....this time it was Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, 200 kms from Bangalore. As usual, with drop-outs and hop-ins, we were 5 of us, with a full 7-seater Qualis at our dispense. Started at around 3 on Sat morning.The name 'Himavad', indicates 'Snow' and 'Mist'. Much apt to the naming, this place was dense with mist and fog even as we entered as late as 8 in the morning.
Located around 70 kms from Mysore, it is along the Mysore-Ooty highway. As soon as you enter Mysore, coming from Bangalore, take the left on the ring road, reach Gundlupet (60 kms), drive further till you find a place called 'HanagaL', then take a right for the rest of the 11 kms. We found a small toll-gate after 6 kms on this road. This one is open from 0600 to 1700 we heard. This last 5 kms is simply superb. Prior, I had plans of leaving the vehicle at this place and start trekking. But mind you, it's just a walk on the tar road leading towards the temple, that's it.
Fascinated by the misty surroundings, we got down for some snaps. Paying heed to our driver's suggestion, we decided to let the vehicle go and walk the rest on road (some 1.5 kms).
See the temple on the right: there are hardly any steps, still you cannot see the entrance. Quite a number of people come to this place. There is a small stone at the door of the main temple, from which condensed water keeps dripping. The priest told us later, to touch this water to our forehead, calling it 'hima'.
We also found later that there are around 77 little ponds all over the surrounding hills. In one such pond, a crow dived and became a swan it seems. We found one such pond on the way. People take bath here, although I wouldn't suggest doing so.
With the priest not yet arriving, we wandered a little away from the temple. There is a bungalow nearby, which is rented. One can stay overnight at this place. A view of the temple from this place.The fog was there till around 9:30 or so. Slowly it cleared, with the sun still playing hide n seek with the clouds.
The priest arrived at about 0930 hrs. After the darshan, we cam out to view the cleared-of-the-fog scenaries. it was great. Some photos below.
Altogether a wonderful trip, which included Nanjungud, Nimishamba and Rangathaswamy temple at Srirangapatna, ending the wonderful trip with a view of the Mysore Palace.\ late evening. The palace looks marvelous when all lit-up.
It's 12 in the night and I am feeling damn sleepy. So, I am hurriedly putting everything now, lest I forget about the details later. Altogether a wonderful trip. Catch more photos on my Orkut album. I wish to load some onto Picasa sooon,
2 comments:
Good one raa.....nenu kuda mee trip lo vunnattu anipinchindi :-)
Phenomenal trip it was!! Still I cherish those moments. Though it was a oneday trip, we enjoyed enough for 3 days!! Awaiting for more such sort of trips.
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