellers in Bangalore: This is one of the best trips that you can plan from Bangalore. You can cover some beautiful places in this entire road trip. Our’s was a 4N/5D trip; 1 night in Agumbe, 1 night in Gokarna , 2 nights in Shimoga

You can also visit the ‘Kodachadri Moola Mookambika Temple‘ at the top of the hills (The jeep takes you till this point)

There are 2 Waterfalls nearby (Trekking Spots)(We couldn’t visit these waterfalls)

Hidlumane Waterfalls:

If you are at Kodachadri then you have cover the distance of just 5 kms to reach the waterfall area. Hidlumane Waterfalls is basically a trekking site.

Arasinagundi Waterfalls:

The distance between waterfall and town is only 6 kms. Go to down area of Dhalli village of Kudajadri to enjoy this Properly.

How to reach Mookambika (courtesy:wikipedia)

By Air: Mangalore International Airport (IATA: IXE) (ICAO: VOML), at Bajpe, about 20 km from the city centre. Currently there are daily flights to Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa, Kochi and Calicut in the domestic segment and weekly/bi-weekly flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat (Oman), Doha (Qatar), Kuwait and Bahrain in the international segment. Kollur is two hours drive from Mangalore.

By Train/Road: Byndoor (Mookambika Road Station – BYNR) is the nearest stations to Kollur, road distance is ~28km to temple from Byndoor. From railway station to Byndoor city, catch rickshaw & from Byndoor to Kollur private bus facility is there. Other option is private taxi from Byndoor or from the railway station. Big disadvantage of Byndoor station is its located remote border area of Kundapura taluk and there is risk of getting facilities during night hour.

We visited Mysore in November 2015.

Mysore officially Mysuru, is a city in the state of Karnataka, India which is located in the foothills of the Chamundi Hills. It is known for its history of glittering royal heritage.

Places that we visited:

Mysore Zoo:

The major attraction in Mysore is the Zoo Itself. Shri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens or Mysore Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the world (Started in 1892 with 10.9 acres that time). Now its spread over 150+ acres, housing more than 1400+ specimens belonging to 160+ species, representing more than 30 countries. Please note that the zoo is closed on Tuesdays. Rest of the days, its open from 08:30 AM -05:30 PM.

Mysore Palace:

Another major attraction is the Majestic Mysore Palace. The palace you see today was actually built in 1912 after a fire destruction that happened at the first palace. There are fine paintings, architecture marvel, carved wooden doors and rich colours inside the palace. Palace is especially vibrant during the time of Dussehra Festival, wherein it is completely illuminated with a lot of lights. Seems, this palace is also illuminated on Sunday Nights (for about half an hour).

BrindavanGardens (and KRS Dam):

Brindavan Gardens is situated slightly outside the city, the garden is a hotspot for locals and is famous for the musical fountain show.Initially, this was among one of the best terrace gardens of the country.

I was personally not happy with the way the gardens are maintained. Considering the number of tourists that flow in, its high time to do a proper maintenance of these gardens and can add some additional attractions as there is enough space inside.

Philomena’s Church:

The massive church of neo-Gothic style is one of the biggest churches in India. The amazing floor plan of the church resembles a cross. The 175 feet high twin spires of the church are visible from miles around. The glass stained windows of this church portray scenes of the events in the life of Jesus Christ like his birth, last supper, crucifixion and resurrection.

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary:

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, also known as Pakshi Kashi of Karnataka,is a bird sanctuary in the Mandya District of the state of Karnataka in India. It is the largest bird sanctuary in the state, 40 acres in area and comprises six islets(small island) on the banks of the Kaveri river. This is a favourable nesting ground for birds of various species after which it was declared a safe sanctuary for birds in 1940. You can also do a boating here, but there might be higher waiting time because of the large inflow of crowd.

Another Nearby Places worth visiting:

Chamundi Hills: On the top of Chamundi Hill, you will find the Sri Chamundeswari Temple

Explore Devaraja Market: This is a market which is more than 100 years old.

Mysore Sandal and Silk Sarees are very famous. Don’t forget to grab one, before you leave Mysore.

Accommodation:

There are lot of accommodation options available within Mysore, suiting all budgets. I have personally booked ‘Kings Court’ and wouldn’t recommend this hotel to any of my fellow travellers here.

How to reach:

BY AIR – The closest airport to Mysore is Bangaluru Airport, around 170kms away. From there it is possible to take a Fly-bus directly to Mysore.

There is an airport in Mysore called ‘Mysore airport'(also known as Mandakalli airport) that has been functional since 2010, after being unused for few years. But as of now, there are no much passenger airlines flying out of this airport.

BY BUS – Mysore is accessible by bus from a number of destinations across India. To check routes, timetables and ticket prices (check Redbus.com)

BY TRAIN – Mysore is well connected via train from across the region. It is advised to book weeks in advance.

“There are no foreign lands. It is the traveller only who is foreign”

– Robert Louis Stevenson

ROUTE MAP

This trip to Om Beach, Gokarna was in November 2015 along with my family. My friend and his family accompanied us for this trip.

The route that we followed was : Bangalore –> Agumbe –> Jog Falls –> Mookambika Temple (Kudajadri) –> Murudeshwar –> Gokarna Om Beach –> Shimoga –> Bangalore.

My fellow travellers in Bangalore: This is one of the best trips that you can plan from Bangalore. You can cover some beautiful places in this entire road trip. Our’s was a 4N/5D trip; 1 night in Agumbe, 1 night in Gokarna , 2 nights in Shimoga.

Gokarna brings together the experience of a sea-side destination and a getaway in the hills. Om Beach is one of the most famous beach in Gokarna. Famous for being naturally shaped like the Hindu religion’s auspicious symbol Om, this beach attracts tourists round the year. This shape is formed by two semi crescents joined together. It is a nice 6+ kms drive over the hills with splendid views from Gokarna town to Om beach.

The sunset view from this beach is amazing.

There is also a bunch of fun water sports activities available at the Om Beach, including speedboats, surfing, fishing, banana and bumper boat rides and so on.

Other places nearby:

1. Kudle Beach (3 Kms)
2. Half Moon Beach (2 Kms)
3. Paradise Beach (8 Kms)
4. Namaste Café (for some local cuisine) (3 Kms)
5. Murudeshwar (8 Kms)

How to Reach Om Beach, Gokarna :

By Road:

Gokarna is around 483 km from Bangalore, 238km from Mangalore and around 59 km from Karwar. Road connectivity is excellent to Gokarna and can be reached by bus from Karwar, Kumta (30 km) via NH 17 where multiple buses ply from Panaji, Mangalore, and Bangalore. Om beach is around 6.5 km from the city of Gokarna. Even tourists can hire cabs from major cities to reach Gokarna

By Rail:

Konkan Railways ply via Gokarna; hence anyone boarding the train from Mumbai or Goa to Mangalore can also get down at Gokarna Road (station) which is around 6km from the city. Many other trains also ply via Gokarna from major cities. To reach the beach one can hire an autorickshaw or even cabs or private buses.

By Air:

Mangalore International airport is the nearest airport to Gokarna. Mangalore is around 238 km away from Gokarna. Tourists can hire a taxi or even take up trains to reach Gokarna.

ROUTE MAP

We visited Nandi Hills in October 2016. It’s around 70 Kms from Bangalore. Its 4851 ft above sea level. Nandi Hills is also known as Nandi Gram or Nandi Durga. Nandi Hills was Tippu sultans summer retreat. Due to its location, Nandi Hills is rapidly developing, and numerous commercial and residential ventures are underway in the region. This is one of the most preferred destination for Bangalorean’s.

How to reach:

The nearest airport is Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore from where you can hire a cab or taxi. If you wish to experience the train journey, then the nearest station where you can get down is Chikkaballapur from where both buses and taxis are available. But, if you’re looking for a short road trip, you can cover the distance of 70 kms between Bangalore and Nandi by driving yourself. This is also a perfect bike trip destination.

Beware of sharp turns – drive carefully

Once you start driving up the hills, you may want to keep your camera aside and focus fully on the road and watch for oncoming traffic. There are sharp turns and steep sides with minimal barriers on the side. Local and frequent visitors were seen to be driving pretty fast and we found several young guys driving bikes and cars like crazy.

Places to see:

Tipu’s Drop:

Located on a hilltop on a cliff which is 600 metres above the elevated ground, Tipu’s Drop is one of the oldest and most famous tourist attractions in Nandi.

Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple:

Also known as Nandi Temple, this place which dates back to the 9th century is one of the oldest temples in Karnataka

Sun rise point

Garden

Tippu’s summer residence (not open to public)

Some Tips:

• If you come across monkeys, avoid feeding them.
• Since this place has very limited food options, prefer carrying your own packaged food.
• The best option will be to reach around the Sunrise (please note that the gate might open at 6 Am only). Also, be informed that many people come with the same intention of seeing the sunrise view and there might be many cars waiting at the gate in front of you.
• Don’t consider this as a full day trip. If you start early to see to Nandi hills, you can come back to Bangalore by afternoon.
• Don’t forget to carry your camera as there are a lot of picturesque places in Nandi.
• If you’re driving to Nandi in your own car, prefer parking it at the designated parking area.
• Try to return from the hill station before evening since driving after dark can be quite dangerous if you are not familiar with this place. 

Traveling’s not something you’re good at. It’s something you do. Like Breathing.” – Gayle Foreman

Shri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens or Mysore Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the world (Started in 1892 with 10.9 acres that time). Now its spread over 150+ acres, housing more than 1400+ specimens belonging to 160+ species, representing more than 30 countries.

Please note that the zoo is closed on Tuesdays. Rest of the days, its open from 08:30 AM -05:30 PM.

Area is lush green and you will not feel tired if u can manage to walk in the shade. There are also enough benches to take rest at every corner. Zoo is well planned and clean, the explanations are written in an interesting way and the directions within the zoo is clearly marked. There are washrooms, child care rooms and drinking water here and there.

Be ready to walk for around 4+ Kms and might need around 5+ hours to cover the entire zoo.

One specialty of the zoo is its Adoption scheme. One can adopt animals and has to give expenses of adopted animal till its death. Many celebrities, politicians, Industrialists, Cricketers, and even some corporates have adopted animals.

The zoo had gifted India its first pair of gorillas, orangutans and chimpanzees in 1977. Likewise, the zoo had brought giraffes from Germany, red kangaroos from Washington DC and lemurs from Duke University. The nearby lake, Karanji lake is also a part of Mysore zoo now.

This zoo follows an open zoo concept, where carnivorous and other huge animals are not kept in the cage bars and are allowed to roam around freely, within a specific boundary.

There is enough parking available near by the zoo. There are also many small shops where snacks and juice are available.

Website: https://www.mysuruzoo.info/

Ticket Rate (as of Dec2018):

Adult: Govt. Holidays & Weekend days: Rs 80 and Weekdays: Rs 60

Child: Govt. Holidays & Weekend days: Rs 40 and Weekdays: Rs 30

Tickets can be booked online in the website.

This is a common tour destinations for people in Bangalore, Mysore, Calicut, Wayanad and so on. So expect good rush throughout the year.

Address:

Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens,

Zoo Main Road Indiranagar,

Mysore, Karnataka.