First episode of the adventure series (Nandi Hills and Bhoganandishwara Temple)

This was the first ride , the onset of our riding saga. The journey was planned by evening, Divya was so excited to see the colors of our new bike( Divya's gift…...:P ;) ).

We returned from office late and while gossiping it got very late for sleep. We left our home around 4:15 a.m.(somehow woke up after 3 hour sleep) as we did not want to miss the sunrise(hoping to reach by 6 at the top). It was all dark with only airport cabs zooming past you(this helped us to get to Hebbal by chasing one of  them(...smart huhh). By 5:00 a.m. we were at Hebbal and then our real journey started. It was so cold(Divya was shivering at the back) that I was cursing myself for not wearing a heavy jacket(it was light one). After half an hour(plus) we reached the diversion to Nandi hills. This was a thrilling ride and we can notice the dawn all the way through tall trees by 6:00 a.m. There were more than 38 hairpin curves(lost the count) and each turn had a no. written there(yes), actually we were busy watching the red veil far behind the cloud letting us be prepared to welcome mighty sun(it was equally beautiful to stop at a scenic point and watch sunrise on the way). It was few minutes to Sunrise when we reached parking(there is also common amenities and one or two shops). But to our dismay we noticed it was a very long queue which ruined our sunrise and we could enter only after 7(our bad). Anyways we already admired the beauty of morning and sunrise on the way though missed being witness to the part that sun has actually rose.

After collecting 20 Rs. ticket for two-wheeler and 10 Rs. per head we climbed the roads ending at a big gate having cactus and other plants to welcome you.

As soon you enter past, there is a different green world awaiting you. Ahead straight you see a board informing you what and where to go. We went first left to Tipu sultan's water reservoir which is a pond deep down surrounded by stairs all around and then 4 feet tall thicker walls .You cannot go down to it(not sure as we could not figure out and path) but people were entering through a gap beside vase(implanted at the circumference walls), hence we also followed them. The stairs around were quite difficult to climb down (have to be careful). We also noticed a turtle in pond and at one side few big vases with flowers, took a few snaps there.

As we proceeded out of it and towards the peak, there was a forest kind of feeling with dense bushes around the path, this leads to Tipu's drop and Arkavathi river origins(nothing much to see)

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Then we decided to go to the top. All the way you will be encircling near the cliffs and there is boundary wall to protect you (with gaps in mid like windows to the sky) , perfect for a photogenic location. Distant you can see faded cities(and wine yard). More distant you notice some mountain ranges fading away and the sun shining brightly overlooking all of them.

          

The way leads to the top which is also viewpoint for sunset and sunrise. This is a wider area with all dark rocks entitling gustling hard through you. One will feel just lay down on these rocks and wander in some other world.

As you walk past and climb further, the other end of cliff is fenced with iron grills(the cliff more prone for tourism are fenced with tall thick walls or iron grills).

Here also stood a bridge here(of course with grills to protect you). The best part here is that you can witness full panoramic view from the peak and that too without any caution (feel free to fly :P).

As you move further there is  small nandi temple which is one of its own kind and very old and unique. It had a relatively small open compound(with thick structures like fortress of Rajasthan) and as you enter inside the temple, rooms were of low ceiling(whole scene depicts as if you are into a few centuries back).

Feeling hungry, we had dosa breakfast at kstdc restaurant here at the top. This is also an amazing view, down the cliff there was a small garden and of course the hilltop view is always with you. Then we proceeded towards that small garden.

From here we went down on a small pathway which actually leads to a temple with big Nandi statue, besides this there were cave however nothing is inside.

We were moving on the main road now and  encircling the hill’s circumference on the road and beside the rest house we noticed 3 tall huts cum stand for viewing the scenery at the cliff.

This was just awesome and much more beautiful than what we had already seen. A clear blue sky with little white clouds floating and a further below are pearl white designer huts depicting your home on the  way to the sky world with nothing far far away and just faded mountains and distant cities. Simply beauty of  nature at its best.

Moving further gradually we came to Tippu Sultan Summer Palace(or Lodge, bit confused) . This is a bit of remains but as you enter past, beautiful trees with flower and chilling breeze engulfs you(awesome). There were also staircases leading down(don't know where).

 

We chilled for some time and then came out. Here you can follow a jungle kind of path way to the parking space or simply follow the same road which we took initially for tipu's water tank. As we followed the  kachha road we could also see fruit yards and various trees with their showcased elegance.

At a point there were few tall rocks in the left amid the trees and beside was a small duct.

This location gave us one of the perfect photo-shoots.

Whole experience reminded us of childhood adventure when we challenged small potholes for bypassing without getting wet or backyard garden for forest camping or small rocks for trekking

As we descended through the path, reached the parking. We now started off for wine yard. By the time we came down the hill, the idea for lunch was taking over.

We spent nearly 2 hrs only for lunch( stomach full and dozing off on the chairs). Collecting energy, we started for next destination to Skandagri hills for sunset and near to it Bhoganandishwara Temple.  On the way to Bhoganandishwara Temple, we saw several grape yards, and the villagers were selling them on the road.

We reached the temple in few minutes, it is on your left beside the bus stand. You have to park outside the campus gate(seemed very old giant iron gate). As we entered inside the gate, it was a huge campus with green grass carpet sideways of the road( and of course trees) and substantial space around the circumference appearing like several blocks or rooms might have been planned for stables for the gathering in ancient time. We now reached the temple gate which on both sides was seasoned with two big wheel carts (probably for rath yatra) .

We took off our shoes outside and entered the gate. As we lifted our feet and look ahead, there stood a grand dark temple with fine carvings amid a large wide space. The temple was big enough and so cool having intermittent raised platforms on your both sides as if in previous days there used to be seating's for gathering (Divya loved this unique architecture with platforms which was in turn adding to glory of the fine arts). This reminded me of the ancient tales(learnt from nani and dadi) where there used to be magnificent temples in which used to be grand celebrations. As you enter temple premises, you see a chariot showcased(probably a full model of which wheels we just saw), There were two big iron vessels(of my height) probably for prasad preparation. Move further and you see two rooms each with an idol. Enter the rooms and you see amazing ancient time arrangement for light at the roof. As you come out of temple there is a small well besides it(which is shut down). Whole campus had raised corridors throughout the circumference with amazing craving on the pillars.

There was another door which leads to another substantial structure seemed like mandap on your left and another small structure at your right. Here the stones were different from the temple. As we clicked the snaps we realized they were shining golden as if they were indicating of a divine place. The mandap was so beautiful in itself with different and again beautiful carving and unmatched. Inside the mandap was small raised platform which added to the glory of the architecture. 

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Here also you may notice raised corridors throughout the circumference with amazing craving on the pillars.

This compound leads to another door. As we moved past this door there was a huge pond at the center which was surrounded by several stairs leading down to it. all around the pond was a raised corridor along the walls with stairs facing the entrance(same as previous). This seemed to me like a world inside a world inside a world ( exciting ..huh)

This is probably the most amazing and not much hyped temple and that we spent at least 2 hours there just admiring, viewing and relaxing. We were the only visitors there.

We imagined how awesome it will be for a marriage procession in that temple.

We could not go to Skandagiri as the policemen there told that it is closed. Our sunset also ruined. But no worries, we have seen the best architecture in our life and that we will keep visiting it in future. With sweet memories we returned home..