SKANDAGIRI - A Trek To The Peak

Date : 13.01.2008

Attendance : Myself, Raghavendra, Nagesh, Santosh, Mahendra and Madhukar(Di}.

It was a hectic saturday the 12th January. Had clocked-in night shift on friday and saturday morning was busy getting my bike serviced, and roamed around SP Road to purchase a PC Hardware for a Madhu. Was home by 17:00 hrs, and slept for about 2 hrs and was up by 20:00 hrs. Freshened up and packed my backpack to go to Raghu's place on the way picking Nagesh.

Reached Raghu's place by 22:45 hrs, waited for Santy to come. started by 23:00 hrs towards Mahendra's place on our bikes. (2 Pulsars and 1 Glamour), Picked him up started on our real Ride to Skandagiri.

People had big expectations about Skandagiri after reading various blogs. Reached the outskirts of yelahanka and had a stopover for CHAIya. Had omlettes with chai and took a few snaps from the numerous cameras we had. People didnt want me to cover the Bar while taking photograph..... (can't understand the reservation, what they have about bars. But I love covering the location for reference.) Done with tea and omlettes we again started on our way to `Destination Skandagiri'. Had to wake up Raghu's cousin, Ravi, who had to loose his sleep for the night because of our man waking him up all through the drive to enquire on the route. SORRY FOR THAT RAVI. And finally after all this we reached the base around 01:30 hrs (13.01.2008). Enrouter we had to pass by Muddenhalli, the birth place of Sir M.Vishveshwaraya, the architect and visionary of our state.

Parking our bikes at the forest office and getting ourselves registered there, hired a guide - Named Shiva Kumar, to help us on the trek. It is pitch dark at this time of the day, but we have torches and the will in us to guide us through the terrain. Sheer luck that the torches gave way say a few minutes onto the trek, have to manage with the lights from our MOBILES..!!! and the guiding force SHIVU. Cant make it after a few feet above as its full of rock and slippery sand. Rested for a few minutes as we have trekked for about 30+ min now and not being seasoned trekkers it was a tough time for many pot-bellies amongst us. Started again and Shivu at some point' tell us not to put our foot onto left.... reason unknown. It still is pitch dark and we are able to see only a few feet ahead of us, `not again - thanks to the torches we carried that gave way'.

Managed to reach a certain point where we get tea and snacks from the lone shed which is erected during weekends to help us - The Trekkers. I just want to sink in here after Tea and a round of Omlettes. The rest of the gang being devout want to move a little further to reach a Ganesha Temple. Reluctantly moving on and reached the Peak after a few minutes of trek. Time now is 03:30 hrs.

The weather here is freesing and our balls are shrinking. ;). Explored the place for some time and managed to find a clearing to rest on. Using the blankets we carried didnt help us as the cool breeze is cutting through the sheets, woke up, Missing the `Real Spirit' which would have helped us now.

Managed to gather some firewood and dry grass. a certain 30 ml of kerosen costed Rs.20, no go, had to, to keep us warm. Again photo sessions in low light or is it no light. Experimenting our skills at photography. By now it is 05:30 and on the Horizon, Blobbed the Crimson that we were waiting for. It is a breath taking view - literally as well, as we are sitting on the edge of the mountain hanging our legs in the air - `gay abandon' and gaping at the Crimson that we had trekked to watch. Again a photo session trying various tricks and by 06:00 The Sun Lord made up his mind to rise from his hiding. Whistles and loud applause greeted him making us feel warm.

Now embarked on our descent with renewed vigour came to know the reason as to why we were asked not to step onto our left while ascending the mountain. One step to the now right and we would not have had the time to count the seconds, its a drop of a few hundred meters. By now i we are completly drained but Nag's who usually catwalks is walking straight due to the antics of his and Raghu on the pillars at the edge of mountain. I Drank just 6 glasses of buttermilk on our descent and reached our bikes in a little over 1 hour of trek. This time the light was on our side making it easy descent.

Back on the way had tender coconuts, grapes and reached home by 11:00 hrs, Me sleeping on our way back and Raghu had to ride from RT Nagar with me snoring behind.

Raghu was a little disappointed seeing the cloud formation, as it was not as good as it had appeared in those numerous blogs he had read and photographs he had seen. Me as usual knew this is not the right season for those kind of cloud formation and kept mum.

PS : More on the legend associated in the next post. Keep Visiting.

Please Visit the link : http://picasaweb.google.com/srinidhi.ps/SkandagiriATrekUphill

A Trip to Kodachadri....

Date : 29 – 31 December 2007 and 01 Jan 2008
Location : Kundapur District and Kodachadri
People Involved : Myself and Nagesh. The Sony HandyCam and The DigitalCam

Yet Again its time for us to usher in the New Year and bid a farewell to the past retaining sweet memories. So we decided to end the year on a good note and decided to go to Kodachadri.

On the 29th about 19:45 hrs we boarded The Durgamba bus (KA01 B5924) to Kundapur, (about 425 kms). It was a sleeper and we got upper berths. The bus had a stopover @ Swati Hotel in Seshadripuram, we bought 2 Cans of KF Draught and chips, mint during the stopover. Now we started the real party and `the real spirit of travel rose'.

Around 02:00 hrs on the 30th the bus had a flat tyre and had to stop by a cemetery for replacing the tyres. Nagesh was fast asleep by this time, had to wake him up to notify him of the cemetery and click a few pictures there. The tyres were replaced in about 25 min and started on our journey. caught some sleep. Reached Tirthahalli around 05:00 hrs, had Tea and Buns ( a Mangalorean delicacy) and started towards Kundapur. Reached Kumbashi by 08:00, Kundapur is about 10 kms from here. Clicked a few stills and videos on the way.

We disembarked at Kumbashi and reached the AaneGudda Temple and hired a room there, refreshed and went to Kundapur to have our Breakfast and reached back to find Vinayaka – the presiding deity out there and offered pooja (the avalakki prasadam was the main reason for attending the pooja, but don't tell this to anyone). Had our stomach full of the `Brahmana oota' and hired an auto to take us around. Time was about 15:00 hrs.

There again started our TeerthaYatra. Visited Kota, Saligrama, Koteshwara and a few other temples. Was concentrating more on the few paintings and architecture there. One of the temple @ Koteshwara has a roofing made out of Huge stone slabs which dates back to 2000 years. And as claimed by the localites Huge Men had carried those stones (- JCB's and Cranes of these days) on their heads and shoulders to place them for roofs. While renovating the pond in front of the temple a few years ago they say, had found big sandals ( sized approx 25) which those men wore out there. Just imagine how huge those men must be....!!!!

By now it was 17:00 hrs and we decided to go towards Marvante beach to watch the sunset and also play in the waters for some time. On the way to clicked a few stills and videos of `The Arabian Sea, The Back Waters and those Small Islands'. Reached Marvante by 17:30 and played in the water for some time and had a few shots of the `Sun set @ Sea'.

On our way back the auto driver Ganesh drove us to another place called HattiAngadi. Again that was a TeerthaYatrae, and again a Vinayaka Temple. Dont know how this guy Vinayaka exists in all these places, had counted about 5 by this time and all of them have `Real Power' and can create wonders. Time by now was 20:00 hrs and we proceeded towards Kundaput to have our dinner. The hotel close to the Abus stand was pretty decent and served good food and beverages. Had our fill and on the way to the Lodge had been to a Pandal playing `Yakshagana' (a folk art popular in this belt.). Watched the play for some time and Nagesh was busy taking Video and Photos of the mela. And by now we had found out that Ganesh was `Comedy Time Ganesh in a different Incarnation'.

Reached the Lodge by 22:30 hrs and didn't even know when Sleep took over Us. Managed to wake-up by 05:00 hrs on the 31 Dec 2007.

Comedy Time Ganesh picked us from the Lodge by 05:45 hrs and dropped us @ Kundapur, where we boarded a bus to Kollur and then Hired a Jeep to Kodachadri, reached the Peak by trekking for a few kilometers and capturing the breath-taking scenic beauty on our cameras. On our way encountered Mr. Vinayaka for the N th time in the last 2 days, this time he was in a cave seated atop a snake, (very unlikely for him), had a whiff of spices on the way, bought 3 Quart bottles of Honey from the Villagers there, who claimed that it was pure honey collected from the forest. Reached the Peak and saw the Ugamasthana of River Souparnika, and started on descent from the Sahyadri Hill. The greenary wasn't lush and that appealing. So have decided to visit the place again sometime during August or September unmindful of the blood-sucking leeches with few more people. Had `so called lunch' @ Kollur. Later found forgoing food was better.

Started back to Kumbashi and reached by 19:00 hrs, freshend up and started back to Bangalore. Boarded a bus from Udupi. And again the sleeper, the party, Calling in the Year 2008 in bus with a fizz of KF Draught happened. Though the road back to Bangalore was S**t, was happy that it was a router which passed through `Moodigere' – The Place where one of my favourite author lived and was laid to rest, Belur, Hassan and Bangalore. Reached bangalore by 09:30 on the D-Day 01 January 2008 to meet those guys who missed out the exciting travel by a few whiskers.

Highlights of the trip....

# The numerous Mr. Vinayaka's

# Numerous Botis on the HighWay.

# The Omlettes on way to Kodachadri.

# Mr. Ganesh - The Auto Driver.

Visit The Link for Photos : http://picasaweb.google.com/srinidhi.ps/Trip2008

Finally it was a Hamster........

Date : 02.12.2007
Place : Bangalore.

After yesterdays long drive to Ghati Subramanya, reached home by 22:00 hrs. Had my dinner, watched a DVD and went to bed by 02:00 hrs.

