Chitradurga | Arsikere | Kodi Beach

My contract with the school where I currently work is about to end. I am required to go to school only if needed as my Grade 10 students are on study holidays. If not for the graduation day that was scheduled on January 10th, I would not have returned from the north so early. 

The Graduation day was amazing. It is always a pleasure to meet my students. This is my fifth and last batch of students at the school. I have taught them since they were in Grade 8 and therefore have a relatively longer association with them. I find this batch dynamic and very loving. I felt like a celebrity taking selfies and pictures with them. 

When my parents-in-law visited us, I made a road trip to Chitradurga. We explored the Onake Obavvana Kindi, Hidameshwara temple and Chandravalli caves. I had been there a long time ago. 

The highlight though was a live free climbing session by Jyothiraj, alias Kothiraj. Lot has changed since I last saw him in the same place around 10 years ago. During a search mission in Jog falls he had slipped and remained stuck between a rock for 13 hours. He has put on weight and is trying to get back in form. He told me that he wants to do El Capitan like Alex Honnold. I made a small contribution to his effort. He also trains local children on rock climbing. 

We next visited Shri Bayalu Ganapathi Temple in Holalkere known for its tall standing Ganesha statue. 

After that we drove to Chandramouleshwara temple in Arsikere. This Hoysala temple is unique with a dome on the top. 

I have signed up for a 10K run in Auroville. So, I got busy preparing for it. Since I do not have to go to school, I visited my hometown for a week. I spent time with my parents, took them out for lunch, to the beach etc. I enjoyed my morning 10K run by the beach. 

One evening, we visited Sri Kallu Ganapathi temple in Shiriyara, near Kundapura. This place is a well kept secret. It is prohibited to take pictures of the temple. The priest seemed reluctant to give any information about the temple. But the temple was amazing - a small stone shrine inside a cave. 

Next, we visited Kodi beach. You can take boat ride here to view the dolphins. After watching sunset, we dinned at Parijata restaurant in Kundapura and made another quick stop at Woodlands hotel in Udupi. 

I also went to the annual day celebration at my niece Eesha's school. She danced beautifully. I also got to watch a small Yakshagana Prasanga when my mother was falicitated at an event. I managed to squeeze in a trek in Kasargod district of Kerala too. I will write a separate post on it. 

All in all, a great month filled with enough travels. I have decided to take a year off from school teaching. I will continue my online classes. Therefore, this is the year of travels. Watch out!