Nisarga residency - 10 Temples trip, Evening Day 2

Not sure which lodge we stayed, I guess it was Nisarga residency. That evening, I had difficulty getting sleep. It was way too humid in Murudeshwara. I did not get proper sleep till 12 in the midnight. Also the thoughts of driving tomorrow, the whole day was driving me crazy.

My parents were scolding me, to start towards Bangalore, right in the morning, but I was of the opinion to visit Idagunji Mhatobar Sri Vinayaka temple, then Sri Mahashiva temple in Gokarna then return to Bangalore.

With these thoughts in the mind, I finally set to sleep at around 1 AM in the night.

Cheers,

Sri Shiva Temple, Murudeshwara, 10 Temples trip - Temple 7, Day 2

After Marvante, I wanted to reach Murudeshwara quickly and look for room over there and then visit the Sri Shiva temple today itself. Also after yesterday's shower in the evening, I was even more worried, on what would happen if it would rain.

Luckily it did not rain. I reached Murudeshwara around 4 15 PM, found out a lodge which was around 1 kilometer from the temple, and had ample car parking. This time, it was ordinary room instead of AC room. Parked the car inside the compound and set out towards the temple.

We did have Darshan, also there are many temples over there. Prayed to God and then clicked some pics and it was 7PM and we were back. Had dinner at Kamat restaurant over there. Crowd was a bit more infact. Humidity was even more.

Cheers,

Sri Varaha Anjaneya Temple, Marvante, 10 Temples trip - Temple 6, Day 2.

Once we started from Udupi, I had plans to stop at Marvante. Opposite to the beach is Sri Varaha Anjaneya Temple. After going through various places on the road, we finally reached Marvante around 3 00 PM.

The temple was closed, but I was contented with still visiting and praying to God. We could see the idols.
Also took couple of minutes to see the marvellous Marvante beach. There was beach, beach all along the way as we reached Kundapura and made our way out. Felt great riding next to the sea.

Now it was turn to reach Murudeshwara.

Cheers,

Sri Krishna Temple, Udupi - 10 Temples trip - Temple 5, Day 2

After packing from the lodge in Ujire, we headed out straight to Udupi. The distance was around 100 kilometers and the went through all kinds of roads. Big, narrow, small. But it was fun. Most of it was on 2 lane roads and could see in couple of places there were marriages organized too.

At only place near Karkala, one car was in front of us, fully decorated with flowers, ready to ferry the bride and the groom. The day was getting more hotter and I had to reach Udupi and get prasadam there too.

Especially after what Vikas Khanna told about Sambar in Udupi (Twist of taste season 3, fox life), I was quite keen on going there having lunch prasadam.

Reached around 11 40 AM I guess. Took 20 minutes to figure out the parking lot. Then there was slow moving queue. It was huge, but not as huge as yesterday's.

Finally after an hour, we had a good Darshan of Lord Sri Krishna, and proceeded to have lunch. Rasam was excellant as told by Vikas Khanna. Felt really good after lunch, felt lazy too. My parents yet again wanted to sit in shade and relax for sometime.

But I insisted to start the journey towards Murudeshwara, because distance was more, and yet again, I had booked no rooms. So had to look out for lodges yet again!.

All about that in the next post.
Cheers,

Sri Janardhana Swamy Temple - 10 Temples Trip - Temple 4, Day 2

On the way back from Sri Sadashiva Rudra temple, we found out there was another temple. Sri Janardhana Swamy temple. Went to this temple, had darshan. I felt really good. There was a wedding about to happen at that temple too!

So now headed back to our lodge. On the way thought of having breakfast, but then, returned to our lodge. Had breakfast at Disha hotel.

Now it was time to leave for Udupi. It was getting hot as the day progressed. What happened next, in another post.

Cheers,

Sri Sadashiva Rudra Temple - 10 Temples Trip - Temple 3, Day 2

Had a pretty decent sleep, woke up around 6 30 AM. Today had plans to drive to Udupi. But before that, I had to visit couple of temples at Ujire.

Started at around 7 10 AM to Sri Sadashiva Rudra temple at Ujire. Reached around 7 40AM. There was very less crowd. Harike Vana was almost empty. Prayed for almost 5 minutes, asking God for loads of things.

I always feel good, when I visit a temple on empty stomach early morning, Yesterday's Kukke Sri Subrahmanya temple too, had been on a cup of tea and nothing else. Today too totally empty stomach. Cannot ask for more.

And it was time to leave around 8 30 PM. My mother collected prasadam and then we returned to Ujire. On the way visited one more temple.

Cheers,

Sri Aripady Mutt Lodge - 10 Temples Trip - Evening Day 1

After Sri Manjunatha Swamy Darshana at Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, I decided to proceed to Ujire, and look for lodges over there. Ujire was just a mere 9kilometers from Dharmasthala. My parents were very happy on seeing Ujire come so quick.

Checked at a lodge at the beginning of the town. It had all the rooms booked.  Then enquired at Sri Aripady Mutt lodge.  Luckily rooms were available. Rooms were exactly the same depicted in the pic. Clean neat and excellent. AC room was made default I guess.

Settled in the room around 4 15 PM and within 15 minutes, it started to rain. Rain was pretty heavy. I should thank God for ensuring we are not travelling in the rain or even searching for rooms. Enjoyed a rainy evening all indoors watching TV and eating junk food like chips, cream biscuits.

Evening had dinner at the below hotel called Disha. And thats it an eventful day came to an end.

Cheers,

Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy Temple - 10 Temples trip - Temple 2, Day 1

After completing Darshan at Kukke Sri Subrahmanya temple, started towards Dharmasthala. Luckily Dharmasthala was approximately 36 kilometers from Kukke/Gundya cross. I was overhelmed. I thought I could get Prasadam at the temple.

We need to proceed towards, in the same road, which leads to Mangalore and after some distance, there is a turn to the right, with indication saying, Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala. From the deviation, its around 7-10 kilometers.

Reached Dharmasthala, and parked my car over there, at certain distance from the temple. Incidentally, on May 2nd there was a mass marriage was organized. Preparations where on at the place, where I had parked my car. There was huge crowd at Dharmasthala too. On top of that, it was so much hot.

We decided to go for special Darshan costing Rs 250 per person I guess. We could cut the queue and move some distance ahead. After an hour of waiting in the queue, we finally had Darshan. It felt really good. My parents too felt good. They thought, finally their wish had turned into reality.

The heat was right on. We proceeded right towards the lunch hall. My parents took 3 seats while I went ahead to fill up my water bottles. Incidentally I had to jump the barricade/partition kind of thing to fill up water bottles, as water was accessible to people only who had completed lunch and I was in the part where people were about to start lunch.

While going out of the hall, one person serving food, asked me, if I had completed lunch to which I said, no, and told him I was about to fill water before having lunch. The gesture made me really happy, because, over there in Dharmasthala, people were so much interested to serve, and wanted to know if the devotees had lunch or not. I was a total stranger to that person, still that person enquired. I felt really good, really really good.

Finally at around 3:30 PM+, we were done with the Sri Manjunatha Swamy Darshan as well as had Prasadam. So it was time for next destination. My parents wanted to sit for sometime after lunch, but I was bit reluctant, as we had to search for rooms to halt.

I had booked no rooms, I was new to the place and knew nothing about surroundings of Dharmasthala. By the way Dharmasthala was crowded, I decided not to make a halt over there. Instead thought of Ujire, else was planning to drive all the way to Udupi.

What happened next was yet again, by God's grace.

Cheers,

Kukke Sri Subrahmanya Temple, 10 temples trip - Temple 1, Day 1.

Started the day, at 4 30 AM. When I was about to look for the vehicle documents, I found the insurance papers missing, I told my father, to drop the plans for the trip. Instead my father told me, nothing would happen without insurance papers and just to get on with the drive.

I was the only person driving, along with me, my father and mother. I was totally scared at the thought of driving without insurance papers in hand. Luckily after thorough searching I could locate the insurance papers and our trip was back on track.

We started around 5:50 AM in the morning and at 6:35 AM, I could manage to reach Nelamangala Toll, stopped for tea break. But no breakfast. My parents were constantly scolding me to stop for breakfast. I was in no mood to stop. I wanted to reach Kukke as soon as possible and after driving non stop I could make it to Kukke around 10:30 AM.

On reaching Kukke, instead of having breakfast, went to Darshan instead. The crowd was more and it took around 1 hour to get Darshan and come outside. Later it was time for food. We finally had breakfast at 11 45 AM at Hotel Kumarakrupa.

I was telling my parents to hurry. We had to make it to Dharmasthala. The heat was terrific. The road had heated up. I was sweating like mad. I had started to wonder, if whatever my parents told about humidity was turning to be true.

I had plans to reach Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, before 2 30 PM, and hoping to be on time for Prasadam.
I had no idea, how far Dharmasthala was from Kukke, but what happened next, was yet again pure bliss, by God's grace.

Cheers,

10 temples trip, 2014 - Prologue

My parents were always wondering, when they would get to visit Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatha temple. I too wanted to visit Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala. I also wanted to visit Sri Suryagrama temple in Ujire. I thought I could combine many such temples along the way, and sketch a map for a well deserved long drive.

For the last 3-4 months, I had travelled atleast 3-4 times on the same highway which leads to Kukke Subrahmanya. Twice to Kumaraparvata. Each time, I wondered, the condition of the road was decent enough, for me to drive to Kukke. I waited and waited and time finally came. I told my parents, well in advance, May 1st shall be the day, I would prefer to drive to Kukke and visit around 10 temples around that stretch.

My parents were scolding me badly, for my choice.
One it was holiday on that day,
Two being summer, which would make us sweat like crazy.
But I was firm on going. I decided to travel on May 1. Even before month of may, I had sketched a rough road map to travel.

And what happened next is nothing less than pure bliss, by God's grace, I was able to complete 10 temples trip in 3 days covering 1200 kilometers and loads of places.
I shall write about it more in the next post.

Cheers for now.

Break from blogging.

Back to blogging after long time. Loads to write up. Each time I make up my mind to write something, I never end up making it. One thing I ensured I did right through 2013 and till now in 2014, is to travel on a regular basis.

Starting from Nov 2013, to sum it up, I have to write about loads of travel which I did. Every now and then I am thinking to buy a tablet, but really wondering, is that comfortable, can I type on a touch screen. Can I work on such a small monitor, considering, I am used to working with 2 monitors each of 17 inches.

This whole feeling makes me not to buy a tablet. But also I end up not blogging much as each day, I find lesser and lesser time, to switch on the PC and sit to write about stuffs. I find blogging from office totally unethical, though its accessible, I never intend to post anything from office network.

Here are my trips starting from Nov 2013.
1. Belur, Halebidu, Chickmaglur, Balehonnur, Kemmangundi trip with relatives from Pune.
2. Beach trek - Kumta to Gokarna with BASC.
3. Gingee fort trek and exploration with BASC.
4. Kumaraparvata trek with BMC.
5. Kottebetta trek with BTC.
6. Kumaraparvata cleanup with BASC.
7. Charmadi Monsoon trek with BASC.
8. Nishani Motte Monsoon trek with BASC.
9. 10 temples trip across Dakshina Karnataka.
10. Kashmir trip which span across 10 days.
11. Hampi photography event with BASC.

All in all I did more travel than I can imagine and write during the last 6 months. Hopefully I can travel bit more in the coming days.

So, shall blog as I find time.
Until then, Cheers,

Kumaraparvata trek - Some key points

Some key points which I thought might come in handy while doing Kumaraparvata trek.

1. Attempt KP trek, after training for atleast 2-3 weeks. These weeks should include running some cardio and breathing exercises. What I did, well, will share some other day.
2. Breath using nose always, both breath in and breath out. Never breath using mouth. I think this is one of the key point. Even in running if we breath through mouth, we end up being thirsty also more tired.
3. If one is sweating more (like me) drink more water and use Electral. I carried a 2.25 LT water bottle and even when the co-ordinator told me that it was heavy, I still stuck to my bottle. I had one more 1 LT bottle which was spare and empty most time.
4. Use a stick. I did not have a stick and while descending I was the last member, almost slow by 5 mins than the rest of them.
5. If you find going bit difficult, just chant the name of God and proceed. I think its as simple as that.
6. Always have the goal of reaching the temple at the top and praying over there.
7. There is no need to reach the peak from Kukke on day 1 itself. You can halt at Bhattaramane on day 1 and start on day 2. or you can halt at Kallu Mantap.
8. Carrying more load from Kukke side, will definitely take a toll on the body especially during summer. So choice of where to halt is important.

Well I am not an expert on trekking or giving key points. I am an overweight guy and the post written above is for myself, just to remind me the next time, I visit KP.

Till then,

Cheers, 

Kumaraparvata trek - Feb 15-16, 2014 - Part 3

After starting at Bhattaramane at 10 55 AM, we reached couple of view points on our way. The sun was at its best. It was getting hot, we started towards Kallu Mantapa. I never realized we were covering good ground even in bright sunshine.

We reached Kallu Mantap at around 12 10 PM. It was yet another record time. 1 hour 10 minutes was absolutely fantastic. I would like to thank the people in the front who were pulling like, nothing less than an A-Train. We took a 15 minutes break at Kallu Mantap. I was really in luck this time. I felt so happy and so emotional just to know, I will be able to complete KP trek and visit the temple at the top.

Then was the stretch of the journey which comprised of inclined climbing. We covered around 2.5 kilometers and reached at the false peak. We were there around 1 45 PM odd. Another record of sorts. From here it was 1 kilometer to Kumaraparvata. The feeling was awesome.

We made it to KP at around 2 20 PM. 7 hours after starting, with 1 hour break at Bhattaramane. Roughly 6+ hours to KP that too during summer(beginning of summer rather).

One thing I can say is, it happened only because of God's grace. Would love to thank God for each step I took during this epic trek. I proved myself wrong. I followed my heart and completed this trek. And four days later I am writing this post. Feels great.

Cheers,

Kumaraparvata trek - Feb 15-16, 2014 - Part 2

We reached Kukke, on 15 Feb 2014, around 5 45 AM. It was still dark. We freshened up in pretty quick time. This time, I was very much careful on what I carried. I shall mention about what all stuffs I carried this time around. But thats later.

Once everyone was ready, we headed out to Neo Mysore Cafe for breakfast. After a quickbreakfast, we were ready to start the Kumaraparvata trek at around 7 10 AM. I called home one more time, telling them that I was ready to start the trek and seeked blessings from my mother, hoping I would complete the trek.

The trek starts at a distance of 1.2 kilometers from the main Kukke temple road, so we walked this distance on asphalt road. Soon we were at the entrance where the trek starts. The briefing starts over here. We were 12 guys and our itenary was as follows.

Day 1 - Start from Kukke - Reach Bhattaramane - Break for lunch - Start to Mantap  and then to Peak.
             Return to Bhattaramane for dinner.

Day 2 - Start from Bhattaramane descend, reach KP and start to Bangalore.

This itenary was a bit tough one, I admit, on hearing this my friend had told me not to attempt this one as the summer had already kicked in. But I had taken it on and now it was do it or embarrass myself.

I had a lighter backpack this time around, one which weighed 0.75 kilos or even lesser. I had a 2.25 litres water bottle + one 1 Litre bottle spare which was empty. Since we were planning to stay at Bhattaramane we had to carry only 1 sleeping bag.

Before entering the forest, I just touched the ground and moved my fingers on the soil and prayed to God not to have a second time embarrassment. I wanted to complete this trek badly, and reach the temple at the top.
Believe me praying to mother earth before starting the trek helped, helped a lot infact.

Initial trek is through forest cover. There is good shade available and also since it was early morning we could do this stretch. We reached Bhimana Bande in around 50 minutes. This was quite a record time. The team was really good and 12 guys were really powerful. Initially I was in the front. Later I stopped in order to add electral to my water and stayed back till the forest cover ended.

Once the forest cover ended, people took few minutes break and I got a chance to sneak ahead. We made it to Bhattara mane at around 9 25 AM. We started at 7 20 AM and at Bhattaramane at 9 25 AM.  2 hours 10 minutes all it took..

What a feat it was, it was unbelievable. I felt blessed, I somehow got a feeling, I was in luck this time. My confidence just got a big boost.

Mr Bhatt agreed to serve an early lunch at 10 30 AM. We had loads of time. I started stretching hoping to cheat cramps. It felt better, relaxing. Soon we finished lunch and 10 55 AM we were ready to start again.

More on that in the next part.

Cheers,

Kumaraparvata trek - Feb 15-16, 2014 Prologue (events before the trek)

I completed Kumaraparvata trek this time around, and believe me the feeling is just awesome.

It was around 10th Feb 2014, I felt the need to trek. It had been 7 months since I had been to Mullayanagiri. After that, I did few trips but none of them can be categorized as serious trek. Those included.

1. Kumta to Gokarna Beach trek.
2. Photography cum exploration at Gingee Fort.
3. Trip to Hampi
4. Hubli Dharwad, Yellamanagudda Trip.
5. Chickmaglur trip.
6. KokkareBellur trip.

So I was keeping an eye on the BMC page for KP Trek. There were couple of treks to Kumaraparvata during January, but I could not be a part of it, due to some reasons. But when I came to know there was a KP trek on 14 Feb 2014, I did not hesitate to register.

Compared to last year I was feeling better, but couple of people still told me, that, it would be very hot and considering my personality, it would be very very difficult to complete the trek. Since my itenary was a serious one, a friend of mine told me that, if I could make it to Kallu mantap, and come back it would be great. He even told me not to register for the trek and only attempt it post monsoons. But not having trekked for sometime was making me go crazy. I had no option, hence I registered.

Prior to registering for KP Trek, I had registered for BASC trek to Nagala, but since I had no recent trek experience, the organizer rejected my entry. I nothing to prove that I could trek for 15 kilometers in two days. Also me being overweight casts a big shadow on my selection. I weigh 79 kilos for my 5  ft 7 inches height.  The organizer for Nagala trek told me, I would be slow and make the entire team wait since I had no recent experience. When I told him, I could do it, he told me to start off with one day treks.

It was more like a slap on my face and confidence. I felt bad, I feel bad whenever I get rejected. Its difficult to face rejections, but I had to swallow it and move ahead (as always and as with many of my interviews). Hence my only option left was to keep on checking BMC India page for the current week's trek events.

I think, whatever was bound to happen was all by God's grace. The turn of events were simply superb. Somewhere I know its because of God.

1. 14Feb 2014 BMC event was originally to Mullayanagiri.
2. But it got replaced with KP Trek.
3. I registered for KP trek.
4. There were only 12 guys for KP Trek.
5. Despite multiple people telling about the humidity  / summer season, I registered for KP trek.
6. I listened to my heart and hoped I will be able to make it....

Whatever happened next was all by God's grace.

Cheers,

Disappointing outing at KokkareBellur

As per this article, I read the best time to visit KokkareBellur is December to January.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Kokkare_Bellur
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokrebellur

But when I visit this place today, I hardly see any migratory birds. As per wiki they come lay eggs and take care of their young one's till May, but this time I got to see only, "Babajee Ka Thullu".

Its very disappointing not to see any birds, driving that far and not to find any thing. Its absolutely ridiculous I thought. All the source of information were totally useless.

There were new boards laid out every half a kilometre, giving out directions but in the end what's the use?

Hence forth, I would like strictly tell people not to go by anything written on internet or news paper about this place. If someone has gone there 1 week back and seen birds then only proceed to this place, else its of no use.

Cheers,
Sandeep

3 weeks 3300 kms

Since I joined my new organization, few months back, I had not been able to travel much. Infact I could not travel at all. Courtesy no leaves till confirmation.

Now that I got confirmed, the month of November started in a good way. I have been on multiple vacations one after the other.

At the end of this month, I can say, its 3 weeks and 3300 kilometers on the road.

Yep, I have 3300 kms.

1. I drove 1100 kms from Bangalore to Hubli/Dharwad/Saundatti - Yellamanagudda and back.

2. I travelled with cousins for another 900 kms to Chickmaglur.

3. Finally went to a beach trek from Kumta to Gokarna and the whole trip ended up being 1300 kms.

So there it goes. This is one happy myself!!

Cheers, now back to work

Sri Yellamana Gudda, Saundatti,

I had been to Sri YellamanaGudda, Saudatti on 1 Nov 2013. Incidentally there was a huge crowd since it was Friday!! The pictures tell them all !!

Change in attitude !!!

I really do not know what to write about attitude. I prefer to write about this topic, as I ended up being in a situation, where, some of the people in my shuttle commented on my attitude.

It happened, so, that I was late to leave from office on 3 consecutive days. May be around 15 minutes. I speak to none of the female people in my shuttle.So when I was late for 15 minutes, 3 days in a row, they indirectly made a comment saying I have a bad attitude.

I really felt very bad, I thought of complaining, but I kept quite. Then over the next couple of days I introspected myself. All this thing happened in the new organization which I had joined in the last 3 months.

I thought to myself, I had worked amidst really intelligent people, including loads of expats,  and I ended up being amidst people who fight for 15 minutes of time. Its like fighting / commenting for 10 cents / paisa.

So I did not take any counter action against those personal comments made by total strangers.

Instead I remembered a scene from 3 idiots movie, where Sharman Joshi talks about attitude. After seeing that scene, I felt whatever I did was totally justified, it is the attitude which matters, why to worry about people talking about stuffs which hardly matter. 

I would like to tell those folks, this is my attitude, I shall carry the same, will not change it, and face the consequences of the same, come what may !

Below is the link to the interview scene from 3 idiots !!

Cheers,

Break from blogging

I had taken a break from blogging for couple of months, or you can say, in the recent months, I had not written much. I am very keen on blogging, but I was with held by the fact that, I could not find a proper adapter for my modem. I had problems in powering the modem, and then ISP connection.

Now that, I found a proper modem at an electrical store, near my home, I can now write atleast couple of things.
> I can write the concluding part for the Goa trip series.
> things which have happened in my cab / office shuttle.
> Change in my attitude part.
> Also a post on the IT industry tamasha, with a different angle.

Cheers,