Calf drinking mothers milk in farmers house

One of our numerous trips to Mysore we stayed in resort near Ranghantitu Bird Scantuary. We decided to relax in the evening and show some glimpses of village life to our 4 year old son Smit. Smit did enjoy the calf drinking milk from his mother cow. However his curious questions do make me watch this video again and again in my free time. 

First video the farmer is milking the cow.
Later the calf is left with his mother to drink remaining milk. My son was curious to understand where is the father of the calf. We had tough time to explain him that the father of the calf is in farms. Ultimately we had to explain him that mummy is giving food to the baby and father has gone in the office(farm) to work.

Ranganthitu in Natures Lap

Destination Ranganthitu - On the long weekend in August we fled away from day to day city life to rest in lap of nature. Another aim was to educate or make our son know about the real India. I am sure all of you are tierd fo the Monday to firday work and want to destress yourself. Well then this is perfect place at 3-4 hours drive from Bangalore Whitefield.

Frist day- Since we started late from whitefield we landed up in Mysore in the evening. So Vrindavan Garden was the only option left for us on that day. My son Smit loves watching the fountains and the waterfalls in the garden. Specially when they get lit up with lights post 7 PM.

Where to stay - Resort Cute While heading towards the Vridavan garden we spoted the resort in the small village near Raganthitu Bird Scatuary - The Cute Resort. It is noting but small piece of farm land converted in to resort. So initially we were skeptical. Since there were not many options left at last minute we did booking in the resort. Next day morning we visited the Mysore Zoo and reached the resort in the afternoon. The everything in the resort was clear and tidy including the rooms. The food service provided in the restaurant was also good. We were quiet impressed with their buffet breakfast.

Evening Activities in farm land near the resort

The resort has small swimming pool. My husband being swimming enthusiast wanted to get into the water. However our main aim was to show our four year old son the Farm land and other domesticated animals so we skipped swimming and moved out for stroll.
Train tracks / Crossing Another of the fascinating feature of the resort - Its bang in front of the railway line. Since our son is avid admirer of Thomas Train he just loved watching trains pass through the paddy and sugar cane fields.
Cattle There were goats, sheep and cattle grazing around. By evening 6 o clock it was time for all of them to return to their shade.
Milking of the Cow I wanted my son to sit on the bullock cart so we decided to walk towards the village. On our way - we spotted farmer couple milking cow. Since its something which our kids will get to see in the current hustle bustle of the city, we decided to stop and show the same to our son. On their permission we started taking video of the same. After milking enough, they let the calf drink the mothers milk. My son was quiet curious watching the baby drinking mothers milk. As per him - Only mummy cow and baby cow were there. However he was trying to figure out where is the babys father. The farmer couple were kind enough to offer us cup of tea from the fresh milk. We did accepted their offer. Their son who was able to speak in English later joined us. He showed us the recently harvested Ginger yield. Also the other spice, fruits and vegetable plants and tress around their house.
Bullock Ploughing the fields The next day morning we had planed to visit the farm land since scenic photographs are best taken in the early morning sunlight. There were some farmers ploughing the fields with bullocks. My son is a big fan of excavator, dump truck, tractor etc machines. He could have never imagined Bullocks ploughing or digging the soil in the farm. So it was good practical knowledge session for him.

Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary

Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary near Mysore, Karnataka,

India is comparatively one of the unexplored tourist destination in South of India. Its situated near Srirangapatnam or Mysore, Karnataka.
An ideal stop over after Kamat Lokaruchi while heading towards Mysore or Madumalai, TamilNadu. time I happened to visit this place during the Good Friday long weekend. Never heard of Bird Sanctuary, initially I was reluctant to visit the place.

The visit turned out to be a pleasant surprise. 

The place is full of different coloured birds specially during their mating season from February to June month of the year. Its basically a lake premises covered in midst of dense forest. The Government of Karnataka has declared it as protected area and is maintained by the forest department.


The sanctuary hosts boats in the Lakes. To protect the wildlife, the boats are peddled by the sanctuary men. Use of motor boats is prohibited. The ride lasts for 20-30 mins. It will cost you Rs 50 per person.
The entrance charges and parking are separate.

The various birds/animals spotted were as follows

• Painted Stork
• Open Bill
• Spoon Bills
• Storks
• Crocodiles
• Fishes in the Lake

Mysore Zoo

Mysore Zoo is one of my favourites of all time. The official website of the zoo is http://mysorezoo.info/
The article covers the following information

• Location
• Fees and Online booking
• Time 
• Blast in past
• Favourites
• Pictures

Location

Located in Mysore, Karnataka, India bank opposite the famous Mysore Palace. It has been added to our itenary whenever we cross Mysore just like the Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary.

Fees

Fees of the Zoo are available at the Mysore Zoo Webiste
The tickets are now also available online nowadays.

Time

The zoo opens at 9:00 am and its best time to see the animals.
The parking lot in front of the zoo is relatively empty and its easier to get slot.
If you reach the zoo later half of the day, its difficult to get parking. Then its advisable to park the car in your hotel and come by local transport - auto rickshaw preferably.
You cannot beat the nature, as the animals take a nap in afternoon. So chances of spotting animals active and in action is less.

Blast in past

I had chance to visit the Mysore Zoo while I was child along with my cousins way back in 1989. I always cherished fond memories of my Zoo visit. I was keen to take my son to the zoo when moved to Bangalore, India.

Back in 1989 - this zoo was one of the few zoos in India which had the concept of keeping the animals in open captivity and not in cage. It was and is treat to all kids. Its well kept and maintained zoo. Has lot of variety of animals.

For those who are not aware of the open captivity zoo concept.

The carnivorous and other huge animals are not kept in the cage bars. The animals are kept in open ground. This ground is surrounded by deep trench at least 10 feet wide. This protects the animals from escaping the open captivity.

Some of my favourites are

• Giraffes at the entrance
• Tigers followed by the giraffes - one can skip the birds section
• Monkeys sections - Gorilla forms major attraction for all
• Rhino and Zebras are placed opposite each other
• Elephants - post the Rhinos one can quickly skip the deer section and head towards the Elephants
• Lions / Cheetahs - these are however kept in the caged environment due to various safety reasons.
• Alligators / Crocodiles/ Storks - enclosed in the captivity in which you can walk through.

Sometimes pictures are more worth then words.

Kamats Lokaruchi - Ramanagara

 On the way to Mysore from Bangalore , halting at Kamats Lokaruchi - Ramanagara is a ritual which you have to complete as much as going and watching Zoo or Vrindavan Garden.
The unlimited south indian breakfast at the Kamats Lokaruchi in the morning or traditional lunch in the Banana Leaf will leave mesmerizing taste in your mouth but also in your mind. Next time you head to Mysore   then you are bound to make halt over hear again.


The items offered in the morning unlimited breakfast

• Soft Idlis warpped in leaf
• Umpa
• Jalebis
• Masala Doas
• Medu wadas
• Juice
• Tea/Coffee

There a open kitchen where the food is prepared by the cooks. Its surrounded by open benches where one has to grab their plate and sit along to eat the savouries.

The men wearing a traditional Dhoti,Khadi shirt and cap to serve you fresh pepared Dosas. 

The restaurant also has Alacarte options. However we usually opt for the unlimited breakfast option.

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