Hill View Resort - A Team Outing - 9th April 2011

"Oh Oh Oh....bus is coming, common guys will get in to the bus" The baritoned Krishna told all of us standing near Big Bazaar in Mysore Road Terminal for BMTC.   When we hopped in to the bus, it was brimming full with enthusiastic, energetic colleagues. The Sarathi of the Bus, was in full swing, coz, everyday applying clutch, brakes in the busy Bangalore traffic made way for zipping on the road.  In no time, we were at the entrance of the resort

Three angels received all of us at the reception of the resort. After a handshaking formality with the officials at the resort, and a mandatory welcome drink (Fruit Juice) Ramesh, the organiser led us to breakfast session.  A mouth watering eateries were waiting for us.  Breakfast was hot, spicy, and tasty.

We were already on the field to test the ground with football, volleyball, and religion of india "the cricket".  The ambiance was encouraging, the atmosphere was breathtaking.  After finishing the match, were cuddled in the pool of water.

The indoor games, photo session followed the lunch.  Again our taste buds were satisified again with the hot and happening food.  With an antakshari on the cards, the team was on high singings spree belting all the songs on a high decibel.

The evening chats, and juice session followed with one more game of cricket, and finally we bid adieu to the resort, when the sun was on the way to log-off from his duties for the day.

It was a nice weekend with the bunch of enthusiastic team.

Finale :

1. Team manager - Sathyanathan's, Swimming skills was breathtaking

2. Christi's allround skills - Photography, Cricket, Swimming Pool, Table Tennis, Billiards - The man of talent

3. Diving stunts to the pool by few members of the team, the stand out being Babu.

4. HR personnel - Naveens' stylish presence

5. Krishna's sense of humor with great witty dialogues

6. Over and above all, Ramesh's cool arrangement for the whole outing

More snaps in the link :

https://picasaweb.google.com/srmanjun/HillViewResortTeamOuting#

ಶೇಷಪರ್ವತ - ಮಾರ್ಚ್ ೨೬ ಮತ್ತು ೨೭ ೨೦೧೧

ಶೇಷಪರ್ವತವನ್ನ ಇನ್ನೊಮ್ಮೆ ಮುಟ್ಟಿ ನಿಲ್ಲುವ ಒಂದು ಚಿಲುಮೆ ಮನಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಬಂತು.  ಸಂದೀಪ್ ನನ್ನ ಅನಿಸಿಕೆಗೆ ಜೀವ ತುಂಬಿದರು.  ನನ್ನ ಗೆಳೆಯರಾದ ಲತೆಶ್ ಮತ್ತು ಯಶದೀಪ್ ಜೊತೆಗೂಡಿದರು. ಅರುಣ್ ಉರುಫ್ ಸ್ವಾಮೀಜಿ ಕೂಡ ನಮ್ಮ ಜೊತೆ ಬರುವ ಒಂದು ಆಶಯ ತೋರಿದರು. ಹೀಗಾಗಿ ಪಂಚ ಪಾಂಡವರು ವನವಾಸ ಮಾಡೋಕೆ ಹೊರಟೆವು ದ್ರೌಪದಿ  ಇಲ್ಲದೆ.

ಸುವರ್ಣ ಸಾರಿಗೆ ವಾಹನ ಹತ್ತಿ ಕುಳಿತಾಗ ೨೧.೧೬ ರಾತ್ರಿ ಸಮಯ.  ಆರಾಮಾಗಿ ಕುಕ್ಕೆ ತಲುಪಿದಾಗ ಬೆಳಗಿನ ಜಾವ ೪.೦೦ ಗಂಟೆ.  ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನದ ಆವರಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆಳಗಿನ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ಮುಗಿಸಿದೆವು. ಕೆಫೆ ಮೈಸೂರ್ ತೆಗೆಯುವುದನ್ನೇ  ಕಾಯುತ್ತ ಕುಳಿತೆವು.  ಎಲ್ಲರು ಸರಿಯಾಗಿ ಹೊಟ್ಟೆಗೆ ತುಂಬಿಕೊಂಡ ನಂತರ ನಿಧಾನವಾಗಿ ಚಾರಣ ಶುರುವಾಯಿತು.

ಕಾಡಿನ ಹಾದಿ ದುರ್ಗಮ ಹಾಗು ಸಾಹಸದಾಯಕ.

