http://picasaweb.google.co.in/bharaths9688/KumaraParvataTrek?authkey=s8Gs2N0eh_Y
From left to right: Shivakumar, Akhil, Chandan, Bharath, Naveen and Me
It was somewhere in January, I and Akhil had a brief discussion about what we should be doing and what we were missing. We had completed 3 of the 8 semesters. College was fun, but we needed something different to know what “fun” really was other than bunking classes or going to movies (which we hardly did) I thought this was just another discussion which would have no consequences. But, how wrong was I!
4th semester begun and we found the names of the subjects difficult to remember, leave alone the contents. We buddies – me, Akhil, Chandan, Bharath and Shiva – decided we need to go on a holiday, but where? After some research, we zeroed in on Kumara Parvata – probably one of the most difficult places to trek in the whole of Karnataka. Right place for us – challenging enough (or so we thought). We were only 5 initially, so, we asked Bharath (we are 3 of named Bharath) and Naveen. Bharath turned down and Naveen joined us. Ours was a very very tight budget trip. After we extended our trip to 4 days (we included Madikeri too) our budget rocketed to around Rs. 2000 per person. Rs. 2000 to any of us was way too much, but everyone managed to convince their families. This was just the beginning of what would be a trip to be cherished for a long time.
As earlier mentioned, we were on a tight budget – we booked tickets in an ordinary “Karnataka Sarige”. Journey to Subramanya was a mini trek in itself – thanks to the roads so well maintained!
For most of the journey, me, Akhil and Shiva talked and wondered how the trip would be. The other 3 slept like logs. Once in Subramanya, we had our breakfast and decided to skip bath so that we could start early. From all the blogs I had read, from all the people I had contacted, I was told that the “Bhattara Mane” was at the exact centre of Subramanya and the peak of “Kumara Parvata”. There was yet another landmark – “The Mantapa”. This was in between the Bhattara mane and the peak.
With most of the luggage kept in the cloak room in Subramanya, we had one shoulder bag on our backs with water bottles and maggige packets making rounds with everyone. With initial zeal, we set off and entered the thick western ghat forests. We were quiet fast and covered a lot of ground. But our enthusiasm was short lived. After a couple of hours of trekking, we were slowly realizing that the Bhattara mane was not easily accessible as we had assumed. We climbed, slipped, jumped, took rest and the centre was nowhere to be seen. At about 10, we rested to have chapattis I and Bharath had brought with us. Maggige was such a relief – and you know the value of a 3 rupees maggige packet. After 2 ½ long hours of trekking, we were out of the dense jungle. Another hour of “walking on stones”, we reached our 1st destination. We were sweating profusely. Lunch was at Bhattara mane. Anything offered to eat felt refreshing. Trekking is the best place for guys who fret and complain what they eat is not good. This was where we realized that 5 Kms, what they say from Subramanya is not the distance – it is the displacement. The radial distance from Subramanya is 5 Kms, but we walk a whole lot more. I had read some blog where he mentioned it would be 27 Kms to the peak. This was slowly turning out to be true. For the next one hour, what we did was just walk. It seemed easy, save for the scorching heat of the sun. Later on, there was some steep climbing. Loose rocks added to our woes. Our next destiny was the Mantapa. As we walked, we could see a peak with a flag waving atop. But Mantapa was nowhere to be seen. Undeterred, we kept on climbing. At last, we reached there by 3 and the peak was not too far. So, we decided to rest for a while. We ate a bit and started again at 4. A rude shock awaited us. We reached the peak only to find that the peak on which we were standing was just an intermediate hill. Kumara Parvata was right in front of us. It was already 5 and we had left our baggages at the Mantapa. It seemed impossible to get them and climb again. So, we decided to halt at the Mantapa itself. It was a feeling of being let down. But nevertheless, it was our 1st trek, getting to the top of the intermediate peak (called “Battada Raashi”) was an achievement in itself. The view from there was breathtaking. The guy who wrote “Aakasha Ishte Yaakideyo…..” should have a look from here. It was so magnificent. We were ecstatic – and this was worth for all the classes we bunked, for all the pain we took to reach here, it was a feeling to be cherished.
After watching the sunset, we came back to the Mantapa. We were supposed to get the twigs for the camp fire from near the spring. Water was depleted too. 3 of us, Chandan, Naveen and Shiva volunteered to get them. Thanks to the advancement in technology, we were able to talk through our phones. This may be the only place in Karnataka where you could Spice and Vodafone with no Airtel connection. While the 3 returned, Akhil got a call and at the same instant, Shiva heard something. He thought it was a cheetah. Chandan and Naveen were terrified. Shiva couldn’t stand on his legs. All 3 were petrified. Me, Bharath and Akhil laughed, but matter didn’t settle. Shiva slowly convinced everyone that there was something there. Now, it was Bharath and Akhil’s turn to shiver. I, having read a whole lot of blogs, was pretty sure that there would be no animals. All of us slept by 9.30. But at around 11.30, I and Bharath woke up. There were sounds of elephant’s trumpets. Suddenly, there were fireworks. If the cheetah experience was not enough, we had to witness this too…
Day 2
It was our journey back to the 1st pit stop – Bhattara mane. The descent was not as tiring as the ascent. We reached the house before our assumed time of 10.30. We had “Uppittu” and too bath. We came to know that there was a direct bus to Madikeri at 2.30. Since it was our next terminus, we rushed back and our descent was quiet quick. We managed to reach Subramanya by 12.50. Paid a visit to the temple. Bharath and Akhil rushed to have a bath. Once Akhil finished, we decided to have lunch in the temple. With Akhil and Bharath left behind, we had our stomach’s full. In the next “pankthi”, the other 2 had their prasada later on. By 2.30, we were rushing towards the main bus stand for our direct bus to Madikeri. Fortunately, the bus was waiting for our arrival. For guys having trekked for 2 whole days, there were no seats to sit. We were seated only in Sullia, which was half way to Madikeri. All slept save for me and Shiva. Once in Madikeri, we headed to the Raja Seat straight away. Watched the sun set and relaxed a bit.
It was all very nostalgic; it had been 10 years that I had seen Madikeri.
After visiting the
Day 3
Having booked a taxi, we had 5 places planned to visit for the day. First being Dubare, we reached there by 10 which was quiet late. “Dubari” more suited the place as everything was way too costly. A normal elephant ride would cost us 100 bucks. We decided against and took off. Next was the
Day 4
We started off at 9, climbed the Brahmagiri hill at Talakaveri. After seeing the temple, we went to Bhagamandala. Shiva and Akhil got a rock of the shape of a “Shiva Linga”. I too joined them got it installed it in the central part of the river, in front of the Nandi – which was facing the river. Any first time goer would definitely get confused for a real Shiva Linga. The whole episode was great fun.
After Bhagamandala, it was Abbey where we stopped. On our way back, we made friends with a foreigner couple who wanted to get back to Madikeri. We offered them a lift and they hopped in. Talked with them – Julien and Violaine - till Madikeri. Once again, we came to the Omkareshwara temple after seeing the Gadduge. This was our final stop and we settled our monetary affairs here. We were all set to get back to
We were the best of friends in class – and we still are. It was worth for us to bunk 3 days of college and enjoy. We have no qualms of bunking – after all, we are doing our engineering and what best can engineering students do!!!
Well, for all those who hate to see their inbox with unread messages, I'm here to add to your worries. Watch this space... Bharath has started to blog!
Having friends and cousins who write so well, I had never imagined that a day would come that I will be penning my thoughts for everyone to read. Engineering is such a great course to study - you do everything but study.
I hope to write my views here, with your support - and your support would not go waste, I'll be constantly be at your back pestering with my rather irrelevant posts.
Once again I welcome you all to my world of imagery.
