Manthralaya Re- Visited

RaghavendraSwamy, Manthralaya

Premisis of Manthralaya

Surpura Palace 

Inside Surpura Palace 

Alamatti Dam Entrance

GolGumbaz

Barah Kaman

Ibrahim Rauza

GolGumbaz Entrance

Lord Shiva, Bijapur 85-foot (26 m) 

Traverse To Nandi Hills

A beautiful place to visit in early morning (5.30-6.00) that too on bike. Nature lovers must go place. Free from Pollution but not quiet as we saw nearly more than 500 people were there. Morning breakfast is available at the top as well as on the way. Those who want to go for cycling it is a suitable place again in the morning. Government buses are available from majestic not sure of timings,definitely not in early morning. Buses will drop you till the top.Lodges are available not sure it is private or Govt. Trekking is also a option  because you have all other means to reach the top. Best place for Photographers as well.

United Pune

The Pune trip was totally planned and collective effort put by all my friends! Not an easy task of putting people together and planning for destinations which is unknown for most of them

But ultimately it was one more successful tour. It took whole lot of perseverance to travel all the way from Bangalore to Pune in train. The journey started with buying playing cards and unexpectedly train was late for one hour. Pune trip was totally like UPA alliance 4 guys from started from Bangalore, 5 amigos started from Hyderabad, 1 from Mumbai and 1more in Pune itself.

Kamshet Tunnel

Day -1:  As planned we all reached at different timings. But freshed up very soon as always. We had booked TT well in advance for 2 days. The first destination is MATHERAN. The National Highway safar was really awesome with Hills, Rocks, Kamshet Tunnels and even good weather. Via Lonavala we reached matheran basement.  The road was very narrow from the basement so we was forced to take a rented Car. It costed Rs.60  per/head. After that we had 3 option to reach matheran Horse ride, Toy train,Walking. All of us choose to walk by taking aid of kooli for luggage carrying. As we were heading we were having pitstop for rest as well as for clicks.

Amigos

Since it was an extended weekend it was crowded and almost all hotels were full! Luckily we got a cottage but not so good. Few had some issues but no other go. We couldn’t go anywhere 1^st day as it was dark and no power and it was drizzling! We freshen up and went for dinner and walk as well!

Camp Fire

Day2:  Matheran is very calm and quiet, cold, But definitely its not honeymoon destination. Personally speaking I dint find anything more special in matheran except a ropeway which we dint get chance.  There were many places to see but we decided to see only few which we thought it is good to visit!

Places to see in Matheran:

The following is a list of some major places of interest -

1. Mount Berry

2. Luisa Point

3. Echo Point

4. Panorama Point (Sunrise Point)      

5. Porcupine Point (Sunset Point)

6. One tree Hill

7. Garbut Point

8. Chowk Point

9. Olympia Racecourse

10. Monkey Point

11. Hart point

12. Rambaug Point

13. Charlotte Lake

14. Alexandria Point

15. Malet Spring

Sanyasi's

Soon after visiting places we headed towards Murud Kashid almost 3.30 we reached plan was to see a fort in the middle of the sea but we were in the shore People who have gone there just before us gave a bad feedback so we dint turn up. Because it would have taken 2 hours totally to and fro. So returned back to kashid beach and had a very good time in the beach. We had booked a homestay in OMKAR LODGE.

Beach Kabadi

The rooms were very good Must say hospitality was tremendous whatever needed they had provided us with very good manner. Night we had dinner in good at decent hotel. Since we had to get up very early morning and head to River Rafting which 3 hrs away from the place we stayed. The day ended very soon.

Day-3: The excitement, expectation, creepy was too much about Kundalika White Water River Rafting, since it was first time ever we all were trying for River Rafting. Let the adrenaline rush with the increasing rapids at the white water rafting, Our Batch was first to come to the base of river rafting.

Rafting Begins

River was very calm and our raft moved slowly. All of us were quietly enjoying the calmness of river and beautiful valleys around Kundalika except me who was shivering and my teeth were creating small noise for me like stain gun. Sitting side and behind watching each and every moment of water was an experience to count. 

End of Rafting

We crossed few rapids and then our guides allowed us to jump off the raft.The rafting ended unexpectedly at a strange place. But we thoroughly enjoyed this experience. Since it was a package we had a very good lunch in Pooja Resorts.

Zip Line

We had to rush because it was drizzling and we had to go for Kayaking, River Crossing, Zip Line. Heading back to Pune in a hurry fashion since we had not booked hotels for staying.I wish such trips come again and again wherein I overcame the fear, encountered new things and above all I made new friends.

Jai Kundalika

Kayaking Kings

Group Of Kayakar's

Day-4:  Day started very late as usual as it was a planned rest day and Pune darshan as well for some time. Visted Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati temple and Chaturshringi Temple in the 1^st half and Initial 2^nd half and Packed our bags from lodge and went straight away to bus stand to board a bus to Bangalore. The journey ended in the morning 6.30 AM at Bangalore.

Kotilingeshwara Ride

Since from 2010 shivarathri festival I was thinking to visit Kotilingeshwara temple after watching sandalwood movie SRI MANJUNATHA. Earlier also I have seen that movie but I was not aware that it is a place near Kolar.  We planned a short bike ride only to Kotilingeshwara temple not nearby places.

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How to Reach Kotilingeshwara Temple 

Kolar is about 68 km from Bangalore. Buses ply on regularly from Bangalore. Bangalore International Airport is the nearest airport. Bangarapet Railway Station and Marikuppam Railway Station are the nearest railheads to reach Kotilingeshwara Temple. Passenger trains are available from Bangalore to Marikuppam.

Way to Temple

How we Reached Kotilingeshwara Temple

Jayanagar 9^th Block  à Old Madras Road àBangarupet à Kotilengeshwara Temple 

Kotilingeshwara Temple Features

A huge Nandi (Nandishwara – the Vahana of Shiv) which is 35 feet (11 m) tall lies in front of this huge Shiva Linga. The Nandi stands on a platform which is about 4 feet in height. About eleven small temples of various deities are constructed within the premises of the Koti Lingeshwara Swamy Temple. There are temples dedicated to Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, followed by the main deity temple Lord Kotilingeshwara. Other important temples are Lord Venkataramani Swamy Temple, Goddess Annapoorneshwari Temple, Lord Panduranga Swamy Temple, Lord Panchamukha Ganapathy temple, Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Sita Temple, Lord Anjaneya Temple, Goddess Kannika Parameshwari Temple and Goddess Karumaari Amma Temple.

Sacred Tree

Huge ShivaLinga

Nandi & Shiva

Till date as per sources 90 Lakhs Shiva Lingas is been installed. Hope to hear 1 Crore. The cost of installing a linga is 5000Rs including everything.

Ride to Vellore

Starting at 2PM from Bangalore via Electronic city, Hosur, Ambur to Vellore. Awesome road condition because of Chennai –Bangalore Highway which our riders enjoyed biking and I too enjoyed as pillion as usual!! A complete rest with SAND PIPERS made more energetic for the next day. Must say Chennai has only 3 seasons Hot, Hotter, Hottest!!

View on the Way

The fort city of Tamil Nadu, Vellore is one that boasts of a rich history and has witnessed the rise and fall of several important dynasties such as the Pallavas, the Cholas, the Rashtrakutaas, the Sambuvarayars, the Marathas, even the Nawabs! Some such attractions include the Golden temple,Vellore Fort, Jalakanteswarar Temple. Vellore a city is on the banks of the Palar River, one that at first glance can surely have all wondering why it means a ‘City of Spears’!

Sathiya

The Jalakanteshwara Temple is the other marvel of the Vellore Fort. Built by the Vijayanagar king in 1550 A.D. the Jalakanteshwara Temple is nothing short of an architectural wonder! Complete with exquisite carvings on its gopuram (tower). It is said the reason why the temple is named Jalakandeswar “Lord Siva residing in the water” is because the temple is situated below the temple moat.

Vellore Fort Map

 However on going through its glorious history, one finds that this beautiful city known for its stunning Dravidian architecture has been witness to many wars and battles and has even often been described as … the strongest fortress in the Carnatic War!.

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The vellore golden temple is the Mahalakshmi temple called ‘Sripuram Golden Temple’…something that will definitely catch your eye!!!  Made out of more than a tonne of pure gold it is the only temple in the world that is fully covered with gold. Located around 6 km from Vellore, the temple structure is known for engravings, and while the deity of Mahalakshmi is caved of granite stone, it is covered with gold ornaments! Importantly more than the mahalakshmi photos we could see swamiji photos all around which is nothing but self advertisement!! We had taken tickets of VIP darshana which costed 250/- per head.

Jalakanteshwara Temple

Had a peaceful and blessed darshana as we had given nearly 20 min in front of Goddess. Had good lunch in temple as it was 12.30PM and started way back to Bangalore. Reached Bangalore around 7.30PM as expected.