ಒಂಥರಾ ಮಜಾ ಇತ್ತು,  ಕಾಡಿನ ದಾರಿ, ಕಂಡಿರುವ ದಾರಿ (ನನಗೆ ಮತ್ತು ಸಂದೀಪ್) , ಹೊಸ ದಾರಿ ಕಾಣದೆ ಇರುವ ಮೂರು ಚಾರಣಿಗರು (ಯಶದೀಪ್, ಸ್ವಾಮಿಜಿ, ಲತೆಶ್).  ಎಲ್ಲರು ಸರಿ ಸುಮಾರು ಒಂದೇ ವೇಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಗುತಿದ್ದೆವು.  ಭೀಮನ ಕಲ್ಲು ನಮಗೆ ಒಳ್ಳೆ ಅಲ್ಪ ವಿರಾಮ ಕೊಟ್ಟಿತು.  ನೀರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಆಟ, ಛಾಯೆಗಳ ಜೊತೆ ಆಟ ದೇಹಕ್ಕೆ ಮನಸಿಗೆ ಸಂತಸ ತಂದಿತು.

ಭಟ್ಟರ ಮನೆ ತಲುಪುವ ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಡಿನ ಆರಕ್ಷಕ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು, ಅವರ ಸಿಬ್ಬಂಧಿ ವರ್ಗದವರು, ಭಟ್ಟರ ಮನೆಯವರು  ನಮ್ಮ ಜೊತೆ ಹೆಜ್ಜೆ ಹಾಕುತ್ತ ಸಾಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು.  ಅವರಿಗೆ ನಾವು ತಂದಿದ್ದ ಹಣ್ಣುಗಳನ್ನು ಹಂಚಿ ತಿಂದೆವು.  ಬಹಳ ಖುಷಿಪಟ್ಟರು.  ಅವರ ತಲೆಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಸುಮಾರು ಮಣ ಭಾರ ಇದ್ದರು ಕೂಡ, ನಗು, ಬತ್ತಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ.

ಭಟ್ಟರ ಮನೆಯಾ ಊಟ ಹಸಿದ ಹೊಟ್ಟೆ ಮತ್ತು ದಣಿದ ದೇಹವನ್ನು ತಣಿಸಿತು. ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ದಣಿವಾರಿದ ಮೇಲೆ, ದೇಹ ಹಗುರಾಯಿತು.  ಹಾಗೆ ಮಂಟಪದ ಕಡೆಗೆ ಹೆಜ್ಜೆ ಹಾಕುತ್ತ ಹೊರಟೆವು.  ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅನೇಕ ಸಹ ಚಾರಣಿಗರು ಸಿಕ್ಕಿದರು. 

ಅವರಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು ಗುಂಪು ಬಿಸಿಲೆ ಕಾಡಿನಿಂದ ಕುಮರಪರ್ವತದವರೆಗೂ ಚಾರಣ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಅವರಲ್ಲಿ ರೊಟ್ಟಿ ಕಲ್ಲು, ಮತ್ತು ಜೇನು ಕಲ್ಲು ರೆಸಾರ್ಟ್ ನ ಇಬ್ಬರು ಹೇಳಿದ ಮಾತು, ಹಗಲಲ್ಲಿ ನಾಗವಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಡಿದಂತೆ ಭಯ ಆಯಿತು.  

ಅವರ ತಂಡ ಪ್ರತಿವರುಷ ಸುಮಾರು ೨೦೦೦ ಕಿಲೋ ಮೀಟರ್ ಚಾರಣ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಅವರಿಗೆ ಸಣ್ಣ ನಮನ ತಿಳಿಸಿ ನಾವು ಹೊರಟೆವು. ಮಂಟಪದ ಬಳಿ, ಸ್ವಾಮಿಜಿ ತಂದಿದ್ದ ಚಪಾತಿ, ಹಾಗು ಖಾರವಾದ ಚಟ್ನಿ ತಿಂದ ಮೇಲೆ ಜೀವಕ್ಕೆ ಮತ್ತೆ ಹುರುಪು ಸಿಕ್ಕಿತು. 

