Cousin's wedding @ Baalagaru

Time: July 8-11, 2024

Company: Wife and daughter, joined later by relatives

Place: Thirthahalli, Baalagaru

Highlights: Cousin's wedding was arranged at Baligar, which is about 5 kms before Thirthahalli on the way from Shimoga. Multiple modes of transport was discussed, debated and finally the chosen option was for the three of us to take the overnight train from BLR to Shimoga whereas others would come by car as per their convenience. So we left on 8th night from BLR and reached Shimoga at about 6 am (an hour's delay). Contemplated on seeing some scenic spots near Shimoga but decided against. Auto driver took us to the bus stop where we got bus to Thirthahalli. It was an hour and half away amidst lush greenery. Upon reaching, we took one more auto to our booked Kamat Hotel. Refreshed, and we were ready to go sight-seeing until function formalities started in the evening.

Hired an auto for entire day, and first place he took was Malathihole hanging bridge near Bhimankatte Mutt on the river Malathi. It was wonderful to see the gushing river. Thanks to the heavy rain in the catchment areas, all rivers in Karnataka were brimming full. Our next destination was Kavaledurga Fort. This was the main highlight of our sightseeing. To go up the fort, one had to climb/trek for about an hour on unpaved hillock. It started off well amidst lush greenery and streams. And then slowly the scent started.

The fort itself is extremely well built to ensure no one could easily attack. We entered one main door after the other. At the very end of the trek, there were a number of steps that one had to climb. The pinnacle of the trek is a small pond inside the fort premises. That pond is wonderful, with crystal clear water. No one is allowed inside, and that has ensured pristine quality. 

On the way back, we climbed another small hillock atop which was a small temple. From above the hillock, the panoramic view of the Western Ghats is mesmerising. Spent quite some time soaking it all in. And then we started climbing down. Once in a while, it started raining lightly, which added to the wonder. Thankfully it was not a downpour. Almost near the base of the hill, there was a small tea shop. We replenished ourselves with local delights like sweets and snacks, and that was our lunch for the day.

Got back to the auto who took us back to our hotel. Around that time, some of our relatives had arrived at the lodge and we got busy readying ourselves for the evening function. It was 'Baraath' of sorts where we had to take the groom to the wedding hall (we were part of the bride's family). The arrangement for the wedding at such a remote place was remarkable. 

Rest of the evening was the function and the dinner. Managed amidst downpour! Headed back to the hotel for the night.

On 10th morning, got up real early at about 4 am and reached Baalagaru by 6 am. The morning wedding rituals were getting started. We got busy with formalities and other divine rituals. The venue was amazing, just beside the gushing Tunga river! Spent some time just being with the moment.

Post lunch we got back to the room, slept until 6:30 pm and then took a bus back to Shimoga. It was a nausea-tic journey. While it was easy on the onward leg, the return leg seemed very difficult. Maybe because bus was crowded. Anyways, reached just before anything happened. Went to railway station. Train was at midnight, so spent some nice time watching Insta comedy videos, had great fun ROFL. Journey back home was uneventful. Reached BLR by 4:30 am and home by 6 am. 

And thus, a memorable "divine destination wedding" came to an end!

Alva's Job Fair @ Mudbidri

Time: Jun 7th-8th, 2024

Company: Colleagues

Place: Mudbidri

Highlights: Had to hire trainees for our company, and our HR asked us to leverage Alva's annual Job Fair at Mudbidri. Caught the 9:30 am flight from BLR to Mangalore. It was my first time at MLR airport, and like so many of Nepal's airports, this has a tabletop runway. Quite an ordeal for pilots indeed!

A cab from Alva's Job fair was waiting to take us to Alva college, which was about an hour away via winding roads. Just when we were getting motion sickness, we reached. The college is a daunting structure atop a mountain-of-sorts. An extremely noble service this college undertakes every year by organising this Job Fair across all kinds jobs - IT, pharmacy, industry, manufacturing, automobile, banking, etc.. Even for me, it was overwhelming to see so many job options and such a wonderful opportunity for all the college graduates who had arrived from across the state (transportation also arranged by Alva's college!). Apparently this is an annual 2-day event, and I was awestruck at what I saw.

Anyways, we had a job to do, and it was already noon. The prelim online tests were conducted by the HR team and we had to start with the interviews of the shortlisted candidates. We were 5 panelists and we had about 20-25 candidates. It was humid, sometimes it was raining and we were in a makeshift metal shed, so the heat and humid was getting to us. The fan was of no use. It was hard to conduct the interview with so much cacophony, somehow we managed. In my previous experience of interviews, had not faced this kind of ambience for interview!

Lunch was offered at 2 pm, and it was a strange Mangalore-style food. We continued with interviews till about 6 pm, finalized on three candidates and then the HR team made us meet with Alva's Chairperson. It was great interacting with such a great person who had arranged this fabulous event. He insisted us to partake in the cultural event which was due to start at 7 pm. We were too tired but relented to his invitation. The first two dances were mind-blowing, one was Bharatnatyam and another was Mangalore-style. Dinner was offered too but we skipped it and went to the resort where our stay was booked. It was just a few mins drive away.

The resort was extremely good, set atop a mountain, with varying grades of altitude for stay, sports and trek. Checked-in, refreshed, came back down to restaurant for dinner where we colleagues spent a nice time relaxing and talking about the day in general. A much-needed refreshment after the humid day's chaos! Retired for the night.

Next day, was just the return back home. Left the resort early at 7 am, and a 45-min drive to airport where we had breakfast, and another 45-min nice flight back to BLR. About 2 hours later, reached home by noon. A short official trip, hopefully an impactful one in the office!

Gosai Ghat

Time: May 8th, 2024

Place: Gosai Ghat

Company: Father and Uncle

Highlights: Dad's mom passed away on 6th May noon and hence had to immerse the ashes in Cauvery river. Since I went, took bath in the river too. Had lunch at the Srirangapatna Mutt post-bath and returned home by evening. Went first time on the new 6-lane highway at a constant speed of 100 kmph, and hence was back home before 5 pm even though had left BLR by 10:30 am. Somehow did not like the hospitality at the Mutt since they treated us different, as we were part of a funeral.