(Click here to read Part I)
After peaking the highest point in Karnataka, it was time to refuel our car and our bodies. We went back to Chikkamagaluru, finished lunch and stepped on accelerator to rush towards Agumbe's famous sunset point. We reached there just 5 minutes ahead of sunset. For the kind of expectation we had, what we got to see was rather disappointing. Within a minute clouds swooped in to cover any of the orange shades that were visible. May be it was just out luck, but we couldn't sing Aagumbeya prema sanjeya mareyalaare naanu endigoo..
We spent some time in the lake nearby and started towards Agumbe town trying to find a place to hit the sack. We were told that Dodda Mane will be the best choice. It is a unique homestay where you will be treated as a part of the family and they don't demand any particular amount when you are leaving. You can pay as much as you want and there will be no question asked. Their hospitality and delicious dinner is a wonderful experience. It is a traditional big old Malenadu style home which city dwellers will find unique. Our plan was to catch sunrise in Kundadri hills next morning. We were thoroughly amused when the route was shown to us with the help of i-pad! It had the pictures of the place where we had to take turns. Without the help of those photos showing landmarks precisely, it might have gotten difficult to reach the place as you will not find a soul to ask the route in early morning in that route.
Kundadri was absolutely magical for me. But for my friends who just had witnessed sunrise in Kodachadri few weeks back, this was not up to the same level of excitement.
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Once up on the hill, Mangata is something we boys can't avoid!
Sirimane Falls was our next destination. It was a scenic stretch.
There is entry fee for Sirimane Falls but as soon as you enter, first thing that will come to your notice is strong stench of excreta. Some of us didn't feel inspired to get in the water. This falls doesn't have anything distinctive about it. It was heavily crowded though.
First photo above is clicked by Rajeev Komar.
Our next stop was Shringeri. On the way we tried a coffee shop which was inside an estate but the coffee there was not as satisfying as filter coffee of darshini's of bangalore!
May be it is because of "Mangalore tiles", the road leading to the temple had this old world charm to it which I found beautiful.
At the entrance of Shringeri temple you will find a big hoarding with a photo of Bharathi Teertha swamiji with a welcome. But with a considerably big space allocation for Indian oil, it seems more like an advertisement hoarding! It felt very out of place to me.
Last time I was here, Sai Prakash's Navashakti Vaibhava was getting shot here. A scene with Ram Kumar and Sudha Rani was getting canned. I waited for that movie but for long long time I didn't see it being released. And when it did, it didn't last long in theaters.
It was afternoon time. So, we caught up with free lunch served in the temple. It is fantastic how they operate the serving of the meals for so many devotees everyday.
My displeasure against boring smoke filled skies of Bangalore manifolds whenever I am travelling on the roads of Hasana/Chikkamagaluru. They always provide enough fodder for my sky fetish
Now that rainy season is here again, hoping for many more wonderful unplanned road trips like this one!
After peaking the highest point in Karnataka, it was time to refuel our car and our bodies. We went back to Chikkamagaluru, finished lunch and stepped on accelerator to rush towards Agumbe's famous sunset point. We reached there just 5 minutes ahead of sunset. For the kind of expectation we had, what we got to see was rather disappointing. Within a minute clouds swooped in to cover any of the orange shades that were visible. May be it was just out luck, but we couldn't sing Aagumbeya prema sanjeya mareyalaare naanu endigoo..
Kundadri was absolutely magical for me. But for my friends who just had witnessed sunrise in Kodachadri few weeks back, this was not up to the same level of excitement.
Once up on the hill, Mangata is something we boys can't avoid!
Sirimane Falls was our next destination. It was a scenic stretch.
There is entry fee for Sirimane Falls but as soon as you enter, first thing that will come to your notice is strong stench of excreta. Some of us didn't feel inspired to get in the water. This falls doesn't have anything distinctive about it. It was heavily crowded though.
First photo above is clicked by Rajeev Komar.
Our next stop was Shringeri. On the way we tried a coffee shop which was inside an estate but the coffee there was not as satisfying as filter coffee of darshini's of bangalore!
May be it is because of "Mangalore tiles", the road leading to the temple had this old world charm to it which I found beautiful.
At the entrance of Shringeri temple you will find a big hoarding with a photo of Bharathi Teertha swamiji with a welcome. But with a considerably big space allocation for Indian oil, it seems more like an advertisement hoarding! It felt very out of place to me.
Last time I was here, Sai Prakash's Navashakti Vaibhava was getting shot here. A scene with Ram Kumar and Sudha Rani was getting canned. I waited for that movie but for long long time I didn't see it being released. And when it did, it didn't last long in theaters.
It was afternoon time. So, we caught up with free lunch served in the temple. It is fantastic how they operate the serving of the meals for so many devotees everyday.
My displeasure against boring smoke filled skies of Bangalore manifolds whenever I am travelling on the roads of Hasana/Chikkamagaluru. They always provide enough fodder for my sky fetish
Now that rainy season is here again, hoping for many more wonderful unplanned road trips like this one!
