We spent the last weekend in Chikmagalur. What an absolutely amazing place. Green hills till where the eyes can see. We were literally in the clouds the morning we left. It felt like a little piece of heaven. On the way back we decided to stop at Halebidu and Belur.

At first I felt P might be to young to enjoy the place. I had never taken her to a historical place before (well we have been to the Taj Mahal just last month and she loved it). But this is different. More history to it. Definitely centuries older than the Taj. These temples were built by the Hoysala dynasty almost 900 years ago!! Yes! 900!! They are still so well preserved. 

So we thought just quick guided tours will be enough and we shall complete it within a couple of hours and be on the way back. But I was in for a bit of a surprise. P was absolutely in love with them. She listened to guide talk about each statue carefully. And even observed that Halebidu had been plundered more than Belur. First the Muslim invasion and then out of 74, 70 statues had been taken out by the British and are now a part of the Victoria and Albert museum in London. And was she upset about that!!

She asked so many questions. Which temple is older ?Why did the muslims break it? How did they break it? Why did the British take so many things from here? Did the king live here? Where did the king live? (Halebidu had a palace half a kilometre away which was completely destroyed by the muslims) why did they break down the palace? She wanted to know everything. She even took plenty of pictures from my phone coz she was so awe struck by the structures. I was amazed to see how a 7 year old can be so interested in such a place. ( the pics below are taken by her) maybe I just underestimated her curiosity. 

Btw… I left A with her grandparents. It would have been impossible to see even half the place properly had she been with me.”Mamma godi” would have been the permanent demand and I would land up carrying her around and breaking my back. And just as I decided that I’m going to drive the car now (I never get to drive on the highway 😕) I got a call that she wants to shift to my car. And there went all my dreams of driving on the super smooth traffic free road. And then I asked her can mamma drive the car…. she said Fufa is driving na. 🙄 kya zamana aa gaya hai. 2 saal ki beti se permission leni pad rahi hai. I knew it would be futile to try and drive coz she would cry and want to come in my lap. So I had to give up the thought. Yet another time when you give up something so your child can be happy….. does this ever end for mommies????