Saturday 20 April 2019

" An Adventurous Road Trip on Bikes : Beautiful and Unseen Karnataka tour "



" LIFE IS ALL ABOUT THE ADVENTURES YOU TAKE AND THE MEMORIES YOU MAKE"
                                                                                                                                         Katie Garrison.

     Hey, As well as this year, we are four friends plans an another much awaited road trip on bikes. This time we selected Road trip to Coastal Karnataka and Forest Area. Karnataka is one kind of undiscovered state which has charming and beautiful places to see and learn to so many things in our small life. Karnataka is known for many things like so many tropical beaches, jungles, hill stations, ancient caves, tiger reserves and some of the oldest temples in the entire world.

Seven Days Trip in Short:

Start Date : 28th November, 2018.              Return Date : 4th December, 2018.

Places Visited :

1. Chikmagalur                                6.  Sakhleshpur          
2. Mullayanagiri                               7.  Madikeri
3. Baba Budangiri                            8.  Mandalpatti  
4. Belur                                             9.  Murudeshwar
5. Halebeedu                                    10. Gokarna
                                                          11. Goden Temple(Bylakuppe)

Travellers :   Shaik Azam Mohammed, Narendhar, Ravi, Vishnu

Transport :   Bikes ( Royal Enfield and Yamaha Fzs ).

Maps : Link : https://goo.gl/maps/eKeZNBXQpSz

Shaik Azam Mohammed.. A Bike Rider
        Our Trip began at 6:00 AM on 28th November, 2018 from Gadwal. after crossing Kurnool district we had breakfast at Dhone which is 90 km away from our starting destination, further we headed towards Gooti we reached Anantapur District at around 10:30 AM. In this way due to some misunderstanding of our route at over bridge my friends Naren and Vishnu was missed there. After sharing our location link details on watsapp they reached the place where we are waiting for them. then we had tea and snacks in a hotel and buy water bottles. Today's journey is very hard for bike riding because weather is very hot and humid. Another way roads are very dirty, narrow in some areas roads are in under construction  along a kms of distance. we tired little bit but we continues our journey.

        Our drive from Anantapur took us a leisurely 10 hours as we crossed Atmakur, Kalyandurgam, Settur, Parusharampuram, Dharmapura, Hiriyur, Panchanahalli and Kadur.  In this 10 hours journey we asked to so many persons for finding the correct way to chikmagalur and all persons who asked by us they suggests right and short way and one person was came with us on his bike and shows exact and nearest route for reaching our first day destination. At evening we stops our bikes and ask the route to one mother and daughter which has a small house beside the main road in forest area. after that she said where are you from and where are u going on bikes in this time because sun set has fallen and mostly its forest area.. I smiled and replied we came from a town which has  400 km away. they are surprised and said mmmm..... you are all riding on bikes from 400 km ..? again i smiled and replied yes. finally she said that chikmagalur is 100 km far from here and all of you should go carefully in this evening time because this is all hill  area with full curvy ghat sections. I said Thank you and bye to her small daughter and moved to chikmagalur. Finally around 8:00 PM we reached Chikmagalur.

Dangerous curvy Ghat Roads
           In today's journey I saw so many people who are pretty, innocent and showed very kind nature for helping to others, this journey passed off quite peacefully with hot weather with no more incidents as we reached chikmagalur. We just little tired due to some dirty, narrow and under constructed roads of karnataka. We check in in a Hotel room in a center of the city. we wandered on the lanes of this beautiful city up to late night.

    We wake up early morning 6:30 AM and had Breakfast in Udipi hotel at 8:00AM and gets fuel in our bikes and starts our ride towards the wide lanes of Chikmagalur city. While we riding in these roads I perceive the city is with mind blowing architecture and planned wide roads, as well as in some areas of the city every building and shopping complex is with their own modern and western architecture and looking lie a foreign city. For every tourist its amazing experience to visit and stay in Chikmagalur.

