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 →

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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

Mandaragiri Hill and Jain Temple, Tumkur

Posted on March 23, 2025 by Currylines

March 16th, 2025

Peacocks have always fascinated me with their regal bearing and vibrant and iridescent plumage. Hence I was quite delighted and intrigued when a few years ago I came across the captivating photograph of a beautiful temple which was built in the likeness of this exquisite bird, complete with its vivid blue, green and gold facade, draped over like a gently flowing peacock tail and ending in a skirting of pink lotus petals.

With a bit of online hunting, I learned that this was a part of the Mandaragiri Jain temple complex, which is a Jain pilgrimage center located on Mandaragiri Hill in the Tumkur district of Karnataka, India.

I had tucked away this information in the back of my memory, hoping that I would visit this place someday and savor its visual beauty.

So when my friend and I planned a trip to the Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve, it was with excitement that I realised that I was going to be close (literally) to fulfilling my desire to visit this location, Mandaragiri being almost enroute to our destination.

So on our return to Bangalore, we made a short detour to take a quick look at the place, glimpses of which are available below for your viewing pleasure!

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Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve, Tumkur

Posted on March 20, 2025 by Currylines

March 16th, 2025

If your Black Bu(i)ck can attain such lofty heights of ground clearance, would you call it ‘More bang for your Buck’?

Well after a few bird photography jaunts with a friend of mine, this time we planned to quite literally ‘Buck the trend’ and focus our lenses on a ‘flying’ creature of a different kind! The current object of our desire was the Blackbuck, an animal which despite being wingless, can still soar impressively high in the air!

Hoping to spot these leaping mammals in large numbers, we set out on our expedition in the shrub studded plains of Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve, a vast grassland that lies in the Madhugiri Taluk of Tumkur district in Karnataka, India.  

So join us on this drive (not in a black Buick though but in a sturdy white Suzuki), as we embark on the quest for these hoppity skippety and very shy Indian antelopes and find out whether we got a bang for our buck or a run for our money!

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TGI Star Holiday Resort – Yercaud

Posted on March 13, 2025 by Currylines

March 7th – 9th, 2025

Do you have an inclination for the Incline? Then join me on this little trip high up in the hills of the Eastern ghats of South India.

The driveway slopes upwards, flanked by rows of pretty cottages coated in warm, earthy tones against which lush greenery speckled with colorful flowers creates a striking contrast as it faithfully clings alongside. Spring has burst forth in the hills and so have the bright blooms that adorn the clusters of shrubs and trees, creating a vibrant multicolored canvas for the eyes to feast on.

The avocado trees are at their peak potential with their prolific bunches of delicate blossoms, proffering the hope of branches soon to be laden with the bright green buttery fruit.

I breathe in deeply of the crisp mountain air and surrender to the melodious trilling of the resident Bulbul orchestra as these restless birds play ‘Catch me if you can’ with each other and of course with my camera too!

This is nature’s welcoming committee that greets me and invigorates me as I arrive all weary and jaded from the dreary and dusty city.

Snuggled in the folds of the charming hill station of Yercaud, lies the TGI Star Holiday Resort, where I have arrived to likewise snuggle in its hospitable arms for the next couple of days.

Perched on the rolling slopes of the Shevaroy hills of the Eastern ghats, Yercaud is a picturesque town that lies in the Salem district of Tamilnadu which is one of India’s southern states.

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Kabini Jungle Safari at Nagarahole National Park – Round 2

Posted on February 27, 2025 by Currylines

Feb 18th, 2025

The Kabini jungle is special for me because this was where I had embarked on my first South Indian safari in October 2023 and where I had the intense pleasure of spotting tigers in 2 out of my 3 safaris. In addition to that thrill, I had also encountered many other exciting jungle beings like dholes, barking deer, mongoose, innumerable spotted deer and langurs, several birds, elephants and many more.

I love going on safaris but unfortunately due to certain personal reasons I have not been able to give in to that indulgence too often.

So it was with great delight that I jumped at that chance when I was invited by the lovely people at the charming Fireflies Kabini jungle resort, with the carrot of a safari also being dangled at me.

So what trophies did I return with this time? Well to be honest, it was not as fruitful (or animal-full as I hoped) but it was exciting nevertheless to just get out there and travel through the jungle.

