Update 11: Leaving Bangalore, headed to Mysore Dasara festival
Hello there!
After a pleasant stay in Bangalore re-charging my batteries, I'm headed to Mysore.
Mysore is known for fancy silks, a Victorian Palace that is lit up at night, and the Mysore Dasara Festival.
KarnatakaTourism.org says about Dasara:
"Treat yourself to the pomp and pageantry of the Dasara festival in Mysore . This festival commemorates the victory of the Goddess Chamundi over the demon Mahishasura. Pageants, parades and music create a kaliedoscope of colour and gaiety. Crowds jostle to catch a glimpse of the glittering palace. On the last day, a colourful procession of soldiers in ceremonial dress, cavalry, infantry, caparisoned elephants and colourful tableaux wend their way from the palace gates to Bani Mantap, where the torchlight parade and a magnificent display of horsemanship mark the grand finale."

Dasara festival in Mysore
And la-di-da-di-da. The festival started this past Saturday the 23rd of September and finishes this Sunday the 2nd of October, 2006. It is supposed to culminate in a grand procession of elephants and in between have various cultural events.
Here's a link to the 2006 Dasara schedule.
I will probably go to nearby Somnathpur which is supposed to have excellent architecture from the Hoysala era, whatever that is. Actually, reader Dan recommended going to Somnathpur, and I thank him for doing so.

Hoysala architecture in Somnathpur
After that I will most likely head to Hampi back via Bangalore, and then try to loop around Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
As always, plans are subject to change and are not guaranteed by your blog operator.
The latest blog entries, at http://ItinerantWitness.com/b
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Go Irish!
Mark




