Hara - The Fine Dine Experience

Last week I was very much tired after heavy shopping in BDA complex Banashankari 2nd stage. I was hungry too. So my very first choice for the lunch was the restaurant 'Hara' which is exactly opposite to BDA Complex. Thus my long time wish to have lunch/dinner in Hara came true :)

The concept I liked in 'Hara' was solving SU-DO-KU game. No need to get bored while you wait for the items you have ordered. SU-DO-KU papers are kept on all tables. It is really fun to solve this game with friends or family and the time passes quickly. It doesnt mean that waiting period here is long. Service is quick. 

 The ambience of Hara is fresh and beautiful. White, green and brown interiors with shades of light and peaceful ambience giveyou the fine dine experience. 

 Moving on to the food items - Hara has vide varieties of items to choose from. Description on the Menu book is at its best. Their starters list is long with tasty chinese and North Indian items. I tasted Masala papad with vegetable spring roll. The taste was something I never had in any other restaurants so far. Manchow soup was awesome.  For the main course I had hot and soft butter rotis with paneer butter masala. It was yummy and delicious. Finally finished the lunch with chocolate milk shake. Milk shake was Ok..I would have loved it if they had added more chocolate :)

If you are around Banashankari 2nd stage and love vegetarian food and want to have affordable fine dining then dont miss Hara. You would visit again and again for sure :)

Hill Temples Of Bengaluru -5 : Ragigudda Prasanna Anjaneya Temple

When we started to Ragigudda Anjaneya Temple, I thought the temple would be like any other small temples in the city. I had heard lot about this temple. I hardly knew that commercially busy Jayanagar is hiding such a big and beautiful temple within. It is easily accessible, near to Central and Gopalan mall (Jayanagar 9th block). 

The main deity of the temple is Hanuman sitting on a small hillock known as Ragigudda. It is believed that a big heap of Ragi (Millet) turned out to become a stone, hence the name "Ragigudda". One can easily climb the hill, sit on the rock and enjoy the temple surroundings. At the base of the hill there are temples of Seetha Rama, Ganesha, Bhagavathi, Goddess Rajarajeshwari and Navagraha. The total area of the temple is around five acres.

Entrance Of The Temple

The Pathway to the Anjaneya Temple

At the entrance there is a beautiful artificial water falls in between the huge rocks and big trees. It is called 'Hanuman Dhara'. At the top of Hanuman Dhara we can see a big and beautiful statue of the bird 'Garuda'. This fountain is illuminated in the evenings and it is a treat to eyes.

Hanuman Dhara

Thrimurthy Sannidhi : One more attraction of the temple is Thrimurthy Sannidhi (Trinity) at the backside of the temple. Statues of Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara are beautifully carved of a huge stone and they are 32ft tall. I really feel blessed to see these Thrimurthies together.

Thrimurthy Sannidhi

Temple also has beautiful garden where you can see nine different trees representing nine planets and they are called as Naavagraha Trees. Garden also has fountains, small waterfalls, small pond and mini statues of divine figures.

Temple Complex also consists of -

Parna Kuteera - where special poojas, homas are conducted.

Goshala - there are many cows. These cows milk is used for abhisheka.

Auditorium : Big and neatly maintained. Cultural programs are conducted here.

School and Medical Centre: Run by Ragigudda Temple Management.

Library : Many books related to religion, science etc are available to read.

Ragigudda Anjaneya Temple is a must visit temple for Hanuman devotees. I liked the temple for the following reasons :

Temple is clean and neatly maintained.

There is not too much commercialization. Temple is peaceful and calm.

Lift facility is available for senior citizen and physically handicapped to reach the temple at the hill.

One can sit on top of the hill and relax as long as you want.

Greenery is maintained everywhere. Water falls, fountains, ponds, plants and trees add their own charm to the scenic beauty.

Temple management is actively involved in social works through its charitable foundation.

Prasadam is very tasty :)

My previous posts on Hill Temples of Bengaluru : 

Shrungagiri Hill - Shanmukha Temple

Omkar Hills - Dwadasha Jyotirlinga and Matsyanarayana Temple

Hare Krishna Hills - ISKCON Temple

Vaikuntha Hills - Krishna Lila Park

Lalbagh Flower Show - 2015 : The Independence Day Edition

I had last visited the Lalbagh flower show in the year 2012. This year again I got an opportunity to visit the Independence Day flower show when the show was nearly ending. Only two days were left. On weekday morning at 10 AM we reached Lalbagh thinking that early morning on weekday crowd will be less. But the huge crowd proved our thinking was wrong. 
This was the 202^nd edition of the flower show. Every time the show organizers come up with the different theme. This time the two main attractions inside the Glass House were - The replica of Bengaluru Palace created using nearly 2 lakh colorful Dutch roses and statues of five Maharajas (Wodeyars) of Mysuru.

Replica Of Bengaluru Palace created using Roses

Near the statues of Mysuru Maharajas boards were installed that speak of their contributions to the state. There was a photo gallery which had rare collections of photos from the Royal Families of album of memories. The specialty of this year's show was -  Rajamata Pramoda Devi Wodeyar and the new scion Maharaja Yaduveer Krishna Datta Chamaraja Wodeyar themselves inaugurated the show.

Statues of Mysuru Wodeyars

There were many other attraction at the lawn area outside the Glass house which depicted the lifestyle of Royal family of Mysuru. As a tribute to the great Kings of Mysuru , this years flower show was transformed into Mysuru King's Garden. 

One more attraction at the lawn area was the sand sculpture of former President Late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. People were busy taking selfies with this sculpture. 

Flowery Musical Instruments : Musical Instruments made out of different colorful flowers were displayed at the lawn area.

Trumpet and Gramophone

Saxophone

Harmonium and Mridanga

Bonsai Garden had Elephant created using Tomatoes and Capsicums.

Apart from all these special attractions, there were many varieties of flowers, plants, herbs, shrubs in the show. The show also featured hundreds of stalls and specialized nurseries where people can buy plants, gardening needs, pesticides, manure, seeds etc. There were also stalls demonstrating roof top garden, balcony garden concepts. 

My previous posts on Lalbagh : 

Lalbagh Flower Show : 2012
Mango and Jackfruit Mela @ Lalbagh
An Evening In Lalbagh
Roses From Lalbagh Rose Garden

New Shanthi Sagar, Jayanagar 4th Block - A Descent Veg Restaurant- Place For A Quick And Relaxed Meals

Jayanagar is heaven for foodies. It has number of street food joints, chat centers, Darshinis, budget hotels and star rated hotels. From local food to international cuisines these hotels satisfy your hunger pangs. Jayanagar is considered as dream destination for food lovers.

Hotel New Shanthi Sagar in Jayanagar 4th block was my daily food destination almost for two years. My office was opposite to Shanthi Sagar. I used to head to this hotel for breakfast, lunch, tea, coffee, snacks etc. It was one of the favorite places for Birthday parties of my colleagues.

In Jayanagar, though there are number of hotels coming up with multiple cuisines offered, New Shanthi Sagar continues to be one of those hotels that provide wholesome and tasty South Indian and North Indian dishes within our budget. We can find New Shanthi Sagar in almost every part of Bengaluru.

The ambiance of the hotel is good. In the ground floor they have darshini type arrangement and Non A/C sitting hall. People who want to have tea, coffee and quick snacks preffer Darshini type arrangement where they can stand and have their food. First floor has A/C hall and the second floor has spacious party hall. Hygiene has been maintained everywhere. Hotel has enough space to accommodate everyone even if you go with a big group. Often I have seen ladies organizing kitty party here.  Staff are friendly and courteous.

I like the North Indian Thali of New Shanthi Sagar. Starters are tasty and mouth watering. Creme Tomato soup is just awesome and my favorite. Manchurians are delicious. Rice items are OK.

Overall it is a good economy restaurant in Jayanagar. Though not a must visit hotel in Jayanagar, but visiting once to have the quality food of one of the oldest chains of hotels is worth for foodies like me :)