Memory is unpredictable . One never really knows what we will remember and what we will forget. Which is why nostalgia arrives in unpredictable waves, highlighting something and skimming over others. Recently, I have found myself thinking of how memory works, as I was assailed by nostalgia over a trip to Varanasi, a city I prefer to think of, as Kashi. The nostalgia hit right as we landed at Varanasi airport. The last time I was here, it was 1988, I was 13 years old, the airport was brand new… regular flights hadn’t started yet (I think) … flights landed about once a week, and for the rest of the time, everything was open to those of us who lived in the airport quarters nearby. There were fields everywhere, vast expanses of green… I have vague memories of corn and sugarcane… and being overwhelmed by the vastness of the fields (this was the first time I was in such close proximity to them), and the warm hospitality of complete strangers who lived and worked amidst these fields. I h...
If Wayanad was an eye opening trip, Mysore was sheer bliss. Continuing our Mom and Son vacation at the Heritage city, the zoo was easily the highlight of the trip! While Samhith was fascinated by the Jaguar, it was a Russel's Viper that he eventually adopted, as part of the zoo's admirable animal adoption programme.
As for me, the Mysore Palace was one I had longed to visit, for years, and I indulged in the experience, Samhith playing along, coming with me to see the palace as often as I wished!
The biggest surprise in Mysore were the lakes - Kukkarahalli Kere and Karanji Lake, where we could not just relax, leaving the city and its touristy crowds behind, but also watch birds!
We then immersed ourselves in other museums - the Rail Museum and also the less known Jayalakshmi Vilas Palace Museum....
And, on a short jaunt to Srirangapatna, delighted ourselves with more birds at the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary!
We spent 5 whole days in Mysore, having found a homestay, which truly felt like home, and, in all that time, didn't feel like stepping outside the city (except for that short jaunt into Srirangapatna). And as we realized when we left, we wouldn't mind going back there either!!
Related Posts:
- Mysore Palace
- Shveta Varahaswami Temple, Mysore Palace
- Chamundi Hills
- A Photowalk through Mysore Zoo
- Summer evenings with birds at Kukkarahalli Kere
- Karanji Lake
- Jayalakshmi Vilas Palace Complex and Museum
- Rail Museum
- Hotel Review : Mauve Orchid, Mysore
wow photography is soo good !! , I am glad we still have these beautiful birds
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sri!
DeleteAamazing photography, specially the photograph of Mysore Palace
ReplyDeleteIts very nice to read your Article..very Informative..thanks..
ReplyDelete