GOD, GABBAR AND A GLADIATOR - RIDE TO RAMDEVARA BETTA

On a lazy Sunday morning, i turned off the alarm and covered the blanket over my face. One hour later, i realized my friend was waiting for me to pick him up. It was ride day.
I called him up and apologized, only to realize that even he had woken up just now. Thanking God for this coincidence and our laziness, a bath and flush later, i put on my gear and made my way to Jeevan's place. Picking him up, we hit the Bangalore-Mysore Highway, SH 17.
The traffic surprisingly was less, given a Sunday. The usual crowd from Bangalore to flock the eateries on the Highway was picking up. Marveling at how 24 people fit into a Mahindra Trax, we gobbled down idlis and coffee at Maddur's bus stand. The KSRTC added to our Sunday adventure by almost mowing us down.

Ramdevara Betta. Ah! its the very Ramgad of Sholay, the stuff legends are made of. The abode of Thakur and Gabbar, where the curvaceous Basanti rode a tonga, and Jai showed how awesome a friend he was.
Yes, there is a God too and various stories associated with it too.
A detour next to Ramnagara police station, and we arrived at the entrance. The parking fee was only 5 bucks. The steps to the top start right from the parking. Some kids started to pester us for money. I thought i will lose them by climbing fast.Three hundred steps later, they were still pestering me. It was exhausting and i marveled at their resilience. I offered them a pack of biscuits and they scampered to pester the others.
The temple was not crowded. It has a few hundreds to its age. The priest told me that the lake below is called Seeta Kere. Till date, no one knows how deep it is. Many have ventured to find out, and never returned.
Ramdevara Betta also houses a vulture conservation project. I guess it has something to do with Jatayu, the mythical bird. We could not spot any though.
The Mysore-Bangalore Highway was visible from the top. Volvos resembled mini buses that you get to play with at the Exhibition. The weather was perfect. We found some teens celebrating a girl's B-day party with cake. We were right there, but were not offered any. I promptly went to those pestering kids, asked them to gang up, told them about the cake and left. I guess the B-day party had lots of uninvited guests!
Right opposite the temple, is the hill of the Seven Sages. It does look like seven sages are standing in unison. We could spot a team of trekkers trying to scale up. When we made our way to the back of the temple, we found a passage which led to more amazing views. Till the horizon, we could only see rocks and hills, and vast lands. Of all the times i've taken the highway, this view, this moment was the best. Time had no relevance at all.
We found unusual passages and caves. One passage between rocks had steps carved into it, and looked like it led straight to hell. They were steps carved into the face of another rock. The view would have been great, if you could gather the courage to go up. The railings had rusted and in some places, it had come loose. One slip and the vultures would be gathering your pieces.
Lord Ram had stopped at this place. So did Ramesh Sippy and the Sholay crew. We did not find any film remnants, but we did find Veerus' and Basantis' hiding behind the bushes. They was no Gabbar in this script. She was no longer tied between poles, but was in the embrace of her beloved. They scampered when they saw us and hid their faces. Well, i guess we broke their bubble of romance.
We left the place with loads of memories and those pestering kids waved us goodbye. A lunch at KFC and a coffee at Cafe Coffee Day completed the journey.

THE PESTERING KIDS

SEETA KERE

AFTER A DRIZZLE

GOT ENOUGH COURAGE TO CLIMB THAT?

THE SEVEN SAGES AND THE TEMPLE

THE ENTRANCE

RESTAURANT REVIEW: HIGH PARK

The backseat of the car felt like a vista into another world for me. It felt great not to be driving for a change. I finally got to observe people, shops and the traffic. The world is different on Mondays for me.
We usually go out to eat on the first day of the week. A time when we actually sit together, gorge and finish, and then hog even more. We are a public embarrassment. But that actually brings us closer as a family.
In circles around Urs road, we finally made a dash for the one parking spot that opened up. The entrance was modest. The reception guy gave us a brief introduction and showed us the menu, its exorbitant price and wondered if we would turn back, like the rest.
HIGH PARK is a concept hotel by the Parklane Group of Hotels in Mysore. It prides itself for being affordable (350/- per head, while the opposite pushcart is 35/-) and having a revolving floor. Yes, that's right, a revolving floor!
We were shown the indoor restaurant by name Kheddha. If it rains, you'll be transferred from the open-air into this Elephant-capturing-operation themed one. Its has a nice ambiance. The lift operator patiently waited for us, and then we were shoved into the open air section.
Boy! what a sight it was!
Never had i seen a restaurant with a revolving floor. Plus, a view of Urs Road from the top is priceless.
The buffet was neatly arranged. An open bar on the sides made me drool, but it costs extra. Vadas and dosas, with rumali rotis are made-to-order and served hot. The menu changes daily.
Giving us company were fourteen ladies for a Kitty Party. It reminded me of the show that used to air on Zee channel by the same name. They were laughing and giggling, and bitched about each other while gobbling down mutton and biryani.
Yes the mutton was bang on the money. By the time we could refill our plates, our tables had already moved, and we either ate at the service counter, or landed up on a wrong table. It was really amazing. A slight drizzle added to the charm of the night. On first bite we were facing More. supermarket, and we nibbled on the baigan by looking down K R circle.
After seeing one of the ladies hitting the floor with a thud, we made our way up to an observing platform. A powerful binoculars was placed on top and i stared down at the shoppers. The place is perfect for viewing the Dasara procession. Looking down on the houses by the sides, it was hard not to spill the gravy on the laundry left to dry. Or to steal the binoculars for that matter. But this strange balloon figure who was watching over me was really creepy, so i decided against carrying out my acts.
While most of ladies made a dash for the nearest fire escape, leaving only two to pay the bills and bargain with the manager, i licked my fingers on the hot date jilebis, along with unlimited ice creams.
High Park is worth the money for the experience, the view and the ambiance. Question is, will the Masala dosa and free sambhar expecting Mysorean be willing to splurge on it?

URS ROAD BELOW

THE ENTIRE FLOOR REVOLVES, AND NOT JUST THE GREEN RING

THE OPEN BAR

OBSERVATION DECK

VIEW FROM BELOW