Chikka Tirupathi, Sarjapur

Route     : Bellandur - Sarjapur - Chikka Tirupathi Temple - Sarjapur - Bellandur
Round Trip : 60 KM
Time       : Oct 26th 2014; 11 AM - 3 PM
Bike        : Thunderbird 350

          After 2 months of office busy, today finally got the time for bike trip. But for my bad, my bike 4th service is due of less than 300 KM. Which means mostly I can't go for any trip. Goggled for shortest trip, nothing showed up. Suddenly Chikka Tirupathi Temple pop'ed in my mind, which is 30 KM hardly. My friend Sathish, who stays very near to my house said OK. 

           Next day, had breakfast and started at 11 AM.  Since we stay near to Sarjapur road, decided to go on same route instead of panathur road (opp to JP Morgan). Till Wipro, traffic is moderate, after that empty roads but with full of speed bumps. After Sarjapur, road (NH-207) is so nice and steep curves through the villages and forms. With in no time reached Temple, temple is very adjacent to the main road and even parking also :). 

           There is No fee for Parking, Shoes and Temple. I read in some reviews says that there will not be much que at the Temple, but today nearly 500 people are in Que. There are lot of monkeys on the top of temple, kids will enjoy them and time pass for us too in a long Que. Surprisingly with in 30 mins, we entered into temple.

[ History of Temple:

           The Sthala Puranams says that It is said that the main idol of Lord Prasanna Venkateshwara  was installed by Lord Agni  the god of fire. The temple is linked to the great epic Mahabharata's Kandava Dhana Kandam, at the end of Dwaparayuga Lord Agni developed severe stomach problems and indigestion after accepting "Havis" (offerings) from the various yagnas performed during those days. He then went to the  Arjuna and Lord Sri Krishna for a solution.

          Arjuna suggested that Lord Agni take advantage of the medicinal herbs present in the Kandava forest by eating it whole. Lord Agni did so and during the burning both Arjuna and Krishna guarded the forest so that no one could stop the forest fire. But unfortunately the King of snakes Takhsaka who was trapped in the forest got injured in the fire. An angry Takhsaka cursed Agni and therefore he lost his tejas (brightness).

          Lord Agni then approached Lord Shiva from help. Shiva advised that he pray and invoke Lord Vishnu's blessings. As advised by Lord Shiva Agni prayed Lord Vishnu. And our Abhadbhandava Lord Vishnu was able to free him from the curse. A grateful Agni then did the Prathistai of the idol named Prasanna Venkateshwara and built a temple for the Bhagvan  The main idol is made from Krishna shila (black rock), about three-and-a-half feet tall and is perched on padma peetam. ]

        After the Temple visit, took prasadam and then came out. Bad thing is, there is no place to eat Prasadam. Exit of the the temple is back side, which is all dirty, dogs and goats roaming all over the place. As everyone having .... we too finished tasty Prasadam (its like mini meals) there only. Started return journey at 1 PM and stopped at Decathlon shopping mall for some time and then reached home at 3 PM. So simple and nice journey after a long time is really a great relief. 

Temple Entrance:

Main Temple:

Rear view of Temple:

Mekedatu

Route : Silkboard - Kanakpura - sangam & mekedatu - Kanakpura -Silkboard
Round Trip : 220 KM
Time : Aug 29th 2014; 2 PM - 8 PM


Bike : Thunderbird 350
Riders : Myself and Anshu

Places to Visit: (Time : 8 AM to 6 PM strictly)

   1. Kankpura Sangam
   2. Mekedatu

  

        It's a long weekend for Ganesh festival and weekend.  We all Friends thought of meeting for some fun, but everyone is busy on festival day with their family except me and Anshu. So I called Anshu at 10 AM, but no response. Anshu called me back at 11 AM and the conversation automatically made a road for bike trip. I suggested Mekedatu since it is rainy season. 

