Papparapatti

Time: Feb 8 2009

Place: Papparapatti & Hogenekal

Company: Family (3 cars)

Album: Click here

Highlights:

Paparapatti is about 100 kms from Bangalore via Hosur, Rayakottai and reachable by a good road. It can be reached in less than 3 hours. It can also be reached through Pallakkadu Railway station which is the nearest railway station, but only passenger trains halt here. It is famous for two things:
1. Sandalwood smuggler Veerappan was shot dead in this village.
2. This village is also called as Dakshina (south) Mantralaya because when the Mrithika (the Holy mud that constitutes the insides of the original brindavan) was handed over from the original Brindavana in Mantralaya, a saligrama too came with it. The full story can be read in this link.

Incidentally, we came to know about this place through my dad who overheard a lady talking about this place over phone in a bank. Rest fell in place automatically! We left at 8 am and at Hosur asked for directions. Although there is a direct road to Papparapatti, we were mistold that the road is under construction, while in reality it is actually easily motorable. Anyways, we took a route via Krishnagiri and finally reached Papparapatti Agrahara at almost noon. The country roadside is on the banks of river Cauvery and hence is very lush and beautiful.

The Mutt is in the Papparapatti Agrahara which is immediately after Papparapatti village. It is located in the midst of a farm surrounded by tranquility and serenity. After chanting some slokas, we were fed good food.

We took rest for a while and then headed to Hogenekal Falls which is about 40 kms farther away. Again, very good road. At Hogenekal Falls, we did not have enough time to get to the bottom of the falls but just spent some time at the top of the falls. An outstanding view, nevertheless. It was my second visit to Hogenekal Falls.

Left Hogenekal at 5 pm. We rode our way back through the same road on which we had come ie via Papparapatti and instead of going via Krishnagiri (the way we had come), we followed the same straight country road towards Hosur which is sufficient and easily motorable. Reached Bangalore at 8 pm.

A wonderful trip, as always. Good drive, some divinity, good view of the waterfalls and the vast Bandipur forest hill ranges, one short boat ride and more importantly, wonderful time with the family!