At the top of Nandi hills
Posted on June 18, 2019
Sorry it took so long for me to get this post on the twin temple posted. My auto rickshaw driver got lost on the way home from Delhi so there was a slight detour ! So the Yoga Nandeeshwara is Lord Shivs final renunciation stage. The temple os not grand at all, just plain simple but worth the trip since it’s at the top of the hill ! Remember that the twin dates back to the 9th century and this one is supposedly older !(dating back to the Chola dynasti, longest ruling dynasti that ruled between 3 century BCE until 13th century CE)
Have a nice day and enjoy whatever you are doing this summers day. I’m all into repair today. I’m not doing the repairs ! I’m just being around to see that everything is getting done. Usually days like this turns into a funny story after a while….only after a while. So I’ll be back a.s.a.p
Early 9th century temple ! Bhoga Nandishwara.
Posted on June 9, 2019
Today our rickshaw is heading for Chikkaballapura, just say that out loud a couple of times, makes you giggle doesn’t it? Chikkaballapura is about 60 km north of Bangalore and in the village of Nandi in the foothills we will find the Bhoga Nandishwara temple that dates back to the early 9th century. A hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and a twin temple. The twin is up in the hills and is even older. Let’s start with this one and see what we think.
So I missed the part that I really wanted to see and that was the water tank. Kind of like a baoli- step well but not. Never found the entrance to it and since no signs and no information. Well, well, next time I will. This old temple in this small village and not a lot of people is really worth the trip out here. And once you are out here and you have seen this you might as well travel on really winding roads to the top of the hills and have a look at the twin – the Yoga Nandishwara temple. (and Tipu’s drop)
Hope you enjoyed the little ride and noticed all the grapes growing and the cows with their sharp horns. You didn’t ? Then you have to have a peek now and then. Hope to see you.
Oh!, don’t forget to wash your feet ! It was a pretty long stroll in the temple .
The smiling flower lady-the happy “mallaah” maker.
Posted on June 4, 2019
I met this happy mallaah maker just outside one of the many temples around. She looked so happy sitting there on the ground making the necklaces out of flowers. Her friend was sitting right next to her and they where chatting away. Of course I asked before shooting away but once I did this man came over and said ” what about me?” “Nope ladies only” I answered. He didn’t really get that I wasn’t interested in him. That happens when I’m out and about. Sometimes everybody wants their picture taken and sometimes it doesn’t matter if I take the time and show them what they look like. Then again sometimes I needs to stay in the moment. So the flower lady-ladies got all my attention that day.
My little walks around the small “villages” feels like the most rewarding. I just wish that I knew the language so that I could communicate. Remember here they speak Kannada and I’m only familiar with Hindi and the two are so totally different with some few exceptions.
So hang in here and I’ll see if we can practise some words in Kannada. Malaah is the first one you get to learn. The h is silent !
So lets get back into our rickshaw and where we are going next? Let me think…..<:
Meeting some less privileged kids at a temple.
Posted on June 3, 2019
The other day I was visiting a temple when I met a big group of kids that where given milk, curd and some bread daily by an unknown NGO group. The kids spoke better english than I ever could imagine so it was really nice to get some pictures and let them have a look at how they turned out. Some too small to understand but it was still a nice moment and they giggled at themselves and asked me some questions. The young man from the NGO said that they try to teach them as much english as they can while they are in school. Unfortunately they have to quit at an early age to start earning some rupees instead.
I still see the differences and I do reflect.
Daily.
A village filled with colours-Colours of India.
Posted on May 29, 2019
A morning ride along the road led me into this colourful little village. It was the temple that led me here but I didn’t even get a picture of it. Once I started getting pictures of the village itself I almost forgot about the temple. Then it turned out it was closed anyway. But I had a nice stroll in the tiny village in the early morning.
Visiting tiny villages out in the country side is something I really enjoy. Especially in the mornings ……before the heat sets in and the sun is too bright for any pictures. Hope you enjoyed the visit today <:
Hibiscuses through a looking glass – macro pictures.
Posted on May 27, 2019
I was looking at my friend Katrin Sorensson Persson’s beautiful macro pictures this morning and it was then I realized that I haven’t posted any here. I only posted some on my instagram account. So today it’s all about the hibiscus. A favourite of mine.
Thanks for the inspiration Katrin <: Have a look at her amazing pictures on instagram @katsor63
Botlappa Cave temple, Coorg.
Posted on May 23, 2019
About 4 kilometers up up up and then another 3-400 meters really steep you will find this cool temple. So worth all the sweat.
It’s a special feeling when you are high up in the tree tops and walking around in silence looking down into the greenery. Almost silence…all of a sudden a rickshaw comes along. But no rickshaw ride for us. We hiked all the way.
Hope you will join me on my next hike, next post. At the moment I’m not sure where I’m heading.
Botlappa Cave temple hike in Coorg.
Posted on May 22, 2019
From our homestay Silver Brook Estate we decided to do a short 4 kilometer hike up to Botlappa cave temple. Beautiful but hot walk up through the coffee plantations and the jungle. A narrow winding road for what we thought bikers but no no no……it was for jeeps, cars and rickshaws. Amazing to get a close look at how people live around here. We met kids walking home from school and women who had been grocery shopping. We also met the greenest snake ever. Turned out it was not dangerous at all. So cool to be hiking in the tree tops in all the greenery.
Our little hike turned out to be longer and hotter than expected but it was totally worth every drop of sweat. Don’t miss the next post where I’ll show some picture of the temple itself.
Good shoes and socks are essential when hiking but also water ! See ya’ soon.
Scotland of India, Coorg.
Posted on May 8, 2019
My hubby had his birthday last week so I decided to surprise him with a weekend trip to Coorg, the place called Scotland of India. We both like to walk, hiking, breathe fresh air and see new things so off we went in our car. Well, we didn’t drive. Our driver Ganga drove. When we asked about how long the car ride would be to get there everyone said around 5 hours but it actually took more than 6 due to the insane traffic in Bangalore. Took us 2 hours just to get out of Bangalore !
Even though the ride up was a little rough at times it sure was worth it. Our jeep driver was really skilled. It wasn’t his first drive on the bumpy roads.
I’ll show more from Coorg but be prepared. We are using our legs on this trip. No rickshaw ride at all. Strap on your hiking boots and fill a bottle of water. We need to stay hydrated. Let me know when you are ready <:
Cheeky monkeys in Nandi hills.
Posted on May 6, 2019
We stopped for breakfast at a restaurant along the road close to Nandi hills and all of a sudden I saw something swinging in one of the mango trees. Yes it was monkeys. It was a family of small macaques.
Sorry for no update over the weekend but I have been traveling and I had no access to internet. I promise I will tell you all about our “rickshaw” ride to the mountains and what we did up there. So hang in there or hang on to the back, your choice.
Did you know that up to 16 people can ride in a black rickshaw at once ?! Well, “in” the rickshaw also means hanging on outside in the back and on the sides. Incredible <:
Susanna Rosen Photography 