       I went to Anshu room at Bansawadi, and started immediately at 12 PM. Till kanakpura Anshu enjoyed the Thunderbird ride, after that I took the handle. Without any stop we reached Sangam at 2:30 PM. There is no entrance ticket or parking fee, beware of people who ask for parking fee. Finished Lunch by 3 PM in Sangam Restaurant, food is good but costly. Restaurant is right next to the sangam point.


Sangama Restaurant:

Sangama Restauran Menu:

        Sangam is really beautiful to see the much widespread water. Sangam is the place where River Kaveri and Arkavathi joins.  Low face Arkavathi joins with ferocious Kaveri.  Arkavathi water levels are low, but still we have to take the coracle to cross the River. Paid 40/- (To & Fro)  for person and stepped in to coracle. (keep the tickets safe for return journey). In the middle of water he made few spins of coracle....and stopped at a big stone in the half way and told us to walk for the remining distance. We got confused for a movement, but later realized that water levels are very low, closely 30 cm's depth. Walking in a water reminded me of childhood days. (Coracle guy asked us 10/- for Tea ... we did't pay as we don't have change)

That's My friend Anshu walking to the other end of the River:

       From the other end of Bank, we have to take the bus to reach Mekedatu or we can walk. It's too far to walk, may take more than 1 Hr. Bus fare is Rs 60/- for person for round trip, keep the ticket safe for return journey. Totally 3 buses are there, one of them is looks like from stone age. Lucky they are using only good buses, may be because of less rush today due to Ganesh Festival.

Stone Age Bus:

       Reached Mekedatu after a 20 mins of bumpy ride through the rock road. I don't understand why people called it as water falls, but actually its just a river passing through a narrow pass in a small rock hill. So much widespread Kaveri river passes though a small gap with a great force. We can listen the water force sound from long distance. The rocks in the water are beautifully sculptured by water in a different different shapes.

Mekedatu view:

That's ME:

Beautiful rock sculptures made by water:

     I should agree one thing, this place is really dangerous, many people died here. There is no fense or any support to see the water flow. When we reached there, its started raining and it made us more scary to walk on those rocks, but those rocks looks really beautiful after rain. Spent 1 Hr at Mekadatu and then started to Sangam with driver's call for Last bus. 6 PM is closing time, so generally after 5 PM on words, bus guys call it as last bus unless if there is another bus coming. Driver not allowed us to sit on bus roof instead packed all of us inside, there is no place to stand also. We were sweating like anything, to add more worse, in mid way few other guys also stepped into bus and it was like hell ride.  I suggest you to finish Mekadatu before 4 PM, so that you can retain the energy for rest of the day.

  Reached back to Sangam by 5:20 PM, no mood to dip in to the water because of bus ride. So we just sat on the rocks and enjoyed the view. Timely at 6 PM, security blow'd whistle to say end of the day. Again walked back in the water to the big rock and then took coracle. Bike is safe and started back to Bangalore, reached home by 8 PM.

Sangam view:

That's our selfie:

Shivanasamudra and Talakad

Route : Silkboard - Kanakpura - Malavalli - Shivanasamudra - Talakad - Malavalli - Kanakpura -Silkboard
Round Trip : 322 KM
Time : Aug 9th 2014; 8 AM - 7 PM

Bike : Thunderbird 350
Riders : Myself and SLK as Pillion

Places to Visit:

      1) Shivanasamudra:

                  a) Gaganachukki falls

                  b) Barachukki falls

      2) Talakad

                 a) Temples (There are many)

                 b) Kaveri river

      3) Old bridge on the way to Barachukki falls

       It's been 20 days from my last trip and there is no work in the office also. I feel like, I wanted to go for a trip everyday. 

      Initial Plan was to go to Nandi hills on Aug-10th and Shivanasamudra  on Aug-15th, but plans changed. Reviews says that current water levels are good at Shivanasamudra, so planned to go on Aug-9th itself. Since water levels are high, coracal ride is mostly not allowed. In that case not much time required for both the falls, so planned to go for Talakad also.