ಮುಂದೆ ಹೋಗುತ್ತಾ, ಒಮ್ಮೆ ತಲೆ ಎತ್ತಿ ನೋಡಿದರೆ...ಆಗಲೇ ಮೋಡಗಳು ಶೇಷಪರ್ವತವನ್ನು ತಬ್ಬುತ್ತ ಸಾಗುತಿದ್ದವು. ನಮ್ಮ ವೇಗವನ್ನು ಜಾಸ್ತಿ ಮಾಡಿದೆವು. ಇನ್ನೇನು ತುಸು ದೂರದಲ್ಲಿ ಶೇಷಪರ್ವತದ ತುತ್ತ ತುದಿ ಇತ್ತು, ಮುತ್ತು ಮುತ್ತು ನೀರ ಹನಿಯ ಅಂತ ಹನಿಗಳು ಶುರು ಮಾಡಿದವು.  

ಬೇಗನೆ, ಪರ್ವತ ದಾಟಿ, ಕಾಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಬಿಡಾರ ಹೂಡೋಣ ಅನ್ನುವ ನಮ್ಮ ಆಸೆಗೆ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಪೆಟ್ಟು ಬಿಟ್ಟು.  ಮಳೆ ಹನಿಗಳು ಜೋರಾಗಿ ತನ್ನ ಕಾರ್ಯಭಾರ ಶುರು ಮಾಡಿದವು.  ನಮಗೆ ಬೇರೆ ದಾರಿ ಕಾಣಲಿಲ್ಲ, ಸೀದಾ, ಕಷ್ಟ ಪಟ್ಟು ಮಂಟಪಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದು ತಲುಪಿದೆವು.  ಮಳೆ, ಗಾಳಿ, ಗುಡುಗು, ಮಿಂಚು, ಸಿಡಿಲು ಅಬ್ಬರಿಸುತ್ತ ನಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಹೆದರಿಸುತ್ತ, ನಡುಕ ಶುರುಮಾಡಿದವು.  

ಒಂದು ಕಡೆ ಚಳಿ, ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಕಡೆ ಮುಂದೇನು ಅನ್ನುವ ಯೋಚನೆ, ಕಡೆಗೆ, ಮಳೆ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ವಿರಾಮ ಕೊಟ್ಟರೆ, 

ಭಟ್ತರಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬಿಡಾರ ಹಾಕುವುದು ಎನ್ನುವ ಯೋಜನೆ ಮನಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಸಿದ್ದವಾಯಿತು.  

ಆಗಲೇ ರವಿ ತನ್ನ ದಿನದ ಕೆಲಸ ಮುಗಿಸಿ, ಮನೆಗೆ ಹೋಗಿಯಾಗಿತ್ತು, ನಮ್ಮಣ್ಣ ದೂರದಿಂದಲೇ ನೋಡಿ ಅಣಕಿಸುತ್ತ ನಾನು ಇಲ್ಲದೆ ನೀವು ಹೇಗೆ ಚಾರಣ ಮಾಡುತ್ತೀರ ಅಂತ ಹೇಳಿದಾಗೆ ಅನ್ನಿಸಿತು.  ಆ ಚಳಿಯಲ್ಲೇ, ಜಂಗಮ ಗಂಟೆಯ ಬೆಳಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ, ಹಾಗು ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ತುರ್ತು ದೀಪದ ಜೊತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಭಟ್ಟರ ಮನೆ ಕಡೆಗೆ ಹೆಜ್ಜೆ ಹಾಕಿದೆವು.  ಸುತ್ತಲು ಕತ್ತಲು, ಎಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಡಿದರು ಮಳೆಯ ಶಬ್ದ, ಹೀಗೆ ಸಾಗಿತ್ತು ನಮ್ಮ ಪಯಣ.

ಭಟ್ಟರ ಮನೆ ಸೇರಿದಾಗ ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗು ಮನಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂತಸ.  ಬಿಸಿ ಬಿಸಿ ಕಾಫಿ ಕುಡಿದು, ನಾವು ತಂದಿದ್ದ ಸಿದ್ದ ತಿನಿಸು (MTR) ಬಿಸಿ ನೀರನಲ್ಲಿ ಬೇಯಿಸಿ ತಿಂದು ಮಲಗಿದಾಗ ಸ್ವರ್ಗಕ್ಕೆ ಕಿಚ್ಚು ಹಚ್ಚು ಎಂದ ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞ.

