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!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Dandeli
Time: Jan 24-26 2009
Place: Dandeli
Company: Colleagues & Wife
Album: Click here and here for snaps and here for video.
Highlights:
Day 0:
Left in Hubli Passenger train at 10 pm to Hubli. Had to book the tickets in Tatkal as we planned late. 8 amongst the 14 were couples. Great time in the train, thanks to back-to-back cubicles where all 14 of us were put up. Nice stories all around & good jokes, esp about the slowness of the passenger train. Slept at 12.
Day 1:
Reached Hubli at 10 am. Breakfast at railway station. Resort’s 12-seater Cruiser was ready to pick us up at the station. 2 hr journey to Dandeli Kali Resort Camp (http://www.dandeli.com/jungle-lodges-resorts-dandeli.shtml). Anthakshari on the way. Reached Kali Resort at about 1 pm. Sumptuous lunch. Took bath and freshened up. Awesome campus – with nice tents, hammocks, treetop view points, Table tennis court, carrom boards, etc.
3 km Coracle ride (teppa in Kannada) at 4 pm. Sarcastic but rather funny guide. Nice view of many species of birds. 3 km nice trek back to the resort through jungle. Campfire at night to beat the cold, added with tasty pakoras and soft drinks. Great dinner at 8.45 pm.
Day 2:
Wake up call at 5 am. Left resort at 6 am in 2 jeeps for jungle safari. The safari covers only 1/4th of the whole jungle and hence could not spot any animal. Not even a stray dog or a bull. What with the track being a dusty road and the pollution caused due to the 40 odd vehicles that day, no wonder no animal wanted to venture near humans. But nice to be amidst thick jungle. Reminded me of Veerappan of Bandipur forest and how he had kidnapped Rajkumar and how one of Rajkumar’s aides escaped from Veerappan in the dead of the night.
Weaved through many small roads of the jungle, but no animal to be seen whatsoever. Not even near a small pond. Apparently, all the animals come to the pond at night to quench their thirst and hence previously, the safari was scheduled for the night time whence all the animals could be seen at the pond. But in 1994 a Bollywood actor shot dead an animal and from that day, the safari time was changed to early morning. What a sad thing that one man’s mistake makes so many others suffer.
Then climbed a small mountain, suddenly to beheld a magnificent view of 1/4th of the entire Dandeli Jungle forest. A true panaromic view which no camera can ever capture the captivating beauty. Spent quite an amount of time there, in the middle of the jungle, with a wonderful sight behind and the sun rising on the other side, casting its long shadow onto the great valley below. If it was an evening safari, then we could have seen the sunset.
Reached the safari back at 10.30 and waited for White water rafting scheduled at 11 am. Due to some technical issues, river rafting got postponed to 2 pm. Had to fight with the authorities – thanks to Niraj who played the role to perfection! - to plug in some activity till 2 pm. Finally the authorities relented and all 14 of us were heralded in 1 jeep (9 of them standing in the open-back) and made our way amidst thick jungle in almost non existent roads to a place where the Kali river made a natural swimming pool – unpolluted by humans and untouched. Also, just beside the natural swimming pool, there also were the rapids flowing which we will later navigate during the river rafting. Serene beauty all around, with just the 14 of us and the driver and the noise of the water rushing through. After splashing about the natural swimming pool, we just sat beside the rapids and enjoyed the rushing water.
It was then time to head back to the resort for another round of sumptuous lunch. Soon after, we were heralded in another posh 12-seater cruiser towards the base of the rafting expedition. Rafting is the only optional activity that we had to book extra. We had to wait for almost an hour as our raft hadn’t arrived. Since the raft can only take 12 at the max, one member had to volunteer to move to another raft (1 dropped out). We were then given instructions and life jackets to wear. We boarded the raft.
Once in the raft, we were then given more instructions. About how to paddle forward, backward, importance of being in sync, importance of front paddlers, what to do in case we were thrown overboard, how to behave in different situations and for different commands. This took almost half hour. Then came the roar of the first rapid. It almost had a downward inclination of about 60 degrees with jutting rocks all around. It was an awesome experience. Compared to this natural beauty, artificial water rides seem so thin! The first rapid was called Eddy’s Beard – as it seemed like a beard.
The second rapid wasn’t far off. Before we knew it, we got the hang of it, and became quite experts in maneuvering. Not to mention, the guide was an expert himself and guided us well. Six more rapids came in rapid succession! We were hunger for more, waiting to navigate. The calm waters which were a while ago so assuring, now seemed so boring! That whoop feeling when one goes down with the river, the fresh water waves that crash on top of you and fill the raft completely and the ‘completely drenched’ feeling is a thing to be experienced.
Soon, alas, we came to the last of the rapids. The supposedly ferocious of all. But more so, it was the guide’s navigating of the raft that made this last rapid so much more ferocious. He ensured that the raft stayed at the crashing point of the mini falls for as long as possible for maximum enjoyment. Just when we thought we had the money’s worth, he made us paddle back to the falls, paddling upstream! People at the front took turns within the raft so that everyone enjoyed the maximum impact of the falls crashing on top of the front portion of the raft. And so it went on and on and on until we had our teeth chattering with cold. We go below the water, we come away with the force of the river, we paddle back upstream to the falls and again enjoy the waves crashing on top of us – each time fearing the raft will topple! We might have done this about half a dozen times. At some point, we lost count. We just saw one another’s teeth rattling like a grinder! But everyone had a huge grin on their face. This was the ultimate experience. Experience of a life time!
Shivering, we arrived at last to the destination, where we hurrah-ed and hip-hip-hurrayed and took snaps with oars kept like a triangle! Shivering more, we boarded the same cruiser which was waiting here for us and went back to the resort, where we quickly changed and had nice hot shower. Perfectly in time for a deserving campfire beside the river again, but this time with French fries and coke. The fire beat the cold out of us. Soon after, had dinner and a nice sleep.
Day 3:
Woke up early morning again. Left the resort at 7 am and reached the base of the Sintheri Rocks by about 8. Had to walk about 2 km on a mud road because the check post was not yet opened. This compensated our scheduled Nature Walk which got eclipsed because of the postponement of the rafting by 3 hours. After a string of snaps, including videos of us walking – the best one being March Past and Salute, with today being Republic Day – we finally reached the Caves. Had to climb down about 200 odd steps to a breath taking view of a 350 odd feet of one rock that suddenly disappeared from view at the bottom to form the caves. The water was supposed to be about 60 odd feet in depth. During extreme monsoon season, whence the water falls down from these 350 feet rock, it will form a huge cascade of waterfalls – adding to it the resemblance of Niagara Falls. The current water was coming from the valleys on its own; not from any dam or river or rain water. Spent enough time taking pictures and enjoying the beauty.
Took the mud path ascent instead of the steps and felt the difficulty! Thankfully, within a kilometer or so, the jeep came rumbling towards us as the check post opened. Reached the resort back after an hour of traveling in winding and bumpy roads. After a quick breakfast, we checked out and had the same cruiser cruise us towards the Hubli station.
Took the Hubli-Bangalore Janshatabdi Express at 2 pm which promptly reached Bangalore at 9.30 pm. Not much interaction during the train but used the time to sleep and relax. Finally reached home by about 11 pm.
Logistics-wise, cost came upto about Rs 5550 per head. Easily can rate this as one of the best trips. And a very memorable one at that.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Kukke
Time: Jan 3-4 2009
Place: Kukke Subrahmnya, Dharmasthala, Udupi, Malpe
Company: Relatives & wife
Highlights:
After a long time, went in the Bangalore – Mangalore train. It goes through such a picturesque route interspersed with bridges and tunnels but sadly the timing of the train doesn’t allow the passengers to enjoy the same.
Its about 13 kms from Subrahmanya Road to Subrahmanya city, with lots of jeeps and autos to ferry.
River bath at Kumara dhara is a bliss.
Beautiful temple with the back drop of Kumara Parvath.
Although Gopuram faces west, the idol faces east as all other idols.
Realised I hadn’t got my return reserved ticket with me. Yet, continued.
Left to Dharmasthala with wife, leaving behind relatives.
Easy darshan at Dharmasthala.
Left to Udupi via Belthangadi. Reminded me of Kudremukh trek.
Reached Udupi at dusk.
Udupi Lord Krishna darshan amidst newly setup air conditioned atmosphere.
Next day morning, attended friend’s wedding.
One more Krishna darshan.
Malpe beach in the evening, but sadly couldn’t stay till sun set.
Got a duplicate KSRTC ticket after providing the PNR number, an application form and proof of identity.
12 hour tough bumpy and chilly ride back home via Kushalnagar and Mysore Road instead of Hassan. If only the roads were good.
Place: Kukke Subrahmnya, Dharmasthala, Udupi, Malpe
Company: Relatives & wife
Highlights:
After a long time, went in the Bangalore – Mangalore train. It goes through such a picturesque route interspersed with bridges and tunnels but sadly the timing of the train doesn’t allow the passengers to enjoy the same.
Its about 13 kms from Subrahmanya Road to Subrahmanya city, with lots of jeeps and autos to ferry.
River bath at Kumara dhara is a bliss.
Beautiful temple with the back drop of Kumara Parvath.
Although Gopuram faces west, the idol faces east as all other idols.
Realised I hadn’t got my return reserved ticket with me. Yet, continued.
Left to Dharmasthala with wife, leaving behind relatives.
Easy darshan at Dharmasthala.
Left to Udupi via Belthangadi. Reminded me of Kudremukh trek.
Reached Udupi at dusk.
Udupi Lord Krishna darshan amidst newly setup air conditioned atmosphere.
Next day morning, attended friend’s wedding.
One more Krishna darshan.
Malpe beach in the evening, but sadly couldn’t stay till sun set.
Got a duplicate KSRTC ticket after providing the PNR number, an application form and proof of identity.
12 hour tough bumpy and chilly ride back home via Kushalnagar and Mysore Road instead of Hassan. If only the roads were good.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Badami
Time: Dec 25-28 2008
Places: Harihar, Haveri, Kaginele, Savanur, Gadag, Banashankari, Badami, Pattadakal, Aihole, Kudala Sangama, Almatti Dam, TB Dam, Navabrindavan
Company: Parents & wife
Album: Click here
Highlights:
Day 1:
Left Bangalore at 5 am in Indica cab to Haveri.
Idly for breakfast at Tumkur at 7 am.
Suddenly thought of going via Harihar.
Went to dad’s ex-colleague’s house in Harihar. Coffee. Nice and cute in the laid back city.
Went to a nearby Ram temple but it was closed.
Visited Harihara temple. Hari is Lord Vishnu and Hara is Lord Shiva. Idol comprises of both Vishnu and Shiva. Idol was found in the Tungabhadra river which flows beside this city. Amazing carvings in the temple especially the pillars. Pillars are all full of rings and apparently each of them is subtly different.
Went to Raghavendra Swamy Mutt on the banks of the river. This is one of my favorite Mutts. Day being Thursday, RS Mutt visit was almost a necessity and it happened at the nth moment because door was being closed! Also went to the river bank and sprinkled the Tungabhadra river on each of us. TB river was supposedly interspersed with Pushkar and had become extremely sacred for 12 days till 24th dec. Such interspersion(!) happens only once in 12 years.
Left Harihar to Haveri.
Reached Haveri at 2.30 pm.
Attended Gouri’s cousin’s engagement + lunch.
Left Haveri at 4.30 pm to Kaginele.
Reached Kaginele at 5 pm. (15 kms from Haveri)
Kaginele is the place where Kanakadasa saint took birth. Kanakadasa was a very rich man who left all his riches and became a devoted saint.
Nice and small Vishnu temple at Kaginele. Conch shell used by Kanakadasa is still in this temple.
Left Kaginele at 5.15 pm and reached Haveri at 6 pm.
Left Haveri after tea and reached Savanur at 7.15 pm. (Haveri to Savanur is 35 odd kms)
The great scholarly saint Shri Satyabodha Teertha's Brindavana is present at Savanur.
Reached Gadag at 9.30 pm. (Savanur to Gadag is about 60 odd kms). Stayed overnight at Vishwa lodge.
Day 2:
Went to Dad’s ex-neighbour’s (when he was in Davanagere) Kagadagar’s house. They spent close to an hour reminiscing good ole days. I don’t remember much of those times though. Everybody happy about the reunion after so many years. Although Muslims, they were devout Brahmin supporters as well as loyal to the core Muslim beliefs.
Went to Gadag’s famous Veera Narayan temple. “The legend goes to say that Naranappa better known as Kumaravyasa narrated the great epic before the lord by invoking the blessings of the Lord. The legend says that Naranappa got the inspiration to narrate the epic only during the time he sat before the Lord in a holy posture in a wet cloth dried up.” (From wiki)
Breakfast and checked out of the hotel at 10.30 am.
Reached Shakambari temple of Banashankari at 1 pm. (Gadag to Banashankari is about 70 odd kms). Darshan and offered saree to Goddess. Day being Friday, visit to Banashankari Goddess is supposed to be sacred.
Reached Badami city at 2 pm. (Banashankari to Badami is about 4 miles). Lunch.
Reached Badami cave site at 3 pm.
Badami is not the original name of the city. Its named so because of its almond colored stones everywhere. Badami is almond in Kannada.
Badami has 4 set of caves. 1st set is devoted to Lord Shiva. 2nd and 3rd are for Lord Vishnu and 4th is for Jain.
An amazing set of sculptures, esp the first Shiva idol which has about 18 hands – 9 on the right and 9 on the left. Together, 81 bhangs (dance positions) are depicted in just one idol. Then there are sculptures like the rotating fish atop roof which Arjuna had to hit using ground mirror, Lord Vishnu’s Vaaman avatar, Ardhanaresh (Shiva-Vishnu as one), the very first Gomateshwar (this one is 6th century AD, the one in Shravanabelagola is of 10th century AD), the 2 heads but 4 children sculpture, the sculpture which looks like a kid from one angle but like Lord Hanuman from another angle, color paintings and their palette, smiling Narasimha after being victorious, etc.
Also a lake borders the caves whose water is said to flow down from the river, carrying with it medicinal value and this lake’s water is said to cure any disease. But now due to people washing clothes, it no longer has medicinal value.
Reached Pattadakal at 5 pm. Badami to Pattadakal is less than 20 kms.
Nothing much here except more sculptures and temple-like structures. River Malaprabha flows beside this site. Its supposed to be the only river which flows from south to north. Because of this uniqueness, its considered to be sacred. Because of this sacredness, kings of this palace had to first undergo coronation in this river, sitting on a stone. Stone is kallu and coronation is Pattabhishek in kannada. Hence the name Pattadakallu.
Reached Aihole at 6 pm. Aihole is less than 15 kms from Pattadakallu.
Originally called Aryapura. Arya means scholar and pura means place. This place had about 5000 scholars at one point. But when Parashuram (Vishnu’s 6th avatar) wants to cleanse himself off all the sin he has committed, he releases the blood of all those whom he had killed in the only river which travels from South to North as it is sacred. This river happened to be River Malaprabha and the place happened to be Aryapura. When blood was released to this river, river turns red. Seeing this red river, a village gal exclaimed ‘Ai! HoLe.’ "Ai" is a sign of exclamation and "HoLe" is river. Hence the name AihoLe.
Similar sculptures in Aihole as in Badami but in shorter form. Here we see some interesting sculptures like stone ladder, origin of current-day door patterns and girls’ fashion designs, etc.
Aihole is considered as primary school, Badami is considered as High school, Pattadakal is considered as college and Belur-Halebid is considered as university in terms of sculpture-learning of the then era.
Had tea and left Aihole at 7 pm to Kudala Sangama. Aihole to Kudala Sangama is about 40 odd kms.
Thanks to losing our way and huge number of school children everywhere, had a tough time getting a room and waited almost 1 hour for dinner.
Found a room at last in Inspection Bungalow and slept at 11 pm.
Day 3:
Morning bath at Sangama. Sangama (coming together) of the rivers Malaprabha, Ghataprabha and Krishna.
Lord Shiva temple and Basavanna’s Samadhi. Panaromic view of the Sangama.
Also visited some strategic places like the huge auditorium and the tower building from where it is believed that 23 villages can be seen.
Left Kudalasangama after breakfast and check out at 10.00 am.
Traffic jam on NH 13 because of an accident caused an hour’s delay.
Reached Almatti dam at 11.30 am. Kudala Sangama to Almatti is about 40 odd kms.
An amazing dam and the best part was the rear side of the dam where one can play with the stored dam water. The artificial lake is a beautiful place to enjoy the serene beauty. Reminded me very much of Lake Tahoe.
Tyre puncture. So more snaps of the dam. This time from front view!
Reached Yelaguru at 1 pm. Almatti to Yelaguru is about 5 miles.
Yelaguru Hanuman temple is a very famous shrine in these parts. Day being Saturday, visit to Lord hanuma temple is supposed to be sacred.
Lunch at Almatti and left to Hospet at 3 pm.
Reached TB Dam at 6 pm but missed the sunset. Almatti to TB Dam, Hospet is about 130 odd kms and beautiful road.
TB Dam is another awesome engineering marvel. Great gardens and great view.
Halted at Hotel Shanbhag in Hospet overnight.
Day 4:
Left early to Navabrindavan which is about 20 odd kms. One way is through Anegundi (lots of teppas (small round boat) available + good road all the way + long teppa ride) and another is through Kamalapura (few teppas + mud road for about 4 kms + 2 min teppa ride). We went through the Kamalapura road but car got struck midway on the mud road and hence walked the rest of the distance. Teppa person came after a long time. Kept waiting at a nearby house. It was a small village house but in reality they owned 80 acres of farm land and their total value was 3.5 crores of rupees!
Reached Navabrindavan at 9.30 am. Wonderful bath in the fast flowing Tungabhadra river. Nice darshan of the 9 (nava) saints. My second time but dad’s and Gouri’s first time.
Saints include Madhwacharya’s disciples like Vyasaraja, Padmanabha, Sudheendra, etc.
Return to car after teppa and long walk.
Return to Hospet.
Lunch and check out.
Left to Bangalore at 2 pm and reached home at 10 pm.
Overall, traveled 1312 kms and it costed about Rs 1000 per day. Taxi charges almost came upto Rs 9000. A long pending trip at last came about, thanks to the Christmas long weekend!
Places: Harihar, Haveri, Kaginele, Savanur, Gadag, Banashankari, Badami, Pattadakal, Aihole, Kudala Sangama, Almatti Dam, TB Dam, Navabrindavan
Company: Parents & wife
Album: Click here
Highlights:
Day 1:
Left Bangalore at 5 am in Indica cab to Haveri.
Idly for breakfast at Tumkur at 7 am.
Suddenly thought of going via Harihar.
Went to dad’s ex-colleague’s house in Harihar. Coffee. Nice and cute in the laid back city.
Went to a nearby Ram temple but it was closed.
Visited Harihara temple. Hari is Lord Vishnu and Hara is Lord Shiva. Idol comprises of both Vishnu and Shiva. Idol was found in the Tungabhadra river which flows beside this city. Amazing carvings in the temple especially the pillars. Pillars are all full of rings and apparently each of them is subtly different.
Went to Raghavendra Swamy Mutt on the banks of the river. This is one of my favorite Mutts. Day being Thursday, RS Mutt visit was almost a necessity and it happened at the nth moment because door was being closed! Also went to the river bank and sprinkled the Tungabhadra river on each of us. TB river was supposedly interspersed with Pushkar and had become extremely sacred for 12 days till 24th dec. Such interspersion(!) happens only once in 12 years.
Left Harihar to Haveri.
Reached Haveri at 2.30 pm.
Attended Gouri’s cousin’s engagement + lunch.
Left Haveri at 4.30 pm to Kaginele.
Reached Kaginele at 5 pm. (15 kms from Haveri)
Kaginele is the place where Kanakadasa saint took birth. Kanakadasa was a very rich man who left all his riches and became a devoted saint.
Nice and small Vishnu temple at Kaginele. Conch shell used by Kanakadasa is still in this temple.
Left Kaginele at 5.15 pm and reached Haveri at 6 pm.
Left Haveri after tea and reached Savanur at 7.15 pm. (Haveri to Savanur is 35 odd kms)
The great scholarly saint Shri Satyabodha Teertha's Brindavana is present at Savanur.
Reached Gadag at 9.30 pm. (Savanur to Gadag is about 60 odd kms). Stayed overnight at Vishwa lodge.
Day 2:
Went to Dad’s ex-neighbour’s (when he was in Davanagere) Kagadagar’s house. They spent close to an hour reminiscing good ole days. I don’t remember much of those times though. Everybody happy about the reunion after so many years. Although Muslims, they were devout Brahmin supporters as well as loyal to the core Muslim beliefs.
Went to Gadag’s famous Veera Narayan temple. “The legend goes to say that Naranappa better known as Kumaravyasa narrated the great epic before the lord by invoking the blessings of the Lord. The legend says that Naranappa got the inspiration to narrate the epic only during the time he sat before the Lord in a holy posture in a wet cloth dried up.” (From wiki)
Breakfast and checked out of the hotel at 10.30 am.
Reached Shakambari temple of Banashankari at 1 pm. (Gadag to Banashankari is about 70 odd kms). Darshan and offered saree to Goddess. Day being Friday, visit to Banashankari Goddess is supposed to be sacred.
Reached Badami city at 2 pm. (Banashankari to Badami is about 4 miles). Lunch.
Reached Badami cave site at 3 pm.
Badami is not the original name of the city. Its named so because of its almond colored stones everywhere. Badami is almond in Kannada.
Badami has 4 set of caves. 1st set is devoted to Lord Shiva. 2nd and 3rd are for Lord Vishnu and 4th is for Jain.
An amazing set of sculptures, esp the first Shiva idol which has about 18 hands – 9 on the right and 9 on the left. Together, 81 bhangs (dance positions) are depicted in just one idol. Then there are sculptures like the rotating fish atop roof which Arjuna had to hit using ground mirror, Lord Vishnu’s Vaaman avatar, Ardhanaresh (Shiva-Vishnu as one), the very first Gomateshwar (this one is 6th century AD, the one in Shravanabelagola is of 10th century AD), the 2 heads but 4 children sculpture, the sculpture which looks like a kid from one angle but like Lord Hanuman from another angle, color paintings and their palette, smiling Narasimha after being victorious, etc.
Also a lake borders the caves whose water is said to flow down from the river, carrying with it medicinal value and this lake’s water is said to cure any disease. But now due to people washing clothes, it no longer has medicinal value.
Reached Pattadakal at 5 pm. Badami to Pattadakal is less than 20 kms.
Nothing much here except more sculptures and temple-like structures. River Malaprabha flows beside this site. Its supposed to be the only river which flows from south to north. Because of this uniqueness, its considered to be sacred. Because of this sacredness, kings of this palace had to first undergo coronation in this river, sitting on a stone. Stone is kallu and coronation is Pattabhishek in kannada. Hence the name Pattadakallu.
Reached Aihole at 6 pm. Aihole is less than 15 kms from Pattadakallu.
Originally called Aryapura. Arya means scholar and pura means place. This place had about 5000 scholars at one point. But when Parashuram (Vishnu’s 6th avatar) wants to cleanse himself off all the sin he has committed, he releases the blood of all those whom he had killed in the only river which travels from South to North as it is sacred. This river happened to be River Malaprabha and the place happened to be Aryapura. When blood was released to this river, river turns red. Seeing this red river, a village gal exclaimed ‘Ai! HoLe.’ "Ai" is a sign of exclamation and "HoLe" is river. Hence the name AihoLe.
Similar sculptures in Aihole as in Badami but in shorter form. Here we see some interesting sculptures like stone ladder, origin of current-day door patterns and girls’ fashion designs, etc.
Aihole is considered as primary school, Badami is considered as High school, Pattadakal is considered as college and Belur-Halebid is considered as university in terms of sculpture-learning of the then era.
Had tea and left Aihole at 7 pm to Kudala Sangama. Aihole to Kudala Sangama is about 40 odd kms.
Thanks to losing our way and huge number of school children everywhere, had a tough time getting a room and waited almost 1 hour for dinner.
Found a room at last in Inspection Bungalow and slept at 11 pm.
Day 3:
Morning bath at Sangama. Sangama (coming together) of the rivers Malaprabha, Ghataprabha and Krishna.
Lord Shiva temple and Basavanna’s Samadhi. Panaromic view of the Sangama.
Also visited some strategic places like the huge auditorium and the tower building from where it is believed that 23 villages can be seen.
Left Kudalasangama after breakfast and check out at 10.00 am.
Traffic jam on NH 13 because of an accident caused an hour’s delay.
Reached Almatti dam at 11.30 am. Kudala Sangama to Almatti is about 40 odd kms.
An amazing dam and the best part was the rear side of the dam where one can play with the stored dam water. The artificial lake is a beautiful place to enjoy the serene beauty. Reminded me very much of Lake Tahoe.
Tyre puncture. So more snaps of the dam. This time from front view!
Reached Yelaguru at 1 pm. Almatti to Yelaguru is about 5 miles.
Yelaguru Hanuman temple is a very famous shrine in these parts. Day being Saturday, visit to Lord hanuma temple is supposed to be sacred.
Lunch at Almatti and left to Hospet at 3 pm.
Reached TB Dam at 6 pm but missed the sunset. Almatti to TB Dam, Hospet is about 130 odd kms and beautiful road.
TB Dam is another awesome engineering marvel. Great gardens and great view.
Halted at Hotel Shanbhag in Hospet overnight.
Day 4:
Left early to Navabrindavan which is about 20 odd kms. One way is through Anegundi (lots of teppas (small round boat) available + good road all the way + long teppa ride) and another is through Kamalapura (few teppas + mud road for about 4 kms + 2 min teppa ride). We went through the Kamalapura road but car got struck midway on the mud road and hence walked the rest of the distance. Teppa person came after a long time. Kept waiting at a nearby house. It was a small village house but in reality they owned 80 acres of farm land and their total value was 3.5 crores of rupees!
Reached Navabrindavan at 9.30 am. Wonderful bath in the fast flowing Tungabhadra river. Nice darshan of the 9 (nava) saints. My second time but dad’s and Gouri’s first time.
Saints include Madhwacharya’s disciples like Vyasaraja, Padmanabha, Sudheendra, etc.
Return to car after teppa and long walk.
Return to Hospet.
Lunch and check out.
Left to Bangalore at 2 pm and reached home at 10 pm.
Overall, traveled 1312 kms and it costed about Rs 1000 per day. Taxi charges almost came upto Rs 9000. A long pending trip at last came about, thanks to the Christmas long weekend!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Sonda
Time: Nov 29 2008
Place: Sonda
Company: Parents & wife
Highlights: Tried a new route this time. Sonda to Sirsi to Haveri in bus and then train to Bangalore. Rain & overcast conditions.
Place: Sonda
Company: Parents & wife
Highlights: Tried a new route this time. Sonda to Sirsi to Haveri in bus and then train to Bangalore. Rain & overcast conditions.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Chunchi
Time: Oct 5 2008
Place: Chunchi Falls, Sangama
Company: Cousins (2 cars)
Album: Click here
Highlights: A trip that was planned for Mekedaatu turned into a trip to Chunchi Falls and Sangama. Chunchi Falls is located about 90 kms from Bangalore. One has to take Mekedaatu road via Kanakapura and just 10 kms before Mekedaatu, road on the left leads to Chunchi Falls. A steep climb down a rocky path leads closest to a fiercesome falls but one cannot play with the water. The location is good for a wonderful view of the deep gorge and the ferocious falls.
Sangama is about 16 kms away although it takes about half hour due to terrible roads. One has to cross the river either by a boat or walking through the river - which is not so deep - to get to the other side from where one can either walk to Mekedaatu (which is about 3-4 kms away) or take dilapidated bus. But Mekedaatu (Meke = Goat; Daatu = cross; A goat jumped from one boulder to another thereby crossing the deep gorge and hence the name) is a place just like Chunchi Gorge minus the Falls and hence we ditched it for this picnic. Sangama is a better place to enjoy as it is like Talkad with shallow waters ranging from 3 to 5 feet of light current over sandy riverbed.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Puri
Time: Sept 9-14 2008
Place: Simhachalam, Bhubaneswar, Puri, Chilka, Konark
Company: Parents & wife
Album: Click here
Highlights:
Day 0: Left Bangalore in the 7.35 pm Yeswantpur-Howrah express. Some confusion about reservation chart showing our reservation only till Vijayawada and TT too had no clue about it!
Day 1: Prior to Vijayawada, another TT allotted different berths post Vijayawada and we had to shift although just a couple of seats away. Apparently some confusion in this train everytime, grumbled frequent travelers. Slept all the way till Vishakapatnam (massive bridge on Godavari was awesome) which we reached by 4 pm, dead on schedule. Took railway retiring room and freshened up before heading towards Simhachalam.
Wrong information led us to believe that temple closes at 8 pm but it actually closes at 7 pm. We ran the steps to just make it inside the temple premises. A quick but amazing darshan of the standing Narasimha temple sufficed the near-miss. However dark clouds and lack of visibility robbed us off the amazing view of this temple which is set amidst hilly valley.
Some confusion about veg hotel for dinner + quick rest and we checked out of the retiring room to catch the 11.55 pm East-coast express train to Bhubaneswar.
Day 2: Train delayed by 2 hrs. It finally left VSKP station at 1.35 am instead of 11.55 pm and we duly reached BBSR at 9.25 am instead of 7.25 am. An idle glance of our return ticket (HWH-YPR from BBSR on 14th at 3 am) by the VKSP-BBSR TT changed the whole course of this trip. He mentioned that HWH-YPR train might be diverted off BBSR and asked us to check in advance. When we did so at the BBSR railway station, we were told that it was diverted till 15th Sept and we had to make alternate arrangement. There was just one more train and it was waitlisted in 150s. Another option was to reduce our holidays and leave to BLR earlier than scheduled. But we went with flight option and booked the flight tickets for 14th from BBSR to BLR in Air Deccan. Couple of days of frantic calls to IRCTC and emails in cyber café finally led us to cancel the train tkt with full refund.
Took accommodation in Pejawar Mutt, BBSR which is about 4 kms from Railway station which we covered in a taxi. Quick freshening up and quick bite and quick nap! Took a “package” auto for sight-seeing BBSR and surroundings. First stop was Udayagiri and Kandagiri where nice caves have been excavated on hillocks. Nice view on hill tops esp the BBSR airport and runway strip. Lots of monkeys around and one has to be careful with eateries.
Next stop was Lingaraj Temple: the main temple of BBSR and the main reason for Bhubaneswar to be named as Bhubaneswar (Lord Eshwar has taken birth in the form of a rock from the Earth (Bhu)). Local pundits loot devotees and one has to be careful. But nice information such as flag-hoisting schedule, food processing and procedure for the God where the passageway from Kitchen to sanctum-sanctorum doesn’t even allow sun to cast its light for even Sun isn’t allowed to see food prior to Lord seeing food, Vishnu-Eshwar combination due to which actual Linga missing in the idol, etc. About 100 odd small temples scattered everywhere in the temple premises.
Next stop was Dhauli Giri which is located on a hillock. It was here that King Ashoka saw blood everywhere and took an oath to stop war and adopt Buddhism and peace forever. A nice calm spot with excellent 360 degree view.
Next stop was Mukteswar-Siddeswar temple. Nothing to write home about but nice garden to spend time and nice sculptures.
Next stop was Ram Mandir. Smiling idols which please one and all. Also a nice place to sit in the evening and spend a relaxing time.
Return to acco + dinner + sleep.
Day 3: Left acco at 8 and took bus to Puri. On and off rain indicated tropical climate. Nice green picturesque 1.5 hr journey. C T Road in Puri is the most hep place in Puri with lots of hotels and restaurants and it is also the nearest road to Bay of Bengal. Like Ocean Drive in Miami! Took a hotel there (Hotel Jayashree) which was both reasonable and neat plus a slight view of the ocean from our room balcony. Freshened up + Breakfast + charted out plan for next 2 days with hotel’s travel agent.
Quick dip in the Bay of Bengal before visiting Lord is supposed to increase the Punya counter. So did that! Auto-wallah came at 12 sharp and he took us to Lord Jagannath temple which was about 3-4 kms. Hotel’s temple pundit met us there and guided us around. Without him, other pundits would have looted us. A huge temple which took us about 2-3 hrs to complete viewing (similar passageway from kitchen to sanctum sanctorum as in BBSR, museum depicting story, innumerous small temples, sculptures and carvings, the darkened kitchen itself, sanctum-sanctorum itself, the famous wooden idols, Anand Bazaar where prasadams are sold in lots, etc). Camera, umbrella, cooked food, mobile phone, leather, etc not allowed inside temple. Hence no snaps.
Lunch at Grand Hotel! It was grand! Then auto-wallah took us to Chandan Talab where we were actually supposed to take bath after bath in BoB (but we took bath in hotel itself). Next stop was another temple where Lord Jagannath stays for 9 days every year – the other end of the main road where main temple lies - based on a mythical story. Next stop was another small Ram temple.
Back to hotel. Relaxed and then went to beach in the evening for a lazy time amongst the waves and the moon. I went to cyber café (irctc issue) while others visited one more temple. Dinner at Ambrosia (yummy) and sleep.
Day 4: Up at 4.30 to view sun rise. But clouds covered it completely and at 6 am, it was already up amongst clouds while we were still hoping it would rise from ocean! Ready by 9 after breakfast at Dakshin.
Taxi took us to Chilka lake after 2 hrs drive. A 3 hr boat ride to view dolphins (nice!), sea-mouth (Chilka lake entering ocean) and red crabs (yuck). Enjoyable but it got boring. Then headed to Konark via Puri. Had lunch in Puri.
Reached Konark at 5. Visited Chandrabag river and ocean beach on the way along with another Ram temple where Mahanadi tributary runs parallel to the Bay of Bengal. Beautiful places.
Got a guide at Konark called Malla. One of the best Govt approved guide (apparently there are a number of unofficial guides acting as official guides). He gave us a complete 1 hour clear-cut explanation of the whole Konark Sun Temple. Like what kind of stones were used to construct the Sun Temple, how were the stones clamped to one another without concrete, how the structure of Sun Temple was divided mainly into 3 sections (Dancing Hall, Prayer Hall, Sun God’s sanctum sanctorum) and how the sun’s first rays of the earth were falling directly on the Idol back in the days when the temple was on the shores of Bay of Bengal (in 18th century, the sea receded due to a heavy cyclone) through the Dancing Hall and the Prayer Hall even when Sun moved slightly north-south during Summer and Winter, the 7 layers on the door frame depicting the Sapta Rishis who came up with 4 main Vedas (rules of life), the 24 wheels carrying the idol depicting 24 hours in a day (and many more implications), with each wheel having its own connotations such as 10 avatars of Vishnu, activities of a woman, etc, the places in the premises causing destruction like kitchen being beside well, not depicting togetherness as Fire and Water do not go hand in hand, the ruins made by Moghul Emperors, the sanctum-sanctorum’s complete ruins (mythical story being that whole of the building was controlled by a powerful magnet placed at the top which set the walls exactly in place but this magnet had to be removed because it was causing problems to shipmen in their navigation devices whilst they were passing near shore on the Bay of Bengal and due to this removal, the whole building collapsed), the 3 avatars of Sun (youth, middle aged and old) depicting one Sun’s transition to another Sun, the significant carvings at each side to reflect prominent character with their prominent identity symbols, the nearby olden Sun temple, carvings even of how the stones were being obtained for the Sun Temple construction and of the workers and the master architect and the King who was behind it all, and many many such important and relevant information which easily creates an expression of awe. Clearly a must-see place especially because of its scientific and historical value.
Back to Puri, one more visit to Lord Jagannath temple. This time comparatively less people than morning and had nice darshan. Dinner and sleep.
Day 5: Left to BBSR in private bus. A strange incident at the bus stop where conductors of different private roadlines manhandle you and the luggage, and virtually toss you into their bus! Reached BBSR airport at 11. Well on time for check in, security check and boarding. Uneventful flight journey back home to Bangalore. Reached to a raining home at 5 pm.
Overview:
1. Badrinath, Rameshwaram, Dwarka and Puri constitute the char dham in India (4 must see pilgrimage places) and this trip concludes the odyssey that began in 2004 May with Badrinath.
2. If the VSKP-BBSR TT had not noticed our return train ticket, if my mom had not given that TT that return ticket, if he had not been from Bangalore to comment on Yeswantpur, we would’ve gone to BBSR railway station on Day 5 at 3 am only to learn that the train had been cancelled. Distress that would have ensued then is unimaginable. I thank the VSKP-BBSR TT who came to us like a messiah. Learning is to confirm return ticket once you arrive in a foreign place if date of boarding is not far off.
3. This was a trip fraught with lots of inconveniences and yet was successful in the end in its own way. Like how the train tickets were never favorable (YPR depart and arrival, improper timings (3 am depart from BBSR and 6 am arrival in Krishnarajapuram, etc)), like how Puri and BBSR and Konark trip kept getting postponed for such a long time, like how irritating the taxi driver was who took us from home to YPR station on Day 0, like how reservation chart had wrong place for ‘Reservation till’, like how Simhachalam just closed as we entered and we could neither spend required time nor could see surrounding picturesque beauty, like how we had to wait for the bus at Simhachalam for almost a panicky hour, like how VSKP-BBSR train was delayed for 2 hours, like how it was raining on and off in Puri partly because of which we could not see sun rise and like how return train was cancelled. Yet, alls well that ends well.
One more memorable trip!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Mysore DC again!
Time: Aug 30 2008
Place: Mysore Infosys DC, Balamuri Falls, KRS
Company: Family (Wife and parents)
Highlights: A sudden plan formed on Saturday morning at 7 am just because we got up early! Left at 9.30 am (never before left to a picnic so late in the day!). Reached Mysore Infosys campus at 1 pm. Went around the campus, played Table tennis, saw the sports complex and the multiplex. Had lunch, cycled, swam but couldnt go bowling as it was full.
On the way back, glimpsed through the overflowing Balamuri (they have stopped walking along the concrete while the river skimmed through it because river is no longer skimming through it, its going on it in pours) and then to KRS (almost full dam with gates open and the same brilliant Brindavan garden). Couldnt see the lights nor the musical dancing fountain due to rains and also had to head back before it was too late. A nice drive back home, via Kamat Lokaruchi where we had dinner. Safe arrival by 10.30 pm.
Place: Mysore Infosys DC, Balamuri Falls, KRS
Company: Family (Wife and parents)
Highlights: A sudden plan formed on Saturday morning at 7 am just because we got up early! Left at 9.30 am (never before left to a picnic so late in the day!). Reached Mysore Infosys campus at 1 pm. Went around the campus, played Table tennis, saw the sports complex and the multiplex. Had lunch, cycled, swam but couldnt go bowling as it was full.
On the way back, glimpsed through the overflowing Balamuri (they have stopped walking along the concrete while the river skimmed through it because river is no longer skimming through it, its going on it in pours) and then to KRS (almost full dam with gates open and the same brilliant Brindavan garden). Couldnt see the lights nor the musical dancing fountain due to rains and also had to head back before it was too late. A nice drive back home, via Kamat Lokaruchi where we had dinner. Safe arrival by 10.30 pm.
Hubli
Time: Aug 24 2008
Place: Hubli
Company: Family (wife and mom in law)
Highlights: Wife's father's first year death anniversary. Left at 6 am on Janshatabdi Express and reached at 1 pm. Very comfortable journey and a pleasant weather. Went to Mutt in Hubli where proceedings took place from 3 pm to 6 pm followed by lunch. Back by Rajahamsa Executive 8.30 pm bus which reached Bangalore next day at 6.15 am. Very uncomfortable.
Place: Hubli
Company: Family (wife and mom in law)
Highlights: Wife's father's first year death anniversary. Left at 6 am on Janshatabdi Express and reached at 1 pm. Very comfortable journey and a pleasant weather. Went to Mutt in Hubli where proceedings took place from 3 pm to 6 pm followed by lunch. Back by Rajahamsa Executive 8.30 pm bus which reached Bangalore next day at 6.15 am. Very uncomfortable.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Karighatta and Ghosayighatta
Time: Aug 3 2008
Place: Karighatta, Mahadevpura and Ghosayighatta
Company: Family (2 cars)
Album: Click here
Highlights: A sudden plan formed on Saturday thanks to mom resulted in this unexpected trip to Karighatta, Mahadevpura and Ghosayighatta. All nearby places to Srirangapatna.
Karighatta boasts of Lord Venkateshwara temple atop a small hill (which can be accessed through both steps and road) and river flows at the bottom of the hill.
Mahadevpura also boasts of a small temple with the river flowing just beside it in great fury.
Ghosayighatta also has the river flowing just beside the river but comfortable steps make it easy to enjoy the river. With heavy rainfall in the last few days, Cauvery was dangerously full. A thoroughly enjoyable day.
Place: Karighatta, Mahadevpura and Ghosayighatta
Company: Family (2 cars)
Album: Click here
Highlights: A sudden plan formed on Saturday thanks to mom resulted in this unexpected trip to Karighatta, Mahadevpura and Ghosayighatta. All nearby places to Srirangapatna.
Karighatta boasts of Lord Venkateshwara temple atop a small hill (which can be accessed through both steps and road) and river flows at the bottom of the hill.
Mahadevpura also boasts of a small temple with the river flowing just beside it in great fury.
Ghosayighatta also has the river flowing just beside the river but comfortable steps make it easy to enjoy the river. With heavy rainfall in the last few days, Cauvery was dangerously full. A thoroughly enjoyable day.
The Yearly Tirumala Trip
Time: Jul 25-27 2008
Place: Tirumala
Company: Family
Highlights: To and fro in the overnight passenger train. Up the hill in Jeep and down in bus. Had booked a hotel near Tirupati bus stand for freshening up. Kalyanotsavam Seva at Tirumala. Had to book 3 months in advance through DD. A running commentary of the things around for wife and sister-in-law and s-i-l's dad as they were unfamiliar with the place. Lunch at Uttaradi Mutt in Tirumala.
Although this could be categorised under the "Yearly Tirumala Trip", it was a special one because it was the first with my wife.
Place: Tirumala
Company: Family
Highlights: To and fro in the overnight passenger train. Up the hill in Jeep and down in bus. Had booked a hotel near Tirupati bus stand for freshening up. Kalyanotsavam Seva at Tirumala. Had to book 3 months in advance through DD. A running commentary of the things around for wife and sister-in-law and s-i-l's dad as they were unfamiliar with the place. Lunch at Uttaradi Mutt in Tirumala.
Although this could be categorised under the "Yearly Tirumala Trip", it was a special one because it was the first with my wife.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Honeymoon in Mauritius!
Time: Jul 15-22 2008
Place: Mauritius
Company: Wife
Highlights:
Day 0: Left at 8.30 pm in Volvo bus to the new Bengaluru International Airport. Just me and my wife all the 40 odd kilometers in the bus. Like a big limo. Someone surely has to rethink about the timings, route, etc of the bus to reduce such gross fuel wastage. Reached the airport by about 10.30 pm. Waited for check in.
Day 1: Check in. Immigration. Security Check. Boarding. 3 am. Sleepy. Air Mauritius flight via Chennai. Chennai at about 5 am. Disembarked to allow them to clean the flight. Kind of mismanaged ambience in Chennai airport. Security check again. Boarding again. 6.30 am. Some issue about baggage being unloaded by mistake in Chennai. Uneventful and safe journey. Wonderful clouds at 37000 feet, as usual. It’s a different world out there. But when we came below the clouds at about 10.30 am local time Mauritius (12 noon IST), it was all bleak and cloudy and raining, thus damping the spirits. After days of research into weather and choice of honeymoon destinations, one wouldn’t want to land in a rainy place. Anyways. Immigration and visa. (Visa on arrival in Mauritius). Baggage claim. Currency conversion. No direct conversion from INR to Mauritian Rupees (MRU). INR to USD (1:40 approx) and USD to MRU (1:26 approx). A long journey (2 hours) to our resort (Casuarina) in a coach along with others. Welcome drink and briefing at the resort about do's and dont's. Our room. Seemed fine. Lunch. Miserable. Hard for Indian Vegetarians. Beach in the bleak weather. Another briefing by an agent of Seaside holidays, the partner of Make My Trip, with whom the whole package had been signed with in the first place. Briefing on do's and dont's of the next 3 days, and the optional water sport activities. Hard time deciding within a short span of time although we were well prepared and knowledgeable about things to expect. Finally decided on the best few. Table tennis. Champagne in the room, although wine was promised. Dinner, like break fast, complimentary. Better than lunch.
Day 2: Wonderful continental breakfast. Bread, omelet, fruit salad, juice, yogurt. 8.50 SIC (seat-in-coach) to a destination where a jetty transferred us to kind of middle of the ocean where we were put oxygen masks to go 10 ft below the ocean water to the sea bed where we walked for about 15 mins amidst the fish and other ocean fauna. An amazing experience. Then, super high speed boat transfer to an island (Ile aux Cerfs). On the way, visited waterfalls, sitting in the boat itself. Also went for parasailing, kind of in the middle of the Indian Ocean with a distant view of Mauritius. Lunch in the island. Yuck! But nice island with shallow water (2-3 ft) for miles together. Hence the beautiful view. Sometimes emerald green and sometimes sky blue. Back at resort by 5. Table tennis again. Nice refreshing dinner.
Day 3: Easy day. Toured the northern sections of Mauritius. A supermarket for shopping, some nice viewpoints of Port Louis such as Fort Citadel and a church, and finally Caudon waterfront where many Bollywood films are shot. Nice 3 hours spent on the waterfront with nothing to do but laze around.
Day 4: Toured the southern sections. Took about 1.5 hours to get to south. Chameral waterfalls. An artificial waterfall – river diverted to create the view. But considering that the river water is made to flow to ocean, someone has to rethink this. Enough water is going to the ocean as it is!
Next destination: Seven colored earth. It wasn’t all that sunny for us to appreciate it but good enough. Apparently a volcano didn’t have the sufficient push in it to burst out and instead it burnt the surface of the earth. The oxides within changed the color of the earth and hence the name. A unique place in the world.
Next destination: Ganga Talab. (Ganga Lake). A lake in front of a Hindu Temple which was purified by tumblers of River Ganges from India (poured by Indira Gandhi and some saints) has completely transformed its entire properties into similar properties that are akin to the actual Ganga river in India. Hence the name. No bathing allowed nor any ashes-depositing.
The temple in itself is a Shiva temple. Apparently this is the 13th Jyotirlinga in the world. There are 13 Jyotirlingas in the world. 11.5 in India, 0.5 in Nepal and 1 in Mauritius. Details of the 12 Jyotirlingas can be found here. (Kedarnath [tail] and Pashupathinath [head] in Nepal are considered as one Jyotirlinga. Hence the decimals!)
Apparently, here in Mauritius Jyotirlinga temple, during the 2004 Mahashivratri celebrations, a lady saw the 3 eyes of Shiva on the idol which has been photographed. Also, the white milk that was poured on the Shiva idol turned into blue. This too has been photographed.
No business transactions are held inside the temple except offerings by devotees. Many idols placed within to cater to all sects of Hindus. Also a gigantic Shiva idol (about 108 ft) is placed nearby. It is the 2nd tallest Shiva idol, next only to the tallest in Gurgaon, Delhi, India. This however is not the angry Shiva idol but the softer one, without the third eye and no damrot (the sound-making toy). Also this Shiva avatar is the one with normal clothes and wishes well for all.
Next: Lunch in an Indian restaurant on a green leaf, the traditional style. Expensive, but nice. Next destination: Biggest Crater on Mauritius. Formed by the Volcano that created Mauritius. Nice view of the horizon/ocean from there. Next: Clothes shopping + Diamond shopping + Ship models shopping. Back to room. Welcome cocktail drink in the resort.
Day 5: Went in submarine! 30 mins in the sub again in the middle of the ocean. This time to view the aqua life, a ship wreck and coral reef of the ocean. Nice experience, although I felt a little queasy. Spent a relaxing time at the beach. Just got tanned, read novel and heard the little waves. Also, for the first time, enjoyed the sea water on beach. Also went to an hour tour on glass bottomed boat to see more of the aqua life.
Day 6: Went to gym in the morning. Walked the full length and breadth of the resort to explore everything! Went to swimming pool and lazed around. Again, a nice novel under the sun, after an hour in the pool. Went pedaling on Indian ocean. Went to Spa and steam bath after lunch for a nice 30 min massage. Realized that spa is nothing but the Indian age-old tradition of mom giving child the nice oil bath on Sunday mornings!
Day 7: Checked out by 11 but kept the luggages till our pick up scheduled at 3. Went on local bus to Grand Bay beach and spent about 3 hours there. Just walking on the beach, doing art on beach sand, going to a nearby temple and eating roadside chapathis! Pick up to airport by Seaside Holidays at 3 pm. Reached airport by 4.30. Check in. Immigration. Security Check. Boarding at 7 pm.
Day 8: Reached Bangalore at 2.30 am. Home at 4 am. Again, the 3 am Volvo bus occupied only by me and my wife!
Overall expenditure of roughly about INR 80000 per person. An enriching experience, and a good destination for honeymooners.
Friday, April 18, 2008
My Engagement!
Time: Apr 13, 2008
Place: Hubli
Company: Parents and Relatives
Album: Click here
Highlights: Well, my engagement! Thats it!
Place: Hubli
Company: Parents and Relatives
Album: Click here
Highlights: Well, my engagement! Thats it!
Munnar
Time: Apr 4-8 2008
Place: Ernakulam, Munnar
Company: Colleagues and some of their girl friends, including mine (;))
Album: Click here
Highlights:
Day 0: Left to Ernakulam in Airavatha Volvo KSRTC bus from Bangalore at 8 am. Seat spacing distributed throughout the bus because of issues in booking through ksrtc website. Bollywood movie Apne aired in bus. But thanks to Hogenekal issue, as soon as we entered Tamil Nadu through Hosur, an anti-element of the society threw a stone on our bus and the windshield cracked. Although glass pieces flew all over the bus aisle (including Preetham’s lap), the windshield didn’t shatter. Went to Krishnagiri Police Station to lodge an FIR to claim insurance.
Day 1: Reached Ernakulam at 10.30 instead of 8. Aankhen movie in the bus. Tempo Traveler reached the spot where we got down. Stifling heat. Went to service apartment rented by Diana. Freshened up. Diana’s house at 1 pm. Photo session with her. She was all the more bubbly, thanks to the occasion of her engagement. Lunch. Left to Munnar at 3.30 pm. Reached Munnar at 7.30 pm. Checked in at Munnar Tourist Home. Walk to Munnar town for dinner and a visit to Church (which was closed).
Day 2: Breakfast at Saravana Bhavan. Yummy! Wait to Ashwin, who was supposed to join us at Munnar from Bangalore directly, turned sour as he didn’t reach till noon and we had to carry on without him. Went to view point and walked amidst tea estates. Also visited couple of dams (remember one of the names as Mettupatty Dam), played with rifles, couple of gals went horse-riding, mirthful conversations and played the fool with camera. Other places visited include Echo point, Top station and Pampadum National Park. Went for a long walk inside the forest on a road which is supposedly the highest (in terms of MSL) in South India comparable only to roads in Himalaya. Trekked too. Couple of them got leeched! Back to Munnar town and Appam dinner (no mention of non veg as 12 of them preferred veg!).
Day 3: Went to visit Nilgiri Thar on another National Park. NT is a mountain goat not found anywhere else other than in Himalayas. Found plenty of them. Moreover, natural beauty was insurmountable. High peaks, classic tea estates, over-the-clouds, greenery-everywhere and beautiful, beautiful air! Saw South India’s tallest mountain peak. Called fondly as Elephant Face because of the resemblance. Came back and hogged omelets! Left to Ernakulam at 12 noon. Reached Ernakulam by 4 pm. Pizza Hut. Train to Bangalore at 5 pm. Dumb C, Antakshari, PJs, Love Stories (!) of colleagues, etc!
Day 4: Reached Bangalore at 4.20 am. On the dot as per schedule.
On the whole, a wonderful trip. Also, most memorable, as it was the first with my fiancée.
Place: Ernakulam, Munnar
Company: Colleagues and some of their girl friends, including mine (;))
Album: Click here
Highlights:
Day 0: Left to Ernakulam in Airavatha Volvo KSRTC bus from Bangalore at 8 am. Seat spacing distributed throughout the bus because of issues in booking through ksrtc website. Bollywood movie Apne aired in bus. But thanks to Hogenekal issue, as soon as we entered Tamil Nadu through Hosur, an anti-element of the society threw a stone on our bus and the windshield cracked. Although glass pieces flew all over the bus aisle (including Preetham’s lap), the windshield didn’t shatter. Went to Krishnagiri Police Station to lodge an FIR to claim insurance.
Day 1: Reached Ernakulam at 10.30 instead of 8. Aankhen movie in the bus. Tempo Traveler reached the spot where we got down. Stifling heat. Went to service apartment rented by Diana. Freshened up. Diana’s house at 1 pm. Photo session with her. She was all the more bubbly, thanks to the occasion of her engagement. Lunch. Left to Munnar at 3.30 pm. Reached Munnar at 7.30 pm. Checked in at Munnar Tourist Home. Walk to Munnar town for dinner and a visit to Church (which was closed).
Day 2: Breakfast at Saravana Bhavan. Yummy! Wait to Ashwin, who was supposed to join us at Munnar from Bangalore directly, turned sour as he didn’t reach till noon and we had to carry on without him. Went to view point and walked amidst tea estates. Also visited couple of dams (remember one of the names as Mettupatty Dam), played with rifles, couple of gals went horse-riding, mirthful conversations and played the fool with camera. Other places visited include Echo point, Top station and Pampadum National Park. Went for a long walk inside the forest on a road which is supposedly the highest (in terms of MSL) in South India comparable only to roads in Himalaya. Trekked too. Couple of them got leeched! Back to Munnar town and Appam dinner (no mention of non veg as 12 of them preferred veg!).
Day 3: Went to visit Nilgiri Thar on another National Park. NT is a mountain goat not found anywhere else other than in Himalayas. Found plenty of them. Moreover, natural beauty was insurmountable. High peaks, classic tea estates, over-the-clouds, greenery-everywhere and beautiful, beautiful air! Saw South India’s tallest mountain peak. Called fondly as Elephant Face because of the resemblance. Came back and hogged omelets! Left to Ernakulam at 12 noon. Reached Ernakulam by 4 pm. Pizza Hut. Train to Bangalore at 5 pm. Dumb C, Antakshari, PJs, Love Stories (!) of colleagues, etc!
Day 4: Reached Bangalore at 4.20 am. On the dot as per schedule.
On the whole, a wonderful trip. Also, most memorable, as it was the first with my fiancée.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Dwarka
Time: Mar 8 - 15, 2008
Place: Mumbai, Khandala, Lonavla, Dwarka, Bet Dwarka, Somnath
Company: Parents
Album: Click here
Highlights:
Day 1: Left to Mumbai in airplane. It was about 14 months since I had last flown. Felt nice. Taxi from airport and accomodation arranged by neighbor. Went sight seeing in Mumbai at 1 pm. Places seen (and what I felt) are as follows: Siddhi Vinayak temple (improper queue system), Haji Ali (unclean on the pavement), Lakshmi Temple (very nice; its said that since Lakshmi (Goddess of Money) has sat here, everyone makes wealth in Mumbai), Hanging Garden (nice), Gateway of India (construction going on) and Chowpatty beach (liked the concept of renting mats!). An hour of traffic to go and 2 hrs of traffic to go back home. Rashid, our taxi driver, was a very nice fellow. It felt nice to be in the same city as Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar and many such stars, who roamed in the same streets at one point of time!
This was my second visit to Mumbai. I had last been here in 1990, thats about 18 years ago, and I do not remember anything other than the visit to Essel World, stay at Gurudwar with local trains passing by and the steam of the steam engine that emanated from me when my mom gave me a good bath after she learnt that I hadnt taken bath (since it was cold water!) since 7 days! I liked the main Highway (the road that goes to Ahmedabad) connecting many parts of Mumbai, and how fly-overs are constructed at every major junction. The speed with which everyone hurried reminded me of US city highways like the one in Chicago, Rt 9 in Boston suburbs and Rt 90 in Boston. The skyline at Marine Drive (filled with lots of couples' PDA) especially when the lights lit up reminded me of New York's Manhattan. Just as how 'the city never sleeps' and 'all roads lead to Mumbai'. Of course, it is the 7th filthiest city in the world but one should appreciate the way how Mumbai never stops when there is a bomb blast or a flood-rain or if it is midnight or early morning. I liked it!
Day 2: Left early to Gateway of India again with Rashid to go to Elephanta Caves. An hour's boat ride to go and an hour's boat ride to come back and 2 hours to spend there. A toy train to go from port to main (is)land. A climb up the mountain for about 15-20 minutes. Nice caves, (broken) idols, etc. Lots of monkeys. A further climb of about 10 minutes leads to the peak (Cannon Hill). After reaching Mumbai again, had a nice South Indian lunch near Sion circle and left to Khandala. Mumbai-Pune expressway is as good as any international freeway. Khandala is just about 2 hours from Mumbai outskirts. Khandala/Lonavla are twin cities. Got a nice valley-view inn for a reasonable rate. Went to sunset point and saw the beautiful nature interspersed with man-made expressway!
Day 3: Early morning view of the valley with its now-and-then train-spotting was a treat. Went to Lion's Point (so much resemblance to Grand Canyon) and then to Bhushi Dam (a treat in winter when water falls through the steps) and then to Whalwhan dam (a great initiative by Tata) and finally to Karla Caves (have to climb 250 steps; caves in the rock resembling Canada-side view of the Niagara Falls; steep path beside a towering cliff). Journey back to Mumbai. Since we had time, went to Juhu Beach (but couldnt go to ISKCON). Rashid dropped us off at Mumbai Central where we caught the Sourashtra Mail to Okha at 8.25 pm. First time in my life, I went in AC 2 Tier (even used the Upper class waiting room). Was oh-so-wonderful!
Day 4: A lazy day. Got up at 10.30. Whiled away the time till 4 pm when finally we reached at Dwarka, train being an hour late. Excellent hospitality at Madhwa Mutt (Tel no 0992 4090326. Manager MR Ramesh). Gomathi River joins Arabian Sea near the temple and so the river itself is salty. River dries up to a trickle between 7 pm and 7 am. But the river can be crossed using boats too to go to another vast beach which is absolutely deserted. A stunningly beautiful beach with clear water which now and then keeps giving out multiple-shell-shaped conches. Story goes that actual City of Dwarka has submerged in the ocean. So, riches from that Palace where Lord Krishna ruled keeps coming out to the beach in the form of conches, pearls, etc. Esp found at night 2 am or 3 am when the Sea has receded.
Temple itself is magnificent. Constructed by Vajranath (who is son of Aniruddha who is son of Pradyumna who is son of Lord Sri Krishna) by the power of Manthras using Vishwakarma as an architect. It has 2 portions : Front and back. Front has 4 storeys indicating Chardham (Badrinath, Puri, Rameshwaram and Dwarka) and back has 7 storeys indicating Sapthapuri (Mayapuri aka Haridwar, Avanthika aka Ujjain, Madurai, Ayodhya, Mathura, Kashi aka Varanasi, Dwarka). Temple is about 5200 years old. It has 2 side doors. One is called Swarg (Heaven) dwar (Door) and another is called Moksh (Enlightenment) Dwar. The Former has about 56 steps indicating something (couldnt understand!). One thing I didnt understand is why this temple was an exception in terms of idol facing towards west. Almost all temples that I have been to face East (exception of Udupi which has a convincing story though) but this was facng West.
Day 5: Bath at Gomathi. Took a taxi and visited Nageshwar (one of the 12 Jyotirlingas), Gopi Thalab (where we get Gopi Chandnas for sandhya vandanam when lake gets dried up in Summer) and Bet Dwarka (western-most point of India, situated on an island where Krishna had his residence; have to go in a jetty filled to the brim and scary with hardly any life-jackets aboard; very windy too and birds try to get foods from patrons who throw stuff into the air and sea). Returned back to Madhwa Mutt. Went to Badakeshwar temple in the evening for an unbelievable sunset. Its a temple situated on the sea and almost 200 degrees from north to south is just arabian sea. The sea shores are similar to those picturised in Bollywood flicks taken in Australia. Again, hardly any crowd which adds that much more to the naturally beautiful scene. Again back to main temple, saw aarthi (30 mins stranded in queue, but filled with awesome Krishna devotees who kept singing amazing songs one after the other)
Day 6: Private bus to Somnath. left at 7.30 am and reached at 2.30 pm with stops at Harshad Mata and Moola Dwarka. Nothing great about them but just another tourist spots. Road from Dwarka to Somnath is almost beside sea shore for full 7 hours. Took a temple trust's room. Took an auto to visit nearby places like where Krishna was shot at, shot from and finally departed Earth. He was shot on the foot by an unsuspecting archer from a distance who thought it was a bird. Archer breaks down when he realises his folly but Krishna consoles him that it was all a part of master plan and this is how he had to leave Earth. Also archer is none other than Vaali who was killed ignominously in Krishna's previous birth as Rama. Hence, justice to all! Krishna was then resting below a tree and it is this tree that we can see now. Also the place from where the archer shot is another facinating place where we can see 3 Lingas (Shiva's idols) in open sea washed every now and then by waves!) Krishna finally departed from a place called Prabhas Kshetra where his feet are etched as a mark of respect. A board displays his end date as Feb 18 3102 BC 2:27:30 hrs. (He was born on Jul 19 3228 BC). Another nearby place where Kapila, Hiranya and Saraswathi (underground river) meet as a Triveni Sangam and then finally head towards Arabian Sea. Lots of 'punya' if one takes bath here, and hence we increased our punya counters!!
Somnath temple itself is great. Old and new temples are one beside the other. Another Jyotirlinga darshan. Nice light and sound show depicting rise and fall and rise and fall and rise and fall (phew - yeah, it sorta gets boring) of the Somnath temple. But an interesting fact is that there is a tower in the temple premises (just beside the sea) from where there is absolutely no obstruction direct to the south pole.
Day 7: 9 am Somnath to Veraval railway station in Auto. 10 am Veraval to Rajkot in Jabbalpur express train. 2 pm lunch at Rajkot station. 5 pm Saurashtra Mail (from Okha) to Mumbai. [Tradional sleeper seems so unluxurious after AC!!]
Day 8: 7 am Mumbai Dadar. Taxi to Domestic airport (international standards). Long wait from 8 am to 1 pm). Indigo flight back to Bangalore.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Bichchale and Chippagiri
Time: Feb 9-10 2008
Place: Manthralaya, Panchamukhi, Bichchale and Chippagiri
Company: Parents and brother’s in-laws
Highlights:
Day 1: River bath. Water receding by the year. As usual. Darshan from up close, thanks to mom’s relatives. Saw the garlanding. Meditation hall and pooja. Lunch.
Went to Bichchale, about 30 kms from Manthralaya. Place where Raghavendra swamy’s best disciple Appannacharya was born. Saw Appannacharya’s house which is more than 400 years old. Raghavendra Swamy used to sleep and pray in that house and the place where he used to sleep and pray is marked for Pooja.
R Swamy did penance in this place for about 13 years. Beautiful place with nice gushing river just beside the Brindavan. Absolute peace and a perfect place to perform penance.
Place called so for this reason: Appannacharya used to beg (bikshe) and he used to tie the obtained rice in cloth and put it up on a tree. After the Pooja was done, he used to sprinkle the holy water on that rice and it used to become food. Henceforth and with time it came to be called Bichchale.
Place has other notable things like grinding machine which was used to cook R Swamy’s favorite dishes, both swamy’s self (found and) placed idols, etc. Supposedly a very powerful place where ‘dreams come true’.
Then went to Panchamukhi. R Swamy did penance here for 12 years after which he was asked by the Gods to enter Brindavan in Manchale (which is now called Manthralaya). R Swamy was Prahallad in one generation, Vyasaraja in another generation and R Swamy in this generation.
Day 2: Went to Chippagiri via Adoni and Aloor. Place is known for Vijayadasaru’s holy place. Again, nice serene place, amidst farm lands, and situated outside the city limits. It was in this place that he found an idol inside a small pond (which is now a holy pool) and did Pooja to it. Upon death, this idol was kept on his burial and a small sanctum sanctorum is constructed as hinted by Vijayadasaru through one of his great disciple’s dreams. Finally went to Kasapuram near Guntakal. Famous lord Hanuman temple.
Place: Manthralaya, Panchamukhi, Bichchale and Chippagiri
Company: Parents and brother’s in-laws
Highlights:
Day 1: River bath. Water receding by the year. As usual. Darshan from up close, thanks to mom’s relatives. Saw the garlanding. Meditation hall and pooja. Lunch.
Went to Bichchale, about 30 kms from Manthralaya. Place where Raghavendra swamy’s best disciple Appannacharya was born. Saw Appannacharya’s house which is more than 400 years old. Raghavendra Swamy used to sleep and pray in that house and the place where he used to sleep and pray is marked for Pooja.
R Swamy did penance in this place for about 13 years. Beautiful place with nice gushing river just beside the Brindavan. Absolute peace and a perfect place to perform penance.
Place called so for this reason: Appannacharya used to beg (bikshe) and he used to tie the obtained rice in cloth and put it up on a tree. After the Pooja was done, he used to sprinkle the holy water on that rice and it used to become food. Henceforth and with time it came to be called Bichchale.
Place has other notable things like grinding machine which was used to cook R Swamy’s favorite dishes, both swamy’s self (found and) placed idols, etc. Supposedly a very powerful place where ‘dreams come true’.
Then went to Panchamukhi. R Swamy did penance here for 12 years after which he was asked by the Gods to enter Brindavan in Manchale (which is now called Manthralaya). R Swamy was Prahallad in one generation, Vyasaraja in another generation and R Swamy in this generation.
Day 2: Went to Chippagiri via Adoni and Aloor. Place is known for Vijayadasaru’s holy place. Again, nice serene place, amidst farm lands, and situated outside the city limits. It was in this place that he found an idol inside a small pond (which is now a holy pool) and did Pooja to it. Upon death, this idol was kept on his burial and a small sanctum sanctorum is constructed as hinted by Vijayadasaru through one of his great disciple’s dreams. Finally went to Kasapuram near Guntakal. Famous lord Hanuman temple.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Salumarada Thimmakka's Hometown
Time: Jan 6th 2008
Place: Hulikal (home town of Saalumarada Thimmakka)
Company: Volunteers of treesforfree.org
Album: Click here
Highlights: Leisurely trip to Hulikal with volunteers to meet Thimmakka who has done so much to the society by way of planting trees. Also went to a rose garden and had a small meeting there to discuss plans for 2008. Needless to say, some nice games like Dumb Charades, Blindfold, etc.
Place: Hulikal (home town of Saalumarada Thimmakka)
Company: Volunteers of treesforfree.org
Album: Click here
Highlights: Leisurely trip to Hulikal with volunteers to meet Thimmakka who has done so much to the society by way of planting trees. Also went to a rose garden and had a small meeting there to discuss plans for 2008. Needless to say, some nice games like Dumb Charades, Blindfold, etc.
Mysore DC again!
Time: Dec 30th 2007
Place: Mysore Infosys DC, Mysore Palace
Company: Adiga and Guru (High school buddies)
Highlights: Swim, pool, bowling and lunch at the DC. Siesta at Guru's (who is training Infy BPO freshers currently) room in Mysore. Palace under lights. Awesome. Wonderful night drive back in Adiga's new Palio Stile.
Place: Mysore Infosys DC, Mysore Palace
Company: Adiga and Guru (High school buddies)
Highlights: Swim, pool, bowling and lunch at the DC. Siesta at Guru's (who is training Infy BPO freshers currently) room in Mysore. Palace under lights. Awesome. Wonderful night drive back in Adiga's new Palio Stile.
Monday, December 24, 2007
861
Time: Dec 20-24, 2007
Place: Tirupati, Tirumala, Kancheepuram, Vellore, Elagiri
Company: Parents
Highlights:
Day 1: Vaikunta Ekadasi. So, visited nearest Venkateshwara temple and went through the Vaikunta dwaram. Also, since it was Thursday, visited Raghavendraswamy Mutt. Then, left to Tirupati at about 12. Reached at 7 pm thanks to some unforeseen deviations. Although a safe journey, not very happy about the drive. Mainly because went over many pot holes and in one instant, a moving bus touched the side view mirror.
Day 2: Vaikunta Dwadasi. Left to Tirumala at 6. Holy bath at Pushakarni. Dwadasi lunch at Uttaradi Mutt. Entered queue at 9. Reached sanctum sanctorum at 11. Nice darshan. Entry through Vaikunta Dwaram and through the Vaikunta Dwara corridor. This is possible only two days of the year : Vaikunta Ekadasi and Vaikunta Dwadasi. Very well decorated and lit. Quick darshan of Varaha temple. Visited Akash Gange and Papanashini. Former is great but latter is so-so. Mainly because former is full force-filled gush of waterfalls but latter looks very artificial. Came back to Tirupati by 3. Went to SriKalahasthi Road and visited the accident spot at 7th mile stone where grandparents passed away this year April. Poignant memories.
Day 3: Monthly rites for grandparents performed at Tirupati Raghavendra Swamy Mutt. Took a very long time than expected. Get together with all maternal relatives. Left to Kancheepuram at 2 and reached by 5. Darshan at Kamakshi temple and Varadaraja Swamy (another instance of Tirumala’s Lord Venkateshwara) Temple. As with all Tamil Nadu temples, it was massive. Also, one of the greatest and best idols I had ever seen. Very large and one can go very near. Also, because of the continuous ascending steps, the idol is visible to one and all from afar too. Very satisfying. More than Tirumala in fact! Then, touched the sacred Golden and Silver Lizard for which this temple is famous for.
Day 4: Visited Ekambaranathar Temple. This is the place where Parvati did her penance under a mango tree and finally got married to Shiva. The mango tree is said to be over 3500 years old. Again, a massive temple. Then left to Vellore. Reached Vellore within 2 hours. Went to Golden Temple constructed by Shakthi Amma hosting Goddess Lakshmi Narayani. Almost a mini Tirumala with huge queues, waiting boxes, X-Ray scanning machines and rushing crowds. The temple itself is within a crescent shape and on heavy rush days like Poornami or Amavasya, one is forced to stand in queue on all arms of the star! Due to improper planning and exhaustion, we had to leave the place by 5, but it is said to be very good under lights. Nevertheless, a place worthy of a visit because of the Goldenness of it all!
Day 5: Left to Bangalore at 9. Found Elagiri on the way and visited this beautiful hill station. Nice boating on a serene lake and pleasant view points. Wonderful drive back to Bangalore on NH 46 till Krishnagiri and then NH 7. What a beautiful road! Just like any other international expressway. Easily went past the 100 many times. Reached home at 4.
Drove 861 kilometers in all!
Place: Tirupati, Tirumala, Kancheepuram, Vellore, Elagiri
Company: Parents
Highlights:
Day 1: Vaikunta Ekadasi. So, visited nearest Venkateshwara temple and went through the Vaikunta dwaram. Also, since it was Thursday, visited Raghavendraswamy Mutt. Then, left to Tirupati at about 12. Reached at 7 pm thanks to some unforeseen deviations. Although a safe journey, not very happy about the drive. Mainly because went over many pot holes and in one instant, a moving bus touched the side view mirror.
Day 2: Vaikunta Dwadasi. Left to Tirumala at 6. Holy bath at Pushakarni. Dwadasi lunch at Uttaradi Mutt. Entered queue at 9. Reached sanctum sanctorum at 11. Nice darshan. Entry through Vaikunta Dwaram and through the Vaikunta Dwara corridor. This is possible only two days of the year : Vaikunta Ekadasi and Vaikunta Dwadasi. Very well decorated and lit. Quick darshan of Varaha temple. Visited Akash Gange and Papanashini. Former is great but latter is so-so. Mainly because former is full force-filled gush of waterfalls but latter looks very artificial. Came back to Tirupati by 3. Went to SriKalahasthi Road and visited the accident spot at 7th mile stone where grandparents passed away this year April. Poignant memories.
Day 3: Monthly rites for grandparents performed at Tirupati Raghavendra Swamy Mutt. Took a very long time than expected. Get together with all maternal relatives. Left to Kancheepuram at 2 and reached by 5. Darshan at Kamakshi temple and Varadaraja Swamy (another instance of Tirumala’s Lord Venkateshwara) Temple. As with all Tamil Nadu temples, it was massive. Also, one of the greatest and best idols I had ever seen. Very large and one can go very near. Also, because of the continuous ascending steps, the idol is visible to one and all from afar too. Very satisfying. More than Tirumala in fact! Then, touched the sacred Golden and Silver Lizard for which this temple is famous for.
Day 4: Visited Ekambaranathar Temple. This is the place where Parvati did her penance under a mango tree and finally got married to Shiva. The mango tree is said to be over 3500 years old. Again, a massive temple. Then left to Vellore. Reached Vellore within 2 hours. Went to Golden Temple constructed by Shakthi Amma hosting Goddess Lakshmi Narayani. Almost a mini Tirumala with huge queues, waiting boxes, X-Ray scanning machines and rushing crowds. The temple itself is within a crescent shape and on heavy rush days like Poornami or Amavasya, one is forced to stand in queue on all arms of the star! Due to improper planning and exhaustion, we had to leave the place by 5, but it is said to be very good under lights. Nevertheless, a place worthy of a visit because of the Goldenness of it all!
Day 5: Left to Bangalore at 9. Found Elagiri on the way and visited this beautiful hill station. Nice boating on a serene lake and pleasant view points. Wonderful drive back to Bangalore on NH 46 till Krishnagiri and then NH 7. What a beautiful road! Just like any other international expressway. Easily went past the 100 many times. Reached home at 4.
Drove 861 kilometers in all!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Amboli Falls in Belgaum
Time: Nov 8 - 12, 2007
Place: Belgaum, Amboli Falls, Goa
Company: 10 Colleagues and 3 of their friends
Album: Click here and here
Highlights: Rani Chennamma Express to Belgaum. Great fun in train. Good lodge booked my dad's colleague Mr Kanitkar in Belgaum. Amboli Falls (and story of Ambay!) and other local sight seeing on Day 1. Trek back up the mountainous road. Local people's expert comments on lack of water in Gokak falls led to a change in plans on Day 2: Goa! Baga beach, baga fort, Calangunte beach, Water jet skiing, and finally relaxing on the beach as the sun set. Belgaum fort and Ramakrishna mission on day 3. Back in Ju express. Wonderful conversations, as usual. In the midst, we found a few days old puppy barely surviving. Some kind hearted and pet-loving members of the team fed it well and took care of it for couple of days and even took it to Goa. But unfortunately it died.
One of the biggest trips for one of the longest durations with maximum people and cheapest per head cost! A project well executed! Only repent being that I wanted Goa to be a separate trip by itself, and we could have covered more places in and around Belgaum. Anyways....if this is the way I had to see Goa for the first time, well, so be it!
Place: Belgaum, Amboli Falls, Goa
Company: 10 Colleagues and 3 of their friends
Album: Click here and here
Highlights: Rani Chennamma Express to Belgaum. Great fun in train. Good lodge booked my dad's colleague Mr Kanitkar in Belgaum. Amboli Falls (and story of Ambay!) and other local sight seeing on Day 1. Trek back up the mountainous road. Local people's expert comments on lack of water in Gokak falls led to a change in plans on Day 2: Goa! Baga beach, baga fort, Calangunte beach, Water jet skiing, and finally relaxing on the beach as the sun set. Belgaum fort and Ramakrishna mission on day 3. Back in Ju express. Wonderful conversations, as usual. In the midst, we found a few days old puppy barely surviving. Some kind hearted and pet-loving members of the team fed it well and took care of it for couple of days and even took it to Goa. But unfortunately it died.
One of the biggest trips for one of the longest durations with maximum people and cheapest per head cost! A project well executed! Only repent being that I wanted Goa to be a separate trip by itself, and we could have covered more places in and around Belgaum. Anyways....if this is the way I had to see Goa for the first time, well, so be it!
Harihar
Time: Mid 1990s
Place: Harihar
Company: Family
Highlights: Visited the place where I had spent the first three years of my life (1980-1983) although I do not remember anything about my infanthood. Situated within Kirloskar quarters, a beautiful green landscape with a huge park and My Club. Wonderful bread omelette breakfast in the guest house. Beautiful Raghavendra Swamy Mutt on Tunga river bank. Challenged myself to walk over the bridge over Tunga. But it looked scary. So, as a punishment for my cowardice, the kid that I was, I sat on the railway tracks for 2 hours, apparently in a crime-prone zone! Drive back in Maruti Van with Gajendra uncle clocking 110 kmph and reaching Bangalore within 4.5 hours is etched in my memory.
Place: Harihar
Company: Family
Highlights: Visited the place where I had spent the first three years of my life (1980-1983) although I do not remember anything about my infanthood. Situated within Kirloskar quarters, a beautiful green landscape with a huge park and My Club. Wonderful bread omelette breakfast in the guest house. Beautiful Raghavendra Swamy Mutt on Tunga river bank. Challenged myself to walk over the bridge over Tunga. But it looked scary. So, as a punishment for my cowardice, the kid that I was, I sat on the railway tracks for 2 hours, apparently in a crime-prone zone! Drive back in Maruti Van with Gajendra uncle clocking 110 kmph and reaching Bangalore within 4.5 hours is etched in my memory.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Backpack Trip!
Time: Jan 2007
Place: Udupi, Pajaka, Manipal, Sringeri, Hornadu
Company: Just me!
Highlights:
Prelude: After two years in US, wanted to browse through my fav Indian township. Decided to do a backpack trip, and went without any prior reservations. Probably for the first (and maybe last!) time in my life!
Saturday: Took Friday night bus to Udupi and reached at about 7 am. Kept luggage at luggage counter, shoes at shoes counter and used the public washroom. Took a dhoti and dipped in the Madhwasarovara (temple pool in Udupi) for a quick bath. Darshan was over in minutes. Headed to luncheon room and was surprised that lunch was already being served. Took my seat on the floor and was shocked that they were already serving without putting the traditional banana leaf - meaning food was being served directly on the floor. I was dumb struck, but this was not done only to me - it was for everyone. I realized that it was perhaps one of those days. Anyways. I didn't even have a bottle of water with me to clean the floor. My neighbour thankfully offered her bottle and I quickly cleaned (as best as I could). Very surprised to be eating Rice and Rasam & Sambar directly from the floor. It was soon over.
Temple done, I suddenly thought of visiting Pajaka, a small hamlet where Madhwacharya was born. I had been there many years ago and thought it would be a nice visit. The buses to this village are very rare - like once in an hour. I waited anyways and went ahead with the plan. Reached Pajaka, went to the small Mutt-like place where Madhwacharya is worshipped and within few minutes was back in the same bus stand where I was dropped off. Someone else was there and was surprised to see me, a guy with backpack visiting Pajaka which is like the home of Madhwa Brahmins. She asked me, "Are you learning Sudha paata?" I guess Sudha paata is like an advanced version of Brahministic, Vedic learning equivalent to a PhD in our dialect. I chuckled inward and said no, I was just visiting Madhwacharya's home. Finally the bus came and I headed back to Udupi.
I then had a rendezvous with my Infy friend Divya. She had come from her home in Suratkal. Met her at the bus stand. It was blistering hot. She took me to an ice cream shop where we cooled off with Sundaes. She then took me to Manipal University in Manipal. I was quite taken aback with the advanced city of Manipal. It was as posh as any US city. We did some shopping in the mall and headed back to Udupi. It was time for farewell. She headed back home and I decided to head to Sringeri. Buses to Sringeri from Udupi are rare, so some folks told me to take some bus and get down at Basrikatte to catch another bus to Sringeri. Fair enough. It was a 3 hour ride on the last seat of the bus that climbed mountains. I guess it went via Agumbe because I remembered seeing sunset at Agumbe with my parents long long ago while we were on a trip with my dad's colleagues. Anyways. 8 pm at Basrikatte. A very very small village with hardly one or two dangling bulbs on one or two small shops. Few localites were sitting in front of these shops and looked at me as I got down the bus. They looked at me as if I was a foreigner. I too felt like a foreigner - it seemed so strange except I could talk to them in my own language. But what an adventure. I told them about my trip to Sringeri. They told that a bus will come shortly. I prayed that the bus will come because if it did not, I would be stuck in this small village for the night! Within minutes, a bus came and thankfully it was headed to Sringeri! Boarded that bus and it was a short ride to Sringeri.
Entered Sringeri, quick darshan and I was asked to have my dinner at the temple. It was expansive, with great steel plates! I was so glad to see the plates! Just looking at those beautiful plates, I was so grateful that I made up mind to donate handsomely to Sringeri's Annadhaana Scheme. Dinner done, I slept in a common hall where all devotees slept - directly on the floor. It was utterly cold since I only had one tiny blanket with me. But I slept well.
Sunday: Up at daybreak. Took river bath. Refreshingly cold at such early morning! Darshan done and I was ready to leave Sringeri at 7:30 am. I asked around and got to know that there was a bus to Hornadu shortly. Got the bus and went on a longish ride - almost 4 hours on winding and bumpy road that hardly had any asphalt on it. At 11:30 am, I was at Horanadu. Another of my favorite places. I guess the last time I was here was with my friends after an unbelievable 2-3 days of mountain trekking and life-altering experiences! Just like then, this time too I was glad for the last stop-over before heading back to Bangalore.
Horanadu is an awesome place, the temple is situated amidst the hilly backdrop and has this beautiful scenery all around that is mesmerizing. Anyways. Darshan done, lunch at the temple was just as great as Sringeri. I was all done by about 1:30 pm.
I enquired around and was told that there was no bus right then to Bangalore but there was a bus to Hassan. I got on that bus. It was a red KSRTC meaning hardly any comfort. But then it was an adventurous trip - so why not one more! Reached Hassan in the evening and just when I was getting down, there was a bus going to Bangalore. Got on that one too and this was Rajahamsa, which at that point of time was the luxurious KSRTC bus. Four more hours and I was back in Bangalore.
My first (and probably last) backpack trip. For years and years, I kept remembering this trip. A solo trip is special in its own inexplicable way. An unforgettable & unparalleled experience.
Place: Udupi, Pajaka, Manipal, Sringeri, Hornadu
Company: Just me!
Highlights:
Prelude: After two years in US, wanted to browse through my fav Indian township. Decided to do a backpack trip, and went without any prior reservations. Probably for the first (and maybe last!) time in my life!
Saturday: Took Friday night bus to Udupi and reached at about 7 am. Kept luggage at luggage counter, shoes at shoes counter and used the public washroom. Took a dhoti and dipped in the Madhwasarovara (temple pool in Udupi) for a quick bath. Darshan was over in minutes. Headed to luncheon room and was surprised that lunch was already being served. Took my seat on the floor and was shocked that they were already serving without putting the traditional banana leaf - meaning food was being served directly on the floor. I was dumb struck, but this was not done only to me - it was for everyone. I realized that it was perhaps one of those days. Anyways. I didn't even have a bottle of water with me to clean the floor. My neighbour thankfully offered her bottle and I quickly cleaned (as best as I could). Very surprised to be eating Rice and Rasam & Sambar directly from the floor. It was soon over.
Temple done, I suddenly thought of visiting Pajaka, a small hamlet where Madhwacharya was born. I had been there many years ago and thought it would be a nice visit. The buses to this village are very rare - like once in an hour. I waited anyways and went ahead with the plan. Reached Pajaka, went to the small Mutt-like place where Madhwacharya is worshipped and within few minutes was back in the same bus stand where I was dropped off. Someone else was there and was surprised to see me, a guy with backpack visiting Pajaka which is like the home of Madhwa Brahmins. She asked me, "Are you learning Sudha paata?" I guess Sudha paata is like an advanced version of Brahministic, Vedic learning equivalent to a PhD in our dialect. I chuckled inward and said no, I was just visiting Madhwacharya's home. Finally the bus came and I headed back to Udupi.
I then had a rendezvous with my Infy friend Divya. She had come from her home in Suratkal. Met her at the bus stand. It was blistering hot. She took me to an ice cream shop where we cooled off with Sundaes. She then took me to Manipal University in Manipal. I was quite taken aback with the advanced city of Manipal. It was as posh as any US city. We did some shopping in the mall and headed back to Udupi. It was time for farewell. She headed back home and I decided to head to Sringeri. Buses to Sringeri from Udupi are rare, so some folks told me to take some bus and get down at Basrikatte to catch another bus to Sringeri. Fair enough. It was a 3 hour ride on the last seat of the bus that climbed mountains. I guess it went via Agumbe because I remembered seeing sunset at Agumbe with my parents long long ago while we were on a trip with my dad's colleagues. Anyways. 8 pm at Basrikatte. A very very small village with hardly one or two dangling bulbs on one or two small shops. Few localites were sitting in front of these shops and looked at me as I got down the bus. They looked at me as if I was a foreigner. I too felt like a foreigner - it seemed so strange except I could talk to them in my own language. But what an adventure. I told them about my trip to Sringeri. They told that a bus will come shortly. I prayed that the bus will come because if it did not, I would be stuck in this small village for the night! Within minutes, a bus came and thankfully it was headed to Sringeri! Boarded that bus and it was a short ride to Sringeri.
Entered Sringeri, quick darshan and I was asked to have my dinner at the temple. It was expansive, with great steel plates! I was so glad to see the plates! Just looking at those beautiful plates, I was so grateful that I made up mind to donate handsomely to Sringeri's Annadhaana Scheme. Dinner done, I slept in a common hall where all devotees slept - directly on the floor. It was utterly cold since I only had one tiny blanket with me. But I slept well.
Sunday: Up at daybreak. Took river bath. Refreshingly cold at such early morning! Darshan done and I was ready to leave Sringeri at 7:30 am. I asked around and got to know that there was a bus to Hornadu shortly. Got the bus and went on a longish ride - almost 4 hours on winding and bumpy road that hardly had any asphalt on it. At 11:30 am, I was at Horanadu. Another of my favorite places. I guess the last time I was here was with my friends after an unbelievable 2-3 days of mountain trekking and life-altering experiences! Just like then, this time too I was glad for the last stop-over before heading back to Bangalore.
Horanadu is an awesome place, the temple is situated amidst the hilly backdrop and has this beautiful scenery all around that is mesmerizing. Anyways. Darshan done, lunch at the temple was just as great as Sringeri. I was all done by about 1:30 pm.
I enquired around and was told that there was no bus right then to Bangalore but there was a bus to Hassan. I got on that bus. It was a red KSRTC meaning hardly any comfort. But then it was an adventurous trip - so why not one more! Reached Hassan in the evening and just when I was getting down, there was a bus going to Bangalore. Got on that one too and this was Rajahamsa, which at that point of time was the luxurious KSRTC bus. Four more hours and I was back in Bangalore.
My first (and probably last) backpack trip. For years and years, I kept remembering this trip. A solo trip is special in its own inexplicable way. An unforgettable & unparalleled experience.
Into the sump!
Time: Mid 1980s
Place: Secunderabad, Malkheda, Srishaila
Company: Maternal family
Highlights: Fell into the sump! Bath at muddy River Krishna. Story of Srishaila.
Place: Secunderabad, Malkheda, Srishaila
Company: Maternal family
Highlights: Fell into the sump! Bath at muddy River Krishna. Story of Srishaila.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Ghati
Time: September 2007
Place: Ghati Subrahmanya
Company: Parents and brother’s In-laws
Highlights: Fall out of the 4-day long weekend. A nice car ride along the Hyderabad highway. A bad road back via Yelahanka. A traffic jammed road within city. Snacks at Chalukya.
Place: Ghati Subrahmanya
Company: Parents and brother’s In-laws
Highlights: Fall out of the 4-day long weekend. A nice car ride along the Hyderabad highway. A bad road back via Yelahanka. A traffic jammed road within city. Snacks at Chalukya.
Yercaud
Time: September 2007
Place: Yercaud
Company: Ashwin, Preetham, Pavan
Album: Click here
Highlights: A 4 day trip that shrunk to a day long affair after many days of planning. Pogoda point, Lady’s seat, Montfort Convent got done in a jiffy. Trek to Falls did not seem worthy and too much crowd near the lake.
Place: Yercaud
Company: Ashwin, Preetham, Pavan
Album: Click here
Highlights: A 4 day trip that shrunk to a day long affair after many days of planning. Pogoda point, Lady’s seat, Montfort Convent got done in a jiffy. Trek to Falls did not seem worthy and too much crowd near the lake.
Mysore DC
Time: August 2007
Place: Mysore DC, Balamuri Falls, KRS
Company: 12 Infoscions
Album: Click here
Highlights: Witnessed the expansive Mysore Infosys Development Center. Much has changed since I studied there! Mithu’s guitar. Scary water even in Balamuri. KRS filled to the brim. Musical fountain.
Place: Mysore DC, Balamuri Falls, KRS
Company: 12 Infoscions
Album: Click here
Highlights: Witnessed the expansive Mysore Infosys Development Center. Much has changed since I studied there! Mithu’s guitar. Scary water even in Balamuri. KRS filled to the brim. Musical fountain.
Konkan
Time: June 2007
Place: Konkan Railways, Mangalore, Karwar
Company: Infosys colleagues
Highlights:
Had heard a lot about Konkan railways and hence planned a trip with colleagues to see the beauty of it. Had grand thoughts of the railway track running parallel to the sea coast with amazing views all around - like those US scenes depicted in movies! But alas, it was not to be. It seemed like a normal enough railway track - at least the route from Mangalore to Karwar.
Considering that we wanted to do only a part of the Konkan rail (in just one small weekend), we finalized on Mangalore to Karwar stretch which had to be done during day time. So, took a bus (I forget train or bus, but bus I think it was) from Bangalore to Mangalore, went to Mangalore Infosys office and refreshed. That was a brainwave-moment since we did not want to spend unnecessarily in Mangalore for a lodge for just refreshing. I met my batchmate Divya in Mangalore DC and then we all went to a famous Benne Dosa restaurant and gorged! Then to the station for the actual trip. As mentioned earlier, the scenery did not live up to the expectation. Anyways, we had much to do in Karwar. So it was ok.
At Karwar, got settled at the dorm, and then headed out to a nearby island-resort. The weather turned nasty and so did the waves. The small dingy boat in the wast Arabian sea scared the bejesus out of us. It was a near-death experience for most of us. We took a long while getting back to normalcy at the resort. Then explored the island-thingy as best as we could. Then realized it was not really an island! It was connected by road - albeit longish. We didn't mind - the going-back route was via road and not in that boat - whatever the cost! But there was one guy amongst us who wanted to go back in the boat - just because we had already paid for it and also to experience the near-death experience again. Took some time convincing him and off we went back to our lodge in a jeep.
Next day morning was a light day. Spent some time on the beach enjoying and relaxing. Our bus was in the afternoon at about 3:30 pm. But it never came. We waited and waited. Then when we asked, we were told that that bus was cancelled! We had not received any intimation about it - and we had 9 seats! All the officials were confused on what needs to be done. Worst part was none of them knew anything about e-tickets. They were asking where was it obtained!! How to explain "internet"?! Finally they arranged for another bus and we got seats - but not before a verbal duel with the concerned officials. From then on, it was uneventful.
Quite an adventurous and unforgettable trip indeed.
Place: Konkan Railways, Mangalore, Karwar
Company: Infosys colleagues
Highlights:
Had heard a lot about Konkan railways and hence planned a trip with colleagues to see the beauty of it. Had grand thoughts of the railway track running parallel to the sea coast with amazing views all around - like those US scenes depicted in movies! But alas, it was not to be. It seemed like a normal enough railway track - at least the route from Mangalore to Karwar.
Considering that we wanted to do only a part of the Konkan rail (in just one small weekend), we finalized on Mangalore to Karwar stretch which had to be done during day time. So, took a bus (I forget train or bus, but bus I think it was) from Bangalore to Mangalore, went to Mangalore Infosys office and refreshed. That was a brainwave-moment since we did not want to spend unnecessarily in Mangalore for a lodge for just refreshing. I met my batchmate Divya in Mangalore DC and then we all went to a famous Benne Dosa restaurant and gorged! Then to the station for the actual trip. As mentioned earlier, the scenery did not live up to the expectation. Anyways, we had much to do in Karwar. So it was ok.
At Karwar, got settled at the dorm, and then headed out to a nearby island-resort. The weather turned nasty and so did the waves. The small dingy boat in the wast Arabian sea scared the bejesus out of us. It was a near-death experience for most of us. We took a long while getting back to normalcy at the resort. Then explored the island-thingy as best as we could. Then realized it was not really an island! It was connected by road - albeit longish. We didn't mind - the going-back route was via road and not in that boat - whatever the cost! But there was one guy amongst us who wanted to go back in the boat - just because we had already paid for it and also to experience the near-death experience again. Took some time convincing him and off we went back to our lodge in a jeep.
Next day morning was a light day. Spent some time on the beach enjoying and relaxing. Our bus was in the afternoon at about 3:30 pm. But it never came. We waited and waited. Then when we asked, we were told that that bus was cancelled! We had not received any intimation about it - and we had 9 seats! All the officials were confused on what needs to be done. Worst part was none of them knew anything about e-tickets. They were asking where was it obtained!! How to explain "internet"?! Finally they arranged for another bus and we got seats - but not before a verbal duel with the concerned officials. From then on, it was uneventful. Quite an adventurous and unforgettable trip indeed.
Pondi
Time: April 2007
Place: Pondicherry, Mahabalipuram, and Satheesh’s hometown.
Company: 8 Infoscions and one’s sister
Album: Click here and here and here
Highlights: Pump set bath, pump set batch and pump set bath! Rural setting, lots of greenery, food and richness. Who wants City?! Mahabalipuram was sweltering hot, Pondi ashram was pleasant.
Place: Pondicherry, Mahabalipuram, and Satheesh’s hometown.
Company: 8 Infoscions and one’s sister
Album: Click here and here and here
Highlights: Pump set bath, pump set batch and pump set bath! Rural setting, lots of greenery, food and richness. Who wants City?! Mahabalipuram was sweltering hot, Pondi ashram was pleasant.
Nagarhole
Time: March 2007
Place: Nagarhole, Irruppu Falls, Bheemeshwari Mountain range
Company: Deb, Preetham, Satheesh, Manju
Album: Click here
Highlights: A trip that started off with Mudumalai as destination, changed on the road due to Tamil Nadu strike. 2 hours into the trip, on Mysore road, we still had not decided where to go! But a fabulous trip, because of the Wayanad safari, the bungalow resort with sumptuous food, walk in the estate, uphill trek on the Bheemeshwari mountain range and wonderful bath at the Irruppu Falls. Marred only by the sad news of grand parents’ car accident.
Place: Nagarhole, Irruppu Falls, Bheemeshwari Mountain range
Company: Deb, Preetham, Satheesh, Manju
Album: Click here
Highlights: A trip that started off with Mudumalai as destination, changed on the road due to Tamil Nadu strike. 2 hours into the trip, on Mysore road, we still had not decided where to go! But a fabulous trip, because of the Wayanad safari, the bungalow resort with sumptuous food, walk in the estate, uphill trek on the Bheemeshwari mountain range and wonderful bath at the Irruppu Falls. Marred only by the sad news of grand parents’ car accident.
Kalavarahalli
Time: March 2007
Place: Kalavarahalli
Company: Manju, Soumik, Deb
Album: Click here
Highlights: A trip that started off from a forwarded mail containing beautiful snaps! A trek uphill that led nowhere. So backtracked and went to Nandi Hills!
Place: Kalavarahalli
Company: Manju, Soumik, Deb
Album: Click here
Highlights: A trip that started off from a forwarded mail containing beautiful snaps! A trek uphill that led nowhere. So backtracked and went to Nandi Hills!
Back to Bangalore
Time: February 2007
Place: Kalhalli
Company: Maternal family
Highlights: Driving in India seems strange! But NICE road is really nice!
Place: Kalhalli
Company: Maternal family
Highlights: Driving in India seems strange! But NICE road is really nice!
Singapore
Time: December 2006 – January 2007 (New year)
Place: Singapore
Company: Roopendra
Highlights: On our way back to India. Little India, and boat ride on the river. Changi airport is an eye-opener!
Place: Singapore
Company: Roopendra
Highlights: On our way back to India. Little India, and boat ride on the river. Changi airport is an eye-opener!
Mt Greylock
Time: December 2006
Place: Mount Greylock and Lake George, MA, USA
Company: 8 Infoscions
Highlights: Arduous trek to MA’s highest peak.
Place: Mount Greylock and Lake George, MA, USA
Company: 8 Infoscions
Highlights: Arduous trek to MA’s highest peak.
CBBT
Time: December 2006
Place: Washington (DC), Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (Virginia), USA
Company: Sandeep & Family, Deb, Mayur
Highlights: Deb’s speeding ticket. CBBT in all its glory. Washington (same places) at night. A nice spectacle.
Place: Washington (DC), Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (Virginia), USA
Company: Sandeep & Family, Deb, Mayur
Highlights: Deb’s speeding ticket. CBBT in all its glory. Washington (same places) at night. A nice spectacle.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Parents in US
Time: September 2006
Place: Hopkinton (MA), Mount Washington (NH), Pittsburgh (PA), Niagara Falls (NY), Detroit (MI), USA
Company: Parents and brother
Highlights: Dropped parents to brother’s place. Beautiful Fall
Place: Hopkinton (MA), Mount Washington (NH), Pittsburgh (PA), Niagara Falls (NY), Detroit (MI), USA
Company: Parents and brother
Highlights: Dropped parents to brother’s place. Beautiful Fall
SFO
Time: September 2006
Place: San Francisco, CA, USA
Company: Mayuresh, Anupam, Deb
Highlights: A fast paced trip. Baggage lost. Delivered later to hotel. 17 mile scenic drive. Mystery spot. Highway 1. Clear water at Lake Tahoe. The Indian gal who raced Deb! Squaw valley’s longest and largest cable car. Golden Gate. Muir Woods. Some Piers. Union Station.
Place: San Francisco, CA, USA
Company: Mayuresh, Anupam, Deb
Highlights: A fast paced trip. Baggage lost. Delivered later to hotel. 17 mile scenic drive. Mystery spot. Highway 1. Clear water at Lake Tahoe. The Indian gal who raced Deb! Squaw valley’s longest and largest cable car. Golden Gate. Muir Woods. Some Piers. Union Station.
Acadia
Time: May 2006
Place: Acadia National Park, Maine, USA
Company: Abhishek, Archana, Ashwini, Murugan, Satish, Manjunathan
Highlights: Rode on a bi-plane. Great fun on a creek. Accomodation on a wooden cottage facing a beautiful lake. Scenic loop road. Cycling. Ashwini’s accident.
Place: Acadia National Park, Maine, USA
Company: Abhishek, Archana, Ashwini, Murugan, Satish, Manjunathan
Highlights: Rode on a bi-plane. Great fun on a creek. Accomodation on a wooden cottage facing a beautiful lake. Scenic loop road. Cycling. Ashwini’s accident.
Road trip
Time: Apr 2006
Place: Chicago, IL, USA
Company: Deb, Murali, Soumik
Highlights: Road trip! An 18 hour journey to go and 18 hour journey to come back, crossing many US states. Navy Pier, Sears Tower, Marine Drive being the main attractions, amidst the country beauty. Surprised to meet Deb (Miami) here too, who happened to be Soumik’s friend. Saw the whole night and felt the new year as the day broke on my 26th birthday.
Place: Chicago, IL, USA
Company: Deb, Murali, Soumik
Highlights: Road trip! An 18 hour journey to go and 18 hour journey to come back, crossing many US states. Navy Pier, Sears Tower, Marine Drive being the main attractions, amidst the country beauty. Surprised to meet Deb (Miami) here too, who happened to be Soumik’s friend. Saw the whole night and felt the new year as the day broke on my 26th birthday.
Smokies
Time: March 2006
Place: Smoky Mountains, NC & TN, USA
Company: Deb, Murali, Soumik
Highlights: Trip to SFO booked on a wrong day resulted in a trip to Smokies. Memories of Gatlinburg. Cycling on the loop road. Deb’s racy drive on Blue Ridge Mountain road, and the look on Murali’s face and Soumik’s face! Also, flew on one of the smallest airplanes.
Place: Smoky Mountains, NC & TN, USA
Company: Deb, Murali, Soumik
Highlights: Trip to SFO booked on a wrong day resulted in a trip to Smokies. Memories of Gatlinburg. Cycling on the loop road. Deb’s racy drive on Blue Ridge Mountain road, and the look on Murali’s face and Soumik’s face! Also, flew on one of the smallest airplanes.
Goks
Time: March 2006
Place: Boston, MA, USA
Company: Harshavardhan Gokhale
Highlights: Nice time with a long-lost friend after a long time.
Place: Boston, MA, USA
Company: Harshavardhan Gokhale
Highlights: Nice time with a long-lost friend after a long time.
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas
Time: January 2006
Place: Las Vegas, NV, USA & Grand Canyon, AZ, USA
Company: Murali, Deb, Anand
Highlights: LV, a city of Money and Girls. GC, a universal serenity. An amazing trip.
Place: Las Vegas, NV, USA & Grand Canyon, AZ, USA
Company: Murali, Deb, Anand
Highlights: LV, a city of Money and Girls. GC, a universal serenity. An amazing trip.
New Year 2006
Time: December 2005-January 2006 (New Year Eve)
Place: New York, NY, USA
Company: Ashwini, Mithun, Chaitra, Deepali, Nisha
Highlights: Witnessed Ball dropping at Times Square. A New year’s eve which can never be forgotten!
Place: New York, NY, USA
Company: Ashwini, Mithun, Chaitra, Deepali, Nisha
Highlights: Witnessed Ball dropping at Times Square. A New year’s eve which can never be forgotten!
Washington
Time: December 2005
Place: New York (NY), Philadelphia (PA), Washington (DC), Caves (Virginia), USA
Company: 15 Infoscions
Highlights: Chinese package tour. A rest room trouble on Christmas day! Lincoln memorial, White House, Capitol Hill (nothing compared to Vidhana Soudha!), Air & Space Museum, FBI building, Virginia Caves, Macy’s at NY, American National history museum, NY.
Place: New York (NY), Philadelphia (PA), Washington (DC), Caves (Virginia), USA
Company: 15 Infoscions
Highlights: Chinese package tour. A rest room trouble on Christmas day! Lincoln memorial, White House, Capitol Hill (nothing compared to Vidhana Soudha!), Air & Space Museum, FBI building, Virginia Caves, Macy’s at NY, American National history museum, NY.
Brother's
Time: December 2006
Place: Detroit (MI), USA
Company: Just me
Highlights: Visit to my brother’s
Place: Detroit (MI), USA
Company: Just me
Highlights: Visit to my brother’s
Pittsburgh
Time: November 2005
Place: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Company: Murali, Shobhan
Highlights: A suicide night drive amidst extreme snow storm! Experience of a life time!
Place: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Company: Murali, Shobhan
Highlights: A suicide night drive amidst extreme snow storm! Experience of a life time!
Atlantic City
Time: November 2005
Place: New York, Atlantic City, NY, USA
Company: Archana, Abhishek, Ceby, Murugan, Gulzar
Highlights: Vodka on a rotating bar, Intrepid, Casinos, lost 2 bus tickets
Place: New York, Atlantic City, NY, USA
Company: Archana, Abhishek, Ceby, Murugan, Gulzar
Highlights: Vodka on a rotating bar, Intrepid, Casinos, lost 2 bus tickets
In India
Time: October 2005
Place: Tirumala, Kukke Subrahmanya, Mantralaya, Sonda
Company: Parents
Highlights: One month hiatus in India led to getting rid of all sins, on every weekend, to respective places!
Place: Tirumala, Kukke Subrahmanya, Mantralaya, Sonda
Company: Parents
Highlights: One month hiatus in India led to getting rid of all sins, on every weekend, to respective places!
$465
Time: September 2005
Place: Niagara, Corning, NY, USA
Company: Ashwini, Mithun
Highlights: $465 speeding ticket. Mithun’s too! Cave of the Winds.
Place: Niagara, Corning, NY, USA
Company: Ashwini, Mithun
Highlights: $465 speeding ticket. Mithun’s too! Cave of the Winds.
Prudential
Time: September 2005
Place: Boston, MA, USA
Company: Infoscions
Highlights: Cruise, Prudential building - Boston's tallest
Place: Boston, MA, USA
Company: Infoscions
Highlights: Cruise, Prudential building - Boston's tallest
Tampa
Time: September 2005
Place: Tampa, Orlando , FL, USA
Company: Nikhil, Deb, Murali
Highlights: Orlando’s Universal Studio, Tampa Clearwater beach & Tampa downtown
Place: Tampa, Orlando , FL, USA
Company: Nikhil, Deb, Murali
Highlights: Orlando’s Universal Studio, Tampa Clearwater beach & Tampa downtown
Freedom Trail
Time: August 2005
Place: Boston, MA, USA
Company: Ashwini, Mithun
Highlights: Freedom Trail, Aquarium, IMAX, Park St, Ice skating.
Place: Boston, MA, USA
Company: Ashwini, Mithun
Highlights: Freedom Trail, Aquarium, IMAX, Park St, Ice skating.
Hopkinton
Time: August 2005
Place: Hopkinton, MA, USA
Company: Ashwini, Mithun
Highlights: A weekend retreat!
Place: Hopkinton, MA, USA
Company: Ashwini, Mithun
Highlights: A weekend retreat!
Philly
Time: July 2005
Place: Philadelphia, PA, USA
Company: Ashwini, Mithun, Ceby
Highlights: Got lost in NY. Ashwini’s friend had slept off at 2 am! Stayed over at Mithun’s and went to Philly to meet Giri. Wonderful time with him. Went to a movie (Wedding Crashers), saw Philly’s nearby sights, ate Mexican, talked till 5 am, train stopped in the middle due to a bomb scare in Penn Station, came back uneventfully.
Place: Philadelphia, PA, USA
Company: Ashwini, Mithun, Ceby
Highlights: Got lost in NY. Ashwini’s friend had slept off at 2 am! Stayed over at Mithun’s and went to Philly to meet Giri. Wonderful time with him. Went to a movie (Wedding Crashers), saw Philly’s nearby sights, ate Mexican, talked till 5 am, train stopped in the middle due to a bomb scare in Penn Station, came back uneventfully.
Cape Cod
Time: July 2005
Place: Cape Cod, MA, USA
Company: Jainendra & Family, Shabbir & Family
Highlights: 3 hour drive in my red Volvo. A nice relaxing time at the beach.
Place: Cape Cod, MA, USA
Company: Jainendra & Family, Shabbir & Family
Highlights: 3 hour drive in my red Volvo. A nice relaxing time at the beach.
New York
Time: July 2005
Place: New York, NY, USA
Company: Gulzar, Murugan
Highlights: Experienced New York first hand. Got lost many times and enjoyed the overall experience! Wow, what a city! Statue of Liberty, Times Square, UN building, Madame Tussauds, Empire State building, Ground Zzero (previously WTC), Wall St, NYSE, NASDAQ, Big Bull, Madison Square Garden, Rockefeller Center.
Place: New York, NY, USA
Company: Gulzar, Murugan
Highlights: Experienced New York first hand. Got lost many times and enjoyed the overall experience! Wow, what a city! Statue of Liberty, Times Square, UN building, Madame Tussauds, Empire State building, Ground Zzero (previously WTC), Wall St, NYSE, NASDAQ, Big Bull, Madison Square Garden, Rockefeller Center.
White Mountain
Time: June 2005
Place: White Mountain range, NH, USA
Company: Ashish, Manju, Mithun, Deb, Digvijay
Highlights: Rainy trip, with road to Mount Washington closed due to bad weather. However, lots of short treks and falls.
Place: White Mountain range, NH, USA
Company: Ashish, Manju, Mithun, Deb, Digvijay
Highlights: Rainy trip, with road to Mount Washington closed due to bad weather. However, lots of short treks and falls.
Miami
Time: May 2005
Place: Miami, FL, USA
Company: Gaurav
Highlights: Met Jagadish and his pals Nikhil and Debabrata. Overnight journey to Keywest, Miami Ocean Drive and beach, missed seeing Sheela by a whisker, Orlando Disneyland, eventful night journey back.
Place: Miami, FL, USA
Company: Gaurav
Highlights: Met Jagadish and his pals Nikhil and Debabrata. Overnight journey to Keywest, Miami Ocean Drive and beach, missed seeing Sheela by a whisker, Orlando Disneyland, eventful night journey back.
Niagara
Time: April 2005
Place: Niagara Falls, NY, USA
Company: Gaurav
Highlights: Chinese package tour. Maid of the Mist is an experience of a life time!
Place: Niagara Falls, NY, USA
Company: Gaurav
Highlights: Chinese package tour. Maid of the Mist is an experience of a life time!
Skiing
Time: Mar 2005
Place: Nashoba Valley, MA, USA
Company: A huge gang of Infoscions!
Highlights: Skiing. I sucked in it!
Place: Nashoba Valley, MA, USA
Company: A huge gang of Infoscions!
Highlights: Skiing. I sucked in it!
MIT and Harvard
Time: Mar 2005
Place: Boston, MA, USA
Company: Deb, Sajith, Manju, Ravi
Highlights: MIT, Harvard, Charles River
Place: Boston, MA, USA
Company: Deb, Sajith, Manju, Ravi
Highlights: MIT, Harvard, Charles River
Char Dham
Time: May 2004
Place: Delhi, Haridwar, Yamunothri, Gangothri, Kedarnath, Badrinath
Company: Parents, but a package trip
Highlights: A beautiful 18-day trip with parents organized by Vikram travels. Amazing food everyday, great accommodations, and good travel bus.
Delhi: A repeat of places I had seen. Including Indira Gandhi’s assassination scene. Sweltering hot!
Haridwar and Rishikesh. A repeat again. Went on jhoola this time. And saw innumerous places of interest in and around. Quite fascinating really.
Yamunothri. A tiring 7 km up and 7 km down steep climb. A climb which makes you feel colder as you climb higher. Nearest place where we can see River Yamuna originating, but it actually originates much higher. Unfortunately for us, there was a strike that day which delayed us the whole morning. So, we climbed late, and had to hurry back down because it was becoming pitch dark!
Gangothri, which is the nearest place where we can see River Ganga originating, but it actually originates from Gaumukh, which is a further 7 km steep trek amidst the cold mountains. Remembered breathing heavily in Gangothri because of lack of Oxygen content.
Kedarnath. 14 km up and 14 km down. I took a horse ride up, but realized within moments, the brutality of it! Suffered, along with cold, all the way up. Idol is a mere flat faced rock which is considered as Lord Shiva. Paid the whole amount but came down 14 km walking. A girl of my age giving me company, made it all the more easier! A feverish strain in the night.
Badrinath. The sacred house of Lord Vishnu. I had at last fulfilled my vow! Then, Vyaas Guha.
Overall: Hot water geysers in all the cold places were a pleasure. Overnight stay at Uttar Kashi and Joshi Mutt. Latter because we missed the 5 pm deadline after which the stretch of 30 kms to Badri is closed as it is considered to be dangerous. Tiny winding roads all around, with deep gorges, magnificent yet fierce rivers, scenic snow-capped mountains. Easily, one of my greatest trips!
Place: Delhi, Haridwar, Yamunothri, Gangothri, Kedarnath, Badrinath
Company: Parents, but a package trip
Highlights: A beautiful 18-day trip with parents organized by Vikram travels. Amazing food everyday, great accommodations, and good travel bus.
Delhi: A repeat of places I had seen. Including Indira Gandhi’s assassination scene. Sweltering hot!
Haridwar and Rishikesh. A repeat again. Went on jhoola this time. And saw innumerous places of interest in and around. Quite fascinating really.
Yamunothri. A tiring 7 km up and 7 km down steep climb. A climb which makes you feel colder as you climb higher. Nearest place where we can see River Yamuna originating, but it actually originates much higher. Unfortunately for us, there was a strike that day which delayed us the whole morning. So, we climbed late, and had to hurry back down because it was becoming pitch dark!
Gangothri, which is the nearest place where we can see River Ganga originating, but it actually originates from Gaumukh, which is a further 7 km steep trek amidst the cold mountains. Remembered breathing heavily in Gangothri because of lack of Oxygen content.
Kedarnath. 14 km up and 14 km down. I took a horse ride up, but realized within moments, the brutality of it! Suffered, along with cold, all the way up. Idol is a mere flat faced rock which is considered as Lord Shiva. Paid the whole amount but came down 14 km walking. A girl of my age giving me company, made it all the more easier! A feverish strain in the night.
Badrinath. The sacred house of Lord Vishnu. I had at last fulfilled my vow! Then, Vyaas Guha.
Overall: Hot water geysers in all the cold places were a pleasure. Overnight stay at Uttar Kashi and Joshi Mutt. Latter because we missed the 5 pm deadline after which the stretch of 30 kms to Badri is closed as it is considered to be dangerous. Tiny winding roads all around, with deep gorges, magnificent yet fierce rivers, scenic snow-capped mountains. Easily, one of my greatest trips!
Off to USA
Time: Mar 2005 – Sep 2005; Nov 2005 – Dec 2006
Place: Marlborough, MA, USA
Company: Just me
Highlights: On office duty
Place: Marlborough, MA, USA
Company: Just me
Highlights: On office duty
Guruvayoor
Time: Mid 2004
Place: Guruvayoor, Palakkad, Palani
Company: Parents
Highlights: Rich religious traditions at Guruvayoor, beautiful setting at Malamphuza dam and the Palani hill-top from where Kodai can be seen.
Place: Guruvayoor, Palakkad, Palani
Company: Parents
Highlights: Rich religious traditions at Guruvayoor, beautiful setting at Malamphuza dam and the Palani hill-top from where Kodai can be seen.
Tirukoillur
Time: Early 2004
Place: Tirukoillur, Trichy
Company: Parents
Highlights: A fast-paced trip. Serene, beautiful setting at Tirukoillur Mutt, beside river Cauvery, where the Brindavan is in open-air. If a branch of a tree over grows and tries to provide shadow, the branch is said to automatically wither away and die. From Tirukoillur, we went to Ulundurpettai (the worst urinals I have ever seen in bus stand) and then to Vriddhachalam. Next day, went to Srimushna, and then back to Vriddhachalam, on our way to Tiruchirapalli(Trichy). Saw the massive temple at Sriranga and returned back.
Place: Tirukoillur, Trichy
Company: Parents
Highlights: A fast-paced trip. Serene, beautiful setting at Tirukoillur Mutt, beside river Cauvery, where the Brindavan is in open-air. If a branch of a tree over grows and tries to provide shadow, the branch is said to automatically wither away and die. From Tirukoillur, we went to Ulundurpettai (the worst urinals I have ever seen in bus stand) and then to Vriddhachalam. Next day, went to Srimushna, and then back to Vriddhachalam, on our way to Tiruchirapalli(Trichy). Saw the massive temple at Sriranga and returned back.
Rameshwaram
Time: December 2003
Place: Madurai, Rameshwaram, Kodaikanal
Company: Parents
Highlights: Madurai is a center point between Rameshwara and Kodaikanal.
Madurai: Enormous, enormous temple. Our good nieghbours facilitated an easy Darshan.
Rameshwaram: The sacred 21 baths from 21 wells early in the morning after the initial dip in the Bay of Bengal, where its said that Lord Rama shot an arrow to stop the waves from ever crashing onto the beaches of Rameshwaram. Also, saw the stones which were mythically used to walk the 18 km stretch over the Bay of Bengal to Lanka by Lord Rama to save Sita from Ravana.
Kodaikanal: The chill and natural beauty is awe-inspiring. But it being off-season, most of the view points were covered with clouds.
Place: Madurai, Rameshwaram, Kodaikanal
Company: Parents
Highlights: Madurai is a center point between Rameshwara and Kodaikanal.
Madurai: Enormous, enormous temple. Our good nieghbours facilitated an easy Darshan.
Rameshwaram: The sacred 21 baths from 21 wells early in the morning after the initial dip in the Bay of Bengal, where its said that Lord Rama shot an arrow to stop the waves from ever crashing onto the beaches of Rameshwaram. Also, saw the stones which were mythically used to walk the 18 km stretch over the Bay of Bengal to Lanka by Lord Rama to save Sita from Ravana.
Kodaikanal: The chill and natural beauty is awe-inspiring. But it being off-season, most of the view points were covered with clouds.
Gokarna
Time: 2003
Place: Sonda, Gokarna
Company: Parents
Highlights: Sonda to Sirsi to Kumta to Gokarna. Nice beaches, lots of foreigners and the buried Atma Linga roots. I have always loved that story and hence wanted to see this place badly. At last!
Place: Sonda, Gokarna
Company: Parents
Highlights: Sonda to Sirsi to Kumta to Gokarna. Nice beaches, lots of foreigners and the buried Atma Linga roots. I have always loved that story and hence wanted to see this place badly. At last!
First trip with Infoscions
Time: Dec 2002
Place: Chamundi Hills
Company: New Infosys batch mates
Highlights: Got inseparable with Infosys batch mates!
Place: Chamundi Hills
Company: New Infosys batch mates
Highlights: Got inseparable with Infosys batch mates!
SSB time
Time: June 2002 (for about 4-5 days)
Place: Mysore, Chamundi Hills
Company: SSB mates
Highlights: Got selected for the Services Selection Board at Mysore. All excited, went to Mysore via train. We were taken to the SSB place in buses - each having a seat of our own (this became important on the last day!)
At the SSB, we were told about our itinerary for the next few days. We were allotted our hostel beds. It was a great dormitory - and we all guys had lot of fun. There was even a gym - my first ever experience of a gym!
Over the next few days, we had multiple tests such as IQ test (this lasted for about 4 hours!), interview (10-15 minutes, I realized I did badly when I told I will go to US for Masters if I flunk in SSB!), physical test (I fell from top while trying to catch a rope from about 10 feet height!) and many such things - all these were just one a day. We had one day off when we guys went to Chamundi Hills. The food was bad on all days in the canteen. We pitied the Indian Army for such food!
On the last day, results were announced, and not surprisingly I was not selected. All the failed candidates were herded into one truck like a sheep (note the difference now from the first day!) and sent back to railway station for departure to Bangalore!
Although I did badly, it was a memorable experience.
Place: Mysore, Chamundi Hills
Company: SSB mates
Highlights: Got selected for the Services Selection Board at Mysore. All excited, went to Mysore via train. We were taken to the SSB place in buses - each having a seat of our own (this became important on the last day!)
At the SSB, we were told about our itinerary for the next few days. We were allotted our hostel beds. It was a great dormitory - and we all guys had lot of fun. There was even a gym - my first ever experience of a gym!
Over the next few days, we had multiple tests such as IQ test (this lasted for about 4 hours!), interview (10-15 minutes, I realized I did badly when I told I will go to US for Masters if I flunk in SSB!), physical test (I fell from top while trying to catch a rope from about 10 feet height!) and many such things - all these were just one a day. We had one day off when we guys went to Chamundi Hills. The food was bad on all days in the canteen. We pitied the Indian Army for such food!
On the last day, results were announced, and not surprisingly I was not selected. All the failed candidates were herded into one truck like a sheep (note the difference now from the first day!) and sent back to railway station for departure to Bangalore!
Although I did badly, it was a memorable experience.
Second engineering trip
Time: December 2001
Place: Sringeri, St. Mary’s Island, Agumbe, Kollur, Byndoor Beach, Murudeshwar, Udupi
Company: Engineering mates
Highlights: The other faction of the class wanted truce and organized this 3 day long trip for which there was a huge turn-out. Remembered guys falling for a simple yet utterly beautiful salesgirl in a shop at Kollur! I almost drowned in Byndoor Beach, but had amazing fun! Danced all the way back to Bangalore!
Place: Sringeri, St. Mary’s Island, Agumbe, Kollur, Byndoor Beach, Murudeshwar, Udupi
Company: Engineering mates
Highlights: The other faction of the class wanted truce and organized this 3 day long trip for which there was a huge turn-out. Remembered guys falling for a simple yet utterly beautiful salesgirl in a shop at Kollur! I almost drowned in Byndoor Beach, but had amazing fun! Danced all the way back to Bangalore!
First engineering trip
Time: June 2001
Place: Balamuri Falls, KRS dam
Company: Engineering mates
Highlights: Factions in engineering class group led to a turn-out of just 14 member day-long trip. But, boy, was it a trip! Full marks to the enthusiasm of my dearest friend Sandhya, who organized the whole thing!
Place: Balamuri Falls, KRS dam
Company: Engineering mates
Highlights: Factions in engineering class group led to a turn-out of just 14 member day-long trip. But, boy, was it a trip! Full marks to the enthusiasm of my dearest friend Sandhya, who organized the whole thing!
Kudremukh
Time: 1997
Place: Kudremukh
Company: Giri, Guru, Madhu, Diwakar
Highlights: River bath at Dharmasthala. Started mountain climbing trek from Navooru. Constant rain stopped us. A farmer allowed us to stay at an out-house. Started early morning again. Exhausted within couple of hours due to the steepness. By 10 am, we were over the clouds. By 1 pm, we found a dilapidated shelter house with no doors, which was at the base of last stretch of Kudremukh. By 2 pm, it started raining again But we climbed on. Amidst leeches stuck to embarrassing places in the body, amidst eating bread and jam on dripping rain, with blood all over shoes, and socks soggy wet, we climbed on. But then, the chill started and two of us started shivering uncontrollably. Two came down to shelter-house, while three continued. They went to the peak, of course no visibility, and started back. Met a tiger on their way back. It acknowledged them and went its way. Almost lost way in pitch darkness. Next day, downhill trek to Belthangadi amidst beautiful sceneries. Bus to Hornadu. Back to Bangalore. An unforgettable trip.
Place: Kudremukh
Company: Giri, Guru, Madhu, Diwakar
Highlights: River bath at Dharmasthala. Started mountain climbing trek from Navooru. Constant rain stopped us. A farmer allowed us to stay at an out-house. Started early morning again. Exhausted within couple of hours due to the steepness. By 10 am, we were over the clouds. By 1 pm, we found a dilapidated shelter house with no doors, which was at the base of last stretch of Kudremukh. By 2 pm, it started raining again But we climbed on. Amidst leeches stuck to embarrassing places in the body, amidst eating bread and jam on dripping rain, with blood all over shoes, and socks soggy wet, we climbed on. But then, the chill started and two of us started shivering uncontrollably. Two came down to shelter-house, while three continued. They went to the peak, of course no visibility, and started back. Met a tiger on their way back. It acknowledged them and went its way. Almost lost way in pitch darkness. Next day, downhill trek to Belthangadi amidst beautiful sceneries. Bus to Hornadu. Back to Bangalore. An unforgettable trip.
Pandarpur
Time: 1997
Place: Pandarpur, Kolhapur
Company: Paternal Family
Highlights: Religious places. Remembered Kykadi temple, and how the pujaris ask for money openly. The sweating inside the sanctum sanctorum of Kolhapur temple. The peaceful train journey back from Miraj.
Place: Pandarpur, Kolhapur
Company: Paternal Family
Highlights: Religious places. Remembered Kykadi temple, and how the pujaris ask for money openly. The sweating inside the sanctum sanctorum of Kolhapur temple. The peaceful train journey back from Miraj.
River side trek
Time: 1996
Place: Muthaththi, Meke Daatu
Company: Giri, Guru
Highlights: Night camp halt at Muthathathi. Day long 24 km trek beside Cauvery to Sangama, with river dips every 15 min to beat the summer heat! Refreshing sleep in the river at Sangama, where we night camped again. Quick 1 hour 4 km trek to Meke daatu in the morning and, back to Bangalore. Most memorable trip.
Place: Muthaththi, Meke Daatu
Company: Giri, Guru
Highlights: Night camp halt at Muthathathi. Day long 24 km trek beside Cauvery to Sangama, with river dips every 15 min to beat the summer heat! Refreshing sleep in the river at Sangama, where we night camped again. Quick 1 hour 4 km trek to Meke daatu in the morning and, back to Bangalore. Most memorable trip.
Kukke
Time: Mid 1990s
Place: Kukke Subrahmanya, Dharmasthala, Udupi, Sonda
Company: Family
Highlights: Religious places. Kukke is a scenic sacred place with the temple under a hill and beside a river. Sonda is about 22 kms from Sirsi, in the middle of a dense forest. Apart from the temple and a Gurukul and a couple of shops, nothing is there, but very sacred. Nearby is Tapovana (1 km trek in forest) where Tapas was done on the river banks.
Place: Kukke Subrahmanya, Dharmasthala, Udupi, Sonda
Company: Family
Highlights: Religious places. Kukke is a scenic sacred place with the temple under a hill and beside a river. Sonda is about 22 kms from Sirsi, in the middle of a dense forest. Apart from the temple and a Gurukul and a couple of shops, nothing is there, but very sacred. Nearby is Tapovana (1 km trek in forest) where Tapas was done on the river banks.
Secunderabad
Time: Mid 1990s
Place: Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Malkheda
Company: Family
Highlights: Golconda Fort, Char Minar, Hussein Sagar Lake were main attractions. Remember seeing Hum Aapke Hain Kaun in a jam packed magnificently air conditioned theatre. Malkheda is a beautiful religious place 3 hours away.
Place: Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Malkheda
Company: Family
Highlights: Golconda Fort, Char Minar, Hussein Sagar Lake were main attractions. Remember seeing Hum Aapke Hain Kaun in a jam packed magnificently air conditioned theatre. Malkheda is a beautiful religious place 3 hours away.
Bhopal
Time: April 1995
Place: Bhopal, Sangli
Company: Maternal aunt and cousins
Highlights: A beautiful place! A pensioner’s paradise! Probably the place seems so deserted because people migrated after the Bhopal Gas tragedy. Remembered running towards a moving local train to Sangli, which then stopped just for us. But after an hour, since we reached our destination, and no TTE had come, we had traveled ticketless! So had to exit from a back gate at the Sangli station! Sangli is a nice place, full of Gautam Buddha’s sculptures. It just happened to be my 15th birthday!
Place: Bhopal, Sangli
Company: Maternal aunt and cousins
Highlights: A beautiful place! A pensioner’s paradise! Probably the place seems so deserted because people migrated after the Bhopal Gas tragedy. Remembered running towards a moving local train to Sangli, which then stopped just for us. But after an hour, since we reached our destination, and no TTE had come, we had traveled ticketless! So had to exit from a back gate at the Sangli station! Sangli is a nice place, full of Gautam Buddha’s sculptures. It just happened to be my 15th birthday!
Taj Mahal
Time: 1993
Place: Delhi, Agra, Fatehpur Sikhri, Haridwar
Company: Mother and maternal uncle
Highlights: Felt awed by Delhi, with its wide roads, fly-overs, Lotus Mahal, Parliament, India Gate. Of course, Agra’s Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikhri’s fort. Remembered seeing road to Badrinath from Haridwar. Vowed to go there soon! Became a fan of the detective serial Derrick!
Place: Delhi, Agra, Fatehpur Sikhri, Haridwar
Company: Mother and maternal uncle
Highlights: Felt awed by Delhi, with its wide roads, fly-overs, Lotus Mahal, Parliament, India Gate. Of course, Agra’s Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikhri’s fort. Remembered seeing road to Badrinath from Haridwar. Vowed to go there soon! Became a fan of the detective serial Derrick!
Mehboobnagar
Time: 1992
Place: Mehboobnagar, Raichur
Company: Maternal family
Highlights: A family function
Place: Mehboobnagar, Raichur
Company: Maternal family
Highlights: A family function
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