Yedakumeri - Railway Trek of Western Ghats

Brief Introduction:

If you love water streams, mountains around it, non-stop bird noises and clean air with beautiful sceneries of western ghat section, then the answer should be Sakaleshpur – Yedakumeri – Subramanya railway trek. One final day when Indian Railways decided that time had come to change Bangalore-Mangalore railway line from Meter gauge to broad gauge, a whole new kind of trek was born, exciting enough to tempt anyone who is interested in escaping himself out of busy normal life.

This trek was safe, as you won’t get lost until you go into imaginary track of you own. However final after nearly 8-10 years after completion of change of meter gauge into broad gauge, railways have started trains at night. Few goods train too is operating bringing a near end to one of the most exiting treks in western ghats.



Route:

Common Point: Hassan --> Sakaleshpur Donigal (If you have a drop)



My (mis)adventure:

It was in engineering when one of my friends called me that there was a trekking and we will go. Knowing nothing about trekking I took just a bed sheet hoping that we will sleep in some building. We started in the morning from Sakaleshpur and started walking towards Managlore, Sakaleshpur is the place where plain lands will end and Western Ghats will start. After a few kilometers I felt why the hell I came here just to walk on a railway track, and after that we came across a bridge. I was walking across Railway Bridge without steel plates in center for the first time, every step had to be put carefully and each of staring down. As we crossed that bridge, one of our senior smiled at me and said “This is the first one”



Then after some time, it was when the series of tunnels followed by bridges stared following, with non-stop water streams falling on either sides it was just what you expect in Western Ghats. Tunnels were as long as 300 meters, in some places it was completely dark, we were unable to see the other side. And every bridge had a stream below it.


Instance 1: It was on the highest bridge, we were crossing the bridge very slowly when someone did something and we were surrounded by bees, suddenly I thought my day had come, and started remembering everyone I knew for last time, suddenly someone shouted us to lie down. I just covered my face and got down till the bees went away.


Instance 2: We got up after the bees went off. We were standing in center of bridge and we saw a tata sumo coming from a tunnel. The tires were fitted with railway ones and we didn’t have any place to go. Finally it too stopped and we had to cross the long bridge thanking god for giving us another life.
















Me standing after I managed to cross the bridge. It was more than 100 meters deep.



Instance 3: We reached Yedakumeri, the railway station was empty as trains were stopped, then we realized we had not brought anything for the night. Night was so cold we had to get up and sit in fire. My teeth were making so much of noise that my friend was saying we wont survive till morning.



Finally when sun did arise we packed everything and left towards Mangalore-Bangalore highway, we came across a big beautiful stream, where we had our breakfast and we finally reached highway alive.

The railway stretch is so beautiful that in entrance of many tunnels you have water falling from top, it is like going into a waterfall itself.



Difficulty Level: Medium, but now risky as trains have started functioning.



+s: No chances of missing out, beautiful and mind blowing landscapes, awesome water streams, must go for everyone if not by trek atleast by train.

-s: Trains have started again, so few minimal chances of trekking it again.



Dos: Take necessary details of train schedule, torch and water bottles. Take a map and printouts of travelogue available in internet.

Don’ts: Try stunts on the bridge, near streams, inside tunnels

Cheers,
Sharu

Nagamalai

Brief Introduction :

GoIt is one of Karnataka Government sponsored Mystery Trails

Malai Mahadeshwara hills is situated at a distance of 140 KMs from Mysore. Known for its scenic beauty and ample wildlife, it is famous for Mahadeshwara, famous God in South Karnataka. It is said he came to meditate at this place as it was not accessible easily, infact the whole mountain range is such a way that we clinb high mountains and then descend downwards towards MM hills. It is famous for its folk natured songs.

















Friends at MM hills.





Famous Hoganekal falls also comes near MM Hills. River Kaveri forms the border between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with the falls visible from either side of states. Lot of massage centers is present in Hoganekal falls

One more reason MM hills is famous for is Veerappan, yes the dreaded dacoit had his home centered in MM hills, the dense forests with mountains made this place suitable for his activities. Also MM Hills forms a border for Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, so it was more easier for him to escape.

Mysore --> Kollegal --> Hanur --> MM Hills

Nagamalai, Naga meaning Snake and Malai meaning Hill. Nagamalai is a hill where a big rock is in the form of Lingu and another rock is in the form of Snake behind it. It is thought to be very sacred palace. It is 14 KMs from MM Hills and doesn’t have a road.


We have to cross nearly seven hills on the way, while on top of each hill we can see the next hill and the path that goes through it. Thick forest all around makes it even more enjoyable with lots and lots of noise from birds, insects and if you are lucky elephants and wild cats.








Path to Nagamalai, boys start asking money the moment they see and devotees.




We find small villages at regular distances. More interestingly the houses will resemble castle with thick thorn compounds on each houses. This is to safeguard from leopards that are more in numbers in this region.


Beautiful hills till horizon makes this trek really exiting. Once we reach the hill before Nagamalai, we can see a small village with handfull of houses. We can keep our luggage and wash our legs and climb final hill to visit the temple. Locals here will cook food for us and take a minimal charge.




















This trek will continue in two ways,
1. To Palar.
2. To Hoganekal Falls via Gopinatham.
Both of these have thick patch of forest.
Its been more than 4 years I did this trek, will go again before summer if possible.
Trek to MM Hills was considered not safe when Veerappan was alive, but now its not a problem. There will lot of people going to this temple hill during Amavase.

For more Info click here, here and here :).
Difficulty Level : Medium

+s : No chances of losing out, full path till Nagamalai, food is not a problem, very very good view of forests.
-s : Unlike western ghats, sunny days may spoil the trek.

Snakes :)

What began as a stupid adventure has turned into a serious a serious passion making every moment a memorable one, but how did it just begin??

Snakes always interested my friends (not me though), and finally when they caught a rat snake, they thought they could emulate Snake Shyam, yes the man himself gave a few tips.
From that day, back in 2005 (most probably :) ) we have caught over 2000 snakes, ranging from a 6 feet Cobra to deadly vipors.


Its been great fun with experience that one can never forget, I will write lot of information about snakes, their myths, snakebites and lot of people who have done tremendous work in this field helping lot of people.














(In Pic, Kittianna and Shrikanth in a file photo of 07)

Happy Diwali :)


Cheers,
Sharu

Grand Debut

It had been long time since I thought of blogging, all the (mis)adventures needed to be said :)

I have lot of time after leaving Infy, so I hope it will be one more fine journey with the google enterprise :D