With a penchant for exploring the native spirit and culture of a place, I stepped into the renowned Devaraja market of Mysore on my recent visit to the city. Over 100 years old, the market is the epitome of vibrancy, activity and vivacity. A prominent landmark of the heritage city, this market is literally the… Continue reading Devaraja Market, Mysore: a potpourri of color, customs and culture
Easily one of the most popular tourist destinations in India, the heritage city of Mysore (recently renamed Mysuru) is synonomous with resplendent royalty, its larger than life Dasara festival, gorgeous silk saris and exquisite Mysore paintings. Known as the city of palaces, this famous South Indian city lies in the state of Karnataka about 150… Continue reading Mysore: along a heritage trail
India, also referred to many a time, as the country of temples has scores of enthralling temples, many of which are over 1000 years old. It is indeed amazing that we have these temples that remain as a symbol of our rich culture, heritage and legacy. One such ancient yet beautiful temple, right outside of… Continue reading Rangasthala, Chikkaballapur: a tryst with history
Located just under 60 km from Bangalore, is the remarkable Bhoga Nandeshwara temple in the quaint village of Nandi. One of the oldest temples in Karnataka, the place is located at the foot hills of the popular Nandi hills and is a great idea for a day trip from Bangalore. What struck me was not… Continue reading Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple: an ancient wonder
One of the oldest cuisines existing since almost time immemorial is the cuisine from the state of Karnataka. Standing seventh in terms of size in the country, diversity seems the second name when it comes to the culinary fare that exists in the state. While rice, coconut and sea food are the soul of South… Continue reading A culinary sojourn in Hubli
While most of my travel posts till date have been on destinations or particular attractions, this one is about some of the most simple yet insightful sights that one comes across while travelling through rural India. Lush green fields that come across as a breath of fresh air, both literally and figuratively, are a common… Continue reading Rustic scenes and rural experiences in and around Mosale
While the magnificence and ornate architecture of the Hoysala temples is, usually, synonomous with the temples of Belur and Halebidu, a visit to the sleepy hamlet of Mosale proved me wrong. Located just about 15 km from Hassan, on the Hassan-Holenarasipura Road, the twin temples found in this village is a definitely a hidden gem. The ancient… Continue reading Nageshvara-Chennakeshava temple: monumental twin temples of Mosale
Flowers are an integral part of Indian culture and occupy a very significant place whether during daily worship, festivals or any special occasions or celebrations. Visiting flower markets in any Indian city can be quite an experience. It is, according to me, a great place to soak in the local culture, customs and craft as… Continue reading Color, creativity and craftsmanship: Mangalore Flower Market
Sometimes it’s the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination – Drake. These words ring true as I recollect my recent trip to Hubli where I realized yet again that the journey is as important as the destination. Driving down on a weekend from Bangalore, the weather seemed rather dry and got progressively hot… Continue reading Brickyard to Byadgi: beguiling sights enroute to Hubli
The little town of Nanjangud, about 25 km from the city of Mysore in Karnataka has been a place I have been visiting since childhood. It has become a practice for us to visit the temple of Lord Shiva here at least once in a year. The renowned temple formally known as the Srikanteshwara temple, is… Continue reading Nanjangud Srikanteshwara Temple: magnificence and majesty
Rashminotes 