Chandrakani pass a blissfull Conversation with Nature( ಚಂದರಕಾಣಿಯ ಕಣಿವೆಯಲ್ಲಿ)

It is always said by Travellers that when ever a mountain want to see you there is always a call for you,some may believe it , some say NO ,but i fall in the 1st category.As i had no Plan for this trek i was planning for stock kangeri Base camp from YHAI but when i contacted the YHAI on the same they said that Stock kangari is been cancelled this year so i was looking which can be my next trek and i thought i shall do the "Queen of Trekking in YHAI "which was chandrakani Pass which is 12190ft.
     With my preparation to the Trek, it was the D-day when i started in the early morning prior Sun say Good morning,Took the Flight to Chandigarh and had some good time in Chandigarh by visiting the rock garden,Heard of this city a lot but got an opportuinity to experience it , A better clean city and also the infrastructure is much better planned. Took some time off at Sukhana lake and the best view i saw was out of Sukhana lake was the line full of Pani Puri Vendors.From Chandigarh i took the nigh journey to the 15th Mile Base Camp of Chandrakani which is on the Highway from Kullu to Manali.
     It is the trek of 10 Days with 1 day of reporting and 2 days of acclimatization.YHAI really organise the Trek in a much organised way.Want to provide few inputs on why you require acclimatization is to avoid High altitude sickness so making your body acclimatize to the new altitudes so when ever you are new for any treks and you flew from plains to high altitudes it is always better to have patience and undergo acclimitatization. Its always fun mingling and knowing different people who all coming from different parts of India.All YHAI treks will always have ppl round the country.
   When ever you plan for treks adhere to YHAI discipline and be one among them for the best memories for life time.  The trek all started on 13^th of May our 1^st higher base camp was sola tanki which means (16 Tanks) .It almost took the 6 hours of trek with a bus travel followed by the 5 hours of trek in the woods.We did visit Bijili mahadev Temple which was our  Lunch point.The view behind the Temple is breathtaking having spent some time over there was the precious moments of life.Bijili mahadev temple as one thing the butter on the temple remain intact in summer and melts in winter which is almost the reverse of our expectation.After the Lunch we started our next trek and travelled almost 2 more hours where the light Rain and reached the Base camp Solatanki. This was situated in the woods, in the middle of the woods was our resting Tents.After reaching the place we got introduced to the camp leader and then we had our welcome drink and went for a walk. The feel of breathing the fresh air itself is a different experience. I did sense the deforesting shadow there as well, Each cut log has its own story to tell in the silence. I did sit on one of the log seeing the mountains outside and lost in the cool breeze and silence of the nature. Words fall short to describe the experience.When you have a conversation with Nature the conversation is always unique and answering. Later we all went for a walk and we came back had our tea followed by a zabardast Dinner.YHAI uniqueness is in the food they server, Good Hygenic,tasty and always filling.As it was a woods the camp leader did alert us that there are few wild animals do travel so be aware in the night. By 7 to 8 PM we all got the signal to sleep and  we all slide down to sleeping bags and slept off .in the late Midnight We actually did face a situation in the night when the dogs was barking very loudly and few ppl did made some strength to see wat is the reason where as others had slept without thinking on that.
It was the next morning at 5 is our wakeup time.we had a tea by 6 , Sipping tea in woods with Sun rise view and also seeing sheeps grazing and seeing the birds an amazing experience all together , after that we had our breakfast and we bid the goodbye to the camp leader and started our journey to Motinag which is the next higher basecamp.today also we are elevating high the terrain was not so difficult , it was really a good trek as it was completely in deep woods.There were few places where we were very cautious in crossing as there was a valley next to our side. Treks in the woods always enhace your health as you will be inhaling the oxygen which is fresh .We did stop in the woods for a lunch point and we had our lunch and did have a nap as well.having Nap in woods with all u r friends around and just sleeping off is a peaceful experience.Then we started and on the way had a tea .as we started moving towards our next point we was cautioned by our guide that we shouldn’t touch the Temple and the temple is called as Motinag and hence the name of basecamp as well.we did see people gathering their , it was the festival there and every 1 was involved in celebration of the same.In the meanwhile Rain welcomed us to the motinag as it was raining on reaching the camp we settled down it was too cold out as well.we waited till the Rain subside , after which we got introduced to the camp leader .after which the kitchen staff really delighted us with hot tea and aloo bonda wat a combination for the best weather. we enjoyed that snacks and really we were kids as well we used to ask more as well , the best time of any life is to be like a kid and we did see the same in us.In the busy world we always tend to loose all the good qualities in us and keep masking as per the world requirement and not living the self,Where as in these kind of treks is where u get the opporotunity to be u r self and re-discover u r self.After the Snacks we went around and one of the elder person saw the poster of the base camp is being torn and he asked we can fix it and we went and fix the same,I did see a difference, many of them did see the torn poster but the elderly person thought of fixing it , this is the difference what we see in us ,our past generation people used to look for fixing things in all ways but now a days we are looking for alternatives which has led to lot of problems, and futuristic I see replacing them.I always have a special respect to that elderly person I shall cherish this moment throughtout .When ever u see a problem try solving it rather than trying alternative and getting out a life lesson which is taught.Thats where Treks give u the life lessons only thing is you should be open for learnings.after that there was a call for dinner. We were quite late for dinner but we did get all the things always have a great respect to the kitchen staff who fill us with such a lovely and tasty foods.we did had a camp fire and I did get a chance to sitout for a while and see through the sky which is filled with lot of stars .after around 10 we did bid goodnyt and sinked into the cozy sleeping bags for a wonderful good night
            Next Day morning with nice good night sleep woke up and was happy to see the new morning ,Today our destination was Ubalta thach. Ubalta means water and thach means place its been said that water used to obtain here in abundance hence the name.On the way to ubalta Thach there is a scenic beauty of Mountains, I did spend some time viewing the beauty , it’s just mesmerizing I always felt all the questions of yours can always be answered by Nature. Thats where the saying goes Nature can cure anything and everything. After the completion of the trek we did have a small nap and later moved around somedays the experience is much more than words. That is what I felt today. Had a nice time with all the team and we did have the campfire and after the campfire we did had a good night sleep.
     Today our destination was Dohra Nala. This is located in midst of the valley.on the way we did have rains and really amazing view of clouds moving and all of them enjoyed the view of the same and as it was raining the path really became messy we with lot of alertness did mind our steps while walking and few people did fall as well. later after reaching the camp we did had some fries for the the snacks and really we had nice warm welcome from the camp .after a while rain did give us the break and we went around and did take few picks around and also the stream which flew next to our camp. Later in the evening we really had a a nice time , in a span of 10days people whom we have never met before doesn’t know anything about them turn out to be just like a person whom we know from years.Thats the beauty of the trek .the best part of the team was all teammates were able to mingle with every one that’s the best of this team.we had to wake up early in the morning for the early depart hence we went to sleep as early as 7PM.With growing mechanical life we always miss the beauty of nature whenever I come to the trek I will gain all the missing things and enjoying the beauty of nature.
 Chandrakani Pass
  Today is the D-Day we were going through our destination Chandrakani Pass so we all woke up by 5:00 A.m had our breakfast and got ready with our packed lunch, Always a heartful of thankfulness to the kitchen staff that they are always on time and the food they prepare has no comparison. Today we started our trek early in the morning.and we have to really climb up till the top.By the time sun say good morning we are more or less reached the peak and wished him a Good morning and the beauty we saw was really words beyond.we were able to spot the sarpass , I was able to recollect 2 years memories which are fresh.We always complain that we don’t remember but I say the things which is in your heart is always fresh and when you recall it will be very much has happening. we thought of having lot of snow but we were able to see only few patches of snow. With wat ever we had snow we did play and also had a small slide.irrespective of the situation if the team members are happening even without nothing you create everything.After solid hour spending time which is once again lifetime experience coz next time even if you plan for one all the parameters wont be the same .After the fun experience we started getting down to the basecamp Rumsu village.on the way we did have two small slides where we helped eachother to cross the same.we had come down half the way hail storm started and luckily we got a shelter in a tent and after that it was 2 hours full of heavy rains. Thanks to the guide who had the presence of mind on the weather and made us to start at the right time from the peak . After almost 2hours wait we started going down , after the rain whole environment became very pleasant and also the road was slippery and we all watched our steps, we reached our camp Nayatapur by 4:30 PM and took some rest. Got introduced to the campleader and had tea followed by snacks.today we were very lucky to see one of the beautiful sunset which lasted for more than 30 mins and we all enjoyed it. After the dinner we all started to chitchat as this was one of the last basecamp for us. The talks went on till late night and the temperature was too chill it was around 3 to 4 degree by 10PM with lot of chill we all made our way to the tent to sleep.
Nayatapur to Basecamp
     Today we wokeup in our own time as it was the last basecamp we didn’t get any whistle blowed as we used to get every day, the camp leader was cool and he let us to wake up at the time we feel,but we are already practiced to wake up early so inspite of anything we woke up as usual .We woke up as usual and did spent time moving around had our breakfast it was a bright sunny day and we had long way to go by 8a.m bidding a good bye to the camp leader we started our journey .today we were going down and we were travelling in woods , we were able to listen to lot of Himalayan birds and also as the trek was in woods we were able to see lot of different woods.by afternoon we reached a place where rain welcomed us to the plains.we had our packed lunch and the amount of sharing what we did for full trek is no less than years.we were knowing each other well and knowing people so well. we were reaching the time to bid Good bye for many as few people were leaving today to their destination rest would be meeting in basecamp.on the way we went to the rumsu village , this village is beautiful in  its own ways .after looking inside the village we had tea in our trek leaders home and we were moved by his hospitality and also the lifestyle in the village, we saw people contended with what they have and also felt happy with what they have. later we started getting down and we spotted the most wished the Himalayan bird with lot of silence we were able to capture them then it was a trek on normal roads for 1 hour or so then we landed up in the Roerich Gallery , more than the things in museum what amazed me was the life lead by Roerich at that time. After spending considerable amount of time then we started to explore the palace around but it was closed by 6PM we were hungry had few mouth munching snacks in Naggar then we started to commute to the basecamp by hiring a taxi.
      At the Basecamp there was a warm welcome ,some time we felt that we have achieved something in life and yes we did capture of our dreams of seeing chandrakani pass.in the evening at the camp fire we recollected all our memories and got our certification on completion of trek. After dinner we did meet each of them did really share our last thoughts, it was really nice and I did see when the next day there was a depart of few people we did see people feelings so attached to each and every person this is where I see Trek always bond people just like a family. After the morning breakfast  we departed our own lands with the new dreams and new hopes thanking each and every person who were part of this whole journey.
    It is always said the end of a chapter is always a new beginning of the next chapter.Waiting eagerly for the Next chapter. i think the memories are abundant till the next chapter begins.

For the pics on the same go though the below link
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1854042398141088.1073741850.1393567807521885&type=1&l=368e113906

The Pearl of Hoysala Dynasty (Chennakesava Temple, Somanathapura) ಶ್ರೀ ಚೆನ್ನಕೇಶವ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ

Nearing to end of the year, i wished to have one last road trip ,Though we had many options we freezed to visit Somanathpura.Where we can find one of the Perl belonging to Hoysala Dynasty, Me and my friend are so fascinated by Hosyala works that we wish to explore all the works of Hoysala.
  Let me brief you about the location of the place, This place is quite near to Mysuru,from Bengaluru you can either take the kanakapura road or Mysuru road to reach this place.we chose the Mysuru road for the same.
   It was December time, The dominant chill had fully positioned itself to throw all the might for our ride.we started on the dawn of the day,it was around 6:30 a.m we started our jouney by the time we exit the city traffic it was around 7:30 and we had to take a break for tea as it was extremely chill and our hands was freezing , indeed the king of cold was ruling us. i could see that even Sun was having a tough battle with king Cold to show his prominence .After a quick Tea we continued our journey.we didnt stop anywhere thinking that we can have our breakfast on the way , after maddur we took a detour and we realised that the good place for breakfast if all left behind, some how we settled to one of the sagar enroute and finished our Breakfast with  hot idli and vada followed by a yummy coffee. The road leading from Maddur to Somnatahpura is under construction so you will encounter the dust and narrow roads, but in some time it  will be a very good road for travellers.Just a word of caution these roads are deserted so make sure u r travelling with your vehicle in good condition.The Beautiful thing to mention is, the way is full of paddy fields and till your eye stretch you can see the paddy fields accompanying you throughout the journey.There are enough sign boards to guide you on the way.It was 10:30 A.m the sun slowly started to show its might and we reached our destination "SomanathaPura".
   SomanathaPura is famous for "Chennakeshava Temple" the place got its name as this temple was built by Commander somanatha working for Hoysala dynasty.This temple is about 750 years old, dating to 1268.The Temple has lot of beautiful Architecture , The temple is enriched with 194 statues with 164 Vishnu statues and there is around 6000 small statues.This temple took almost 68 years for completion.The Architecture has a uniqueness is the elephant carving, there is almost 547 unique elephant carved around the temple.As every other Temple even this temple is in star formation which is called as Hoysala style.To obtain the star shaped architecture there should exist 36 corners.There is 18 pillars and 16 ceilings and all ceilings have been depicted with the stage of blooming  lotus.Each pillar is made of 5 pieces which is called Panchashilastamba. The whole temple is built on interlocking system.The temple is completely built with soft soap stone, the beauty of this stone is the stone remain soft till the carving and when exposed to natural light,wind and rain this stone attains the strength which helps in interlocking mechanism. You can spot a unique "Yoganarayana statue" which is one among few appearance, one you see here in somanathapura, the other is only in Badrinath.With so much richness in the temple we do have a painful story attached, This Place was been invaded by Malikafar in 1311 and by mohammad bin Tuglak in 1326 , due to invansion all the statue inside and outside the temple is been hampered due to which there is no godli activities carried out in this temple anymore.
     After the glance and with heavy heart we started our journey to Talakadu which is 45 kms from somanathapura.This place is also known for its  panchalinga darshana(5 lingas darshan) , The temple was built by Chola and Ganga dynasty.The main shrine of the temple is lord shiva which is called as Vaidyanatheshwara temple.The temple is built with granites and there is lot of carvings around the temple ,but the carvings is not as precise as we see in Hoysala dynasty .When asked for the reason on the same the guide stated that getting the precise carving on granite is too tough as compared to soap stone.
     Talakadu is full of very soft sand, when searched for the reason, the same is depicted about the curse which talakadu got from Alamelamma on the wodeyar dynasty (i) Talakadu, city will besubmerged under sand dunes and (ii) the Mysore royal family have faced a problem of having a rightful heir.i also see that there is lot of temples been damaged while excavation from sand dues and also it is seen very dominantly when u visit the temple, and few of the gopuras is been rebuilt .It is been belived that the entire city which belongs to Gangas is still submerged in the sand dues and if they are able to excavate the same there will be tremendous valuables will be available .we visited the 3 lingas and all is said to be swayamboo (which has emerged with itself).By the time we complete the visit of all the shrines sun was already warning us on the time, we started from talakadu at 5 PM , with lot of mythology stories and also with lot of heart filled moments of somanathapura we started our journey back , when i was glimsing all these moments i realized knowledge of  history deepens your attachment to the place and also provides you the contentment of the visit of the place.With a view of visiting the next hoysala dynasty and thinking on the next destination we drew back , sun bid a good bye and we also bid a heartful good bye for this wonderful journey.

Continue to explore few photos of the place by visiting the below link 
https://www.facebook.com/pg/PhotographyVasanth/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1781642605381068

The architectural resplendence of the great Hoysalas @ Nuggehalli, Hassan

Often it is said that when travel combines with the passion for art & history, it paves way to the best drives. This blog is about one of the best drives, that was an inspiration from a read, and is also one of the less visited places. I chanced upon an article in Prajavani, which lead to the inception of the thought for a weekend drive. Nuggehalli - though the name was neither renowned nor the place. Still we set to explore the beauty of the place. It seemed a perfect Saturday morning when we started our ride, with the glory of the sun, as we waded through the serpentine roads leading to Nugehalli. The place which is almost 140Km from Bengaluru, was a pleasure riding the Hassan -Bengaluru Highway. Enroute, we spotted some of Biking gangs heading for a refresher. After riding for almost 2 hrs, our first pitstop was at Swathi delicacy - just after Yediyur. Although the place was crowded we found a place for our morning Breakfast and continued our journey. The breakfast had its effect on the speed of riding, till Hirisave which is 40Km after Yediyur. After Hirisave we took a right detour and continued for almost 15-20Km- single road which is remote, and just the nature around you. The fresh breeze accompanied by the vast fields of cultivation captures not just your mind but also your heart.

Nuggehalli welcomes you with tranquility and peace. You can find the two gems of the Hoysala architecture - one is Sadashiva temple (which is dedicated to Lord Shiva) and the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple (which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu). Our first visit was to the Sadashiva temple which was resplendent with the uniqueness of the Hoysala architecture. Built on a lotus shaped basement, the temple houses many architectural splendor. The exteriors have been designed with intricate carving, with much detailing even extending till the Gopuram of the temple. One distinguishing factor that one can observe is the Royal emblem of the Hoysalas being carved in the premises.

The main deity – Lord Shiva is placed in the sanctum (Gharbhagudi) and is majestic with all the grandeur. Right opposite to the deity is Lord Nandi. We winded up the visit and started to the Lakshmi Narayana temple which is another major attraction of Nuggehalli. The temple is situated within 0.5km from the Sadashiva temple. During our visit, the mail sanctum was closed for decoration, hence we used the time to walk around the temple and capture some pictures. The beautiful carvings on the temple captivates the mind of any art lover.  Probably, this is the only temple where one can notice the combination of the idols of Natya Ganapati, Natya Saraswati and Natya Lakshmi (Dancing lord Ganesh, Saraswathy and Lakshmi). There is also a famous folklore, which speaks about an architect called Bychoja, who was an excellent architect. Since his competitors perceived him as a threat, it is said that Bychoja started his career and ended it in this temple. In some of the carvings, one can notice his name engraved, and also the place from where he came from - "Nandi" which is near Chikkabalapura. The magnificent carvings of the temple caught my fancy so much, that I visited the carvings 3 times, much to the speculation of my friend who had accompanied me. We worshiped the deity - Lord Krishna and Lord Narasimha and offered pooja to the lord, seeking his blessings. I was filled with a sense of contentment, by this visit, especially with the thought that the temple is well restored and maintained. There is also a Parijatha tree, in the sylvan surrounding of the temple. The wonderful aroma of the flower leaves a nostalgic memory of the graceful temple. Having the Prasadam, provided by the priest, and speaking to the guide, we started our journey back. 

The saying that every destination always reveals a new journey for the new destination was lingering in my mind. The Hoysala Architecture has definitely made me search a new place to be unearthed. 

Continue to explore few photos of the place by visiting the below link 
https://www.facebook.com/PhotographyVasanth/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1743142739231055

In search of India's Nostradamus - Kaivara Tatayya, Kolar

In the hustle and bustle of life, juggling between work, travel plans often takes a backseat. Sometimes the thought of just letting things go and moving ahead with the travel takes the better of me. It is so true that Travel not just bring experience, but also fun and learning. Many of my blogs are centered around places around Namma Bengaluru. This blog is about a similar place with spiritual significance.

The monsoon season gave a perfect timing for a long weekend drive, and the misty Saturday morning, added to the pleasure of riding. We started our journey at 7 am in the morning towards the Kolar Road and crossed all the traffic snarls in 45 mins. We zipped past the vast cultivated lands, and the serene greenery adding to the fresh air. Enjoying this respite from the polluted environment that we get in the city, we rode slowly.

At 8:45 am, we reached Chikka Tirupati, which was our first planned destination. Unlike the crowded atmosphere, there were few people visiting the temple, and we could finish our darshan of the lord in 15 mins. The temple is constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, and is considered similar to the Tirupathi Venkateswara temple. The main deity is a finely carved Sri Venkateswara (Balaji) and is believed to be around 500 years old. Vishnu is worshipped as Venkateshwara and his consort Lakshmi as Alamelumangai. You may read more details about this place at the link - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chikka_Tirupati

Our next travel destination was the Kolaramma temple, which is 4000 years old, built by the "Chola" dynasty. It is situated approx 50Km from Chikka Tirupati and is located in the heart of the Kolar district. The road from Chikka Tirupati to Kolar is a single lane, but the drive is mesmerizing with fresh oxygen and lush greenery enroute. It took almost an hour to reach the place, with the help of google maps. The entrance of the Kolaramma temple had two long pillars with inscriptions engraved, revealing the the  glorious past of the dynasty. We captured few photographs before entering into the temple. The main deity is said to be installed by Lord Parshurama, himself. Mythology dates back to the time when Parashurama who beheaded his mother and was cursed with "Mathru atheya Dosha" (Killing the Mother). Hence he was unable to have food which turned to worms. Overcome with guilt and after deep penance, he was told to install the idol of Goddess Durga every day, before consuming food. The temple is L-shaped housing two shrines, one for Goddess Durga who is known as Kolaramma and another for Saptamatas. The idol of the goddess is placed on the side of the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagudi) since the goddess is considered very fearsome and the devotees are protected from her direct gaze by worshipping her looking at a mirror placed opposite her idol. Another deity of this temple is Chelamma or the scorpion goddess. People believe that by praying at the Chelamma shrine a person will be guarded from scorpion bites by the deity. Breathtaking architecture, and the intricate designs speaks volumes about the unique expertise of the artisans and engineers of the Chola Dynasty. Unfortunately, I was unable to capture all of these in my camera.

We moved on to drive to "Antaragange" which is just 5 Km from the Kolaramma temple. The temple at Antaragange is situated on mountain and has 5 Jyothirlingas. The temple has a unique pond which gets continuous water supply from the mouth of Basava (stone bull). Since Antaragange is situated in a reserve forest area, we may occasionally get to hear the screech of the peacocks. You need to be cautious about the monkeys around the place.

After the visit to Antaragange, we continued our journey in search of India’s Nostradamus called as "Kaivara Thathaiyya" - SHRI YOGI NAREYANA YATHINDRA. It’s took almost an hour from Kolar, riding through the plain and breezy lands. We reached the mutt at the lunch time and had a simple yet tasty food. Kaviara Thathaiyaa is called as India’s Nostradams as his predictions written on palm leaves have come true. The Mutt is very well build and offers a spiritual atmosphere. We then moved on to see the Bhimalingeshwara temple, where the presiding deity – Shiva linga was installed by Arjuna and Bheema. But since the temple was closed, we did not get to be inside the premises. We then drove to the cave where Kaivara Thathaiyya got his enlightenment. We could catch an glimpse of the entire city from this mountain. Upon the advice of a fellow traveler, we wabted to visit Kailasa Giri. When asked about the significance of the place, we were told that it could only be experienced. This man-made hill which houses a temple inside, is truly magnificent and stunning.  

After the adventurous ride, encompassing numerous places, we returned back to our sweet homes cherishing the memories that filled our souls with contentment. This begins our search for our next destination…

The photos can be viewed in the below link 
https://www.facebook.com/PhotographyVasanth/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1715926815285981

Embracing Himalayas (Life time Trek to SARPASS)

Place Name: SARPASS 

Duration: 10 Days

Best time to visit: May - June (visited in MAY 2014)

Things to carry : Warm Thermals, Jeans, T-shirts, Good waterproof jacket (light weight), Gloves, Woolen socks, cotton socks, Sunglasses, good waterproof rucksack (light weight), water bottle, Tissue paper, general Medicines, Hand sanitizer, good shoes (preferably with good grip and which can stand for rain and snow) 

Facilitators: YHAI

As the cold was slowly retreating back from Bengaluru, and summer was slowly gaining its way, that’s when I heard about the YHAI SARPASS. With lots of apprehensions in my mind, I finally booked a slot on May 15 2014, and started preparing mentally for being a part of the trek. Simultaneously, I was taking breaks to get the required accessories for the trek. Days rolled by and soon the D day neared.  Despite the dilemma running on my mind, I dared to venture for the trek, which was in my wishlist. The dawn, marked a new day at 5 am when I started my journey, with a pit stop at Delhi and Manali.  At 11:30 am, I reached Delhi, alighted at Indira Gandhi International Airport, the announcement that grabbed my attention was that the temperature outside was 23 degree, because Delhi was much cooler than Bangalore but by afternoon the mercury shot up again. I visited RedFort and took time off gathering info from the guide about the historical less known facts on the monument, clicking pictures and enjoying the splendid Architecture. After having my dinner, I boarded the Himasutha bus to Manali, which was my next pitstop before reaching my destination – Sarpass. Enroute I took bus from Manali - Kullu, Kullu – Buntur, Buntur – Kasol. The entire journey is traversed through steep and curvy roads, which are at times risky to drive. The trek lasted for 10 days and I have penned down the reminisces, which I cherish always.

Day 1 : I alighted at the bus stop at the base camp – Kasol in the evening 4 pm. Once the dust settled down after the bus passed on, I noticed the “Warm Welcome” board for the Basecamp of Kasol, The beauty of the place is truly admirable, as it was situated between a mountain and the river – Parvathy. I checked in with the registration desk and completed some of the formalities. I reached the camp, and unwinded for a while after the long journey. I could catch up with few fellow trekkers. We went around the place at 6 pm and had some snacks and tea. Meanwhile, I got introduced to many others in the group. We had dinner at 8 pm, comprising of chapatti and rice, which was well cooked. We also had a sendoff party with the bon fire for the team that began its trek the next day. Since I was exhausted after the long journey, I had a sound sleep. 

Day2: I was woken up by the sound of the whistle which was a morning alarm to us. The chirping of the birds with the clatter of the river added to the serenity of the place, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.  The morning exercise started with a 2 km jog as a warm up. This was followed by breakfast. Team 13 was set to trek and we were to acclimate ourself to the trek. It was a test of stamina and in the process got to know many co-trekkers. Being back to the camp we had our lunch and identified a team leader for our group and got discussing on the farewell party for the team that just returned after a successful trek. Based on the suggestions from the team members, it was decided that my friend and myself would anchor the entire program. We ventured out to Manikaran in the evening. The place is known for a big gurudwara and also has a hot spring bath. We visited the gurudwara and also the shiva temple nearby. The hot spring is used to cook food in the langar. We then returned to the camp to have tea and snacks. It was good interacting with the other team members.  The dinner was served at 8 pm and we began with our farewell program. The audience enjoyed the program, which included singing and few who exhibited their talent. I sang a kannada song and also explained the meaning of the lyrics to the audience. The program was much appreciated by the director of the camp, as well. Lying down I gazed at the open sky and the stars, and soon dozed off in my tent, remembering my grandpa words, “A person who can adjust to anything, the world will be friend to him”.

Day 3: As we were accustomed to our routine, we woke up as soon as the alarm went on and quickly freshened up, well prepared for the exercise. After finishing the breakfast, we got ready for the rock climbing and rappelling. Though I was familiar with the exercise, I was excited to give it a try. When my turn came, I did face difficulty, but succeeded eventually.  The lesson which I had learnt during this exercise was to remain deaf to demotivation and stay committed till you achieve.  Returning to the base camp, we had our lunch and spent time in the tent as it was raining outside and we couldn’t proceed with the rappelling. We packed the stuff to carry during the trek and had them checked and approved by the instructors. After dinner, we spent time speaking to each other and knowing about them. The serenity of the place and the quiet music of the flowing river put me to sleep.

Day 4: The D day finally arrived and we woke up by 7:30 am and had breakfast. We got the lunch packed and started flagging off with the hymns and chants of the lord. We moved to our destination – Grahan. It was 8 Km walk through the forest and we reached a village. Our team comprised of people from all age groups – from 16 yrs to a 40 year old. All filled with energy and excitement. After covering a distance of 5 km, we rested to have our lunch by afternoon. I always felt that YHAI did not compromise with the quality of the food that they served. We reached our destination by 4:30 pm and the camp leader made the necessary arrangements for our stay and also, gave us some instructions to follow.  Had a great time with my peers and had tea. Also, loitered around the place to look around. I was thrilled at the resounding silence of the place and the chirping of the birds. As the dusk was setting in, soup was served. My peers were playing cricket with the kids from the village and I joined them. We had our dinner – roti and curry at around 7 pm and also had the camp fire where we played Anthakshari till 10 pm. Wishing everyone goodnight, I fell asleep gazing at the stars – something that we never get to do in the urban life. 

Day 5: It was almost 5:30 am when I woke up in the morning. I ventured out to feel the beautiful nature, awaiting the first rays of the sun to kiss the mountain peak. Had our morning tea and breakfast which had roti and subzi and packed some for our lunch too. Few of my pers wore the traditional dress and took photographs with the villagers. The camp leader appreciated the team for the cooperation and also wished us luck for the journey ahead. The next destination was Padri which was almost 10 km from grahan. Since the journey involved a lot of climbing and skidding down, the camp leader urged us to speed up during the journey. After walking through the jungles for about 6 km, we stopped enroute to have our lunch. Interacting with the team, I felt I had build a good rapport with all the fellow team members. By 4:30 pm in the evening, we reached the destination paadri. Our camp was located admist the hills. We met the camp leader who briefed us while we enjoyed the soup that was served. We had a glimpse of the mighty Himalayan Mountains and the clouds that lined the giant. It had just snowed and we took some wonderful snaps. The camp leader lit the camp fire and we again played Anthakshari till 10 pm. I sunk into the sleep, looking at the stars that lit the sky.  

Day 6: We woke up at 5 am with the golden rays of the sun lighting up the mountains. I enjoyed the bliss of walking in the open space. The water from the stream around was damn cold. The water was pure and could be used for consuming as well, as it is the Glacier melting it is equivalent to any mineral water. After answering the nature’s call in the open space, we had our breakfast and got ready with our lunch packed. The destination - minthach or ratapani is the place where we hit the snow line. Bidding adieu to the camp leader, we started our journey. The journey enroute was a difficult path to traverse. We encountered a few places where the surface seemed to be frozen but there was water underneath. We reached our destination and witnessed the snow filled mountains of Naagaru which is our final destination to sarpass. Though we were skeptical, of reaching our destination, we moved ahead with confidence. After reaching mid-way, there was heavy rainfall and we had to stall the journey, till the weather seemed better. The rains made the last part of the trek even more a difficult task to accomplish. One had to tread carefully, and a small slip can cost one’s life. The most reliable support were the tree roots. We traversed our way across the snow to the camp. We reached in the nick of time, as immediately the hails storms began. Hot soup and finger fries we served and we relished it.  We had an early dinner at 5:30 pm and the place was soon experiencing heavy snowfall.  We soon slipped into our warm sleeping bags and dozed off. It was indeed amazing to find a bunch of energetic peers and able leaders, a rare combination that indeed made the difference.

Day 7: Today the destination was Nagaru - the final camp before reaching our dream destination – SARPASS. I woke up at 5:30 in the morning, and came out of the tent. It was dam cold outside due to the heavy snow fall in the night but the scenic beauty of the sunrays falling on the mountains made the good start. We clicked photos of the team and the camp leader. Finishing our breakfast, we set to reach Nagaru. The trek was quiet challenging as the mountain range was filled with snow. The camp leader gave us some useful info along with some tips for a successful trek. I could see my team members sliding on the snow. A Sherpa from Darjelling, joined us as the previous few teams had encountered some problems. The journey was steep, and we did slip in some places but managed to catch up with our team. We had maggi and omlet for lunch, and were able to spot the Biskeri village. The trek was scary at times as the snowing was tough and the steepness was 70 degree at some places. With the help of our team leader, who guided us effectively, we were able to manage reaching our camp. It was a roar of cheers from everyone in the team. We also, got some instructions from the camp leader and he did mention that the place had religious significance. Since we had to start trekking at 4 am the next day, we were off to our beds early.

Day 8: The weather had turned damn cold during the night, with the temp being - 4 degrees Celsius. By 4 am we were all set for beginning our trek, with the camp leader wishing us luck. We had biscuits and Chikki as we began trekking. At 5 am, we were able to catch a glimpse of the first rays of the sun. The beauty of the nature is worth admiration and an amazing experience for life.  The trek was a difficult one, but we managed to move on with grit and determination. When we finally reached our destination, our happiness was beyond all the words.  Having maggi at 12000 feet was truly an ethereal experience. We rejoiced and lived every moment of accomplishing our dream trek. The scenic beauty of SARPASS is impeccable and worth the struggles we encountered to reach the place. I was truly amazed seeing the breathtaking beauty of the place. It is rightly said that one finds the light of success after the long tunnel of struggles. I could notice a mixed reaction from the team. While some wanted to visit the place again, some were overwhelmed at the visit. After enjoying the serenity of the place we started our way back to Biskeri, fighting against the snowy weather. We slided our way carefully and had some food mid-way. As sliding was the only option to reach down the mountain, we did so with a lot of obstacles in between and we were soaked in water. We reached our destination by 4 pm where we were congratulated by the camp leader for being successful. The excitement in the camp was evident with all the team recollecting the efforts during the trek. Everyone fell fast asleep, by 8 pm. I heartily thanked the ones who supported me in accomplishing the trek and slept through reminiscing on the wonderful experience.

Day 9: We woke up with a pride of accomplishing our dream trek, with the rise of the sun. We started our journey towards the base camp, after having delicious breakfast. Our destination  - Bandakthach, was a difficult one too, as the path was very slippery due to snow and hail storm. We took shelter beneath a huge tree, till the hail storm subsided.   One of our team members slipped and hurt himself, and required medical attention. As a solidarity, the team decided to skip the next destination and return to the Base camp. I appreciated the team spirit and lead the team to the path leading to the base camp. Reaching the village by 6 pm, we soon had cabs which drove us to the base camp. Soon medical aid was given to the injured person and he was taken good care. The camp leader goaded us to not let go of our excitement for things were bound to happen and one needs courage to overcome those. As we got our trek completion certificate, the happiness was evident in all of us for having achieved it. As we clicked pics and packed our luggages back home, I bid adieu to my friends and team members who were a part of this wonderful journey.

The SARPASS trek was indeed one of the best memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. The beauty of nature, the happiness after the hardships, the supportive friends, who later became my best buddies, the motivating camp leaders, the serenity of Himalayas, still lingers in my mind. The mighty Himalayas invites me again… 

The links for the PICS :

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ಹಿಮಾಲಯದ ಮಡಿಲಲ್ಲಿ (SARPASS TREK)

ಸ್ಥಳದ ಹೆಸರು : ಕಸೊಲ್
ಕಾಲ ಅವಧಿ : 10 ದಿನ
ಹತ್ತಿರದ  ಸ್ಥಳಗಳು : ಕುಲ್ಲು, ಮನಾಲಿ


ಅದು ಜನವರಿಯ ತಿಂಗಳು ಎಲ್ಲೆಡೆ ಚಳಿಯು ಮಾಯವಾಗುತ್ತಿರಲು ಸೂರ್ಯ ತನ್ನ ಪಥ ಬದಲಿಸುವ ಯೋಚನೆಯಲ್ಲಿರಲು ನನ್ನ ಬಹುದಿನಂದ ಕನಸಿಗೆ ರೆಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದಂತೆ ಸರ್ಪಸ್ಸ್ ಪರ್ವತರೋಣದ ಜಾಹೀರಾತು ಕಣ್ಣಿಗೆ ಬಿತ್ತು , ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಆಲೋಚನೆಯ ನಂತರ ಈ ಪರ್ವತಾರೋಹಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಾಗವಸಿಯಲು ತೀರ್ಮಾನಿಸಿದೆ , 3 ತಿಂಗಳ ಸತತ ತಯಾರಿಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ನಾನು ನನ್ನ ಪರ್ವತಾರೋಹಣಕ್ಕೆ ಸಿದ್ದವಾದೆ ,ಅಂದು ಮೇ 13 ಸೂರ್ಯನ ಈ ದಿನ ಕಿರಣಗಳು ಏನೋ ಉತ್ಸಾಹ
ಏನೋ ಸಾದಿಸುವ ಆಶಬಾವನೆ ಇಂದ ಕೂಡಿತ್ತು, ಮನದ ತುಂಬಾ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಗಳ ತುಮಾಲುಗಳು ಹೇಗೂ ಏನು ಎಂದೆಲ್ಲ ಸಂಶಯಗಳು ಏನೇ ಇರಲಿ ನನ್ನ ಕನಸಿನ ಬೆನ್ನಟ್ಟು ಹೊರಟೆ , ನನ್ನ ಗುರಿಯು ಕಸೋಲ್ ಆದರೂ ಮೊದಲು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ದೆಲ್ಹಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಮನಾಲಿ ತಿರುಗಿ ನೋಡಿ ನಂತರ ಕಸೋಲಿಗೆ ಹೋಗುವ ಯೋಜನೆ ನನ್ನದಾಯಿತ್ತು, ಅಂದು ಮೇ 15 ಮನಾಲಿ ಇಂದ ನನ್ನ ನಿರ್ದಿಷ್ಟ ಸ್ಥಳವಾದ ಕಸೋಲಿಗೆ ಪಯಣ , ಮೊದಲು ಮನಾಲಿ ಇಂದ ಕುಲ್ಲುವಿಗೆ ಪಯಣ ಇದು ಸುಮಾರು 1 ಗಂಟೆ ,ರಸ್ತೆಯು ತುಂಬಾ ಕಾಡಿದಾಗಿದು ,ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ 1 ಗಂಟೆಯಲ್ಲಿ  ಸೀಟಿನ ಮೇಲೆ ಕುಳಿತುಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಆವಕಾಶ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿದೆ ಕಮ್ಮಿ ,ಕುಲ್ಲುವಿನಿನ್ದ ಭೂಂತೂರು ಆಲಿಂದ ಕಾಸೋಲ್ ಇದು ಬರೋಬರಿ 2-3 ತಾಸಿನ ಪಯಣ , ಪಯಣದ ಉದಾಕ್ಕೂ ಜೊತೆಯಾಗುವಳು ನದಿ ಪಾರ್ವತಿ ಎಂತ ಮನೋಹರವಾಗಿ ಹಾಗೂ ತಾನು ಹರಿಯುವ ಜಗವನೆಲ್ಲ ಸಸ್ಯಶಾಮಲದಿಂದ ಸೀಗರಿಸಿದಾಳೆ  ರಸ್ತೆಯು ತುಂಬಾ ಕಾಡಿಡಾಗಿದು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಎಚ್ಚರ ತಾಪಿದರು ಆಪಾಯ ಕಂಡಿತ , ಬಸ್ಸಿನ ಚಾಲಕ ತುಂಬಾ ಗಮನವಿಟ್ಟು ಚಲನೆ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು .ಇದು ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ 10 ದಿನದ ಪರ್ವತಾರೋಹಣ,  ಪ್ರತಿ ದಿನ ದ ಸಂಕಿಸ್ಪ್ತ ಹಾಗೂ ರೋಚಕ ಅನುಭವವನ್ನು ಪ್ರಸ್ತುತ ಪಡಿಸುತೇನೆ ,

ದಿನ 1 : 3 ತಾಸಿನ ನನ್ನ ಬಸ್ಸಿನ ಪಯಣದ ನಂತರ ಬಸ್ ನನ್ನನು ಕಸೋಲ್ ಬೇಸ್ ಕ್ಯಾಂಪ್ ಬಳಿ ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಿತು , ಬಸು  ಹೋದ ನಂತರ ತುಂಬಾ ನೇ ಧೂಳು , ಧೂಳು ಕೊಡವಿ ನೋಡಿದೆ ಕಾಣಿಸಿತು  YHAI ನಾಮಪಾಲಕ  ,ಒಂದೆಡೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾರ್ವತಿ ನದಿ ಹಾರಿತಿರುವುದು , ಮಾತೊಂದೆಡೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪರ್ವತ ಮಧ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಇರುವುದೇ ಬೇಸ್ ಕ್ಯಾಂಪ್ .ಮೊದಲ ದಿನ regitration ಮಾತ್ರ , ಹೋಗಿ ನನ್ನ ಪರಿಚಯ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡು ಬೇಕಾದ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ವಿವರಣೆ  ಕೊಟ್ಟು ನೋಂದಣಿ ಪೂರ್ಣಗೊಳಿಸಿದೆ ,ತದ ನಂತರ ನಾನು ನನ್ನ ಟೆಂಟ್ ಕಡೆ ಮುಖ ಮಾಡಿದೆ ಹೋಗಿದೊಡನೆಯೇ ಪರಿಚಯ ಮೊದಲೈತು ,ನಂತರ ಕಸೋಲ್ ಸುತ್ತಿಬಂದೆ ಸಂಜೆ ಸರಿ ಸುಮಾರು 6:00 ಗಂಟೆ ಚಹಾ ಸಮಯ ಬಿಸಿ ಚಹಾ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ತಿನಲು ಬಿಸಿ ಬಿಸಿ ಬಜ್ಜಿ ಕೂಡ , ಅದು ಆದ ನಂತರ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಇದ್ದ ಪರ್ವತಾರೋಹಣ ಆಕಾಂಕ್ಷಿಯವರನ್ನು ಪರಿಚಯ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡು ಮಾತಾಡಿದೆ , ಸಮಯ ಸುಮಾರು 8:30 ಊಟದ ಸಮಯ ತುಂಬಾ ಸುವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ಯಲ್ಲಿ ಊಟವೂ ನೆಡೆದೀತು ತಡ ನಂತರ ಮರುದಿನ ಪರ್ವತಾರೋಹಣಕ್ಕೆ ತೆರಳುವ ಗುಂಪಿಗೆ ಬೀಳ್ಕೊಡೆ ಸಮಾರಂಬ ,   ಸಮಾರಂಬ ಶುರು ಮಾಡಿದ್ದೆ ಕನ್ನಡದ ಮಾತುಗಳಿಂದ ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಸಿಕ್ಕ ಪ್ರೋತ್ಸಾಹಕ್ಕೆ ಮನ ತುಂಬಿ ಬಂತು , ತದ ನಂತರ ನಾಡಿನ ಕುರಿತು ಹಾಡಿದ "ಜೇನಿನ ಹೊಳೆಯೋ ಹಾಲಿನ ಮಳೆಯೋ ಸುದೆಯೊ ಕನ್ನಡ ಸವಿ ನುಡಿಯೋ " ಹಾಡಿಗೆ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಸಂತಸ ವ್ಯ್ಕ್ತಪಡಿಸಿದರು ಅಲ್ಲಿನ ಡೈರೆಕ್ಟರ್ ಕೂಡ ತುಂಬಾನೇ ಚಂದವಾಗಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರ್ಮ ನೆಡೆಸಿದರು ಎಂದು ಮೆಚ್ಚುಗೆ  ವ್ಯ್ಕ್ತಪಡಿಸಿದರು,ಕೆಲವರಿಗೆ ಆ ಹಾಡಿನ ಅರ್ಥವನ್ನು ಇಂಗ್ಲೀಷ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳಿದ ಬಳ್ಳಿಕ ಅವರು ಕೂಡ ಕನ್ನಡ ಕಲಿಯುವ ಉತ್ಸಾಹ ತೋರಿದರೂ  , ಸಮಾರಂಬ ತುಂಬಾ ನೇ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿತು ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾನಬ್ಚಿ ಹಾಡು , ಕುಣಿತ ಎಲ್ಲವನ್ನೂ ಮಾಡುತಿದರು ಆದೊಂದು ಕಲ್ಕರರಲ್ಲದವರಿಗೆ ಕಲೆ ತೋರಿಸುವ ರಂಗ ಸ್ಥಳವಾಗಿತು .ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮದ ನಂತರ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ದೀಪಗಳನ್ನು ಹಾರಿಸಿದರು , ದಣಿದಿದ್ದ ದೇಹಕ್ಕೆ ಚಾಪೆ ಸಿಕ್ಕರೆ ಸಾಕು ಆನಿಸಿತು ಮನೆಯವರಿಗೆ ದೂರವಾಣಿ ಕರೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಯೋಗಕ್ಷೇಮವಿಚಾರಿಸಿದೆ ನಂತರ ಚಾಪೆ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿತ್ತು ತಕ್ಷಣವೇ  ನಿದ್ರಾಡೇವತಾಗೆ ಶರಣಾದೆ .

ದಿನ 2-3: ದಿನಾಲೂ ಅಲಾರ್ಮ್ ಕರೆಗಂಟೆಗೆ ಕಣ್ಣು ತೆರೆಯುತ್ತಾ ಏಳುತ್ತಿದಾ ನನಗೆ ಈ ದಿನ ಸಿಟಿ ಸದ್ದು ಕೇಳಿಸಿತು ಆಗಲೇ ನನ್ನಗೆ ಅರಿವಾಗಿದು ನಾನು ಇರುವುದು YHAI ನಲ್ಲಿ ಎಂದು ಸಮಯ ನೋಡಿದಾರೆ 5:30 ಇಸ್ಟು ಬೇಗನಾ ಆದರೆ ಕ್ಯಾಂಪ್ ಲೀಡರ್ ಬೀಡಲ್ಲಿಲ ಎದ್ದು ನೋಡಿದೆ ಸೂರ್ಯನ ಮೊದಲ ಕಿರಣ ದಿಂದ ಕಂಗೊಳಿಸುತಿತ್ತು ಹಿಮಾಲಯ ನೋಡುವುದೇ ಸುಂದರ,ಪಕ್ಕಡಲೆ ಹರಿಯುತಿದ್ದ ಪಾರ್ವತಿಯ ಸದ್ದು ಬೆಳಗಿನ ಸುಪ್ರಬಾತದಂತೆ , ನನ್ನ ಬೆಳಗಿನ ಕಯ್ಕಾರ್ಯವನ್ನು ಮುಗಿಸಿ ಚಹಾಕ್ಕೆ ಸಿದ್ದವಾದೆ, ಆ ಚಳ್ಳಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಚಹಾ ಕುಡಿಯುವುದೇ ಊಂದು ಆನಂದ.ಚಹಾದ ನಂತರ ,ಚಹಾದ ನಂತರ ನಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಬೆಂಡೆತಲು ಆಂದರೆ ವ್ಯಾಮಕ್ಕೆ ಕರೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಹೋದರು 2KM ಜ಼ೋಗ್ಗಿನ್ಗ್ ಆಮೇಲೆ ದೇಹದ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಬಗ್ಗಗಳ ಪರಿಚಯವಾಗುವಂತಹ ವ್ಯಾಯಾಮ , ಅಲ್ಲಿಂದ ಬಂದ ಕೂಡಲೇ ಟೆಂಟ್ ಸ್ವಚ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು ತದನಂತರ ಬೆಳಗ್ಗಿನ ಉಪಹಾರ ಅವಲಕ್ಕಿ ಮತ್ತು ಮೊಟ್ಟೆ,ತದನಂತರ ಪರ್ವತಾರೋಹಣಕ್ಕೆ ತೆರಳುವ ಉತ್ಸಾಹಿಗಳಿಗೆ Flagoff , ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಶುಭಹಾರಿಸುತ್ತಾ ಬೀಳ್ಕೊಟೆವು.ಅದಾದನಂತರ ನಮ್ಮಗೆ ಈವತು ಆಕ್ಲಿಮೇಟೈಸೇಶನ್ ಅಂದರೆ ಪಕ್ಕದ ಪರ್ವತ ಏರುವುದು ,ನಾವುಗಳು ನಮ್ಮ ನಮ್ಮ ಬ್ಯಾಗುಗಲ್ಳನು ಹೊತ್ತು ನೆಡೆದವು,ಬೆಟ್ಟ ಏರುತ್ತಾ ಗುಂಪಿನ ಎಲ್ಲರನ್ನು ಪರಿಚಯ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡು ಸರಿ ಸುಮಾರು 2.5 ತಾಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ತುದಿ ತಲುಪಿದೆವು , ದಣಿವಾಗಿದ ನಮ್ಮಗೆ ಜೂಸ್ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡು ದಾಣಿವಾರಿಸಿದೆವು ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಒಟುಗೂಡಿ ಗುಂಪಿನ ನಾಯಕನನ್ನು ಗುರುತಿಸಿದೆವು ಹಾಗೂ ಸಂಜೆಯ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಕ್ಕೆ ಪಟ್ಟಿ ಮಾಡಿದೆವು ಇಂದು ನಾವು ನಮ್ಮ ಮುಂದಿನ ಗುಂಪಿಗೆ ಬೀಳ್ಕೊಡುವ ಸಮಾರಂಬ ನೆಡಿಸಿಕೊಡಬೇಕಾಗಿತ್ತು , ಸುಮಾರು ಮಧ್ಯಾನದ ವೇಳೆಗೆ ನಾವು ಕೆಳಗಿಳಿದೆವು ಊಟ ಮಾಡಿ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ವಿಶ್ರಮಿಸಿ ಸಂಜೆ ಚಹಾ ಮುಗಿಸಿ ಕಸೋಲ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ತಿರುಗಾಡಿ ಸಂಜೆ ಊಟದ ನಂತರ ಬೀಳ್ಕೋಡೆಸಮಾರಂಬವನ್ನು ಶುರುಮಾಡಿದೆವು , ಶುರು ಆಗಿದ್ದ್ಡೆ ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಆಡಾಕೆ ಎಲ್ಲಿಲದ ಪ್ರೋತ್ಸಾಹ ದೊರಕ್ಕಿತು  ಸಮಾರಂಬ ಶುರು ಮಾಡಿದ್ದೆ ಕನ್ನಡದ ಮಾತುಗಳಿಂದ ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಸಿಕ್ಕ ಪ್ರೋತ್ಸಾಹಕ್ಕೆ ಮನ ತುಂಬಿ ಬಂತು , ತದ ನಂತರ ನಾಡಿನ ಕುರಿತು ಹಾಡಿದ "ಜೇನಿನ ಹೊಳೆಯೋ ಹಾಲಿನ ಮಳೆಯೋ ಸುದೆಯೊ ಕನ್ನಡ ಸವಿ ನುಡಿಯೋ " ಹಾಡಿಗೆ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಸಂತಸ ವ್ಯ್ಕ್ತಪಡಿಸಿದರು ಅಲ್ಲಿನ ಡೈರೆಕ್ಟರ್ ಕೂಡ ತುಂಬಾನೇ ಚಂದವಾಗಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರ್ಮ ನೆಡೆಸಿದರು ಎಂದು ಮೆಚ್ಚುಗೆ  ವ್ಯ್ಕ್ತಪಡಿಸಿದರು,ಕೆಲವರಿಗೆ ಆ ಹಾಡಿನ ಅರ್ಥವನ್ನು ಇಂಗ್ಲೀಷ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳಿದ ಬಳ್ಳಿಕ ಅವರು ಕೂಡ ಕನ್ನಡ ಕಲಿಯುವ ಉತ್ಸಾಹ ತೋರಿದರೂ  , ಸಮಾರಂಬ ತುಂಬಾ ನೇ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿತು ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾನಬ್ಚಿ ಹಾಡು , ಕುಣಿತ ಎಲ್ಲವನ್ನೂ ಮಾಡುತಿದರು ಆದೊಂದು ಕಲ್ಕರರಲ್ಲದವರಿಗೆ ಕಲೆ ತೋರಿಸುವ ರಂಗ ಸ್ಥಳವಾಗಿತು  ಸುಂದರ ