Ghati Subramanya Temple

"Ghati Subramanya Temple" is around 70 KMs from Bangalore. You need to take the Dodabellapur raod. Just before you hit Yelahanka from the NH7 you can notice a left deviation going into Yelahanka township. It is NH-207 and goes all the way to Hindupur in AP.

You need to cross Doddabellapur and around 15KMs from there you'll have to take a right. No clear sign boards so just keep asking locals enroute just after you cross Doddabellapur.

It is lord Murugan's temple and very much in tradition with the "Kukke" subramanya temple. Here you find him in the "Naga" avathar and all the "sarpa (snake) dosha" related poojas are performed here. We went in more like a tourist and to enjoy the drive. Also present is Lord Narsimha Swamy whom you can see in Mirror as a reflection within the sanctum sanctorum. Not very crowded and there are KSRTC bus trips to this place as well from Majestic.

Overall the drive is very pleasant and if you have more time and are interested you can drive up to "Lepakshi" in AP, probably another 60 KMs (not sure) from here. You need to cross Gaurbidanur and then go to Hindupur in AP before you reach Lepakshi. It is famous for "hasthakala" and also a very giant Nandi statue. Though I haven't been there myself.

Abhay and I have biked last time for almost 900 Kms to Coorg and around last time for three days. This was very short by our standards and it was 150 KMs overall.

We had a pretty short neat trip on a "Ugadi" morning and by 11.30 we were near Malleshwaram only to discover that "New Krishna Bhavan" was closed for the day and after contemplating with other choices like "Kamat Yatri Nivas" for North Karnataka meals ( Jolada Roti Meals ) we decided to go to "Sukh Sagar" for Gujarati meals in Majestic. This is the one near to the Majestic theater and "Adiyar Anand Bhavan" in Majestic. More about this delicacy in my blog some time this week with elaborate description.

Until next trip, catch you !
PS: More pictures at my Picasa page.

Jantha Tea Stall

Continuing as part of my efforts to write on restaurants and food joints in and around Bangalore, comes as a small surprise is the Jantha Tea Stall right near the Audugodi Traffic signal (Hosur Road in Kormangla 7th block). It is on the right if you are taking the Hosur road from the front side of Forum towards Richmond Road. Just before the signal on your right.

This is my favourite place and Tea is among the best I've had in Bangalore. Though "Adiyar Anand Bhavan" chain have very good coffee and tea, but this place is unique. "Sri Devi" bakery in BTM layout near to "Ladoos" is also a popular place for "ginger" tea. But if you are passing by "Jantha Tea Stall" do try a sip in here.

Tea or Coffee, well my take is coffee once in a morning and tea is purely an evening's prerogative. Also have a look at the Tea Board of India's initiative to promote tea drinking. All that you wanted to know about Tea, benefits are up there.

Follow me to know more.

Keep Healthy !

Charlton Heston - no more

Charlton Heston, among my favourites passed away yesterday. From the days of "Ten Commandments" to "BenHur" I've adored and respected this actor. He has a medieval face and has worked in so many movies of those genre. His voice, his attire and I mean the entire demeanour was perfect.


I also remember his famous quote on internet junkies:
"The Internet is for lonely people. People should live." -Charlton Heston

Kudos to you, my man !

Pleasured Pain - 16.8KM at EGL

So the day began at 5AM and by 5.30 I was stretching and with my Hero Octane I was at the EGL entrance by 5:55AM. Met Atul (I earlier had a mail intro with him) and handed him the annual membership cheque and then quickly met some Auroville Marathon runners and we began to stretch. This was my first run with RFL and the loop was Airport perimeter, 4.2 KMs. The run began at 6.20AM and it was nice small group of around 20 people ready for the fortnight run. A couple of runners lead us through the path and I was waiting to be slowly set into a pace and soon Alok and I ran into each other at an even pace and started with some introductions and within no time we reached the water-stop 4.2KM from the start and we took a U-turn as it was too early for a water stop.

Then we slowly started discussing our professional life and 8.4KM was completed in 45 minutes and off we went for the second loop. With so much to discuss Alok was a great running buddy. He was 40 something and works for Dell at a senior level. Looks like is heal was little niggly and soon we took some electrol at the 12.6KM and paced down slowly. There was a wild thought to go for the 24 or 20K but then we thought we'll settle for 16K and also the fact that I had to cycle back a good 3KM thereafter. It was nice start and probably will go for a 24K in the next fortnight.

But the whole concept of pleasured pain was now getting onto me. It reminds me of Sandy from Chennai runners who says "Suffering in group is so much better than suffering alone". Link to his blog. Do have a read there.


All in all quite a hectic two days and when I came back home I had to do quite a lot of stretching. Had breakfast with Ritesh at Sri Krishna Kafe, Kormanagla. I'll write sometime later about SKK but a must visit place. The best was yet to come as I went in for a siesta at about 11.30AM and woke up to see myself playing "Antakshari" with Biswa's cousin and sister.

The lunch was prepared by Biswa's "Mousi" and it was sumptuous and since it was 4PM lunch I guess even my dinner is kind a done. But the catnap I had at noon was filled with pain and now I felt like deserved to have food. But yes, what a day !

With more runs yet to come and tomorrow being a holiday, I met just be seen in some hill around. There is also a Nandi hill up and down run tomorrow by Sabine but guess it will be too much for this poor soul.

Happy Running !