Chickmagalur in B52

My second trip to chickmagalur. First one was with July boys and in a new Chevrolet.
This time with all my new Pulsar all the way till Hebbe Falls.

Participants : Manu and his 4+ year old Pulsar
Satya and his 2+ months old Apache
Me with my 7+ months old Pulsar


It was Manu's intent to go for a long ride by bike. He did ask our gang to join the mission. Few of them(almost all), after lot of YES/NO, finally said no. Myself and Satya were the ones who gave green flag upon first request itself. Though, its not a request, Manu had already decided to go alone if no one accompanies him. I don;t know what made him to make this quick(long term) decision. May be because he is leaving to Gurgaon to do his PG by end of this month or for some recreation. Anyways, his intent's frequency matched with mine and Satya's.

Initially we dint know where to hit. Bandipura, Waynad, Chickmagalur were on the sheet. Chickmagalur got picked. I initially requested/ordered Manu to write this. But because of his tight schedule, I grab the chance ;).

21st May 2011, was the date of mission. It was Satya, who told that he would be back on 22nd Morning itself by dismantling himself from the mission. I was thinking why would Satya wants to come all the way till chickamagalur and ride back next early morning itself. The answer I got from Satya is he just wants to enjoy a ride. It was planned to start from Tumkur, before a hen shouts. But, 10.45 AM it was, when we started from Tumkur. Finally.;) We all rode our B52 to the fuel station next to Rama Temple in KR Road. Dumped sufficient food for them. Three bikes, three guys then rode up until a Place which was about 10KMS behind Arsikere for a break. Were tired of super quality roads in Tiptur(70 KM from Tumkur). 15 Mins was break time. Then the chariots's next stop was in Banavaara which is about 15KM from Arsikere (90 KM from Tumkur), as we had to take a turn to chickmagalur road. We did ask few people(Matha Baandavaru) for the right road. They showed us the right path. Manu wanted to cross check and used my Android Phone Google Map, which did show the same/correct path to chickmagalur. Kissed my phone. Love it. Love Android. We then headed the path, road was moderate and could manage to catch 45KMPH. Sakarayapatna is a small village which is about 20KMS to Chickamagalur. The road from Sakaraayapatna to Chickmagalur is very horrible and that made our bikes to zoom in by 20KMPH. Mixture of mud and partial tar road. 10 KMS from Sakaraayapatna, we had glimpses of Chickamagalur Hills, a bit of coffee estates. Fresh oxygen, less pollution. Nice feeling from inside. We then entered Chickamaglur and started searching for a hotel to gain some energy. It was about 2 30 PM then. We entered a hotel (which I went last time with july boys), and the crowd looked like men in BMTC, on toes grabbing for a set. We then found out a hotel called Soundarya infront of KSRTC Bustand and luckily we got to sit. We had a nice meal there. :)

We then headed to a place called Attigundi which is about 24KMS from Chickmagalur. As soon as we enter the ghats, the Checkpost Constable caught me and asked for my B52's documents. Satya, in the last pole position was chatting with Manu saying he dont have a Driver's License. Ha Ha Ha. Manu somehow changed the topic of document checking by asking routes for a Resort and Mullaiyyanagiri. Somehow, after paying 15 rupees entrance fee for three bikes, went ahead. Amazing , Marvelous, extra ordinary scene is what we got as we climbed the ghats and riding in Mullaiyyanagiri Betta, which is 18 KMS from Chickmagalur. After the checkpost, you get a small circle, not exactly circle, a deviation kind of, one road towards Attigundi and one towards Mullaiyyanagiri. Narrow roads, curves, more greener views is what we got to see. It is said the Mullaiyyanagiri has the highest peak point in the entire Karnataka. We then reached the base of the peak. Parked our bikes in open air Hangar. Damn cold it was. Full mist blowing at a speed of about 30-40 KMPH. We have to climb about 1/2 a KM to reach the peak. There is a small Temple on the peak. We just saluted from outside , sat for some time on the shores of the peak and started to climb down.