Woke up early on a sunny sunday morning around 08:00 hrs Had coffee, read Deccan Herald and TOI kannada edition। After the daily rituals, had a bath, my breakfast and now felt like going out। [ ;) ]

Rang Ngoos and agreed to meet him @ his home in the next 15 min. Found Aloo – His brother and Bharath there. Nagoo was busy purchasing a saree for his mom. He always loves to shop for women. Spoke with Aloo and Bharath for some time. Now remembered the shelved idea of owning a Pet Guinea Pig.

Me and Bharath embarked on our drive to `Russel Market @ Shivajinagar' on my faithful Pulsar. Again had to cruise through the sickening MG Road, reached Russel Market. Went through a few Pet Shops. Saw a few guinea pigs, custe kittens, ducks and various other exotic and colourful pets. Weighed the pro's and con's of owning each pet. Like the maintenance, cleaning, feeding and the rest... Finally decided on a Pet Hamster, also called as a white rat. Bharath found it difficult to carry `the hamster in cage' through the traffic, but somehow managed to.

Finally reached Nagoos house as agreed upon with Bharath and the Pet Hamster in tow. to find him missing. It was Aloo and mestru at his place. Aloo fed the pet with `tiger biscuts'. We though of a few names like, snowey, comedy time ganesh (Thanx to Mungaru Male), sisya.... but didnt settle for any. By now nagoo was back and spent some time with the pet. Also clicked a few snaps of the pet.

Now back home, found a cosy corner for him in my room and finally named him `SqWeaKy' (spelt to numerology ;) ). After initial hesitations my parents are OK with SqWeaKy @ home. My mom feeds it with nuts, cheese, vegetables, chappatis and what not..... Gets a royal and timely meal which even i dont get.

Hoping that SqWeaKy enjoys its short stay @ home.

A picture of SqWeaKy......

A Drive to an Unknown Destination.

Date : 01/12/2007
People Involved : The Bajaj Pulsar, Me and Nagesh.
Time Started : Around 13:00 hrs

It was a sunny saturday afternoon. I was lazing around @ home watching TV when my mobile rang... it was my childhood friend Nagesh aka Nagoo's calling from his work Quintails. Agreed to meet him @ his office in MG Road. Started from my home, was a long tedious drive to MG Road in the maddening traffic, (thanx to the metro work being carried out). Reached by 13:30 hrs, planning to go to `Russel Market @ Shivaji Nagar' to find a Pet Guinea Pig . On the way to....., decided to go to the GKVK (Govt., Krishi Vignana Kendra) as i had heard that you find good `guinea pigs' out there. Managed to reach the place and again changing our minds...... from now on....

Thought of going to `The Sai Mandir' @ Yelahanka New Town. Reached to find the doors locked. (started beliving in god just for now ;) )

Mind you.... we were driving around in empty stomach, lucky - TheMeachine had his stomach half full... thought of going to Doddaballapur to have our fill. Time was around 14:15 hrs. The stretch to Doddaballapur was under repair, with sand particles and jelly powder having their day. Nagoos didn't carry a headger (fun of an unplanned trip), manovering the terrain, reached destination - but not the final one.

As the roads improved we thought of going further down, reached the `Junction' where one path leads to Nadi Hills and the other to Ghati. Nagoos being a lil' devoted wanted to go towards Ghati, Me towards Nandi Hills.

Again thanx to the roads, moved a little further and took a right turn ahead to Ghati. On the way to saw a few micro-shandies, clicked a few pictures on my Sony S60 of the sunflowers staring @ the sun, cattles loitering... in the afternoon sun. Also had a whiff of the village smell which i call it as.

Moved on to reach our next destination which was the Subramanya Temple. Nagoos being devout went to the temple to offer his prayers. Me went to feed the Homo-Sapiens with bananas. Also clicked a few pictures of the Temple and its surroundings.

By the time Nagoo was back and we had tender coconuts and kadalepuri with kalyan-seva and boondi. Started on our trip back to where....? because it didn't end there. On our way back found huge grinding stone sort of things laying around. Clicked a few pictures of those with Nagoo and I posing on it. around 14:00 hrs.

On our way back shopped for Vegetables and fruits in the micro-shandy. Thanks for the newly acquired `Really WildCraft' backpack to carry them.

Started our Ode back to bangalore... on the way, near a railway level crossing, our man Nagoos saw a BEGGAR and was ready to offer Rs.100 to him. On the way back clicked a few pictures of the sunset on NH4. Had ladoo's which Nags had got as prasada and the left over kallepuri-mix bang in the middle of highway parking our bikes. That was sometime around 18:30

On the way back went to meet couple of Nagoos relatives @ Yelahanka... and culminated the drive @ Nagoos place sometime around 20:30 hrs.

WHAT HAPPEND TO MY IDEA OF ACQUIRING A Pet Guinea Pig.
Thats another story.