'Nammura Upahara' - A Darshini for Masala Dosa Lovers

On Doddakallsandra road, near to my home there is a small Darshini called Nammura Upahara. I frequently visit this darshini for Masala Dosas. This is bit different from other darshinis. They have very small menu with limited items on the list. Masala Dosa, Avalakki bath, Shavige bath, onion  pakodas, fresh filter coffee and tea - thats all. Except Masala Dosa other varieties of dosas are not available here. If you want  any item for parcel then you have to bring your own carry bags or boxes. 

In the evenings there will be more crowd with most of the people ordering for Masala dosas. Here Masala Dosa is served with green chutney and potato palya which will be crispy and tasty. Masala dosa per plate costs just 20 Rs which is cheap compared to other hotels and darshinis dosa. Other items are equally tasty :) 

Nammura Upahara has normal ambiance like any other darshinis. But it is neat and clean. As their tag line says food served here is clean and tasty. 

Hill Temples Of Bengaluru - 4 : Vaikuntha Hills - Krishna Lila Park By ISKCON

Last Sunday we had been to Krishna Lila Park which is being set up by ISKCON Bengaluru on the hillock on Kanakapura Main Road. They have named this huge hillock as 'Vaikuntha Hills'. It is very near to my home and can be reached easily. Krishna Lila Park is behind Gokulam Appartment which is again an apartment complex by ISKCON. From the main road direction boards are put up everywhere. 

Krishna Lila Park, a magnificent cultural complex is spread over 28 acres on Vaikuntha Hills. Construction is not yet completed. When we went to Vaikuntha Hills, construction was in full swing. However two temples on the ground level - Shri Jagannatha Mandir and Radha Krishna Mandir was open to the public. These two temples have traditional design with modern architecture. Jagannatha Mandir has the deities of Shri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra along with the deity of Sudarshana Narasimha. These deities are in Odisha style and reminded me of Puri Jagannatha Temple. It also has the statue of Shri Sheela Prabhupada, founder of ISKCON. 

Shri Jagannatha Mandir of Krishna Lila Park On Vaikuntha Hills 

Deities of Jagannatha, Balarama and Subhadra along with Sudarshana Narasimha

Statue of Shri Sheela Prabhupada, founder of ISKCON

Sri Radha Krishna Mandir has beautiful idols of eternal and divine lovers Radha and Krishna. First Ratha Yatra was held recently on Vaikuntha Hills.

Shri Radha-Krishna

The purpose of Krishna Lila park is to present, preserve and promote the cultural heritage and Vedic history of India to the society in an interesting and captivating presentation. Today, our children's minds are obsessed with Superman, Spiderman and such other characters coming from the West. Hence Krishna Lila Park aims to impress upon the younger generation the glorious pastimes of our Vedic heroes like Krishna, Rama and Hanuman and instill in their minds the deep values they represent. It may take another 4-5 years to complete the project and once this is fully open to the public, it will become yet another important cultural and religious tourism destination in Bengaluru city. 

The Proposed Krishna Lila Park on Vaikuntha Hills by ISKCON (Img Source - ISKCON Bangalore Website)

My attachment with Lord Krishna goes back to the time when Doordarshan was telecasting the serial 'Mahabharat'. I was 6 years old then and regular viewer of the serial. Lord Krishna's eternal and supreme personality left a great mark on my mind. I have an immense devotion, love towards Krishna. For me he is an ultimate friend who stays with me in every stage of my life, who listens my prayers, who solves my problems, who guides me and shows the right path. When my little kid started speaking his first words, I asked him to say 'Krishna' and with his sweet baby language he said 'Nikka' :) He is two years now and till he says Nikka whenever he sees Krishna. It feels so lovely!!

