Melukote+Shravanabelagola on bike – 6th December 2009

The team included me, Sandeep, Ravi, Vinay, Chethan, Tribhuvan. Our assembly point was near Shell petrol bank opposite to BHEL in mysore Road at 6.30 in the morning.  It was cold, misty morning.  The wind was blowing nicely.  Our first stop point was our regular Hanuman Temple near Bidadi. 

All the three bike riders were caution personified, they were on the average speed of 50KMPH.  We decided to take break near Kamat – Lokaruchi.  The guys were impressed with our seat findings, as there were many butterflies around J. 

After the breakfast, slowly but surely started towards our next target a right deviation just before Mandya. 

The route to Melukote was good enough, the smell of jiggery invited us.  On the way Tribhuvan stepped in to shoes of a villager cycle.  He had a pretty good photo session. 

The temple in Melukote was interesting.  After the darshan, we headed towards my favorite “Raya Gopura”.  Whenever I used to watch Annavara hadu from Chalisuva Modagalu, the passion of visiting this place ignited forever.   This place was a haunting shooting spot for many  Rajani kanth’s film, not to forget Shankarnag’s way ahead movie “Janma Janmada Anubandha” and many more.

It was a fabulous piece of work by the architects, even thought it was incomplete stage, still it arouse enough interest in me. 

During lunch session, we knew that Shravanabelagola was just about 30kms from Melukote.  We decided to visit that place as well, even though it was in not our list when we left Bengaloru.

The stretch between Melukote to Shravanabelagola was a good enough.  We reached Shravanabelagola by 16.00 in the evening.  We climbed the hillock which was about 500 plus steps.  It was taxing for us, but the climb was worth  enough, when we saw the giant monolith statue in the world. 

A brief photo session promised us to take more, but since the lights were fading and we had to take path of the deadly Hassan road, which was dug up in each and every corner for road widening.

The ride in the pitch dark Hassan Bangalore road via Kunigal was bit scary, but we managed to reach Nelamangala junction by 23.00Hrs.  Then  safely reached our house by 1.00 in the midnight.

1.       Highlight of this biking were, Raya Gopura.

2.       Riding on a highway in the pitch dark

Antara Gange Night Trek – 9th Sep 09

After a wonderful  scenic trip to Belgaum, craving for more from Rohit, couldn’t resist call for a moon light trek.

The team was big enough to accommodate 24 members, literally I was clueless who is who in the gang, except few names myself, Rohit, Gururaj, and Shwetha. 

I joined Rohit’s barmy army at RNZ millennium adjacent to Ulsoor Lake by 22.00 Hrs. We started in the direction towards Kolar on a moon lit night track.  The ride about 70 plus Kms was a first of its kind for me during the night. Earlier I had ventured in to Tumkur, Mysore, Shivamoga on a bike, but all were during the day time, but it was a thrilling experience for me. 

We reached Antaragange in Kolar around 2.00 Hrs in the morning, but government officials didn’t allowed us to trek in the night to the peak, instead they asked us to come back to the point by 5 0’clock in the morning.  To kill the time, we rode back about 14kms to reach Coffee day.  After a small introduction with the gang, somehow managed to turn the clock 4.30 Hrs to the morning.  Again reached the point of our trek, and started going upwards to reach the hillock.  We were there on the top by 6 O’clock.  Our waiting stated for the principal of our mother earth, The Sun god. 

Our waiting was in vain, as his security in chief “The Clouds” safegauarded him nicely.  We waited till 7 o’clock to catch a glimpse of him, and we were succeeded. 

We came down around 8 O’clock, had refreshment in Kamat restaurant on the way Bangalore.

It was a good time to spend on a hillock in a moonlight night, even though we were disappointed for not able to witness sunrise, but I enjoyed the ride down to Kolar on a cool breezy night.

Ramadevara Betta + Mukthi Naga Devasthana on bike – 25th April 2010.

The month of April 2010 seems to be an trip & trekking month.  This is my  4^th stint on my bike.  Again I stepped on my favorite humsafar with my Jeevan sathi  to Ramanagara, a small hamlet on Bangalore Mysore highway, which became a global brand after the magnum opus, my all-time favorite  “SHOLAY”. 

Reached the base of the hill by 12.00 Hrs.  It was a scorching noon, My Jeevan sathi refused to climb the never ending steps to the hillock.  But somehow I persuaded her to reach to the top by regularly inspiring her taking nice snaps on the way. 

The Ramadevara betta was not a new for me, as in our college days there was no hill in the vicinity of the ramanagara which escaped our attention.  As my soul mate from early school days stays there, we use to hop to ramanagaram at our will.

It was a good biking to Ramadevara betta which stands testimony to many films climax shooting excluding Sholay, in which the whole film was shot in that location.

After sharing the snaps, my biking gang from the previous treks scolded me left and right for not informing them about this biking.

Mysore on Bike – 18 April 2010

It was an adventurous biking.  Just a day back, was on a biking to Makalidurga for a night trek, and on Sunday there was a function to attend in Mysore.  With past experience I became an adventurous guy, decided to take my sweet heart along.  I started by 6.00 in the early morning with my sweet heart on bike to Mysore.

Our first break was near Bidadi, a hanuman temple.  Then we had breakfast in Kamat – Lokaruchi near Janapada Loka.  It was awesome breakfast, Kotte kadabu, Pongal, spicey chutney worth mentioning.

We were cruising nicely almost 10kms to Srirangapatna, my ever dependable bike got punctured just 50 mtrs from an puncture shop.  The break was good enough to recharge our batteries. 

We zoomed towards Mysore, and then to Chamundi Betta. 

Am fond of Suprabatha movie shooting place on the ghats of Chamundi Hills, it gave a new life to Vishnu he was its refreshing best.  Whenever I go to chamundi betta, I make it a point to capture the glimpses of that house.

Since it was a Sunday, the crowd was like a honey bee, we took special darshan ticket, as we didn’t had much time to spare.  After the darshan of goddess Chamundi, we reached Nandi.

From Nandi straightaway we went to the function hall near JP Nagar in Mysore, all our relatives were shocked to see on the bike, and literally appreciated our presence.  After the lunch, we went to Nimishamba temple, had darshan, and a surprise was waiting for us.

We went for a boat ride; it was good ride of 20 minutes in the shallow waters of Cauvery, as it was a peak summer.

On the way back , we had our snacks in the new Adigas hotel in Maddur.  The taste was really good. Slowly we started towards Bangalore, and reached safely.

Makalidurga Night trek – 16th April 2010

It was a back to back weekend biking.  I could hardly resist Rohit’s call.  Rohit, Sandeep, Murali, Giri, Pritham, Kiran, and Myself took the wheels to Makalidurga. 

We started biking towards our destination around Midnight 23.30 Hrs.  It was a small team compared to our previous weekend trek.  We reached the base camp of Makalidurga around 1.00 Hrs. We spent considerable amount of time on the near by railway track.  When we were on a photosession, a train signaled its arrival.  We were eagerly waiting for the devil on the track to unveil its mighty power.  We were speechless when it zoomed past us.  Still the effect of sound and shiver echoes in  my mind. 

We stared searching for the path, and slowing started going on a unwinding path.  By this time Kiran started feeling uncomfortable, and feeling restless.  We waited for them, and continued once they are with us.  After almost half an hour later, we hit a big monolith rock, where in there was no hope to climb without a rope (Rappling).  We decided to sleep in a nearby place.  The sun, walked in to his office, Sandeep and Giri, made an unsuccessful attempt to find a parallel path to reach the peak.  But others were not in a mood to follow them.  We pulled them back and stared climbing down the hill to reach the base camp where we had left our bikes.

Myself, and Kiran decided to returned back to Bengaloru, and the rest  of them headed towards Ghati Subramanya. 

It was a flop trek, but the amazing view of railway track from the mid way of the hillock and trains zooming past in a wind blowing speed gave us enough satisfaction in an otherwise dull trek when compared to the lively weekend trek we took the previous week.

Channagiri Night trek on bike – 9th April 2010

Rohit call pulled me to try out a night trek to Channgiri on bike.   A kind of record 15 members joined  the trek.  Myself, Rohit, Sandeep, Jatin, Rahul, Sundar, Adarsh, Manju, Vishnu, Tarun, Shwetha, Arpita, Ritu, Jayshree, Manisha were the bike gang.

We assembled near Hebbal flyover on the down ramp.  Started by 23.00 Hrs. We reached the base camps of Channagiri by 00.30 Hrs in the early morning. With our torches on slowly started peaking the peak.  Vishnu, Jatin and Sundar were the path finders for us.

We reached the peak around 2.30 to 3.00 Hrs. Rohit, and Sundar began preparing hot bajjis for us.  Rest of the team helped them to collect the fire wood, lighting up the required fire to prepare the bajjis.  It was a nice experience to eat bajjis in the twilight of the night.  Manisha, Jayshree, Shwetha, Arpita decided to take rest, and rest of the guys started wandering around the peak.  Myself and Sandeep decided to sleep for a while, and then we woke up for the rousing voice of our team mates screaming that sun started rising.  We took the heels and went for a photo session with the sun. 

It was a wonderful nature at our sight, Nandi Hills, Skandagiri were within our vicinity.  After a marathon photosession,  we started heading downwards.  By 8.30 in the morning we were ready to start of our bikes.  After a break fast break near Devanahalli, we headed towards Bengaloru.

It was a very good biking trek.  Riding the bike in the cool breeze was unforgettable experience.

Ettina Buja + Ombattu Gudde – Virgin Trek 29th Jan to 1st Feb 2010

Ettina Buja + Ombattu Gudde – Virgin Trek 29^th Jan to 1^st Feb 2010

I decided to join the elite group of Rohit for a first of kind marathon trek.  I didn’t get scared when Rohit conveyed a message that we are going to connect EB+OG, and we may have to trek close to 40Kms in two days.   The spark in me just got ignited to try a new venture to bring spice to the otherwise monotonous life.

I joined Rohit, Guru, Puru, Murali, Giri, Raghu, and Jayshree. Rohit had already reserved seats in the customary red bus to Moodigere.  We reached in the wee hours on 30^th Jan 2010.

30^th Jan 2010.

We refreshed ourselves in the moodigere bus stand, and also refreshment in the bus stand hotel.  We hired an seems to big auto to accommodate all the 8, with great difficutly we reached Byrapura.  The bumpy ride was good enough for my city air-conditioned comfort body to show the glimpses of what is to be expected in the next two days.

After reaching Byrapura, took some lively snaps of the temple, and also the rising sun.  The first glimpse of Ettina Buja was amazing, seemed like it is inviting the brave hearts to summit the peak.  We followed the trail which took us deep in the valley, but the site of our destination didn’t elude us to deviate from the target.

I slowly started showing the restlessness, it was a first time was on a herculean trek, and without adequate preparation, I carried whatever I could just as if am on a honeymoon trip.  The big bulky luggage proved enough for me, but the encouraging words from my gang persuaded me to continue further.

We reached the Ettina buja  around 9.30, had little breakfast, and continued towards never ending track of Ombattu Gudde. 

The think tank studied the map, and aligned the compass and Rohit and Murali decided to lead us from the front. The view on the ridge behind the Ettina buja was awesome.  Slowly we started moving towards our next target Ombattu Gudde. 

The sun was at his scorching best, our water source slowing started drying.  At one time, all of us were exhausted without the essential energizer the “Water”.  During this time, we could able to locate the dependable jeep track far in the vicinity.  We managed to hit the jeep track and started inching towards the Ombattu gudde around late in the afternoon. 

During this time, we felt we are heading towards human habitation, few signs of human foot prints made us to feel that, we are going to hit water source somewhere nearby.  In anticipation of that, we reached an estate.  Since all of us were dehydrated, we decided to stay in the estate itself for that night. 

We had early dinner,  and slept by 9.00 in the night, our gladiators Rohit and Murali decided to sleep besides the camp fire, but later they bowed their head to wind gods, and decided to sleep inside the house.

31^st Jan 2010.

We started early around 7.00, and headed towards Ombattu Gudde.  It was a steep climbing road, we managed to reach the peak by 10.00 Hrs.  After a small photo session, started towards our next target Gundya.  The trek from Ombattu Gudde to Gundya was an amazing life time experience.

I started feeling the heat of my baggage, as single packet of my bag was not opened.   The heavy weight was too much for my small shoulders, it started feeling, it was a mistake to carry the heavy load for a strenuous trek of this magnitude.

Again we were getting exhausted with water, in search of the elusive route, we hit a dried up stream which took us to the river.  The slide in the dried up stream was really enthralling. I felt like skiing  on the bed of small boulders, thorny bushes.  It was my life time experience.  Atlast we hit the river, quenched our thirst, and also filled water for our unending journey in the thick forest.  It was decided that, need to trek along the river till we get Addahole.   During this time, Guru, Puru, and Raghu decided to step on the gas pedal, and left us behind.  Myself,  Giri, and Jayshree continued safely and securely under the leadership of Rohit and Murali.  I was confident that Rohit will take us to the safe zone coz, he had the necessary ammunition of map and the compass, but the other three were deprived of these,  decided to stay on the bank of the river, hoping against hope of reuniting together.

Their hope turned true, as we found their inscriptions Guru, Puru’s name on a small boulder.  We reunited around 17.30 Hrs, we decided to camp there only.  The trio collected necessary fire wood to take care of the camp fire for the whole night. 

Now  people started appreciating my heavy back pack coz, rest of the food packers were already exhausted.  We shared whatever left in our baggage.  The Huri Hittu soup was awesome, the new stone tava to heat the chapathi’s were a great revelation.  Decided to sleep early, and wake up in the morning light of the morning. 

1^st Feb 2010

We woke up early, and started our journey towards Gundya.  After going through a bamboo groove we found a word “Gundya” with an arrow mark written with a white chalk.  We felt  if the direction was written for us only.  We picked our pace, and all of us in a tandem started inching towards Gundya, our first target was getting Addahole, which we hit in a couple of hours.  After a small photosession, we started walking in a brisk pace towards Gundya.  By 13.00 hrs we reached Gundya, we called our family back home as there was no signal on our cell phone to reach them to inform our whereabouts.

Myself, Murali, and Giri decided to head towards Bengaloru, where as rest of the gang went to Kukke Subramanya, Bisle Ghat, and then to Bangalore

The trek was amazing

The trek gang was exceptionally co-operative

I relished each and every moment our deep jungle trek, and slide in the dried up stream.