August 15, 16 and 17 was a long holiday. Enjoyed the drive in Namma Bagngaluru on Friday August 15th. Obliviously reason for smooth traffic was holiday and long weekend. Most of the outstation people visited there home town. Probably most of Bangaloreans were out of station with family enjoying the true Independence day.
Friday celebrated the Independence day with speech of our beloved Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. Every year I watch the prime minister’s speech, expecting something extra ordinary announcements. Not to my surprise, there was nothing extra ordinary. Probably the highlight was committee approved the 6th Pay commission recommendation. Central government employees will have more benefits and also arrears.
Sunday we had a plan to visit Shivansamudra. First trip will all the family members. Myself, wife, Brother Deepak, vaini and son Chinmay. Vishwanath and family, Avinash and family, Ravishankar and Family, Pradeep and Family. Total around 20 members. Narayan helped to order the food,.,, and thanks to Narayan for helping to cancel the food order at last moment. I was excited to visit the place. Due to some unavoidable circumstances, trip got canceled. Rather postponed. As we have a plan to go out soon.
Friday, me and Supriya thought, we will visit the Mysore palace. What a way to celebrate the
Independence. We got a chance to see the historical places and here we goo.. We started form Bangalore on Saturday 11.00 AM.
Had breakfast at Kadumane. Dosa and Idli. I don’t like Kadumane service, yet I visit everytime, only for good open space and car parking area. We have been visiting Kadumane with Pradeep, Narayan almost once in 4 months. I did not like the service. Food is ok,., but service is bad. Waitors will look as if they are doing a favor. Once myself, Narayan and Pradeep visited Kadumane at morning 5.30 AM. We ahd nigh out.. discussing somethings… I don’t really remember whole night what we discussed. It was so much enjoyable and did not know its 5.00AM. Then we went to Kaadu mane and had heavy breakfast. That was too much fun.
Started out i10 Journey again towards palace. Before Mandya, whole line of cars standing and some group of people and politicians are seen. I guess its our beloved Ex Chief Minister Kumarswamy visited the place. Whole road half kilometers was empty and we can able to see only police officials dressed neatly to welcome us. Surprisingly lot of traffic along the Mysore road. We could able to see not less than five cars at a time. My i10 cruised along the way, at 140 kmph leaving behind all cars. Thanks to Pradeep, without him I could not have driven wonderful i10.
Reached Mysore city and we don’t know where is Mysore palace. Followed the written road map and reached some place which we though it’s a Mysore palace. Parked the Car and asked someone. Came to know that we have reached, behind the palace and actual palace is other side of the temple. Took the U turn, came back to signal. Asked someone –two old people around 60-65 years, who guided with great excitement. Even I was excited to visit the palace and was eager to drive down and reach the place. I am stunned with the parking lot, all cars and vehicles in a ground parked without any manner. I looked for last line parking.. ohhhhhhhh!!! I reached dead end where route is blocked by all vehicles. Took U turn and again started looking for parking place for my small I10. Saw one slot empty, took right turn and parked. Then I saw from other side, big bus was taking reverse for the same place. We could not resist laughing and big bus went ahead looking for other place in the yard.
Taken the entry tickets and went inside. It was all crowded and no proper instruction what is there what. Long queue to submit the cameras. I do not know why we should submit the cameras. Took some snaps outside and along with camera went inside. Big queue for Chappal stand and after 5 minutes, able to get place for chappals in the stand. I do not know why we should remove the shoes and go inside. I am sorry, if I am hearting anyone. Its my personal view and really surprised to know this. At the security check, they checked the Camera and asked to keep it and come back. Went outside, put the Sony in i10.
Finally we are here… inside the palace… feeling like Maharaja. and sense of accomplishment that we reached the destination. Amazed by the great architecture, splendid interiors. Top roofs are ultimate. Durbar Hall on the first floor and marriage hall are awesome. We can clearly visulaise the combination of hindu and muslim architecture. Happy to see the place and still I had much more expectations apart from fascinating interiors, marble tiles. View from first floor is undoubtedly amazing towards the open place outside. I wanted to see the heirachy of Raja’s recently ruled and how the ancient dynasty transformed to British rule. British rule to Vodeyar family. I know, we can get these information just by Googling, it’s all together different feeling to learn from there pictures, paints and wordings inside the palace itself. I do agree that there are paintings, photos, and all Raja and family photos. It was not so crystal clear to visualize.
After that came back outside, only to see heavy rain pouring. Its always so much fun to be in rain. It reminded me of two things. One is quotation, “Best thing you can do when raining is to let it rain” Second is around 4 years back, when I used to drive only my Hero Honda Splendor or Pradeep’s Hero Honda Passion. Once day, when it was raining heavily, myself and Pradeep went to ride on our bikes. From Banashankari to Nettakallappa circle. Had Lemon Soda. Went to Chamarajpeth, Vijaynagar, Nagarbhavi and near to his friends house. Had some stuff in the evening and came back… All this in rain and we two drenched in rain like anything, never before. Only thing missing was the camera. I am sure, Pradeep and me can remember this for a life long, without the camera. I can still feel the fresh air and rainy muddy smell and fast drive over the Chamarajpeth fly over.
3.30 PM by the time we came back, went in search of lunch. Thought of having memorable lunch and drive to President hotel. Again I had much more expectation of President hotel, (May be because I was comparing with the Bangalore President Hotel). Ambience was good but was crowded. Went to Pai Vista – Guffa. To become charged and refresh again to visit another great place Krishana Raja Sagar(KRS). Had excellent corn roll though fried rice was ok.
Went to KRS via ring road. Enjoyed the nature beauty and drizzling rain. Waaahhh.. we reached KRS and full of water. Took some snaps in the bridge and it was like we were in ship. Had great time in the Brindavan garden, boating and nice to see lot of crowd enjoying the holiday and weekend. We wanted to come back without watching Musical fountain in Brindavan garden. We would have missed the core part of KRS and garden without seeing the beauty of musical fountain. Musical Fountain was really refreshing with the songs like Vande Mataram, Jeeva nadi.. Jeeva nadi..Kaveri..from Vishnuvardhana movie, Alisha Chenoy song and Dile hain mere deewna kay from Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum. Though not in a mood to come back to Bangalore, still we have to come back. To start again the normal activites. The memory of excellent art of Mysore palace, Brindavan garden would remain as the life time visit places in my life.
. It is much interesting to to read the quotes of the day.