One Saturday night....now normally stories begin this way. October 2nd was just another day at home, when my old buddy Sujnan decided to call me and soon after a very short conversation he landed at my place. The talk soon turned out to a discussion to a weekend getaway. Google to rescue and Shivaganga was shortlisted. Sreeja was told about the plan and there we had a third member. All was decided to start at 7:30 in the morning –Sujnan to pick us up and drive us. Within an hour the time was moved up to 8:30 (with Sreeja being made responsible for makeup activities courtesy Sujnan). Then the 8:30 moved to 9:30. And from 9:30 it did not change. So at last we did start, taking the NICE road headed towards our destination. Passing by couple of toll booths, we nearly missed the turn to Shivaganga. Thanks to Sujnan who spotted the signboard just in time.
As we neared we started to feel hungry. The hunger made us realize that we had missed breakfast as we had planned to start early. The chakkali I carried suddenly started to taste really good. We reached our destination and after parking the car had a few photo sessions. Kick started our task, food hunt. This began with some tender coconut and some purchase of water bottles which we forgot to get from our homes. After climbing the initial steps we reached the main temple of Gangadhareshwara. This is a nice small temple on the hill top dedicated to Lord Shiva. The best part of the temple is you would see Ghee converting to butter here. Any visitor to Shivaganga must see this. A real treat to the eyes. Buy tickets for the pooja here, this would make it easy for you to get the better view of the deity and the change process of ghee. The ticket costs you around Rs. 100 /- The complete pooja took around 45 min (approx.). During this time Sujnan made his way out from as it was very hot in the temple and thanks to the power outage. We managed to get the best glimpses of the Ghee to Butter changing phenomenon. After collecting all the Prasad we did not waste any time in finishing it. Thus began our journey uphill. Following the path way up the hill to the place where you get water way up the hill. The good part of the walk uphill is there are many stalls set up by the local people where you could pick up some soft drinks, water, cucumbers. The only sad part of it is there is no proper place to dump the waste, so people dump it on the way obviously making the place dirty.
Some cucumbers really made us feel better and fill us with some energy to continue on our voyage. On reaching the top we got to know that that this is another place which the visitors would not miss. En route in the temple we realized that we need to walk in the water, which was really cold and makes you feel good if you have travelled in the sun all the way up. Then came the point where you are supposed to put your hand in a small hole where you could feel the water bubbling up and going down. As the locals say you get water in your hand you are saint and all your wicked deeds are washed away else......
So were we the saints, did we get our sins washed away, well nobody knows that but yes we all managed to get water in our hands. After this the way to come out is a real fun you would have to crawl your way out or stay low. After the tiresome journey up we decided to hit the road and make our way home. The climb down the hill was good as we also managed to get the glimpse of the view from the hill top. Tired and hungry we managed to reach Bangalore very soon. And then a small brunch at Anand Bhavan. Dropping Sreeja home we managed to catch on some of our old day stories, what were the days and so on. After a short stay at her place it was time to bid adios to all and make our self-way back to our sweet home and feel the Monday blue’s and think returning to work the next day.
Travel Tip:
· For travelers from Bangalore after Nelamangala watch on the left side you would see a big petrol station. Keep a watch for the board on your left after this. You won’t see it coming.
· Eat light – you will have to climb up the hill, carry water, careful with the camera as there are lot of monkeys in the vicinity of the temple. Start early to avoid walking in the heat.
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