Hogenekal Falls

 

 

Hogenekal Falls : 14-1-2012:

Hogenekal Falls or smoky mountains is situated some 190 kms from Mysore. The route: Mysore-T Narsipura-Moogooru-Kollegal on NH 212. This stretch is in a good condition. After Kollegal, roads become bad as you pass through Hannur, Kowdahalli till Male Mahadeswara Betta on SH 79. After Male Mahadeswara Betta, the Ghat section is in a bad shape due to some pipe work going on. However, once the ghat ends, roads are good again, but bit narrow. So, around 60 % of the 190 kms is in bad condition. It took me 5.5 hours of driving to cover these 190 kms which included photo sessions and food breaks. The Ghats are very scenic and one can see layers of mountains one after the other.

After reaching the falls, I took a small boat (coracles). It took about an hour (minimum time) to go to the falls and come back. If you want to spend some time bathing and seating there, then add another hour to it. It was good fun altogether in the coracle. After coming back I tasted the fish fry at the river bank. The fish fry is very good at the Hogenekal falls. After the stomach Gods were appeased, it was time to move back to Mysore. While returning back, I had a lucky save in the Ghats. After I had crossed one section, there was a dynamite blast. Thank God. Driving back in the evening was a chore with pesky insects (attracted by the headlight) and high beam of oncoming vehicles blinding your vision. But, still, this route does not have very heavy traffic. Finally I reached the cozy confines of my room for a good sleep.

Notes:

• To and Fro from Mysore: 380 kms.


• There is a Rs 10 Entry and Exit Fee at Male Mahadeswara Betta.

Mysore-Goa Trip:

Mysore-Goa Trip:

1700 kms, 6 days, 1 man, 1bike, Mysore –Jog falls-Murudeswar-Gokarna- Goa-Sindhudurg-Karwar-Haveri-Mysore. Mountains, beaches, Ghats, Good roads, bad roads and no roads.

Leave approved finally for Diwali vacations at the last moment. But, with airfares hovering in the sky, the 1500 km trip one way to my hometown seemed out of reach. The mind did further simulations and finally Goa as the destination was freezed. The travel mode as usual was my bike.

Left Mysore on the morning of 23^rd Oct, 2011. I had breakfast at Arasikere, after crossing Channarayapatna. After Arasikere, I followed NH 206 till Honavar. The Mysore to Jog Falls stretch is in good condition. Then I had a short stop and photo session at Jog falls. I did not go down to the bottom of the falls considering the 3 hour trek. After that it was bad roads flanked by scenic Ghats on both sides. After Honavar, roads turned from bad to worse. Monsoon, Volvos and heavy trucks have totally damaged this stretch. Then I went to Murudeshwar, which houses a giant statute of Lord Shiva right on the beach. After that I moved towards Goa. But bad roads and fatigued body forced me to halt at Gokarna at Om beach.

Then I explored Om beach and the numerous temples in Gokarna in the morning. The Gokarna to Goa stretch is in good condition, but the roads are bit narrow. I reached Goa in the evening to encounter massive traffic jams. Finally, I reached my cousin’s place at 8 PM. The next day, it was sightseeing in Goa itself-Miramar beach, Bambolim Beach, Dona Paula, Bagha, Calangute. Beware of bridges in Goa. They have a 30km/hr speed limit and there will police interceptors at the end of the bridge to collect the customary fine. On 26^th Oct, we went to Sindhudurg (water fort). It’s a strategic fort off the Malwan coast. The fort contains the hand and foot imprint of King Shivaji. One has to go by boat to the fort.

The next day I was on my way back to Mysore. To avoid bad roads, I decided to take a different route. After Karwar, I took NH63 towards Hubli. Just before Hubli, at Yellapur, I took a short cut towards NH48. The Yellapur- Gunjawati-Mugod-Bankapur stetch is a total of 70 km out of which 20 km is bad. The road is a single lane road passing through dense jungle on both sides. After Bankapur, it’s a 4 lane touring bliss (NH 48). Then I halted for the night at Haveri. The next day took another shortcut, to reach Shimoga. But, this time it backfired. The Rannebennur-Tuminkatti-Honnali route is in a really bad shape. After Shimoga, it was back to good roads. Finally I reached Mysore at 7 pm on 28^th Oct, 2011. All in all a massive trip with a different kind of riding experience.

