On this article, I’ll share my bike experience journey to Dharmasthala from Bengaluru. Spontaneous plan of travelling via the Western Ghats throughout winter season was a blissful expertise. I’ll take you thru lots of nice surprises in our journey.
I’m positive a lot of you’ve been on Spontaneous/unplanned journey atleast as soon as, listed below are some the explanation why I feel it is nice. One – It entails no preplanning like arising with itenary, researching for sightseeing spots, accomodation, and so on. Two – we do not get into “cannot look ahead to the journey”, “guilt of not packing your baggage on time” conditions. And Three – most significantly spontaneous journeys have excessive execution price, motive being we hold it easy and don’t assume an excessive amount of !!
It was Friday night and I had no plans for the weekend. Was simply conversing with Harish over textual content, whereas an thought got here to thoughts that we plan a one-day bike experience. Harish is all the time excited concerning the Western Ghats experience and we each agreed on the beneath plan
Bengaluru -> Charmady -> Dharmasthala -> Bisle -> Bengaluru
As a result of the journey was fairly lengthy for a day’s journey, we determined to start out by 5 AM within the morning in order that we’ve got sufficient time, and deliberate to achieve again round 10 PM.
Day 1 : Journey to Charmady
The following day morning, Harish had some pressing work to handle and knowledgeable that he would affirm by 10 AM about our experience. I waited until 11 AM within the morning and didn’t get any response. Simply as I assumed that the journey could be cancelled, he referred to as me at 11:15 AM and informed that he would attain house shortly and he advised that we begin within the midday. We had been already late and the to-and-fro journey could not be accomplished on the identical day. After dialogue, we determined that we’d lengthen the journey by a day, returning on Sunday night time to Bengaluru.
After preparing, we began from house at 2 PM and despite the fact that it was winters, the climate was nice – Sunny with cool winds breezing. After a snug experience, we reached Solur – which is 5 Kms after the deviation from Nelamangala in the direction of Hassan highway. We determined to have Lunch at a vegetarian restuarant proper subsequent to the freeway – Udupi Gardens.
We resumed the journey at 3:30 PM, our subsequent goal was Hassan which we estimated to achieve by 5:30 PM. The journey forward was easy because the freeway was in good situation apart from a number of restore works. Reached Hassan by 5:30 PM as predicted and it was nearly darkish.
We stopped close to a bakery close by to have some snacks. Whereas having fun with sizzling Tea and corn, we determined that we’d halt someplace earlier than Charmady as each of us needed to savour the views of the superb Western Ghats. We searched few choices in Mudigere and determined to maneuver forward to Kottigehara after we heard(from an individual at Petrol Bunk) that there are few choices for keep, and in addition as a result of it’s a lot close to to Charmadi. Reached Kottigehara by 8 PM and stayed at an exquisite home amidst nature, we had been supplied with a visitor room on lease within the first ground. There are small inns in Kottigehara and are extremely popular and folks travelling to Dharmasthala often cease right here. Well-known for freshly cooked Neer Dosa (an area dish of Karnataka) and Chilly Bajji – we clearly could not miss. Additionally packed dinner to have at our room, which was only a mile from this place.
Bikes on recharge mode
Day 2 : Journey to Dharmasthala and extra adjustments to our spontaneous journey
After a very good night time sleep, we had been prepared by 8 AM and resumed our journey. Charmady is understood for its picturesque magnificence and we had been invited with some superb scenic views. We stopped by in a few locations to benefit from the magnificence.
Had Darshana of Annappa Swamy Temple which is located on the center of this forest experience. Annappa Swamy is the Lord Who introduced the Idol of the primary Deity of Dharmasthala – Sri Manjunatha Swamy in Linga type. Legends say that He carried the Idol from Kadri Mangalore and introduced right here in a day on suggestion of Sri Vadiraja Guru(Who put in the Deity in Dharmasthala).
Additional we stopped at one other well-known spot on the best way – the place a number of tiny waterfalls are shaped throughout monsoon season and it’s a scene to behold. Being winters, the water was comparitively much less however we did take pleasure in on the spot discussing about our earlier journey to the identical spot(in monsoon) and the way Heavenly Charmady scenes had been on the time.
Reached Dharmasthala by 11 AM and had our lunch on the Temple within the Anna Prasada Corridor, the place hundreds of devotees have meals each single day. We had been stunned by the gang who had are available in giant numbers and the Darshana would take 5-6 hours as per the data we acquired from Temple admins. In addition they advised to hitch queue later within the night because the crowds would scale back by the point. Didn’t really feel like returning again with out Darshana and therefore we determined to remain in Dharmasthala for the night time and begin again very early within the morning. We booked a room in Resort Rajatadri – which is positioned close to the brand new bus stand. After taking relaxation within the afternoon, we joined the queue within the night and had Darshana inside an Hour. Felt Blessed and we thought to ourselves that the journey was extra significant. We had dinner at our Resort and slept early.
Day 3 : Extra Spontaneous plans – Journey to Kukke Subrahmanya, Sowthadka Temples and return to Bengaluru
It was Monday early morning and after getting recent, I used to be prepared with one other spontenous plan. I needed us to use go away for the day and go to Kukke Subrahmanya and Sowthadka Temples on the best way and attain Bengaluru by night time. Harish preferred the thought however was not ready to take go away as a consequence of vital workplace work. So the experience additional was solo for each of us.
I made a decision to have Darshana of Lord Manjunatha Swamy once more because it was an auspicious Monday. I headed in the direction of Kukke Subrahmanya from Dharmasthala – journey distance of 54 Kms.
Visited Sowthadka Temple, which is a well-liked spot close to Kukke Subrahmanya. The Temple is devoted to Lord Ganesha and an attention-grabbing reality right here is that it’s an open roof Temple. As per the legend, there have been many makes an attempt to construct the roof and it didn’t stand upon the command of Lord Ganesha. Had my lunch on the Anna Prasadam corridor right here.
Reached Kukke Subrahmanya at 4 PM and had blissful Darshana of the Lord. It was 7:30 PM after I had completed consuming some snacks at a Resort close by.
Began the experience again house within the night time. Could not take the Bisle Ghat highway because it was not suggested to journey within the night time due to thick forests and Elephants roam round freely on the time. Therefore I took the Shiradi -> Sakaleshpura -> Hassan route. The strech earlier than Sakaleshpura and in the direction of Hassan had been underneath building and therefore it was powerful experience. It pressured me to take an unplanned break for enjoyable. Reached house in midnight after a experience in chilling chilly climate and lightweight drizzle. Had collected some memorable moments alongside this journey, which I’ll cherish.
PS : Nature is our Dwelling and it’s our accountability to guard it. Please don’t litter throughout the journeys, carry them again to do correct disposal.