March 8 ! My first picnic on women's day ! Mom and her colleagues decided to go to places near by Mysore, so we started our journey from Yeshwanthpur in a mini bus at 8.00 AM.We stopped at Kamath for the unlimited breakfast . After a sumptuous breakfast , we headed towards 'HOLE ANJANEYA SWAMY TEMPLE'in Madddur.

Hole Anjaneya Swamy Temple Board

It is situated in banks of river Shimsha.Hanumantharaya as called by people there was installed by sri vyasarajaru and sripadarajaru.This temple is said to be around 550 years old of vijaynagara empire. Two fingers of this idol is very long and he is holding sougandhika flower,his tail has bells and he
has sun and moon on his head.It is said that this idol has been growing 1/2 inch from past 6 to 7 years.As per purohit of this temple ,different sounds of conch and bells are heard during lunar eclipse in closed doors of the temple.

Hole Anjaneya Swamy Temple

Hole Anjaneya Swamy

           After the darshana, we left to 'KARIGHATTA TEMPLE' app 45 km from the temple.Karighatta is a hill situated a few kilometres outside the 'island' town of Srirangapatna. It is situated off the Bangalore-Mysore Highway just before Srirangapatna. The name Karighatta translates to "Black Hill" in Kannada. The hill has a Hindu temple devoted to a form of Hindu god Vishnu, called "Karigirivasa". This deity is also referred to as “Lord Srinivasa” and is also called “Bairagi Venkataramana”. The epithet ‘Bairagi’ for this idol is derived from the fact that when ‘alankara’ (flower decoration) is done to the deity, the deity looks like a Bairagi (mendicant).It was too hot to spend any time there.

Karighatta Temple

Karighatta Temple

          Soon we moved towards 'SRIRANGAPATNA TEMPLE' by around 1.00 PM ..We hurried for the darshna since it was the closing time,luckly we could seek his divine blessings.From there we reached 'NIMISHAMBA TEMPLE' which is just 3 Kms from Ranganatha swamy temple.Sri Nimishamba is considered as the incarnation of Goddess Parvathi, the consort of Lord Shiva.

Our Bus

Nimishamba Temple

 It was asmost 2.30 there and we were all tired to the core.Since we carried lunch with us, we halted near the banks of river Cauvery just few Kms from the temple and had lunch(Vegetable bath, Holige,Vada,Curd rice) .It was atready 3.30.

Lunch Time !

Don't they look tired ? But i wasn't !

Now, we were confused whether to travel further or return back to Bangalore.
          After few discusions, we decided to go to 'MELKOTE' which is around 50 kms from Srirangapatna.Melukote is the location of the Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple, with a collection of crowns and jewels which are brought to the temple for the annual celebration. On the top of the hill is the temple of Yoganarasimha.It is learnt that they were presents from Krishnaraja Wodeyar III and his queens. Krishnaraja Wodeyar III also presented a crown set with precious jewels. It is known after him, as Krishnaraja-mudi. Vairamudi or Vajramukuta, another crown of great value, seems to be older than Raja-mudi and Krishnaraja-mudi.All the three crowns are kept in the safe custody of the Government at Mandya Treasury and brought to the temple on a specific annual occasion known as Vairamudi which literally means The Diamond Crown for adoring the image of Cheluvanarayana Swamy.Since most of us were too tired we did not climb the hill but had the darshna of Cheluvanarayana swami.

Our Group

Taking a break.

Inside Melkote Temple

Melkote temple campus

Melkote hill

          From there we returned back to Bangalore and reached at 9.00 PM.The journey was accompanied by music,songs, dance , games and yummy snacks.Thanks to mom and her friends for the trip ! Will cherish it for ever !

Hmmmmm another one with 4 of my colleagues...All set for the divine blessings.We started from office on 22nd Feb by 6 with a packet of chips.The best part about the trip was Skoda ! Yes one of my favorites which carried us throughout the journey.One the way near Nelamangala , we purchased  biscuits and packets of fried rice..Had our dinner at road side ! :) The journey was accompanied with songs and jokes . We reached Dharmasthala at 1:00 AM .I was surprised to see the city filled up with tons of cars and other vehicles...Hmmmm lots of people to seek Lord Manjunatha's blessings ! Later we took rest for 3 hrs and got ready for the darshanam..We entered temple at 6:00 AM ..I thought it would take lot of time but luckly we came out at 7:15 AM.After having our break fast in a hotel, we left to see Gomateshwara statue. The view was beautiful from the hill ! Later we moved towards Ujire and reached there by 10:30 AM.We had the darshana of lord Sadashivarudra swamy and left to Kukke.One the way we saw Ramashektra temple..It was a huge temple with marble idols of mainly Sriram,Laxman, Sita ,Hanuman. and many other like navagraha , Durga, Ganesha, Saibaba etc...From there we left for Kukke and reached there at 12:30.There was a huge queue but somehow we managed to peep to see Lord Subramanya..We had our lunch in the temple and also saw the main temple which is behind the Subramanya temple.We left at 2:30 from Kukke and reached Bangalore at 6:00PM.Over all it was a memorable small trip ! Enjoyed it completely.

Guest House

Our Guest house dining hall

Forest Guest House

It was a pleasant place surrounded by trees . Then we left to Murudeshwara Temple,had the darshana and moved towards Idgunji Ganapathi temple around 11:30.After having the darshanam we came back to our guest house for lunch.On the way back we visited Ganapthi vana. A small park with sculptures and stories regarding Lord Ganesh.

Murudeshwara Temple

Ganapathi Vana Park

Ganapathi Vana Park

There he was ! Santosh the master cook ! All of us had yummy lunch together and left for Gokarna by 2:30 PM and reached there by 4:00PM with full masti dance and songs.

Gokarna Om Beach

Lunch TIme

 Had lot of fun with all my colleagues in OM beach till 6:30.From beach we moved towards Gokarna temple , had tdarshanam.We we too tired by the time we reached our guest house by 8:30.We met istrict Forest Officer then had our super lip smacking ,sumptuous lunch (gobi,capsicum pakoda,bhendi fry,chapatti,curry,rasam,salad,curd).Heard that non-veg menu was spicy and good too ! Thanks to chef Santosh for the amazing hospitality .Our eyes were almost closed and we were on bed the next moment.Woke up early morning by 5:30 for a walk to Apsara konda(Where the princess used to bath) .

On the Hill -Apsara Konda

Apsara Konda

It is some kind of a hill and park like all  the way very neatly maintained. Above the hill is Apsara konda(A small water fall place) and Narasimhaswamy temple.

On the Hill-Apsara Konda

Kasarkod Eco Beach

Then we had a walk to Kasarkod Eco beach which was very close by.What a view it was ! That was my most fav place amongst all.From there we went to Karsarkod Eco park and a had a great time with all my colleagues.

Kasarkod Eco Beach

Kasarkod Eco Park

Kasarkod Eco Park

We reached our guest house by 9 AM,had neer dosa ,kheer and upma and with our luggage, started for Yana ! We reached Yana by 1 and had darshana followed by the mountain view and left Yana by 2:30 PM.

Yana

Yana

We had our Lunch at Sirsi and reached Bangalore at 10:30 PM.Over all a memorable trip ! Thanks to my wonderful colleagues for the arrangement

Inside the temple.

Hebbur temple entrance

Goddess Mahalakshmi

On the way to Tirumala

         Journey to Tirupati this time was memorable.Though it was my 5th visit, i was visiting after 12 yrs.65 members all together (Neighbours & friends)were all set to see lord Balaji.We had reserved the train 3 months ago.Left home @ 6:00 PM on 4th and reached Bangalore city railway station @7:30.Took train at 8:30.I had prepared sand witches for dinner.I could hardly sleep in the train because of excitement. Landed Tirupati at 5:30 AM.From there we hired 4 tempo's to reach Tirumala (Hill) and reached Tirumala @7:30.
         There was hell lots of changes when compared to my previous visit.It took lot of time for us to book rooms since we could not book before as they were all full..Meanwhile i had yummy idlis while waiting for rooms.Finally we got three rooms.One of them was very far from the other two and we had to travel through free bus :) ..We reached our rooms in groups and got ready by 10:30.Entered for darshana at 11:00 AM...People with 300 Rs ticket were in the queue for 7 hrs and we just had 50 Rs ticket and joined them later.Luckly we finished darshana @ 1:00 PM(in 2 hrs) which was beyond our expectation ;)Then we ate temple prasadam and went to take laddus :) .. Few of them spent lot of time in buying extra laddus which was irritating.
          The main intention for visiting Tirupati was to recite the Vishnu Sahasranaama..After buying laddus me,mom and other 3 people went to have free lunch in temple.Rest followed us later.By that time it was 3:30 PM.Then we went to a big hall to recite the mantra which got over by 5.We almost did it for one hour.From there we moved to our respective rooms.Few among 65 halted in Tirumala because they had plans to visit Kalahasti(1/2 an hour from Tirupati) the next day.We had to leave rooms by 7 but since it started raining, some of them left late and took bus lately to reach Tirupati.Luckly our bus reached there(Tirupati) just in time.Myself ,mom and 10  more ran to catch the train since it was already late and the train had just arrived.Amomg 52 who had to accompany us, 18 members missed the trian :( and had to catch bus to reach Bangalore.I had chapati's for dinner.We got down in Cantonment railway station at 6:45 and reached home at 8:00 AM on 5th.It was an awesome journey and very nice experience.I felt blessed after the darshana.

Our vehicles

        It was a cool Sunday morning on 22nd July 2012.Around 25 people visited Golden Temple @ Vellore ,Tamil Nadu.It was my second visit to the temple.We had booked two Tempo travellers for 14 members each.My neighbour Mr. & Mrs.Phatak's family of around 20, me , Saroja aunty and family all started  at 7 AM in a Tempo Traveller.Another TT with 15 people who accompanied us was from a different route.We went to Deepti's house at Peenya to pick her family.On the way, in Mathikere, we packed breakfast and started the journey.I enjoyed talking to Parineeta(Deepti's 3 yr old daughter).We played antyakshari until we stopped for breakfast at roadside at 11 AM. We had idlis,vada +chutney and kesribath.It was super yummy.

Breakfast

Jalakanteshwara temple

       












Later on the way we watched Arundhati movie in our tempo traveller and also sang songs and enjoyed.Few people went asleep but i was enjoying the movie.We reached Vellore @ 2:30 PM and halted in Mr.Phatak's relative's house.We had also packed bisibelebath,curd rice,obattu(sweet dish),cucumber,rice+rasam for lunch.All 25 members had lunch there along with kheer prepared buy the house owner.Then, we got freshed up and left that place at 4:00 PM to Jalakanteshwara temple which is located in Vellore city.After visiting the temple, we left to Golden temple and reached temple at 5:00 PM.We drank coffee/tea and entered temple at 5:30 PM. There was no much waiting for our luck.We had to walk around 5-6 kms to reach the main temple (part of darshana or queue ).I enjoyed thoroughly and was guiding few people(who accompanied me) about the temple and surroundings.Alankara of Goddess Narayani was mesmerizing.We finished darshana at 8:00 PM, had temple prasadam which was really tasty and left by 9:00. PM .I wanted to do some purchasing but could not since i left my purse in my Tempo traveller.
          On the way we stopped for dinner at a hotel and  I had masala dosa . We reached our home around 2:00 AM the next day.I thoroughly enjoyed the one day trip since I was with all new people around me.As said earlier it was my second visit to Vellore and this time i saw the temple in evening light which was marvelous when compared to morning darshana during my first visit.
Some important information :
Distance - around 5-5 1/2 hours from Bangalore.On the way you can also visit Krishnagiri dam but takes lot of time there since the dam and park is huge.Adjust time acccordingly before starting.
Places of interest in Vellore apart from Golden temple : Jalakanteshwara  temple,Vellore fort.
Timings for Golden temple : 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM(camera, mobile,food and electronic devices strictly not allowed.There are separate counters to keep them.). Special darshana with much less queue will cost  250 or 300 Rs per head.Entire darshana will take 2-3 hrs.
   

Entrance

6 months planning finally came to an end.Me,mom and mom's friend Rangamma aunty were all set to visit Sridhara gudda(hill).Me and mom left home around 8 and reached aunty's house(in Kengari) around 10:30.Had to spend lot of time searching her house since we had been there long time back.She offered us jack fruit and coffee.From there we left to Kengari main bus stand by 11:30 AM( Walked all the way crossing railway tracks).

Temple in Ashram

Sridhara gudda is 5 Kms from Kengeri main bus stop and there are many buses available.We reached there by 12:30 PM. Visited the ashram and temple.Roamed and had a walk in the park and hill.Came back to aunty's house by 2:30 PM.Had lunch and reached our home by 6:00PM.Over all enjoyed a small one (i must say half) day trip.Its a nice place to relax.Away from city and very peaceful area.

Steps to climb the hill.

Park

Information :Gurumatha Amma is a wife and mother in her late 50s who is also a spiritual  guru to thousands of devotees.Sreedhara Sree Gudda was previously a little barren hillock she lovingly converted into a verdant ashram, with an attitude of total surrender. Having adopted the late Sridhara Swami as her manasa guru, she has now established a centre for self-realisation at her temple/ashram where she initiates devotees from various backgrounds to steer them back to their goal – atma sakshatkara.
Latest updates can be obtained from : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sridhara-gudda-ashram/176534102404279