Pilikula Nisarga Dhama

The Nisarga Dhama was 12 Kms from Mangalooru, situated near Moodushedde along the Mangalooru - Karkala highway. It is a very significant place with Botanical Gardens, Horticultural Gardens, Aquarium, Science Centre, Musical Fountain, Deer Park, Water Park, and lake with boating facilities, tiger safari and a children train. It extends to an area of 350 acres land along the tropical jungle on the bank of the Gurpur River.

Boating had not yet begun, and we decided to visit the so-called 'Colour fishes'. The place was well maintained, and entry to the park cost about Rs.10/- per head. The walk to look at the colour fishes became really long, and the sun began roasting us all. To add to our woes, the colour fishes were just ordinary fishes swimming in dirty mud-coloured water. After a little rest, we decided to float around the lake, as the boating services had started. Although everyone decided to take the ferry, Bharath, Suhas, Sudhanva and Sumanth rented a pedal-boat. Boating was nothing special, and the water wasn't all that clean. But the ducks decorated the place, and the presence of water was indeed refreshing. But what everyone was looking forward to was the 'Water Park'.