Continued from Day1 – WonderLa

Day2 dawned at Mysore Shree Guru Residency with a fresh set of faces ready for the next leg of the journey. We started an hour behind schedule, the getting-ready and checking-out ceremonies took more time than we thought, and we were finally on our way by 11 am.

The destination was Kushala Nagara, Veerabhoomi Resort where we were to spend the next two days, exploring Madikeri.

Near Kushala Nagara is the famous Tibetan Colony, and the Golden Temple, Nyingmapa Buddhist Monastery. The following text is borrowed from this site.

After the Chinese took over Tibet, the refugees were settled at Bylakuppe Near Kushalnagar and the Buddhist Monastery was re-established here in 1972. It houses over 250 monks today. The monastery not only attracts large number of young Tibetans seeking enlightenment and education, but also draws huge tourists from all over India and abroad.

Our driver suggested that we visit the Golden Temple as it was on our way to the resort, and we could even have Tibetan Lunch in the Colony.

1. The entrance to the Nyingmapa Monastery and the Golden Temple
2. The Golden Temple

3. The spacious prayer hall

The spacious lawn and garden in the monastery are a must-see, one can also pick up some souvenirs from the shops around the temple.

After having lunch from a restaurant opposite the monastry entrance, we proceeded to our resort at Kushala Nagara. However we were slightly disappointed, we were under the impression that Kushala nagara is very close to Madikeri and the resort would be at a very scenic and higher location. There was another 30kms (climb) to Madikeri and though the resort had children’s park and swimming pool and other amenities, we did not end up spending much time there, except the evening of our arrival.

Day 3 – Talacauvery, Abbey Falls, Raja’s seat (Madikeri)
Day 4 -Nisargdhaama (Kushala Nagara)