For this week’s theme ‘Spring’ at Thursday Challenge!!
Tag Archives: Mysore
The Mysore trip [3]
Day 3: It was Ayudha pooja day. We did a simple pooja at home and then went to visit a relative.
A girl with her treasures…
Clicked this pic on our way back… 
Day 4: A leisurely day again Ammu was happily playing with D’s daughter, while I quickly planned to meet my friends. We met after almost 2 years…in one of the friend’s home. And, as happens when old friends meet, hours just went by in a jiffy!!
After returning home, I took Ammu to the nearby park. She played for a while and then we went collecting flowers
Akasha mallige .. Botanical – Millingtonia hortensis
Day 5: After having breakfast, Ammu and me went to the nearby park. The mission was to click pictures of the different flowers that we’d seen there on the previous day. Will post those pics in a separate post some other day ..
Later, in the evening we went to the Cheluvamba park. We have many fond memories of this park, of the times spent there during our student days in Mysore. During Dasara, the park is full of different kinds of blooms. In fact, all the parks in Mysore are lush with colourful blooms around this time. And, I was hoping to go click click It is quite another thing though, that Ammu chose to spend her time in the kids play area rather than look at the flowers around 
So, I ended up being with Ammu and taking pics of her while she played
In the park..
Scaling new heights… literally !!
Day 6: Post lunch, we visited the Jaganmohan Art Gallery. It had been dad’s desire to take Ammu there as she’s so interested in the arty stuff. Loved looking at the arifacts there, especially the paintings by different artistes of those times. Notably Raja Ravi Verma, Roerich. And a lot of other stuff that belonged to that era!No pics though, as photography is prohibited there.
As for Ammu, the initially excitement soon gave way to impatience esp since she wanted t go and play in the park again!
Another challenge!
She had not been confident enough to climb this one the previous day… but was determined to do it the next day!!
Day 7 – Sis 2 and BIL joined us in Mysore. Evening was spent at the Dasara exhibition, with the amusement rides area being the first destination
Twilight… as seen from the parking space opposite the exhibition grounds.
The Mysore palace main entrance… sometime before the lights were lit..
Hand in hand
Tora tora.. after a really long time.. a first for Ammu… she was giggling all the while and thoroughly enjoyed the ride..
Ammu took a ride in the giant wheel too, accompanied by sis2. I’m really not for the giant wheel or even most other amusement rides… was really happy n thankful that sis2 was with us on that day
After the rides, we enjoyed our ice cream scoops and then did a lil bit of shopping. Finally, had something to eat also, so that we could go home and just plop onto the bed
Next day, it was back to B’lore. We started after lunch and reached comfortably by evening.
All in all it was a relaxed and fun vacation!!
How have you all been? Hope you all enjoyed Diwali! Wish you a happy and relaxed weekend
The Mysore trip [2]
Day 2:
Leisurely day! Looked through the bookshelf and selected a couple of books. Started a re-read of The Da Vinci Code , while Ammu was happy playing with D’s daughters who had come visiting
In the evening, we all went to the Mysore Palace!! The magnificent sight amazes us each time we visit.
One of the gates..
Balloons
The Dasara Jumbos!
Gate.. from inside the premises..
One of the temples in the premises
A part of the palace.. up close..
Another portion..
During Dasara, almost every evening is a cultural evening at the palace, with dance or music programmes by renowned artistes.
We strolled around for a bit. Then, sitting on the lawns,we munched popcorn and churmuri. Later the kids played for sometime while I sat there and clicked away
Shimmering gold
With the Chamundi hills’ ‘Welcome’ in the backdrop
Blueee…
The main entrance.. as seen from inside the premises..
Petunias..
All set for the D day. Seating arrangements for dignitaries for watching the Dasara procession that starts from here..
Just like that
The illuminated circle.. on exiting the palace..
Exhausted but full of excitement, we left for home. And, the icing, literally, was an ice cream at the end of it all !!
Hope you all liked the pics
I’m sure most everyone is busy with preparations for Diwali! Have a fun n happy weekend folks!!
The Mysore trip..
in pictures..
Day 1 – It was raining when we started from home! We took the Shatabdi at 11., by which time the skies had cleared up considerably..
Ammu got started with her favorite activity as soon as we were in our seats
Dad’s favorite pastime..
And then, me doing TP 
Just like that!
Up in the sky..
Green carpet!
Another train waiting for the Shatabdi to pass..
Picturesque
Reached Mysore in the afternoon. Had lunch and took a nap
In the evening… a stroll along the main streets.. that were dazzlingly lit up…
The KR circle..
Lights.. this road is aglow with lights along the entire stretch…
Buzzing with people..
