Harohalli Lake – North Bangalore

Posted on August 27, 2025 by Currylines

Aug 24th, 2025

When I decided to visit Harohalli lake in North Bangalore on one of my bird photography jaunts, I realised that there was sufficient potential for error in getting there, since there is another lake by the same name in the village of Harohalli in the Ramanagara district just 50 km away from Bangalore, which our ‘friendly, mischievous’ Google is happy to throw up.

To add to my bewilderment, another lake called Herohalli showed up in my online search. And then to top the confusion, Google maps indicated 2 names Harohalli and Gantiganahalli for the same lake!

Anyway to cut the tale of puzzlement short, the friends whom I accompany on these trips, seemed to know exactly which lake to head to and thus began our birding session one early Sunday morning at Harohalli Lake, Yelahanka, Bangalore Urban district, Karnataka, India

Fear not, I will provide the accurate Google link at the end of this post but for now, come with me as I take you through a visual exploration of whatever I found at this lake.

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Maddu thoppu – Justicia Wynaadensis

Posted on July 26, 2025 by Currylines

The bright green leaves bubble and boil in my pot of water and the colorless liquid miraculously and rapidly transforms into a brilliant indigo hue. Justicia Wynaadensis is performing its magic in my kitchen and I am transfixed by the process which I have finally had the pleasure of personally witnessing!

Justicia Wynaadensis, also known as Maddu thoppu, is a shrub that grows prolifically in some regions of the Western ghats of India.

This plant is very special to the Kodavas (the people of Coorg). Maddu means medicinal and thoppu translates to leaves, in the Kodava (Coorg) language.

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Posted in Fruits and Vegetables, Organic, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wellness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Trishvam Symphony

Posted on July 14, 2025 by Currylines

July 4th – 6th, 2025

The date palms sway gently in the breeze, their sweet, ripe, fallen fruit dotting the verdant lawns as they contrast with the bright green, like little oval nuggets of chocolate. I sprawl languidly on the deck chair beside the vast, blue swimming pool that lies alongside, popping the sweet fruit in my mouth as I gaze out the distant peak of the Bala Kondarayanaswamy hill which looms like a sentinel of the horizon and offers a panoramic backdrop to this picturesque resort called Trishvam Symphony.

Lying in the lap of the Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu, India, Trishvam Symphony is the latest and most recent addition to the list of burgeoning resorts from the well known brand, The Great Indian Group of Hotels and Resorts.

Surrounded by hills and nestling within lush landscapes and vast mango orchards, this resort presents an elegant getaway deep within a farm, offering a blend of the charm of farm life and the comfort of style and luxury.

If you are looking for a very comfortable stay which also offers a host of features for your entertainment, then join me in exploring this interesting getaway which is barely a 2 hour drive from Bangalore.

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Posted in Domestic travel, Holidays, Hotels and Resorts, Nature, Reviews, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

TGI Livancia Hillside Hotel

Posted on June 22, 2025 by Currylines

June 11th – 13th, 2025

I gaze out of my large window at the ‘mist-kist’ hill that looms in the distance. The vista of the iconic and imposing Chamundi hills draped in lush, rain washed greenery, makes it difficult for me to believe that I am actually in a hotel in the heart of the city and not in some idyllic resort amidst pristine surroundings, with air so fresh that it makes my Bangalore bred (and battered) lungs gasp in pleasant surprise!

I speak of the TGI Livancia Hillside Hotel, a recent addition to the list of hotels that lie within the culture rich city of Mysore which is the headquarters of the Mysore district in Karnataka, India.

If you are looking for a very comfortable stay, economical pricing and pleasant service in Mysore, then follow me into the portals of this hotel and see what it has in store.