ಮರುದಿನದ ಮುಂಜಾನೆ ಆರು ಗಂಟೆ ಸುಮಾರಿಗೆ, ಕೈಯಲ್ಲಿ ಛಾಯಾಚಿತ್ರ ಪೆಟ್ಟಿಗೆ ಹಿಡಿದು, ಓಡಿದೆವು.  ಎಂಥಹ 

ಅದ್ಭುತ ದೃಶ್ಯ.  ಹಿಂದಿನದಿನದ ದಣಿವೆಲ್ಲ ಒಮ್ಮೆಗೆ ಪುರ್ರರ್ ಅಂತ ಹಾರಿ ಹೋಯಿತು.  ನಮ್ಮ ಅದೃಷ್ಟಕ್ಕೆ ವನಾಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ನಮಗೆ ದೂರಬೆಟ್ಟದಲ್ಲಿ ಇದ್ದ ಕಾಡೆಮ್ಮೆಗಳನ್ನ ತೋರಿದರು.  ಸೂರ್ಯ ಕಚೇರಿಗೆ ಬರುವ ದೃಶ್ಯ ಕಣ್ಣಿಗೆ ತುಂಬಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾ, ಸಂತಸ ಪಡುತ್ತ ನಗು ಛಾಯೆಯ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ಧಾಖಲಿಸುತ್ತ ಭಟ್ಟರ ಮನೆಗೆ ತಿಂಡಿ ತಿನ್ನಲು ಬಂದಿಳಿದೆವು. 

ಮತ್ತೆ ವಾಪಾಸ್ ಕಾಡಿನ ದಾರಿ ಯಲ್ಲಿ, ಮಂಗನಿಂದ ಮಾನವ ಎಂಬ ಸಂದೇಶ ಸಾರುತ್ತಾ, ಸುಖವಾಗಿ ಕುಕ್ಕೆ ಸುಬ್ರಮಣ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ತಲುಪಿದೆವು.  ದೇವರ ದರ್ಶನ ಪಡೆಯಲು ಹೊರಗೆ ಬಂದಾಗ ಮತ್ತೆ ಮಳೆ ಕಾಡಿತು.  ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಸಮಯದ ತರುವಾಯ ದೇವರನ್ನು ಕಂಡು ಮನಸಿನಲ್ಲೇ ಮಾತಾಡಿ ಹೊರಗೆ ಬಂದಾಗ ಸುವರ್ಣ ಸಾರಿಗೆ ವಾಹನ ನಮಗಾಗಿ ಕಾಯುತ್ತ ಇತ್ತು. 

ಎಂಥ ಸುಖಕರ ಚಾರಣ, ಮಳೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಮಾರಪರ್ವತದ ಸೊಬಗು ಹೇಳಿದರೆ ಸರಿಯಲ್ಲ, ನೋಡಿಯೇ ತೀರಬೇಕು.

ಮತ್ತೆ ಬರುವ ನಿಬಂಧನೆಯೊಡನೆ ಕುಮಾರಪರ್ವತದಿಂದ ಬೀಳ್ಕೊಂಡೆವು.

https://picasaweb.google.com/srmanjun/Sheshaparvatha2ndAttempt26th27thMarch2011#

Sheshaparvatha - 26th-27th March 2011

Wow...what a scene...clouds slowly hovering on the Sheshaparvatha....this will be my scene of my life...slowly winds started blowing, clouds started covering..little tiny drop lets started falling on our hot pan body, and slowly the tiny droplets increased their size, and we started getting drenching.

Clouds covering the peak & the valley,
slowly, but surely

Now it is a catch 22 situation, our heart said, descent is better than ascent, brain said, get past Sheshaparvatha, and get in to canopy for the night.  But we followed our heart, and we like a mad dog chasing a bus, we started getting down to mantapa.  The rain god, and wind god, didnt show any mercy, they started pouring cats and gods.



Mesmarising view from all the corners!



We were started getting drenched from all the corners in the mantapa, after seeing some of the best and scary lightening, and hearing thundering noise more than Amrishpuri Barritone in Mr. India (Mugambo Kush Huva), we started shivering with cold, and getting scared what lies ahead for us.  Rain and wind took a small commercial break, then we decided to venture in to Bhattara Mane, a safe place in the marauding rain and wind.

In the pitch dark with a torch, and mobile light, we started getting down to Bhattara Mane, what a descent it was.  Saint was leading from the front, then Smarty, then Sandeep, I was covering our veteran treker Swamiji, and was last in the line.

Slowly and surely we reached Bhattara mane in a wet, damp cloth.  Immediately we refreshed ourselves, Bhattara mane provided a hot coffee, and also we cooked our ready to eat in their kitchen, and with little spray of pain killers on our body, went to the hibernate mode till the dawn of the next day.

Early morning view as seen from Bhattara Mane!

Morning we woke up at 6.15, we dashed towards the view point near Bhattara mane, what a site it was, a little scattered cloud bed, and innocently looking sheshaparvatha, as if he didnt took bath in yesterday rain.  What an amazing site. Brilliant photo session followed, with a group snap with Harsha, a fellow trekker who is also managing Rotti Kallu resort in Sakaleshapura Belt.

Group snap with Harsha - The Rotti Kallu Man

We returned back to bhattara mane, to fill our stomach, again hot coffee, and refreshing lemon rice, and along with our left out ready to eat packets. After getting energised we started the descent to Kukke.  

Group with Sheshaparvatha in the backdrop!

On the way down, monkey in our heart sprung up, and we did all kinds of circus on the branches of the tree, and when we reached the base it was a nice 15.00 Hrs on sunday. We took bath near the hostel complex near the temple, and had nice food in Mysore Neo cafe.

Rain gods covering the peak again..thank god we made it to the basement

Cloud seeding...

After a nice evening snacks/chats session, the rain started pouring again, now the seshaparvatha was invisible in the back drop of rain gods.  We just rushed to the temple to have darshan of lord subramanya, it was delight for our soul and body.  

The recharge point - The Cafe Neo Mysore!

When we hopped our battered body in the seats of KSRTC bus, our memory went back to two days before our journey from Bangalore.

We started our journey from Bangalore at 9.16 on our customary Red Bus (Suvarna Sarige), and reached the base of the Kukke at 4.00 in the morning.  Realigned our baggage, and refreshed ourselves in Cafe Neo Mysore. The hot idlis, and hot coffee provided necessary energy to venture in to the highs.

The well trodden path welcomed with both of their hands spread across, slowly but surely we started trekking on the path of high.  This time we were quicker than in our last attempt.  We reached Bheemana Kallu the first water source with effortless ease, and we had a very good time over there.

Reached grass lands on the way to Bhattara mane, it was inspiring to watch, Bhattara Mane people, and forest officer and his personnel carrying heavy loads on their head, and covering forest area of 5kms ascent.  

The bhattara mane food, enriched our body and the energy level was altime high, we crossed forest office by paying Rs. 200/- head (from 1st Feb 2011, trekking and camping fee alround karantaka had been increased, and in KP it was Rs. 200/- per head).  Soon we reached Mantapa, refreshed ourselves with the energiser fruits, vegitables, chapathis with spicy chutney from Swamiji's house.  

When we are close to Sheshaparvatha, the story of our soujounrn to Bhattara Mane started.

Finale.

1.The food at Cafe Neo Mysore was a revelation than the last time

2. The journey in Suvarna Sarige was not at all a disappointing one

3. Wanted to see, how KP will look in Rain, the ambition was fulfilled.

4. We expected brown, barren KP, but surprised to see green cover en route to the top

5. The expenses including bangalore to bangalore with food was    Rs.900/- per head, considering Rs, 200/- as the permit fee to cross the forest office.

6. It was a memorable trek, and promised KP again, will make it  hat-trick this year by making third attempt.


7. More snaps @ 
https://picasaweb.google.com/srmanjun/Sheshaparvatha2ndAttempt26th27thMarch2011#

Pyramid Valley + Trimurthy Temple - 27th Feb 2011

After reading many blogs on Pyramid Valley, I decided to venture in to this energy of pyramid.  

It is about 35Kms from Banashankari. Till passing through Metro in Kanakapura Road, the drive/ride is a nighmare.  Once got past metro, you can zip on the road.

The signboard on the Kanakapura Main Road

The signboard starts after few milestone from AOL.  There is a prominent landmark signboard on the left side of the Kanakapura Main Road.  There need to take a left turn, and go inside a village for about 1.5Kms. 

