Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram

After spending some time in Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, we drove to Mahabalipuram which is about 53 kms from Chennai.

 

Shore Temple

It was a weekday, the road was not that crowded with vehicles. I heard that during the weekends, Mahabalipuram is packed with tourists and sometimes it is hard to get parking space. In less than an hour we were in Mahabalipuram Shore Temple.

Carvings - Shore Temple Complex

 

The Shore Temple

 

The shore temple is just a part of many temples of Mahabalipuram. Unfortunately we could explore only the Shore Temple.

 

 

After visiting this place and reading many books about the Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram, I feel that this temple seems to be the first temple built by an Hindu king with in-depth architectural details.

 

 

At the entrance of the temple complex, I saw a board stating that photography was not allowed and so I kept my camera inside my bag. Once inside the temple complex I was surprised to see almost all the tourists clicking photos with cameras - right from small mobile camera to a SLR.

 

 

I should admit that this temple complex is maintained superbly. The beach nearby is also maintained well.

 

 

I have documented a little more detail about the shore temple in my website.

 

We didn’t get much time to explore other temples of Mahabalipuram. I returned promising my self visiting again this place and capture all the beautiful temples here.

 

 

After visiting the beach side temple, it is quite obvious that tourists will visit the beach. We had to come out of temple complex  to enter the beach. The gate to the beach from the Shore Temple Complex was closed. It was a long walk.

 

 

One can find many shops selling variety of articles like toys, decorated mirrors, stone carvings and many more.

 

There was also a fish stall selling pan fried fish. I did not dared to taste it. I wouldn’t recommend others as well.

 

Yekamber Tags: Temples

 

 

 

Irula Snake Catchers Society

 

Once you enter the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, the first thing you will notice is the Irula Snake Catchers Industrial Cooperative Society. This is really an amazing place, here you get a chance to watch live poisonous snakes from close proximity (about 4 to 5 feet). 

The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Chennai

Anybody who is adopted moderate weather like Bangalore will certainly feel hot in a city like Chennai. I was quite fortunate to visit Chennai during the month of December (2013), the weather was cool, thanks to the cyclone effect.

Siam House – The Thai Cuisine in Bangalore

 

Chinese restaurants are there in almost all parts of Bangalore City but we rarely come across a Thai restaurant. One such restaurant has come up near Kammanahalli circle in Bangalore. Those who are fond of Thai cuisine can have a great good here.

The Siam house is situated just opposite to the newly opened Sreeraj Lassi Bar and is very near to Empire hotel also.

The Siam House Address

#21, Praise the Lord Mansion,
Nehru Main Road, Kammanahalli Circle,
Bangalore – 5600084

We decided to check out the food here and dropped in one Monday evening, about 7 pm. The hotel was empty, not even a single customer inside. During our time in the hotel, we saw about 3 customers checking in.

Its a small hotel which can accommodate about 30 customers or about 5 to 6 small families. There were two guys standing inside anticipating some customers. Both were no aware of local language. One could speak little bit of English and the other one couldn't understand what I was asking for.

I was lucky enough (I thought so) to have a waiter here who could understand me. Two menu’s were presented to us, one for Chinese and Naga Cuisine and the other for Thai Cuisine. I ordered for a hot and sour chicken soup which was listed in the Chinese menu and for one chicken lollipop which was not actually listed in the menu. Without a word, the waiter agreed to serve both.

Hot and Sour Chicken Soup

All the dishes took 10-15 minutes to arrive. The soup came first. Believe me, I never thought that the soup will be so good. But I felt the price was on the higher side. I had a similar soup in a bigger Chinese restaurant for lesser price.

Drums of Heaven

What did he serve me? I ordered for Chicken Lollipop but the Drums of Heaven is in my table!! Should I ask him why did he served this instead of what I have ordered for? I would have surely asked in a bigger hotel with more experienced waiters. I just forgave them for two reasons.

1. They don't understand my language and I didn't want them to feel sorry.
2. The Drums of Heaven was really awesome!

If at all I visited this Thai restaurant again in Bangalore, I will order the Drums of Heaven without fail.

Crispy Chicken Chilli Garlic and Basil

This one is from the Thai menu card. Since we have come to the Thai restaurant, we thought of ordering one dish from Thai menu. After going through all the items in menu we decided to order Crispy Chicken Chilli Garlic and Basil which was very good, not too spicy and not too sweetish. Perfectly cooked!

Chicken Fried Rice

Now it was time for the main course. We ordered for a Chicken fried rice. We found more of egg than chicken in it. It smelt half cooked egg which disappointed me a lot. I pushed aside the egg to find of some chicken pieces which of course tasted good.

Siam House

The Siam House is a Thai restaurant but also serves Chinese and Naga cuisine. Pork and Beef are also served here (was listed in the menu). Weekends may be little crowded here but in the weekdays you may own the hotel for a while!! (very few or no customers).

Parking

This hotel is situated in the main road and does not have a dedicated parking facility. While the two wheelers can be parked safely, four wheelers should be parked carefully. 

Land Mark

This hotel is situated in Nehru Main Road, Near Kammanahalli Circle. It is opposite to newly opened Sriraj Lassi Bar and Empire Hotel.

For more food and places – Yekamber!

 

Nandi Hills near Bangalore

Nandi Hills, also known as Nandi Durga, is about 61 kms north of Bangalore. This historic hill was once the summer resort of Tipu Sultan. Legendary personalities like Mahatma Gandhi, Queen Elizabeth II and Jawaharlal Nehru have visited and stayed in this hill.

 

Temples at Nandi Hills

There are two ancient temples dedicated to Lord Siva, with exquisite architecture and sculpture, one at the foot and the other on the top of the hill.

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Tipu Sultan’s Summer Place (Tipu Lodge)

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This was once used to be Tipu’s summer resort. The fort here was first built by local chieftains and later upgraded by Tipu Sultan.

Tipu’s Drop

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The famous ‘Tipu’s Drop’ here is a steep hill 600 m high from where the capital punishment was executed in Tipu’s days by throwing the convicts to death.

 

View from Nandi Hills

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Kumbakonam Degree Coffee

I happened to visit Kumbakonam Degree Coffee outlet while on the way to Chennai from Bangalore. I never knew that they served good food and nobody told me to visit this place. I just happened to stop here. Believe me; I dropped in again while returning from Chennai the next day.

Kumbakonam Degree Coffee

Kumbakonam Degree Coffee

The Degree Coffee

Degree Coffee

I had two glasses of coffee both the times. Believe me! But I should admit that the coffee was not that hot while they served. I had to ask them to heat it!

The Cutlet

Cutlets

 The cutlets were cooked perfectly, you will order more..

The Spring roll 

Spring Roll

 One serving of spring roll will not be enough at all.

The French Fries 

French Fries (Finger Chips)

Freshly prepared French fries

Which Kumbakonam Degree Coffee?

There are hell lots of hotels out there with the same name. I did try a different hotel but was not up to the mark. Check out this standee or logo

The Hotel

Kumbakonam Degree Coffee Outlet

How is it?

It is small one with enough space to accommodate about 30 customers with parking facility.

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