Route Map:

     Started at 8AM from Bellandur. By the time we reached Banashankari circle, traffic got worse and crossed NICE flyover at snail speed. Finished breakfast at UDUPI UPAHARA in Kanakpura and ride resumed at 10:45AM. Road is in a good condition till Malavalli and clear direction boards by Karnakata tourism. Roads after Malavalli also good, but we cant go faster as turns are very sharp and single roads. Somehow we missed Gaganachukki falls turn and reached Barachukki falls turn. Thought of going to Gaganachukki in return journey, anyhow from Masjid view also we can see the Gaganachukki falls.

      Reached Masjid view around 12 PM. For the first time I am seeing waterfalls in real. It's so exiting and so amazing to see the waterfalls with full flow. I feel like I want to touch the milky white crystal water. I was just staring at "how the water crawling on each hill curve". Nature is so mesmerizing us with it's beauty.

    Gaganachukki falls:

      From Masjid view, Gaganachukki falls is very close compared to main view point and also less crowded. Even we can feel the droplets of water on our face, but here we have to take pics through the fence. Spend 15 min's at Masjid view and started to Barachukki falls. 

  Rs 10/- for entrance+parking ticket at Barachukki falls. As we expected coracal ride steps route is closed. Barachukki falls are smaller but wider compared to Gaganachukki. Spend nearly 45 min's here and started to Talakad. 

Barachukki falls:

Old bridge :
Stopped at the old bridge for 10 min's. Here, we can feel the Kaveri River flow very closely and its little scary also. Its really surprising how come the old bridge is still standing opposite to heavy water force.  Took few pics of the bride and started to talakad.

   Little history about Talakad:

      Temples in Talakad are from 4th century and conquered by many kings and queens. River Kaveri flows through Talakad and takes a sharp bend here. In 16th century, Talakd is completely buried under sand dunes created gradually by the river. Still few temples are under sand dunes and have been digging by archaeologists. There is different story about the sand dunes is "curse of Talakad". you can find more in internet.

 Talakad entrance is 5/-. Clear route direction boards help you to reach main Temples and River. Temples are wide spread at different places, and it will take time to cover all. We have visited only the 4 main Temples and River. 

    4 main Temples are :

                          Vaidyeshvara Temple
                          Sri pataaleshwara swamy temple

                          Sri Maraleswara Temple

                          Sri Chowdeshwari Amma Temple

     These 4 temples are little far to each other, total of 1 KM distance walk through the sand. The sand in Talakad is so smooth like powder and it's very difficult to walk on it. Once you are done with Temples, opposite to pond you will see a ruin, which is the most attraction of Talakad (my feel). Currently some construction is happening at the ruin, so nobody is there. We spend more time to take lot of closeup pics.

   There is another way to save the time by visiting the temples in different order. Below Pic shows the Temples with numbers. Visit Temples 1,4,3 and then ruin. we can visit the temple 2 while going to the River. Arrow directions given clearly to follow the shortcuts. Hope this will help you to save the time.

   Old Bridge on the way to Barachukki falls :

     Talakad Temples:

     Sand route to Temples:
 

    Ruin :

   Ruin under construction:

    Reached Kaveri river at 2 PM after 10 mins ride from Temples. Again 5/- for entrance+parking ticket. Entire place is heavily crowded. There is no particular area for parking, we can park at any place. many people are playing in the water and others enjoying coracal ride.  Dress changing rooms are available for gents and ladies. Security is good, looks like military guys taken over all these places. Good relief is that, meals also available. Food is not so tasty but hygienic, price is 50/-. If you are going with family, better carry a MAT to relax at the edge of the bank and extra pair of dress if you want to go into the water.

   River:

   Food Stall:

    We settled on one of the concrete bench near to the water and enjoyed the view. At 4 PM, started return journey without going to Gaganachukki falls. Reached home by 7 PM.

