Our journey to Kukke Subramanya

Just wanted to pin down my experience of visiting Kukke Subramanya, as this was a bit different and more traditional. I always used to go to Kumara Parvatha for the trek, descent the other day have sumptuous breakfast in a restaurant (Since 1960 :)), visit the deity and back to Bangalore. This would be the normal routine. But this time it was no trekking, just visit the places religiously and preformed the rituals.

So most of the travel enthusiasts would like to have such ritualistic experience, I am hereby pinning this down.

Normally, you could book a KSRTC coach according to your preference AC/NON AC.  We booked at around 9.15 PM. Boarded the bus near Basaveshwarnagar Bangalore (Saradha Colony) at 8.15 PM. You could even board near Navrang Theater as well at 9.20 PM.

This was just before the Shiradi Ghat was open. Our driver heard someone telling him that the Shiradi was open, so he took that route unfortunately.

We were just 30 Kms away from the Kukke, where at the end of the ghat the road was blocked.

We encountered the block at 2.30 AM till 6 AM we tried to clear the block which was a heap of mud that was put across.

But we failed, then we started walking across a near by village to get another bus to Kukke. Being a photographer I enjoyed the morning scenery with absolute awe.

Here are glimpse of that

Took a lift from a pick up truck

Later we waited for the bus, boarded a local bus at around 7 AM and reached Kukke.

We made a lodge just to freshen up. Got on with the shorts and went to take a dip in Kumara Dhara for the first time. This natural river is not part of any tributaries and comes through the Kumara Parvatha being one of the tallest mountains in Western Ghats. So this river, Kumara Dhara is very good to heal some of the health problems. Had a quick dip with some quick snaps.

Later came back to room by a Auto with a minimal fee. Freshened up and got ready to have a darshan of the deity.

We were fortunate not to have any rush and crowd inside the sanctum by 10.15 AM. We went to Adi Subramanya temple from there which is walkable, this the temple where the Naga Devathas bless the devotees. You can witness the Nag Devatha If you are fortunate.

Then had breakfast in a restaurant located in the temple street, did some shopping, got my tickets booked for return journey at 2.30 PM.

Wondering I could have booked a bit earlier ? Come on, how could I miss the tasty and disciplined lunch served at the temple.

The lunch starts at 12 PM, we joined and finished lunch at 1.15 PM as there was not much crowd.

Then went back to the lodge, packed things up. As this is a monsoon season it was pouring cats and dogs.

Some how boarded the bus at 2.15 PM, started the journey back to Bangalore with such a scenery is breathtaking. Here are the few snaps on the way back.

Coorg - A heavenly destination

It was the seasonal time for Madikeri tour, it was hard to get a stay, even having booked it.

One advice for the travelers is never believe a contact you get, it might be a broker who search for the stay when you reach Madikeri. So, we were disappointed with the place where stay was situated which was in the town.

Anyway, its all in the experience. We reached Madikeri around 5 PM.

For vegetarians, there is a restaurant near the Madikeri Fort, called Neel Sagar. Had been there for two days, very good food, but finding a table there at peak time is a bit difficult.

We had sumptuous dinner at Neel Sagar at 9 PM, saw the colorful madikeri in dasara time.

As planned, Thar (4X4) came for picking us for Mandalpatti Peak also known as Mugilpete (Land of Clouds). Here are the glimpse

Then after this, we continued to Abbey Falls. It was an early trip, so there was little crowd compared to. Here are some of the glimpse

Then, we started to the Talkaveri, Bhagmandala, after having our breakfast in Neel sagar. It was pretty hot when we started, but eventually, the weather changed like magic into cloudy. Suddenly mist started to cover up. So it started to rain when we reached Talkaveri.

Then, we started to Brahmagiri peak, the view was enchanting ! ! . Experience it..

Next day we were on our way to Dubare Camp. Here is the glimpse of it.

Experience at Pyramid Valley

As usual after hearing about this place and also the experience for the one who meditates often is very impressive, I did some initial search on this and decided to visit.

We left house at 10.15 AM and reached there by 11.10 AM having my residence near Mysore Road. My parents were really in awe feeling the scenic view, serenity and peace around.

It is seriously a place for the aspirants who want spiritual progress. This is not a picnic spot. The pyramid is just awesome which makes you feel very minute in front.

My advice is just go open minded, never to try to analyse how this works, or what experience you might encounter at this energy center.

Am not exaggerating things, here is what I felt. I practice meditation 15-20 min everyday. After settling down in kings chamber, which is at 1/3^rd height of the pyramid, specially build to hold the cosmic energy, I found to be in whirlpool, experiencing oscillation, chilling effect in spine, sudden flow of current across the head region.

These effects as I heard would be for one who meditates for a very long time. This happens there in just few minutes with proper focus and concentration with very less effort.

Also, there are arrangements for buying books about yoga and meditation, also a free lunch service free of cost.

Here is the few glimpse of the same below.

Exploring the different White Balance in DSLRs

I was always wondering about the white balance options available, but thought that might not be of much impact towards the photography, instead opted to simply use AWB.

This made my time to explore the white balance available.

I would like to present the photographs where the same scene is shot with different WB.

The learning is that the WB option is of great impact towards the photographs. Opting the right WB might really turn an ordinary shot into extraordinary shot.