Shivaganga ... toughest trek I ever had. Review on Shivaganga

24th May 2009, Sunday

Bikers:

1. Bajaj Pulsar 180 - Sterin, Prasanth

   
   




2. Honda Unicorn 150 - Nirmal, Lijith

   
   




3. Bajaj Discover 110 – Prinson, Arunsarath

   
   

Startup

It was a Friday and we were having a bachelors weekend party at our home. Few days back I happened to read about one guy who is doing a India – Bhutan bike tour and shared this with my friends during the party. Prinson got excited suddenly and told us a suggestion, “Can we go for a trip this weekend?” Wow! I wanted to hear this from anybody any time to tell a big “YES”. I went through some blogs and found that the route is Bangalore – Tumkur Road – Neelemangala – Shivaganga.

Morning Tea, then Madiwala - Jalahalli

We woke up only at 6 AM and were ready to go at 7. Tea from nearby Tea stall was the official start of the trip. Told Nirmal and Lijith to wait at Petrol pump near MG road. After filling Petrol and Air we proceed to Jalahalli. Breakfast was in a veg restaurant and we had Onion dosa+ Coffee before proceeding to Neelamangala which was 12 kms from Jalahalli. Prasanth claimed that he has GPS in his mobile and started navigating the route to Neelamangala.

Jalahalli – Neelamagala, Photo session

Road was OK to ride and we were at around 60 km/hr. Prasanth was telling that we need to take left from the next Junction and that is a State Highway. Now GPS info is matching with our track. We proceed a little bit; as per GPS we are wrong way and we should have taken a right! At last we found a small village road towards right and we confirmed from localities that it is the shortest route to Shivaganga.

Proceed further; now GPS turned really useful and we are going by the shortest route. Climate is good and road is turning somewhat scenic and now very scenic. Decided to have a photo session.

To Shivaganga

Now road has got uneven surface and ride became very bumpy but it was OK; we are saving some kilometers. After some time we jointed at a better road. That means if we didn't take a right turn before, we should have been riding through this road from State Highway. As we were riding we saw good scenery, paddy fields, some water bodies and fishing in a small lake; wanted to stop but postponed the plan during return journey(which didn't happen later:(). Proceed further till we saw a meadow or loan where some goats were feeding themselves; again photo session.

There were no restaurants on the way and we were worried about our lunch. Grabbed some bread packets, biscuits and water from a shop for satisfying hunger and thirst. After reaching at the base of Shivaganga, we saw a road coming from the other side. Might be the road we should travel if we don't take left turn from Neelemangala. A toll of 10/- per bike to enter the area; parked our vehicles and gave our helmets to a shopkeeper; will collect them while coming back.

Trek, Trek and Temple

Climb has started and it was interesting; took some odd paths and enjoyed it. After some more time we realized that we are getting tired. There were stalls with Mango slices, Jack fruit pieces, Packoda, pinapple slices etc. Each time we stopped at any shop to have any snacks, we were getting some rest; and it was a great relief too. On the way up, Prinson showed more tiredness than others and needed a compulsory break in between. After long one hour trek with small breaks, we reached near the temple. We could see lots of monkeys on the way, looking at the snacks in our hands and trying to grab them from us if a slight opportunity is given.

All others except me and Prinson went inside to have a look. We stayed back because somebody should look after the shoes, that we can't wear inside the temple. They came back and it was our turn now. It was a long queue by now. We saw that people who came for pilgrimage here, really don't care about the queue and trying to by pass it, damn! Realized that people who visit this place are not bothered about queue and other formal ways of keeping the discipline.

I was frustrated so much because I could see new people come and bypass the queue again and again. Not in a mood to enjoy the place. Now one more surprise. Normal queue has seized and some pujari and his disciples are getting inside stopping the actual queue. It took long 45 mins for us to come out after performing the ritual; I could see the Puja which was going on inside and now I know why Pujari went in; Ritual was about sprinkling water on our face inside the temple.

Are we done with Shivaganga? No! My soul told me that we should trek uphill again till the very top. Some doesn't like but majority was favoring my suggestion. Good, nice example of democracy.

Trek, Trek, Trek ….

Real trek starts now. I mean a very tough steep steps! But track had Iron rods for our support. Now I can see steps where we cannot climb without the support of hands. As we climbed up, it became more and more difficult. I was damn tired but didn't show that. Prinson was panting like anything(in fact all were!). One stall with Lemon water appeared in front of us like heaven. Had two glasses each. And I could fail one monkey's try to grab snacks from my hand.

Journey restarted and more tough steps and hanging iron rods for support. Very good exertion for white collar techies. Realized that our stamina is going for a toss without any physical activities. It was the toughest trek which I ever had in my whole life till now. At least we should do it once in a quarter to keep ourselves away from bad stamina and threat of heart attacks. This mother of all treks continued till the very end with a photo session break in between.

Nandi at the top

Here comes the last trekking steps. A Nandi's statue was carved on a rock top with steps to climb. We have done a lot till now and why should we hesitate for the last shot. Going up was easy but all of us had to remove their socks to climb down as there was no grip on the rock with socks(I tried and succeeded with socks though:))

Next attempt was climbing the top most rock on that hill as rock with Nandi is not the highest point. It was a piece of cake with no steepness. We spend around half an hour on the top till 3 PM. Leg pulling against Prasanth was going on at its peak and he was the main target during our whole trip. Poor Prasanth:). There will be a prey in all our trips to receive “Goal Adi”. That is what we call for Leg pulling.

Treking down; Shivaganga to Madiwala

Trekking down was very easy and fast compared to climbing up. Started our bikes as soon as we reached down. Some of us were hungry but Shivaganga don't have good restaurants. They need to wait till we reach Jalahalli. As we all were too tired after the entire trek, didn't stop at any places on our way back, at least to take snaps. We rode slowly again as the road was bumpy. After reaching Jalahalli we decided to stop for lunch(at 5 PM) but the hotel that we know was closed. Proceed to Shivaji Nagar and had good Non Veg Thali from Empire. Good enough to sleep like a log. We reached home at 7 pm and I missed the holy mass. We wanted but couldn't sleep till 12.30 because of IPL T20 final.