It was the 8th of January. The day being a Sunday, I didn't have any work. I called up my friend Rakesh and asked him whether we could go and inspect a piece of land that was available for lease. I want to start a Nature Resort!
Rakesh arrived at my house with his Honda Shine within a few minutes and we started off. We topped up the Petrol at Shiriyannavar's Opposite the Sarvamangala Maternity Home on Haliyal Road. Our destination was in fact Honnapur on Dharwad-Goa Road. The road via Kelgeri was under construction and we therefore had decided to go via Kyarkoppa - Kalkeri.
We reached Honnapur and proceeded to inspect the land with much enthusiasm. Each of us started dreaming about what would be where... The Pool, Cottages, Tents, Utilities, Car Park and so on... We even planned to have a small boating area in the stream adjacent to the land as the Small Irrigation Department has built a dam and Water will be available year round, That is, if we get the permission for it. Once we were satisfied with the land, I suggested to Rakesh that we proceed to Alnavar and have lunch.
We arrived at Alnavar after a thorough dusting on the road. Our clothes and the bike were now red in colour!
We parked the bike and went into "Adarsh Peg Bar & Restaurant" near the Railway Station. Believe me, this joint serves a great Mutton Thali. If you are ever in Alnavar, do make it a point to eat here. After a scrumptious meal, we shared a Cigarette (To aid in digestion!). I suggested to Rakesh that we could make a trip to "Handi Bhadangnath Mutt" which was not more than about 20-25 Km away and take in the beautiful Scenery from there. He, being of a similar mindset as me and not averse to wild journeys immediately agreed.
We proceeded on the road towards Ramnagar. Just as we were about to reach Kumbharda (Not Kumbharwada!, that is near Anshi!) , I hurriedly motioned for Rakesh to stop the Bike. I reached over and shut off the Engine. It was only then that Rakesh realized why I had done this. A herd of Spotted Deer (Chital) was crossing the Road! We waited a few moments and after watching the herd disappear into the forest, we continued.
At Kumbharda, we turned left for the road to Handi Bhadangnath. The road is very very steep and in a very bad state. After climbing the Hill, we were treated to some beautiful Scenery of lush green forest and lofty hills. We could even see the Paper Mill at Dandeli! We didn't enter the Mutt as we had eaten Meat.
At this point, when we were contemplating on returning, a crazy Idea of going to Goa popped into my head! I suggested this to Rakesh. He started to protest saying he had very little money. I asked him not to worry as I had sufficient Cash on me. We got down the hill and proceeded towards Ramnagar. The Idea being to go to Molem, have a Beer each, sitting on the banks of the Khandepar river, have a Fish dinner and get back to Dharwad by 11:30 PM.
As always happens, the road from Kumbharda to Ramnagar was in a pathetic state and it was 4:30 by the time we reached Ramnagar. So much for Goa! We immediately dropped the Idea. I suggested that we could go to CastleRock, and from there to Ganeshgudi via chandewadi, instead of going directly to Ganeshgudi from Ramnagar. Rakesh agreed and after a cup of tea, with me piloting the Shine, we proceeded towards Anmod. Just a KM before Anmod is the turn off for Castlerock to the left. I took the turn reminiscing on the night we had spent in the Bus Shelter there just a couple of months ago owing to me crashing my Armada into the Hillside! That too in the middle of the night!
I rode slowly, explaining to Rakesh everything that had happened that Night. We presently came to the spot where I had crashed and showed Rakesh exactly what had happened. Considering the circumstances, we had been very lucky to come out of the accident with only minor injuries! Hats off to the Armada and Mahindra & Mahindra for building sturdy vehicles.
We went on towards CastleRock village and stopped to share a Cigarette. After CastleRock, the road was very bad in patches and I made very bad time. We crossed the Duski river and the Phandri river, both tributaries of the mighty Kali. After chandewadi, the road improved so much that it was almost as good as a national Highway! We came to the main road and I turned right for Ganeshgudi via Jagalbet. Just before arriving at Supa Dam, I stopped at the viewpoint to catch a glimpse of the Reservoir.
I handed over the reins of the Shine to Rakesh at Ganeshgudi as I don't see very well at night. we eventually reached Haliyal, stopped for a break and finally reached Dharwad at 10:30PM!
A really Round about trip indeed!
Rakesh arrived at my house with his Honda Shine within a few minutes and we started off. We topped up the Petrol at Shiriyannavar's Opposite the Sarvamangala Maternity Home on Haliyal Road. Our destination was in fact Honnapur on Dharwad-Goa Road. The road via Kelgeri was under construction and we therefore had decided to go via Kyarkoppa - Kalkeri.
We reached Honnapur and proceeded to inspect the land with much enthusiasm. Each of us started dreaming about what would be where... The Pool, Cottages, Tents, Utilities, Car Park and so on... We even planned to have a small boating area in the stream adjacent to the land as the Small Irrigation Department has built a dam and Water will be available year round, That is, if we get the permission for it. Once we were satisfied with the land, I suggested to Rakesh that we proceed to Alnavar and have lunch.
We arrived at Alnavar after a thorough dusting on the road. Our clothes and the bike were now red in colour!
We parked the bike and went into "Adarsh Peg Bar & Restaurant" near the Railway Station. Believe me, this joint serves a great Mutton Thali. If you are ever in Alnavar, do make it a point to eat here. After a scrumptious meal, we shared a Cigarette (To aid in digestion!). I suggested to Rakesh that we could make a trip to "Handi Bhadangnath Mutt" which was not more than about 20-25 Km away and take in the beautiful Scenery from there. He, being of a similar mindset as me and not averse to wild journeys immediately agreed.
We proceeded on the road towards Ramnagar. Just as we were about to reach Kumbharda (Not Kumbharwada!, that is near Anshi!) , I hurriedly motioned for Rakesh to stop the Bike. I reached over and shut off the Engine. It was only then that Rakesh realized why I had done this. A herd of Spotted Deer (Chital) was crossing the Road! We waited a few moments and after watching the herd disappear into the forest, we continued.
At Kumbharda, we turned left for the road to Handi Bhadangnath. The road is very very steep and in a very bad state. After climbing the Hill, we were treated to some beautiful Scenery of lush green forest and lofty hills. We could even see the Paper Mill at Dandeli! We didn't enter the Mutt as we had eaten Meat.
At this point, when we were contemplating on returning, a crazy Idea of going to Goa popped into my head! I suggested this to Rakesh. He started to protest saying he had very little money. I asked him not to worry as I had sufficient Cash on me. We got down the hill and proceeded towards Ramnagar. The Idea being to go to Molem, have a Beer each, sitting on the banks of the Khandepar river, have a Fish dinner and get back to Dharwad by 11:30 PM.
As always happens, the road from Kumbharda to Ramnagar was in a pathetic state and it was 4:30 by the time we reached Ramnagar. So much for Goa! We immediately dropped the Idea. I suggested that we could go to CastleRock, and from there to Ganeshgudi via chandewadi, instead of going directly to Ganeshgudi from Ramnagar. Rakesh agreed and after a cup of tea, with me piloting the Shine, we proceeded towards Anmod. Just a KM before Anmod is the turn off for Castlerock to the left. I took the turn reminiscing on the night we had spent in the Bus Shelter there just a couple of months ago owing to me crashing my Armada into the Hillside! That too in the middle of the night!
I rode slowly, explaining to Rakesh everything that had happened that Night. We presently came to the spot where I had crashed and showed Rakesh exactly what had happened. Considering the circumstances, we had been very lucky to come out of the accident with only minor injuries! Hats off to the Armada and Mahindra & Mahindra for building sturdy vehicles.
We went on towards CastleRock village and stopped to share a Cigarette. After CastleRock, the road was very bad in patches and I made very bad time. We crossed the Duski river and the Phandri river, both tributaries of the mighty Kali. After chandewadi, the road improved so much that it was almost as good as a national Highway! We came to the main road and I turned right for Ganeshgudi via Jagalbet. Just before arriving at Supa Dam, I stopped at the viewpoint to catch a glimpse of the Reservoir.
I handed over the reins of the Shine to Rakesh at Ganeshgudi as I don't see very well at night. we eventually reached Haliyal, stopped for a break and finally reached Dharwad at 10:30PM!
A really Round about trip indeed!
Im planning a small pictorial book on Handibhadangnath.
ReplyDeleteHave you completed the book Mr. Manjunath ? Would love to read.
ReplyDelete