Kabini refers to a section of the Nagarahole National Park and this lies in the Mysore district of the Karnataka state in India.

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Posted in Birds, Domestic travel, Holidays, Jungle Lodge, Reviews, Safaris, Travel, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Fireflies Kabini

Posted on February 26, 2025 by Currylines

Feb 17th – 19th, 2025

A river runs alongside it!

Lush green sprawling lawns, multihued blossoms popping out startlingly from the monochromatic verdancy, glistening blue waters lapping the not-so-distant shores, all day long melodious background birdsong, tall shade trees with leaves softly rustling in the gentle breeze, fruit trees with literally low hanging fruit and of course the crisp fresh air (a rarity where I come from) … this is the idyllic Fireflies Resort where I had the pleasure of spending a couple of days in a bid to get away from the craziness of Bangalore (where the dust and digging never seem to end)!

Tucked away in a little village in Kabini, the popular wildlife and safari destination which lies in the Heggada Devana Kotey (HD Kotey) taluk of Mysore district in Karnataka, India, this resort offers comfortably luxurious options for those who arrive in the quest of adventure in the surrounding jungles and also those who merely seek tranquility and rejuvenation in the refreshing environs of unsullied nature.

So meander along its quaint gravel strewn trails with me and let us peep into its charming nooks and corners to discover what it has in store!

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Posted in Domestic travel, Holidays, Hotels and Resorts, Jungle Lodge, Reviews, Safaris, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Kokkarebellur Bird Habitat, Mandya district

Posted on February 23, 2025 by Currylines

Feb 5th, 2025

A sense of déjà vu comes over me as I gaze at the huge trees studded with flocks of magnificent Painted storks. I am excited to be able to witness yet again, a phenomenon of human and bird coexistence which I had serendipitously experienced less than 2 years ago when I visited the Veerapuram bird sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh in July 2023. This was the first time I was witnessing a spectacle so fascinating, where thousands of these stately birds were clustered in this small, nondescript village, living in complete harmony with their human hosts.

Cut to the present, where an impromptu detour while returning to Bangalore from our bird photography jaunt to Hadinaru lake, led my friend and me to the charming little village of Kokkarebellur.

Nestled in the lush, verdant, farmland environs of Maddur taluk in the Mandya district of Karnataka, India, this is not just another ordinary village. Just like Veerapuram, its specialty too lies in its spectacular colonies of birds that share space with their host villagers in a remarkable relationship of coexistence, trust and mutual comfort.

Being a last minute decision to visit this place since it was barely 12 km out of our way, I was quite unprepared with my pre-research and also rather tired from the earlier activities at Hadinaru. This disclaimer is to exonerate myself in advance, since I have neither clicked sufficient photos nor have I done enough justice in gathering and presenting the details of this place in my usual detailed and long drawn way (or so she said). Well I leave it to you to decide whether that is a bane or a boon for you 😎

And speaking of bane, allow me to caption this story – The Stork’Home syndrome.

Once you are done rolling your eyes, you may continue further 😁

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Hadinaru Lake, Mysuru District

Posted on February 23, 2025 by Currylines

Feb 5th, 2025

In search of ‘Ansers’!

When exotic visitors fly in all the way across 4500 km from Mongolia, then driving down 180 km from Bangalore is the least I can do to meet them and imprint them on my lens so that I can impress you with them too!!!

Located around 23 km from the city of Mysuru, Hadinaru lake is a freshwater lake near the Kabini River. While it has its share of several species of waterbirds, it attracts many migratory birds too and is specially renowned for being the annual, temporary winter home of the Bar headed Geese (Anser indicus), which laudably fly all the way from Mongolia at altitudes of 27,000 ft over the Himalayas, to spend around 4 months here.

Hadinaru village lies in the Nanjangud taluk of Mysore (Mysuru) district, Karnataka, India.

So join me on this quest with a friend of mine who was kind enough to drive us all the way from Bangalore. I hope you enjoy finding my ‘Ansers’ as much as I did seeking them. And may you be tempted to go in search of your own and experience the adventure in person someday!

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Posted in Birds, Domestic travel, Holidays, Nature, Reviews, Travel, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments