Plan Change... lets go to Yercaud (non-Bike trip)

Posting my old Non-Bike trip

Route : Bangalore -Salem - Yercaud  - Salem - Bangalore 

Round Trip : 500 KM

Time : July 6th 2013; 5 AM - 4 PM

Vehicle : Ertiga

Friends: CJ, Sandeep, Anshu, Sai & Me

            My office friends planned to visit Hogenakkal falls for one day trip in CJ car. Friday night, we all decided to stay in my room as it will be difficult to pick up everyone in the early morning. CJ and Anshu left to CJ's home from the office to get the car. When friends met in rooms it will be a lot of fun, mostly no one slept till late night and woke up lazily/forcibly at morning 4 AM and got ready. Surprise is CJ and Anshu changed the plan to Yercaud and we all don't know yet.

       We have started at 5 AM in the cool weather and exited to see Hogenakkal waterfalls. We got confused why we are going in a different route, but ignored as we don't know many routes. After crossing Salem, we understand that we are going in a wrong way then CJ and Anshu nicely revealed that we are going to Yercaud. No one opposed as we don't care where we are going, we just want to have some fun. Hogenakkal distance is 150 KM only, so the plan is changed to have more fun on the drive too especially for Yercaud  ghat road.

         Ghat road drive was smooth with 20 hairpin bends. We have reached Yercaud by around 9 AM, weather was too cool on top of the hill. Breakfast was so good and so cheap, this is the first time I am seeing less price @tourist spot.  Flower garden and viewpoints are good, since it is summer season not tried for waterfalls. Telescope view is good at Lady's seat, but too much rush on weekends. As the sun coming to the peak, slowly temperatures are going up. We enjoyed till 1 PM and started return journey, planned to have lunch at Salem.

            Once we reach Salem, we can feel the burning sun, had a tasty meal at Saravanan Bhavan and escaped as quickly as possible from the horrible Salem heat. After crossing all the signals finally reached home by 4 PM.

Places to Visit:

8 Days 2187KM Ride Part-6 : Murudeshwar to BLR

Route  :  Murudeshwar - Shimoga - Chitradurga - Bangalore
Distance Covered :  KM
Trip Dates : Aug 22 2015; 8:30 AM - 9:30 PM

Bike : Thunderbird 350
Riders : Me & Srikanth

             Last day of the trip, feeling little tired and also 500+ KM travel ahead to challenge us. Got up at 7 AM and got ready for the temple. Temple building is so huge and mostly built with modern technology unlike granite carved. Shiva statue is behind the main temple. Main temple Gopuram is so huge (20 storied) that we were stunned by seeing two Lifts at one side and stair at other side to reach the top of the Gopuram to see the breath taking 123 feet Shiva statue with Beach background. Sad thing is 10/- ticket for the lift but we should not miss the view.Finished main temple darshan and then to Shiva statue temple which is just behind the main temple. 123 feet Shiva statue is stunning and cant move from it.

The Magnificent view:

OMG Shiva:

              After temple visit, had breakfast in a beach view hotel which is next to temple and then back to hotel. At 10 AM finished checkout and started to BLR. Route between Murudeshwar  and Shimoga also breathtaking view with lush green, milky waterfalls and ghat roads. Time has passed very quickly till Shimoga. 


Waterfalls on the road side while going to Shimoga:

         Srikanth wanted to experience the Lion safari, so stopped in Shimoga Zoo which was missed in first day. 40/- for Zoo entrance and then 70/- for Safari for each person. Safari is complete waste of money, with in 15 mins finished with few lions and tigers. Bangalore Zoo safari is so much better. Finished lunch inside Zoo and started to BLR at 2 PM without visiting the Zoo. 

              Roads are horrible between Shimoga & Chitradurga, complete single roads with lot of patches. Srikanth only riding completely from the morning as he is not able to sit on pillion seat. Reached Chitradurga at 5 PM after a long struggle. Wind power mills in Chitradurga are good to see. From Chitradurga on-words, got a great relief with NH-4. Had dinner at Adigas Hotel in the middle and slowly reached home by 10:00 PM after crossing the horrible Yeswanthpur traffic.

Finally the longest trip is finished with many beautiful memories, which will cherish in our life time.

Random pics:

Murudeshwar Temple entrance:

Murudeshwar Village from Gopuram top view:

Murudeshwar beach from Gopuram top view:

Beautiful chariot:

Nandi at the entrance:

Few close ups at the Temple surroundings:

Pic taken from beach hotel: