The very next week after visiting Tirupathi, I wanted to go and see another set of temples in the State of Karnataka (the state where Bangalore is located). I was told that some temples there are in pristine surroundings and add up to the wow-factor. So the plan was to go to Bangalore, spend a day in the city and then start the trip by SUV. Oh and to all the readers in America, Chevy Tavera is really “the pick” of SUVs amongst tourist operators. It came as a super-big surprise to me as GM does not have such a good track record in America in the recent years.
The plan was to take the train to Bangalore, stop at a friends place for the night and hit the road the following day, visit 6 temples - Subrahmanya, Dharmasthala, Kattil, Udupi, Shringeri and Horanadu, return to Bangalore, rest a day and return to Chennai.
See this image. Would any of my Indian friends believe it if I told you that this was a seat in a Train? My surprise hit epic proportions after entering the seater-class compartment of this train. This was a Shatabdhi express from Chennai to Bangalore. I had been on a tourism train in Alaska in the US. But to see something of comparable standards in India was a total shocker. There were adjustable lights and air-vents (like in planes). There were power plug-points and many IT guys were working on their laptops. Breakfast was also provided and the pantry service was pretty decent.
The road trip started early in the morning and for the next 3 days, most part of the day was to be spent on the SUV. I must also admit that it was scary as hell sitting next to the driver. By now I was used to crazy “city” traffic (slower speeds) but highway driving is in a different league. Roads in some remote parts were narrower than a single lane that I was used to in America and our driver was going at 80 – 100 kmph in these conditions - honking like an express train and breaking every possible road rule known to man. And believe it or not … 2 buses / trucks going in either direction managed to fit into the ultra-narrow road strip.
Another surprise during the trip was stay at my mom’s friend’s relative’s house, which was in the middle of a field. We reached there during the night and the path that led to the house was a “One foot path” (Otthai Adi Padhai) where only you could walk or perhaps bicycle if you were exceptionally confident about your balance. I am shit scared of snakes and the very idea of walking through that path and the fact that snakes love fields gave me the creeps. Images of all the giant King cobras that I had seen on Discovery Channel started flashing. With the help of the flashlight in my cellphone, I somehow managed to reach home safe (strangely, the I could not stop thinking of captain Vijaykanth who performed an operation with the light from cell phones). It was truly an old fashioned house with some modern amenities. I managed to wake up before dawn and captured some of the best photos that I have ever captured.
I must admit that the scenery in interior Karnataka was mind blowing. Alaska was barren and desolate but yet serene and beautiful. Karnataka countryside was lush green and lively and gorgeous in a totally contrasting sense.
Another interesting fact to note is that in Karnataka Temples – food is served free to all pilgrims and there are NO beggars outside the temples. The temples and temple towns were surprisingly well maintained. Another interesting incident that I witnessed – my mom decided to donate some money on the “aarathi” plate in one of the temples and the priest actually asked – “If this is for the temple, drop it in the hundi (large piggybank placed in the temple where devotees put their offerings) or leave it here if it is for me”. It was touching to see such sincerity.
India is truly a country of rich cultural heritage and I am beginning to realize it. I guess I have lots more to see and much more to learn. Overall, this was a fabulous trip that left behind some fond memories to cherish.
The plan was to take the train to Bangalore, stop at a friends place for the night and hit the road the following day, visit 6 temples - Subrahmanya, Dharmasthala, Kattil, Udupi, Shringeri and Horanadu, return to Bangalore, rest a day and return to Chennai.
See this image. Would any of my Indian friends believe it if I told you that this was a seat in a Train? My surprise hit epic proportions after entering the seater-class compartment of this train. This was a Shatabdhi express from Chennai to Bangalore. I had been on a tourism train in Alaska in the US. But to see something of comparable standards in India was a total shocker. There were adjustable lights and air-vents (like in planes). There were power plug-points and many IT guys were working on their laptops. Breakfast was also provided and the pantry service was pretty decent.
The road trip started early in the morning and for the next 3 days, most part of the day was to be spent on the SUV. I must also admit that it was scary as hell sitting next to the driver. By now I was used to crazy “city” traffic (slower speeds) but highway driving is in a different league. Roads in some remote parts were narrower than a single lane that I was used to in America and our driver was going at 80 – 100 kmph in these conditions - honking like an express train and breaking every possible road rule known to man. And believe it or not … 2 buses / trucks going in either direction managed to fit into the ultra-narrow road strip.
Another surprise during the trip was stay at my mom’s friend’s relative’s house, which was in the middle of a field. We reached there during the night and the path that led to the house was a “One foot path” (Otthai Adi Padhai) where only you could walk or perhaps bicycle if you were exceptionally confident about your balance. I am shit scared of snakes and the very idea of walking through that path and the fact that snakes love fields gave me the creeps. Images of all the giant King cobras that I had seen on Discovery Channel started flashing. With the help of the flashlight in my cellphone, I somehow managed to reach home safe (strangely, the I could not stop thinking of captain Vijaykanth who performed an operation with the light from cell phones). It was truly an old fashioned house with some modern amenities. I managed to wake up before dawn and captured some of the best photos that I have ever captured.
I must admit that the scenery in interior Karnataka was mind blowing. Alaska was barren and desolate but yet serene and beautiful. Karnataka countryside was lush green and lively and gorgeous in a totally contrasting sense.
Another interesting fact to note is that in Karnataka Temples – food is served free to all pilgrims and there are NO beggars outside the temples. The temples and temple towns were surprisingly well maintained. Another interesting incident that I witnessed – my mom decided to donate some money on the “aarathi” plate in one of the temples and the priest actually asked – “If this is for the temple, drop it in the hundi (large piggybank placed in the temple where devotees put their offerings) or leave it here if it is for me”. It was touching to see such sincerity.
India is truly a country of rich cultural heritage and I am beginning to realize it. I guess I have lots more to see and much more to learn. Overall, this was a fabulous trip that left behind some fond memories to cherish.
