Had been to Savanadurga, Manchanabele Dam and Big Banyan tree 19th Dec 09.
We left our usual spot at 7am and took a break to Bidadi for packing breakfast. Ride till then was extremely nice….. zooming bike ride in the morning breeze. We could see that Sun was taking his own time to peep thru the clouds, it looked like even he did not wanted to rise early. By the time we could sip coffee our breakfast was packed. Without wasting any time we continued our ride towards Savanadurga. Reached the main point (traffic signal @ Ramangara) where we have to take a right turn. From this point SD is at 24kms of distance. On the way we saw lots of green pasture and well cultivated plots. But I was disappointed as could not sight a single bird.
Reached the point by 8.45am. We were welcomed with whole bunch of beggars as usual one can sight this at most of the temple premises. Usually this doesn’t make a note in mind, but somehow this time it took a while for me to ignore/ forget them. As the temple was not opened we decided to hike. I was taken for a surprise as a local DOG became our guide. And we thought of not following it for some time and guess what.... it always went at the right route and waited there for us. But it was very adamant by not standing in front of the camera, not even for a second!!! He always made a face when I took my Canon out to click him and went far way. After some time he was sure that we were on the right way… yes you guessed it he left u mid way and went back.
We took a break after ¾ of the trek since I was hungry and had no energy to climb up. It was a good half an hr break with nice idly with cold breeze and some beautiful scenery. We did some clicks and it was around 10am and still there was no sign of any other trekkers/visitors. After the breakfast break we continued to reach top. And need not explain it was wonderful… amazing scenery. The view of Manchanabele dam from top was very nice.
There is 2 ways of reaching this place; one is by walk from base of Savanadurga its 3 kms from one side. Another one is by road and approx of 12kms from Savanadurga. We took the later one. But on the way we missed out the turn which will lead us to the Dam and had almost gone 4-5 kms further. Once realized, took a u turn and back. Again here we read one stupid board and went further ahead, need not say once again a u turn and come down near the dam. And we road almost for 10 kms to reach the military camp. This camp is at the end of the dam and here is where we got to see fee birds. Spend more than an hr at this place and tool some nice picture. By then we heard a Hungry alarm from our stomachs, so we started back. Can you believe we gain took a wrong turn and were almost heading back to Savanadurga!! God…. Man. We asked some one for the right route and took the right route. On the way to Big Banyan Tree we saw the new ISRO signal center. And this is what happens when something so important is in between neglected villages. I mean that road from Savanadurga till the Dam is very good and little further from Dam till ISRO … don’t even ask there is no road at all. And guess what just 5 mins before ISRO plot till BB Tree the road is in excellent condition.
Reached our 3rd Destination – Big Banyan Tree. All the time we spent there, we were trying to locate the oldest tree. And were rigorously failing to identify the right one. Didn’t even spend half an hr there, drank another tender coconut and started towards Bangalore.
That was the end of the half day outing.
We left our usual spot at 7am and took a break to Bidadi for packing breakfast. Ride till then was extremely nice….. zooming bike ride in the morning breeze. We could see that Sun was taking his own time to peep thru the clouds, it looked like even he did not wanted to rise early. By the time we could sip coffee our breakfast was packed. Without wasting any time we continued our ride towards Savanadurga. Reached the main point (traffic signal @ Ramangara) where we have to take a right turn. From this point SD is at 24kms of distance. On the way we saw lots of green pasture and well cultivated plots. But I was disappointed as could not sight a single bird.
Reached the point by 8.45am. We were welcomed with whole bunch of beggars as usual one can sight this at most of the temple premises. Usually this doesn’t make a note in mind, but somehow this time it took a while for me to ignore/ forget them. As the temple was not opened we decided to hike. I was taken for a surprise as a local DOG became our guide. And we thought of not following it for some time and guess what.... it always went at the right route and waited there for us. But it was very adamant by not standing in front of the camera, not even for a second!!! He always made a face when I took my Canon out to click him and went far way. After some time he was sure that we were on the right way… yes you guessed it he left u mid way and went back.
We took a break after ¾ of the trek since I was hungry and had no energy to climb up. It was a good half an hr break with nice idly with cold breeze and some beautiful scenery. We did some clicks and it was around 10am and still there was no sign of any other trekkers/visitors. After the breakfast break we continued to reach top. And need not explain it was wonderful… amazing scenery. The view of Manchanabele dam from top was very nice.
Started climbing down and we were almost 30 meters away from the base point we spotted few more trekkers and a bus of school kids. Came down, went around the temple and drank a tender coconut. We were back to normal energy and left to the “PARK”. This park is just a few mins of ride from the base temple. Previous time I had been there I could see some animals, but this time it was so disappointing to see a very informative board at the entrance.
Which said “No wild animals in this park”. Pay 1Re to enter!! Ok, anyways we had come till there so that of talking a short walk. Did a short walk inside the park and need not to say it was disappointing. We didn’t spend much time there and soon started towards destination 2 –Manchanabele dam.
There is 2 ways of reaching this place; one is by walk from base of Savanadurga its 3 kms from one side. Another one is by road and approx of 12kms from Savanadurga. We took the later one. But on the way we missed out the turn which will lead us to the Dam and had almost gone 4-5 kms further. Once realized, took a u turn and back. Again here we read one stupid board and went further ahead, need not say once again a u turn and come down near the dam. And we road almost for 10 kms to reach the military camp. This camp is at the end of the dam and here is where we got to see fee birds. Spend more than an hr at this place and tool some nice picture. By then we heard a Hungry alarm from our stomachs, so we started back. Can you believe we gain took a wrong turn and were almost heading back to Savanadurga!! God…. Man. We asked some one for the right route and took the right route. On the way to Big Banyan Tree we saw the new ISRO signal center. And this is what happens when something so important is in between neglected villages. I mean that road from Savanadurga till the Dam is very good and little further from Dam till ISRO … don’t even ask there is no road at all. And guess what just 5 mins before ISRO plot till BB Tree the road is in excellent condition.
That was the end of the half day outing.
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