When I was staying in hostel near Rajajinagar, the main ISKCON temple on Hare Krishna hill was very close to me. Most of the Sunday mornings I used to go there to attend the first pooja to the Lord Krishna which will be performed around 6 AM. Attending their first pooja is once in a life time experience for every one. But after shifting from that locality I missed ISKCON and its first pooja. Now by Krishna's grace, again I am near to the Krishna Lila Park and no doubt, I will be the frequent visitor to the temple :)

My previous posts on Hill Temples of Bengaluru :

Shrungagiri Hill - Shanmukha Temple
Omkar Hills - Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Temple and Matsya Narayana Temple
Hare Krishna Hill - ISKCON Temple

Gaganachukki and Bharachukki - Twin Falls of Shivanasamudra

We visited Shivanasamudra falls almost four years back and it was just one day trip. Our plan was to visit Shivanasamudra falls and Talakad in a day. I think almost all Bengalurians are aware of this falls and most of them have seen these twin falls. Nature lovers, bikers, trekking enthusiasts, tourists, photographers love this place. River Kaveri forms these twin falls called Gaganachukki and Bharachukki near a small town- Shivanasamudra. This place is popularly known as 'Bluff'. These two falls are separated by just few kms. Though there is a very short distance between two falls, Gaganachukki is in Malavalli Taluk of Mandya district and Bharachukki is in Kollegala Taluk of Chamarajnagara district. Their approaching roads are also different.

I have heard that falls will be in full glow during peak monsoon when water is released from KRS dam. But our visit was post monsoon. First we saw Gaganachukki falls. There is ample parking place and neatly maintained view point. Gaganachukki looks more beautiful when mist surrounds it. It is a glorious sight to behold. As it was an open view point, hot and burning sun made us really tired :( 

We went to the one more view point to see Gaganachukki. It is known as Darga view point (Near Darga Hazrath Mardane Gaib also known as Imam Ali Darga). We wanted to view the waterfalls closely. So we climbed down the rocks from back side of the Darga. We stood on the dangerous rocky terrains. I had never seen a falls so closely!!! An unforgettable and lifetime experience!!! But Darga premises and surroundings are not at all clean. I could not tolerate the horrible and bad smell coming from the garbage around Darga and I started vomiting. We enjoyed Gaganachukki near Darga for almost 45 minutes and moved towards Bharachukki which is located 2 kms from Darga. 

From parking place we walked almost 300 meters to reach the falls. If you want to take a coracle ride or want to take a dip in the clear water of Bharachukki then you need to climb down more than 100 steps. But this place is very dangerous and many people have lost their lives. We can see caution and warning boards everywhere. As there was shortage of time and we also wanted to visit Talakad as planned, we did not go till the base of Bharachukki. Overall it was very enjoyable trip. 

Note : It is better to carry your own food/pack your lunch before leaving to Shivanasamudra. There are small shops and eateries near falls but after looking at those foods we wont feel like having it. 
Kids need special and extra care as falls area is very dangerous. Better not to take kids between the age 0-3 years.
And I want to know why  Shivanasamudra is called as Bluff. If any one knows please leave a comment.
Read my post on Talakadu here :
Talakadu : The land submerged in sand

A Big Honey Bee Hive

Recently we had been to Maiyas Restaurant @ Jayanagar for lunch. As usual we were waiting for our turn and we saw a big honey bee hive on the roof of restaurant building. We were so close to the bee hive that just a glass window separated us from the hive. I was seeing such a big hive so closely for the very first time. While bees were busy constructing the hive, we killed the time by watching their activities till the receptionist called our names :)

Beautiful and Colorful Roses From Lalbagh Rose Garden

August arrived again and Lalbagh is getting ready for its annual flower show. Preparations for the week long flower show must have started by now. This time flower show is open to the public from August 7th to 15th. Last time I had visited the flower show in the year 2012. After that I have visited Lalbagh many times for other reasons but not for the show. Hope this year I can make it to the flower show if circumstances allow :)
Whenever I visit Lalbagh, I make sure that I spend some time in the rose garden. These Queen of flowers always attract me. Standing in the middle of the rose garden with full of beautiful and colorful roses, I feel like I am in the heaven :) Here are some pictures of Roses which I had clicked last time when I was in Lalbagh.

Lalbagh Rose garden

Heart stoppingly beautiful Roses...aren't they? More than just a beauty they are symbol of Love and Life !!!

Read my previous posts on Lalbagh here :

Lalbagh Flower Show
Mango and Jackfruit Mela @ Lalbagh
An Evening in Lalbagh