I have led a pretty sheltered existence so far in my life, thanks to my adorable parents, who were always there for me, protecting and supporting me at every point. During my growing years, we used to go on family holidays every two years or so. That’s how, my love for traveling blossomed.That didn’t prevent me from wondering how will it be if I go on a holiday all by myself, without my caring parents around me. Got the opportunity pretty soon!
After I completed my MBA last year, I got through Infosys (My childhood dream), and was posted in Mysore. Though I was transferred back to BBSR in one and half months, that short stint in an alien city down south, changed me as a person and was definitely a significant milestone of my life. Let me take you through some delightful and adventurous Mysore memories. So folks! Please fasten your seat belts and get ready for a ride of your lifetime!
Mysore is a city extremely rich in culture and heritage. Many a times I had watched the “Durga Puja celebrations” telecast on DD-1, in which I was spellbound to see the Maharaja of Mysore riding on the royal elephant adorned with gold and brocade. Every evening, after playing a game of Squash with my colleagues (they used to make mincemeat out of me, coz my game sucked!) I returned home all tired and sweaty. Then after getting freshened up, I used to do googling and a whole new world opened up in front of my eyes. I used to browse for hours and hours at end, about Mysore. Famous places to see, famous places to eat, to shop etc. Finally made a list of everything. And every weekend I used to pack my bag and start site-seeing. With my red backpack (which has become quite infamous btw!), notes, goggs, and mineral water! In true tourist style!
Due to paucity of space, let me describe one memorable Saturday of my Mysore stay.(To get the ring side view of the rest of my trip, please read my blog J )One fine morning, armed with my “tourist places to see” list, I went to see a very famous church in Mysore, called St. Elphinestine Church. It was some centuries old. The day happened to be Independence Day and also Good Friday I guess, hence it was decorated and all lit up like a Christmas Tree. The inside of the church was a sight to behold. Majestic and elegant, like a palace, I felt hesitant to even breathe aloud. I sat there for about an hour, prayed for every one’s well being and came out of it feeling peaceful and glad. Photography was not allowed inside, so had to satisfy the “Kuntal Paul” inside me by taking few pics of the church tower.Hearing my stomach rumblings, I went to check out the Chicken Biryani (CB) at the famous eating joint “RRR”.
Before you start wondering about the weird name, let me enlighten you regarding its genesis. The restaurent is named after a person from Andhra, whose name initials are RRR! Though there was a serpentine queue to get a table, I didn’t give up hope, courtesy the foodie in me! Let me tell you one vital detail, I am absolutely crazy about CB and I love tasting it in every city or town I visit. Its kind of a sacred ritual for me, which I never violate fearing some bad omen to befall me, if I ever leave a place without tasting its CB J Finally I succeeded in getting a table and tasted the heavenly CB. Shared the table with a family of three, daughter and her parents. I befriended them and their constant chatter kept me amused throughout. Thanks to them, I came to know the entire story behind the famous RRR! A strange greenish concoction accompanied the CB, called rasam, which made it even more spicier. A sucker for spicy food, I simply loved it. Had to wash it all down with a coke afterwards, though! JThen I went to see the famous Mysore place. My my! Was it an experience of a lifetime? You bet! As soon as I entered into the palace premises, my eyes turned into saucers. I was transported into the era of the “Great Tipu Siltan” BTW, it used to be my favourite serial when I was in school. I used to fall asleep early and my parents never forgot to record it in VCR so that I could watch it the next day! Such was the craze of Tipu Sultan in my home! Although the Mysore palace was not exactly where Tipu lived, I always feel that it must have a deep link with him somehow…J Oh forgive me for digressing from the topic, but can’t help it.
So here I was, in person, actually visiting the abode of the Mysore King. I was so overwhelmed to see the inside of the palace, I gobbled down 3 banana chips packets in 25 mins flat! Also fell prey to the cunning “Sandal wood sellers” and bought an overpriced bottle of sandal wood paste. See, I am starting to meander again…Uff…but the fact remains, that the beauty of the palace is incomparable. Its humanly impossible to describe the glory of the magnificent palace. After the Agra fort, it’s the only palace that has left me speechless.By the time I got out of the palace, it was already dusk and I suddenly remembered the ladies back home had threatened me with dire consequences if I returned without the “Famous Mysore Silk Sarees”.
Picked up a few from a nearby handloom shop, the price burned a deep hole in my pocket though! And I am yet to see them wearing it, that’s what blows my lid! Grrrrrr!Anyways, all good things have to come to an end. I called it a day after getting a masala dosa parceled for dinner. And guess what I did after reaching home? Yup, uploaded the pics of the day, on Orkut!!! J
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