Luckily we got a resort called Mugila Mane. Decent amout of rupees he took which included a dinner, snacks, coffee,
a break fast, campfire and a bucket full of hot water in the morning. The resort people were very cool and gave good hospitality. We got our campfire just infront
of our door and only we three were to it. It was good. MC accompanied us with some snacks given by resort guys followed by a nice supper. Slept tight. ;)

Tomorrow morning, got up at 7, had a cup of coffee with less chikori. 3 of us took bath in a single bucket of dim hot water. Breakfat included Poori, Potato Palya,
Coconut chatni and ummmmmmm AKKI ROTTI. Thanked the resort people, finished financial deals and turned our wheels towards Bababudan Giri Hills. Last time when I went to this hill with July Boys, it was raining, full of mist and couldnt see anything clearly. This time, even after Satya and Manu's caution, went to see this place and came back with low face. It was not as I expected. I expected the hill would have less number of people and can see the hill in deep. But the scene there was a hell lot of Matha Baandavaru, cooking all types of animals on road side itself. BTW this is about 6KMS from the resort we had stayed and comes in the route towards Kemmanugundi.

So, the bombers drove on the road to Kemmannugundi, which was really really worse than ever I have seen. To cover about 25KMS from the resort to Kemmannugundi, took about one long hour. I do not know, why only that stretch of road is not well maintained. Doesnt matter, we got to see nice scenic views. This is the type of ride which I really wanted. 100% Satisfaction. We had to give a break after a long maglev drive till Kemmannugundi. We rested for a few minutes and a group of six guys in three bikes from Arsikere arrived there. They were heading to Hebbe Falls. Only a 4 wheel drive Jeep can go there. No roads, only foot path. I still remember, last time when we went there by Jeep, it was raining and very horrible to climb down the jeep. I had
thought no bike can come here. Words of Arsikere group lit us a thought of driving to Hebbe Falls by bike. Manu, fearing the strength of his bike's tyres, did not agreed to take this step. High Risk is involved. If something happens to bike or to you, you wouldnt find even an amoeba to help you on the way. You have to either dump the bike in some 30 yr old jeep and push it till Kemmangundi. Uffff. Keeping all these fears, we still became the boys by accelerating the bikes towards the falls. Oh dear, oh dear, wait a minute, can we really make this ? Manu's words. I was in the front followed by Manu and then Satya. I shall not mention that I am an expert rider. But Satya struggled quite a few times to move his wheels on the forest rocks. First gear, both brakes applied, move the wheels slowly. Climbing down in the forest by bike is very tough compared to climbing up the same. The path was very much dry and particles of mud were very slippery, Dare, few guys from AP came by Star City, thribble and a huge back on second pillion's back. Finally, we made it to the falls. Took a looooooongggggggg fresh oxygen. It took us 1 hour and 15 minutes to climb down for a distance of about 11KMS. You then have to walk for about a KM to see the water fall crossing three water streams. Oooooo...I still can remember the picture of that amazing view I had that after noon. But Manu dint feel so excited about the falls after such a wild drive. Myself and Manu were on one side of the fall base and satya went to the other side. Took few pictures, enjoyed Mother Nature's beauty, thanked and decided to get back. Satya, I don;t know, may be because of wild drive, was still in some kind of hangover. The next picture we saw a helmet flowing in the stream of water fall. Satya was down in water. Almost drenched. Luckily the helmet got stuck with a rock near by. He went to grab the helmet and guess what Satya fell down again. But not to the extent of the first one. We had to sit on the rocks for some more time and that allowed us to see the kids playing in the falls. Walked back to the place, where we hadparked our B52s. We were thinking, luckily/somehow we have come down safely and now how to climb up the same dense forest highway. Manu led from the front, follwed by Satya and me. We din;t find it very diffcult to drive upwards when compared to the struggle we had while climbing down. This time it just took 35 minutes to Kemmannugundi from Hebbe Falls.

There is hotel in Kemmannugundi, fair one, where we ordered Masala Dosa(only thing available then). Manu ate two plates of it. It tasted really well. Satya in hangover still, had left the bike Key in bike itself and was happily eating Dosa. People were very descent. The key was in its place. The road from Kemmannugundi to Tharikere is not so bad except for about 10 KMS in the beginning. Tharikere to Kadur and from Kadur to Arsikere was the next scene. Gave a stop at KB Cross to sip a coffee and finish off the last white stick. Manu went to feed his fuel tank just after KB Cross and two guys came to us seeing the vacant pillion seat for a drop till Gubbi as it was darker and difficult to find a bus in between. We then found out that they are students of Gurukula Hostel in Tumkur. I must say that the ride in dark is very tough as the opposite vehicles, most of them, won;t use dipper. It was 10 PM when we stopped our bikes infront of back seat students. They thanked us for the drop.

So this was it. Hope I have covered all the turns. I still wish Manu could have written in his words with/for more excitement and fun.

Thanks,

Quick DeGang Postions:

Tukali - MS in Syracuse (Internship in AppFury, CAL, US)
Rama - CapGemini, consultant for Target
Manu - Last few days in IBM, heading for MDI Gurgaon
Kanta - BBMP
HB - Ness
Thaths - Retail FullServe(part of TCS)
Saabi - UK (DellPerot)
Pithaji- US (DellPerot)
Santhu - TCS
Satya - Infinion
Jimmy - Ericcson
Ammi - Plans for Mangalore to do PG in Aneshesia
Bussu - Plans for Mangalore for PG in *****logy.
Bade - Dell
VB - ITC Infotech (late entry)
Zaa - Shifted to a new company @ Gwalior
Me - www.checksuminfosoft.com

Twenty Eleven @ The Rainbow Nation

It was 6:30 PM, when I met Kanta backside of Vidhana Soudha. We had planned to watch POLI KITTI play that evening. That day was Dec 31st 2008. Finally, all of degang candidates managed to meet at RangaShankara @ 7 15 PM. 15 minutes for the start. The play is written(narrated , in fact) by one of my Great God Father, Sri TP Kailasam.That evening, after seeing/hearing astonishing scenes/dialogues, it was THE HOME at Murugesh Palya, that was waiting for us to hit the floor and celebrate the new year of Two Zero Zero Nine. Bade started to cheer for new year by bumping the Pepsi. So, thats how the party began and we saw the new sunshine of new year.
Attendance: Me, Mitaayi, Kanta, Jimmy, Raama, Viji, Bade, Santhu, Saabi and his holiness Sri Sri Thathaashree.
01 01 2009 , Thathu took me out for a lunch at Maharaja Restaurant at Kormangala and
we had a nice meal and I still owe him another lunch.
Happy New Year 2009.

It was 4:15 AM, early morning, 1st of Twenty Ten, Zaa knocked our house while his Oil green Ikon, was ready to leave to Nagarahole Wildlife Sanctury. Me and Zaa went to pick Mitaayi and
Santhu. Next Raama @ Kyaatsandra. We roamed all over tumkur and luckily, no petrol bunk was open to feed our car. Finally, found one at 5 30 AM, and left Tumkur. 6 20 AM, Kunigal, We bought flowers for the Ganesha who led the trip from the front. Nagamangala, famous for Coconut Plantation, we stopped by and wanted to have some breakfast. But we were too early to the hotel and The Boy in the hotel said, the food is still under preparation. We left from there with a cup of hot coffee. Yoooo, Hotel Mahesh Prasad at Mysore, We had our breakfast and We ate, ate , ate just to try different items in the Menu. Idli, Sambar, Dose, Pongal and dont remember the sweet name. All were delicious. We started our trip and headed Nagarahole and because of massive rain, day before, the Safari was cancelled and let us down. No time to think, we went to Irpu Falls and enjoyed the water falls to the best extent possible and luckily, the Safari was started when we were back in Nagarahole. Managed to see some wild boar, pig, Buffalo, Elephants and a Peacock. It was 8 30 PM when we were back in Mysore and looked for a Daaba and batted well. Zaa, I must say is a business tycoon(naati), who has contacts in almost all public/private sectors and booked a room for us to sleep that night.
Next day(although Saturday), Manu had his violin class and Univision was screaming at me(got a phone call to on the border of Mysore) to complete a component. I had to leave to July for work. 12 PM we were back in Tumkur, 2 PM I started to Bangalore, 4 30 PM, I was in July sitting confused, tired,anger,tensed to finish the Univision Team Page.
Happy New Year 2010.

This time, I am entirely in a New place. New people, New Air, New Friends, New News,
New learning, New Currency and New Year. Cape Town. Yes, a perfect tourism hotspot. I never ever thought I would enjoy this New Year in a New Place. I am happy being here. But his time, no trips, no degang, no Ranga Shakankara, No Nagarahole, No Maharaja restaurant. I Miss them. Nonetheless, Its called The Life, and I want to enjoy each and every moment. I have not researched on why People have started the habit of enjoying thr new Year. After All, its mere a Date. No new sun is going to Born. Many of us try to take up a new Oath/Resolution every new year and it lasts maximum a Month.

Quick DeGang Positions.
Bade(US Return), Saabi(UK Return), Pithaji(currently in US), Raama(US Return) acquired Dell.
Manu still ruling the IBM.
Jimmy Field Officer(All India Return) at Erricsson.
Tukali @ Syracuse to pluck MS.
Kanta (Dubai Return), Now AEE in BBMP.
Viji, Ammi on the verge of becoming Surgeons.
Santhu, holding BSNL on site(Fraser Town).
His Holiness(Thaaths) , because of his promptness, his company sold themselves
to the Tatas.
Zaa, Production manager at Wipro(Santoor, Santoor).

Happy New Year 2011.

Chikkamangaloora Chikkamallige..

It was 9 30 in the night I got call from Pradeep. He was still in office by that time.
I was home. He asked If I am ready to leave for a 2 day trip to chickmagalur. That evening
i had just attended an engagement function and had batted well and my eyes were dying to sleep.
As soon as i got the call, my eyes started to jump and I said 'OK, I m ready' in reply to his call. It was the effect of UNIVISION, WALL STREET JOURNAL made Pradeep/sada/Tommy that made them to take up this sudden decision. Also, i must say pradeep was on toes since he bought a new sky blue cheorlet Spark and wanted to give a rough drive.

Univision and WSJ are the most considerable projects for July. I proudly say that I was a part of Univision's IPhone and Android App developments. Sada/Tommy are on WSJ Blackberry dev.
Being at office for more than 12 hours had become a habit of mine. More than 14 was pradeep's.
July is a good place to work with except for the timelines. We met the deadlines and the
build went to stores successfully in time. All the time I spent went about creating components,
dropping to QA, Component not working in QA setup , modify the component (HARDCODE) and drop
to qa and that works and stuffs like that. Though my contribution was only about 6 months,
I have slept in the office for around 3 months, watching live matches in mobiles sitting
with NetOps team. It was good at some point of time being busy with office work and get noticed
by every individual. But somehow I felt , ok thats it, there is no need to work like this for
more than 12 hours just to fill my stomach. I had almost lost my personal life. My mobile balance
was still. No outgoing. Only incoming calls from NetOps. "Hi Vinay, This is from netops. There is a critical issue in Univision. Top Story is blank, Resultados is showing empty page"..uffffff. Had a nice time. I used to come to Tumkur on most of the weekends just to escape from the situation of working over weekend. Many Many thanks to Pradeep who took care of all such issues over the night. Maggi at Mindtree cafetaria / tea outside the campus was our midnight breaks. Now I am back to my good old company. Where I work only from 9 30 AM to 6 30 PM as of now. Bit relief and breathing healthily. Now I can give some hand in preparing supper at nights. I enjoy walking back from office to room daily whick is about 3KMS with 2Rs kadlekaayi.

It was 1 AM in the morning I got call from Pradeep saying they are near Okalipuram. I went
to Rajkumar road and pulled myself in the car. It will be good, fresh feeling when you are about to start the journey late night. We had several breaks in between on the way. Morning 7 30 AM we reached chickmagalur, Had delicious Malnad Dose, coffee. Then we started towards the hill. The driver(Pradeep alone) could only see the road upto some 20 feets. It was full of mist. We enjoyed every moment. We went to see Bababudangiri. It was around 10 AM and still the fog covered. We badly wanted to get fresh first. We somehow took a nook at Attigundi's Greenwood resort. The owner was around 19 years of age. Found out that he was basically from Tumkur. Started to speak about localities of Tumkur. Then we got fresh and booked a Jeep for Kemmannugundi / Kalhattagiri and Hebbe falls. It was an amazing moment when we heard the Jeep took his birth in 1983. 2 years before I could open my eyes. The road is very teriffic from attigundi to Kemmanngugundi. It took about an hour to cover just 25KMS. We saw some places in kemmannugundi, took photos, ate lays. Fearing leeches, my travellers rejected to move on to see Z Point and Shanti falls. I just enjoyed their names. Then we started to Hebbe falls.