Mysore – Panjim = 700 kms (via Shimoga)

Panjim-- Sindhudurg = 110 kms

Mysore –Gokarna = 520 kms (Via Shimoga)

Sri ram sagar

Sri ram sagar

                                                                 Kuntala Falls

                                                                 Kuntala Falls

NH7

                                                               on NH7



Kuntala Falls and Sri Ram Sagar:

Nirvana has different meanings for different people. My idea of nirvana is driving at triple digit speeds on an endless highway. Just me and the bike going on the journey. The high experienced, is surpassed by none. So, last Sunday, I suddenly decided to go for a trip the next Saturday. On 16^th April, 2011, I set out from Hyderabad at 6.30 am on NH7. I met my XBHP group riders on the way. After a small snacks session, reached Sri Ram sagar at 9.45 am. 200 kms accomplished in 3.15 hours. Sri Ram Sagar is a 3km diversion to the left from the main highway. There we had a photo session and some sight seeing. The expanse of water at Sri Ram Sagar gives it the appearance of an ocean (or sagar).Except for the 60 kms of 2 lane roads (4 lane work going on) from Kamareddy to Sri Ram sagar, the entire NH7 up to Neredikonda is a 4 lane driving bliss. You can actually see sign boards mentioning the 100 km/hr maximum speed limit.

After Sri Ram Sagar, we continued on the highway, bypassed Nirmal and finally reached Neredikonda. Taking corners at triple digit speeds is definitely possible on this highway.

At Neredikonda, we took a diversion towards right. The diversion is under the flyover .After that it is 15 kms of single lane road to Kuntala Falls. While crossing Neredikonda, the aroma of chicken curries being cooked in one of the nearby dhabas filled our nostrils. The mind registered it for latter use.

Kuntala Falls at 45 meters is the highest waterfall in Andhra Pradesh. After reaching the Kuntala Falls check post, one has to walk down close to 500 meters to reach the bottom. The water was not much due to summer, but was perfect enough for bathing without having the fear of waterfall currents carrying you away. It was good fun in the cool currents. The most difficult part was to walk 500 meters up in the sweltering heat. Then it was back to Neredikonda for a good lunch. We started around 3.30 pm from Neredikonda and reached Hyderabad by 8.00 pm. 255 kms in 4.5 hours of which around 45 minutes were wasted in Hyderabad evening traffic.

NH7 (Hyderabad to Neredikonda) is definitely the best piece of tarmac I have driven on.

All in all a good trip in the April heat season.

Distances from Hyderabad:

Sri Ram sagar: 200 kms

Nirmal : 220 kms

Neredikonda : 255 kms

Kuntala Falls : 270 kms

To and Fro from Hyderabad -----560 Kms in a single day

Trip to Medak n Pocharam

NH7---HYDERABAD -NAGPUR HIGHWAY

MEDAK CHURCH

POCHARAM DAM

POCHARAM DAM

Thanks to unseasonal rains, this trip kept getting postponed time and again. Finally, the rain gods smiled ( pun intended), and I decided to go on the NH7 ( Hyderabad – Nagpur highway).I had heard a lot about it. Now, was the time to experience it firsthand. Finally on the morning of  27^th Nov, 2010, left for the highway at 7.00 AM. Did encounter some traffic till 30 kms from Hyderabad. But, after crossing Medchal, it became a four lane touring bliss with entire villages being bypassed. Cruising at 120 km/hr listening to music became enjoyable. Took a left diversion after crossing  Ramayampet to goto Medak. Medak at 120 kms from hyderabd houses a beautiful Church and a fort. Visited both and then went ahead upto Pocharam. Saw the small Pocharam Dam and lake. Then it was time to go back home. Had lunch at Ramayampet and was back in Hyderabad by 4.00 PM. In all a short and sweet trip.

To and Fro from Hyderabad -----255 Kms in a single day

Trip to Gulbarga and Bijapur

The Homnabad-Gulbarga NH218

The canon at Gulbarga Fort

Khwaja Bande Nawaj Dargah,Gulbarga

Corn fields on the The Homnabad-Gulbarga NH218

Jumma Maszid,Gulbarga

Gulbarga Fort

Buddha Mandir,Gulbarga

Museum@ Gol Gumbaz,Bijapur

Gol Gumbaz,Bijapur

Gol Gumbaz -Inside up close

Ibrahim Roza,Bijapur

Mallik-Maidan Toop

Canon atop Upri Burj,Bijapur

Jod Gumbaz as seen from Upri Burj,Bijapur

                                                                    

Cloud action near Gulbarga

Cloud action near Gulbarga

On the Gulbarga-Bijapur NH218 in the morning

Trip to Bijapur and Gulbarga :

1 AM: still 4 hrs to go. 3 AM: still 2 hours to go. Finally, at 5 AM the alarm went off and I got up from bed. This was not the first time I was going on a long distance bike ride. But, the excitement was palpable. Maybe, it was my first ride in 3 months. Maybe, the mind was not convinced whether my fever recovered body can handle 800 kms in 2 days. But, as a popular Hero had said:” एक  बार मैंने कोम्मित्त्मेंट कर दी ,तो फिर मई अपने आप की भी नहीं सुनता.Translated into English it means “Once I have given a commitment, then I don’t listen to myself also.”

Finally, tank filled and bag saddled, I left Hyderabad at 6. 45 AM. The route to Gulbarga passes through Sangareddy, Zahirabad and Homnabad; all on the NH9.After Homnabad took a left turn to join the NH218 towards Gulbarga. The NH218 till Gulbarga is definitely a better piece of tarmac compared to the NH9.After numerous breaks and photo sessions reached Gulbarga at 11.15 AM.220 kms in 4 hrs and 30 mins.

After wandering in the “no-ways “ and “free ways” of the old city, I finally had a darshan of Khwaja Bande Nawaj Dargah and the Gulbarga Fort.The fort houses the Jumma Maszid and a few cannons atop a vantage point. After that, it was a well earned lunch at “Heritage Inn Hotel” and then some rest at my cousin’s place.
I tried a different dish at the hotel:”Dal ghost”. Its nothing but mutton cooked in dal fry. In the evening, had a quick tour of the city and finally went to the Buddha Mandir on the outskirts of the city. It’s a very calm and quiet place and good for meditation.

The next day left Gulbarga at 6.35 AM towards Bijapur on the NH218.The route passes through Jewargi and Sindhgi.One word of caution for the Gulbarga Bijapur stretch of NH218.The road is uneven in many places and may cause the bike to jump at high speeds. There are no potholes though. With time eaten up by photo sessions, I reached Bijapur at 10.15 AM.170 kms in 3 hrs and 40 mins.

Immediately, proceeded towards Gol Gumbaz –The 2nd biggest dome in the world. Climbed 7 storeys to reach its main Gumbaz.They say on a quiet day, one can hear voices spoken at the other end of the Gumbaz through the walls. Quite similar to the Golconda fort in Hyderabad. But, in the melee I couldn’t hear anything.Also, visited the Museum situated next to it.

Next, went to Ibrahim Rouza housing the tomb of King Ibrahim Adil Shah 2nd.Its a well maintained place. After that saw the Malik Maidan Top (Big Cannon) and Upri Burj.The Upri Burj houses 2 cannons and gives a commanding view of the city.Then went to a hotel providing typical Bijapur home made food. Left Bijapur at 1.50 PM and arrived at Gulbarga at 4.35 PM. 1hr saved because of no photo sessions.

Freshened up a bit and left Gulbarga at 5.15 PM towards Hyderabad. With light fading up and the high beam glare of trucks and Volvos obstructing my vision, it was difficult to gain speed. In the morning I had brutally overtaken all kinds of four wheelers. Now, it was payback time for them. Finally, reached Hyderabad at 10 PM.With the body aching like anything it was time for a good dinner and deep sleep.
Day 1---250 kms
Day 2---555 kms
Total distance-805 kms covered in 2 days.



Important distances:



Hyderabad  to Gulbarga—220 kms (Via NH9)

Gulbarga to Bijapur ---170 kms (Via NH218)

Trip to Rajmundhry, Antarvedi and Kakinada:

On way to Antarvedi

At Antarvedi

At Antarvedi

Paddy fields on way to Antarvedi

Trip to Rajmundhry, Antarvedi and Kakinada:

It was just a casual talk with my colleague Mahesh in the office canteen that sparked off this journey and within 2 days we were all set for this trip. The first option was to book tickets on the package tour (Hyderabad-Rajmundhry-Bhadrachalam-Hyderabad) offered by APTDC .But, we couldn’t get tickets for it. In the hindsight this worked out well as we would have missed Antarvedi and Kakinada. In the end we booked boating tickets from Rajmundhry to Papikondulu and back.

