Sharavathi valley Trek from Bangalore: Sharavathi and Gersoppa Forests

"Now if you do any more mischievous activities, I will drop you in jungle", that's what my Mom used to shout on me and my reply used to be, "What difference would it make? I will still be able to dance, shout and run back home for food". This cute memory burnt some desires within and I RSVP'ed yes to Shravan's meet on Meetup.com, "Exploring the Unexplored Sharavathi Forest" and persuaded my college junior/friend Nand to be part of it. For the second time I was about to join a group of strangers for travelling with the positive aftermaths of the first one. This time a bigger group of 12 other people, Shravan the organizer of the meetup, Vyshak his apartment friend, Sarath the Kulbhushan kharbanda look alike, Minu Sinha the Madam X, Om Prakash the sweeper, Chetan the silent leaper, Harish the Gandalf, Travis the Paan Singh Tomar, Jobin the Danny Denzogpa, Atul the Kurt Cobain, Sumitash the Raju Rastogi from 3 Idiots and Debaleena the whiny topper.
                      We left on a friday night to culminate our leisure time, and were all set for a lifetime experience. Met at Bangalore central station and were all set to start by 10 from there, but Chetan came late and hence we left late; with Chetan promising for Sunday night dinner (Only Veg). Minu, Om and Sarath joined us at the railway station and we left for Rajaji nagar where Harish joined us followed by Atul, Sumitash, Debaleena and Jobin near NH 4 flyover. With the Tempo traveller fully occupied, luggage piled up in the pathways, people crying on my pen drive's songs and the sexy Tumkur highway shining in the moon light; the journey had begun. We had an introduction round with everyone where people told their best treks till now and other whereabouts. This was followed by an hour long antakshari and some soothing singing by Shravan. People decided to sleep then but I was enjoying watching the peeping moon from the windows. Our 14th member Travis was coming from a KSRTC bus and was about to join us at Kargal.

Day 1:-

 I slept at some 4 in the morning and woke up in Kargal where we stopped to wait for Travis. Unfortunately, his bus got late, and our tire too got punctured. By 7 30 there were no signs of Travis' bus, so we decided to move ahead towards the forest base camp to freshen up. The foggy morning had made the scenery almost invisible at the base camp when we reached, but as the fog was swiping away a beautiful lake emerged out.

Lake near Sharavathi forest base camp

Lake near Sharavathi forest base camp

Lake near Sharavathi forest base camp

With everybody getting ready for the trek, dear Minu adjusting her contact lenses and maskaaraaaazzzzzz, etc, Travis arriving, Nand/Sumitash posing and me unfortunately pooping in a toilet where no water was coming ( guys don't panic now :p, I did managed with the left over (water) of someone with a 6th sense who did it before me), we all left to the tea spot.

          After the tea, we left for the trek start point which was another 10 km from the base camp; a  typical tribal house with a landline phone and a videocon DTH. There smelled our lovely breakfast, Idli, sambhar and some pakoda (don't know the regional name). The DTH kept tempting me to make efforts to realize the cricket score (Ind v/s Aus), but was not able to. So we were all set, with our guides to reach to the first waterfall (don't have an idea about it's name) as it was not our formal destination. The road started with an easy terrain, with some highs and lows. and then it lead to a trek along a cold stream which was all canopied by the lush greenery of the forest. The rocks were slippery and so were all of us, kept slipping and making sure to get up. Chetan, though had a great fall here and injured his hand which later turned out to be a ligament tear in his right wrist.

With some more steps along the cool water, a lot more sweat along the whole body and the chiming of the water along the rocks kept us moving towards a small waterfall for a nice experience.

