It had been almost two months since my previous trek, so the time demanded one. We planned this trek to Sidderabetta long back but it happened only this time with our office Cab group members.
On the 6th of Feb, Saturday morning at 7:00 AM four of us left to Tumkur. We took the NICE road to avoid traffic blocks on Tumkur road. The drive till Tumkur was nice and uneventful. Few kilometers before Tumkur, at Dabaspet junction we took right towards Devarayandurga. At the junction we stopped for a nice hot cup of tea and some good Bajji (Snack).
Sidderabetta is around 52 KMs from this point and one needs to take a left deviation at Thumbaadi village; thanks to Karnataka tourisms for the boards prompting the exact route. We stopped midway at a nice place by a lake for breakfast (Chapattis that we had packed).
The initial climb is steep but is only about an hour’s hike even with lots of break. In that hour we were attacked by Monkeys which snatched the plastic cover containing a coconut and flowers we carried for the deity. Seeing no use of them it returned it back to us; Monkey philosophy from the movie “silent flute” was explained to us by one of the friends.
Monkey Menace
The initial climb is steep but is only about an hour’s hike even with lots of break. In that hour we were attacked by Monkeys which snatched the plastic cover containing a coconut and flowers we carried for the deity. Seeing no use of them it returned it back to us; Monkey philosophy from the movie “silent flute” was explained to us by one of the friends.
Monkey Menace
At peak we entered the Shiva temple which has a natural spring and taking a bath in the holy water is considered very auspicious but we settled in for sprinkling of water on our heads. After a brief pooja, we were guided into the cave around the temple. Some 20 girls from a neighboring college were ahead of us, crying, screaming and fearing to enter the cave; struggling at every step of the not so easy cave journey. We had stand or sit in weird positions waiting for the girls to finish fearing, screaming and commenting before they cleared our way. Sidderabetta is called so because many Swamy’s have performed penance here, in fact one Swamy lives within the caves but unfortunately had gone for a stroll in the jungles at that time.
The guide said that the place was filled with many cave routes such as this, he also asked us to meditate for a while in silence and the girls giggled and laughed; he said on every full moon and new moon day one could here “Om Namah Shivaya” similar to as played on sitar but he mentioned that of course there must be silence (referring to the noise the girls created)
The entire trek in the caves was exciting, and no the route isn’t easy. I liked the caves because they are formed due to many rocks overlapping one over the other with tree roots and sun light seeping in. The fact that the cave was not entirely dark made it enjoyable too and of course the girls, who kept commenting and joking, kept the environment lively.
We had delicious Pakodas outside the temple and then hiked to the peak. The route to the peak is interesting and nice and at the summit are a shiva temple and some good views. We returned to base and at midway had two glasses of buttermilk and delicious cucumber masala. We drove to a nearby park to have lunch; Pulivogre cooked at one of the friend’s home and curds packed from a nearby hotel.
On the way back we stopped at a farm and requested the farmers to pluck some tender coconuts for us. They were too kind and plucked about 13 and I enjoyed 4 very sweet tender coconuts in a row.
On NICE road, One KM before the toll gate, the petrol got over and we had to push the car, collect petrol from a nearby petrol bunk and return back.
All in all a great experience – a trek with a difference; with a cave on top which enhanced the hike further rather than just a climb.
Thanks for the detailed narrative. This will be a very useful resource for people visiting the place. And thanks for the snaps too.
ReplyDeleteThe place looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Good to see an update..... traveller, make your way to Ooty some day!
ReplyDeletewhat is philosophy behind "silent flute"
ReplyDeleteClipped - Thanks
ReplyDeleteMridula - Yes it is.
Rakesh - Sure...infact there was some plans to travel there from Coimbatore...but not sure.
Subbu - It was told to us that... Monkey is like greed...it creeps in from the back....attacks from back...so face the monkey. However during our encounters, few monkeys attacked from front too. :-)
Girls man:P
ReplyDeleteI think i saw an article in b'lore mirror a while back, well done bro:)
p.s- where do you work?
Gurugale, naalakku yelneeru saakaaita??? (4 tender coconuts enough?)
ReplyDeleteSeems to be a good place for a days' trek.
By the way thanks for the philosophy 'silent flute'. Will keep it in mind on our next trek.
Name & details of the farm please -for coconuts :-)...
Kish- :-)
ReplyDeleteYes it was me on Bangalore mirror. :-) Thx....So you in Bangalore? I work at Ingersoll Rand.
You into s/w.
ReplyDeleteI'm in 8th sem man, e&c SJCE mysore:)
Thanks for a travel information with the photo. I like your blog.
ReplyDeleteKish - :-) I thought you already joined your office. Good to know you still have some time in the happy world. :-)
ReplyDeleteChabbi - Thanks
This is lot of precious info thank you!
ReplyDeleteVery nice pictures Ajeya!
ReplyDeleteDid the tour guide also talk about the carvings from your Monkey menace picture? I was watching a PBS documentary up on Inca ruins from Peru, and interestingly there's alot of symbolism and information the carvings were trying to convey.
Edmund - That carving is a Hindhu God's idol named Hanuman. Form of monkey who helped Lord Rama.
ReplyDeleteMak.....Illa sisya....naku sakagilla, innu naku bekagithu (Another 4 was required.) :-))
ReplyDeleteAddress of the farm? any in Indian villages. :-)
mmmmridula lol
ReplyDeletewhat language are u talking ajeya chan?? lol
i want to pet these cute monkeys have coconuts with you guys.
had 4 coconuts!? superrrrr
Niki - Hahahahahhahaha LOL you are late again! Your comments bring a smile on my face. Thanks. :-)
ReplyDeleteSure, when do you visit India? I speak Kannada there.