Handling Rejections - Himalayan trek

Been bit busy for the last 4 weeks or so. Loads of work at office plus stuffs at home keeping me busy.
Finally saw a trekking event to the Himalayas. The team size was 8. It would have been my first trek to the Himalayas. I have been working hard for the last 8 months.

I had every reason to be hopeful for getting short-listed. But in the end, I got rejected because, there were more experienced people who had enrolled. More experienced in the sense, they had trekked Himalayas before.

As of today feeling very awful. Not able to digest the fact that, 8 months dedicated hard work and still one step behind. I  need to work harder. I dont know why people including me take rejections this seriously.

Saw a couple of kids of construction workers, this morning. They were so happy enjoying their packet of biscuits. They were so so happy with the basic amenities and here I am finding it very hard to even digest the fact that, I ve been rejected for Himalayan trek.

Why do we have such high hopes. Why cant we simply try and leave the rest to God. Why cant we simply be happy with smaller things in life.

I promise, I shall improve.

Cheers,

PS - due to a drop out in the shortlisted members, I got invited for this trek again. By God's grace, this thing has happened, on 5 September 2014. As of today, 6 September 2014, still deciding on how to proceed. Keeping fingers crossed whether I can make it!
Cheers

10 Temples trip, Epilogue

Finally at around 3 20PM started from Sirsi to Bangalore. Asked a local about directions to Haveri and then to Bangalore. He was surprised that I chose Haveri instead of Shimoga and Sirsi. I was more interested in joining NH4, instead of driving through Sagar and Shimoga.

The toll would cost money, but NH4 was 4 lane road with ample space to drive. Finally I got a clue on how to proceed to Haveri. Meanwhile, we stopped at the Haveri Market where my parents brought 1 kilogram of mangoes. I asked an auto rickshaw driver about the directions to Haveri and asked him about the Sagar road. He told me distance is same via both roads. I chose to come by Haveri only.

While driving to Haveri encountered loads of confusing roads, with no signboards. Had to stop and ask locals on how to proceed. Also there was lot of road work going in multiple places with bad stretches of roads. Luckily with no punctures and continuous driving made it to NH4 around 5 30PM.

From then on roads got better, so did darkness and the rain. Made it to Sira around 8PM, not before encountering heavy rainfall at Chitradurga. Had to stop at couple of places on NH4 for around 10-20 minutes as there was no visibility at all. Vipers were at full swing but rain was more, and could not see at all.

From Sira, rain subsided and could make it to Bangalore by around 12 15 in the midnight. This brought to an end an awesome road trip and the good part is I drove alone all along the way, with no GPS relying on locals and signboards. And thats what is called God's grace.

Cheers,

Sri Marikamba Temple, 10 Temples trip - Temple 10 Day 3

Started from Gokarna and came back to Kumta, where there is a deviation towards Sirsi. We had to climb a ghats section. It was fun driving through ghats section, Devimane ghats. Traffic was less. But it was pretty hot.

The distance to Sirsi was around 80 kilometers, covered it in around 1 hour 40 minutes approx.

Reached Sirsi and parked the vehicle around 2 PM in the afternoon. The temple was open and there were many devotees. Completed darshan of Sri Marikamba and we were back around 2 40PM.

Then it was time to have lunch. Instead of opting for heavy lunch we just ate idli's at a hotel opposite to the temple.

Now I told my parents, we covered 10 temples over the last 2.5 days and now it was through drive to Bangalore. They felt happy and at the same time worried, because I had to drive in the night to make it to Bangalore. I had not hidden that fact from them and as 3 PM approached this night driving thing became more clearer.

What happened during the return journey, shall write about in the epilogue.

Cheers,

Sri Mahashiva Temple, Gokarna, 10 Temples trip - Temple 9, Day 3

After visiting the Mhatobar Sri Vinayaka Devaru temple, we headed right towards Gokarna, not before passing Honnavar and Kumta.

I wanted to continue till Gokarna on empty stomachs, but my parents were scolding me to stop for breakfast. Stopped at a hotel in Kumta. Then proceeded towards Gokarna. Also saw deviations to Kollur Mookambika temple. My parents once again started insisting to return to Bangalore instead of visiting Gokarna. But I wanted to visit Gokarna and Sri Mahashiva temple hence proceeded right straight.

It was around 11 AM when we reached Gokarna. Once again crowd was less, we could get nice Darshan of Sri MahaShiva. Gokarna fascinates me. Somewhat laid back kind of town. Every time I go there, I somehow end up wondering, when will I return again.

After darshan came back around 12 15 PM. This time, did not have prasadam. Not sure why, but my parents were consistently asking me to start the return journey to Bangalore that, I forgot to even think about prasadam.

So started the return journey at around 12 40 PM.

Cheers,

Mhatobar Shri Vinayaka Devaru temple, 10 Temples trip - Temple 8, Day 3.

Woke up around 6 30 AM. Got all ready and prepared to leave by 7 25 AM. Plan was to leave towards Idagunji, then towards Gokarna and then towards Bangalore but not before stopping at Sirsi.
I somehow was able to convince my parents, by telling them, we could reach home by midnight. Did I reach by midnight, well, will tell you about that in coming posts. But first about Idagunji Mhatobar Sri Vinayaka temple.

It is around 20-25 kilometers from Murudeshwara. There is a deviation towards the right, as we move towards Gokarna with a big visible deviation and entrance. Reached the temple at around 8 10 AM. There was no crowd. Felt really good, as we were again on empty stomach. All 3 days, on empty stomachs, first thing to visit was the temple. Prayed to God and then we started towards the next point.

Cheers,

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,