78) Mandharagiri Trek (Mandaragiri/Basadi betta): (26/5/2013)

Place: Mandharagiri Trek - Tumkur.

Distance: 70 x 2 = 140kms.

Directions: Bengaluru – Dobbaspete – Kyatsandhra - Mandharagiri

Participants:  Deepak (Deefu) > Karthik (Sp).

Bikes: Zeus > Pulsar.

Previous visit: Lepakshi- Ancient shredder.

IN LESS THAN 50 WORDS:

Well, umm what do i say about this particular run. This was the shortest hill climb we’ve done far; it took us only 10mins to climb to the top. (With one small break :P) But the exploration we did beyond the temple premises was something we enjoyed more than the climb. This place is also known by the name Basadi Betta.

INTRO & PLAN:

It had been 10 days since out previous run the ancient Lepakshi. The fire within us had started blazing again so we were hot on pursuit of some new places. Mandharagiri seemed like one of those places which we had missed or bypassed far too many times. So with Deefu on the confirmed list, we decided to get this one under our belt.

TIME: 22:00 (25/5/2013)

ASSEMBLE:

Yeah I was up at around 05:00hrs, had some coffee, did a few push ups and sit ups. Left my place at about 06:30 and reached Malleswaram at about 06:45 where Deefu’s pickup was scheduled. But then Deefu wanted to ride on his bike. I too wanted to ride my bike. So we set out on two bikes and rode out of the city

TIME: 06:45 hrs

RIDE 1: (Bangalore – Dobbaspete – Kyatsandhra - Mandharagiri)

This was a 70kms stretch on the super smooth NH-4 (Tumkur Road). As we left we rode at a decent pace beside each other. After covering about 50kms called out to Deefu and signalled whether he was done with breakfast. When the answer recievied was a “ no” we pulled over at our regular hotel and munched on a light breakfast.

TIME: 07:45

  

After having a light breakfast we rode on to reach Dobbaspete, continuing further we smiled back Nijaggal Hill where we had been a few months back.  Waving a good bye, we began to look out for the hill we had in mind. After a few kilometres of slow riding, and our eyes constantly in search of the hill, we did spot it. It which stood (or atleast looked) tall from the highway on which we were cruising.

TIME: 08:45

After taking a right deviation from the highway we reached the base of the hill. We parked our bikes amidst a farmland near and with the Astral goats spirit  wide awake within us we were ready to conquer the hillock.

TIME: 09:05

MANDHARAGIRI:

Last trek we had been together was Kabbaldurga, about 3 months back. And were really pumped up, even to climb up till the sky if the situation demanded. So we started of our climb at a normal pace. Steps had been provided, but we preferred the rough terrain as it reduced out energy consumption and it would be less strenuous on our knees. After about 10mins of the climb we stood in shock, scratching our heads, looking above, to the side, searching for another hillock totally puzzled. We were confused as to whether the journey which we enjoy the most had already reached an end – an unexpected end.

TIME: 09:15

TOP:

We were still digesting the fact that it was over. We visited the Jain temple that was constructed on top. The ambience was super awesome and it had some wonderful paintings i had seen till date. We did spot a few reptiles running around the top playing joyfully or just basking in the warm sun.

 

After having spent about 20mins at the temple on top, we decided to explore the desert like stretch of land on the other side of the mountain. And believe me it didn't disappoint us. We found some ancient carvings left in ruins a few yards away from the main temple. Exploring further we could see big lake which had gone completely dry due to the harsh summer. Then we climbed up a huge boulder and sat on top of it enjoying the sound of the wind. And oh yeah we could see Savandurga afar, we did wave back :)

After spending about 30mins speaking about all sorts of shit, we continued our walk through the barren boulder filled land to reach a small pond on top of the hillock. After which we retraced our steps to reach back the base of the hill. The Jain temple at the base of  the hill could also be visited on the way back. But we decided to skip it.

TIME: 11:15

RIDE 2: (Mandharagiri – Dobbaspete - Bangalore)

This was a return 70kms ride. First we rode back to touch the highway. Then we rode at a decent pace discussing whether to crash at some dhaba or ride back to Malleswaram, or to just to ride back home and close the trip. Then we decided to ride back home. So we continued till the Yeswanthpur junction at a good pace where we split to reach our respective homes.

TIME: 13:00 hrs

  

CONCLUSION:

“This had to be the shortest climb ever done so far. But it was an experience we shall always remember. It’s these trips which prepare you for bigger trips and you know what to expect when you go out there- that’s right nothing”

Until Next time Cia \m/

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