You will recognize a fragrance of heritage in every corner of Melukote. The old temples, the large Kalyani that has hosted several movie shoots, the smaller Raya Gopura that also has its beauty tested in the movies, a Sanskrit Academy, two ancient temples, a Vaishnava heritage that is preserved as good as it was a few centuries ago and several houses, temples and structures that have a stamp of past all over them — a quick glimpse of Melukote for you.

The heritage town of Melukote is located 120km from Bangalore. It became a center of Vaishnavaites when Sri Ramanujacharya took shelter in the town during 12th century. The town hosts two ancient temples and several smaller heritage structures. The everyday life and culture of Melukote retains a feel of its past and heritage.

Darter Photography takes you on a photography outing to Melukote, to capture these ancient structures, heritage sites, its traditions, its people, its celebrated puliogres that can be relished by the street. Join the Darter Day Out on Saturday, 4th February armed with your cameras and guided by expert travel photographers.

Who can join?

Any one! If you want to see and make beautiful photographs of the heritage town of Melukote, hop in with us. It doesn’t matter if you are shooting with your phone camera or carrying the world’s most expensive photography equipment. We take you through the places and guide you in making good images along the way.

The Day’s Program Includes

* A brief session on Melukote with photography in mind.
* Photography of places in Melukote, with guidance from Darter Photography Experts.
* Image Reviews and critiques.
* Visit to ancient temples, heritage sites, Kalyanis and other interestig sites and to see and capture everyday activities in Melukote.

The Itinerary

* Start from MG Road at 6.45am. Pickup from Jayanagar at 7am.
* Stop for breakfast on the way at 8am
* Reach Melukote at 10am
* Head to the Kalyani, begin with a brief session
* Start photography with on planned route from 11am to 1pm
* Lunch and Image Reviews from the morning shoot from 1pm to 3pm
* Start photography with a planned route from 3pm to 6.15pm
* Depart for Bangalore at 6.45pm with a snack-stop along the way. Image reviews from evening shoot on the way back. We are back in Bangalore approximately by 9pm.

The itinerary is tentative and timings are only indicative, except for a fixed time of departure from Bangalore. Delays and changes are possible with progress in the day and shooting conditions.

Cost

This trip is priced at Rs.2,350 per person.

The cost includes
* Transport from Bangalore and back in an air conditioned vehicle. Pickup and drop from specific locations.
* Breakfast, lunch and evening snacks
* Guidance of Darter Photography Expert through the day

The cost doesn’t include
* Mineral water and additional food and beverages beyond what is mentioned above.

Register for this tour

To register for the tour or for more details, please email us at register@darter.in or call us at 9880006460 (Arun Bhat) / 9341229807 (Pradeep MR)

Visit www.darter.in and facebook.com/darterphoto to know more about Darter Photography.

Wanna explore the dark Caves?

Wanna experience the art of Rock Climbing?

Wanna experience the real sense of Adventure?

“Jogimatti” is one of the highest peaks at a height of 1323m above the sea level & surrounded by the reserved forest with huge rocks all around. Jogimatti is rich in bio diversity & it’s a paradise for bird watchers. It offers great challenge to adventure enthusiasts with various rock hills & hidden caves. Kondajji Lake is a vast lake surrounded by beautiful forest. The lake offers many water sport activities like still water rafting, kayaking & water fun.

Join us for the long weekend of Sat 13th August 2011 to Monday 15th August 2011 if you love adventure, camping out and trekking.

Activities – Trekking, Rock Climbing, Rappelling, Cave Exp, Water Sports.

Difficulty Level – Easy

Accommodation – Camping Tents / Guest House (toilets available)

Food – Simple Veg

Transport – Hired Vehicle

Cost – Rs.2750/- per head

Departure on FRIDAY 12th August 2011 at 10:30pm

Day – 01 (Sat 13th Aug 2011):
07:00am – Breakfast.
08:00am – Rock Climbing.
11:00am – Cave Exploration.
12:30pm - Lunch.
01:30pm - Peak Climb.
03:00pm – Trek to Camp.
05:30pm – Tea / Biscuits.
06:00pm - Cooking.
07:30pm – Campfire.
08:30pm - Dinner.

Day – 02 (Sun 14th Aug 2011):
06:30am – Bird watching.
08:30am - Breakfast.
09:00am – Rappelling.
11:00am – Climbing.
12:30pm - Lunch.
02:30pm - Trek to falls.
03:00pm – Water Fall.
05:30pm – Tea / Biscuits.
06:00pm - Cooking.
07:30pm – Campfire.
08:30pm - Dinner.

