ST. PHILOMENA'S CHURCH is a landmark of Mysore, located on the Mysore/Bangalore Road. Its two 165 ft tall spires draw the attention of tourists and devotees. The towers resemble one of the Cathedral in Cologne in Germany and St. Patrick's Church in New York (USA). Built in Gothic style, it is the largest Cathedral in South Asia, bringing to mind the grandeur of Medieval architecture. It houses the relic of 3rd Century Saint, Philomena, in this beautifully arranged catacomb below the main altar.
St. Philomena's Church in Mysore has a history of over 250 years. When Mysore's state capital was shifted from Srirangapatna to Mysore in 1799, many British officers came to Mysore and settled down and thus realising a need for a Christian shrine, a small church came up at this site. The Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV laid the foundation stone for the new church in October 1933. Located about 3 kms from the City Bus Center and 2kms from the Palace.
Squirrels caught the eye of our photographer!
change shift? Tea break? or change shoes?SRI CHAMUNDESHWARI TEMPLE
The temple is located on top of Chamundi Hills abt 13 kn from Mysore in Karnataka. The original shrine is believed to be built in the 12thCentury by Hoysala rulers while its tower was built by the Vijayanagar rulers of the 17th Century. In 1659, flight of a thousand steps was built leading up to the 3000ft summit of the hill.
At the Temple are several images of Nandi (the bull mount of Shiva). A huge granite Nandi on the 800th step is over 15 ft high and 24 ft long and around its neck are exquisite bells.
The Temple has a 7 storey tall "Gopura" decorated with intricate carvings. The deity of goddess is said to be made of gold and the temple doors made of silver.
Road signs along the single lane describe Chamundi as one of the 8 sacred hills of South India. A popular haunt for locals who ascend the hill to escape the summer heat and panaromic views of the city can be seen here.
Chamundi Hill is named after Goddess Chamundi who is believed to be the reincarnation of Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva.
A 16 ft high statue of the demon Mahishasura near the Temple is another significant feature. It is slain by the the goddess Chamndeshwari to protect the area.Hence Chamundi Devi is also lovingly known as the Goddess of Mysore.
Leading the path from the parking lot are ever vigilant merchants who set up stalls near popular religious sites.
entrance to Sri Chamundeshwari Temple
water carriers
BRAHMA KUMARI TEMPLE
offerings
coconuts at Chamundeshwari Temple
again !! ...family portrait in front of Brahma Kumaris' Museum. Given a guided tour of meaning of life and soul journey.
on a hot sunny extremely high UV day..having a family photo taken? Locals simply love to take picture with aliens..wonder why?
passing a "Trojan Horse" to the public toilet ( 2 INR) ..where's Helen ??
1,000 steps to the top !! we had to stop 6 times to take pictures of scenery of the valley below. Probably an excuse for us to take a breather ! ha ha
TALAKAD is 45km fr Mysore and 185km fr Bangalore in Karnataka state. A historic site. Once had 30 temples that today is buried in sand. Now a scenic and pilgrimage center. Among the temples, the Pathaleshwara, Maruleshwara, Arkeshwara, Vaidyanatheshwara and Mallikarjuna temples, the 5 lingams believed to represent the 5 faces of Shiva, form the "pancha pathi" . In honor of these 5 Shiva temples, a fair is held once every 12 years called "Panchalinga Darshana", last held in 2009. It is held on a new moon day in the month of Kartika when 2 stars conjoin, the stars of Khuha Yoga and Vishaka.
Abhishack likes to pose for our camera!
SRI LAKSHIMi TEMPLE .
Located at Malleswaram, Sri Lakshimi Narasimha Temple is one of the popular temples in Bangalore city. The temple is run by a Management committee, under the Charitable Trust, Government of Karnataka. According to the inscription found in the temple, Ekkoji Rao, the elder brother of Charhrapathi Shivaji, had a divine dream wherein Lord Shiva wished him to build a temple. Upon surveying a small hillock, he came upon a Udbhava Murthy of Lord Shiva. At that place came into existence a temple, known today as Kaadu Malleswara Temple.
shoes off ...again!!
Located at Malleswaram, Sri Lakshimi Narasimha Temple is one of the popular temples in Bangalore city. The temple is run by a Management committee, under the Charitable Trust, Government of Karnataka. According to the inscription found in the temple, Ekkoji Rao, the elder brother of Charhrapathi Shivaji, had a divine dream wherein Lord Shiva wished him to build a temple. Upon surveying a small hillock, he came upon a Udbhava Murthy of Lord Shiva. At that place came into existence a temple, known today as Kaadu Malleswara Temple.
shoes off ...again!!
on a hot sunny extremely high UV day..having a family photo taken? Locals simply love to take picture with aliens..wonder why?
passing a "Trojan Horse" to the public toilet ( 2 INR) ..where's Helen ??
ICE CREAM, anyone ??
SHRAVANABELAGOLA, is about 157km frm Bangalore. Also known as "The White Pond of the SRAVANA " or "the JAIN MONK ". There are 2 hills, Chandragiri and Vindyagiri. The 57ft monolithic statue of the Bhagavan Gomateshwara Bahubali is located on the Vindyagiri. It is considered to be the world's largest monolithic stone statue and was erected by Chamundaraya, a General of king Gangaraya. Inscriptions dated back to 600AD can be found at base of statue. Every 12 years, thousands of devotees congregate here to perform the Mahamastakabhisheka, a spectacular ceremony in which the statue is covered with milk, curds, ghee, saffron and gold coins. The next ceremony will be held in 2018.
1,000 steps to the top !! we had to stop 6 times to take pictures of scenery of the valley below. Probably an excuse for us to take a breather ! ha haPeterpatterpot clinging on to dear life!!
view from the top of Jain Temple
TALAKAD is 45km fr Mysore and 185km fr Bangalore in Karnataka state. A historic site. Once had 30 temples that today is buried in sand. Now a scenic and pilgrimage center. Among the temples, the Pathaleshwara, Maruleshwara, Arkeshwara, Vaidyanatheshwara and Mallikarjuna temples, the 5 lingams believed to represent the 5 faces of Shiva, form the "pancha pathi" . In honor of these 5 Shiva temples, a fair is held once every 12 years called "Panchalinga Darshana", last held in 2009. It is held on a new moon day in the month of Kartika when 2 stars conjoin, the stars of Khuha Yoga and Vishaka.Talakad is one of the Pancha Narayana Kshetrams where the Keethi Narayana temple was established and the presiding deity in this temple is Keethi Narayana.
Talakad is also tagged to a curse called the "Curse of Talakad". Two strange events are visible even to date... Talakad is submerged under sand dunes several meters deep. The other phenomenon is the Mysore royal family faced problems with having a rightful heir to the throne since 17th Century.
Abhishack likes to pose for our camera!
thru the key hole is the sacred "SHIVA" 
What's in there ? ..secret passage way maybe
sand , sand , sand everywhere.
At a nearby beach, Abhishack (driver) drove us to see his childhood playground where at weekends the boys & girls will go to this lake area for picnic and camping. From Mysore, he would take his Yamaha bike 20km to thi slake on weekends to meet friends.
the "water disc"
sand , sand , sand everywhere.
At a nearby beach, Abhishack (driver) drove us to see his childhood playground where at weekends the boys & girls will go to this lake area for picnic and camping. From Mysore, he would take his Yamaha bike 20km to thi slake on weekends to meet friends.
the "water disc"
boys having a good time
empty watch-tower at beach
SHIVANASAMUDRA WATERFALLS
situated in Mandya district is 120km fr Bangalore. Took us abt 90mins drive, 30mins to get OUT of city! after that it was a easy drive , occasional bumpy roads. These waterfalls are also known as SIVA SAMUDRAM meaning SHIVA'S SEA. It is here that the Cauvery River branches off into 2 differen streams, each of which cascading down a 200ft drop !
The western stream is known as GAGANACHUKKI and the eastern stream is known as BHARACHUKKI.
There is a power station at the Gaganachukki side from which you can get an excellent view of the waterfalls.
windy day... use "Maleleuca Conditioner" That's Abhigail alias Abhishack, our Indian Bollywood personal driver.
empty watch-tower at beach
SHIVANASAMUDRA WATERFALLS
situated in Mandya district is 120km fr Bangalore. Took us abt 90mins drive, 30mins to get OUT of city! after that it was a easy drive , occasional bumpy roads. These waterfalls are also known as SIVA SAMUDRAM meaning SHIVA'S SEA. It is here that the Cauvery River branches off into 2 differen streams, each of which cascading down a 200ft drop !
The western stream is known as GAGANACHUKKI and the eastern stream is known as BHARACHUKKI.
There is a power station at the Gaganachukki side from which you can get an excellent view of the waterfalls.
windy day... use "Maleleuca Conditioner" That's Abhigail alias Abhishack, our Indian Bollywood personal driver.
few eatery and snack stalls at the look-out place