Dreamroutes

New Home for the Blog

2008-10-08T18:42:00.006+05:30

I have moved this blog to new home

http://dreamroutes.net/

Visit Above link for more updates on dreamroutes
(Only some of the previous posts are retained here)

Beautiful Poem !!!!

2007-05-02T13:21:00.000+05:30

Very inspiring Poem by SuryaKant Tripati Nirala.
Last night heard this poem while watching movie "Maine gandhi ko nahi Mara" ...

lehron se dar kar nauka paar nahi hoti
himmat karne walon ki haar nahi hoti....

nanhi chinti jab dana lekar chalti hai
chadti deewaron par sau baar fisalti hai
mann ka vishwas ragon mein sahas banta hai
chad kar girna, gir kar chadna na akharta hai
akhir uski mehnat bekar nahi hoti
koshish karne waalon ki haar nahi hoti....

dubkiyan sindu mein gota khor lagata hai
ja ja kar khali haath laut aata hai
milte na sehej hi moti pani mein
behta duna utsah issi heiraani mein
mutthi uski khali har baar nahi hoti
himmat karne walon ki haar nahi hoti....

asaflta ek chunati hai sweekar karo
kya kami reh gayi dekho aur sudhaar karo
jab tak na safal ho neend chain ki tyago tum
sangharshon ka maidaan chhod mat bhago tum
kuch kiye bina hi jai jai kaar nahi hoti
himmat karne walon ki haar nahi hoti....

Kodai Revisited !!!!

2007-04-02T22:51:00.000+05:30

It was the time to revisit beautiful Kodai Kanal and rekindle the good old memories !!!!
Occasion was the much awaited company outing over long weekend.

Mirafra Gang !!!!

Gang of 7 !!

Beautiful hotel Carlton !!!

Trip Details coming up soon........

Useful links:
Hotel Carlton : This is the most beautiful and well maintain hotel in Kodai.

All About Kumarparvata ( KP )

2007-03-23T18:13:00.000+05:30

Good Info : Read here

Parasailing Camp @ Hoskote, Bangalore

2007-03-12T12:10:00.000+05:30

Parasailing Camp @ Hoskote, Bangalore

Gone With the Wind....

Puttaparthi

2007-02-26T16:38:00.000+05:30

Shri Satya Sai baba devotees called Puttaparthi "heaven on earth". Well I didn't felt the same, may be because I didn't go there, with that much devotion and faith as others. But I was really impressed with the majestic autonomous empire he has created @Puttaparthy. I also liked the kind of medical services they provide there free of cost.
I would recommend to visit this place only if you want to see majestic buildings, hospitals, Ashram, and off course if you have faith in Satya Sai. However, I really didn't like the way Shree Satya Sai gave Darshan to Devotees. Thousands of people including me along with my parents were seating in hall for 3 hours and then Shree Satya Sai arrived in imported car for a minute and disappeared. One can argue that nobody is forcing to any devotee to seat in cramp condition for three hours for a minute look at Sai, but what about small children from the Ashram school who were made to seat in hall for almost an hour. I really wonder if its their daily schedule.
I am aware that while writing I may be making assumption and may not be knowing the truth. I invite the comments from the reader if that's the case. My only intention is to save, visitors like me, from painful process of Sai Darshan. One can surely visit Puttaparthy to see and appreciate the infrastructure, and the good work done.

Snaps: Checkout in Photogallery....
How to go : Take a cab OR KSRTC bus from Bangalore. Its arround 160 km. You need to travel for around 110 Km on HYD road and then take diversion (Before Penukonda) on right side for Puttaparthi.
Precautions: That region is really hot during summer. Keep enough water and wear appropriate cloths.
Info on Web: Click me

Guruvayur Kerala

2007-02-13T10:56:00.000+05:30

Guruvayur, in the South Indian state of Kerala, is one of the most enchanting and glorious temples in all of India.
There are no movie theaters in the town of Guruvayur. No liquor stores. No night clubs. And no meat is eaten there. Guruvayur is a holy city where people come to make spiritual advancement. In fact, the atmosphere of devotion which pervades Guruvayur is so sublime and charming that one easily experiences transcendence when visiting this holy place. Appropriately so, Guruvayur is known as Bhuloka Vaikuntha: "where heaven meets Earth."
How to get there:

Rail : Guruvayur has got a railway station towards the east of the temple which is connected to the Madras-Mangalore main line at Thrissur. Tourists coming from the Madras/Trivendram area can get down at Thrissur, just 29 km away, around one to one and a half hour drive from Guruvayur, and tourists from Mangalore side can get down at the Kuttippram station. Regular bus services are available from these places to Guruvayur.

Road : Guruvayur is well connected with the other parts of the country by road. KSRTC bus stand is 500metres to the west of the temple and the private bus stand towards the east. Bus connections are also available with all important towns of Kerala as well as neighbouring Karnataka and Tamilnadu via Trichur (29 Km from Trichur).

Places to Stay:

The Guruvayur Devaswom board provides accommodation for pilgrims, both AC or non AC rooms and dorms close to the temple. You can book in advance and the full room rent and reservation charges should be sent to The Administrator, Guruvayur Devaswom, Guruvayur - 68010, Kerala by Demand Draft or Money Order.

Our Experience / Observation there:
We travelled to Guruvayur in KSRTC bus from Trichur ( 29 Km, 1 hour journey). Because of the time constraint we missed the Deep lighting shown in adjucent picture (starts only after 6.30 PM), however visiting temple and wearing lungi ( For males entry is possible only in lungi) was great fun.

For Detials of Guruvayur read this wonderful Blog

Trekking Equipments Shopping

2007-01-29T19:55:00.000+05:30

Trekking Equipments (Bangalore only)

Army Surplus Store near Russel Market in Shivaji Nagar, Bangalore is the place where one can pickup items like hunter shoes, rucksacks, PT shoes, tarps, kitbags etc. However, you need to have a contact in the army that can buy it for you.

Ozone
4, 9th A Cross, 12th Block Kumara Park West,
Bangalore INDIA
pH: 91-80-3561871 /91-80-3561872

Wildcraft. Two outlets,
- No. 121, 3rd Block, 8th Main,
  Jayanagar, Bangalore-11
  Phone: 26647036
- Cambridge Layout, Bangalore

A day in Banglore Violence !!!!

2007-01-22T10:32:00.000+05:30

This post is surely misfit to be here, this just can not be a dream route, one really wants to take. But sometimes one just can not help and need to face the fury of mob as I see yesterday.

Banglore remains more or less calm, but I dont know what happened since last few years, now and then it shows its eagly face. One such incident happened yesterday...occasion was Hindu Maha Sabha , and mob turned violent just because there was procession in the city to oppose death penalty given to Saddam Hussain.

I dont know what was achieved by these processions from both sides, but it cost the hell of damage to public property, and most importantly life of a 12 year innocent boy.
First time I witness such a mob fury. We usually see these incident on TV channel and dont bother about it. But witnessing this was really terrible. Taking out the bike in trafic jam and seeing the broken glasses, burnt vehicle, along the raod side made me think why the hell its happening. There is no straight answer to this... probably this will keep happening till we got mindless leaders and idiot followers who just dont know what they are doing.

One thing we can surely do is not to support any cult/party/leader whoes basic idea is to spread communal tension and enjoy the benifit of it. Hope this madness stop sooner, and a hope that no one need to face the mob fury...

Kudremukh

2006-12-15T15:33:00.001+05:30

Check out the kudremukh-experience

2006-11-28T14:20:00.000+05:30

Places one can visit from Bangalore in single day !!!

1. Nandi Hills

Just 60 Km from Bangalore. Its on b’lore north, 10-15 Km detour from upcoming Internation Bangalore airport at Devanhalli. Nandi hill offers wonderful experience during rainy season.

More information coming up. Meanwhile checkout the latest Nandi Hill Snaps

2. Mekedatu ( Sangama) - Most ideal place for family visit. Around 100 km from bangalore (after Kanakpura). Visit to this place doesnot involve any trekking. One may need to walk 1-2 Km but that also can be avoided if you are ready to take bumpy ride on local bus. However, I suggest to take a walk from Sangama to Mekedatu along riverside. If you are fish lover then this place is heaven for you.

But in any case I would say a must visit place. Check out the snaps of Mekedatu

3. Savandurga: It is well known place among rock climbers. Once you visit the place you will remember famous scenes from Sholey ( It was shot at Ramnagar, not far away from Savandurga). This place is arround 70-80 Km from bangalore. One need to take left turn just before Magadi. To reach on top, one need to walk almost 2 hour on hill. However once you reach there you will feel its worth taking the pain. :). On caution though: Dont forget to take water with you. Once you start walking uphill you wont find water anywhere till you come down. Our trip snaps are at : Savandurga

4. Shivasamudram ( Talkadu ):
ShavaSamudram

Shivasamudram is one of the awsome fall in India. Its arround 110-120 Km from Bangalore. One need to take a left turn after arround 50-60 Km on Mysore road, for place called Maddur. Shivasamudram is arround 30-40 Km from Maddur.

Allthough only distant view of Fall is allowed, many people venture out to go down to have a close look at the Fall. In that case one needs to be very careful. On a way back one can also visit place called Talkadu for wonderful Kaveri river beach. Its very good picnic spot. One can even plan a complete day trip only to talkadu. Check out the Snaps at Shivasamudram ( Talkadu )

5. Mysore: I dont know why but everyone who visits Bangalore would like to visit Mysore at least once. Frankly speaking I would say only Mysore Palace is what is worth visiting. It looks awsome when lights are on in evening hours. So in case you are planning to visit Mysore, make sure you are there for at least an hour after 7 PM.

We visited Mysore on Dashera day. Dashera festival in Mysore is well known. However it draws huge crowd that day and takes away all fun. Enjoy the snaps at Mysore Dashara Celebrations

Places one can visit from Bangalore over weekend !!!

1. Ooty-Coonor :

This is surely not a day trip. Best is to make this three day trip. We visited this place over weekend. Ooty is not as good as it used to be. However Coonor is worth visiting, specially the journey in Toy train and Tee gardens are amazing. Check out the snaps of Ooty-Coonor

2. Rameshwaram :

Mythologically, this is where Lord Ram and his Wanarsena build the settu to cross over sea and attack Rawan. Now also this place holds a special place in the hearts of all devotees. Our president Mr A.P.J Kalam also belong to this place. Please visit detail Rameshwaram Travlogue with photogallery.

3. Madurai:

This city hosts lots of Hindu Temples, most famous among them is majestic Minakshi Temple. Madurai is also centeral place to travel to KodaiKanal, Rameshwaram and Kanyakumari. Read more about Madurai in rameshwaram travelogue.

2006-11-28T14:03:00.001+05:30

Welcome to Dreamroutes !!!!

This is Kartik Kariya from Bangalore. This place is intended for hosting personal as well as friends Travelogue for places in all corners of India.

If you have something to share…write me at kartik [ at] dreamroutes.net

Keywords: Bangalore, Himalaya, Travel, Trek, Trekking, Trecking, Rock climbing, BMC, Savanduraga, Bheemeshwari, Shivasamudram, Talkad, Mysore, Western Ghats