Jolly Ride in Kanakapura Road

Thottikallu Falls

Pyramid Valley

Art of Living International Center

Places covered in the trip:
1. Thottikallu Falls
2. Pyramid Valley International
3. Art of Living International Center

Distance from Bangalore:
1. Thottikallu Falls - 30 Kms
2. Pyramid Valley International - 40 Kms (Without going to Thottikallu Falls)
3. Art of Living International Center - 21 Kms

Estimated Travel Time: (may vary depending on traffic)
1. Thottikallu Falls - 45 Minutes
2. Pyramid Valley International - One Hour Ten Minutes
3. Art of Living International Center - 25 to 30 Minutes

Route:

1. Banglore - Banashankari Bus Stand - Kanakapura Road - Kaggalipura - Thottikallu Falls

2. Banglore - Banashankari Bus Stand - Kanakapura Road - Kaggalipura - Kebbedoddi Village -        

    Pyramid Valley International

3. Banglore - Banashankari Bus Stand - Kanakapura Road - At 21st Km in Kanakapura Road Art of       Living International Center

Best time to visit:
For Thottikallu Falls, the best time is during rainy season. The other two can be seen any time during the year.

Stay:

Bangalore is the nearest & Best Place to stay. However, accommodation is available in Pyramid Valley International and Art of Living International Center.

There are lot of places to be seen in Kanakapura Road. Please read "Lazy Weekend Drive to Muthathi" for other places in Kanakapura Road. As my home is in Banashankari, it is nearer for me to reach Kanakapura Road. I along with few of my friends started exploring Kanakapura Road for the second time. After having a heavy breakfast, we left Bangalore at 10:30 AM to Thottikallu Falls.

1. Thottikallu Falls:

We reached Kaggalipura in half an hour as the road was good and traffic was less. In Kaggalipura we took left towards TK Falls (Thottikallu Falls). It took another fifteen minutes from here to reach TK Falls as we have to ask the local people for the route and pass through the mud road at the end. Local people understand if we ask TK Falls rather than asking for Thottikallu Falls. As the road is narrow as we reach the falls, it is better to go in two wheeler.

Entrance to the Falls

There is a small temple without any priest. With lot of expectations we moved towards the falls and got very great disappointment. There was not even a single drop of water flowing in the falls.

Path to the Falls

Partly green vegetation near falls

It is not a very great place to visit. If there is time and there is no other way for time pass, this place can be visited for trekking and experiencing peaceful atmosphere. It is better to carry your own food as there are no food stalls.

Dried TK Falls covered with trees

There was small quantity of water stored at the base of the falls. Playing in this water guarantees dreadful skin diseases. 

Dirty Water stored at the bottom of the falls

Despite of the dried falls, we found joy in the Tamarind Tree. We plucked few ripened tamarind and enjoyed its sweet taste.

Tamarind Tree

Ant Hill in the shade of Tamarind tree

It was almost 12 Noon and in that hot sunny day we further traveled 18 Kms to reach Pyramid Valley International.

2. Pyramid Valley International: (Timings - 09:00 AM to 06:00 PM)

In about thirty minutes we reached Pyramid Valley International. There is good parking area for parking the vehicle with a parking fee of ten rupees. Opposite to the parking space, there is an office and video briefing center. In the video briefing center, the location, services offered, description of the Pyramid Valley International and importance of meditation will be shown as a audiovisual that lasts for twenty minutes.

Guide Map

There are clear directions inside the campus for the places to be seen. There is a guide map and also a board specifying the timings of various events.

Timings of various events

There are good clean roads made inside the campus for movement of the people and vehicles. However, private vehicles are not allowed at all the places.

Maitreya Buddha Pyramid

The presence of "World's largest Meditation Pyramid" is an added feature to this place. It is an international meditation center dedicated in helping individuals, societies and organizations for achieving self realization, spiritual wisdom and  aiding them in unlocking their hidden potential.

This "Maitreya Buddha Pyramid" is 102 feet height with a total capacity of 5000 people. The exterior surface of the pyramid is covered by beautiful murals depicting various elements of the nature. To amplify the pyramid energy, 640 natural Himalayan Crystals have been fitted on to the pyramid. The lower hall of the pyramid has beautiful art works and the photos of pyramid when it was under construction.

In the center of the pyramid there is a spiral King's chamber at a height of 34 feet which is the most energetic spot of the pyramid. It can accommodate about 40 people at once. We did meditation for half an hour and moved for lunch.

There is free meal provided to the visitors for which visitors have to collect coupons near the exit of the pyramid. Also there is a canteen providing clean diet food at economical prices. As photography was not prohibited inside the campus, we took few pics at the places that came to our attention. Apart from this big pyramid, there are many small pyramids constructed inside the campus for meditation.

Buddha in meditation

Wooden bridge from Pyramid to reach Canteen

Gandhi Statue in water pond

We had good meal and stayed for about two hours. It was almost 04:30 PM when we started to Art of Living International Centre which is on the way back to Bangalore.

3. Art of Living International Center:

We took half an hour to reach this place as it is located at a distance of 18 Kms from Pyramid Valley International. The climate was cool as it was nearing sunset. At the entrance of the ashram, we have to enter our name and vehicle number in the register and there is ample parking space. People can have peaceful walk here as nice roads are constructed.

Vishalakshi Mantap

There is a beautiful "Vishalakshi Mantap" in which Sri Ravi Shankar preaches about art of living.  The art work inside the mantap is treat to the eyes. This place spread about for 65 acres with beautiful gardens. Every evening, there will be a satsang where scattered minds unite with music, wisdom and  meditation to experience higher state of consciousness.

Art Work inside the Vishalakshi Mantap

Nandi outside the Vishalakshi Mantap

Ayurveda Wellness center

This is a good place to relax and stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city by learning Yoga and Meditation from experts. The "Panchakarma Ayurvedic center" constructed in Kerala style provides cleansing and rejuvenating program for mind and body. This is famous for special massages, advising on diets and  many ayurvedic treatments. There is even a Ayurveda wellness center and pharmacy for the benefit of the visitors. 

There are several residential blocks for the program participants with different  types of accommodation to suit budget and convenience. However, the accommodation is only for the program participants. There are certain places in the ashram which were under development. This is a best place for a family or group of friends for spending a day in peaceful manner away from the concrete jungle.

Work under Construction

With the feast to the eyes from Pyramid Valley and Art of Living Ashram we started back to home. We had good dinner in a hotel in Kanakapura Road and completed the day.