Gandhi square
A lil bit of shopping, chilled badam milk and then, the best of all, a yummy cone of Joy ice cream… made it a fun evening. Ammu was so very excited that thata bought an ice cream for her at that hour… something which rarely ever happens when we’re here!!
Hope you all liked the pics. Will be back with more
P.S: I meant to do just a single post but the number of pics, even after having been very selective, is prohibitive. I thought its best to do it in parts lest it affects the loading of the page… More updates soon
Festivities….
Dasara update – late but never the less
Had a relaxed vacation in Mysore. Went out in the evenings to watch the illuminated streets and the milling crowds. There was a festive ambiance all around which is exciting all the same.. year after year! Visited the Durga puja organised by the Bengalis association, the illuminated Mysore palace, the flower show and the Dasara exhibition.
For Diwali, we managed to make Besan laddoos that was planned and a few savouries just on the fly!! A hectic day 1 that was. Pooja in the evening and diyas all lit… we got ready for the crackers bursting session that was awaited eagerly by the kids. This time both of them willingly went and lit the ‘Flower pots’ and the ‘chakras’. Adi, in fact, was raring to go… he wanted to burst crackers that go dhaam dhoom!!
Day 2 : I made a DIY curtain with beads and sea shells. Actually, a facelift to an old one, by reusing the shells. Then we all … me, dad, sis1, Bil1, Ammu, Adi and our house help D went to sis2′s place in the evening. Her in-laws were visiting… father, mother, granpa, brother, his wife n daughter. It was a huge family get-to-gether of sorts!! And bursting of a lotttt of crackers… the kids were over the moon!
Day 3: I alone had to go to work; attendance at office was hardly 10%!! Again, crackers bursting session at Sis1′s place Also, a day to be marked… coz it was the first time that Ammu stayed at their place after a lottt of coaxing, without me that is… Went back to a lovely glowing home with diyas lit all around, courtesy D! couldnt have been possible with Adi n Ammu around…
This Diwali was otherwise low on decor and also I have not been able to click any pics to share…
How was the festive time for all you people? Hope you all had fun n merriment with your loved dear ones!!
Leaving you with some pics of the illuminated main streets of Mysore and of flowers in the Flower show during Dasara.
Tiny tidbits..
A few tidbits from our recent trip…
The day dawned bright and nice. On our way to the railway station…
Me *excitedly to Adi*: Today we’ll go by train!!
Adi: Yes!!… I will only drive
On getting into the train…
Adi: The train will not go… it will go only when i drive…
One morning… Me: Adi, first brush your teeth and drink milk… only then i’ll give you the building blocks..
Adi *pulling a long face*: I will tell baba to come n beat you!! poor guy doesnt realise that his baba will do no such thing!!
Whenever we say anything that he doesnt like, or restrict him from doing something…he says ‘You go to your home’ 
probabaly picked this from his didi who used to say this whenever upset with someone…
And as soon as his mood is alright he comes to me and says ‘ Bomma..I’ll be a good boy…I’ll not trouble you .. Friends?’ extending his tiny hands
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The day we went to the palace, I had told them that I’ll show them the jamboo savari elephants that would be resting in the palace premises. As we were heading that way, I saw the elephants headed out… in a line. Excitedly, I showed them the spectacle..though only the outlines were seen against the twilight.
Adi: Wow! look elephant train. But where is the track?
We were dumbstruck by his originality! But it didnt stop at that. While roaming around there, he was dragging us towards some direction or the other. When asked what is it that he wanted, he said .. ‘I want to see the tracks!’ 
He narrated the elephant train and tracks kissa to everyone who called And each time I had to explain to them what exactly he meant
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Ammu, these days, is more inclined towards relating things to what she’s read or seen. While the train just started from B’lore, she looked at the little houses on the sides and said that these are kuccha houses…
While standing on the terrace she asked where is earth? i explain that we are on the earth..it is like a ball and that the sky surround the earth. She nodded … I hope she got it!
Another day she asks about dinosaurs. She can imagine dinosaurs roaming the earth coz she has seen that in the cartoons. I explained to her that they lived a long long time ago and that we cannot see them now… that we couldnt have been here had the dinosaurs not gone away.
After some thought she says.. ‘mamma we’ll go up in the sky..’
Me: why?
Ammu: we can see the dinosaurs from there.. . Ingenious.. isnt she?
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Mysooru Dasara…
… yeshtondu sundara
* Visited the Mysore palace and the Dasara flower show..
* Clicked pics ..
* Sat in the lawns and enjoyed the song and dance performances by some orchestra group while eating the famous delhi papad and menasinakayi bhajjis
* Lunch at uncle’s place on Ayudha pooja
* Visited the Dasara exhibition… but had to return disappointed coz of power/generator failure at the amusement rides
* Walked along the brightly lit streets looking at the milling crowds, vehicles and tanga passing by..
* On Dashami, lazed at home… reread a couple of books and watched the dasara procession live telecast on TV.
* Kids vetoed the idea of venturing out in the evening … they were busy building temples and high rises and did not want to be disturbed 
* Watched the grand fireworks that mark the end of Dasara celebrations from the terrace
* On the last day… managed to go and meet my friends G n S from my university days. Spent just couple of hours.. had to catch the train at 2.00 pm. They are my can-pick-up-from-where-you-left type of friends and needless to say we can go on talking if left to ourselves
A passage way in the palace..
Lights everywhere!
By the fountain…
A temple in the palace premises
The palace gates..
Adi with tatha .. at the gate
Plants… lotus shape 
Majestic .. Gandaberunda!
Beautiful lilies
Lovely arrangement with idol of the Goddess in the centre ..
At the Dasara exhibition…
As we went during the later part of Dasara, we missed the events that were part of Entertainment Dasara and Yuva Dasara. Next time I plan to go during the earlier part and catch up on these… Hopefully, there will be some interesting events and i’ll have the company of my friends!!
Happy weekend folks
Wordless Wednesday!
Kit Kat break!
… it was.. a short but eventful trip to Mysore…
We all had been waiting for this day.. ! the day of the Convocation!! My younger sis received her PhD degree in Mathematics after 6 years of research work!!! That she managed to complete it inspite of a full time job and then.. a toddler in hand.. overcoming many hurdles .. is a story in itself. To sum it up.. she achieved her goal braving the situations which would have made lesser mortals give up in sheer frustation! In fact she has been an inspiration to us .. making us believe that good things do come to those who have the will to persevere, faith in their work and of course loads of patience
Then.. the Convocation itself had its share of drama. Only the previous evening we got to know that the governor and the chancellor of the university will not be distributing awards to Phd awardees; reason being the huge number of PhD holders this year. 301 to be precise which was unprecedented. My sis was disappointed..what with all of us landing in Mysore for this particular occassion we were also disappointed.. but tried not to add to her agony!
we were also disappointed.. but tried not to add to her agony!Somehow.. the university came up with alternate plans.. probably after getting lotz of brickbats for their goofup. The PhD holders would now receive their certificates from the Vice chancellor, in a separate function to be held in the evening. Some gratification there!!
So..we all cheered for her when she received her certificate, posed for pictures with her .. and topped it with a grand family dinner party .. by sis n her doting hubby!
For the next day we planned to go to the Chamundi hills in the morning and then to Balamuri and KRS [Brindavan gardens]. However, unwilling to wake up early and of course due to the heat , we dropped the visit to the hills. after a lazy morning and a hearty meal.. we started for Balamuri around 4.30 when the heat was a bit bearable.
I’m not sure what plans the others had.. but i was sure going to give the kids a feel of the waters! Luckily there were steps leading to the water. Once i stepped into the waters..my sis followed.. and we got Ammu n Adi to step in. They had a blast and didnt want to come out They finally relented when told that we’ll go to Brindavan gardens..where there’ll be lots of water n fountains..
Loving it
We went to the Brindavan gardens after a really long time. lots has changed since then. Now, we directly drove to the entrance point which leads to the garden on the left and the bridge leading to the famous Musical fountains on the right. Though this seems convenient, i really missed walking on the dam, savouring the views on both the sides; the huge expanse of water on one side and the beautiful garden on the other! and then covering the entire garden from one end to the other!!
Now.. we have to go all the way on the left and come back to the starting point.. to go to the Musical fountain. No one complained though. The breeze came in strong from time to time and splashed the water from the fountains onto the passers by. Ammu n Adi too gave out excited shrieks.. and loved it all!! As their excitement soared, their patience to pose for photographs dwindled 
They still managed to pose animatedly whenever requested and were relieved to be let of to revel in the showers. They went.. ‘aaiiiii pinnnkkkk!!!!’ on seeing the pink fountains!! Their energy and enthu filled us with some .. we were more than happy that we made the trip..it was totally worth it.
And how can i not mention the Musical fountain… it was something very new and exciting for them! .. fountains dancing to the beats n rhythm of songs!! They were in awe.. and absolutely loved it too. And as is the norm with kids, they didnt want to come away when the show was over
We returned home with aching legs but filled to the brim.. with smiles and cheer!! Ammu kept on telling me how much she enjoyed .. n that she was verrrryyy haaappppyyy What more can one ask for?