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Posted in Domestic travel, Holidays, Hotels and Resorts, Restaurant reviews, Reviews, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Muthanallur Lake – Bangalore

Posted on June 10, 2025 by Currylines

Jun 8th, 2025

A vast, thick drape of green, broken only by a tiny puddle of water, was my first view of Muthanallur lake. A dirt track below that had suffered the lashings of a recent rain and another track atop the raised lake bund, were the only access to my friend and I who were visiting the place, mainly for the purpose of bird spotting and photography.

Due to the choking of almost the entire surface of the water by the knotted tapestry of water plants, there were no water birds to be found but the surrounding vegetation was better blessed with a few other species. Apparently the lake was less polluted and less overrun with aquatic weeds in the past.

Muthanallur Lake is located in the Bangalore Urban district of Karnataka, India. Come with me as I take you through a visual exploration of whatever I found at this lake … it was certainly not water 😏

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Posted in Birds, Domestic travel, Holidays, Nature, Reviews, Travel, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Blackbucks of KGF/BGML Grasslands, Kolar

Posted on May 6, 2025 by Currylines

May 4th, 2025

My previous blog post which I hope you have read, spoke of my recent and rather futile expedition to Bethamangala lake where my friends and I had gone to photograph the Knob-billed ducks but ended up scoring a duck instead (certainly no pun intended). So as we came away empty handed, we decided to try our luck at least for a Buck at the nearby Blackbuck sanctuary before returning home to Bangalore.

Our drought however, continued and blame it on the wrong time of the day but we could not buck the trend … yeah, the blackbucks barely graced us with their presence and needless to say, no noteworthy pictures were created here either.

And hence my previous caption holds good here too – No Luck, no Duck, no Buck! (And you definitely need to read the earlier post to get the context)

Well regardless of our poor outcome, let me share with you the brief glimpse that we had of the bucks and of the Kolar Gold Fields/Bharat Gold Mines Limited (KGF/BGML) grasslands of the Kolar district, Karnataka, India because … well just because!

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Posted in Birds, Domestic travel, Dosa, Holidays, Nature, Reviews, Safaris, Travel, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bethamangala Lake and Dam, Kolar

Posted on May 5, 2025 by Currylines

May 4th, 2025

No Luck, no Duck, no Buck! 

When you have nothing much to write about but you really really want to use the above caption. (Somewhat like buying a saree just because you have a blouse piece, if you get the analogy 😏)

Well, all ye faithful readers of mine who have been following my minor adventures in the past few weeks, I am sure ye will know that a kind friend has been allowing me to tag along on bird photography jaunts to a few popular lakes and birding sites around Bangalore and beyond (and other enroute attractions of heritage and history thrown in for good measure).

And while I have had reasonably fruitful outcomes (sightings, photos, food) from these trips, this time my winning streak felt that it had done enough for a while and decided to take a break.

And yeah, the only reason I am writing about this futile expedition, is to use the above opening line. Yeah I am nuts like that 😎

Of course I should also give a bit of credit to the fact that I sighted and clicked pictures of 4 species of birds that were new to me and I managed to score a delicious Mulbagal dosa … but mostly the ‘caption reason’ wins!

So follow me on this somewhat barren trip to Bethamangala town in the Kolar district of Karnataka, India, where I was lured with promises of the uncommon Knob-billed ducks, graceful Blackbucks and the famed Mulbagal dosa. And well, read on to see how that saga turned out!

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Posted in Birds, Domestic travel, Holidays, Nature, Reviews, Travel, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Samara Boutique Villa

Posted on April 14, 2025 by Currylines

Apr 6th – 8th, 2025

A profusion of fuchsia hued blooms dance in welcome, their vibrant clusters cascading in charmingly unruly fashion. Various species of tiny birds flit in and out of these paper thin bougainvillea bracts, as usual not holding still long enough for my camera to trap them.

The lush sprigs nod coquettishly and beckon enticingly as they vie for my eye but as much as they endeavor to become the center of my attention, there is another centerpiece (literally) or shall I call it the masterpiece that is waiting in the vicinity to blow me away!

