We went for a picnic – Part 1, Neelavara

26th of Jan 2010 was very eventful for all of us who went on a family picnic get-together. The company included me, Dr Girish, Dr Praveen, Dr Guruprasad, Dr Roshan and Dr Ramakrishna. The group included extremes of age group with Dr Girish's mother and my mother leading and followed by the youngest formed by Dr Guruprasad's son and Dr Praveen's son.

This happened because our remaining staff who happened to come together for a picnic get-together didn't come together at all!! And we had to plan the whole thing in 36-48 hours, and we scheduled the picnic in such a way that we will visit the place of religious importance, then we will visit a place of historical significance and last a place for pure relaxation and enjoyment.

It was decided that all of us will meet in Udupi and start by 8.45am, and all our group members arrived on time, including Dr Roshan and Dr Praveen!! And on the first leg of our expedition we all reached Neelavar in the morning at around 9.20am.

Neelavara or Nilavara (Kannada: ನೀಲಾವರ) is a village in Udupi district of Karnataka, India. Neelavara is situated about 7 km from Brahmavar that lies on NH-17 and around 3 km from Kunjal (Kannada: ಕುಂಜಾಲು) that lies on the road from Brahmavar to Hebri. Neelavar lies roughly between the river Sita (Kannada: ಸೀತಾ ನದಿ)in the north and the village Kunjal to the south.

Here we visited the following places -
1. Neelavara is famous for the centuries old Shri Mahishamardini Temple (13°27'17"N 74°47'3"E), that is on the banks of the river Sita. Here we offered our prayers to the Goddess. The river Sita is just flowing in front of the temple across the road, but there is no way you can hace an access to the river.

2. Panchami Kanana (Kannada: ಪಂಚಮೀ ಕಾನನ) another place of interest in Neelavar is associated with the snake God, Lord Subrahmanya, is situated next to river Sita towards the east of the temple. Here there are steps to get down to the river and u can sit on the steps and enjoy the cool waters flowing across and enjoy the cool breeze blowing over.

3. A check dam (Salt Water Exclusion Dam) has been constructed across the river Sita, in the western part of Neelavara, mainly to protect against the sea water coming inland and for irrigation during the summer season. In these waters we had a nice boat ride. We had to organise this impromptu boating with the help of some of the sand mining workers who were staying on the banks of the river. It was a very pleasant ride, and the boat man took us for a 20 minutes ride on the waters of the river. Though many of us got scared of the tilt of the boat to one side, Dr Roashan was the boldest to stand at the head of the boat – with a banner Walk for a Cause!!



4. Neelavara Cowshelter/Goshale has been set-up by Pejavara Mutt in Neelavara to look after aged, homeless cows. Here we came across hundred of cattles that were saved from the butchers' knife. They have been sheltered in well organised cow shelters but still the place is not sufficient for all.

After the joyous boat ride we reached my Aunt's home (mother's siter's home) at Pethri, where we had Gunda ot Hittu, (that is idli in jackfruit leaves for all those who don't know!!) and Tea.

From here we started for the Suralu Palace at around 12 noon.
Check the link for the Part 1 album -
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/576550088ZZZhaQ?vhost=good-times