IN SEARCH OF THE MOUNTAIN HERMIT-PART 2

For all the travelling, we could see some pilgrims going in the opposite direction by walk. They were heading into the jungle. Apparently, Lord Shiva had left the place long ago. The promise that no woman should enter had been broken. This was evident when we say some ladies praying inside. So he set up camp deep inside the jungle. We did not venture there.
We made our journey to a mutt. It was pretty old. The mutt incharge agreed to let us in. We left our luggage in the care of a little kid who studied in the mutt. He watched over it with all his little mite.
The mutt housed a museum of the monk who started it. It was quite intriguing. There was even a room where a mountain was created from corn.
Opposite to this place is a tiny hillock. Stairs lead you up to a temple. Only one person can go in and one person can come out. You have to crawl to see the God. The space is the size of a carton box. It was one interesting experience.
We started off our long journey back to Mysore. We had a good 150 kms to cover. Driver fatigue did set in. So much so, that i could not stop in time before i knocked a poor lamb. It was alright. But it was a wake up call for me. A continuous riding strectch trying to prove my bravado could actually kill me, or make mutton out of a lamb.
We reached Mysore pretty late. I dropped him at the hostel and made my way to my home. It was a good ride. We almost found the Hermit in the mountains. Almost...

Inside the cave temple

The wishing tree

Me and my mounts

IN SEARCH OF THE MOUNTAIN HERMIT-PART 1

Chamarajnagar. The place drives shivers into spines of Chief Ministers', for they have lost power within months of visiting this place.Its cursed.

The place is also famous for a hermit, who reportedly got angry and went to seek solace in the mountains. A condition to any pilgrim who wants to visit his shrine, no women should be allowed inside the sanctum santorum. Men from all walks of life come to seek his blessings. The journey is tough, whether you take the road or test your faith by walking. I put my faith in my bike. Along with a classmate who was knew the place well as my pillion, we set off to Malai Mahadeshwara Hills, aka MM Hills. 

The journey was tough. You have to negotiate the private buses of T. Narasipura. These drivers are a combo of Sebastean Vettel and the Grim Reaper. We entered the vast lands of Kollegal, where political neglect was evident. The people have taken to the Gods than the government. Their names give away this fact. Simon coexists with Shiva. A breakfast of puris and freshly ground chilli paste later, with set off on the grueling journey which goes into the hills. Hairpin bends exist, so do the potholes which throw you off-balance. The monkeys are your constant companion, apart from the grueling heat which bears down upon you.

It was a test of bike, biker and pillion. Occasional stops helped to stretch our muscles and relax our brains. 

We did pull in to the temple. A quick wash at the pond and we were at the temple premises. It was maintained very well. Thankfully, it was not crowded. A gold cast face on the lingam, with the moustache greeted us. We were in the abode of Shiva.

It was afternoon and we were hungry. Thankfully, the place offered free meals as prasadam. We had a simple, yet delicious meal with the famous singers of MM Hills singing chants to the Lord in the background. 

The singers of the Lord

The temple

Malai Mahadeshwara

JAMMING IN JAMMIES WITH JAMULAPATI AT OOTY- DAY 2

After having pizza at Dominos, falling in a crush with a girl who worked there, and getting lost in the dark, we reached our pit stop for the night, YWCA hostel, Coonoor. We got our rooms and just plonked on our beds. We could not sleep. So Vikram rattled off his life experience in college and girlfriends lost. He started to weep and had a running nose too. But he was not overcome by emotion. Instead, the smoke from the mosquito coil got the better of him.

We started early the next morning. A healthy breakfast of dosas, sambar and coffee fueled us. We headed to  Dolphin nose and surrounding areas. It was breathtaking. A narrow road, mist, blind curves and to top it all, a fall 200 feet down. We did reach the place, sipping tea and eavesdropping on the legend that lovers commit suicide here; a fall so great that body remains fit into matchboxes. That sent shivers down our spine.