Day – 03 (Mon 15th Aug 2011):
06:00am – Departure.
08:00am – Breakfast.
09:00am – Water Sports.
12:30pm - Lunch.
01:30pm - Depart to Bangalore.
07:00pm – Reach Bangalore.

• Trekkers will be provided with Sleeping bags, Tents & Instructor.
• The program is a self sustained & trekkers have to carry their own backpack.
• Trekkers will be experiencing the Tent pitching, Cooking & also other Camping techniques.

For more details & booking Contact us:
SMS JOGI / Call @ +91 9980017105
Email – nisargaindia@gmail.com

All Bangalore based foodies and foodies across India, check out our friends’ site:

Zomato.com – India’s biggest online food & lifestyle guide

Weekend Nuts presents ”Summer-Special SMILEY-DAY“

On 24th April, Sunday, we’re taking a group of underprivileged kids
on Picnic in Bangalore!

Participation fee: Rs. 400 – FULLY towards charity.
Alternatively, opt to pay in kind (directly for transport, food etc)
Contact us to know more!

Inviting those with kind heart & hearty smile

For more details check: www.WeekendNuts.com

So, join us in spreading smiles & love!!!
These needy kids would love to spend time with you!

BOOK your participation now!
Ruu,
Founder, Weekend Nuts

WeekendNuts@Gmail.com
(M) 9379058236

Weekend Nuts "Smiley Day"

Wear your best attitude and of course your hearty SMILE and join us for:
“Smiley Day” on 30th January, Sunday @ Bangalore.

“Smiley Day” is a community service drive of Weekend Nuts, a day to spread lots of contagious Smiles.

This time, hop on to your vehicles with a bag full of goodies & join us in distributing these goodies with the less-fortunated folks. Such as road-side-vendors, BBMP workers, poor kids playing on streets, Traffic cops working hard … and anyone alike!More than the goodies, they’re surprised and touched by your smile & your kind-heart! But yes, you need to experience it to believe it!
Read NEWS coverage of  “Smiley Day” Click here
& Click here to view photo album of last Smiley Day

So, save the date – 30th Jan, Sunday, Bangalore (Just an hour or two)

*** REGISTER- NOW for Free ***

Once registered, we’ll reach out to you with specific details
To know more, visit: www.WeekendNuts.com
Or write to us: WeekendNuts@gmail.com

 “Photography Excursion” with Weekend Nuts  19 September 2010, Sunday, Around Bangalore
http://www.weekendnuts.com/photographyexcursion.html      

Weekend Nuts "Photography Excursion"

Got an eye for Photography? Do you have a Camera, any Camera & unbeatable passion for photography? Wanna spend some quality time photographying? Then, join us for a Photography Excursion!

WEEKEND NUTS welcomes all the Passionate Photographers … Amateurs & Hobbyists, for a fun day of PHOTOGRAPHY-EXCURSION! 

WHEN? 19th September 2010, Sunday, 8am onwards; WHERE? Around Bangalore (Details will be emailed to participants) 

AGENDA: Leave from Bangalore, Photographers Networking, A briefing by the Photography-Experts, Q & A, Photography session 1, Break, Feedback, Tips & tricks, Photography Session 2, Open-house, Back to home! 

FEE: Rs. 2500 per person, Includes: A fun- day of Photography Excursion with Photography-Experts, Photography-Tips-&-Tricks, Networking, Freestyle photography, Transport & Lunch. 

REGISTER NOW! Limited seats! Click here to fill the Participation form. LAST DATE: 5th September 2010! HURRY! 

Cheers!
Ruu & Ben
WeekendNuts@Gmail.com
http://www.weekendnuts.com/photographyexcursion.html 

TERMS & CONDITIONS:·       

•  This is a ‘Casual Day out’ for a limited sized group of Photography-lovers, so hurry up!
•  Anyone interested in Photography, even with a basic camera is welcome. 
• Click here to fill participation form; Payment details will be emailed to you. 
• Only AFTER your complete participation fee is credited to us, your Participation will be confirmed over email.
• Special offer on group booking (4 or more). Contact us for more details.
• Participation Fee is non-refundable

Wine-Tasting, Ghazals & Poetries! 

27th February, 2010; 5pm-7pm

Do you fancy Wines? Do you wish to savor the velvety taste of hand-picked Wines?
Do you have a talent of writing soulful Ghazals & Poetries; or interested in singing one?

Wines – a passion of the Western countries; Ghazals – a trance to the Eastern countries.
WeekendNuts presents a fusion of West & East - The Best of both worlds!

Weekend Nuts welcomes you to an enchanting evening of… Wine-Tasting, Ghazals & Poetry!

 Event Objective: Wine-Tasting for Amateurs, Ghazals/Poetries recitation for working professionals and Business networking for all… by Weekend Nuts !

Our Wine Partners: Chateau d Banyan (Big Banyan Wines)

Talent-Showcase: Stage-present your Ghazal/Poetry or sing a famous one! Limited Seats, Hurry!

When? 27th February 2010, Saturday, 5pm to 7pm 
Where? “The Paul”, Domlur, Bangalore 
Fee?  Rs. 500 per person; Rs.850 per couple!
Includes? Entry to Wine-tasting, Entry to Ghazal & Poetry and Chef-Special Snacks
(If we get enough registration for Ghazals & Poetry recitation, this session will be hosted right after wine tasting; else a fresh event will be planned on March 12th 2010 with entry FREE to participants of the Wine-Tasting event!)

For Invitation Passes, Register yourself!  

On: http://www.weekendnuts.com/Events_2010.html

Or email us: WeekendNuts@Gmail.com

Or talk to Ben or Ruu on +91 93790 58236

Hurry, Limited Invites!

Guided tour of hoysala kingdome departure is on the weekend of July 4th. Details of the tour below. Contact arunchs @ yahoo d.o.t com or call Arun/Lakshmi at 9880006460/9902070689 to register for the tour, or for any questions.

Tour – The Less Known Hoysala Kingdom

From Bangalore – July 4th 2009, 6.30am

Do you long for the feel of the rain brushing against you? Do you relish being out when it rains? And would you enjoy a dose of history to go with the freshness of the monsoon?

doddagaddavalli
Then come and join us for the rainy-season edition of the tour of ‘Less Known Hoysala Kingdom’. We are heading to the fringes of Malnad. See the only Hoysala Temple that has not one but four shrines. Visit the beautiful tank with small shrines all around the water, surrounded by coconut trees in a quiet village. See the remains of the ancient town of Dwarasamudra strewn with carved rocks in a large open space.

hulikerebelavadi

Join us on the trip to see the heritage of Hoysalas beyond the tourist map. Learn about the history, evolution and end of the dynasty as you travel.

In addition, stay in the verdant surroundings of a coffee estate. Spend a pleasant morning in the countryside before continuing on another serving of history.

Tariff

* 2 days and 1 night

* Rs.3,850 per person, all inclusive on twin sharing basis

Tariff includes all meals, transportation from Bangalore in AC vehicle, stay at a spacious and comfortable resort inside a coffee estate and guided tour at all destinations.

To register for the tour contact

Lakshmi – 9902070689
Arun – 9880006460

Email: arunchs@yahoo.com

Itinerary

* Pickup from MG Road on Saturday morning at 6.30am
* Stay at a resort near Belur
* Return to Bangalore by Sunday night (Drop off at home)

Places Covered

* The temple with four shrines at Doddagaddavelli
* Belur
* Halebeedu
* Ancient town of Dwarasamudra spread around Halebeedu
* Hulikere Tank
* Belavadi Temple

Testimonials from participants

* “very informative, and a wonderful experience… “
* “The places chosen to visit were too good. I have been there several times before but had seen only the main temples both at belur and Halebeed.”
* “the trip was fantastic”
* “Didnt have to bother about anything. Everything was taken care of well”

More information and pictures

Must visit 1:

Most of you would have read about how far the new Bangalore International Airport is and how boring the journey is. But have you noticed Fort of Devanahalli on the way to Airport? Its visible from the high way if you are watchful enough. I always wanted explore it but never did. But this time on my regular visit to Nandhi Hills I made sure to stop and visit the Fort.

The fort as such is not very big but looks beautiful and still is in good condition. The fort was built by Mallabairegowda in 1501Continue reading about Devanahalli Fort

Must Visit 2:

This temple is an hidden treasure. People traveling daily on hosur road don’t even know about it. So me and my friend tried to explore it. .

Friends’s mom had told us according to legend the temple is of the era of Pandavas and Pandawas used to offer Pooja to Shiva. Me and friend reached there early on Sunday evening. The temple was still not open but we got some amazing pictures of it from outside Continue reading and get the complete directions to the temple.

I was doubtful till the last minute about the weather. Unseasonal rains pouring in and around Bangalore were the main cause for my worries. But thankfully weather was on our side till the last minute. We started quite early reaching the Kamat Lokruchi by 9. Our target was to reach Melkote by 10, which we achieved.

Lake on the way to Melkote

Melukote (map: 12.65,76.67) in Pandavapura taluk of Mandya district, Karnataka, is one of the sacred places in Karnataka. The place is also known as Thirunarayanapuram. It is built on rocky hills known as Yadavagiri or Yadugiri overlooking the Cauvery valley. It is about 30 miles from Mysore and 97 miles from Bangalore.

Read the rest of the story