Filed under: Uncategorized
An article has been published on Deccan Herald – Metro Plus on page 2, the article is about our trekking and outdoor adventures which i have done with Nisarga India.
Filed under: Trekking, places | Tags: canon, cuavery, Kaveri river, Muthatti, Trekking
18th Oct:
As planned earlier to leave Bangalore in early morning , Karthik picked up Jagaadish & headed for R.T.Nagar to pick me up, then went to Cox town to pick Madhu(Kutty) and Prasanna. And our last pick up guy was Vasu in Indranagar. Picked Vasu and the headed for Muthatti. On the way other gang(Madhu,Prabhu, Sharvana, Saket,Aloke,Natraj & Rajesh) was waiting for us near Banasankari on Kanakpura road. Stopped near Sri Ravi Shanker ashram for breakfast, had idli vada, dosa …etc. As we have not got the permission from forest dept. we need to collect it from forest range office in Kanakapura, for camping in the forest area. It took some 15-20mins to get the permission, and headed for our destination.
You have to go straight on NH209 till Satharur and take left turn for Muthatti which is about 20+ KM from the highway. Reached Muthatti forest guest house at around 11am. Got the forest guest house room key and dumped all our luggage. As we have almost half a day left with us we thought to do a small trek near by hills. Everybody got ready with their gears – camera ,hat..etc and ready for trekking. Local guide was heading the group and Karthik was telling all about the birds found in Muthatti forest. As we were half way up the hill, it started raining….kept camera inside waterproof cover and stayed under the trees. The rain was playing hide an seek….raining sometime and stops……once again starts suddenly!!. The view from the hill was beautiful….We reached the top of one hill and decide to stop & had lunch there.
Guide told us that one more view point is near by only, so decide to head for it. Once we reached there the view was awesome!!!…. everybody were excited and tired also.. but we wanted to go to one more hill top, form where the view is excellent . You can have a whole picture of the kaveri river flowing through the hills. Once we reached the spot, it was worth it for that pain to climb up to top. We spotted 2 lungur (long tailed monkeys) near the top. After mesmerized with view from top for half-hour, we decide to climb down and head for Kaveri river for a kool bath in cold water.
As we were climbing down the hill, me, madhu, Karthik and guide in front heard sounds breaking branches in near by bushes. We got alerted and look for any thing visible from where the sound is coming. Initially we couldn’t see or make out whats there in the bushes, we walked carefully without making any noise, so if there was anything it can’t notice us. Suddenly the guide spotted the herd of Elephant …tusker ,baby elephant!! around 9-10 elephant, everybody got excited as always as were afraid !!! ….as the bushes were thick we couldn’t get a clear view of the herd. I climbed up a tree to get a clear view of the heard and everybody were anxiously waiting down to get a glimpse of the herd. As we were looking at the herd hiding behind the bushes, could make out they were heading towards us , every body run for their life downhill……..i jumped from the tree …make effort not to disturb the herd…and run uphill with karthik. Now we were divided in two groups, me & karthik uphill and rest of the groups downhill. It just scared the shit out us, looking for bushes and tree to hide behind. Still wanted to get a clear view to get a snap of the herd. But couldn’t get a single shot!!!! luckily the herd moved back in opposite direction, and we run downhill ………all were waiting anxiously for both of us this was the first time in my life real encounter with with the wild animals. Man you never forget this moment!!!
After this encounter with the wild, we decide to take bath in kaveri river to kool our selves. We looked for a good place where the water current is less, guide spotted one place for us. Played with water for 45 mins and it was getting dark by then and it was time for us to head back to forest guest house. Around 7pm we started to cook for dinner, guide had arrange a big around 5kg fish for us. They prepared fish kebab and served it us near the bonfire. It taste of fish kebab was mouth watery, finished dinner and headed for bed to get early, catch a glimpse of sunrise.
Route: Bangalore-57kms-Kanakapura-16kms-Satharur-23kms-Muthatti
Distance : 96 KM
Filed under: Trekking, places | Tags: Ankulli Math, caves, Chandravalli cave, chitradurga, Panchalinga cave, repelling, rock climbing
First experience with Rock climbing & Repelling. On friday night at around 9:30pm started from yesvantpur….picking up all members from different part of bangalore. By 12:30 we were on our way for chitradurga. Chitradurga is around 200+ kms from Bangalore, district is hilly, with lots of forts and villages.
Reached Chitradurga by 6am in the morning, fresher n up at ashram.Then headed towards Jogamatti, our camp site. There was briefing relating to rock climbing and repelling. we learned about various ways to knot ropes, various rock climbing gears etc..
As the local guide came to tell about the history about the cave temple “Chandravalli Caves”. we have to re-schedule our rock climbing and repelling.
The cave temple date back to world of Sadhu’s. Inside the cave there was place for doing Samadhi. Still the wall painting are there. This place was protected by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
The cave is 60 feet deep, have many secret doors to come out. At the deepest point it is pitch dark, now it is occupied by bats.
After coming out of the cave. We started rock climbing .
we learned the basic of rock climbing, identifying which place hold, how to grip etc……
At around 2pm headed to base camp for lunch. Lunch was arrange from local mess. Rested there for around 1 hour. Once agained filled the emptied bottle and headed for repelling. All the arrangement was made during that resting period. And we are ready for repelling.
It was really a thrilling experience for all of us. I got a chance to do it twice. …..got lucky!!!!!!!
School children taking autograph from Shubhashish…..
Then we headed for cave exploration…
By evening we headed night camp site near forest guest house. We pitched our tents, cooked food for dinner….Next morning went to near water fall …played with the water….till lunch time. Once we finished our lunch we walked to the forest zoo….which around 2Km from the water fall. After visiting zoo we started our return journey towards Bangalore, stopped near Tumkur for some snacks and back in Bangalore by 9:30.
Filed under: DailyPhotos, Photography | Tags: Photography, cauvery river, muthati, panorama, panoramic images
First time experimenting in panorama photograhy, it came up well at last. I had difficultly in stitching the 3 photos. I had no experinece in use Adobe Photoshop & no intension to use buzzy application. I have always worked on GIMP for general photo editing & and it satisfy my basic editing need. This was the first time i was experiment with stitching photos. I googled and got some info on using Pandora plugin with Gimp for panorama photography. How to make panoramic images article in Linux Journal.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 500cc EFI, bullet classic, Royal Enfield
Bullet Classic
The ‘Bullet Classic’ is based on the G2 bullets from 1950’s and has the traditional British design flair evident from the front and rear mudguard, the fuel tank, headlight casing, tool box, the exhaust fins, speedomter dials, spring saddle, tail light and the headlamp cap. The 500cc engine comes with electronic fuel injection and produces 27.2 bhp @ 5250 rpm and a massive 41.2 Nm of torque. Enfield claims that the bike is good to cruise at speeds between 100-120 kmph. Mileage is claimed to be in the region of 25-28 kmpl.
Filed under: Road Trip, Trekking, places | Tags: Bike trip, Lepakshi temple, Makalidurga fort, Makalidurga hill, Trekking
Saturday night just getting bored and suddenly planned for a short trip to near by place. I have always like the hills from the train of Makalidurga. So we decide to go to Makalidurga hill. Search in net got more info on Makalidurga hills, people used to go there for rock climbing and repelling. Its about 60 km from Bangalore. Got the route information in maps.yahoo.com. planned to leave Bangalore by early morning.
We started from Bangalore at 6:30am in the morning. Catched NH7 travlled for 7km and took left turn for Yelahanka on SH9. At IOC petrol pump filled the tank of the Bull-our Bullet. The road condition was good….riding in the morning with chill wind blowing. After 30 KM, just before Dodabalapur we stopped for breakfast. we refreshed ourself and once again started for our destination. By 8:00 am we were near Makalidurga railways station, there we asked local people for Makalidurga fort. From Makalidurga railway station we had to go ahead for another 2km, after that took left turn for mud road till the railways track. There were no place else to park the vehicle, had to park there on the road.
MakaliDurga Hill
Bull parked near the railway Track
Now we started trekking for Makalidurga fort. Makalidurga fort was a top of 1350 mts hight. We crossed the railway track. There is a small temple near the base. From the left side we started climbing up, on the way we found trek marked by other group who had earlier climbed the hill. we followed the trails and reach near the top.
Lake
There is Makalidurga temple at top surround by the fort.
MakaliDurga fort
Makalidurga village was visible from the top,its on the other side fo the hill. We enjoyed the cool breeze passing through the hill, walked all along the fort.
MakaliDurga Temple
After resting for 20 mins we planned to go down. Now the sun was beating hard at us, taking selter for sometimes under the small trees. we climbed down by 10:30 am. Rested on the railway track, had some snacks.
It was only 11am,so we thought to visit Lepakshi temple. Once decide we headed for Hindupur, it was around 50km from Makalidurga hills. From another 15km the road are little bit bad condition till Hindupur. Around 1:45 pm we raeched at Hindupur, took left turn for Lepakshi Temple, it was around 15km from Hindupur. Reached Lepakshi temple by 2:00pm, parked the bull near the temple.
Lepakshi Temple
Lepakshi temple date back to the 16th century,where three shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Virabhadra are to be found. Lord Virabhadra is the wrathful form of Shiva, the patron deity of the Nayak rulers.
Nandi facing Lepakshi Temple
Started raining heavily while we were in the temple.
Still it was raining, it was getting late. Put our rain gear and We started for Bangalore by 4pm. This time we decide to take the NH7 raod. From Lepakshi village NH7 was 18km. just near to NH7 bull gave up, couldn’t find what happened, pushed the bull till NH7 in hope of finding some mechnic, to our surprise there were no mechnic. After enquiry came to know that we can find mechnic Begapalli, which was around 10 km from the place. Manas stayed with the bull, i took the bus for Begapalli. There enquiring a vehicle parts dealer got hold of one guy who deals with bull repair work. He came with his bike, but couldn’t take his bike as it was raining so finally had to take a cab that made a big hole in my pocket…after bargain arranged it for Rs.250 till Checkpost. Once the mechnic had a look and found out that the sholdering was broken. We had to make it direct and took the bull to his garage and made the sholdering.
Around 6pm we left Begapalli for Bangalore, around 100km from here. We are feel very much hungry, because we had not taken lunch…so planned to reach Bangalore as soon as possible. The road was good at most of the place, some places work is going for 4 lane. Reached Devanahalli, planned to go to Bangalore International Airport, night time it was glittering with lights. Once again we were back in highway and stop near Swati Gardenei for dinner.
Back in home by 11pm.
More Photo: Makalidurga & Lepakshi Temple
Filed under: places | Tags: BSF, India flag, lowering of the flags, punjab, wagah border
When i saw a documentry on bbc ‘lowering of the flags’ ceremony in Wagah border.
I have always wanted to see in person at Wagah border the very energetic and thrilling parade done by Border Security Force(B.S.F), India and Pakistan Rangers soldiers.
It was a great experience to be at Wagah broder. Both side people cheering their country. It was great entertainment for the crowds from both sides.
Me waving Indian Flag at Wagah Border
Ladies dancing to patriotic song
Filed under: DailyPhotos, Photography | Tags: canon, Doddabetta, Ooty, rainbow
Photo taken on the way to Doddabetta, highest peak in Ooty
Taken after servicing ……………
This time my babe…….required lots of care. Needed some major changes
- Rear tyre
- Rim
- Battery
- Gear box
- And rest needed to changed in servicing
You can judge by the photo,to get a masculine look you need to have good rear tyre ..so i got these MRF NYLOGRIP ZAPPER. Now the gear box is working very smooth. Engine sound is also kool. Over all servicing done at WATTS Garage was good.
Filed under: Bangalore | Tags: Bangalore, beer, beetle, kingfisher, Octoberfest, party
The original and first ‘Oktoberfest’ was held in Germany in the year 1810 in honor of the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.
Now The great Indian Octoberfest is in India……. sponsored by Kingfisher..as say goes king of good times. Offers wide range of entertainment for all those who enjoy music, international DJs, flea markets, food, films, arts and crafts, automobiles – Beetle and vintage cars, and F1 car.
Last year i missed out the Octoberfest…….but not this time. So on fisrt day,Friday went to Kingfisher The Great Indian Octoberfest 2007. Purchase the coupons and grabed can of beer, enjoy the rock concert. There were good games to indulge yourself in. Yahoo’s wacky photo’s contest…….sing yahoo song yaaahoooooo and win yahoo back pack.
Vintage Beetle cars on display…
classic Beetle’s
Beetle-New Model
Kool……… on was the F1 Car….
as the night progress……DJ from South Africa
played some really good foot tapping music……..everybody hit the open air dance floor…we could have gone on and on…….but due to time restriction…..you know!!!!!!
It was good time at Octoberfest 2007……looking forward for “Octoberfest 2008″!!!