       First we moved to Bababudangiri and Mullayangiri. I found the roads were smuggy, fully curved and very dangerous. while we travelling the views are extraordinary. but the roads are still something that needs to be fixed, with many parts broken and some with small pebbles. which slips the bike every now and then as there is no safety barriers around the corners of the road. I never seen like this type of worst roads before. I suggest to Karnataka Government should improve these roadways for tourists for reaching these hill stations with out any efforts and incidents.


      After 23 Km of journey from Chikmagalur, we reached Jhari Waterfalls. Its also known as Buttermilk Waterfalls situated near Attigundi. This is one of the popular Waterfalls in Chikmagalur District and also one of the most visiting tourist destination. These falls are surrounded by dense forest and coffee plantations. There are two small shops just besides the falls and selling Tea, snacks and more. Here we had tea and snacks and taken some pictures standing before the beautiful waterfalls and moved to Bababudangiri which is 12 Km away from here.

Jhari Waterfalls
      After struggling with dirty single roads with no road barriers at the end.. its difficult to manage when a vehicle come from opposite side. we reached Baba budangiri. This place is holy place for both Hindu and Muslim people. At this Holy Hill station are so many shops are available for getting some necessary things and rooms or dormitories are available for stay here. These are not good rooms for stay these only helps for those middle class  people who visit this Bababudangiri cave and Datta peeta with their families.

Azam Mohd at Bab Budangiri Hill

Baba Budangiri is a cave which contains the footwear of Baba Budangiri a sufi muslim saint  who is the first person introduced coffee beans to Britishers from India. After spend some time here we moved to see the view point which is 1895 m high to the see level. In this top of the hill there is a waterfall which is used for bath after visiting Baba Budangiri Cave due to their own believe.

Hill Station at Baba Budangiri
      After seen the beautiful scenic views of hill station we headed to Mullayangiri Peak. This is the highest peak in Karnataka  which was 6,330 ft from sea level and third highest in India.

" In this Hill way the scenery is mesmerizing. The winding roads take us through a maze of greenery. The roads seem to have no particular destination. They just lead you from one part of paradise to another." 

 
  We parked our bikes at parking area and kept our helmets and buy water bottles, ice creams in one of the shop which is running by a muslim family. Mullayangiri Peak is always crowded with people obviously. If we want to move the top of the peak we should  walk on the 500 stairs and 3-4 hours time will take for older's and 1-1.5 hours time for  youngsters to complete this trek.  

      Its very difficult to trek this peak through stairs. So we took some stops with every 100 stairs we finished. finally after reaching the top of the peak I found a temple which is surrounded by the walls on the top of this peak. we spent some time with enjoying the nice view which around us and we can saw the view of whole city of chikmagalur from here. 
   
       " I realize one thing after getting efforts for step up those stairs hardly but consequently seen this beautiful scenic view of the chikmagalur city surrounded around with hills which stacked one after the other. I forgot all and enjoy the real beauty of nature."
View from the top of the Mullayangiri Peak
     We returned to chikmagalur at 4:00 PM and had some rest in hotel room and started our journey to Belur. At 5:00 PM we reached directly to Belur Chennakeshava temple. Belur was the early capital of Hoysala empire which ruled Karnataka from 10th to 14th century. 

     We spent two hours in the premises of Belur temple with evening sunset. We saw and captured plenty of beautiful sculptures and different designs pf animal carvings in different forms on the outer side walls of the historical temple.

Narendhar at premises of Belur Temple

 "I got mind blowing and mesmerizing experience after seen architecture of this temple because I visited so many historical places and temples in India but I never seen this type of beautiful sculptures and shrines which was made by soap rock. I realize that time stands still with every stone singing its own melodious tune and every sculpture telling its own unique story."  


Belur Chennakeshava Temple
     Further we headed out of the temple and start a small search for hotel room.. finally we find out Vishnu Residency which is a nice Hindu hotel with nice welcome and good service. We stayed over night in this hotel room.

     We woke up early morning and started our trip to Halebeedu. which is 17 km away from Belur. At 8:00 AM we reached Halebeedu. At Halebeedu Hoysaleswara Temple there is no entrance fee, but only nominal parking fee. It is well maintained and clean. we removes our shoes and entered in the premises of the temple. This temple also similar to Belur Chennakeshava Temple but sculptures and artistic patterns are very different.

Halebeedu Hoysaleswara Temple
      We spent around two hours with seeing the beauty of sculptures, carvings and taken some pictures in our phones and we left for Belur. Before reaching to our hotel room we had breakfast in Udipi restaurant. we went and  checkout the hotel room. We decided to see Manjarabad Fort at sakleshpur which is 40 km away from Belur. At afternoon around 12:00 PM we reached the Manjarabad  fort. we kept our helmets and bags at a Tea stall which beside the fort. The weather is very sunny and hot.

      Manjarabad Fort is very good fort which has a star shaped circumstance. we needs to climb some nearly 200 stairs to reach tthe entrance of the Fort. It is an open fort which does not have any sheltr sort of thing on the upper floor.

Manjarabad Fort at Sakleshpur
     Then with some photo sessions we finally decided to leave the fort at 1:30 PM in the afternoon. We left sakleshpur while sun directly above our head. and we continues our bike ride with  taking  4-5 breaks in between. Finally we find a village named Bylakuppe. Its famous for Golden Temple. while we reached Golden Temple it was 4:00 PM.

     We parked our bikes in a large parking area and entered in Nomdroling Monastery. While we wandering the Monastery area we feel.. we are not in India, we are in Tibet. This place and  environment was very different, calm and  peaceful with so many Indian and foreign tourists. This Bylakuppe town is also known as little Tibet of India and Its home for more than 10,000 Tibetans and wherever we seeing there are all monks.

Namdroling Monastery

    
Main Hall of Namdroling Monastery
    We saw the main hall of the Monastery and the all places of the Golden Temple. we clicked some pictures inside and outside of the Monastery and also take pictures with Buddhist Monks. They are all helpful for who visit that place.

        We left Bylakuppe and moved to Madikeri which is the major destination of our Bike tour. Madikeri is 34 Km away from Golden temple. After passing so many Ghat sections we reached Madikeri at 7:00 PM. We check in in a Home Stay named Rose Home Stay for 2 nights of stay.
I, Vishnu and Narendhar  with Monk
      Early morning 7:00 AM we had Tea and banana's on the roadside of the hotel and moved to Mandalpatti which is 20 Kms away from the heart of Madikeri. While we passing through Ghat sections, roads are very narrow, dirty, dangerous and heavily influenced by the floods. We need to  be very careful sometimes it was very difficult to drive and see because of heavy fog and clouds moving by. Before reaching Mandalpatti 6 kms roads were completely worn out with the stones completely ropped out of the ground and many tourists were unable to get their private cars to the top of the peaks.

View from To of the Mandalpatti Peak

       First time in my life... I was very irritate after seen this horrible roads. But upon reaching the top of the hills its very beautiful and amazing view to see. I founded that it was crowded and so many people watching the real beauty of nature in between the mountains and clouds. We spent more than one hour with in the mountains. 

            "This view is amazing and Breathtaking.. I cant express in my words."
Entrance of the Mandalpatti View Point
       We continued.... We returned to Madikeri.. Enjoying each and every moment of our ride with small fear in our mind. This ride was given us a great thrilling experience in my life.

      After returned to madikeri we visited Raja Street, Abbey water falls and Madikeri fort up to sun was moving down.

Abbey Water Falls
      " In this fourth day of our journey.. we are all very tired with beautiful smile on faces because we rides on the bike to so many places but Its totally different and horrible experience in our bike journey."

      In the evening we wandered the streets of Madikeri with walk and purchased some cloths, things and food. Its a nice evening which we felt very happy moments in our tour and we stayed overnight in the same Rose Home Stay.

 Madikeri Fort Area
A view from Raja Street

Raja Street Garden

      Early morning at 7:00 AM we started our bike journey to Murudeshwar which is 300 Km away. After crossing Mangalur, Udipi we reached Murudeshwar at 12:00 PM. After First day journey this is our second longest way. The roads are on of the best ones to drive on. Single lane, but excellent roads in addition to the natural beauty all along the way.

      First we saw the beach area in Murudeshwar, then stopped and parked our bikes in the beach parking area and sat on the benches which was able to watch beauty of the Arabian sea. That mid afternoon  we are very hungry. So we had lunch in nearest hotel and further we moved to main Murudeshwar Temple Area and we check in in a hotel room named Murudeshwar International Hotel which is just besides of the Temple and beach. We taken some rest due to travel of long road journey.

 
Murudeshwar Temple
       At 4:00 PM we entered in  Murudeshwar Town. Its a small town on the see front of the western Karnataka and It is such a beautiful holy place to visit and spend more time here. I saw the Beautiful sun set view with my tired eyes.

      The beach is major attraction here. There are a couple of options that one could do apart from having fun on the beach. In this beach so many water sports activities are also available for more fun and adventure. At evening after shower we came again in beach area for shopping and we purchased some things further after that we had dinner in a nearest beach side hotel and back to hotel room.

      after stayed overnight here we woke up early morning 6:30 AM we visited Murudeshwara Temple. Our three friends are done darshanam in temple and wandered all area of the upper and lower side of the temple premises with capturing beauty of this scenic place in our camera.

A View from the top of the Temple
     we watched the beautiful view of the Arabian sea and glorious nature from the top of the temple. Its very awesome to feel the real beauty of the nature. At 8:30 AM we had breakfast in Naveen Beach Restaurant which was build on the one side of the temple area and on the sea. Here we can had something with watching sea water and the people who are playing in the beach.

      We check out our room and started our trip to Gokarna. After one hour forty five minutes of journey we reached the center of the Gokarna Town and searched for hotel room. Gokarna is a holy place beside excellent beaches which have been a magnet fro those sightseers with low budget who are searching for a calm place with a good atmosphere.

   
OM Beach
     After check in in a hotel room we had lunch and first went to OM beach. It is just 7 Km away from our hotel room. In this beach I found so many foreign backpapers with singing songs, playing some musical instruments and volleyball. I talked with some foreigners about this trip another way my friends was played games with them at this beach.

      Gokarna is known for its temples and its beaches. It is peaceful gateway where people relax and enjoying all that is good in life. There are a number of things you can do in Gokarna. We can trek from one beach to another, practice yoga by the beach, visit a nearby temples and simply sit and stare at the beautiful blue waters in Gokarna. It is a perfect place to unwind in the lap of nature.

In Gokarna there are main four beaches to visit for travellers, are Kudle Beach, OM Beach, Paradise Beach and Halfmoon Beach. But in this our visit to Gokarna due to not having much time we visited only Om Beach and Kudle Beach. In Beaches only limited cafes, resorts and shacks available.

   From afternoon to till sun set we wandered on beaches, curvy forest roads and playing in beach water with sand. Mainly the views from the hills was magnificent and its a perfect evening for nature lovers who can relax in  calm and peaceful beaches of Gokarna. All you can see around you is the water and all you hear are the waves lapping against the sands.
   
     After had some Coffee in beach side restaurant we moved to our Hotel room and stayed overnight there.

   
    Early morning 7:00 AM we started our return journey to Gadwal town. After crossing 180 Km distance we reached Hubli at around 11:00 AM had Break fast and Tea there in a hotel and consequently we crossed Gangavathi, Sindhanur, Manvi and Raichur. Finally after drive 540 Km we reached Gadwal Town at around 8: 00PM .



     " Finally a good bye to my friends with smiles and tiredness in our eyes along with a feeling of great adventurous achievement, It was quite an another amazing ride in our life."

Thank You .... my dear buddies...Thank you very much....