3 States, 2425km solo ride Part-5

Part - 5: Return back to Bangalore

Route :  shapur - devadurga - raichur - mantralayam - adoni - gooty - anathapur - bangalore

Distance : 567 km

Time (July -20): 10:30 Hrs (5:30 AM to 4:00 PM.)

Speed Maintained : 80 KMPH

      Today is the last day of my trip. My brother suggested to go through yadir, which is bus route and good road. But GMAP showed shortest route, which saves 30 km distance. I follwed GMAP route, nearly 10 km road is worst. I cant even switch to 3rd gear and also not a scenic road. I should have listen to by brother words. Finally reached Raichur at 8 AM. Stopped on tungabhadhara river for few pics. Here I have seen matralayam route directions which is 25 KM away. 

      Called one of my friend who visited Mantralayam, to inquire about it's beauty. But he is not responding to my call. I am thinking of why to miss this place, which is hardly 50 KM extra ride. Anyhow I can't go inside temple because of luggage and riding gear but assuming of ghat road or beautiful scenic will be there. My friend is still not responding to my call. I have started riding to adoni and lets see how many kilometers exactly it deviates from my route.  Finally saw the deviation from my route and its exactly 8 KM away. So a total of 16 KM extra ride is not at all a matter and turned towards Mantralayam. With in 10 mins reached mantralayam , its like a small village just developed because of temple. I just saw the temple from outside and returned back. Nothing to see there, returned back to adoni route with a disappoint.

Tungabhadra river on the way to Mantralayam :

Mantralayam entrance:

Close up of above pic:

     Road from adoni to gooty is complete hill road and lot of curves. Around at 11:30 AM reached NH-7. Again started zombie feeling. I have decided not to ride on NH roads as much as possible from next time. Took lot of breaks to avoid zombie feeling. Near penukonda scenic is good with hills and wind turbines.  Finally reached home at 4 PM with a lot of smile for finishing the first solo ride successfully.

3 States, 2425km solo ride Part-3, 4

Part - 3:  A Visit to my cousins

Route :  Vijayawada (Nutakki) - Hyderabad (kompally)

Distance : 322 km

Time (July -18)  : 5:30 Hrs (4:30 AM to 10:00 AM.)

Speed Maintained : 80 KMPH

         There are two ways to go to Hyderabad from Vijayawada, one way is through Nagarjuna sagar from guntur and the other through Jaggaiahpet from Vijayawada.  I thought of going through Nagarjuna sagar, because this route is more scenic and also we can see Nagarjuna sagar Dam. But Friends suggested Vijayawada  route is safe and it's a 4 lane route. I did a mistake by taking 4 line route.

         After 4 years, I am travelling though this route. There was no divider in this route when I last traveled, but now its a smooth 4 lane road. With in 3 hrs Cars can reach Hyderabad. Since it is early morning, roads are mostly free. After 1 hr of ride without changing gear and not applying break, I am feeling like zombie.. Nothing to see in this route. Scold myself for not sticking to the planned route.

         Reached LB Nagar at 9 AM. Exactly office rush time, and also metro bridge constructions all over the city. Spend nearly 1 hr in traffic to reach kompally. Near boinapally,  police stopped for NOC. I have not read about NOC conditions in any blogs. I am definitely sure we can ride without NOC, but don't know how to prove that I am a traveler not a Hyderabad resident. This situation cost me 50/-. Later I read, we should carry petrol bills from our place dated less than 30 days. We can use vehicle in another state for 1 month without NOC but with petrol bills.

Part - 4: A Visit to my Brother

Route :  Hyderabad - chevella - parigi - kodangal - gurmatkal - yadgir -shapur

Distance : 260 km

Time  (July -19)  : 5:30 Hrs (7:00 AM to 12:30 AM.)

       After a Zombie ride to Hyderabad, this ride gave me my life back. Though it is a small distance, I spent good enough time in this route. After parigi, route is completely through the forest, hills and lakes. I should say this is my best ride till now, even passed through a small ghat road. Stopped at many places and took pics. Road is smooth village road without divider. Not much traffic in this road.


