Mysore Zoo

My trip to Mysore came to a full circle with my visit to the Mysore Zoo. Set up by the royalty, this is, in fact, one of the largest zoos in the whole of South India. Its the perfect place to visit with your family, especially your children. Yougsters will enjoy seeing the different kinds of animals and birds and other creatures housed in this zoo. The actual name of the zoo is Shri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens. The moment you step inside, you will come face to face with the Giraffe. There are around five giraffes in the zoo and beleive me, they are a real beauty. Watching the tigers and lions is something that one should not miss at all. Other animals that you can get to see here include the zebras, deers, Black Buck, rhinocerous, gorrila, chimpanzee, elephants, porcupine and others.

The Mysore Zoo is particularly famous for the different species of birds that one can find here. You can marvel at the sight of the Golden Pheasant, Silver Pheasant, White Peacock, Flamingos, Heron, Stork, Crane, Eagles,Cocktaoos and many others. So, if you love animals, then come and pay a visit to the Mysore Zoo. The zoo opens at around 10'o' clock in the morning and shuts down at 5 p.m. Spread across an area of 250 acres, the zoo is definitely one of the major tourist attractions of the city of Mysore.

Gumbaz

Gumbaz is the mausoleum of Tipu Sultan and his parents Hyder Ali and Fatima Begum. Situated in Srirangapatnam, this marvelous structure is a popular tourist attraction of the historical city. The structure is made of white stone. The monument is built on a platform and is surrounded by an open balcony. There are a good number of carved pillars that adorn this open veranda. The mausoleum is situated inside a garden called the Lalbagh.

This grand, opulent and historical structure was built in the year 1782-84 by Tipu Sultan. It houses the tomb stones of Tipu Sultan, his father Hyder Ali and mother Fatima Begum. Hyder Ali's tomb is placed in the center. Tipu's tomb is covered by tiger skin. Even the inner walls of the mausoleum have tiger prints on them. The doors of this beautiful structure are ebony in color and is inlaid with ivory. The ceiling is beautifully carved and the windows have intricate carvings. You can also check out the Masjid-e-aksa mosque, which is located next to the Gumbaz. One is expected to take of one's shoes before entering the mausoleum.

Getting to this place is easy. You can take a bus or an auto and come over here easily.

Gumbaz allows you to pay respect to one of the greatest kings of India.

Come close to nature at Sangam

Located in Srirangapatnam in Karnatka, Sangam is the ideal place to get close to Mother Nature. A popular spot to go for an excursion when embarking on a Mysore Tour or a tour of the historical city of Srirangapatnam, the place offers the perfect spot where you can sit and spend time with yourself.
Sangam, or rather Sangam Ghat, is basically that point where River Kavery meets River Loakpavani, before they flow together towards the Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu. Once here, you can sit on the ghat steps and enjoy the cool and gentle breeze that will soothe your senses and mind. You can also hire a small boat and sail on the tranquil waters of the rivers. The view is simply fabulous and every moment you spend over here is a magical experience. The calm and peaceful atmosphere and the gentle breeze that blows on your face entwines you and your soul with the spirit of nature. You can buy a green coconut from the vendor and sip the cool coconut water while sitting on the ghat steps. Sangam Ghat is also a good picnic spot. An ideal place to spend a romantic moment with your beloved.
So, enter into a tryst with nature and let your imaginations soar at Sangam.

Sree Ranganathaswamy Temple

One of the finest examples of South Indian temple architecture, the Ranganathaswamy Temple is definitely a place worth visiting. This marvelous temple is located near Tipu Sultan's fort in Srirangapatnam. Built of stone, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, also referred to as Lord Ranganatha.

The temple was built sometime during the reign of the Ganga Ruler, Tirumalaiya, during the 9th century. The temple architecture is a mix of the Hoysala and Vijaynagar architecture patterns. It is one of the three Hindu shrines that are dedicated to Lord Ranganatha. The gopuram of this temple is exquisite and grand. The interiors of the temple are like a maze. Broad, huge and ornately carved pillars adorn the interiors of the temple. One of the most striking features of the temple is the Chaturvimsati Pillar. Located in front of the temples inner entrance, this pillar is carved with 24 forms of Lord Vishnu. Inside the temple, the idol of the Lord shows him in a reclining posture, lying on Adi Sesha. You can find the idols of Lord Krishna, Goddess Laxmi, Gowtama Muni, Garur, Srinivasa and Panchamukha Anjaneya. The latter two were installed by Vyasaraya.

The atmosphere inside the temple is cool and comfortable. So, no matter how hot it is outside, inside the temple it is extremely comfortable. The interiors are illuminated with traditional Indian lamps.

Outside the temple premises, there are a large number of shops selling pictures, articles made of stone and wood and other handicraft items. You can buy these items. Prices are reasonable, though in some cases you may have to bargain a little bit.

So, if you are visiting Srirangapatnam, make sure you make a trip to the Ranganathaswamy Temple. What can be better than experiencing spiritual bliss on your vacations.

Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace-Dariya Daulat Bagh

Located in the historical town of Srirangapatnam, Dariya Daulat Bagh or Tipu's Summer Palace is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions of the city. The construction of the palace was started by Hyder Ali in the year 1778 A.D. , and was completed by Tipu Sultan in the year 1784 A.D. The palace, more like a magnificent mansion, is set amidst a sprawling and beautiful garden. The palace is located on the southern banks of the River Kaveri. The garden is lined with beautiful trees that bear some orange colored flower, the name of which I really don't remember. The peaceful atmosphere that surrounds the entire place along with the beautiful palace, allows the tourists to reunite withthe past.

The palace has a charm of its own. The pillars, walls, arches, doorways of the palace are all built of wood. The walls of the palace are painted with murals depicting aspects from the life of the royal family. Though the colors have worn out a little, the restoration work carried out, have helped a lot in preserving their original texture and colors. Pictures showing the king on a royal procession, in a war with the British and in a session with his nobles are painted on the walls. Inside the palace, you can get to see the portrait of Tipu Sultan, his seven sons,Tipu Sultan’s fort commander Ghulam Ali Khan and others. Displayed in a huge glass showcase is the garment and the turban that was worn by the Tiger of Mysore.Other dispalys inlcude antique furniture, ancient coins and articles that belonged to Tipu Sultan.

Dariya Daulat Bagh is a wonderful place to go for sightseeing. The colorful murals and the lovely garden are a treat for the eyes.

Mysore Palace-A Treat for the eyes.

It was my first visit to the Mysore Palace and believe me I enjoyed it a lot. I was totally astounded by the beauty and lavishness of this grand architectural marvel in Karnataka. This fabulous palace is home to the Wodheyar Family, the royal family of Mysore. The original palace, which was made of wood, was completely destroyed by fire. Later on the palace was rebuilt again and restored to its former glory and grandeur. The main lobby or hall, located on the ground floor, has huge pillars with intricate carvings depicting floral patterns, animals and daily life of the people of Mysore. The roof is made of stained glass bearing pictures of peacocks, trees and flowers. Climb to the second floor and you arrive at a huge pavillion, which faces the main gate of the palace premises. The ceiling of this pavillion is worth checking out. The ceiling has stars painted on them. During the night time, these stars glow thereby making one feel as if one is sitting under the night sky. The dancing hall is known for its opulence and is extremely glamorous. The sculptures on the walls are golden in color. The main dancing area is located right in the center. There are huge and grand chandeliers that illuminate this fanatstic room. You can come here and check out the paintings, which are fine examples of Carnatic art. Apart from these, you can aslo take a look at the pictures of the Wodheyar family. The palace is not only known for its beauty, but also for its serene and calm atmosphere. Inside the palace, it is cool and comfortable, which is directly opposite to the hot weather outside.
You can take a walk in the palace premises and check out the gardens. One can aslo enjoy an elephant or a camel ride offered here especially for the tourists.
A visit to the Mysore Palace is truly recommended. Bathed in history, this palace with its grandeur is surely worth visiting. It is truly a treat for the eyes.

Continental Fiesta

Pamper your tastebuds and satisfy your appetite for continental food at Casapicolla in Bangalore. This fantastic restaurant, though small, offers some of the best continental dishes that you can find in the city. Whether, you are a vegetarian or a meat lover, you are sure to find something that will satisfy your palate. The food is delicious and worth going for. Some of the dishes that one can go for inlcude Chicken Stroganoff, Chicken Pot Pie, Vegetable Casserole and others. I particulalry liked the Chicken Macarroni preparation. Served with garlic bread, this is a rich creamy preparation that is light and filling. Apart from these,you can try out the fresh juices, mocktails as well as the desserts like ice creams and souffles served over here.

The restaurant offers a casual atmosphere and an informal setting, which enables you to dine in a relaxed manner. If you are lucky, then you might also get to hear live music performances over here. The staff is friendly and makes sure that you enjoy every moment spend over here. The food served over here is priced slightly on the higher side. However, if you are looking for good quality food, then this definitely should not be a cause of concern.

So, check out this quaint little retaurant with your friends and family and embark on a true continental fiesta.