Trip to Mandalpatti-Kushalnagar.

Hello all.....

Here is a small blog about my trip to Mandalpatti and Kushalnagar with my IBM team.

Our Lead and managers planned for a one day outing to some place. After days of planning, it was decided to goto Mandalpatti- a trekking spot 35Kms from Coorg. We also had plans of covering Kushalnagar, Abbe falls and Nisargadhama. We were close to some 35 odd..men and women. It was our Pool 46 team. Sad part is that none of them who sit next to me turned up to the trip. Anyways, that is okay.

We all gathered inside the IBM Food Court- Riviera. (Awesome food..if u know Wat i mean)!! We left IBM  Campus by 11:30PM on Friday the 13th of May. Whoa.. Wat a date it is.. I never noticed it till now. ROFL. The bus moved like a tortoise all the way long i felt. but it was comfortable. We had Light snacks and cool drinks inside the bus. There was not much interaction with the gals and guys while going. Our manager Ranjeetha Patil joined the tirp.

En-Route to Coorg. Pic  by Manohar.

We had a few pit stops for natures call and refills. :-) then continued our journey. There was one stop where we spent close to half hour. A dhaba kind. We found Frogs, cats and dogs inside. Played with them for a while, took pics and then left.

Froggie and me!

After a long journey, we finally reached Markera by 9:00AM. We were late. As per our plan, we were supposed to reach there by 6AM. lol.

We entered a small hotel nearby and freshened up. Had coffee. Gals, as usual took forever to get ready. We then hired 3 Jeeps and left to Mandalpatti (35Kms)

Madikeri, circle.

The jeep we hired

It was one heck of a ride to the trekking spot. Filled with twists and turns. Awesome drivers they were. There was no road at all. Actually, the government is trying to widen the roads in that area. Hmmm, an finally after around half an hour we reached the place. The place was like entrance to Heaven. We were greeted by a heard of Cows. :)

Did a few clicks and got ready to trek. We started climbing the small hill. It was very easy. Nothing to worry at all. Bit sunny But was manageable. Within 20mins, we all reached the View point area. After we reached this place, took a few pics. Then we climbed down the view point. 

Cows and calves

From here there were mountains as far as we can see. Was nice to be there.Took a few pics and climbed up. Most of the team mates were exhausted cos of travelling in Bus and also were very hungry. We did not have Breakfast. So many stayed back at the view point, while 9 of us started trekking up hill- away from the view point. We climbed 2 small hills.

Scenic beauty of Mandalpatti

Lonely Tree

We saw the clouds passing right on us. It was Fog a few said. But it was actually the clouds that were so low that they touched us and went. It was an amazing feeling. We climbed a further up and found a short man made stone wall. Took few pics there and started climbing down.

Guys posing

A cute flower on a dry mountain awaiting rains. 

posing

We also tried shouting at the top of our voice. I did echo... he he. I said MEOW!!! and also screamed. Unfortunately, I am single, else would have shouted I ♥ U :-))

As we descended, Dee turned on music for which our guys started dancing. lol. It was funny..some song with the word,  'Pankajaaa'..old kannada song i guess. 

We finally got down and met others who were waiting near the view point. 

We left to the Jeep and headed back to the Bus.

Path of trek

Small flower with great smell

 We all were tired and needed something to eat and also badly a shower. So we decided to goto the Home stay and get freshened up. It was some 22Kms behind Coorg. So we started and took 1hr to reach it. The road was tooo narrow for the bus so we had to walk and guide the bus to the parking lot. lol.

Boys at the top.

 Once we reached the Home stay, one aunty spoke to me so nicely. She welcomed in 3 different languages and i replied in all the 3..rofl.. She directed me where to stay and get freshened up. And said that Brekfast/Lunch would be ready in 10 mins. So we all went to the rooms to get ready.

:-))

 Our Boys found that there was a small stream behind the Home stay. They all decided that we go there to have Bath. So be it. We all took our spare clothes and went to the stream. Not sure if the gals were informed, none came. :) Good for us. We were free to play in the water. rofl.

:)

We spent a good one or one n a half hour in the water....it was so fun..
There was no much water, just a stream. But then, it had 'sucker fish'. I caught one. he he. saw and left it back into the stream.



Took some crazy and funny pics. No comments on it. It s all over Facebook now. I and my frens nicely sat inside the stream. A small water falls hitting the shoulder was like a massage. :-))

The spot where the stream was.

The name of the Home stay!

We got changed to dry clothes and came back to Home Stay. The smell of Hot round Idly Balls- (the size of a ping pong ball) was waiting for us. We had it with Chatni and sambar. Felt like heaven after eating it.
Then, we were given coffee to drink. We all relaxed for a while and checked out of the Home Stay.
The plan to visit Abbe and Nisargadhama was dropped. Passer by's and the Jeep drivers said there is not much water in those places to go see. So we cancelled those places and left to Kushalnagar.

The POOL 46 TEAM at the home stay before leaving.

It was again Journey for a few hours to reach Kushalnagar. We were starving by the time we reached there. Stopped at a Muslim restaurant. Shockingly, all of them ordered vegetarian food. ROFL.