Beautiful, endless and lonely roads between parigi and yadgir.

Looks like some Ruines:

 Temple in the middle of Hill and a Masjid at the Hill base:

3 States, 2425km solo ride Part-2

    

Part - 2:  Godavari greenray

Route :  Vijayawada - Eluru - chikkala - pangidi - Rajahmundry - nallajerla - Eluru - Vijayawada

Distance : 560 km

      Godavari river side is one of the best scenic places in Andhra. I though of visiting it many times, but I stay in Bangalore. This Home trip helped me to visit few East Godavari places. My childhood friend Vidya works on Drift irrigation and currently his work going on at East Godavari. So That's how this trip raised up. 

     I reached home on saturday and took rest on sunday. My friend vidya stays at Eluru and he came to home for weekend. Plan is : First go to Vidya's work location on monday, by afternoon his work will be finished, after that we can go for site seeing and if requires we can stay in eluru and cover few more locations. Morning at 8 AM, reached our meeting spot and waiting for them. But Things got changed after my bike got puncture due to another friend test ride.

      New Thunderbird rear wheel is a disk break, so the mechanic in my village tried very hard to remove the tyre. Finally detached the wheel after breaking chain rubber case. 2 inch nail cut the tube both sides, so Tube change is must. New thunderbird tube size is bigger 120/80/18. I find only 100/90/18 tube near by my village, thought of getting correct size tube in vijayawada. So we went to Vijayawada and inquired each and every tyre shop, even inquired in RE service center. MRF/CEAT selling those tubes but along with tyre. Finally returned with 100/90/18 tube only. while coming back from vijayawada its heavily raining and we got fully drenched. Wasted nearly 3 Hrs for the tube. Around 1 PM bike is ready, finished lunch and thinking of new plan. Most of the day is wasted, now Vidya also can't finish his work. We decided to go Eluru, stay for night  and start early morning. 

    Tuesday morning started at 6 AM and reached chikkala village after a 3 Hrs ride. Vidya's work is calculating the area of the filed's using GPS device and then plan the placement of drift  pipes. This entire work may take 3 hrs, so we are in a dilemma of what to do for this time. But for our surprise, the location is marvelous...filled with coconut trees, cocoa (chocolate) trees and lush green grass. That's why Godavari is named best for greenary. Vidya taking measurements by walking through each corner of the field. In the mean time we have started our creative photography. within no time 3 hrs finished. Owner of that form offered us few coconuts and sugar-apple's. Godavari side people are so kind and they respect people very good. 

This is how the place is :

Huge Mushroom :

ohhh... found one Turbo snail..

cocoa trees....Chocolate made from these nuts.

Coconuts storage for oil.

That's a huge coconut.

WoW

Palm oil Trees

     We felt this place is best enough for site seeing and we need not to go any other place. For lunch, we  have decided to go for Rajahmundry, which is 50 KM away. We inquired about best hotel, people said SRI KANYA CONFORT restaurant. Restaurant not so huge, but rush is heavy, even in a week middle. We have waited nearly 30 mins for seat. Food is really tasty and we had meal like kumbhakarna. After 2 Hrs, we stepped out from the hotel and started return journey. After refilling petrol, when I am trying to lock the petrol cap, its not working. Struggled for 20 mins, automatic lock is not happening when we press the petrol cap. Finally petrol bunk guy helped us, by putting petrol cap rubber in reverse. Not understand what was the issue with rubber, but some thing wrong with rubber inside the petrol cap. 

    Stopped for 15 mins on Dhavaleswaram barrage. It was built in 1850 by Sir Arthur Thomas Cotton British irrigation engineer.  Took few pics of barrage and started journey to Eluru. Reached  Eluru at 7 PM.  We are dead tired with heavy meals, so we decided to stay in Eluru and next morning returned back to home.

Some Bridge on Godavari.

Dhavaleswaram barrage: