Brindivan gardens

So...I got away with the milk, phew, but the unaccustomed fruit gave me chronic indigestion, serves me right for living of fat and sugar for weeks.

Off for more sight seeing by bus today well outside the city to the lush gardens of Brindivan which lay at the lower level of the massive irrigation dam. Apparently beautiful when its abundance of fountains are lit at night I settled for a daytime visit given it’s a 90 minute bus ride from Mysore.

Irrigation dam with fountains in the foreground

As we left the city behind the scenery changed from dusty cityscape to a landscape identical in sight and spirit to Karnataka's neighbour, Kerala. Rice paddies stretched into the distance, sunlight glinting on water, green shoots pushing up, men working the fields with oxen and plough as if time has stood still while white storks flock overhead.

Chamundi hill and Palace

The gardens were full of colourful flowers and shady terraces where I wandered happily in peace for a few hours before it dawned on me that the place was deserted and I was miles from anywhere.

Brindivan Gardens

The bus had dropped me at a stop some way away and a shared auto had transported me the remainder, but the exit gate opened  to an empty road, no auto,  no bus, no nothing.
As panic descended I saw a group of women gardeners in the far distance and walked as briskly as my sore hip would let me to catch them. Luckily they were not only welcoming and friendly but as luck would have it, waiting for the local bus which a) came straight away and b) connected to the city service. Result!
It's easy to get the bus places from the bus station but often getting back is much harder.
Having made it safely back to the city I 'window shopped' in the market, intoxicated by the smell of soaps, oils, spices, flowers, and walked the colourful streets up to St Philomena’s cathedral as the red sunset set the sky on fire.

Sunset over the city rooftops

St Philomenia's cathedral

Mysore has a more relaxed and progressive feel compared to other places I've been in.  Posters advancing women's rights, ladies seats on the buses, and a general sense of acceptance and respect, at least by comparison, is a welcome relief. The hardest aspect so far has been dodging the multitude of silk traders...much as I would love a sari,   so far my purchases have been confined to a couple of scarves.

Progress for Women's rights

Got any soap?

Local Shops

Market stall