A Trip to Madikeri - part I

Nishanath said We have to come here by 5:30PM tomorrow, I have to take some
photo. I expect some. here . Yaa, it was really nice to be there, but we couldnt be
there by 5:30 on that day.
All started when Ananth sent mail on 8th Jan 2001 asking some of us to block the
precious holiday on 26th and 27th Jan 2001. Some of us accepted his plan and final list
was prepared. We missed Prashanth, as he has to leave to Germany. At last 8 people were
ready and Nishanth took privilage to book Tata Sumo. Since he had some other schedules
Santhosh (San) booked the Sumo.
Ananth sent final list of people joining the picnic. All surprised to see Kishans name in
the list. But on 25th Kishan sent mail saying, it may not be possible for him to join us.
Once again all thought it was expected from him. Evening around 3:30 all received mail
from Ananth confirming the joining of Kishan at his office.
According to the plan Sumo started from Nishanth and Sans Apartment by 9 PM. They
supposed to pickup Raj from Malleshwaram Margos Road. Because of confusion Nish
and San has to take 3 rounds to Malleshwaram circle and finally they got Raj waiting
some where in Malleshwaram(Thanks for patience of San).
Around 10:45 reached Maruthinagar. Nish has to explain why the delay was for other
members. Ananth, Sush, Sheema, Deep joined there and all luggages were tied on the top
of Sumo. Started from there around 11:10PM towards Madikeri. Kishan joined us in
Southend ITS office. He was standing there from around 9:30PM like a guard????
Sumo took some remote path (That I never been) of Bangalore and finally reached
Mysore road. By that time San and Nish started to say, both are hungry. So stopped Sumo
near some Daba and had a percale of parata. It was around 00:30 26th Jan all are in sleepy
mood journey started again. Some music was coming from deck, which was almost not
working.
Kishan, Ananth and Raj were sitting in back seat, trying not to sleep. Around 1:30 San
and Nish seems to be in mood of bella thookne. Took diversion near Mysore and
reached Honnoor. Some wanted to have tea. So had tea and good entertainment of after
harikatha there.
Started again and around 4:30AM driver wanted rest, stooped at Kushalnagar. Driver
had small nap. By that time some are experiencing little chill of Madikeri.
5:AM sharp started from Kushalnagar and traveled 18 KM. Gadi bandh hogaya
hamara, kya karei. In steep chedavu Sumo stopped. Driver said I dont know what is
the problem. Smoke was coming from carbonators. Not able to open the bonnet. Some
had idea if Prashant been with us he could have pushed till end of Chedavu.
Nothing doing wait till gaadi thandi hone thak. Driver managed to start gaadi
(lagaadi) and Nish, ananth, Kishan, Raj and Sush walked around 200 meters. 9 more
Km to reach Madikeri. Some how managed to reach there by 6:15AM. Driver told no
way traveling from there without repair. All were sleepless and tensed. Driver told he

would get it repaired by 9AM. So planned to travel by bus to Cherambane. All

luggages were brought down, and bus came, it was 6:45AM.
Bhagamandala, Cherambane, Thalkavaeri the conductor shouted. All got in. Deep and
Sheema manage to get seat. Others balanced standing with heavy luggage with them. One
by one got seats to sit when bus moved. Finally after 55 minutes travel Cherambane a
remote Kodagu place arrived. All stepped down. Annath directed all to his home.
All were so tired and wanted rest. Had morning routines one by one. According to
Ananths plan we had to reach by 4:50AM and take some rest start from there, by 7:30
AM to visit all places. But it was 7:50AM when we reached Cherambane. Any way
expecting Sumo to be repaired by 9:30AM and reach Cherambane by 10:15AM all were
ready by 9:30. We had very nice breakfast Idly sambar, Holige.
Driver promised to call Ananth once he is ready with repair. But he called him around
10:10AM saying he just got a mechanic. So thought of roaming around so walked to
small stream of water. Had one photo session. Walked back to see Cherambane city. As
I already mentioned it is small Kodagu city. (You cant expect more than 10 shops and a
school there).
Some are so tired not willing to walk. Came back to Ananths home. Some slept for a
while. Around 11:45AM driver called back saying he just got Sumo repaired. All sat
waiting for Sumo (Some had good sleep). It was 12:50 at last driver manage to be at
Cherambane.

- To be contd.

A Trip to Madikeri part II

Imdhu Epala inchane doora prayana pamda gaadi kai koromdhe ippumdu, imdhu enna
third experience (It happens always, long journey means vehicle gives problem. It is my
third experience) said Raj, when all are spending time in vein. Half fresh day was
wasted because of Sumo repair.
After long wait Ananth and San went back to Cherambane city to direct the driver to
Ananths mane. All are ready and it was 1PM. Ananths amma told you people could
have fininshed ur lunch, I could have prepared rice and Sambar for u. Any way with
enthu to explore Kodagu all set ready.
Sumo started sharp 1:15PM directed towards Madikeri. Not even 2 KMs Sush was in
deep nap. I think she was cursing San, Ananth, Nish for waking up from her bed. Raj
started some PJs (poor jokes) [It is word coated by my cosine and usually used by gals]
No one was ready to open his or her mouth even for laughing. It was 1:50PM we passed
Madikeri and headed to Kushalnagar. Since all had great breakfast, no one was interested
in lunch (I suppose). 2.38PM we were in Kushalnagar. San wanted to have some Kori,
so preferred to go to veg and Non-veg restaurant. Nishanth asked some shopkeeper for
good restaurant. They pointed Green valley. We all preferred Kannika International.
San ordered some Kori items. Ananth ordered some veg items. Waited for half an
hour. Lunch was over by 3:45PM. After some expertise Nish now manage to open back
door of Sumo easily. Next plan to visit Bailakoppa Budhdha temple. Instead of taking

diversion there it self, went ahead. Saw some Tibettian residences shops. Kishan wanted
to purchase some special jerkin. But he didnt got proper one.
Nish enquired the way to temple. They directed to Tibettien study center. We all
thought it was actual temple and took good snaps of Budhadha vihar. Nish managed to
talk with some murukalu hindi with one student and get some information not yet
shared.
It was 4:50PM we started from there and realized actual Golden temple (Budhdha
vihar) was on the way to come. It is very nice place and amazing paintings. Now gals
were out of sleepy mood and roamed all around. Took good snaps.
Ena bannisali ee sobhaga that was the mood most of them had even though looking
dull. Now time to decide whether go to Nisarga dhama or Harangi dam. Time was
5:20PM. Deep suggested let us decide once we were near Nisarga dhama. She had an
idea of enjoying forest at night. But none of us knew that the entry would be closed by
5PM. Now Ananth had to reschedule so that to cover all visiting places. After small
discussion planned to drop irpu falls from the list. But Deep and Sheema started
murmuring. At last came to conclusion that only if we drop visiting irpu we will cover all
places.
On the way back to Madikeri again some took small nap. (indhu enchinaye ethla
nidhre manthumda jaage thoopne encha).
Seeda went to Rajaseat. Looking at the night beauty of valley Nish requested Ananth
What ever the plan be we have to be here tomorrow by 5:30PM. Ok accepted by all
members. According to plan we had to eat Masala Dosa at East end Hotel. That plan
was also postponed by one day. Driver drive Sumo all the way down to Omkareshwara
temple. All took round to temple, had prasadam. But one sad thing was not able to see
fishes in the pond (Remember it was 7PM).
Kishan remember his good old Chaddi dhosthigalu. So he wanted one hour to meet
all of them. Ananth announced one hour free to all to roam around the city. Thats the
time Raj had idea of eating ice creams (Still memory of that ice cream [cold] stuck to me)
Very nice Gudbud (juice and ice cream in same glass. Sorry Kishan we missed you).
Some remembered Prashanth while having ice cream. Some planned to get par sale for
Kishan and Ananths appa, amma.
After 20 more minutes of waiting, as expected Kishan came and asked for pardon.
Sharp 8:30PM left Madikeri and headed to Cherambane. With plans of camp fire etc
We were in Cherambane by 9:15PM. No camp fire nothing where is bed, San was
saying.
Very tragically we had to hear the news of Earthquake in Gujarath and other places.
Actual lose yet was not estimated by that time. Now we have our responsibilities for the
nation.
After very nice dinner from Ananths amma, all are ready to sleep. It was 11:20PM.
- To be contd