The Entrance to the Pyramid Valley

The security personnel ask you enter the vehicle number, name, address, and also contact number for reference in visitors register. After parking the vehicle, need to walk in the serene landscape for about 200 mtrs, you will get a first glimpse of engineering marvel - The Pyramid. 

First glimpse of the Pyramid

The Buddha in meditation statue welcomes with a Silence smile on his lips. Few steps behind the Buddha statue will take us to the giant Pyramid.  Hrere, footwear needs to removed, and also mobile had to be compulsorily need to switch off. 

The map of the valley

The Buddha in the deep meditation

A hand bill will be given to you about the Etiquette's of the meditation hall in the Pyramid. There should be drop dead silence, no infants are allowed (Age below 6 years).  The hall is big enough to accomodate thousand plus people.  There is king's court, where in you have to take steps up, but the condition is 30 minutes meditation is mandatory.

The Engineering Marvel - The Pyramid!

We sat there for about 15 minutes, as we didnt wanted to take chance in the king court, so we sat in the hall, and started coming out.  That lead us to one of the giant Budda in laid down approach.  It was a mesmirising moment to spend in the valley.  They will provide lunch between 13.00 hrs to 14 hrs.  Since, we wanted to attend a function, we didnt wait for that.

The landscape is just takes your breathaway, still it is in completion mode, probably it will take few more months to be in full glory. Decided to return back, once it is in finishing line.

On the way back, we visited Trimurthy temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, Lord Rama, and Lord Krishna.  It was a nice landscape to spend about an hour there. 

It was a good outing for the sunday, a ride down the kanakapura road, visiting pyramid valley, trimurthy temple, attending function.  It is a perfect outing for an amazing weekend.

https://picasaweb.google.com/srmanjun/PyramidValley#

Savanadurga - Biking - Hiking - Rapling....

Always Savanadurga except monsoon, it keep throwing away challenges to everyone.  Looks very simple, but as you start, the real test starts, like the kannada proverb "Doorada betta nunnage" (The long distanced hill, always looks smoooth).

The essential thing for any Trek - Air and Water

This time, my trusted lieutenant Sandeep requested for a short, but nice trip cum trek, Yashdeep (Saint), Latesh (Smarty) too joined the chorous.  What is the best place, other than Savanadurga, so we just kick started to go on to this place of heaven on 13th Feb 2011, the Sunday.

On that day, god decided to store something great for us, so whatever we planned, everything went helter skelter.  But while coming back, when we had a flash back, we realised, god really made our day beautiful, and more beautiful

For this trip, i got in Arun alias Yoganarasimha uruf Swamiji, (My chota father in Law!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) an photographer ka baap in his own way., so it was 5 guys in three bikes. What a journey it was.

The safe assembly area and starting point of all our trek or trip is Sandeep's House. At 9.00 in the morning, we assembled, and were roaring to go. Smarty and Saint were fuming on me for the delay, as they themselves came late, and our Swamiji, missed few accessories from the camera kit, so i went with him to fetch that, all these made the delay, but as i said, something good was waiting for us because of all the delay.

En route to Savanadurga, myself, and Smarty due to confusion, came back again in search of Swamiji, but Swamiji's was waiting for us 2Kms ahead of us.  Again the delay, but good for us.

The team, Arun, Latesh, Sandeep, Yashdeep, and Me

We reached at 10.30AM, the base of one of the biggest monolith in the world "Savanadurga" meaning the Fort of Death. Smarty and Sandeep repeatedly asked the meaning of this, but i kept mum as if i didnt know this, coz, when we start anything good, the bad thing should not come or think, coz positive energy will get drained out.

With in no time, we were on the path to the summit, then a strange and wonderful thing happened.  The moment we saw a wonderful tree, Smarty, and Me climbed, and posing for the photographs.  Then we inspired others too to get in to the tree, by the time, the god sent friend "Kishor Jagirdar - Bina Jagir ke Jagirdar" was zooming in, there was no words exchanged, the telepathy worked here, we asked him to take snaps, and he coolly obliged, as if he came in to this hill, only to meet us.

Sandeep, Arun, Kishor, Yashdeep, Latesh, and Me in clock wise

Then it was a fevicol bond..mazboothi ki jod...After that we became inseparable, he left his herd and joined our bandwagon.  

We cracked all the jokes in the world, and all of us felt, as if we were all born with hands held together. 

Rapling ka funda :-

Latesh Smarty Pawar - The He Man 

Yashdeep on the rocky ropes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Arun trying the tricks!

Smarty just pulled me to top - awesome energy

Inspired Kishore reaching the top of the cliff!!!!!!!!!!!

When we started climbing upwards, after a brief introduction with god sent friend, we hit a stiff cliff.  Sandeep decided to take the other path around, myself, Smarty, Saint, Swamiji, and Kishor decided to try the cliff.  Our "He Man" smarty was the first to climb without ropes, but with all hopes,  then Saint went up, then it was my turn, and then Swamji decided not to test the hard rock, he followed Sandeep's path.  Some how  we inspired Kishor to climb the cliff with the ropes. The energy and power of Smarty - Latesh Pawar was awesome.

We spent close to one hour to climb the small cliff of about 12-15 feet, but the experience to put in to words, requires multiple key boards to type it out.

 With jokes and jokers coming from all the cylinders, we kept our faith and energy intact, and the distance started reducing between us and the peak.

The shadows and the future always stands tall!!!!!!!!!!

The Group of Kishor

On the way, we met, Kishor's herd, they were coming down, we assured them that, we will send their leader safely to the basement ,after reaching the peak.  

The team on the summit!!!!

Kishore remark on our group - You people are terror...love to join !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After a brief photo session on the top, we started coming down, and by 5PM, we reached the base, and on the way, we collected gifts from Sun..amazing breathtaking moments on the sun set, and reached home safely by 20.00 Hrs.

The moving the shadow life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The sun taking a break from the duty

Spreading the light always fills the darkness

https://picasaweb.google.com/srmanjun/SavanadurgaMagadi13thFeb2011#

It was a fabulous experience.

The high-lightening moments

1. Biking after almost an year

2. The Physics and chemistry among the team

3. Wonderful dashing entry of Kishor

4. The he-manic energy of Smarty

5. The low cost trek - Rs.180/-

Mission Shesha Parvatha - 21st to 24th Jan 2011

The name of the peak should be Sa”Shesha” Parvatha (Sashesha in kannada means to be continued), so like our trek to this summit, it is calling me from both of its hands to come back again. 

The Base Camp - Kukke Subramanya Temple

What an amazing surprises Mother Nature keeps with her.  The high points of the trek to twin peaks Shesha Parvatha and Kumara Parvatha can be listed as per my knowledge :

• It is assured in the beginning of the trek itself about the nature of the trek
• There are several water points throughout the year. 

1.    In the forest cover after about 2kms initial trek, there is a water source, need to take right turn near a tree where perfect path lead to the water stream

2.   Bhattara Mane – About 7 Kms from the base camp.  You will get not only water, but also delicious food considering trekking the treacherous path, but at a very nominal amount. Breakfast will be till 12 in the noon, after that full meals. Normally after seeing the face of the trekkers only, Bhattara mane will prepare the food, sometimes you can call them, and inform them in advance as well

3.     Near Mantapa, after about 2Kms from the Bhattara mane, this stretch test your energy level, as you will be treading in the open grass land, and sun beating you hard on your body.

4.    The fourth being near the forest cover, when you almost reach the peak of KP.

Way to Kumara Parvatha - A Nice Sign Board

• The path of the trek is neatly identified with innumerable path indicators, so getting lost in this trek is next to Ian Flemming’s Imagination (the creator of James Bond Character)
• The Sunset and the sun rise on the peak is a beauty to cherish for the life time
• Gushing winds enroute to the peak keeps you in energetic condition provided you carry sufficient food, and sufficient water to take care of your thirsty between the watery points.
• You will find of plenty of trekking mates on the weekends.  So, no need to worry, about the number of people you are being associated with it.  Minimum 2 to maximum any number of people in the troupe will do.

Me, Yashdeep, Sandeep, and Latesh decided to venture in to this low budget trek.  But due to unforeseen circumstances, Yashdeep, and Latesh dropped themselves at the final moment.  With a firm decision in the mind, me and Sandeep decided to venture in to this enviable trek of my life.

Me and Sandeep

Initial stages of the trek, Sandeep was little apprehensive, but constant pep talk, along with nourishing food, and water breaks, helped him to scale the peak of Shesha Parvatha comfortably.

Looking down the path of ascent! 

The Bhattara Mane meals, filled the required energy level in both of us, after a treacherous and tiring forest stretch of 5Kms. It took another two hours to reach the next target the Kallu Mantapa (Stone Pillared Mantap).  By this time, we both of were dead tired, so decided to halt near the Mantap, as some of the trekers had left enough fire wood to light the camp fire. 

Sunset from kallu Mantapa

We had a lovely sunset filled our camera, and our heart.  Then camp fire provided a nice dinner for both of us.  Along with Cucumber, Carrot in the stomach, we had a peaceful  sleep in the windy mantap. 

Sun and the Statued Pillar

The fire outside, and the cooking inside!!!!!

What a sight to see in the twilight, awesome.  Clouds coolly touching and passing us, it was a memorable gesture of sun to say good morning to us.

On the way to Shesha Parvatha - The valley of Beauty

When good light makes the path lighter.

Trekers became friends for life - Johny the adventurist, and the Smiling Beauty - Ravi

The ascent to Shesha Parvatha was mesmirising, as the unwinding path took us to the peak, the valley was a stunner on its own.  The sun light filling the valley slowly but surely was an unforgettable scene to behold in our re-winding memory for a life time.

The descent to the base was not as difficult as the ascent, but it provided its own theory.  The photo session which eluded Sandeep in the ascent, picked up nicely.  He started macro, and micro shots spectacularly.

We reached base around five in the evening, had a quick bath in one of the Temple Hostel, had a wonderful darshan of the lord Subramanya, when we boarded the Rajahamsa at 22.30, the goddess of sleep welcomed us with her hands, and we were engulfed in the journey of sleep till 6.30AM the next day.

A wonderful trek, it filled me enough confidence that, I too can venture in to highs, with a necessary preparation physically and mentally.

Decided to come back during October-November, where peaking the KP in lush green, with a high end DSLR to freeze the freezing moment of life.    

Total cost :Rs. 852/- per head due to Rajahamsa seats to and fro, otherwise it would be around Rs.500/- trek.

Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta

The ever postponing chikkamagalur trip didn’t turn out as expected due to sudden burst of cyclone “Jal”.  This forced us to revisit the place from where our trekking/tripping started way back in 2009.

A hat-trick in a row, Sunil came in to our fold again. Me, Sandeep, Latesh, Yashdeep, Sunil, and one new smiling assassin Satish joined us. 

We started our journey at 13.00 hrs in our usual style, usual place Sandeep house with a pooja to our sarathi. We reached Gundlupet by 5.00 in the morning, we parked our vehicle near Sunil’s Cousin sister house, for a small nap.

The forest officials opened the flood gates for the vehicle by 7.00 AM.  The winding roads unwinded our previous sojourn to that place.  The view point of clouds bed, elephants grazing the forest area seen from that top all are breath taking.

This time, since we had luxury of time and space, we decided to summit as many mounds as possible.  After a marathon photo session, disproving Charles Darvin’s theory, we were seen clinging on to each and every bit of dancing trees, branches to prove our self we are cut above the rest, we marched past the winding mounds, we could able to cross four, and also reached highest peak in the vicinity.

The Mother Nature is at its best, she gave us a nice view 360 degrees.  Our camera was tiring after eating many wonderful snaps to its stomach.  Sandeep’s memory card cried a lot, my camera battery become hostile, but still we persuaded with our ambition to capture as much frame as possible, the outcome was words worth.

Then we slipped back to Balamuri Falls, after several discussion, as we wanted to reach back by 22.00 hrs.  The Balamuri falls welcomed us with both the hands, water was gushing like a rocket, and we played happily in its lap.  By the time, we came out like mermaids it was around 17.30 hrs, and we reached back to our safe places by 23.00 hrs.

The highs of this trip :

We were supremely confident of our time management, everything ticked as per the plan. We never wasted a single second, and we were bang on the target each moment.

Clouds bed on the unwinding path

Early morning darshan of lord krishna, sprinkle of hima (Ice water), what else you can crave for.

The lows of the trip :

Due to severe split head ache, I was a dead body on the return journey, Sandeep even checked whether am alive or dead.  The real reason for my headache is a Chidambara Rahasya (Mystery) for me. 

Over all a complete paisa-vasool.