The travel is still lingering in my mind. So much tough road,not a road in fact, a short cut carved on the hills. Many thanks to our Schumi(Jeep Driver) for taking us safe there.The four wheel drive geared Jeep trip was awesome. I took the front seat and enjoyed every turning. Finally we reached Hebbe Falls. We now have to walk for about a KM to see the falls. Luckily I was wearing shoes and I thought i am just escaped from leeches. Leeches are the deadly creatures. Me and sada led from the front and started to walk followed by Tommy, Pradeepa and Beeaar(colleage mate to Tommy/pradeep). We had to cross three flowing water natural channels. My shoes were almost wet and OMG i just slip in the waters becoz of slippery rocks. My shoes were wet. Just giggled and started to walk again. Pradeep and beeaar were holding hands and walking so delicately. That made more leeches to suck their blood easily. It was a surprise when I met most of my MSEC juniors there. It was good seeing them after 2 long years. Next scene was unimaginable when I saw water climbing down from a huge rock. It was as if a white cloth
was spread from such a height. The water flow was continuos. What an amazing water fall. Hats off to the nature. We were only five there when we were near the falls. It was around 5 PM. Suddenly bright sunlight started to eye on the falls and it was an amazing moment to capture few snaps. I was not at all in a mood to turn back and head towards jeep. TIME is not constant. We came back near the jeep and had a plastic cup of delicious tea. I really hate people who throw plastics even upon seeing the board "Nature is our mother, Don;t spoil her"... Finally we thought of doing a final round of check for leeches. I thought I had not kissed by them. But when I opened my wet grey Ruggers socks, I met a big black yokozuna sized leech. It was happily drinking my sweet blood. hehe LOL...I just gave it a goli shot and it went flying. Sada became the killer of that leech. We started our trek back by jeep. It was near dark and Schumi told
us it will be difficlut to drive in dark fog and we cannot see much of Kalhattagiri. Sadly we sat. The roads made us to push another jeep which was stuck in the middle of the road and make way for us. It was so chill outside. Hats off to a gang who managed to drive their cute Swift in that road which was really not meant for it. The drive back to resort in that fog, only our jeep light in that misty dim vaathavarana, it was memorable. Schumi gave a pit stop to give some
fresh oxygen to his heart. Everyone ordered coffee. I had pint of KO, coffee , mixture all together. Combi was good. We reached resort by 8 30 PM and ordered some food for our starving stomach. We then said Thanks and Bye to Schumi for his safe and wonderful roller coaster ride. Kissed the Jeep too..Missing it...The food was delicious at the resort's food court, enjoyed every ounce. Came back to room on toes to see the IND v/s PAK match. What a match that was.
Harbhajan made us all happy.

Next morning we had plans of visting Muthodi forest. The safari starts at 8 AM. We all planned to go there and slept. Next day morning when we woke up clock was hitting 10 AM. We all laughed loudly, took a hot cup of non delicious coffee, had a hot water bath and started to climb down from attigundi. It was really paining inside all of us to leave mother nature. I think Karnataka Tourism is such worst committee where they could only hang route boards and not proper roads. Pity them. We then had BF in the same hotel at chickmagalur, did shopping, I recharged my cell phone. Then we headed to Hiremagalur KodandaRama Temple. The temple is big and good. We could manage to meet Kannan Mama, who is a famous anchor in Udaya Tv Harate show. He is a priest who tells sanskrit mantras in pure kannada. He speaks English too in same pace. Could hear him speaking about Obama in a rhymic way."Twinkle Twinle little star, Turn your faces towards Indian Stars". HUH... Then we drived to Belur, saw the art work done by Hoysala
Dynasty. Took few snaps and faced towards Noisy, Polluted, hectic bangalore. so this was a brief about our trip.


Chickmagalur a must watch place in human life time.
Missing Deep, SV, Dhakshna, Karumalai, Ujjwal, Karna, Nagoji, Taha, KP(Yellow Lead),
Thyagu, Vinay(STOSE), Shuhaib, Karthik, Sathish and many more in July. All the best
guys.!!!!

ನಾಗರ ಹಾವು / ತ೦ಬೂರಿ ಸ್ವರ

"ಯಾವ್ ನನ್ ಮಗನ್ ಕೇಳಿ ಮಾತ್ ಕೊಟ್ರೀ ಮೇಷ್ಟ್ರೇ.... "
"ಮೇಷ್ಟ್ರೇ , ನಿಮ್ಮ್ ಮಾತ್ ಕೇಳಿದ್ದಕ್ಕೆ ನನ್ ಅಲ್ಮೆಲು ಇವತ್ ಏನಾಗಿದಾಳೆ ಗೊತ್ತೇ ಮೇಷ್ಟ್ರೇ, ಸೂಳೆ ಮೇಷ್ಟ್ರೇ ಸೂಳೆ...."

"ಎಲ್ಲೋ ಹುಡುಕಿದೆ ಇಲ್ಲದ ದೇವರ ಕಲ್ಲು ಮಣ್ಣುಗಳ ಗುಡಿಯೊಳಗೆ ..
ಇಲ್ಲೇ ಇರುವ ಪ್ರೀತಿ ಸ್ನೆಹಗಳಾ ಗುರುತಿಸದಾದೇವು ನಮ್ಮೊಳಗೆ...."

" ನೀ ಹಿಂಗ ನೋಡಬ್ಯಾಡಾ ನನ್ನ ... ನೀ ಹಿಂಗ ನೋಡಿದಾರ ನನ್ನ
ತಿರುಗಿ ನಾ ಹ್ಯಾಂಗ ನೋಡಲೇ ನಿನ್ನ
ಮಲಗಿರುವ ಕೂಸು ಮಲಗಿರಲಿ ಅಲ್ಲೇ ಮುಂದಿನದು ದೇವರ ಚಿತ್ತ "


Now you can only find all these dialogues in some website.
The masterpieces behind the above kannada lines are no more.
Karnataka has had a big loss.

All I can say is only this much. Rest you all know.

WHICH IS BRUTAL...? KILLING OR RECESSION....?

Have you ever thought that it can affect twice..? Yes, It has. I really blame my eyes to see
such things happening. This thing is really brutal than killing. Such brutals are happening all
across the globe in the name of Bloody Recession. Affected once already and who know it may affect again
and again and again....People who take such brutal decisions in laying off so called S/W professionals
I dont know what to call them.

* "We have to stop at this stage"
* "You are not properly doing your work. Good Luck, Please Leave"

These are the famous dialogues in this industry today. Guess what, I am lucky enough that I got chance
to hear with my bare ears these brutal words. You may think that these things are quite common these days.
But the pain that lingers in them who are suffering from this disease is a hard hell. Now with all these constraints
how do we survive in this industry and how to accept a life that has negative security. You will tell that
this is it and you have to accept this, there is no other go. I know the value of a tear drop from their eyes.
At this stage, we can trust only GOD and move on.

Everyone knows this story , but It came so close to my life that made me to write this post.

Good Luck to all of you.

BAKA

BAKA


Murthy aka director, Nischal aka papu, Hebsur aka Ambedkar, Sandesh aka Konda, Deepak aka Bookworm, Dhruva aka DD(saavu/golu),
Vinod aka shivalli. These are the guys who got admission in Baka(Babbor kamme Seva samithi) in my Batch. It was a rainy 2004 when i first stepped into Baka.
It was new feeling to stay out of home and study in a hostel. I came to Bang to do my BE in the great MS Engg College located outskirts of yelahanka.
The Baka and the environment has taught me so many lessons. I am on the way here to write my experience during my stay in Baka. I was in Baka for only 2 years.
Though my BE course for 4 years. When i first entered Baka I agree I was damn scared as I have look after myself all alone. Baka is really an ideal place for studies.
The ambience, environment, vaasthu everything was tailored in such a way as if it made for us. It consists of 16 rooms in which normally 2 per room can accomodate.
But 3 can comfortable fit in. A fairly big field in the center with Ashoka trees in the boundary. A temple of Sri Sharada is marvelous. My first room was Room #2.
The warden asked R.Prashanth(RP who holds the record for maximum number of years who stayed in Hostel) to show me the Nook. I was all alone during my first few months.
First day, I dropped the things in room and Tukali asked me to wear Dhothi as it was 8 PM and I got ready. Before dinner we are supposed to do the prayer. The dining hall
is also fairly big that could accomodate around 50 people. Warden usually sits in the first followed by RP and so on. The food in baka was getting prepared by KuBa(Kull batru, Ramesh) and Dod Batru.
Sometimes my mouth still waters if I remember those days. There is something called "Endowment" where some sponsor for Baka students a days meal. It would be like festival for us on those days.
Special food was being prepared. Vade I must say the exciting item. We were supplied a glass full of Gasgase Payasa. Guys with a big glass were lucky. I was one of them. Next day morning Anirudh(tukali)
knocked my room door. He was staying next to my room and had shared the room with Satya, senior. It was 4-30 AM in the morning and he came holding a bucket. It is the time where we had keep our buckets
in front of the water Boiler. Its like First come first serve. RP was the person most of the days who switches on the boiler switch. If u go ten minutes late , u could find
a market of Buckets. As I had to leave early to catch the college Bus, I was forced to get up at 4-45 AM sometimes even 1-30AM as the competition was getting harder.
6-45 is the time where every bakain has to assemble in the Temple for Morning Prayer with Dhothi, followed by Morning Tea. I usually was having tiffin at the same time, sometimes
took a Box as i had to rush to catch the college Bus.

MSEC. The college that gave me BE degree. Going to college and coming back to hostel by college bus was the main task for me everyday. The college was 30 Km from Baka.
First few months I was not able to turn the pages of degree books as i was getting tired too much. The guys who were going for near by colleges were coming back to hostel
sooner than me and started to Play cricket. Daily i cursed the traffic jam that was not allowing me to reach hostel sooner and restricted from playing.
Ufff,,,hectic days. Sometimes even 7PM I have reached the hostel. Forget studying on that day. Upon that if an endowment is there, Gone. Eat and sleep. Though my college was
a brand new, it taught me atleast lessons. Eesha(Lakshmisha), Jade(hemanth for his long hairs), Baddimaga/Hallimeshtru(Hemanth from Arsikere) and many more to pen down.

Days went on. I used to study late night only during exam times. But this was not with Airudh/Deepak s case. Papu was the one who used to sleep more. Sandesh(sorry maga) was the
one There is something called "PrefectShip" in Baka. The prefect is one who is responsble for giving stores to Batrus for daily food. We had to go market on sundays
to buy vegatables. Mangalore cucumber by default had to be purchased. Though my stay in Baka was only for 2 years I cannot forget even a sinle moment that I spent in Baka.
The pranks we played with Murthy is still memorable. Getting laugh now. I am proud to say We bakains had won a cricket Tournament once organised by Shetru hostel. It was a great moment.
Amongst the seniors, Satya,Arun, AP, KP, Rakesh, Rajesh, Sai were those whom we get along with. It was very memorable days. We used to organise InterHostel and Intra hostel
games/ Essay writing etc. I had won second and first prise in InterHostel and IntraHostel respectively. Mattur Krishna Murthy was the Cheif Guest. We also played some skits directed by Murthy
and it was very much impressive on the Baka committee.

The happiness what I see here still lingers in my Mind. Thanks to Baka and the Endowment Owners, Batrus, Seniors and last but the least Baka friends.

ಕುಮಾರ ಪರ್ವತ

The DeGang decided not to waste the long weekend on account of Republic Day. It was first planned to go to Dandeli. Situations, God's Grace made it to plan for Kukke Kumara Parvatha Trek. I would have missed the trip as the gang decided to leave on Friday, where I had to sign the attendance book in office on Saturday. Well, Somehow everything was scheduled perfectly. One week before we left to Kukke, Manu started a Trip Chain mail, where we shared out thoughts, views, things to carry, things not to carry. It was a very huge group conversation. The tents and sleeping bags were main issue for us. Finally, FYI, Manav Adventures, somehow came into picture and we booked 3 tents and 10 Sleeping bags. Finally, on the day of leaving, me, Viji, Jimmy, Mithun and thaths boarded the Bus from Bangalore. Manu, kanta, Ani, Santhu, Achutha started from Tumkur. Badethalav, Gaja, joined us in Hassan. Though our Bus driver was driving in full pace, A lorry on the way was sleeping across the road, made us to stay on the road for about 20 Minutes. The tumkur gang, nevertheless, came across the similar situation, instaed of Lorry, they met a Train.

Experinced Trekkers say its good to start from Somavarpete to trek and climd down towards Kukke. It was the first time for us. So we dint want to take the risk. Sunday Morning, we reached Kukke. Finished all our karmas, and went for Mr.Subramanya's Darshana. Though the crowd was huge, Mr.Subramanya was kind enough to look at us. Fearing the body weight while on trek, We tried to limit our breakfast. But we could not avoid it. We carried all the condiments, dates, glucose, salt incase if we have to deal with leaches,etc. Everyone were in full ultimate Josh before stepping into the forest. Took photos around the starting point. So, here we go. The total distance to reach top is around 13Km. After 7km, there is onr Bhatru Mane, where food/tea is available. The guys were climbing in an average pace. Sooner, the team splitted. Thathu was the person was in full swing. But, he was the first to sit down while on trek. Paapa, Vayassadoru. Next wicket was Sumanth. For every ten Min, he needed a break. But ya, the luggages we were carrying was quite heavy. Upon that, Sunlight was also brighter. It made us to get tired a bit sooner. Manu was also taking very frequent breaks. Mithu accompanied manu. Me, santhu, Ani were leading from the front. Kanta was also in average speed. Later, Achutha, viji and jimmy joined us. Nearing to Bhatru mane, we felt somewhat tired, shared the luggage. Dates were of super useful, immediate energy builder, dryfruits , fruits also, took us till Bhatru Mane. Where we almost took 2 hrs of break, inclusive of food, sleep. So the gang started to speak about continuing our journey towards the top. Ani, as it was his third time visit to KP, fearing body pain, voluntarily took coke, Sumanth, by default had to stay back. So the remaining 9 started. It was very hot sun over there. So we drained our towels in water and started to walk. Jimmy, I must say, has got extraordinary and tremendous energy in him. I joined him. Me n Jimmy turned back once, just to make sure our guys are still visible. Thaths, Manu, Mithu already had taken their voluntary retirement. Me n Jimmy reached Mantapa first and took rest there for about 15 min. Jimmy, was not listening to me in anyways and started to walk. I was forced to join him at every break. But I would have never climed without the inspirations from him. I heard Kanta was full tired near Mantapa. Viji, Our doctor, pushed him and his words made kanta to get up again. One has to cross three huge mountains to reach the top. First part was in jungle, where trees covered us from sun. Remaining two are Full of rocks. Rarely we were finding shadows. The nature, the scenic beauty was really mind-blowing. Innu kannige kattida haagide. There was a rock over the edge in one of the mountain. We had to take deep breath looking at the depth and huge, high rocks. Though jimmy was ready to start to go down to final mountain, Fearing the light constraint, I restricted him until we got Viji, Achutha, Santhu and Kanta. At this point fo time, we were lucky enough to view the sunset and took photos with it. Uff, we never, at any cost, wanted to miss the chance of reaching the top. Somehow, we entered into the final mountain, where it's a bit to climb one small steepy rock. It was almost 7 when we reache dthe top. I just gave glance at the sky. The countless stars, moving objects, Bright planets was just amazing. I had neven seen such dense sky ever before. Then, we found out a flat surface to lift our tent. Though it was first time for us, It took only 20 min to lift it up. All of were a bit tired except Jimmy and Viji. Kanta was too much tired and I followed him. Finally, I took an injection just to keep my body in condition to climb down the next day. We ate Rotis, ready food, Bread everything. There was a regular trekker from Bit, lecturer, said that it was his fifth time and he is still not satisfied. I wonder his stamina. We spoke for sometime and our eyes were dying to close. Next day morning exactly at 6 45 , we started to climb down and reached Bhatru mane at 9.The view while climbing was just superb. The KP also Pushpagiri, is the second tallest hill in Karnataka, while Mullayanagiri being the first. The left gang had already gave work their legs toward Kukke. The Chitranna, in Bhatru mane was fantastic, and we had three nice innings. After some rest, we started to move. Jimmy was very quick, Achutha was with him. Jimmy without a break reached kukke. Achuta cursed Jimmy for not accompanying him. Suddenly my legs started to shiver and I almost took three to four breaks. So that's how we reached down.

Afternoon, we had some nice meal in a small hotel, and boared RAJAHAMSA, booked by Gunnadevaraya(Swaroopu/Magu). A special thanks for booking retirn tickets in Rajj. We occupied the last three rows and started to have fun. The return travel was memorable as Badethalav gave me tips on how to move on in career, love life too. We started to kindle each other on who has wooed more girls so far. We had a nice evening coffee/tiffin in Kamath Upachar and we reached bangalore by 10.30.

So that's how the trek was. I hope I have covered the maximum content of the trip. For photos, follow below link.

http://picasaweb.google.com/sumanthbadethalavr/KumaraParvathaTrek#