We (Reetesh,Mahesh,Ajay,Manoj and Me)boarded the bus from Hyderabad to Rajmundhry on 20.9.2009 and reached there in the morning. After finding a hotel near the bus stand and all freshened up, we booked an Ambassador to Antarvedi.At a distance of 110 kms from Rajmundhry; it is the meeting point of river Godavari and the sea. The road to Antarvedi passes through numerous villages and is surrounded on both sides by endless paddy fields. On reaching Antarvedi, we hired a diesel boat to take us to the actual meeting point and the Island.However, one can reach the meeting point by foot or motorcycles, as we discovered later. It is next to the lighthouse. At the meeting point one can actually see the “waves filled sea” and the “calmer river” on either side. On the way back we saw an amazing engineering feat. A canal over the river. After a brief photo session and numerous Chai-Paani breaks we reached back at Rajmundhry.One must see place of Rajmundhry is its double decker rail cum road bridge-supposed to be Asia’s largest.

We slept early to get up early the next day for our boat ride. We reached the boating agent’s place on time to catch the bus to the actual boarding point- Pattiseema.Boarded the boat only to find it cancelled after some time. A boat mishap the previous day warranted the police to take such action. Not to let this dampen our spirits, we came back to Rajmundhry to hire another Ambassador to Kakinada-the port town. One peculiar feature on this part of the Golden Quadrilateral is –on the 4 lane expressway with 2 lanes on both sides of the middle barricade, one can find vehicles coming in the wrong direction straight at you that too in the right most lane. Further investigation revealed - most people mistake the 2 lanes as one for going and another for coming. Incredible India indeed.

Kakinada, at a distance of 90 kms from Rajmundhry was reached in 2.5 hours. We went straight to the beach and spent some quality time there just lazing around. Finally, in the evening went back to Rajmundhry to catch the night bus to Hyderabad. All in all a nice trip. Though, we didn’t do the boat ride for which this trip was originally planned. But, as they say “There is always a next time”.

Trip to Warangal

1000 Pillar Temple,Warangal

Nandi,1000 Pillar Temple,Warangal1000 Pillar Temple,Warangal

Lake,Bhadrakali Temple,Warangal

Hill,Bhadrakali Temple,Warangal

Bhadrakali Temple,Warangal

Ekshilla Hill,Warangal Fort

Rock garden,Ekshilla Hill,Warangal Fort

Kirti Toranas,Warangal Fort

Nandi,Warangal Fort

Warangal Fort

Way to Warangal Fort

Archaeological Museum,Kulapaku

Archaeological Museum,Kulapaku

Jain Teerth,Kulapaku

Jain Teerth,Kulapaku

The NH 202

Hillocks on the way

Bhongir Fort

Bhongir Fort

Trip to Warangal:
My first completely solo trip. Though, I timed the alarm for a 5.00 AM start, it wasn’t until 7.30 AM that I hit the road. Filled the tank and headed towards Uppal to catch the Warangal Highway - NH 202.

Without further stops, increased speed to reach Bhongir at around 8.45 AM. The main attraction here is the Tribhuvanagiri Fort (Bhongir in local lingo) situated atop a huge rock. A quick observation of the area revealed a time line of at least 2 hours for me to trek up to the fort and come back. Since, I had lot of places and distance to cover in a single day, the decision to skip the trek was quick. Clicked some snaps and was on my way to next stop.
It was the Swetambar Jain Teerth, Kulpaku.To reach this place ,one has to take a left turn at Aleru and cross the railway tracks.It is a nicely built temple and contains a statue of Lord Mahavira made of jade. Just opposite to it is an archaeological museum containing some really old artifects.However; it is in a poorly maintained condition.

Finally reached Warangal or Hanamkonda at around 12.30 PM.Then found my way to the fort.It houses the ruins of the 13th century fort built by the Kakatiyas.The must see items are the unique Gateways(Kirti Toranas-carved from a single rock) and the Ekshilla hill (huge rock).Both are located opposite to each other in their respective gardens.

Then I made my way to the BhadraKali Temple and the 12th century built 1000 pillar temple. All this sight seeing and the sweltering heat made me recall the most important thing-Food.Had a lunch at one of the numerous restaurents in Warangal.But, as soon as I stepped out of the restaurant at around 4.00 PM, I found the sky overcast with clouds.The vagaries of nature.However, I managed to reach my place in Hyderabad at around 7.00 PM after experiencing some thunder showers in between. Total distance -350 kms in a single day.

Important places and distances from Hyderabad:
Bhongir Fort -------------------------------50KM
Jain Teerth, Kulpaku----------------------85 KM
Archaeological Museum,Kulpaku-------85KM
Warangal------------------------------------150KM