My TripAdvisor Review No.284: Phoenix Mall, Pune.

Shopping Therapy.

Phoenix Mall is probably the biggest mall in Pune in terms of area and footfalls. There are outlets of all the major Indian and International brands for clothes, shoes, jewellery, leather goods, watches, cosmetics and many more. Besides there are many restaurants and pubs as well as a multiplex run by PVR, screening all the current Bollywood and Hollywood movies. There are some gaming galleries too, where kids can enjoy themselves while the parents shop till they drop.

We visited the mall located on the Nagar Road Highway, near Viman Nagar, during the Christmas week. The mall had a very festive look with decorations, buntings, and a huge Christmas tree. It is best to visit during festivities, including Diwali and Holi, as they arrange entertainment programs and the glam and glitter perks up our moods and make us happier. After a bout of shopping we visited the Food Court and satisfied our bellies too.

The only drawback of visiting Phoenix mall is the difficulty in parking. The parking lot is deep underground, and we had to go round in a never-ending spiral to find a place. Add to that the steep charges for parking, especially during weekends.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.283: Girijatmaka Temple, Lenyadri, Junnar, Maharashtra.

Lord Ganesh Temple in a Cave.

The Girijatmaka Ganpati temple is located in the Lenyadri Caves about 5 km from Junnar. It is one of the eight Ashtavinayaks and the devotees visit it as the 6th temple in the sequence of eight. It is also known as Girijatmaj, which means son of Girija or Parvati Devi.

Since it is inside a cave we had to climb up a series of more than 300 steps to reach the caves. The idol is carved out of the back wall of the cave number 8, in a line of about 10 other ancient Buddhist caves. ‘Palki’ (palanquin) services are available for the old and unfit who are unable to climb up by themselves.

We had to pay a vehicle entry fee of Rs.10, and another Rs.20 for parking. We also had to pay a darshan fee of Rs.5 each before starting the climb. There are many small restaurants and stalls where you can buy offerings and flowers, as well as fresh grapes and ‘kishmish’ (dried grapes). The grapes are grown in the nearby farms and are absolutely fresh.

The cave temple was very nice and we got a feel of the divine presence of Lord Ganesh. We also got excellent views of the landscape and the Kukadi River from the top.

The Girijatmaka Temple and the Buddhist caves at Lenyadri is definitely worth a visit.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.282: Pimpalgaon Joga Dam, Malshej, Maharashtra.

Serene Lake Near Malshej Ghat.

This is a very big lake with serene waters near Malshej Ghat on the Kalyan - Ahmednagar Highway (NH-61). We happened to pass this lake while driving from Otur to Malshej Ghat. We first crossed a bridge near Junnar across the backwaters of the lake and then we saw the huge expanse of water on the right side as we were driving towards Malsej.

There is a lovely backdrop of the hills of the Sahyadris in the background, and the shimmering waters of the lake in the foreground. The sight is beautiful to behold. When we went there were no clouds, but I am sure it will look heavenly in the rainy season, with the monsoon clouds hovering above the hills.

We stopped at the resort ‘Saj By The Lake’ for lunch, which has got good rooms bordering the lake and dam. We were told that sometimes migratory flamingos stop by for nesting in the lake during the winter, but there were none at the time we visited.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.281: Manikdoh Dam, Junnar, Maharashtra.

Scenic View of Lake and Dam.

We drove down to the Manikdoh Lake and Dam after visiting the Lenyadri Caves near Junnar. The dam is located about 11 km from Lenyadri and the road passes through a couple of villages en route. The road is reasonably good but narrow in places.

Entry to the dam is not permitted, so we drove beyond the dam up the hillside encircling the dam. On the way we passed the Wildlife SOS Leopard Rescue Centre. The gates of the Rescue Centre are closed to the public unless one has got special permission from the Forest Department in Junnar.

The dam is constructed on the Kukadi River which flows near Junnar and Ozar in the Ghod basin in Pune district. It is surrounded by the Sahyadri mountain ranges of Maharashtra.

There is not much else to see besides the backwaters of the dam, and you can enter the Leopard Rescue Centre only if you have the required permission. It can be skipped if you are short of time.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.280: MTDC Malshej Ghat Resort, Khubi, Maharashtra.

Location, Location, Location!

The best thing about the MTDC Malshej Ghat Resort is its location. It is situated at the edge of a plateau overlooking the valley which drops down to the Konkan region near Kalyan and the Arabian Sea. On three sides there are high mountains of the Western Ghats which cause the monsoon clouds to rise up the hill slopes and create huge waterfalls during the months from June to September. Hence, the peak season when people visit this resort is from June to December.

We visited the resort in January and got a 30% discount on the peak season room tariff. We stayed in a Valley View Cottage room, which has an excellent view of the valley and the surrounding hills. The resort is well spread out with good walking paths and a children’s playground. There is a specially constructed 1 km long walkway on the plateau just outside the campus, which affords excellent views from the edge of the cliff as you walk along the barricade.

Our Valley View Cottage room was quite spacious and well furnished. There was a nice balcony with cane chairs to sit out and admire the mountain scenery. There was an LCD TV with a satellite connection, and a mini fridge, a large two door cupboard with dressing table and chair, a coffee table with two chairs and a sofa which could be converted to an extra bed. The bathroom had a large boiler, health faucet and clean towels, with complimentary soap and shampoo sachets. Room service was prompt and efficient, and the intercom was working.

The restaurant service though, was not as good as it could have been. Many of the dishes mentioned on the menu were not available. There was no tandoor, and no dosas available for breakfast. The taste of the food was just average. We had no choice but to sample their fare as there are no other restaurants nearby.

Apart from the mountain views and a nearby lake, the Pimpalgaon Joga Lake, there are not many other sight-seeing spots nearby. The Shivneri Fort, Lenyadri Caves, Ozar Ganpati Temple and Manikdoh Dam are at a distance of 20 to 40 km away.

This resort is a good place to just relax and rejuvenate for a couple of days, and enjoy the views.

Room Tip: Valley View Cottages have the best views and are very spacious.

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• Stayed: January 2018, travelled as a couple
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My TripAdvisor Review No.279: Malshej Ghat, Khubi, Maharashtra.

Scenic View Point, Best Visited in Monsoons.

We visited Malshej Ghat for the second time, but this time in the month of January. There were no waterfalls and the hillsides were all dry, but it was still worth a visit. We could get out of our car and explore the viewing point which is well paved with a pathway and a small bridge and located near the tunnel. It is about 130 km from Pune, on the Ahmednagar – Kalyan highway (NH-61). We travelled to Narayangaon and turned left to visit Ozar Ganpati first, then via Otur on NH-61 to Malshej. One can even turn left at Alephata on the Pune – Nashik highway (NH-60), to avoid the rough road from Ozar to Otur.

Of course, most people come to Malshej Ghat in the rainy season between June and September to enjoy the numerous waterfalls splashing down from the steep hillsides, and watch the dense clouds ascending from the Arabian Sea up the Western Ghats, of which Malshej Ghat is a part. Nevertheless we enjoyed the scenery of the mountains in the cool climate, and with less crowds milling around. There were a few hand carts serving freshly baked corn on the cob, or a hot bowl of noodles.

Malshej Ghat is just a scenic point on the highway between two major cities, hence there are just 2 decent hotels nearby to stay overnight, the MTDC resort , and 'Saj By the Lake' near the Pimpalgaon Joga Dam about 5 km towards Junnar.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.278: Wildernest Nature Resort, Chorla.

Forest Haven.

Wildernest is located at the cusp of three Indian states, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa. It can be approached either from Belgaum in Karnataka, or from Goa, on the scenic Chorla Ghat road. From the entrance gate we were taken to our rooms in a dilapidated jeep, holding on tight to our seats. One of the staff, all dressed in jungle jackets and shorts, took us to our cottage and then showed us around the property. He welcomed us with a glass of chilled ‘kokum’ juice.

Wildernest Nature Resort is in a class of its own. The rooms are luxurious not in the physical sense, but because you are so close to wondrous luxuries of nature. There is no TV, but you are woken up by the song of the Malabar whistling thrush. You witness the real life film of a waterfall on the cliff opposite your open veranda, and wild monkeys prancing about in the trees outside. There is no wi-fi, but the songs of the Barbets and the Sunbirds play all day long. Neither is the room air conditioned, nor is there a fridge or coffee maker. In fact, you are discouraged from eating anything in your room as it attracts pests and insects. There is no room service and you have to walk to the restaurant ‘Randhan’ for all meals.

The package at Wildernest included all meals, prepared from farm fresh ingredients in the local Konkani and Goan styles. It included morning tea, buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, and evening tea and snacks. The food was very wholesome and delicious. On one occasion we had barbequed snacks for dinner.

There is a bar besides the restaurant where drinks are available on chargeable basis.

The activities like bird watching and trekking to a waterfall in the morning, to the sunset point in the evening, and an evening entertainment programme are all included in the package. One evening we witnessed some local songs and dances, and saw a film on wildlife the next evening. The bird watching guide took us around the property pointing out different species of birds. We even saw a green vine snake on one occasion. The treks were very strenuous as we had to clamber over stones and boulders in the forest to reach the waterfall. The sunset trek was quite an uphill climb and I was out of breath by the time we reached the top. Please do not attempt the treks if you are not fit or have small kids with you, even though there is always a guide to accompany you.

There is a beautiful infinity pool overlooking the hills. The pool is surrounded on three sides by the jungles, with some deck chairs to lounge and sunbathe. There is a man made waterfall on one side. The water is reasonably clean, and clean towels are available in the changing room.

We stayed in one of the Valley View Cottages overlooking the valley and waterfall. They also have Forest View Cottages surrounded by tall trees and forests, which is preferred by the hard core nature lovers and bird watching enthusiasts. The path and steps leading to the rooms can get quite dark after sunset, so do remember to carry a torch with you when you go for dinner to the restaurant.

We were at Wildernest for 4 nights and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves even though we were cut off from the ‘civilised’ world. Sometimes we would just sit in the machans and wait for the birds, or lie in a hammock gazing at the stars at night. It was a complete digital detox, and we returned to our humdrum existence totally refreshed with lovely green memories.

• Stayed: December 2017, travelled with friends
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My TripAdvisor Review No.277: Big Banyan Tree, Bangalore.

Botanical Wonder.

Big Banyan Tree is located about 28 km from Bangalore on the highway to Mysore. It is about 8 km off the highway after taking a right turn at Kumbalagod junction. One can reach this picnic spot by local bus, rickshaw or taxi also. Parking is available nearby around the tree canopy, and there are small eateries and tea shops outside the fenced garden enclosing the tree. There is no entry fee to the garden.

The 400 year old tree covers an area of about 3 acres, almost the area of a small village. It is the largest banyan tree in Karnataka, and the 4th largest in India, and the World.

We were wonderstruck by the enormity of this single tree with so many trunks. The main trunk was destroyed due to a natural disease, but now has many other trunks which have descended from its branches to support the tree. In fact when we entered the lovely gardens surrounding the tree, we felt as if we were in a small forest. There were many monkeys scampering around, and the tree also houses many species of birds. There is a small Shiva temple in the premises.

It is a good place for a picnic in rural Bangalore, with beautiful natural surroundings, but be careful of the marauding monkeys, and please do not leave your garbage behind.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.276: Pykara Lake, Ooty.

Big Lake With Boating Facilities.

This lake is about 20 km away from Ooty, on the road to Gudalur from Ooty. It is much bigger than the lake in Ooty town, and there are waterfalls a little away from the lake, known as the Pykara Falls. There is also a Forest Rest House and boat house with a restaurant from where one can hire row boats and speed boats as well. There is a parking lot near the boat house.

We stopped by at Pykara Lake on the way out from Ooty to Mysore via Gudalur. There were some nice shady meadows by the lake where we had our picnic breakfast and took some pictures. The lake was very calm and serene and surrounded by a forest of pine trees.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.275: Kamat Lokaruchi, Ramanagara, Karnataka.

Real Taste of Karnataka Home Food.

We were on the way from Srirangapatnam to Bangalore and my local friend recommended that we stop at Kamat Loka Ruchi, near Ramanagara on the Mysore-Bangalore highway, for lunch. It is a pure vegetarian restaurant, and part of the famous Kamat chain of hotels and restaurants.

The restaurant has the ambience of a heritage cottage in a Karnataka or Kodagu village. The food served here is also in the traditional style on a banana leaf. You can choose to have a buffet meal or ala-carte local dishes like idlis (cooked in a banana leaf), dosas or akki rotis. There is a variety of dishes from different regions of Karnataka.

I tried their traditional special lunch (Rs.220), which included ‘puran poli’ and fruit salad with ice-cream, in addition to the normally served four sabjis (vegetables), salad with methi leaves, curd, papad, millet rotis, rice, sambar and rasam. The food had the local flavour and was very healthy and wholesome.

The restaurant was a bit a crowded but kept neat and clean. The washrooms were also clean, as it should be, for restaurants on the highway. There is a large parking lot inside the gates, and an HP fuel station just next door, and is an ideal place to take a break in a long drive.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.274: Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatnam.

Impressive Temple, Landmark of Srirangapatnam.

The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is an important landmark of the town of Srirangapatnam, 15 km from Mysore, located on an island in the Kaveri River. The town derives its name from the temple.

It is a very ancient temple dating back to the 9th century AD. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Ranganatha who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The idol is in a reclining position on the bed of a serpent with seven heads.

The large gopuram, or entrance facade, of the temple has intricate carvings in the Vijayanagar style of architecture. The temple is surrounded by a solid wall, more like a fortified structure. Just behind the temple is the Railway Station of Srirangapatnam.

I visited the temple early in the morning and there was already a long queue of devotees. Many of the other devotees were readying themselves for the ‘darshan’ by having a holy dip in the bathing ghats in the River Kaveri, surrounding the temple.

The temple is open from 7.30 am to 1.30 pm and again from 4 pm to 8 pm. Photography is not allowed inside. One can have a quicker ‘darshan’ on payment of an extra fee. The temple gets very crowded on weekends.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.273: Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka.

Nature Lover's Paradise.

The Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary was the highlight of our three day stay at Srirangapatna. It is located 3 km from Srirangapatna and 16 km north of Mysore on the KRS dam (Brindavan Garden) road. Public buses are available from Mysore city to visit the sanctuary, if you do not have your own transport.

We had to pay an entry fee of Rs.70 per person, and Rs.50 for car parking. Foreigners have to pay Rs.400, and there are additional charges for your camera with zoom lenses. Guided boat tours are also chargeable at Rs.70 per head (foreigner Rs.400), and the last boat is at 5.45 pm. It is worth taking the boat as you can get closer to the islands where the birds reside, and get to see them from close quarters.

The boat guides know the names of the individual species of birds and even point out the crocodiles which look just like the rocks on which they are sleeping. We got the creepy feeling when we saw the crocs from so near, but they just ignored us. There are enough fish in the Kaveri for them, and the birds, to feed on. We saw many species of birds nesting on the trees. There were pelicans, storks, egrets, cormorants, ibis, swallows and heron. We even saw a pair of otters feeding on fish on one rock, which is quite a rare sight.

After the boat ride one can relax on the many benches in the nice gardens and viewing galleries on the shore. Refreshments are available in a restaurant near the parking lot.

The season for watching the water birds is from November to June, but the best time is in December-January when migratory birds from as far away as Siberia and Latin America visit Ranganathittu for nesting.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.272: Hotel Mayura Riverview Srirangapatna.

Riverside Reverie.

Mayura Riverview is situated by the Kaveri River in the town of Srirangapatna about 20 km before Mysore on the Bangalore – Mysore highway.

We stayed in one of the deluxe aircon rooms which had a balcony overlooking the River Kaveri. There was a jackfruit tree just outside and we would hear the twitter of different birds and squirrels early in the morning. The resort is surrounded by large trees and green vegetation and has got a very serene and peaceful atmosphere.

The room was well furnished. There was a flat-screen TV, dressing table, cupboard and 2 chairs, but no electric kettle to make tea/coffee and no fridge in the room.
The hotel campus is well spread out with a small rabbit enclosure and some geese wandering around.

There are 3 restaurants, a regular one, an open air one and a double deck floating restaurant by the river which also doubles up as a conference venue. We would have our breakfast in the floating restaurant watching the locals row by in their coracles. We enjoyed the breakfasts, but the other dishes served up at lunch/dinner were quite ordinary.

There is a good parking area for the hotel, and it is off the highway so that there is no traffic noise during the night, but the restaurants get crowded during lunch time as it is open to all travellers.

It is a good base to explore the nearby attractions of Ranganathithu Bird Sanctuary, Tipu Sultan’s Srirangapatnam, Ranganathaswamy temple, and the Brindavan Garden.

Room Tip: Independent cottages are available too, but at a higher tariff.

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• Stayed: November 2017, travelled as a couple
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