Bengaluru to Mysuru road trip – Waterfalls, Temples, Lighting

Day 1: Waterfalls, Temples, and a Few Bumps Along the Way

We kicked off our trip at 6:30 AM, leaving Bengaluru with excitement buzzing in the air. Our first stop was Maddur Tiffany’s for a hearty breakfast—nothing fuels a Bengaluru to Mysore road trip like a plate of crispy dosas! Our destination was Gaganchukki Falls, but we hit a small snag. The Chief Minister was holding a meeting nearby, so we had to park our car 2 km away. Thankfully, KSRTC buses were ferrying visitors to the falls and back, making it a smooth ride. The falls were a sight to behold! Thanks to the recent heavy rainfall, the water roared down with incredible force, leaving me in awe of nature’s power.

Next, we headed to Barachukki Falls. The final stretch to the falls took us through a lush forest area with decent roads, but the 1-2 km before that? A total moon buggy ride! Potholes and bumps made it feel like we were on a lunar expedition. With these spots being such popular tourist destinations, I couldn’t help but wish the state government would spruce up the roads for a smoother experience.

At Barachukki, a forest officer asked for a ₹40 entry fee. We handed over ₹50, but he claimed he didn’t have change for ₹10. On our way back, I politely asked for our change, and he reluctantly returned it. A small victory!

Our next stop was Talakadu, known for its ancient temples buried in sand. As soon as we arrived, guides swarmed our car, offering a tour of 3-4 temples for ₹600. We decided to explore on our own, enjoying a leisurely 30-45 minute walk through the well-maintained temples. The history and serene vibe were refreshing, though the guides’ persistence was a bit much.

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The highlight of the day was the Chennakesava Temple at Somnathpura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We arrived around 1 PM, and wow—what a masterpiece! The intricate Hoysala architecture, with its detailed carvings and rocket-like dome designs, blew me away. I found it even more impressive than Belur, Halebidu, or Hampi.

Somnathpur UNESCO World Heritage Site

Entry was strictly online, so no cash transactions, and we had to leave our footwear outside. Unfortunately, this led to an annoying incident: someone walked off with my slippers! I spotted the culprit casually strolling in them, claiming it was “too hot” to walk barefoot. After a quick confrontation, he sheepishly returned them. Moral of the story: keep an eye on your belongings!

On our way to the hotel near Brindavan Gardens, we hit more bumpy roads—another moon buggy ride. Along the way, a group of boys stopped our car, urging us to take prasad from a nearby house. I suspected it was a ploy, and sure enough, a few meters later, others were collecting “donations” for Ganesh Chaturthi—during Pitru Paksha, no less! We politely declined and moved on.

At the hotel, we faced another hiccup. The Brindavan Gardens security insisted we buy a ₹200 garden pass, even though we weren’t keen on visiting. Only guests listed by the hotel could enter, so we complied, checked in, and rested. In the evening, we strolled through Brindavan Gardens. Fifty-five years ago, it might have been magical, but now? The lights were dim, the stairs were broken, and the famous fountains were mostly non-functional. The musical fountain at one end was underwhelming, making me wish we’d skipped it.

Dinner was another adventure—and not the good kind. We headed to the Royal Orchid restaurant at 7:30 PM, among the first to arrive. We ordered our meal, but 45 minutes later, other guests were served while we were ignored. The staff’s indifference was frustrating, so we left and dined at the state-run Mayura Hotel instead, enjoying a simple yet satisfying meal of dal and roti. Lesson learned: I’ll be avoiding Royal Orchid properties in the future.

Day 2: Temples, Monkeys, and Mysore’s Magic

I woke up at 3 AM to the soothing sound of chirping birds—a rare treat compared to Bengaluru’s city noise. Stepping outside, we fed some crows and spotted a black dog with her litter of four adorable puppies. One was noticeably weaker but full of spirit, tugging at my heartstrings. We shared some food with them before heading back to catch a bit more sleep.

Mysore weekend getaway to Melukote’s sacred heights

At 7:30 AM, after a hot cup of coffee, we drove to the Yoga Narasimha Temple in Melukote, perched atop a hill. The climb up 150 steep steps took about 15 minutes, but the effort was worth it. We arrived at 9:15 AM, just before the temple opened at 10 AM, and were the first in line.

A word of caution: the monkeys here are bold!

They tried to rummage through my purse twice, tugging at the handles to check for food. One particularly curious monkey grabbed our bag, inspected the napkin and water bottle inside, and only left after realizing there was nothing edible. We also saw goats munching on Tulsi leaves offered to Lord Narasimha, adding a charming rustic touch to the experience. The darshan was peaceful and fulfilling.

Cheluvarayanna Mandir, Melukote

Next, we visited the nearby Cheluvarayana Mandir, another gem with a divine atmosphere. After the darshan, we headed to Subanna Mess for lunch. Their puliyogare and sakare pongal (we opted for jaggery-based belle pongal) were phenomenal, and we packed some for the road. The food was a highlight—don’t miss it if you’re in Melukote!

Back at the hotel, we rested briefly, though the bumpy roads and another round of ticket-checking at the gate tested my patience. The evening brought a pleasant surprise as the rain gods blessed us with a light drizzle. We celebrated with onion pakodas and steaming filter coffee—pure bliss!

Then, we drove an hour to Mysore Palace for the evening lighting. Parking was seamless, and at 7 PM, the palace lit up in all its glory. The golden glow took me back to the grandeur of the Mysore Empire, a truly magical moment. We spent 30 minutes soaking it in, marveling at the preparations for the upcoming Dussehra celebrations.

Back at the hotel, we skipped the Royal Orchid restaurant (fool me once!) and enjoyed our packed puliyogare and belle pongal for dinner. After a restful night, we woke at 5:30 AM, ready to return to Bengaluru.

The Gate Incident: A Key Moment

One final annoyance awaited us: at 6:30 AM the main gate at Brindavan Gardens was locked, and my husband had to ask around who might open the keys. After a 10-minute search, we convinced the security guard to do his job. The habit of asking people for gratitude (Bakshish, as the Brit Era Gora Sahibs used to give) appears to be keyed into the DNA of some of the personnel at this State managed facility. A persistent vendor trying to sell Kaveri products had been hovering around for two days, but I brushed it off, feeling refreshed as we headed home.

Additional Notes and Practical Information

How are the roads ?

Bengaluru Mysuru expressway is a pleasure to drive – maybe because it is new. However, the local/ internal roads leave much to be desired. For example, the Pandavapura area near our hotel has some really bad roads. They were probably built during era of the Pandavas!

A Note on Food

Dinner for the first night, after the fiasco at Royal Orchid, was a simple Daal Roti at the KSTDC Mayura. On the second night (Sunday), dinner was Puliyogare and Belle (jaggery) Pongal we had packed from Subanna Mess.

The Journey Home

We left at 6:30 AM and reached Bengaluru by 9:30 AM, wrapping up a trip full of stunning sights, quirky moments, and a few frustrations. From the majestic waterfalls and intricate temples to the glowing Mysore Palace, this Bengaluru to Mysore road trip was a whirlwind of experiences. Despite the bumpy roads, pushy guides, and lackluster service at certain spots, the beauty of Somnathpura and the spiritual serenity of Melukote made it all worthwhile. By 9:30 AM, we were back home, refreshed and ready to plan our next adventure—minus the Royal Orchid, of course!

This trip was a perfect blend of nature, history, and culture, with a few lessons to make the next one even better!