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paintedstork.com does not support hotlinks to images from other sites(such as Google Reader and bloglines), which was the cause of the problem. I have now enabled it for Google Reader and bloglines. If you are using any other web based feedreader to read India Travel Blog, just leave a comment here stating the reader you use, and I will have it enabled for you.
After a long time, there is one more addition to my list of Weekend Destinations/Picnic Places near Bangalore – Manchanabele dam. Not that I had never been there; but another visit last week reminded me that it is pending on India Travel Blog.
Manchanabele is small village where a dam is built across Arkavati river. The backwaters of the dam form a large lake with hills surrounding it in all directions. When driving, it appears suddenly when you go over a ridge, and unfailingly makes you go ‘wow’ at the first view.
It is a good place to spend a few hours whiling, walking around the lake or sitting somewhere on the bank. The river water is clean but often you will little bit of trash where the road skirts the lake. It would be worthwhile to go for long walks on the hills surrounding the lake too.
On the way to Manchanabele is Doddaalada mara, or the Big Banyan Tree, an old and huge banyan tree and a well known place for a visit. While you are at Manchanabele, you can also get to see the prominent rocky hill of Savanadurga raising up far away.
Manchanabele Information
Below is an interactive map. Zoom in to get a closer look or drag the map to see an area outside the map. There is some degree of speculation involved in mapping the route from Mysore Road to Manchanabele, but it is most likely without any errors. To be sure, please read the directions below, which is accurate, and use it as a reference.
View Bangalore to Manchanabele in a larger map
Map and driving directions from Bangalore to Manchanabele
Directions, how to reach: Take Mysore Road out of Bangalore and drive past Kengeri, where you will see a right turn leading towards Big Banyan Tree and Manchanabele. Turn here and drive straight to get to Big Banyan Tree. You can stop here to see the big tree. Continue on the same road till you reach a small village called ‘Chandrappa Circle’. Turn left here and drive for another 15 minutes to get to Manchanabele Dam. The last 15 minutes of the road doesn’t have tarmac, but your car should not have much problems making it. There is also another way from Magadi Road to reach Manchanabele.
Restaurants/food/accommodation: No food or accommodation is available anywhere near the lake. A dhaba that used to exist on the lake shore sometime back is now closed. On the way, 15 minutes before Manchanabele is Ruppi’s resort. I haven’t been there though, and don’t know if they have a restaurant that serves everyone.
Travelling in Rajasthan in February 2008
Jaipur >> Shekhawati >> Pushkar >> Jaisalmer >> Jodhpur
+ Previous: Pushkar II
+ Next: Pushkar to Jaisalmer
At 6.30 in the morning, a thin fog blocked the February sun and I shivered from the cold of the winter. A chai shop on the street came as a blessing. The lanes around the Pushkar lake were very quiet but for a few people gathered around tea shops. The ghats were deserted. I walked aimlessly, questioning my wisdom in waking up so early in the cold when everyone else would have been snugly snoring from under their blankets.
A small group of langoors (black monkeys) sat on the balcony of a garishly painted old building. Obviously uncomfortable in the cold morning, they were huddled closely, trying to stay warm. The young ones were best positioned and most comfortable, staying warm almost completely covered in middle of protective adults.
The group was just trying to wake up, half asleep and half awake, unwilling to give up their comfortable huddle. Once in a while they opened their eyes, looked around with disinterest and closed the eyes again, returning to their early morning dreams. As I stood below and watched and occasionally pointed my long lens at them, a few grew curious and cast a glance at me, but never gave me too much importance. A youngling was especially curious and peered at me time and again to see what am I up to.
A little later that day when the sun just began shining and his warmth was pleasant and desirable, I stopped by for another cup of tea. An elderly baba was seated quietly just besides the chai shop. I bought him a cup of tea and started a conversation.
At some point of time I asked him if I can take his pictures. The genial man consented without any hesitation. But when I aimed the camera at him, he suddenly stopped me, and started adjusting his headgear and getting ready to pose. But I was looking for his natural self and not a posed image. Before he could get himself to pose for me, I kept shooting him as he adjusted the turban, trying to get some candid frames. I only wish I could catch on camera, his approving nod when I showed him the images.
Continued at Pushkar to Jaisalmer