Kukkarahalli Lake, Mysore
This our new favorite getaway! We found this gem on our first trip and have visited it many times since. The walk from our place was warm and brisk, but we strolled through a few new neighborhoods and became rejuvinated by their simple beauty. It is amazing how many small temples and corners of devotion are found in the most unlikely places, or maybe they are right where they need to be. We met a gentleman on our walk who told us that this is a very ancient lake, obviously arousing a sense of historical pride in him. Yes, India is about the art and history, but it is an art and history of a people. Many peoples. This is why the country is struggling with adding more states. Each state is representative of people bound by language, and then there are more languages and peoples caught in cracks or overlooked and now they too are asking for representation. Here in Karnataka, the Kannada-speaking natives have the majority, but even that could change. It wasn't until last year that the language was recognized by the overseeing Indian Parliament as an official state language. It's only been around for thousands and thousands of years.
But at the lake, we get away from the politics and enjoy benches covered by flowering arches, open expanses of green and blue, painted cows grazing near the shore, and pelicans, storks and other birds too numerous to detail here filling the skies and trees. The mile or so to the lake is overshadowed by the mile or so perimeter stroll we take, practically alone save for the random historian or festive bovine. Don't get me wrong- I love the crazy part of India. When I leave I will miss the smoking trucks, tailgating rickshaws, late night honking, full body contact crowds at the supermarket, and the combination of jasmine and burning dung everywhere- but until then, you'll find me Saturdays under the tamarind trees at the lake.
aeryk
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