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 5^th 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.

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.

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