Next were a few gardens here and there. We left after a light lunch, at Dominos, again and for the last time, i saw the girl on whom i had a crush. From there, we took the longer route back to Mysore. The road was pretty bad and Vikram raced ahead. He even overtook a Volvo and almost collided head-on with a truck. I rode a little cautiously. I did steal a few glances of the tea estates below. 

We had to speed up. The gates at the Karnataka border closed at 6 PM. Once we had crossed it, the drive through Bandipur was awesome. The light was fading, and the animals were out. I saw a wild elephant and a Gaur. This massive beast was elegant. This was the first time i was seeing one at close range in the wild. I finally caught up with Vikram, and after a cup of coffee later, the journey towards home began.

I enjoyed this journey. The early morning walk, freshly brewed tea and simplicity of life charmed me. Ooty and Coonoor are a must visit for any biker. The biker soul gets revved up after a ride to these places. One of the best long distance rides i ever undertook.

JAMMING IN JAMMIES WITH JAMULAPATI AT OOTY- DAY 1

15 minutes to go before the exam. I was outside the hall when i saw a boy studying under the shade of a tree. I had a quick chat with him. Five years later, he was my biker bud on my first inter-state ride.
Vikram was your chocolate boy, with good looks and a great sense of fashion. He had the same bike as me.  His knowledge of books was quite impressive and since i was an avid reader myself, our friendship grew stronger. After my Master's exams were over, Vikram suggested that we go to Ooty. It would also be the first time i had stayed overnight during a bike ride. My parents agreed and off we rode to the beautiful place.
Vikram was the perfect guy for this. He had studied in Ooty and had been there before by bike. He knew places which were not found in tourist maps. The road to Ooty, the one with hairpin bends was a tough one. I had a clumsy bag tied at the back which often shifted its weight. I was left with no choice but to carry it on my shoulders, which tired me. The bikes were put under stress up the steep incline. Yamaha Gladiators were not meant for this. The worse part was when a SUV full of gorgeous girls was parked at the side, and the bike just stopped, as if to stare at them. It would not move from there. The incline was just too much. I was left huffing and puffing, trying to push the bike.
The cold air, the mist, the smell of tea and the sight of those tea-workers with baskets filled with green leaves; no matter how many times you visit, you never get tired of the place. The old British style houses told a tale of their own. Our first stop was a grave. The peace i found in that place was just surreal. It was a very old one, with some graves dating back to the 1800s. The in-charge of the place was kind enough to let us inside the chapel.
After many churches and schools, we made a stop at a park, where we spotted an old guy, his young wife and two photographers who made them pose in awkard positons. This was when i came up with my most innovative phrase for lovers in public places, 'Mr & Mrs. Dick Banger'.

MUGILPETE,PARADISE VIA HELL'S ROAD- PART 4 MAMA I'M COMING HOME

Because the cell phone reception was poor, i could not share my triumphs with my mum. But, once we started on the return journey, i could not think of anything else except narrating the entire episode to my parents. So excited was i, that i did not notice that i had completed 100 kms straight, without stopping for a break. My pillion, Gautam, did not share the same enthusiasm as me. He on the other hand, ended with a rock solid butt, and could not even feel his own farts.
I stopped at Coorg Cafe. Though it is modeled on Cafe Coffee Day, the food here is so much better. The pudina chutney was too good. It was around 7 PM when we started from the pit stop. I avoid riding in the dark. It is a real strain on the eyes with all the glare, and demands extra concentration. But, i did it and soon, i was narrating the entire incident to my dad and screaming about like a little girl at home.
This journey taught me that biking is more than riding to your destination. The true beauty of it is in appreciating the journey and exploring the places. Taking in your stride the unplanned and unexpected are also part of the ride. I have to thank Gautam for being so helpful and patient. I have to thank my bike that it endured the journey. The Kodavas were very helpful and a special thank you for the locals. I have to thank the Highway which ensured we got home safe and sound.
Coorg is wonderful place. But as the locals told me, everything green doesn't mean prosperity. Monsoons and lack of good roads hinder the progress of the place. When they do build one, vast tracts of forest are consumed. Tigers used to roam the place, now replaced with deer and the occasional boar. No wonder, with all these difficulties, Kodavas become tough, man or woman.
This ride taught me to appreciate true friends and nature. I'm a better man for having done this ride.

Until next time....

MUGILPETE,PARADISE VIA HELL'S ROAD- PART 3 AT GODS GATE

The actual scenery wasn't like the movie. It was pretty dry. They say this place is heaven in October. Gautam had some experience in trekking. I had none. With the afternoon sun bearing upon us, i talked my iron butt out to Gautam. He was interested in the view, i was trying not to faint and tumble down. I had seen enough episodes of 'I Shouldn't Be Alive' on Discovery to know that things can turn bad quickly. There was not a single soul in sight. No signs of animal life, and we were literally on the edge of the forest. Anything might spring up and grab us.
I lost it when i saw a section of a spinal cord. Gautam brushed it off as some animal's. I was sure the Veerappan Ganeshan guy must be killing visitors, feeding them to his dogs and chicken and scattering the remains. Stones stacked on one another at regular intervals resembled graves to me, but it turned out to be mileposts.
The arch gate was finally in sight, when we saw a tiny auto parked. We checked around, but there was no one. We kept on walking, only to face a couple of bikes and a Santro. These guys had taken an easier route, which we would find out later. We also stumbled upon a forest guard, who was the Tamil actor Surya's look alike.
When we reached the check post, we were greeted by a young forest guard. I was amazed to see the room, inside which lay two cots and an iron trunk. Beside it was a man-made lake. The guard said that elephants and even tigers drop in to have a drink. AWESOME!
Another hill up, and we were at a watch tower. It looked down on the valley. Surrounding us was the Pushpagiri reserve and in the distance, Kumara Parvat. The wind was at its best, and when it decided to take a break, the sound of bugs and dry shrubs rustling took over. I knew I was closer to God when i looked down upon a forest. We were above birds, and below a sole hovering eagle. No words to describe it. Period.

MUGILPETE,PARADISE VIA HELL'S ROAD- PART 2 TIPPING TIPPER

Never had i heard the engine raring to go this much. It was deafening, in spite of the heavy helmet on my head. The road was a series of steep drops, with sharp corners which led to walls or down estates. This was fascinating and scary. The entrance to these estates is something to be seen to be believed. It seemed either 90 degrees up or 90 degrees down, never straight. They are always located at sharp corners. So if you miss your turn, you'll be tumbling down and get the Axe effect, coffee flavour.
I braked, rode in first gear and even stopped to control my descent. Finally, an old lady told us that two roads lead to Mugilpete. We continued straight. This is where it all began.
It looked as if the road was dug up from hell, to facilitate Satan to show off his dirt bike. The colors of the mud were red, yellow and pink. Maybe Gay rights are supported in Hell too. To climb the steep incline, Gautam told i must accelerate and not loose momentum between gear shifts. Having treated the bike as a soft humming marvel, it was painful to hear it struggle, thump, twist and creak. I could clearly feel the heat emitting off the engines.
If not for Gautam, i would have abandoned the trip or taken a different route. With his encouragement, i pushed forward. And then, i was faced with a wall of dust. It looked like a mammoth was charging at me. But it was a tipper. These trucks, with loads of soil, weigh tons.On the downside, it did not seem to have enough braking power. It horrifyingly slid down for a head-on crash. Thankfully, it stopped just in time, my eyes met with the driver and we both exchanged a sheepish smile.
Further up, the bike sunk in the sand on an incline. Some pushing later, Gautam drove ahead, while i walked. I puffed and panted, and with my biking gear, bandana and pot belly, covered in mud, i provided entertainment for the construction workers. It was almost noon when we reached the entrance to Madalpatti.
We decided to park our bike and trek the remaining 4 kms. The Veerappan like Ganeshan, with his four dogs and 14 chicken, old rusty jeep included, agreed to watch over our bike. Thus, we started off to see for ourselves the famous place where Mungaru Male was shot.