Skandagiri

Went on a short trek after a long time - a sunrise trek to Skandagiri hills.

Like any other sunrise trek, we had to start early in the night to catch the first sun rays. We left home/Bangalore at 1.45 am by car on a Sunday morning and reached the foot of the hills around 3.15 am. Skandagiri is located near the Kalavara village in Chikkaballapura district. 

There were a lot of trekkers that day and by the time we started our climb it was 4 am. It was a narrow trail and it gets steep after a short distance. The initial stretch had us climb via a small stream and trying to find dry stones to place our feet to avoid getting our shoes wet. It was not a very easy trek and we thoroughly enjoyed the climb. 

Beautiful crescent moon

The sky started changing colours slowly as time passed and we reached the top around 6.30 am,  just in time to see the gorgeous sun peeking out. 

It was windy and climbing some more distance led us to a slightly higher elevation with a beautiful Shiva Linga temple located on top.

Shiva Linga temple

We sat at the top for one hour, enjoying the view and the cool breeze. We started getting down at 7.30 am. 

It took us 2 hours to come down and by 9.30 am we were at the entrance. 

It was a very good trek 😊 with good company and we covered a total distance of 9 km during the trek. We stopped at 'Paratha Point' for breakfast before heading back home 😀

Mysore

Mysore has always been a special place for me!  Every time I visit the city I get a country side feel. Mysore will always be my quaint little place!  I guess this place holds charm also because or mainly because of the warm relatives I have there who are always welcoming to EVERYONE!  

We left on a Thursday morning around 7 am and reached Mysore at 9.45 am without stopping anywhere. This was the first time I traveled on the half done new expressway. We stayed at my aunt's place like always.

We headed out in the evening to 'Dasara Utsav' which was a mini exhibition where they had few activities for kids and a shopping area for adults. I enjoyed shopping physically after a long time! 

Katte Coffee at home

The next day we visited a relative in the morning. After a yummy lunch at home, 11 of us went out to see the dasara lights towards the Mysore palace. We got down at the beginning of the road to the palace and walked. All the lights of the palace was brightly lit and it was truly beautiful! We walked in from one entrance and got out through the other. We then started walking out and left the area. 

Moonlight

Mysore roads lit up everywhere

And of course when in Mysore, we have to eat chats. We had lots of all kinds of chats and headed back home. 

Oh, after all these years,  I saw the store that invented the famous Mysore Pak 😊 It was near the bus stand and it tasted super good. 

The next day we planned to climb Chamundi hills. It had been many years since I visited the temple or climbed the betta. Six of us left home around 6.30 am and started climbing around 7 am. Climbing 1000 steps,  we reached the top around 7.40 am

At the foothills

steps

Sugarcane juice before descending

After having a good darshan of Shiva and Durga Devi at the back of the main temple,  we started our descent down the hill.

Our next job was to fill our tummy,  so we stopped at Mylary hotel,  one of the oldest and famous joints for breakfast.  After a short wait, we ate hot idlis and masala dosas with chatni and saagu. 

We reached home and had hot filter coffee! 

After a quick coffee we went to the railway museum. It was a nice place with lot of model trains, detailed history about Indian railways and of course a train ride.

We came back home, had lunch and left Mysore around 3.15 pm. It took us almost 4 hours this time to reach Bangalore. 

It was a memorable trip with cousins, niece/nephew and aunts 😍 Thanks everyone for an amazing time!