| If you are in Bangalore and have gone on weekend | | | | Tamilnadu, run by the Tamilnadu tourism department, is |
| trips from here, you would know that finding good | | | | the only decent one in town. During the tourist season |
| destinations and planning a trip is not an easy job. | | | | (September - January) you may need to book in |
| Check out 4 weekend getaway and day-trip spots | | | | advance. You can also stay in Dharmapuri where |
| from Bangalore in the article below. These destinations | | | | staying options are better. From Dharmapuri it is a 50 |
| are for all kinds of travelers - for the adventure | | | | Kms drive to Hogenakkal. |
| seeker, family vacations, fun outing with friends, bike | | | | Duration: 1- 2 days Budget / person: Rs 1000 Which |
| and car trips....you choose. | | | | route it is on: Bangalore - Krishnagiri (Chennai highway) |
| 1. Innovative Film City | | | | - Dharmapuri Road condition: Good |
| Innovative Film City is an amusement park located in | | | | 4. Talakadu and Shivanasamudram - Submerged in |
| Bidadi, about 50 Kilometers outside Bangalore. It is one | | | | time |
| of the new theme parks that arrived in Bangalore in | | | | Shivanasamudram (sometimes called Shimsha falls) is |
| 2008. Don't be fooled by the name though. | | | | home to a couple of lovely waterfalls while neighboring |
| This theme park has attractions such as a wax | | | | Talakadu preserves history in the form of submerged |
| museum, dinosaur museum, a special section called | | | | temples. Located about 150 Kms from Bangalore and |
| 'Cartoon city' for kids, a mirror maze, 4D movies and | | | | about 70 Kms from Mysore, Shivanasamudram and |
| more. Tickets are a bit pricey though. You'll have to | | | | Talakadu are both popular picnic and weekend spots. |
| shell out between Rs 300 - Rs 1000 per person | | | | You can reach here after taking a turn after Maddur |
| depending on what attraction you want to see inside. | | | | on the route that goes to Kollegal. |
| There are decent food courts where you can have | | | | Shivanasamudram Falls actually consists of two |
| your lunch or grab a bite. | | | | separate falls called Gaganachukki and Bharachukki. |
| If you want to spend a fun weekend with your friends | | | | Shivansamudram is also the site of Karnataka's first |
| or family, Innovative film city is definitely worth a visit. | | | | hydroelectric project. Both falls carry the waters of |
| Leave early and you can spend a whole day here. | | | | river Kaveri from a height of about 90 meters. |
| Duration: 1 day Approximate Budget / person: Rs 500 - | | | | Of the two falls you can enjoy Bharachukki most as it |
| Rs 1000 Distance : 50 Kms Which route is it on: | | | | can be reached by a flight of steps near the falls while |
| Bangalore - Mysore highway How to reach : by bus, | | | | Gaganachukki falls is off-limits. You can take bath |
| car, bike Road condition: good | | | | under the falls or spend some time frolicking in the |
| 2. Yelagiri Hills - Getaway from the city madness | | | | pond near the falls. Both falls are located about 5 Kms |
| This less popular hill-station is located near Krishnagiri | | | | between each other. During the monsoon season, the |
| town on the Bangalore-Chennai national highway. It is | | | | falls are in full flow and present a majestic sight. |
| about 150 kilometers from Bangalore and around 250 | | | | Talakad is about 20 Kms from Shivanasamudram is |
| Kilometers from Chennai. | | | | famous for the submerged temples that is believed to |
| Yelagiri Hills is not your typical touristy destination; this | | | | emerge once in 12 years. Situated on the banks of the |
| place is meant for those who wish to getaway from | | | | river Kaveri it is now a popular picnic spot aside from |
| the regular monotony of the cities to just relax for a | | | | being a pilgrimage center. |
| couple of days. The hill station is at a height of about | | | | The temples in Talakadu were built by the Hoysalas |
| 900 meters (around 3000 feet) and the weather is | | | | who were staunch devotees of Lord Shiva. Five such |
| pleasant all year round. | | | | Shiva temples were built in honour of the god. A fair is |
| The main attractions are a lake where you can go | | | | held once every 12 years to honor the lord. The last |
| boating, Swamimalai - a trek of 3 Kms uphill takes you | | | | such fair was held in 2006. There is also folklore that |
| to a small temple and panoramic views of the | | | | Talakad was cursed to turn into a mass of sand by a |
| mountains. There are plenty of hotels (many which call | | | | woman named Alamelamma, in the 16th century. |
| themselves as resorts) in Yelagiri. Tariffs start from | | | | You can visit Shivanasamudram first and then come |
| about Rs 400 and goes upto Rs 4000 for cottages. | | | | to Talakadu, see the temples and go for a swim or |
| Book at least a week in advance. The hotels get | | | | just chill out in the waters. Water is shallow, but there |
| crowded during weekend and holidays. | | | | are weeds and sharp stones which some may find |
| Duration: 1 - 2 days Approximate budget / person: Rs | | | | irritating. Catch the sunset here and head back to |
| 1000 - Rs 2000 How to reach: by cars, taxis, buses, | | | | Bangalore. |
| train (until Jolarpettai or Tirupattur) Road condition: good | | | | There are no good restaurants in Talakadu. It's better |
| 3. Hogenakkal Falls | | | | to pack your lunch and have it in Talakad. You will find |
| Hogenakkal literally means smoking rocks (in Tamil). | | | | a lot of monkeys around, but you can eat if people |
| The falls comprise of a numer of smaller waterfalls | | | | take turns to guard from the monkeys. You can fit |
| that make up the beauty of the place. Hogenakkal is | | | | Shivanasamudram and Talakadu in a 2 day trip - |
| located in Dharmapuri district and is about 120 Kms | | | | Spend one day in the nearby Ranganathittu bird |
| from Bangalore. Perfect for a day-trip, you can drive | | | | sanctuary and Srirangapatna and the next day here. |
| to here over a Saturday and get a day's off to | | | | On your way back you can find good number of |
| unwind. | | | | Dhabas and restaurants outside Maddur on the |
| The most popular activity in Hogenakkal is the hot oil | | | | highway. You can stopover here for dinner while |
| massage. For about Rs 50, local masseurs give you a | | | | coming back to Bangalore |
| 5-minute full body massage. Though it seems quick, | | | | Duration: 1 - 2 days Approximate budget / person: Rs |
| this short duration is enough to loosen tight spots in | | | | 1000 - Rs 2000 How to reach: by cars, taxis, buses. |
| your body. After the massage, a quick shower under | | | | Private transport is the best option Road condition: |
| the falls is considered to be therapeutic. | | | | From Bangalore - Maddur, you will find excellent roads. |
| You can also take a ride in the famous 'theppa' or | | | | The road from Maddur to Shivanasamudram is in a |
| coracle boats which take you around the Kaveri river | | | | pathetic state. Leave early in the day to avoid truck |
| that forms Hogenakkal falls. You can also taste local | | | | traffic and leave before dusk as it can be |
| delicacies of fried fish, paniyaram (rice cakes) or Poli | | | | uncomfortable driving in the dark from |
| (Indian sweet). | | | | Shivanasamudram to Maddur where you hit the |
| Staying options are minimal in Hogenakkal. Hotel | | | | highway. |