Payaniga – Weekend Getaways

Somanathapura: Small Temple, Big Detail

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

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Somanathapura is the easiest Hoysala temple to reach from Bengaluru, and the best preserved. Three shrines share a single hall, each topped by its own tower.

Why it’s worth the detour

The towers are intact, which is rare.
The courtyard is enclosed, so it’s quiet even on weekends.
You can see the whole complex in an hour and still be in Mysuru for lunch.

Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal in One Weekend

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT

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The Chalukyan triangle is a long drive from Bengaluru, but the three sites are close to each other, so one base in Badami works well.

Badami

Four cave temples cut into red sandstone, overlooking the Agastya lake. Climb past cave four for the view.

Aihole

Often called the cradle of temple architecture: more than a hundred temples in and around the village, in several styles.

Pattadakal

A compact UNESCO World Heritage Site where northern and southern styles stand side by side.

Sunrise at Mullayanagiri

Sat, 09 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT

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The road goes most of the way up, so the “trek” is a short climb of steps to the summit temple. Start before 5:30 am to catch the sunrise.

Tips

Carry a windcheater, it’s cold at the top even in summer.
Weekdays are far less crowded.
Combine with Baba Budangiri on the way down.

Bengaluru to Mysuru: Stops Worth Making

Sat, 21 Oct 2023 00:00:00 GMT

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The expressway gets you to Mysuru in under two hours. If you have time, take the service road for a few stops.

Our stops

Channapatna for wooden toys
Maddur for vadas, obviously
Srirangapatna for the Ranganathaswamy temple and Daria Daulat Bagh
Mysuru Palace on a Sunday evening when it’s lit up

Talakadu: Temples Under the Sand

Sat, 04 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Talakadu is about 45 km from Mysuru, on a bend of the Kaveri. Centuries of sand have buried most of the old town, and archaeologists have been uncovering temples ever since.

The Vaidyeshwara temple, the best-preserved structure at Talakadu

A gallery from the dunes

Dunes, river and stone, all within a few hundred metres

Locals tell a story of a curse that buried the town. Geologists blame a dam and the wind. Either way, the sand keeps coming.
Our guide, half-jokingly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqz-KE-bpKQ

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Panchalinga Darshana, held once every twelve years or so, brings huge crowds. Check dates before you go.

Gaganachukki and Bharachukki Falls

Sat, 12 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMT

The Kaveri splits around the island of Shivanasamudra and drops in two places: Gaganachukki on the west and Bharachukki on the east, about 15 km apart by road.

[caption id=“attachment_3881” align=“aligncenter” width=“1024”] Gaganachukki from the watchtower[/caption]

Tip: go in September or October, when the river is full but the paths are dry.

Getting there

Take the Kanakapura road or the Mysuru road via Malavalli. Both take about 2.5 hours from Bengaluru.

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Entry	₹20 per person
Parking	₹50 per car

Related: Jog Falls in the monsoon.

Jog Falls in the Monsoon

Sat, 17 Aug 2019 00:00:00 GMT

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Timing is everything at Jog. Visit in August and you may see nothing but cloud; wait for a clear break and the view is unforgettable.

Plan for

Mist and rain: carry a dry bag for your camera.
The steps down to the base, closed during heavy rain.
A night in Sagara or Shivamogga.