Majarabad Fort -Belur - Halebid (22-23April)
This trip with a group, second time, was after a long time. Infact My first trip with a group was to kodaikanal around 6 years back in 2000. This time we had two of the fairer sex for company....which made the trip more of a "logistical problem" (of when to start, where to stay, saftey on the way etc..etc... and of course rants from my better half). Well to be fair to them, it wasn't their fault......They are not used to).
So the group included
Me and lekshmi - Bajaj Wind
Shyam & ullas - Enfield
Shibi and Liji - Hero Honda Passion.
The route planned was Bangalore-Hassan-Sakleshpur (NH 48) and then to ride among some ghat roads and visit few places around. As Liji was from nearby sakleshpur, she suggested the fort nearby which was built by Tipu Sultan and has two tunnels to Mysore and Srirangapatanam, now closed.
It all started with a hasty planning, and hence the proposed start of 3PM became 530PM.
So by the time we got out of traffic snarls bangalore it was 630 PM.....which meant we would be travelling by night.We reached Kunigal around 730 PM. The traffic Police was stopping all the twowheelers for checking at the main Junction. One of the constables stopped my bike and next momment (before we could Stop) he asked us to go( as we both had helmets on and did not seem at fault). So we continued and just after hundred meters a constable stopped us on the way and told us that the SI at the juction had messaged for a bike two people with helmets to be stopped( rare case to find both rider and pilion wearing helmets!!!). We were asked to wait at the Police station till the SI returned.None of them knew why we were stopped. One of them suggested that there are lot of accidents on the Highway and probably we have been picked up for overspeeding(our Max speed was around 65km/hr). Another asked if we were involved in a hit and run case. After a wait of half an hour we went to SI ( who was still at the junction "throwing his weight around"). The reason was that we did not stop at the Junction when ordered. But then we explained that we were asked to proceed which he was not ready to listen and asked us to show the constable( how in world are we going to remember the face of a constable!?).... But afterwards he relented and allowed us to proceed.
Next Stop was Hassan. We reached there around 10.30 PM and decided to halt for the day. Lekshmi was scared during the night ride. (It was here first time with me at night).
First timers could unsettled and tend get scared by night driving as the high beam light of trucks and modern cars can render you blind for a few seconds (which is enough for an accident).
Driving at night can also be pleasant( if you do not mind missing the roadside scenarios) except for the lights from oncoming vehicles (which adds to the strain on the eyes). There is less traffic. But it is not recommended on two wheelers on our normal high ways unless you are experienced and ready for some anxious momments.
The Next day morning we started for sakleshpur after breakfast and reached majarabad around 10 AM. Majarabad around 5 kms after Sakleshpur Town. At the Place there are a few teastalls and shops where trucks stop. There are no sign boards directing towards Majarabad Fort. You have to ask for directions. A kachha road which leads up from the NH 48 till half way from where there is steps to the fort. We found one Guide who explained to about the Fort. The fort was Built by Tipu Sultan and was partially destroyed by the british after his death. The fort evokes awe and admiration for Tipu Sultan and the Architects. Few snaps can be seen here. Lot of movies has been shot here and the Guide rattled out few names and song sequences which where shot there.The view from the fort are majestic. The Sakleshpur -Mangalore Railway line also can be seen. This place is worth a visit.
Our Next destination was Belur annd then Halebid. We took a short detour from the main highway on to a bumpy road. By the time we reached Belur it was 1 oclock. And then we went to halebid which was 16 kms. Belur and Halebid are two places to be visited in karnataka. They are the few remaining Symbols of the Hoysala empire and medieval kannada Architecture.
We took the Halebid - Channaraypatna - Bangalore route back.
So the group included
Me and lekshmi - Bajaj Wind
Shyam & ullas - Enfield
Shibi and Liji - Hero Honda Passion.
The route planned was Bangalore-Hassan-Sakleshpur (NH 48) and then to ride among some ghat roads and visit few places around. As Liji was from nearby sakleshpur, she suggested the fort nearby which was built by Tipu Sultan and has two tunnels to Mysore and Srirangapatanam, now closed.
It all started with a hasty planning, and hence the proposed start of 3PM became 530PM.
So by the time we got out of traffic snarls bangalore it was 630 PM.....which meant we would be travelling by night.We reached Kunigal around 730 PM. The traffic Police was stopping all the twowheelers for checking at the main Junction. One of the constables stopped my bike and next momment (before we could Stop) he asked us to go( as we both had helmets on and did not seem at fault). So we continued and just after hundred meters a constable stopped us on the way and told us that the SI at the juction had messaged for a bike two people with helmets to be stopped( rare case to find both rider and pilion wearing helmets!!!). We were asked to wait at the Police station till the SI returned.None of them knew why we were stopped. One of them suggested that there are lot of accidents on the Highway and probably we have been picked up for overspeeding(our Max speed was around 65km/hr). Another asked if we were involved in a hit and run case. After a wait of half an hour we went to SI ( who was still at the junction "throwing his weight around"). The reason was that we did not stop at the Junction when ordered. But then we explained that we were asked to proceed which he was not ready to listen and asked us to show the constable( how in world are we going to remember the face of a constable!?).... But afterwards he relented and allowed us to proceed.
Next Stop was Hassan. We reached there around 10.30 PM and decided to halt for the day. Lekshmi was scared during the night ride. (It was here first time with me at night).
First timers could unsettled and tend get scared by night driving as the high beam light of trucks and modern cars can render you blind for a few seconds (which is enough for an accident).
Driving at night can also be pleasant( if you do not mind missing the roadside scenarios) except for the lights from oncoming vehicles (which adds to the strain on the eyes). There is less traffic. But it is not recommended on two wheelers on our normal high ways unless you are experienced and ready for some anxious momments.
The Next day morning we started for sakleshpur after breakfast and reached majarabad around 10 AM. Majarabad around 5 kms after Sakleshpur Town. At the Place there are a few teastalls and shops where trucks stop. There are no sign boards directing towards Majarabad Fort. You have to ask for directions. A kachha road which leads up from the NH 48 till half way from where there is steps to the fort. We found one Guide who explained to about the Fort. The fort was Built by Tipu Sultan and was partially destroyed by the british after his death. The fort evokes awe and admiration for Tipu Sultan and the Architects. Few snaps can be seen here. Lot of movies has been shot here and the Guide rattled out few names and song sequences which where shot there.The view from the fort are majestic. The Sakleshpur -Mangalore Railway line also can be seen. This place is worth a visit.
Our Next destination was Belur annd then Halebid. We took a short detour from the main highway on to a bumpy road. By the time we reached Belur it was 1 oclock. And then we went to halebid which was 16 kms. Belur and Halebid are two places to be visited in karnataka. They are the few remaining Symbols of the Hoysala empire and medieval kannada Architecture.
We took the Halebid - Channaraypatna - Bangalore route back.
posted by Activevoid at
4/25/2006 02:07:00 pm
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