That too without jumping in a hole in the time continuum like in a Hollywood movie or using a time machine but simply by walking. Last night I returned back from one such trip and the place is no wonder a UNESCO world heritage site in northern Karnataka's Bellary district known well over the world as Hampi.
Thursday, Office@JDA
The bike trip for the long weekend was canceled due to whatever reasons not worth mentioning here and hence presented an opportunity to plan another one. Avinash jumped in and we were exploring options like Chikamangalur, Hampi, Wayanad and decided on Hampi.Some how the ruins had been calling us and it was just a matter of time when we would answer the call.
Friday 23:00 hrs
Hampi was decided upon and we decided to leave Bangalore at 0600hrs and follow NH4 (that is Tumkur - Chitradurga) and then NH13 to Hospet and then proceed to Hampi which is a small village. The original name was Hampa which is the alternate name for the Tung Bhadra river.
Saturday Morning: 0800 hrs: Day I
Avi: Are we going today morning or tomorrow?
Answer: Shit! We are late.
Nothing unusual.
It was 1000 hrs before we put our bags in the car and started driving towards Tumkur and it in order to keep us in good driving mood and avoid the hassles of crazy Bangalore traffic we diverted towards Electronic City via the elevated expressway and then took NECE road all the way to Tumkur road. We paid almost 110 INR extra but I was still very fresh when I hit the NH4.
We had stopped for breakfast at Electronic City as well and it was 10:30 when we started from EC near the Infosys campus despite of the fact that we live near Marathalli ! So you must be knowing by know how scared I am of the Bangalore traffic.
This was the plan for the trip based on whatever information we could gather on the internet.
View Original Hampi Plan in a larger map
Our first stoppage was before Chitradurga near the windmills and here are few pictures we clicked before we resumed towards Chitradurga.
The joy of the NH4 drive was short lived and soon we had to deviate to NH13. The board it self said "Go Slow". The start of the NH13 was not very exciting and soon it turned into something much more interesting. In the last three hours we had covered some 200 kilometers and Hospet was still 150.
The road soon deteriorated as much as it could. There was hardly any road for miles and the pot holes or rather craters were so bad that I was scared that the car will get stuck. Add to that the mining traffic and long trailers and rains which started to pour. I was just hoping to reach Hospet somehow but the clock on the dashboard was moving faster than the odometer it took us scary four hours to complete 150 kilometers.
The last stretch of Ghat road was so bad that I was literally scared to drive. Somehow we reached Hospet by 1800 hrs and headed to Hampi and straight to the KSTDC Hotel Mayura in Hampi. We couldn't find accommodation in Hampi and settled for dinner to get a hold of the treacherous drive and I handed over the car to Avinash to drive.
At around 2000 hrs we headed back to Hospet to find hotel and the KSTDC guys referred there sister concern near the Dam which was just 5 kms from Hospet and we decided to check it out.
This was the biggest mistake of our life. It took us almost 2.5 hrs to cover that last 5 kilometers as there was a huge traffic pile up and worst road plus rains. We were the only car on the road surrounded by mining trucks and it was really scary.
I could use my phone and use Google to find out Mallige hotel and they offered a double room at INR 2900. At this point of time I was willing to pay anything ! We checked in at around 2230 hrs and luckily got room for standard room for 1650 INR.
Finally something went right after almost 8 hrs of freaking scary drive.
Sunday Morning: 0800 hrs: Day II
I started the day with a tweet on facebook at 0908 hrs "Irony of indian roads 120kmphr and 1kmphr in the same day...NH4 vs. NH13."
Originally until last night the plan was to get up at 0700 hrs and head for Hampi but as usual we woke up and by the time we finished the complimentary breakfast it was 1000 hrs.
We reached Hampi and thus began an interesting day of long walks, boat ride and what not.
And I gave my heart once more..Hampi conquered it!
Monday Morning: 1000 hrs: Day III
For the last two days we were gathering intelligence on the route back to Bangalore. We talked to almost every driver on the road and based on our experience reached on the consensus that what ever happens we are not going to take the same NH13 route.
We decided to drive to Bellary which was 60 kilometers away on NH63 and then either drive to Anantpur and follow NH7 or take the SH19 and head on to Hiriyur and NH4 back to Tumkur and Bangalore.
Avi was on the driving seat and I wanted to relax. The road to Bellary was again not good and it took us two hours to reach and then then we were not sure what is going to come up ! Based on the Google Maps, I made the decision that let's check out the SH19 and head to Hiriyur instead of NH7 plan.
And when we reached SH19 it was a real shocker ! We were greeted by beautiful roads. We changes driving seats and stopped on the way in Sunflower fields. All the bad roads were gone before and the landscape was amazingly serene and calm.
Soon we merged into NH4 at Hiriyur and after that the next stoppage was Dhaba after tumkur near the CCD. Another ladnmark is that there are two Kamat on both sides of the road. For INR 204 we had sumptuous dinner awesome dal makhani, roti in a trademark way of North Indian Dhabas, tea, lassi and again Avi stepped in to drive.
Soon we were on the NECE road and reached Bangalore at 2130hrs.
And like all the things this too passed away.
Suggestions and Recommendations
Total Distance: 840 KM
View Bangalore Hampi Bangalore in a larger map
Stay: Malligi Hotel - Value for Money but it is in Hospet. If possible book at KSTDC Mayura Guest house in Hampi (Kamlapur)
Must Eat at Tumkur Dhaba. Look out for Kamat on both sides of the road after crossing Tumkur on the way back. This is a small dhaba but don't get deceived by the looks. The place serves authentic dhabha food and is actually run by Dhillon family.
Must do in Hampi:
a) Boat Ride in Tung Bhadra : INR 450 for 1 hours (We didn't bargain)
Must Avoid : Don't drive in NH13 between Chitradurga and Hospet. If possible take a train to Hospet.
To close, I remember what I posted on Facebook
and when the roads start calling..I respond ..go out n meet them..they r b'ful like you n me n experiences r always awesome.
2 comments:
Very well written ...
Thanks Ajay !
Post a Comment