On this article, I’ll share my bike journey journey to Dharmasthala from Bengaluru. Spontaneous plan of travelling by the Western Ghats throughout winter season was a blissful expertise. I’ll take you thru plenty of nice surprises in our journey.
I’m positive a lot of you may have been on Spontaneous/unplanned journey atleast as soon as, listed here are some explanation why I believe 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 luggage on time” conditions. And Three – most significantly spontaneous journeys have excessive execution charge, purpose 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 journey. Harish is all the time excited in regards to the Western Ghats journey and we each agreed on the under 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 have now 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 maintain and knowledgeable that he would affirm by 10 AM about our journey. I waited until 11 AM within the morning and didn’t get any response. Simply as I assumed that the journey can be cancelled, he known as me at 11:15 AM and informed that he would attain dwelling 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 might lengthen the journey by a day, returning on Sunday night time to Bengaluru.
After preparing, we began from dwelling at 2 PM and though it was winters, the climate was nice – Sunny with cool winds breezing. After a snug journey, we reached Solur – which is 5 Kms after the deviation from Nelamangala in 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 aside from a couple 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 might halt someplace earlier than Charmady as each of us wished to savour the views of the superb Western Ghats. We searched few choices in Mudigere and determined to maneuver forward to Kottigehara once 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 a phenomenal home amidst nature, we had been supplied with a visitor room on lease within the first flooring. There are small accommodations in Kottigehara and are highly regarded and other people travelling to Dharmasthala normally 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 modifications to our spontaneous journey
After an excellent night time sleep, we had been prepared by 8 AM and resumed our journey. Charmady is thought 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 journey. Annappa Swamy is the Lord Who introduced the Idol of the principle 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 way in which – the place a number of tiny waterfalls are fashioned 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 shocked by the group 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 cut 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 Lodge 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 Lodge 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 wished us to use go away for the day and go to Kukke Subrahmanya and Sowthadka Temples on the way in which and attain Bengaluru by night time. Harish favored the thought however was not ready to take go away because of vital workplace work. So the journey 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 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 truth 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 Lodge close by.
Began the journey again dwelling 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 direction of Hassan had been underneath building and therefore it was powerful journey. It pressured me to take an unplanned break for stress-free. Reached dwelling in midnight after a journey in chilling chilly climate and light-weight drizzle. Had collected some memorable moments alongside this journey, which I’ll cherish.
PS : Nature is our Residence and it’s our accountability to guard it. Please don’t litter in the course of the journeys, carry them again to do correct disposal.
