I travel from Bangalore - Udupi - Bangalore from 18 Sep to 19 Sep, 2010. Checked with lot of resources for road condition and other details, but thought to have a blog where i can put my own comments.
It was like we friends decided to go Udupi from Bangalore to attends one of our friends house. But on 18th Sep its only two of us and we thought lets make it and check it how to go forward. We planned to start at 4.00 AM from my house. But as usual it was 5.00 AM to start from my house.
5.00AM - I started from my house (Horamavu) and went to Bull Temple road in Bangalore to pick my friend. He was ready from much earlier. Reached there around 5.30 AM and we decided lets go ahead. We have already thought which route we will go because I have done once the trip on this road. So as per plan we went towards majestic and then through metro (yeswantpur) we took the NH4 road. It was 6.00 AM
6.00 AM - Thought of giving food to the car and gone to Shell petrol bunk and found that that some offers are going on filling the tank. But they told us we are not eligible as we filled less amount. Anyways we started then toward tumkur.
6.30 AM - We found one toll, the road was great and fun to drive. The toll was running trial so it was free for us to take the road. We reached tumkur toll around 7.00 AM and crossed by 7.15 AM. We took NH206 (I decided earlier only to go through Shimoga). Trying to find some place to have our stomach full. After crossing the Tumkur city got a nice road side Dhaba (near to Gubbi). We ordered Idly (it was like plate in shape). With 1 idly we are done and had a nice tea and then move ahead of the journey.
7.45 AM - After this we didn't have so much break because we thought after crossing Shimoga there are some places to see and we can use this time to visit there.
10.00 AM - Reached Bhadravati and thought to have a tea there. It was my friend was driving and I thought it may be tiredsome for him without tea. We had out tea and inquired about the road condition. They said "Chennagidhini" (means good).
10.30 AM - We reached Shimoga and took NH 13 towards Thirthahalli road. As of now roads are good but with few pothholes. NH 13 is very single and narrow road. We reached Thirthahalli by 12.00 PM and thought to take the Agumbe Ghat road. So we left NH13 and took SH road (didn't remember the number). We came to Guddekeri and saw there is one hill Kundadri Hill. We moved towards there and started for the Kundadri hills. The roads are extremly narrow and very diffcult for two vehicle to pass. Honking is best way to ride on this roads so that the other person can stop where they have little space. It is one of the best scenary I have seen. Fresh natural air and we were inside clouds. Nothing to see but you will enjoy the wheather.
1.00 PM - Started to come down fron the hills and the steering wheel is now in my hand. It was so steep that I have to go in 2nd or 3rd gear. It is around 6 - 7 KM. We started towards Agumbe. We asked a local and he told the road. He asked for a lift to us and we provided. He said us that he has lost his cow from the past 2 days and it was new cow. He purchased it some 15 days back to have milk for his kids. Poor fellow he is searching his cow badly for 3 days full time. He left us in Agumbe. Agumbe saw that panoramic view good but it is a sunset point and we are in afternoon. So thought to move for food we returned back for around 10 km because we have seen a hotel there while coming to Agumbe. Had our lunch around 2.00 PM and started from there by 3.00.
3.00 - Through Someshwar - Hebri we came to Manipal by 4.30 PM and then called my friend to check where his house was. After lot of searching found his house and reached there by 5.30PM. Immediately went to Kaup Beach. Great time to visit and it was nice non-commercial beach. Around 8.30 PM we reach Udupi Krishna Temple (get closed by 9.00 PM). There was no rush. We had a darshan and thought of having prasadam there only. So all 3 of us had the prasadam there and then went to friends house to night stay. His house was like bungalow and had a good gardening. I asked him one plant so that I can take it to bangalore. In night only 3 of us decided we will go the Durga Parmeshwari temple in Kateel (36 KM from my friend house). We started by 7.30 AM and after having darshan we returned back by 10.30PM. We got a good rain while going and coming. Be careful to local buses. The y drive roughly and even does not honk in hair pin bens. Heard that same road goes back for bangalore. Tried to get the road conditions and we got mixed responses. We thought to cross the jungles before the night. We have already decided the route that is Udupi - Karkala. It will depend what time we reach Karkala to decide on the route.
11.00 AM - Time to visit to the function (friend's daughter cradling ceremony). It was a great arrangement and lunch was provided (non-veg). I was happy. They also had event organised. They also provided drinks but we do not take. There we heard that there was a petrol strike. We need to fill the petrol in our car. We called our friends to check the strike dates and got it it is next day. After lunch we went to fill petrol and most of the station shows NO STOCK. We found reliance bunk and filled there. We then started the return journey at 3.30 PM.
3.30 PM - Return journey. We thought that it is late by 1.5 hrs and that can make lot of difference. Luckly no rains these side. We reached Karkala around 5.00 PM. We thought here we will go by Shiradi Ghats route (though I heard that this route is too bad even after the repair but I wanted to see the route) because Sringeri route will be difficult to cover because it will be night and it is a Naxalite area. Charmadi Ghats are narrow routes does not make any sense to me to drive in night so took Shiradi ghats through Dharmastala and reached Dharmastala by 6.00 PM. Near the Nelyadi where the road meets to NH 48 and started towards Bangalore. It was 6.30 PM. This is Western Ghats. Just after few Kms bad stretch started. My friend handovered the steering to me. It has tested our patience and driving skills. Basically there are no roads. The repaired sections also does not have any clue that when the roads got repaired. The only thing you will see big big pothholes and stones. As no rain was there we were able to see the pot holes clearly and measure the dept. The drive was too slow and with a/c because outside it was too dusty. In this road the state bus and trucks are king of the road and the local car/jeep are driving anyway. But my car I cannot hurt it like that. So moved slowly and kept my patience (because I was seeing how other vehicles are passing me in that bad stretched road). It was around 50 KM and we took 3 hrs to complete it because I do not want to hurt the car. So around 9.30 PM we reached Shakleshpur and from here roads are not good but not bad also managable at a speed of 80 km/hr. Be careful on the pothholes which comes oftenly. We were hungry and after crossing Hassan we found a hotel closing down near to Udyapur. We took the dinner there and then started at 11.00 PM from there. After that we reached Kunigal and we do not wanted to touch Neelamangala. So took the diverson towards Magadi and it was around 1.30 AM. Then through Nice road touched Mysore road and then to Bull temple road in Bangalore around 3.00 AM morning. My friend left for his house and I was in my house by 3.30 AM. Finally we made and it was a nice trip. Then I slept and get prepared for the office.
Finally I will say it was nice enjoying trip and also given shabasi to my car for excellent co-operation and manging the bad roads. Thanks to SX4.
Route Covered:
Bangalore - Tumkur (good roads with toll - traffic be aware)|Gubbi ( roads ok - 20% roads bad)|Tiptur (roads are good - 10% bad)|Kadur (roads are good - 15% bad)|Bhadravati (roads are good - 5% bad)|Shimoga (roads are good - 5% bad)|Thirthahalli (roads are good and narrow - 15% bad)|Someshawar (roads are good and narrow - 25% bad)|Hebri (roads are good and narrow - 20% bad)|Manipal (roads are good - 5% bad)|Udupi (roads are good - 5% bad)|Katapady (roads are manageable - 50% bad) - NH17|Karkala (roads are good, no traffic, narrow - 10% bad)|Belthangady (roads are good, narrow - 10% bad)|Ujire (roads are good - 5% bad)|Dharmastala (roads are good - 5% bad)|Nelyadi (NH 48 , roads good - 5% bad)|Shakleshpur (no roads, only pothholes and stones (approx 50KM) - 200% bad)|Kunigal (roads good , 10% bad)|Magadi (good - 5% bad)|Bangalore
Total distance covered 1047 KM from 5.00 AM (saturday) to 3.30 AM (monday)
Photos:
Peter (right) - His bunglow and me (center) and Naveen(left) with my macho car SX4
A scenic view from Kundadri Hills
Top of Kundadri Hills
Different angle in Kundadri hills
Another scenic view from Kundadri hills
From top of Kundadri hills
Kaupe Beach, Udupi
Me at Kaupe Beach
Light House in Kaupe Beach
Naveen and me (on phone) behind light house
Kaupe beach and we 3
It was like we friends decided to go Udupi from Bangalore to attends one of our friends house. But on 18th Sep its only two of us and we thought lets make it and check it how to go forward. We planned to start at 4.00 AM from my house. But as usual it was 5.00 AM to start from my house.
5.00AM - I started from my house (Horamavu) and went to Bull Temple road in Bangalore to pick my friend. He was ready from much earlier. Reached there around 5.30 AM and we decided lets go ahead. We have already thought which route we will go because I have done once the trip on this road. So as per plan we went towards majestic and then through metro (yeswantpur) we took the NH4 road. It was 6.00 AM
6.00 AM - Thought of giving food to the car and gone to Shell petrol bunk and found that that some offers are going on filling the tank. But they told us we are not eligible as we filled less amount. Anyways we started then toward tumkur.
6.30 AM - We found one toll, the road was great and fun to drive. The toll was running trial so it was free for us to take the road. We reached tumkur toll around 7.00 AM and crossed by 7.15 AM. We took NH206 (I decided earlier only to go through Shimoga). Trying to find some place to have our stomach full. After crossing the Tumkur city got a nice road side Dhaba (near to Gubbi). We ordered Idly (it was like plate in shape). With 1 idly we are done and had a nice tea and then move ahead of the journey.
7.45 AM - After this we didn't have so much break because we thought after crossing Shimoga there are some places to see and we can use this time to visit there.
10.00 AM - Reached Bhadravati and thought to have a tea there. It was my friend was driving and I thought it may be tiredsome for him without tea. We had out tea and inquired about the road condition. They said "Chennagidhini" (means good).
10.30 AM - We reached Shimoga and took NH 13 towards Thirthahalli road. As of now roads are good but with few pothholes. NH 13 is very single and narrow road. We reached Thirthahalli by 12.00 PM and thought to take the Agumbe Ghat road. So we left NH13 and took SH road (didn't remember the number). We came to Guddekeri and saw there is one hill Kundadri Hill. We moved towards there and started for the Kundadri hills. The roads are extremly narrow and very diffcult for two vehicle to pass. Honking is best way to ride on this roads so that the other person can stop where they have little space. It is one of the best scenary I have seen. Fresh natural air and we were inside clouds. Nothing to see but you will enjoy the wheather.
1.00 PM - Started to come down fron the hills and the steering wheel is now in my hand. It was so steep that I have to go in 2nd or 3rd gear. It is around 6 - 7 KM. We started towards Agumbe. We asked a local and he told the road. He asked for a lift to us and we provided. He said us that he has lost his cow from the past 2 days and it was new cow. He purchased it some 15 days back to have milk for his kids. Poor fellow he is searching his cow badly for 3 days full time. He left us in Agumbe. Agumbe saw that panoramic view good but it is a sunset point and we are in afternoon. So thought to move for food we returned back for around 10 km because we have seen a hotel there while coming to Agumbe. Had our lunch around 2.00 PM and started from there by 3.00.
3.00 - Through Someshwar - Hebri we came to Manipal by 4.30 PM and then called my friend to check where his house was. After lot of searching found his house and reached there by 5.30PM. Immediately went to Kaup Beach. Great time to visit and it was nice non-commercial beach. Around 8.30 PM we reach Udupi Krishna Temple (get closed by 9.00 PM). There was no rush. We had a darshan and thought of having prasadam there only. So all 3 of us had the prasadam there and then went to friends house to night stay. His house was like bungalow and had a good gardening. I asked him one plant so that I can take it to bangalore. In night only 3 of us decided we will go the Durga Parmeshwari temple in Kateel (36 KM from my friend house). We started by 7.30 AM and after having darshan we returned back by 10.30PM. We got a good rain while going and coming. Be careful to local buses. The y drive roughly and even does not honk in hair pin bens. Heard that same road goes back for bangalore. Tried to get the road conditions and we got mixed responses. We thought to cross the jungles before the night. We have already decided the route that is Udupi - Karkala. It will depend what time we reach Karkala to decide on the route.
11.00 AM - Time to visit to the function (friend's daughter cradling ceremony). It was a great arrangement and lunch was provided (non-veg). I was happy. They also had event organised. They also provided drinks but we do not take. There we heard that there was a petrol strike. We need to fill the petrol in our car. We called our friends to check the strike dates and got it it is next day. After lunch we went to fill petrol and most of the station shows NO STOCK. We found reliance bunk and filled there. We then started the return journey at 3.30 PM.
3.30 PM - Return journey. We thought that it is late by 1.5 hrs and that can make lot of difference. Luckly no rains these side. We reached Karkala around 5.00 PM. We thought here we will go by Shiradi Ghats route (though I heard that this route is too bad even after the repair but I wanted to see the route) because Sringeri route will be difficult to cover because it will be night and it is a Naxalite area. Charmadi Ghats are narrow routes does not make any sense to me to drive in night so took Shiradi ghats through Dharmastala and reached Dharmastala by 6.00 PM. Near the Nelyadi where the road meets to NH 48 and started towards Bangalore. It was 6.30 PM. This is Western Ghats. Just after few Kms bad stretch started. My friend handovered the steering to me. It has tested our patience and driving skills. Basically there are no roads. The repaired sections also does not have any clue that when the roads got repaired. The only thing you will see big big pothholes and stones. As no rain was there we were able to see the pot holes clearly and measure the dept. The drive was too slow and with a/c because outside it was too dusty. In this road the state bus and trucks are king of the road and the local car/jeep are driving anyway. But my car I cannot hurt it like that. So moved slowly and kept my patience (because I was seeing how other vehicles are passing me in that bad stretched road). It was around 50 KM and we took 3 hrs to complete it because I do not want to hurt the car. So around 9.30 PM we reached Shakleshpur and from here roads are not good but not bad also managable at a speed of 80 km/hr. Be careful on the pothholes which comes oftenly. We were hungry and after crossing Hassan we found a hotel closing down near to Udyapur. We took the dinner there and then started at 11.00 PM from there. After that we reached Kunigal and we do not wanted to touch Neelamangala. So took the diverson towards Magadi and it was around 1.30 AM. Then through Nice road touched Mysore road and then to Bull temple road in Bangalore around 3.00 AM morning. My friend left for his house and I was in my house by 3.30 AM. Finally we made and it was a nice trip. Then I slept and get prepared for the office.
Finally I will say it was nice enjoying trip and also given shabasi to my car for excellent co-operation and manging the bad roads. Thanks to SX4.
Route Covered:
Bangalore - Tumkur (good roads with toll - traffic be aware)|Gubbi ( roads ok - 20% roads bad)|Tiptur (roads are good - 10% bad)|Kadur (roads are good - 15% bad)|Bhadravati (roads are good - 5% bad)|Shimoga (roads are good - 5% bad)|Thirthahalli (roads are good and narrow - 15% bad)|Someshawar (roads are good and narrow - 25% bad)|Hebri (roads are good and narrow - 20% bad)|Manipal (roads are good - 5% bad)|Udupi (roads are good - 5% bad)|Katapady (roads are manageable - 50% bad) - NH17|Karkala (roads are good, no traffic, narrow - 10% bad)|Belthangady (roads are good, narrow - 10% bad)|Ujire (roads are good - 5% bad)|Dharmastala (roads are good - 5% bad)|Nelyadi (NH 48 , roads good - 5% bad)|Shakleshpur (no roads, only pothholes and stones (approx 50KM) - 200% bad)|Kunigal (roads good , 10% bad)|Magadi (good - 5% bad)|Bangalore
Total distance covered 1047 KM from 5.00 AM (saturday) to 3.30 AM (monday)
Photos:
No comments:
Post a Comment