Despite
being a married solo traveler and having roamed the world alone for years,
whenever I mentioned traveling to India, my husband would hold me back, saying,
"We should travel to India together." This tagline persisted
throughout our marriage. His business commitments were initially the obstacle,
and even after retiring, he never responded when I brought up traveling to
India. Realizing it was futile to wait any longer, I decided I didn't need his
approval.
When a friend organizing a trip to South
India invited me to join his tour, I eagerly agreed without even checking with
my husband. This was a budget tour, covering flight tickets, accommodation
(with no twin sharing in my case), and sightseeing. Meals, except for the hotel
buffet breakfast, and entry fees for sightseeing spots were on us. It was a
9-night, 8-day South India tour.
We arrived at S Hotels Chennai around 2
am, and I checked into a small yet clean and neat room, hitting the bed by
2:30. The next morning, the buffet breakfast featured traditional South Indian
dishes like Thosai, Idli, Vadai, Chutney, Puri, and Sambar. Although I'm not
particularly fond of these dishes, I'm not one to fuss about food. I ate a
little and found the South Indian Bru Coffee to be a delightful start to my
day.
At about 8:30 am, we began our almost
7-hour journey to Bengaluru. We made short pit stops for the loo and lunch,
then continued our journey. Our driver hit some highs and lows with the
directions, and by the time we arrived in Bengaluru, we encountered the city's
infamous traffic. The constant honking and chaotic driving were a spectacle in
themselves, each driver trying to be the superhero of the road. Finally, we
arrived at our destination: Lalbagh Botanical Garden.
Lalbagh Botanical Garden, located in
Bengaluru, India, is a renowned horticultural delight spanning over 240 acres.
Established in 1760 by Hyder Ali and later expanded by his son Tipu Sultan,
this garden is a testament to India's rich botanical heritage. Lalbagh boasts
an impressive collection of over 1,000 species of flora, including rare and
exotic plants from around the world. The garden's centerpiece is the iconic
Glass House, inspired by London's Crystal Palace, which hosts the annual flower
show attracting thousands of visitors. With its tranquil lakes, lush lawns, and
vibrant flowerbeds, Lalbagh Botanical Garden is a serene escape from the city's
hustle and a must-visit for nature enthusiasts and tourists alike.
What a scene and crowd! It was bustling on
this Saturday, thanks to the long weekend for India's Independence Day and the Lalbagh Flower Show 2019. True enough, the iconic
Glass House was hosting the Flower Show. Throughout our walk, amidst the
throngs of visitors, we admired the gorgeous and stunning flower arrangements.
It was a colorful spectacle, with nature’s beauty enhanced by the creativity of
the arrangers.
Next, we were taken to a retail outlet
recommended by the tour guide, a stop we didn't ask for and a sheer waste of
two hours. One of those typical tour guide commission traps? By late evening,
we arrived at the Shivoham Shiva Temple.
The Shivoham Shiva Temple in Bengaluru is
a mesmerizing spiritual haven, renowned for its towering 65-foot Shiva statue
that captivates devotees and tourists alike. Located on Old Airport Road, this
temple offers a serene atmosphere amidst the bustling city, providing a
tranquil space for prayer and reflection. The temple features an artificial
cave with depictions of Shiva's life, enhancing the spiritual experience.
Visitors can participate in various
rituals and ceremonies, including the sacred Abhishekam, immersing themselves
in the divine aura of Lord Shiva. The Shivoham Shiva Temple, with its
impressive architecture and spiritual ambiance, stands as a testament to faith
and devotion in the heart of Bengaluru.
The queue was massive, and standing among
all those people was anything but comfortable. I was sweating profusely in the
cave, and at that moment, I truly understood the concept of an expressway to
reaching God. Welcome to India, where money is the route to God, or as I call
it, the express lane. Your shortcut to divine connection comes at a price.
While some in our tour group refused to
pay, the rest of us did, and stepping inside, it felt like entering Lord
Shiva’s holy kingdom. It was as if, when you looked at Lord Shiva, he gave you
a soft smile in return. I felt it. Coming from someone who isn’t particularly
religious? Yes, literal goosebumps! As for paying for the pooja, I didn't see
the need.
After our visit to Shivoham
Shiva Temple, we headed next door to Kemp Fort Mall for a shopping break.
Gosh! The shopping hype was in full swing. I, on the other hand, was bored.
Just hanging around here and there in the mall, I felt like my life came back
when it was time to leave and head to Hotel Akshaya Aura for our overnight
stay.
How was my room? Though it looked clean, I
was quite skeptical about the bed sheets, blanket, and pillow covers. In fact,
the toilet, which was super clean, seemed like a better place to sleep.
Honestly! Despite my scepticism, after showering and not feeling entirely
comfortable lying on the bed, I went ahead and slept.
Next morning, I made sure
to fill up on breakfast at Hotel Akshaya Aura, opting for spicy appam, pancakes
and potato mash, and washing it down with Bru Coffee.
Our next stop was the Sri Radha
Krishna/ISKCON Temple. The ISKCON Temple in Bengaluru, dedicated to Sri Radha
Krishna, was inaugurated in 1997 and serves as a prominent center for the
International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in South India.
Renowned for its blend of traditional Indian architecture and modern design
elements, photography was restricted in certain areas, We took a leisurely walk
from the entrance, climbing the stairs to the main altar.
It was a peaceful way to worship, although
we had to keep moving under the watchful eyes of policemen and policewomen who
ensured orderly movement around the altar and directed us towards the exit.
To be continued...
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