Grabbing all eyeballs and leaving me gasping in surprise, is the stunning swimming pool ensconced within the cool confines of the grand Samara Boutique Villa, a tranquil getaway that nestles within these enchanting surroundings. The pool is not just the heart but also the soul of this home and a great reason for anyone to make plans right away to escape the looming summer!

Samara Boutique Villa is a private pool villa which was originally a Thotti Maney where the ‘thotti’ has been brilliantly transformed into a gorgeous indoor private pool. If I may take the liberty to play with words, I would say that this Thotti has been Thotti’fully repurposed to raise the excitement quotient of this getaway!

For the clueless, a Thotti maney or ‘Indoor Courtyard’ house is a traditional South Indian dwelling characterized by a sunken tank in the center, which is open to the sky and around which the rooms are built.

Samara Boutique Villa completes the luxury villa trilogy brought to us by the owners of Strelitzia Villas and Cicada Leisure, two equally splendid luxe stays that are designed to pander to discerning travellers who seek quietude and quality in the serene lap of nature!.

Located in Chikmagalur district in the state of Karnataka in the southern part of India, these villas contribute to the ever growing list of upscale luxury options in this region.

So join me if you want to chill in its frame worthy porch or sway on its pretty swing or splash in the pool in total privacy, as we spend a couple of days relaxing at this haven of luxury.

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Posted in Domestic travel, Holidays, Home Stay, Pet Friendly Stay, Reviews, Staycation, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Ramalingeshwara Temple and Sita Devi Temple – Avani, Kolar

Posted on March 31, 2025 by Currylines

Mar 30th, 2025

The boulder studded hill looms ahead as we drive through the arch and into the village. We are going back in time, all the way to over a thousand years ago, to the ancient 10th century Ramalingeshwara temple and the Sita Devi temple that lie in the quiet little village of Avani.

My friend and I are on the way back from a very gratifying bird watching session at Ramasagara Lake, Kolar, when we quickly decide that we have enough time to make another stop for the day before heading back home to Bangalore.

While Kolar has quite a few temples that are well known, this 10th century Ramalingeshwara cluster of temples was our pick for the day, being sufficiently tempting for people like us who are enthusiasts of heritage and ancient monuments.

Also at 30 km from the lake, this was the nearest of all and we easily overcame the distance in less than an hour. There was also the added incentive of the Sita Devi temple atop the Avani hill just behind this temple.

Our visit was brief and hence I do not have a detailed description of the history and architecture but nevertheless, it was interesting enough.

So take off your footwear and join me as we get a quick glimpse of this beautiful heritage site which graces the village of Avani in the Mulbagal/Mulabaagilu taluk of Kolar district, Karnataka, India. Continue reading →

Posted in Domestic travel, Heritage, Holidays, Reviews, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Ramasagara Lake – Kolar

Posted on March 31, 2025 by Currylines

Mar 30th, 2025

The turn of the Tern.

If you have been following my posts, you will know that my current whim is to tag along on bird photography jaunts with a good friend of mine, to a few popular lakes and birding sites around Bangalore and beyond.

After our recent expeditions to Hadinaru lake – Mysuru, Kokkarebellur – Mandya and Jayamangali reserve – Tumkur, our latest target was the Ramasagara Lake/Reservoir – Kolar.

Ramasagara Lake in the Bangarpet taluk of Kolar district of Karnataka, India, is a freshwater lake and reservoir created by a dam across the river Palar.

This large waterbody naturally attracts several species of waterbirds as well as their terrestrial counterparts. I was enticed to visit this place with the promise of sighting several glorious winged residents and in particular, the River Terns (Sterna aurantia) which were supposed to be in breeding season, hence raising our hopes of getting a distant peek at their nests adorned with eggs and hatchlings.

So did our Terns turn up? Or did we turn back empty handed with no Tern? Your turn to find out, so scroll on 😎 Ok I better stop before I receive a sTern warning from you!

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Posted in Birds, Domestic travel, Holidays, Nature, Reviews, Travel, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments