DAY JAUNTS
Bannerghatta National
Park
Set twenty kilometres out
of the city, Bannerghatta
National Park is a
popular day excursion
with both tourists and
Bangalore city folks. This
25,000-acre zoological
park is home to diverse
species of fauna,
including tigers, lions,
panthers, bears, and deer.
The best way to explore
the expansive park is to
take the 20-minute safari
that takes you through
the reserves, where you
can catch a glimpse of the
animals. The tiger isn't all
that elusive here – you
can see them roving
about within a large
enclosure. Bannerghatta
Park's reptilian
inhabitants consist of
alligators, crocodiles and
snakes, which are
enclosed in the 'reptile
park'. There is also a zoo,
a big-ticket item with
children, where there a
whole range of birds from
peacocks to owls and
other animals like
hippopotamuses and
foxes. Elephant rides are
also offered here. An
unusual and recent
addition to the
Bannerghatta reserve is
the 'Butterfly Park'. This
eight-acre park features a
museum with a range of
lepidopteral exhibits as
well as a greenhouse
where 20 species of
colourful butterflies make
their home in a carefully
preserved habitat. The
p 172
whats the escape?
Big Banyan Tree
An ancient tree that spreads
across four startling acres is
just a 40-minute ride from
the city! Ramohalli, on the
outskirts of Bangalore
(25km), is an unusual site
where the country's fourth
largest banyan tree has put down its roots. Called
'Dodda Alladamara' or 'Big Banyan Tree', this
botanical marvel is over 400 years old and its all-
encompassing canopy is a great place for a day
getaway. Thousands of aerial roots and branches
sprawl far and wide, creating a labyrinthine setting
where you walk about, play and commune with
nature. One of the city's most interesting picnic spots,
take a turn at the 20 th -kilometre sign on Mysore Road
to get here. An eight-kilometre drive after the turn
will get you to the Big Banyan Tree. The tree itself is
fenced off to protect it from rogue engravers who
have etched its surface in the past. There is a Shiva
Temple near the tree, as well as a KSTDC Hotel
nearby. Expect crowds on the weekends though, as
this is a popular jaunt as well as a favourite site for
Sandalwood film shootings. Drive yourself up, or hire
a cab for the day, as bus connectivity is limited.
Distance: 25km
Off Mysore Road, Ramohalli
area around the park is a
scenic one – it's a
biological reserve with
the Elephant Corridor
passing through. There
are several restaurants
that have set up shop
nearabouts – but don't
expect anything fancy.
Alternately, you could
pack your own picnic
lunch. To get here, you
could either hop onto a
bus – these ply from the
city's main bus stand at
Majestic. There are
KSTDC buses which will
also get you to the park.
Else, organising your own
private transport is a
better option. Jungle
Lodges & Resorts have
set up the 'Bannerghatta
Nature Camp' here, in
case you would to stay a
weekend.
Distance: 25 km
Anekal Taluk, Bangalore
South
The park is closed on
Tuesday
Mekedatu
Mekedatu, a boulder-
strewn ravine two hours
away from the city, is a
dramatic sight. This is the
spot where the river
Cauvery passes through a
chiselled gorge, which is
narrow enough for a goat
to leap over – and hence
the name 'Mekedatu' or
'goat's leap'. The surreal
rock formations and the
tumbling river, make this
a beautiful riverside spot
to spend your day. You
can lounge around on the
rocky outcrops or spend a
peaceful day staring at
the water and the
surroundings. Or you can
sign up for some
adventure by walking up
to the 'Sangama' where
the rivers Cauvery and
Arkavathy merge. There
is temple to venerate this
confluence at this spot.
Mekedatu is best visited
when it isn't raining.
Getting here by your own
private car or taxi is
recommended.
Restaurants are scarce, so
pack a picnic basket.
Distance: 98 km
Past Kanakpura Road,
Near Sangama
Nandi Hills
A popular place to wile
the day in the lap of
nature, Nandi Hills, is a
green getaway sixty
kilometres from the city.
Sitting at a lofty 1,455
metres above sea level,
this hilly destination also
has a history to it – its
sylvan landscape was the
summer getaway and hill
fortress of the 18 th -
century ruler of Mysore,
Tipu Sultan. (His holiday
home can still be seen
here.) Nandi Hills is a
riotous maze of trees,
bushes and thick
vegetation. Evergreen
forests, eucalyptus trees,
thick shrubbery, gnarly
trees and a rich avian and
simian life are part of its
attractions. You can
either pick your own way
through the many
pathways or explore the
various Nandi Hills
landmarks. The Magazine
is a rock where Tipu
Sultan's arms and
ammunition were stored.
There are two temples set
here; one is an ancient
Shiva Temple. Right at
the top of the hill is a
colonial bungalow
constructed by British
officer Sir Mark Cubbon,
where a number of