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MYSORE and Jain Festival!!!

Finally, I was able to see Mysore after 7 months in Bangalore, I know it is a shame for me:) Because, Mysore is just 2,5 hours from Bangalore...

Anyway, Mysore is the city of places, gardens and temples... In Mysore, the spot is Tipu Sultan's Palace. To be honest, it is as good as Topkapi Palace in Istanbul:) The rulers of Mysore were living in this palace till the indipendence, the maharaja was elected as governer. Here is a picture of the palace, it was not allowed to take pictures inside.

Also, in Mysore, market is very colorful and fun to visit.

An other place in Mysore is Sri Chamundeswari Temple. It is on a hill and you have to climb 611 steps to reach the temple. Actually, most of the temples look like each other; but, each of them has unique caharacteristics.



The next day, we went to Sharavanabelagola (it is really hard t0 say:) for Jain festival which happens every 12 years. We are very lucky as it was happening this year. There is the huge 17m high naked statue of Bahubali , a jain deity. It is told to be the world's tallest monolithic statue. In the festival, the statue is anointed with thousands of pots of coconut milks, yogurt, ghee, bananas, almonds, sandalwoodoil, milk and safran during the festival.

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Kerala, Gods own Country....

Last thursday was holiday as it was republic day. And of course, we didn't miss the chance and take the friday off. We decided to go to Kerala; me, Stephanie, Marco and Patrick... After finding our one way bus tickets, we were all ready to discover!

First, we went to Fort Cochin by ferry. I saw that I erally missed ferries as i sometimes travel by ferry just for fun in Turkey. Fort Cochin was very nice, quite, not so dirty. Jew market and spice market worths seeing. Also, Kathakali show was emazing. It is a local theatral dance performance. make up for this show takes about 1,5 hours and show takes around 1 hour. All the conversations in the show was in body language. Before the show, you are told about the body language.

After the show, we had a perfect dinner just in the sea. Fish cooked in banana leafs and delicious kalamaris... Definitely spot of the day for me:)

The next morning, we decided to have a back waters trip and then go to Varkala. That was the day challanges started for me. I got diarrhea but it was ok, somehow I was managing:) Backwaters was absulutely the one of the most peacefull and relaxing places in India. Next time, definately, I will take a house boat:)

On the way to Kollam; while travelling by bus; my backpack was stolen. I couldnt beleive and I was really pissed, i was so pissed that I was shouting at the people who were trying to help me. Nothing valuable was gone. Just my clothes and cosmetics, but still enough to make me crazy in the midle of the journey. Well, after a good sleep everything was better.

When we arrived in Varkala, I almost forgot everything. Such a nice view, such a nice beach and sea... Just perfect. Also waves were a lot of fun... I am really glad that we went to Varkala and spend one night there. It was the spot of the travel for me:) Varkala, i see you again:)

Kerala needs much more than 4 days. There are a lot of things to discover and see. That is why I want to go back there:)