Road Trip around Western Ghat & Yakshagana
A year back, I had been enjoyed the memorable Yakshagana play at my dear friend Mallikarjun native Chithgal, near Thirthahalli. I become so passionate to watch more and more Yakshagana plays. This year none other than my friend Malli again called for Yakshagana play at his cousin home at Megaravalli, near Agumbe. The team was ready with Me, Sudhakar, Shanthi Prasad and Vijay. The play was on 5th February 2016.
We decided to go in Vijay car and
also planned to couple of other interesting places. This time Vijay was our captain and finalized
itinerary.
Route opted
Bengaluru – Shivamogga [Night halt at Vijay’s home]
Shivamogga – Varahi Project – Hulikal Ghat Chandikamba Temple – Mani Dam
– Megharavalli [Night Halt]
Chithgal – Agumbe – Muniyalu – Varanga – Mutlapadi – Muniyalu [Night
Halt]
Muniyalu – Karkala – Kuduremukha – Horanadu – Kottigehara – Belur –
Hassan – Bengaluru
04.02.2016
We left the Bengaluru around 9
pm, Vijay picked up me and Shanthi Prasad at Kathriguppe and Sudhakar joined us at
Nayandahalli. Very soon we crossed the city
and hit the Tumukur highway. Vijay
suggested to take Chithradurga highway instead the Gubbi – Arasikere –
Shivamogga. We all agreed and the
decision was really appreciable. Taking
multiple break reached Vijay’s home in the midnight around 2 am.
05.02.2016
We left the Vijay’s home around 7
am towards Varahi Hydro Project. Vijay
has put lot of efforts to get the permission to visit the plant, really we all
very thankful to him. On the way, near
Hosanagara had yummy breakfast.
Reached the Varahi project around
11 am through Hulikal Ghat. The nature
was little dull since the beginning of the summer. Finished the security
checkup and formalities. The entrance
gate was looking like a Central Jail.
We all boarded in the departmental bus, the next moment was unbelievable. Entered into
different world altogether, you can say it was underworld. Almost a kilometer we traveled by minibus in
the tunnel. Vijay’s cousin welcomed us,
who is an Engineer in this plant.
We never believed that, we were standing under
a huge hill rock. He took us a journey
into the project, explained about the power generation, the difficulties faced
in the initial of the project, how the power is transmitted etc. Spent a good amount of interesting time and
adieu to the wonder world. While coming
out we asked the permission to walk all the way to entrance gate. The
photography is strictly prohibited here so we could able to capture the wonder
world in our eyes.
Vijay visited this
power plant couple of times before this, so he well
aware about the surrounding places. He took us the nearest reservoir where we can do photography. Spent good time very relaxed
and continued our journey towards Hulikal ghat.
Took bless of Chandikamba Devi, the temple is situated in the Hulikal
Ghat. We were lucky, the day was some
auspicious so we had special Prasad.
The journey was continued towards
Mani Dam Reservoir. Again you have to go
through security checkup with prior permission from the authorities. The lonely shattered tar roads, both the side
the reservoir water, calm with cool breeze and only we four souls. Just the place is amazing and completely a
new world. Pictures can speak more about
this beautiful place.
After spending good time,
continued our journey towards Megharavalli, Agumbe. Vijay well versed with internal route of this
region, soon we reached the village.
Malli happily welcomed us and finished the evening snacks.
Yakshagana is always a special
event for Malenadu people. The entire
area was decorated with serial bulbs and it was a festival atmosphere.
He introduced us with his cousin family, later we finished our dinner. The play was yet to begin around 10 pm.
He introduced us with his cousin family, later we finished our dinner. The play was yet to begin around 10 pm.
This time they were played
“Mandarti – Sri Durga Parameshwari Mahatme”.
I was decided to watch entire play whole night, let not sleep like a
last time.
The play was very interesting, soon one by one of our team went to nap. I and Malli decided to watch completely and we did it.
The play was very interesting, soon one by one of our team went to nap. I and Malli decided to watch completely and we did it.
06.02.2016
Play was over around 5.30am, we
decided to move to Malli village to get fresh up. The distance is hardly around 30KMs, reached
for morning fresh up. This was second
visit to Malli home, we all become well known to entire family members. Smiling
faces warm welcomes to all of us, soon finished the morning core jobs.
Malli took us to near Tunga river
bank, spent a good time on photography.
After relaxing sometimes, moved back to home. The yummy breakfast was
waiting for us, sweet souls served delicious food. Thanked to Malli family and headed towards
Agumbe.
The plan was to explore around
Agumbe and reach evening to Muniyalu my home.
Continued our journey towards Agumbe.
Explored the surrounding area of Jogi Gundi falls. Spending good amount of times, headed to
Muniyalu.
The late lunch was ready, we all
had good food. I had some homework so
rest of the guys went to explore around Muniyalu places. I suggested few places
viz., Varanga a famous Jain Basadi, Mutlapadi temple etc. They all back from wonderful exploration and
finished the dinner and rest for the day.
07.02.2016
We started morning around 8 am
after having yummy breakfast at my home.
The first stop was at Karkala. Visited the famous Bahubali statue on the
hill and Chaturmukha Basadi, spent good time of photography and headed towards
Horanadu.
Horanadu is always my favorite
place, many times repetitively visiting this place. The journey pass through Kuduremukha National
Park, enjoyed the valley with multiple small breaks.
Around 12.30pm reached to
Horanadu, prayed Annapoorneshwaring and had prasad. We continued our journey taking Balehonnur,
Aldur, Beluru, Hassan towards Bengaluru.
The journey was quite interesting taking many breaks during ride. Reached the Namma Bengaluru 9pm. We all bid adieu to meet again in some other
event. Overall event was most memorable
and specially visiting the Varaha Power Project.
Team
Team
Road Trip around Western Ghat & Yakshagana
Reviewed by Vidya S
on
February 05, 2016
Rating:
No comments: