Around Bangalore: 13 - Antara Gange

WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2015! 

Destination: Antara Gange

Direction: East / North-East of Bangalore; Old Madras Road, NH4, via Hoskote, turn left before Kolar.

Type of place: Hillock, Hindu temple.

We visited last on: 01/Nov/09, Sun.

Suitable for: A day trip.

Best seasons to visit: Most seasons should be good; a rainy day can be difficult to climb the steps.

Distances
      * 72 KM from City Railway Station.
      * 72 KM from Central Silk Board.
      * Turn left after ~11 KM after crossing Kendatti (Cafe Coffee Day) on NH4, and then go 2 KM.

Route maps on Google
      * From City Railway Station: Click Here.
      * From Central Silk Board, Hosur Road: Click Here.

Timings: Open only during daylight timings.

Weekly off: Typically none.

Food
      * There are no restaurants for a few KM before or even at the base of the hillock.
      * Carry food along and eat at a convenient location; or go up to Kolar and look for eateries.
      * There are no food options at the top of the hillock; just the temple there.

Specialties
      * Drive after KR Puram, on Old Madras Road NH4 was ok; at that time road work was going on.
      * The last few KM after the left turn from NH4 was single track but nice.
      * Climb over the hillock feels great with nice steps and trees around.
      * Main specialty is the water spring coming through the mouth of a small Nandi statue (a pipe?).
      * You can also climb up beyond the temple for some calm surroundings and nice views.

Travel Tips
      * There were a lot of monkeys, so always watch-out.
      * When you climb up beyond the temple, be careful as the place is secluded and can be risky.
      * Carry your stock of food, juices and drinking water.

Photos 

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You can click on the picture(s) to see a bigger version.  

Click here to view all 'Around Bangalore' postings under this series.

____________________________________________________________________________

Note: This is a series where I post details and tips about some day-trip locations around Bangalore. You would note that, the date of our visit to some of these places was quite some time back, so some of the detail need not be currently valid. However, I think the major part of the information will still be useful to readers. Do check around by phone or other means about these places to know the latest details and then make your plan. Enjoy your travel. Have fun.

____________________________________________________________________________

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Around Bangalore: 12 - Shravanabelagola

Destination: Shravanabelagola

Direction: West of Bangalore; go on Bangalore-Mangalore road NH48 towards Hassan, turn left after Hirisave (before Channarayapattana).

Type of place: Hillock, Jain temple.

We visited last on: 10/Oct/08, Fri.

Suitable for: A day trip.

Best seasons to visit: Most seasons should be good; summer can be too hot to climb the steps.

Distances
      * 140 KM from City Railway Station.
      * 150 KM from Central Silk Board.
      * Turn left after about 8 KM after crossing Hirisave, and then travel 11 KM.

Route maps on Google
      * From City Railway Station: Click Here.
      * From Central Silk Board, Hosur Road: Click Here.

Timings: Open only during daylight timings.

Weekly off: Typically none.

Food
      * There are some small restaurants at the base of the hillock.
      * It will be good to carry food along and eat at a convenient location.
      * There are no food options at the top of the hillock; just the temple there.

Specialties
      * The drive after Nelamangala, on the Mangalore highway NH48 was very good.
      * The last 11 KM after the left turn from NH48 was single track but nice.
      * The 57 feet monolithic Gommateshvara Bahubali statue atop visible from far as you near the town.
      * Climb over the hillock feels great with nice views down.
      * There are a few ancient structures and small temple mantaps at the top.
      * There is also a temple with a big pond in the town new the hillock.

Travel Tips
      * Climbing the steps carefully; some parts can be a bit skidding; it can be windy at times as well.
      * During summer, mid-day could be hot, so carry your caps / hats.
      * Carry your stock of juices and drinking water.

Photos 

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You can click on the picture(s) to see a bigger version.  

Click here to view all 'Around Bangalore' postings under this series.

____________________________________________________________________________

Note: This is a series where I post details and tips about some day-trip locations around Bangalore. You would note that, the date of our visit to some of these places was quite some time back, so some of the detail need not be currently valid. However, I think the major part of the information will still be useful to readers. Do check around by phone or other means about these places to know the latest details and then make your plan. Enjoy your travel. Have fun.

____________________________________________________________________________

* * * You can write your COMMENTS about this Post BY CLICKING HERE - Thanks * * * 
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[ Do share my Blog link with your friends and relatives ]

Around Bangalore: 11 - Dodda Ala Mara, Machanabele Dam

Destination: Dodda Ala Mara, and Machanabele a.k.a. Manchanabele Dam

Direction: South West of Bangalore; on Mysore Road, turn right about 2.5 KM after Kengeri.

Type of place: Dodda Ala Mara: Botanical. Machanabele Dam: Reservoir, Water body.

We visited last on: 17/Jun/07, Sun.

Suitable for: A short day trip.

Best seasons to visit: Right after the rainy season, it will be nice to see the greenery around.

Distances
      * 25 KM to Dodda Ala Mara + 10 KM to Machanabele Dam, from City Railway Station.
      * 35 KM to Dodda Ala Mara + 10 KM to Machanabele Dam, from Central Silk Board.
      * Turn right after about 2.5 KM after crossing Kengeri town and drive about 7.5 KM to Ala Mara.

Route maps on Google
      * From City Railway Station: Click Here.
      * From Central Silk Board, Hosur Road: Click Here.

Timings: Open only during daylight timings.

Weekly off: Typically none.

Food
      * There are no good restaurants around.
      * It will be good to carry food along and eat at a convenient location.
      * There are lots of monkeys, very bold, grabbing away things from our hands; so watch-out.

Specialties
      * The drive is on the Mysore highway for the initial part till you cross Kengeri.
      * 7.5 KM + 10 KM after right turn (2.5 KM after Kengeri) is all single track; can see some farms.
      * Dodda means Big, Aala Maraa is Banyan Tree.
      * At Dodda Ala Mara, you can sit around the tree and enjoy seeing the aerial prop roots grown into thick woody trunks.
      * At Machanebele Dam, you can sit along the several narrow shoulder-like mounds / bunds close to the water and look around the hillocks far on the other side of the reservoir.

Travel Tips
      * Take care of protecting yourselves and your food / snacks from monkeys.
      * Do not venture getting into the water body at Machanabele; it is not allowed and is risky.
      * After rainy season the water level can be very high and going near water might even be banned.
      * During summer, mid-day could be hot, so carry your caps, hats and umbrellas.
      * Better to carry your stock of juices and drinking water.
      * We did Dodda Ala Mara first and then went to Machanabele Dam. You can do the other way also. 

Photos 

Dodda Ala Mara

Machanabele Dam a.k.a. Manchanabele Dam

 ____________________________________________________________________________

You can click on the picture(s) to see a bigger version.  

Click here to view all 'Around Bangalore' postings under this series.

____________________________________________________________________________

Note: This is a series where I post details and tips about some day-trip locations around Bangalore. You would note that, the date of our visit to some of these places was quite some time back, so some of the detail need not be currently valid. However, I think the major part of the information will still be useful to readers. Do check around by phone or other means about these places to know the latest details and then make your plan. Enjoy your travel. Have fun.

____________________________________________________________________________

* * * You can write your COMMENTS about this Post BY CLICKING HERE - Thanks * * * 
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[ Do share my Blog link with your friends and relatives ]

Around Bangalore: 10 - Nandi Hills

Destination: Nandi Hills

Direction: North of Bangalore; on Devanahalli / Hyderabad Road, turn left about 9 KM after Airport cross.

Type of place: Hillock, Historical.

We visited last on: 23/Jul/06, Sun.

Suitable for: A day trip.

Best seasons to visit: Right after the rainy season, it will be nice to see the greenery around.

Distances
      * 62 KM from City Railway Station to destination.
      * 68 KM from Central Silk Board to destination.
      * Turn left about 9 KM after going past Devanahalli International Airport clover leaf.

Route maps on Google
      * From City Railway Station: Click Here.
      * From Central Silk Board, Hosur Road: Click Here.

Timings: Open only during daylight timings.

Weekly off: Typically none.

Food
      * There are a couple of restaurants at Nandi Hills.
      * It will be fun to carry food along and eat under the tree shades or park atop the hills.
      * There are lots of monkeys, very bold, grabbing away things from our hands; so watch-out.

Specialties
      * The drive from Bangalore is nice on the highway up to a few KM after Devanahalli.
      * 20 KM after left turn (9 KM after Devanahalli) is single track till Nandi Hills; calm; can see some farms.
      * At Nandi Hills, you can sit on the slopes at a few places (be careful though) and enjoy the cool breeze.
      * Tippu Sultan's drop, Tippu Sultan's summer palace, a few stepped tanks, old fort walls, etc.
      * Trees, gardens, flowers, walk-ways, resting benches, etc.

Travel Tips
      * Take care of protecting yourselves and your food / snacks from monkeys.
      * Make sure you do not take risks on the slopes. Keep yourselves within safe zones.
      * Take a tour of all the historic locations. You will have to walk around the various spots.
      * During summer, mid-day could be hot, so carry your caps, hats and umbrellas.
      * Carry your stock of juices and drinking water. Buying them there can be a bit expensive.

Photos

 ____________________________________________________________________________

You can click on the picture(s) to see a bigger version.  

Click here to view all 'Around Bangalore' postings under this series.

____________________________________________________________________________

Note: This is a series where I post details and tips about some day-trip locations around Bangalore. You would note that, the date of our visit to some of these places was quite some time back, so some of the detail need not be currently valid. However, I think the major part of the information will still be useful to readers. Do check around by phone or other means about these places to know the latest details and then make your plan. Enjoy your travel. Have fun.

____________________________________________________________________________

* * * You can write your COMMENTS about this Post BY CLICKING HERE - Thanks * * * 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[  You can SUBSCRIBE to my Blog here ]

[ Do share my Blog link with your friends and relatives ]