How I Know Gokulam and Vonikoppal of Mysuru

How I Know Gokulam and Vonikoppal of Mysuru

Gokulam is a quiet residential area in Mysore city, Karnataka. In the last few decades, it has become a world-famous place for yoga. People from many countries come here to learn and practice yoga. It is now known as a global yoga hub. Many call it the beating heart of Mysore’s yoga culture.

Long ago, Gokulam was a peaceful neighborhood with simple homes and local families. Life was calm and traditional. Everything changed because of one great teacher. Shri K. Pattabhi Jois, a master of Ashtanga Yoga, opened his yoga school (shala) here. He learned from his guru, Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, who had strong links to the Mysore royal family. Jois taught a strong, flowing style of yoga that mixes movement and breathing. His work made Mysore famous for yoga around the world.

Ashtanga Yoga became very popular. Students from the USA, Europe, Japan, Brazil, and other places started coming to Mysore. They wanted to learn from the source. Jois moved his institute to Gokulam. Today, his family, including his grandson Sharath Jois, continues the teaching. Thousands of people visit every year. There are nearly 600 yoga schools and shalas in and around Mysore, and Gokulam is at the center.

Gokulam is also close to Contour Road of Mysuru. This road is quiet and green. Many yoga students like to walk or cycle here in the mornings. It gives a calm start to the day before practice.

Just nearby is VV Puram and the famous Vontikoppal Temple. People know it as Tirupati Temple as well and also Hindus perform Mundan here Many people visit this temple for blessings. Yoga students often go there to feel peace and connect with local culture.

Why is Gokulam so popular?

First, it offers real and traditional teaching. Students live the yoga life for weeks or months. They practice early every morning, eat simple sattvic food, and learn about Indian culture. The place has a strong community feel. People from different countries become friends and support each other.

Second, it is not only about yoga. Visitors can also try Ayurveda treatments, meditation, chanting, and philosophy classes. There are many homestays, small cafes, and shops that serve healthy vegetarian food. This mix of old traditions and modern needs makes Gokulam special.

The yoga economy helps the area too. Many local people run guesthouses, shops, and services for students. This brings money and jobs to Mysore. Gokulam shows how ancient Indian knowledge can help modern life and tourism.

History of Yoga in Mysore

Mysore has a deep link with yoga that goes back many years. The Wodeyar kings of Mysore supported yoga. They had yoga halls in their palaces. Krishnamacharya taught there in the 1930s. He trained many great teachers, including Pattabhi Jois and B.K.S. Iyengar. This royal support helped yoga grow in a pure way.

Jois started his Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in 1948. At first it was in another part of Mysore. Later it moved to Gokulam. He taught for many decades until he passed away in 2009. His simple and strict method attracted serious students. Today, his family keeps the tradition alive. Other schools in Gokulam teach Hatha, Kundalini, and other styles too.

Life in Gokulam Today

Early mornings in Gokulam are full of energy. You can see people walking with yoga mats to different shalas. The area has parks, temples, and tree-lined streets. It is close to Contour Road, VV Puram, the Vontikoppal Temple, Mysore Palace, and other city attractions. The best time to visit is from October to March when the weather is pleasant.

Gokulam mixes old Mysore culture with new international energy. Local families live side by side with yoga students from around the world. This creates a unique and friendly atmosphere. Many students say they feel peace and growth here.

In short, Gokulam of Mysore is much more than a place. It is a living center of yoga, health, and cultural exchange. It keeps India’s ancient spiritual heritage alive in the modern world. People come here to bend their bodies, calm their minds, and open their hearts. For anyone who loves yoga, Gokulam is a dream destination. It truly deserves the name “Yoga Capital.”

How I explored Mysuru Between 2015 and 2022

How I explored Mysuru Between 2015–2022

From 2015 to 2019 I worked for an Online Travel Startup for Mysore location. My job role and responsibilities were to handle a portfolio of hotels and also add more to the network.

I used to wander in the streets of Mysuru about which I will tell about below.

Table of Contents

• Ashoka Road Mysuru
• Harsha Road Mysuru
• VV Puram and Gokulam
• Kuvempunagara
• Jyothi Nagar and Sathagalli Layout
• Agrahara
• Nazarabad
• Chamundipuram
• Vishwamanava Road

Ashoka Road Mysuru

At first I reached Hotel Aavass Inn Paradise located in Ashoka Road and met the receptionist.

Harsha Road Mysuru

I then explored some hotels near Harsha Road, the road close to Mysuru Palace. It had many hotels through the stretch of about 400 m.

VV Puram and Gokulam

Then I explored the Vontikoppal Temple and the hotels nearby. I also realised that Gokulam was one of the most expensive localities as it had residences of retired doctors and teachers. Gokulam was also known as the Yoga Hub of Mysuru.

Kuvempunagara

I then explored a hotel which was newly built known as Nityotsava Residency which has 18 rooms and a party area on the top with Chamundi Hill View.

Jyothi Nagar and Sathagalli Layout

While passing by these areas I used to look at the government quarters of the Kendriya Vidyalaya Mysuru Staff and PWD. There used to be a small place named as Triveni Circle where there were some restaurants and eateries and it was a decent place to hangout especially in the evenings.

Agrahara

This was popular as the old and real Mysuru and it indeed has some very old buildings and one Anjaneya Temple near some medical college close to the MG Road of Mysuru.

Nazarabad

Nazarabad used to be very close to my heart because my friend used to run a homestay named Mauve Orchid there. The property used to be too peaceful and calm as it was located behind the Nazarabad Main Road. I also used to have the famous Mysore Mylari Dosa there.

Chamundipuram

Chamundipuram used to be the way to go to the Chamundi Hill. Whenever you want to see the aerial view of Mysuru, there is no better and affordable option than visiting the Chamundi Hill.

Vishwamanava Double Road

Vishwamanava Road used to be located far off in Mysore as we used to feel those days but as new homes kept getting developed, even Vishwamanava Road felt like within the city limits.

I have explored so many places in Mysuru and these were a few of them. Hope you liked them.

My Visit to Rameshwaram Cafe Bommasandra with Family on a Sunday

My Visit to Rameshwaram Cafe Bommasandra with Family

Table of Contents

• Rameshwaram Cafe Bommasandra Timings (Day-wise)
• My Metro Journey to Rameshwaram Cafe
• How to Reach from Bommasandra Metro Station
• Parking at Rameshwaram Cafe Bommasandra
• First Impression of Rameshwaram Cafe Bommasandra
• Ordering Food & Restaurant Layout
• Dining Area Experience
• What Food I Liked at Rameshwaram Cafe
• Final Thoughts

Rameshwaram Cafe Bommasandra Timings (Day-wise)

Rameshwaram Cafe Bommasandra is open all 7 days of the week with the same timings:

Day	Opening Time	Closing Time
Monday	5:00 AM	1:00 AM
Tuesday	5:00 AM	1:00 AM
Wednesday	5:00 AM	1:00 AM
Thursday	5:00 AM	1:00 AM
Friday	5:00 AM	1:00 AM
Saturday	5:00 AM	1:00 AM
Sunday	5:00 AM	1:00 AM

Note: Timings are the same on Sundays as well (5:00 AM to 1:00 AM). No different schedule for weekends.

I visited Rameshwaram Cafe of Bommasandra on 29 July 2026 (Sunday). It was the longest Metro journey I have ever had — starting from Kengeri Metro, changing at Nadaprabhu Majestic Metro Station, and then another changeover at Rashtriya Vidyalaya Metro Station (Yellow Line) till Bommasandra.

How Did I Reach from Bommasandra Metro Station to Rameshwaram Cafe?

Bommasandra Metro Station is the nearest Metro Station to Rameshwaram Cafe Bommasandra. We took an auto rickshaw directly from the Metro Station itself for Rs 70. The rickshaw dropped us right at Rameshwaram Cafe of Bommasandra.

Parking at Rameshwaram Cafe of Bommasandra

I observed the parking space was almost full as it was a Sunday morning. There were security guards managing the traffic near the Cafe and guiding the crowd efficiently.

First Impression of Rameshwaram Cafe of Bommasandra

At first glance, the Rameshwaram Cafe of Bommasandra looked like a temple from outside. There was a big fountain in the center near the entrance with a sculpture of Adi Yogi on the top. We took several photographs at this beautiful spot. There was also a Lord Ganesha idol nearby where people were clicking photos, along with a small temple where devotees were praying.

On the left side, there was a tea counter serving Tea, Coffee, Badam Milk, and Bun Maska.

Ordering Food & Restaurant Layout

We reached the billing counter and ordered Garlic Roast Dosa, Tomato Rice, Neer Dosa, and Bun Maska. I liked the Bun Maska so much that I ordered 2 more after finishing the first set.

The central area of the restaurant has the main kitchen which is open from all 4 sides. Different products are prepared and served at different counters. The front counter near the entrance is for Dosas — on weekends you will find long queues here. The restaurant is surely less busy on weekdays.

