TOUR OF HOSANGADI

After another hectic week in Bengaluru, we 4 of us [Neo, Don, TDP, Bhatta] left for an outing in Hosangadi 400 KM from B’lore on Shivamoga-Kundapur state highway. Left B’lore on 25^th at around 8:45 PM and reached next day early morning to our destination by 6:30 AM.

Day 1,26^th Jan 2007 [Mountain view day]

Had a stay @ Inspection Bungalow [I.B] owned by K.P.C [Karnataka Power Corporation] which we had got through reference from my friend’s dad Mr. Sathish Koppar. It’s the best place to stay around as all the basic facility available.

At around 10 AM Sai reached from Mangaluru to I.B

On Indian Republic day, 5 of us had planned a cool trip on the mountainside.

Left to Shringeri @ around 11AM on our Classic Audi [Maruti 800]

On the way Agumbe hills it’s a must stop place for a picturesque view of mountains.

Reached Shringeri by 1:30 PM. Fish feeding @ Tunga River is a must. Have a view of amazing architecture of temple. Try out temple meals its absolutely free.

Way back traveled through Kudremukh National park and then Karkala.

Visited Gommateshwara statue build around 1432 AD, which stands on top of hill.

Hotel Sagar is a must visit.

Back to base by 10 PM and had a tight sleep.

Day 2, 27^th Jan 2007 [Trekking day]

Around 9:00 A.M Left for trekking @ Basavanapura Forest, guide is a must as u may get lost in those dense forest till we reach Tombattu [Varahi River]. Takes u around 4 KM. Have a nice time in fresh waters of Varahi River then leave back. [Trek on ur own risk as it’s a Naxalite zone and wild-animals can b encountered here n there]

@ around 2:00 PM had a visit to Pump House on the banks of Varahi river

Then it was time for the biggest adventure, trekking to Mettkal Gudda to a height of 1300 ft. and around 6 KM. It’s a must try for adventure lovers. Even the best machines available cannot take u to this place u need to trek to touch skies from Earth. It takes around 90 Minutes for climb @ an angle of 50-60 degree and 30 Min. for getting down. Lord Ganesha will b waiting for u so visit him first n wait for Sunset. The whole of Western Ghat region is visible from top

Day 3, 28^th Jan 2007 [Varahi power plant n Beach day]

Early morning natural bath@ pump house just 2 KM away from IB.

Had a nice Neer-Dosa [Udupi special] it’s a must try for breakfast.

At around 11:00 AM we had been to Varahi Power Plant which u will find after a km drive in an underground tunnel. What we found there was the best example that man-machine ‘n Vishveshwariah’s brain can create amazing project for the benefit of mankind. What we call Electricity is generated in 230 MHz turbines by 2 units operating 365/24/7. They have it 600 Meters under Earth at an angle of 50 degree. Where ground level water is brought through pipes of 15 Meters in diameter, and a 3 Meter pipe in length weights around 15 tons.

The whole engineering process is an amazing team effort. 2 new units are under construction. With a cost of millions of US dollars and Software technology from Germany, Turbines from Australia and Steel from Russia. This was an amazing experience under Earth where u found a whole new city with about 10 KM of tunnels connecting here n there.

This is Asia’s Third largest project and I would rate it as one of the amazing wonders of the World, which earns around 25 lacks INR per day. From a place situated so remote where the population is less than 5000.

[Even High Level reference will not help u to visit this place. We entered inside as a project engineers for IHP-Pune, who were doing there piping works. Please do not even attempt to visit this place if u don’t have any onsite emp ref.]

@ Around 3:30 PM Move towards Marvante beach 12 KM from Kundapur.

It’s a 3 KM stretch on NH 17 where there is Marvante beach on one side and Sawparnika River on the other.

Try out boating with 250 INR on a motorboat for a 6 KM ride Sawparnika River.

Wanna enjoy without shelling money then just cross river by paying 1 INR on a regular

Boat service, which takes u to Padukone Island [Native place of Prakash Padukone and Deepika Padukone].

Moved towards Kodi Beach [4 KM from Kundapur] where Varahi River meets Arabian sea this Sangam spot was the perfect place for us for sunset view and wrap up our tour.

Returned back to IB and then back to base B’lore.

THESE 3 DAYS WAS AN AMAZING TOUR FROM HILL STATIONS TO BEACHES AND FROM RIVERS TO JUNGLES.

The total cost of tour was around 1300 INR.