Hosagithi falls

Had a nice shower in the waterfall, and enjoyed there for about an hour. Next was the turn of our tummies, and so we went back to the house for lunch, the way back was much smaller, and took minutes. The lunch served was sambhar rice along with papad (few of which were fried by me :D). People had a fully-full lunch and then that looks of drowsiness started wiping off everyone's faces. Now was the time when our Bengali mates ran here and there to call their parents about their status updates ( and for my parents I was snoring soundly in some corner of Banaglore :p).  The afternoon sun was on it's full kill and I haven't got the scores updates yet. With Harish taking efforts of driving everybody back to the trek mood, we were all on our way towards the Veegi falls. The trek to Veegi falls was through lush jungles, though a predefined pathway was always there. The humidity was at it's peak and we had all our water resources intact. The mud was slippery now and the 4 km (as told by the guides and highly doubted by all) trek was testing people. The last part of the trek was a steep slope down to the stream, and with it we reached the falls, in a continuous singing mood with frequent notes of tarzan and other jungle songs. The water was very cool, and the humid trek needed a break with the jazuzzi in the pool at the base of the falls. The pool was quite deep around 20-30 ft deep, but the experienced campaigners like Shravan, Travis, Debaleena and Minu did enjoy fully with the swim.

Veegi falls

Veegi falls

While swimming like a mermaid in the pool, Debaleena had a cramp, and for some time difficulty in walking too. Even i jumped (figuratively) into the pool for a small swim (too new a swimmer :p), and enjoyed the cool water, but while climbing up, the sweat took all water effects within seconds. Brave Debaleena had recovered and started running like Donald Duck (:p), Chetan was still struggling with his hands and shravan was struggling to maintain the schedule. Our next destination was the fort of Kannoor Kotte, and our guides also had to go back to the house to bring back our sleeping mats and grocery for dinner. It had started getting dark, and the sunset along the valley was just ecstatic. Apart from the breathtaking views and comparatively cool breeze, God's grace shined on us and we got airtel network too, India made a decent total that day and The God was still on ground; nothing could have gone wrong that day. To avoid trekking in the dark we decided to settle down in some near by place only and moved the fort trekking to tomorrow.

Drunk Moon; visible in the noon

Sun set to set

Sharavathi valley sunset

So another 2 km in the dark we traveled to find the home sweet home for the night stay. Typical village house with a lot of open space for us to chit-chat, a mercury halogen lit up on an electric pole, a section for the cattles, goats, lambs; a dog marking his territory here and there(who fell in love with Minu) and surrounded by the fields on either side. So after a long time people found a place to rest there asses, with the relief of knowing that they don't have to get up in another 2 minutes to trek. Have read, have heard, and have seen in movies about something called Ambrosia, but that day we did taste it too, something made out of milk with lot of spices added to it, and it rejuvenated the bodies for us to enjoy at the campfire. The campfire was lit below a tree where we played dumb charades, some intelligent inputs from Basu, some tough names from Jana and some Osome acting by everyone spread smiles all over, and within no time the dinner was also ready. It was a good spread with hot curd rice, Bisibelle bhath, Cabbage dry, and Chapathi. The dinner was simply delicious and the looks on everyone's face assured of that to the chefs too. The day was declared to be over and the expectations for the next one were already in some dreams. Everyone slept inside the house, but I and Nand thought we will sleep outside under the moon light. The orion was clearly visible and as I started staring on it, a lot more started too appear and soon the sky was all lit up with the shine and twinkle of those far across. Never realized when I fell asleep, but never had a continuous sleep that night, every time waking to see the stars moving.

Day 2:-
               The day began quite early at 5, as everybody wanted to make sure they get fresh with darkness still being around. People had started running towards the fields with a torch in one hand, a water bottle in the other, reluctance on their faces, and pressure in their stomachs. It was quite cold outside and sitting out there expecting things to come out from your naked asses was hard, even harder was to wash it with cold water. As everybody got ready, the breakfast was already spread, tea along with a very nice veg biryani. Posed along with our night stay home, and then we all were on our way for the day's adventure.

Sunrise in Sharavathi valley

It was a 7 km trek from there to the Kannoor Kotte fort, with a fairly easy terrain with not much ups and downs and mostly along the flat ground. There we came across a nice valley view and had started having fun along the trek, singing, teasing, eating, snatching, giggling and story sharing, were the only voices being heard along the jungle. We reached the fort, and there was not much to find there, some ruins and an old temple, which was a very nice piece of architecture very similar to the Hoysala architecture temples. 

Kannoor Kotte

Kannoor Kotte

Kannoor Kotte

We left from that place to go towards the backwater where we were supposed to have lunch, another 6 km trek. By this time Sarath had got pain in his knee and Harish in his ankles, but both of them showed so much strength to keep walking with minimal rests. At this point some of us got separated from others and at points had no idea where to go. So without putting much thoughts we kept on walking straight and luckily that was the way too. Here is where the stock of Om, Basu and jobin got utilized a lot, the parle-g, dairy milk shots and the peculiar pedigree kept consoling the rage of our stomachs. Then we reached to the stream where our lunch was already in the phase of cooking. The stream was very tempting and not many held on to their desires for long. Soon people were playing in the stream which demanded it to happen.

Soon after the lunch we were on our way to Jain basadi, and the dam where our TT would be waiting for us.  The afternoon sun had made it very humid and hot, people were sweating like anything. By this time it was very difficult for Sarath to walk so I was just walking ahead of him to make sure he places every step at a safe place and Basu was pushing him from behind besides carrying her 6 kg back pack( so nice of her). Swalpa swalpa we managed to reach another piece of stream where Shravan had arranged a bike to rescue Sarath out of the trek. So it was just 4 km to the Jain basadi now and in some time we were standing inside the campus of almost 500 years old Jain temple Chaturmukhi Basadi.

Chatumukhi Basadi

The temple was very similar to the vijaynagar empire ruins of Hampi, and the most ecstatic part was it's silence, which was not there for long as we arrived. After the photo session we like scavengers attacked the exquisite food served at the Jain temple. After 2 days I got something sweet to eat and like always had the tummy full with the boondi and kheer served there. The stomach was full but the desires were not. We started our way towards the dam in the TT this time. The river was outrageous there flowing like a mad bull and the sun was already below the horizon. With some last pics being clicked at the bridge the trip was about to get over. The best pic being this one, and on the special demand of minu. Well what minu desired was a simple pic of me holding Sarath's hands the way we held it for the whole trip but I thought of making it more dramatic by posing this way which was even made more merrier by the pose by Basu.

Pati (In the Middle), Patni (To his left) aur Woh ( to his right)

Slow and funny wins the cake, that's how the trek went for us and I really enjoyed the whole group with some long lasting memories marked in my heart. Well, as I say, you just can never be alone in this world, coz the world itself is a big companion, the silence of the nature and the calmness with which it welcomes everyone just makes it my best friend. So Shinchan ke kaarnaamo me ek aur karnaama jud gaya!!!

LOVE: what it really means

Love, perhaps the most magical word that a human dictionary contains; and is in my perception the only feeling that human possess. They say that we fall in love, but I think we don't fall in but fall for Love. Wherever you settle your eyes on, you would be able to visualize Love there, and if you are not then you are just not trying too. If there is something like God in this universe then he is prevalent in the moments of Love. 

             Defining Love is perhaps a tricky task, you need to put in all you have felt since childhood in few sentences as I realize that all a human feels is just Love and nothing else. Your feeling of hatred for something or someone is just a strong feeling of Love for some other thing. All you need to know is what you really love. The surprises of childhood amazed you at first so that you start loving them in some time. The anger, frustration depression around defeats, failures, scolding’s, etc was just our love for success. We condition ourselves that Love and happiness revolves around great moments, but great moments often catch us unaware- beautifully wrapped in simplicity and what others may say a small one. So, it's not just a moment that we love but the coming trails of it.
             
             Loving a person is not at all different, you might not even realize sometimes that you love someone, but all you need to do once you do realize is to let that someone know about it. She might say no, but just keep hoping for a yes, even after a no. Love is not about trying to live a happy life with the one you love, but making your beloved's life a happy one, whether with you or without you. Just remember, to spend your life, you would need that person more who loves you than the one, whom you love. It's never a big deal if you fall in love, big moments come when somebody falls in love with you. Love is unconditional, not because people say so but what can change on basis of a condition can never be a human feeling. So if you Love someone then make sure at least she comes to know about it. It might not do any good but believe me it would never do any harm too. You would at least have the answer to the question, "what if I would have asked her?" And yes, it's a big question to live with if left unanswered.

One Day Adventure Trip Around Bangalore: Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve and Madhugiri fort

With a weekend in hands, bike in garage and camera lying next to me on bed, the only thought that woke me up that night was what to do with all of these? The answer was floating around in Google and hence I decided  Jayamangali Blackbuck reserve is the best place to exercise everything. With none of my friends willing to join, I was almost sure to go alone, but just one day before the actual plan, I decided to put it up on meetup.com. To my surprise I got great responses, and finally two people Rajath and sameena were ready to join me on the visit. I asked my college mate Anupriya also to join and hence we were four to rock towards Madhugiri. We left bangalore by 4 am to make sure we reach the place by sunrise, probably the best time to spot animals.

                   So in a famous saying sannate ko cheerte hue we were riding towards Madhugiri. We took the NH4 tumkur road and followed it on till 40 km from bangalore, where there is a right turn below the fly over for Madhugiri. The temperatures were too low and thanks/curses to a mad driver who showered filthy water on me and Anupriya. We stopped there and that was the moment when Rajath realized how badly he was missing his Jacket. Had a cup of tea and went ahead on the dark roads to the destination. For about 20 km the road was fine but then the Karnataka government showed it true colors and the state highway adventure was on. Dawn was at the corners and the graphite monsters of the region were haunting with their black shadows. The road gives a feeling of riding along a valley and the pre-morning weather really adds to the flavor. To avoid freezing breezes from making us senseless we were riding slow and hence saw the sunrise before reaching the reserve. Around 6:30 we reached Madhugiri another 30 km from there was the blackbuck reserve. The road starts vanishing after that as the local farmers use it to dry hay, and I wondered, am I the first one to use this road as a road?  We reached to the last 4 km for the reserve which is marked by a sign board. As soon as we took that right turn, the curious Blackbucks welcomed us. We saw a huge group running from us, and decided to reach the place with thoughts that they will be more there. The forest office there is just one room, which even offers place to stay. We went ahead for a walk along the forest and discovered there is no water here and hence pretty hard to actually observe any creature out here. We saw an observation tower and rushed towards it. The view from there is ecstatic, for few moments you would just be with yourself, no disturbing sound, no signs of pollution and a lush green spread of crops enhancing the view.

There we got the first close looks of a blackbuck grazing, but that was probably the lone grazer there. With the sun proving Rajath's decision of not bringing jacket good, we decided to get out and look for blackbucks where we originally spotted them. To our surprise even after 9 30 they were waiting for me take their clean shots, and this time I didn't miss out.

We kept on walking on the small trails of path in the jungle to spot more and more of them. The calmness of that place was making it hard for us to decide leaving it. But we eventually did and left for Madhugiri. Reaching there we realized there is not even a single decent place to eat out. We ended up having dosa and idly at a chai shop/restaurant and it did turn out tasty. It gets pretty hot by the noon and all the locals suggest to start the trek by morning 8 something so that you have ample time to spend there and come back. We decided to go ahead and let's see what this place has to offer. From the base of the fort one can not make out how hard and long the trek can be to the top. There are in fact nine levels of walls to the top of the fort, and after reaching to the 3rd we were already looking towards the way down.

         Well, hope is a wonderful thing and is a must grab tool too, be it come from any source, come on any moment, come from anywhere. There He walked down where we sat down with a fickle mind whether to proceed or not. He looked like an ordinary man, carrying a backpack with a 1 litre bottle, head shining like a aura in sun, spects crowning like a jewel on Him, and a determination to climb any fort in vision. And as expected He rides on a THUNDERBIRD. We asked Him how far is it going up from here, and He replied in simple words, "2 hours of continuous walk up and 1 hour of a smiling walk down". We just kept listening to His stories, He kept on sharing his experiences, and within few minutes of interaction He was a hero. Trekking alone just to make sure He climbs every fort He knows exist. He motivated us to the brim of our taking and we were all set to see what's there on the top. We were short on water and with every level up we tasted water pretty slowly. There we saw the mighty walls of the fort, standing tall through times and weather, without APEX ULTIMA :p.

The view from the top was pretty cool, but the cooler thing was the availability of water there, not sure whether was drinking water or not, but yes we did drink it. Ignoring the crawling creatures on the sides of the tank we went ahead drinking the sweet cold water. Sat there for an hour, shared stories, discovered lot of common interests among us, promised to travel together again and started walking down.

Ruins of the Fort

We were on our way back as soon as we touched the ground. On way back to bangalore, there were few beautiful lotus ponds and a small lake which was quite a photogenic place, and me and my camera just love such places.

The trip ended with a nice interaction with some fellow travelers, joyous exploration of a scenic place, and some unforgettable memories to cherish forever.

Escape from soliloquy: When I Missed Home

When you are away from home, nature can provide you with the best alternative. With this belief in my mind, and the companionship of my friend Vipul, I was all set to explore the milky mighty Dudhsagar waterfalls. I started from bangalore on 10th November after a day bike trip to Chunchi falls and Mekedatu. I took bus from Bangalore to reach belgaum. Vipul came to belgaum on his yamaha fz. We met near Belgaum railway station at around 10 pm. Hired a small dormitory for an hour to get fresh and started our way towards Goa from Belgaum. We followed the NH4A via Angol from Belgaum. The first 70 km from Belgaum was mapped with awful road. As soon as we entered the Goa border the condition of the road significantly improved and to our luxury the weather was also not hot on that day. We reached the Baga beach by 3 30pm and sat down for a nice beer and view. The beach was just getting prepared at that time for the coming season. All the places were building their DJ floors and beach side eating place.

We hired a place to sleep at night near the beach only, 600 rs per day and then left to explore the night life of GOA. We left for the Anjuna beach where there is a secret pub called Curley's. You can not reach there on car. You will have to park it around a km before the actual place. The ambiance at the place was just ecstatic, with a mixed Indian and foreigner crowd, the place was too good for the prices quoted. We had another pint of beer, checked about the dance party every night there. It was scheduled to start by 10 30, so we thought we won't join it, as we wanted to start early morning next day towards Dudhsagar. Came back to the baga beach grabbed a bite and then went off to sleep.

           Next morning we started towards Castle rock station, around 80 km from Panaji. To reach dudhsagar falls, one has to do trekking atleast for 2 km. There are 4 routes to reach the place, of which the Castle rock railway track trek is the longest 14 km and the best one too. We opted for the best. Reaching Castle rock by 9 30. We got ready for the trek, by giving away the extra luggage at a food shop on the station. Took idli from the shop, and started our trek. It was difficult to walk on the track and there was no parallel way to walk on. The enthralling views and the desire to reach the destination kept us moving.

The route is having the maximum density of tunnels, and each one adds to the route's beauty. The tunnel number 2, is the longest around 500 m. There were times when we were walking inside the tunnels with no clue of what's ahead us and what's following us. Lot of small waterfalls, valleys, over bridges garland the way.

After 4 km we crossed the Karnataka border and entered GOA. 2-3 trains crossed us on the way, and we reached the Carlzone station around 8 km from the Castle rock and around 6.5 km before Dudhsagar. The last train from Dudhsagar to Castle rock was at 5 30, so we thought it would be better if we hop on to any train which comes next and reach Dudhsagar on time. A good's train came and we ran to catch it in Kachche Dhaage style.

We finally jumped out of the train about 500 m before the Dudhsagar station. Even after Dudhsagar station, you have to walk for about 500 m more and between the 12th and the 13th tunnel, there is a way to go down to the base of the falls. We reached to the base but were on the opposite side of the pathway to the falls. The way to cross was like 500 m more from there so we decided to cross the stream and slippery boulders and reached to what is called Dudhsagar falls.

We took a nice bath at the waterfalls, the water was cold and there is a nice pool to swim too. We followed the same route back up by crossing the stream. From castlerock it took us another 2 hours to reach belgaum. I had my bus back to bangalore and vipul decided to ride back to pune, though not a good decision, as he fell asleep in the middle and did face a fall too. Thanks to his biking gears!!! All in all a nice trip where again nothing was planned and turned out good. One lesson I learned, that you can never be alone in this world, coz the world itself is a great companion.