Monday, September 29, 2008

ramanagaram - 28th sep 2008


an idea cropped up in our minds, going through a lazy Saturday afternoon. To ride upto 'dodda aaLada mara', the Big Banyan Tree, about 16 kms from our home, and then upto the dam 10 kms further. More thoughts poured in, and finally, our ride got extended upto Ramanagaram. Not sure if many of you know this: this was the place where the film 'Sholay' was shot :-)
Started at around 7 o clk the next day. After a quick breakfast somewhere on the way, reached Ramanagaram at around 9 or so. Climbed all the steps to the temple on the top. Few photos....
taking little rest on the way. At the top, amidst two rocky hills, is the Ramadevara temple. Don't have any details about this temple. There is also a pond nearby which we are not allowed to touch. Beyond this temple, is the rocky hill, which we planned to climb first. The last stretch of the climb is thrilling, with steep steps carved into the stone, and just an iron railing to hold on.

we actually wanted to climb the second one opposite to this one. We could just go half-way, thru the bushes and came back, only to know from the priest of the temple, that we were indeed going in the right direction, and just had to go little further, to find a way.
Tired we were, with the Sun directly above us. Decided to end out rendezvous with all this, and wind up. Went to Kamat Lokaruchi, a few kms ahead and had a good lunch. Returned home by 2 o clk.

More photos on my Orkut profile and Picasa (yet to upload as on 29 Sep 2008)
Trip: Bangalore -> Ramanagaram -> Climb -> Kamat Lokaruchi -> Bangalore