Once we were almost finished, the cashier comes to me and said..."Saar, we have 1086 non-veg items in our menu...wat saar u all ate only veg!!!!"

I didnt know wat to answer for it..so i gave a wide smile and said, sir, i am a vegetarian :-))

Entrance to Buddhist Monastery 

After a heavy lunch, we reached the Monastery. It was as grand and beautiful as it was when i visited it last time!!!
 Most of them were either tired or sleepy. A few of us went eagerly inside. Took nice pics and roamed the interiors of the place. Others did a bit of window shopping and few got shades.

Deity

Wonderful paintings and art. Loved it. Things have changed a bit. It has become more protected.

The carvings and the designs inside the temple were beautiful.

A Bell next to which everyone takes pics..lol..

Exit time...sunset...

After visiting the place we all gathered at the bus parking area. There was a photo session there. We then got into the bus and headed back to Bangalore.

On the way we played Dumbsharads and passed time. We reached bangalore by 11:30 or so and got cabs and reached home by 1:30AM.

Over all it was a good trip. Could have covered more places. Well, that's okay. There is always next time.!!!

Hope u guys iked it....will be writing more.....


Take care guys!!!!! Good night...it is 1:30 AM.. :-)))

A trip to North India...

On the way to Jammu

Wanted to write a blog on this long time ago..Today i felt like writing... This was when I was in my Engineering. Me and Mom decided to go for a north India Trip. Booked seats in Nirmala Travels for Amarnath yatra. Both were very excited.

The Trip covered Delhi-Jammu & Kashmir-Vishnodevi-Amarnath-Gulamarg-Delhi-Bangalore.

We left Bangalore in Train early morning. Our coach AC 3-tire was filled with Northi Babes abd aunties. lolz. Was fun to hear their conversation. Food was good, enjoyed the journey. We reached 2 Delhi days later. Now had to catch another train to Jammu and then to Udhampur.

Delhi-Jammu train experience was bad. Train left in the night. Lots of people got into the train. One useless dog tried to steal my wallet also. I slapped him and then a few guys and police lathi charged him...poor fellow..Did not sleep whole night in train. We reached Jammu early morning.

Scenic Beauty of Jammu

From Jammu we were supposed to catch another train to Udhampur. This was one of the best train rides that I have ever had. It was just amazing. The train went through tunnels and mountains. The view was splendid. My compartment was totally empty..I switched off the lights in the tunnel. he he.

We reached Udhampur station. It was heavily guarded with barb wires, guns and army. uff...was little sacred. But then, it was like that for the rest of the trip..everywhere army and BSF personnel guarding the place.

Our Team which climbed Vishodevi Hills

From Udhampur, we reached Katra- Base of Vishnodevi hills. Had to change 2 buses to reach Katra. Reached Hotel...God freshened and went for Dinner.

Soon after Dinner, we started climbing the Vishnodevi hill... :-)) 17kms of walking uphill. It was crowded, filled with People, Dholis and horses. At the top, things had changed compared to last time. So many modern style walls made of concrete made it more man made than natural. There were artificially created waterfalls and stuff. Devotion was not there much. hmm was good though. After Darshan, came down and had lunch...slept nicely.. :-)

En-route Baltal

Morning, we checked out of Katra and Headed towards Srinagar- the capital of Jammu. :-)) in bus. There was tight security everywhere. Took some nice pics en-route. We reached the Jammu - Kashmir Crossover point. This is Basically a Huge looooong Tunnel named the "Jawahar Tunnel".Goes straight into a Mountain and is 3.75Kms. The inside of the tunnel has all sorts of sophisticated cameras which can detect even the smallest of flash. Before entering, our bus had a security check. The beauty of nature was nice. Took a few clicks. Reached Srinagar Lodge and slept nicely after dinner.

Kheer Bhavani Teple with Pond

Morning after breakfast, we left to "Baltal"- Be camp of Amarnath. The whole day was a journey filled with fun. On the way we visited the "Kher Bhavani" Temple.The Idols here always bathed with Milk and sugar. There is a pond in front of the Deity. It keeps changing the color of water. Some say, during Kargil war, it turned Red. Also, I looked up and found something interesting. The tree Branches had grown in such a way that it made the shape of India. The India map in blue sky...was nice to see it.

Atop a horse in Gulmarg.

Grassland and Trees...nice 

We left the temple and continued our journey towards Baltal. For Lunch and snacks we stopped at one of the mind blowing places of all.. GULMARG. It was soo green and had many mountains. We went to a restaurant, had food. We saw Horses waiting for taking us to a hill top.Hired on Horse and I went up hill. By now i knew horse riding..lol. Was fun. It is a golf course in Summer and a Skying resort during winters. First we climbed a steap hill, then we saw a vast area of flat surface...Lush greenery. there was a stream of water..Ice cold water..played in it and also found a small glacier and played in ice there. :)

After this fun..we journeyed to Baltal. The Base camp was highly protected. It had many make shift Tents and Wooden Cottages. Had to share a cottage with trip mates and got freshened up.!! We were hungry..lolz. A new system for Food was seen in Baltal. We had mant make shift tents here. They were called 'LANGARS' and are maintained by the trustees and Volunteers. They are so much devoted to god that they supply food free of cost. All delicious food. Sweets and Badam milk. yum it was. We rested in our cottage that night thinking of the adventure that we are going to have tomorrow.

Langars in the background.

The next day, early morning 5AM, 6 out of 32 members started the looong walk up hill. It was hard for us as the path on which we walked became narrow. There was 2way traffice of people, Dholi and horses. I even saw a few Handicapped men and women trying to climb the hill. Weather was cool and I took a few pics with my mom on the way ! We saw many Devotees of Lord Shiv shouting slogans to praise the Lord. 'BUM BUM BHOLE.!!' Many Saints in Saffron were seen puffing Ganja to ward off the Cold. lol.

Mom and Me near the frozen stream. Ice on top of us.

En route we had to cross a small Frozen stream. Ice was still intact. Took pics. Horses were taken to a small bank near the river below. I love that pic. It looks like an Eye. We rested for a while in one of the Langars...Ate something and again started to walk. We met my Mom's Fren Padmini on a Horse..lol. 

Mom was happy to see her. We continued to walk. Mom was Panting and chanting gods slokas. I was always there for moral support!! :-))

One of our trip mate got a mild heart attack i think so he was rushed back. Poor guy couldn get darshan. Felt bad for him!

Beauty of nature. Yellow flowers near the bank of River Ganga.

The river Bank looks like an Eye. Horses were taken here to catch breadth and a sip of water.

The Cave shrine of AMARNATH

We reached the Top by 2:15PM approximately. There was no ICE LINGAM at that time as the heat generated due to global warming and other factors like Helicoptor services and pollution. The location of the cave and the cave itself was really amazing!!

on top of the world.

Did I mention that we walked on a river, Literally...a few Kms before reaching the cave, there was a river, completely frozen. Son instead of walking on the sides, we took a leap into the frozen river. :) 

My mom noticed something interesting. The Mountain to the left had a small Ganesha Like formation. :-) She was really happy seeing it. 

As the saying goes, it is really hard to see pigeons in such remote places. It seems, it is good luck if we see a White Pigeon flying in and around the caves. So all my eyes were searching for pigeons :-) Guess what, only me and mom could see a white one. Rest of them were searching. :-)

As we spotted the cave, we were so relieved and thought that walking was done. But we were wrong. To reach the cave, there were a set of difficult stairs. lolz. We pulled ourselves through and started climbing it.

Entrance of Amarnath Cave Shrine

I helped my mom in climbing steps by boosting her confidence level. She did it finally and we reached the entrance. Uff...watta relief. Took a pic and went inside for Darshan. As there was no ics formation, we came out and started enjoying the nature. Mom was very happy seeing the place. We waited for our trip mates but couldn see anyone. :) I tried taking a pic of the Sanctum and was almost near 3 gun points. The Flash of my camera alerted the BSF army men and they surrounded me. My heart came to my mouth. They looked into my camera and said to go.. :) Silently i came out lol..

We were supposed to go downhill walking. For our bad luck, it started to drizzle and then there was Rain. So we decided to go By horses. By 5PM they will close the route. There is no night walking allowed in Amarnath for security reasons. So, we got raincoats and sat in horses. Those horses are well trained to go up and down hill with out its master. As it was raining, the Horseman left my horse go as fast as it can. I remembered in TV how they ride a horse. And started to ride nicely in the slippery route. Many times the horse slipped.. somehow managed to balance and finally we reached Baltal. :) We had dinner and took rest.

Posing next to a Glacier

Next day morning we left back to Srinagar. On the way, we visited a Mosque named "Hazrat Bal" mosque. Entire day journey. uff.. Reached Srinagar and rested.

Next day we had so many places to cover. In and out of Srinagar. 

We first saw a temple of Shankaracharya. Then, we left to see the 3 mughal gardens. The kings of that time used to visit this place to romance with their darlings.

Took loads of pics...enjoyed the greenery and flowers and water there..

Mom and me dressed up like Kashmiris and took pic :):):)

We had lunch there and went shopping to Lal Chowk.

Mom and me!! in Kasmiri Attire. :)

After shopping, we went to DAL Lake. The most awaited Boating :) Me and my mom booked a Shikara ride and started boating. It lasted for an hour. They showed us floating market, lilies, lotus and others water flowers cultured. Then there were  so many different types of house boats. was nice to look at.

House Boat.

Shikara ride in DAL.

We went back to hotel and took rest. It was mom's b-day tomo and we had planned a small surprise for her.

 We called her and wished her in the midnight. Early morning for breakfast, mom and I had a shock.

A cake was cut and mom was soo happy. I think it was first time someone cut cake for mom :-))) lol

We finished our breakfast and packed up. We had to leave the beautiful place. Train was waiting for us to goto Delhi. And then, from there back to Bangalore :-))

Over all, it was one memorable trip for me!! Will never forget this one ever in my life!! 

We are planning to go to Manasa Sarovar next time. Lets see. !! 

Hope you guys liked it. This is my First blog :-))) lol A long one.!!!