Bengaluru, Karnataka
Lalbagh
Botanical Garden
Spanning over 240 acres, Lalbagh Botanical Garden is one of Bengaluru’s must-visit attractions. Established in 1760 by Hyder Ali, it features more than 1,000 plant species from across the world. The garden’s highlight is the Glass House, which hosts an annual flower show inspired by London’s Crystal Palace.
Our visit coincided with a public holiday, and the garden was bustling with locals. Despite the crowd, Lalbagh offers a vibrant nature experience with flowers of various colors, shapes, and sizes. Exploring the vast grounds can easily take at least two hours (HOKKAIDO JAPAN ATTRACTIONS).
Shivoham Shiva Temple
Located on Old Airport Road, the Shivoham Shiva Temple houses a towering 65-foot statue of Lord Shiva. We arrived during the last evening prayers, joining hundreds of devotees. Some were taking part in a special ritual called Abhishekam. The grandeur of the statue and the spiritual energy make it a truly memorable experience (SRI LANKA TOURIST ATTRACTIONS).
ISKCON Temple
The ISKCON Temple in Bengaluru is dedicated to Sri Radha Krishna. Opened in 1997, it blends traditional Indian architecture with modern design. Photography is not allowed inside the prayer hall. After washing our feet and hands, prerequisites before entering a temple, we went up the stairs to the main altar to say our prayers. Before leaving, we spent time in the temple’s courtyard, while enjoying the sagu brown sugar prasadam (blessed food served in leaf bowls).
Chamundeshwari
Temple (Chamundi Temple)
We traveled up
the narrow, winding road to Chamundi Hill to visit the Chamundeshwari Temple.
Dedicated to Goddess Chamundeshwari, a form of Durga, this 12th-century temple
is a fine example of Dravidian architecture, with a towering gopuram decorated
with intricate carvings.
Apart from its religious significance, the temple offers breathtaking panoramic
views of Mysuru city from the hilltop, along with scenic views of nature on the
way down. The prasadam here was a large laddu, a traditional Indian sweet made
from flour and ghee.
Mysore/Mysuru Palace
Unfortunately, heavy traffic delayed our visit to Mysore Palace, leaving us only half an hour before closing at 8 pm. Despite the rush, I managed to catch a glimpse of the brightly lit palace from the coach window. Mysore Palace is an impressive royal residence once home to the city’s kings and queens. Its colorful glasswork, intricate lighting, and detailed design make it a spectacular sight.
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Maruthamalai
Murugan Temple
Perched atop a scenic hill, Maruthamalai Murugan Temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan. Known for its peaceful environment and reputed healing powers, it attracts tourists and Hindu pilgrims from all over the world. From the foothills, we took a bus to the temple entrance, then climbed the steps to the main altar to offer prayers. While waiting for the bus to return, we browsed the small stalls selling various items.
Isha Yoga Center
Founded by
Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, the Isha Yoga Center is a renowned spiritual retreat
nestled at the foothills of the Velliangiri Mountains. It offers a serene
setting for yoga, meditation, and spiritual programs. The center’s Dhyanalinga,
a unique meditative space, draws visitors from around the world. Some entered the center after storing belongings like cameras and phones
in lockers, while the rest of us spent time outside, enjoying some quiet
moments.
Later, we paid for a bullock-cart ride, quite a distance to the towering 112-foot Adiyogi statue, recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest bust sculpture. This statue of Lord Shiva, set against lush mountain scenery, is an impressive landmark. Some participated in prayers, while others were busy with photography and enjoying the view.
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