A trip to Madikeri Part III

I will wake up at morning 5:30 and after finishing my routines will wake up u all,
promised Nishanth and went to bed. Santhosh was dreaming of Khajarka halwa and
trying to clean his hand with Nishanths bed sheet.
It was morning 27th Jan 2001. All were in their sweet dreams, Ananth and his mom
wake up and started talking in low voice. I think it was 5:30 in the morning. Our friend
Nishanth who promised of wake up all was still in his deep sleep.
All were ready by around 8:15AM and had Guliyappa very specially prepared. Very
nice breakfast enjoyed it. I thought seeing at Ananath having breakfast, he will take 1
hour to finish. Any way manage to start next exploration from Cherambene by 8:50AM,
all the way to Thalkaveri.
It is nice place to visit. Very Precious River Kaveri starts from here. There is a story
about birth of Kaveri.
Once Saint Agasthya married Lopamudra and he wanted to do Thapas. So he
converted Lopamudra to water and put it in his Kamandala. Lopamudra waited for
Agastya for long time and achanak Kamandal tilted. The water poured from Kamandal
becomes a river Kaveri.
Every one had thirtha and time to climb Brahmagiri. It is around 300ft high and
steep steps to climb. Some how all manage to get top of mountain.
From top of Brahmagiri it is beautiful valley view. Suiting for the song Madikeri
sipayi of Muththinahara was done here. After some photo sessions ready to step down.
All were in good mood after enjoying natures beauty. Started counting the number of
steps. Each individual got different count!!
10:15AM on the way back to Bhagamandala, wanted to have one more photo session in
valley viewpoint. Rocks were decorated with Premigala Keththane. Looking at them
Sheema was in mood to be an artist. Raj was in mood to sing started Kaveri Eke oduve.
Since all were tired of climbing Brahmagiri, no back response.
10:35AM all were in Thriveni sangam Bhagamandal. Three rivers Kaveri,
Kannike and ,,,,, join there. Washed feet and hands, went to Brughandeshwara
temple. Had dharshan.
10:50AM on the way to Abbi falls. 11:45AM beautiful Abbi falls. It is inside wellmaintained Coffee estate, 3KM from Madikeri city.
12:30PM back near Sumo. After seeing Kabbina halu San wanted to have it. After long
waiting with sound of pump had sugarcane juice. Now some were hungry, some were
not.
1:20PM had lunch in Hotel Chitra. Nishanth was about to quarrel with server. Raj
also was ready to support. 2:00PM started from Madikeri towards Kaveri nisrga dhama.
On the way looking at the moods of members Raj suggested to have small nap. He did
the same. 3:10PM entry to Nisarga dhama. Walked around the forest, took some snaps.
Experienced Attanige(Bamboo house) view. Nishanth wanted to have Ane savari.
Since ticket was not bought he couldnt do it. He wanted to have snaps with Ane mari.

Nice deers. Boating, Seethale Vana. After finishing boating walked through Seethale
vana. Kishan was leading all. Everyone doubted of reaching the main entrance. After long
walk manage to be out of nisarga dhama.
4:40PM way to Harangi Dam. Took tickets and San opened the main entry gate. All
suggested good post be work with. Nice dam with very less water. Only one lower door
was open.
5:15PM way back to Madikeri. As Nishantha requested we have to visit Rajaseat once
again. But because all were unlucky, cloud covered the sunset. Any way beautiful .
to see. Enjoyed.
7PM at East end hotel. Ordered Masala dosa and katlet. San and others enjoyed
Mutton katlet. Bayiyalli neerrorisuvantha masala dosa.
7:45PM some were doing shopping that yet to finish.
8:15PM way back to Cherambane. All are very tired and no one in mood of even talk.
But for my surprise all started talking technical subjects then turned to financial then
family. So on and all of sudden all stopped talking.
9:00PM Cherambane started packing the luggage. Had dinner. Photo session with
Ananths amma and appa.
10:15PM loaded the luggage to the top of Sumo.
Some experiences that we can never forget, and that not needed to be documented.
28th Jan 2001 8AM I was at my room. Carried with dreams of Kodagu and tiredness of
last nights journey. Cold accompanied from Coorg even though didnt experience much
over there.
Some experiences remain in pictures some in memory
-The end