Director S.S. Rajamouli took a break from regular film schedule and decided to head out for a vacation. On their holiday, the Baahubali helmer and his wife Rama Rajamouli explored the wildlife safari at Bandipur National Tiger Reserve in Karnataka.
T. Balachandra, IFS, Conservator of Forests and Field Director, Bandipur Tiger Reserve, spoke to us about the duo’s trip to the forest reserve. “Once they got here, Rajamouli and his wife saw the National Park and experienced the wildlife there by going on one of our safaris. They even checked in at the Serai Resort near the tiger reserve on Tuesday,” he says.
A well-catered to trip
Adding that the Forest Reserve team was informed in advance about the director’s visit, Balachandra revealed that Rajamouli had expressed his desire to go in his own vehicle.
“However, though Karnataka Tourism is open to the public, no private vehicles are allowed inside the Reserve. So we drove around the couple in our forest department vehicle, with my range office Naveen Kumar accompanying him,” says Balachandra.
According to the officer, Rajamouli and his wife were in the Reserve for around three hours.
“Rajamouli did not have any idea about the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, so it seemed like it was a completely new experience for him,” adds Balachandra.
“He and his wife seem to have thoroughly enjoyed spending time at the Reserve and experiencing the wild life. While leaving, they said they would come back again.”
Taking the word ahead
Some of the animals that the couple were lucky to see at the Forest Reserve included elephants, sambhar, gaur and antelope; unfortunately, however, the couple couldn’t see any tigers at the Reserve.
The Conservator of Forests seemed rather happy that they could host and provide hospitality to a director such as Rajamouli.
“Our duty is to provide information about the wildlife so that someone such as Rajamouli can carry the positive message about the wildlife to the people,” says Balachandra, adding that everything around their trip to the Reserve was well-taken care of to ensure the couple were comfortable throughout their stay.
We are even told that the couple, who were on a three-day holiday, were also impressed with the greenery and cleanliness of the National Park and have congratulated the authorities for maintaining it such. The couple also thanked the forest authorities for their services.
Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple visit
Earlier in the day, the couple supposedly visited the ancient Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple atop the hill near the Tiger Reserve in Gundlupet Taluk in Chamarajanagar District in Karnataka.
The couple performed special pooja and sought the divine blessings of the Lord.
They are also supposed to have spent quality time in the premises, where the authorities are said to have enlightened them about the deity and the temple’s history.