Dining Area at Rameshwaram Cafe of Bommasandra

After receiving our food, we went to the backside of the restaurant where many other customers were dining. There is a Lord Tirupati idol there as well, where people were praying and taking pictures. Two large ceiling fans are placed in the backside dining area. The weather was pleasant, so the fans were not really necessary.

There are tables with chairs for comfortable seating. There is also a standing setup in the front of the cafe for customers who prefer quick service.

What Food Did I Like at Rameshwaram Cafe of Bommasandra?

As mentioned earlier, I loved the Bun Maska and ordered it twice. The best part is that they prepare their buns fresh at their own facility.

Final Thoughts on Rameshwaram Cafe Bommasandra

After clicking some selfies, we left the cafe and returned via the same metro route, changing trains at the same stations. It was worth visiting Rameshwaram Cafe of Bommasandra and will remain a memorable experience.

Would you visit Rameshwaram Cafe Bommasandra? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Our Life in Avenue Road Bengaluru

Our Life in Avenue Road Bengaluru

When I first reached Bangalore in 2015, I didn't know anyone. I was looking for a place to stay. I had searched for rooms in Malleshwaram, Sheshadripuram, and Nagrathpet but had no luck. Finally, one of my college friends, Atish, got to know about a place named Ashoka Lodge in Avenue Road through a Paan Wala. The Paan Wala also told him that many hoteliers stayed in that lodge.

Table of Contents

• Ashoka Lodge – Our First Home in Bengaluru
• Shifting to Another Room in Ashoka Lodge
• Banaras Sweets at Avenue Road
• Rice Memorial Church
• Set Dosas at Ganesh Prasad Veg Restaurant
• What Was Avenue Road Famous For?
• Other Notable Places in Avenue Road
• Conclusion

Ashoka Lodge – Our First Home in Bengaluru

This is how the Ashoka Lodge looked like:

We visited the place. There was a jewelry mart on the ground floor named Srikanteshwara Jewelry Mart along with some clothing shops nearby. On the first floor there were a few offices and one locked room. The owner (who also owned the jewelry mart) showed us the room. It had 3 metal beds with no mattress or furnishing.

We had to arrange our own mattresses. We finally settled there at a rent of Rs 1000 per bed per month. I and Atish started living there with another friend, who later left and moved somewhere else.

Shifting to Another Room in Ashoka Lodge

We then moved to another room just opposite our previous room, which was perfect for 2 people.

I remember we also purchased a table and a second-hand computer with Pentium 3 for entertainment.

We used to get a movie every weekend from a shop on Avenue Road, watch it 2-3 times during the weekend, and return it on Monday.

There was also a small shop near Ashoka Lodge where we bought our daily goods like Jam, Bread, Biscuits, Shampoo, Soaps, etc. The owner soon became our friend.

Banaras Sweets at Avenue Road

There used to be a big sweet shop named Banaras Sweets which was quite costly for us back then. I recently visited the shop in 2026 with my family and enjoyed Samosa and Kachori. The shop has now shifted because the original building is under renovation.

Rice Memorial Church

There used to be a church named Rice Memorial Church which we passed by daily while going to college.

Set Dosas at Ganesh Prasad Veg Restaurant

I can proudly say that the food which kept me alive in Bengaluru was Set Dosa. Why? Because it tastes so good and you get 3 pieces — just perfect to fill your tummy. As soon as I woke up, I used to head straight to Ganesh Prasad Veg Restaurant for Set Dosa to kickstart my day. I till try Set Dosas at new restaurants.

What Was Avenue Road Famous For?

Avenue Road was and still is famous for its largest book market in the area. You can find hundreds of booksellers selling books everywhere — in shops, on stalls, and even on the footpath. The whole stretch from the old Mysore Bank Head Office Circle to Rice Memorial Church is packed with books and stationery shops.

After the Rice Memorial Church, the Jewelry shops begin, followed by hundreds of clothing shops till the famous Flower Market near the end of Avenue Road.

Other Notable Places in Avenue Road

• Rice Memorial Church of Red Color
• Indian Bank Building
• Kotak Mahindra Bank
• Kamat Veg Restaurant

Conclusion

Now a days. when I feel like visiting the Avanue Road and cherish my old memories, I just get down at Dr Ambedkar Metro Station and take a 300m walk to it. Overall, our life during college days in Avenue Road was great and serene. I will write more about our college life in Rajajinagar in the next blog.

Thanks for reading. Stay Tuned!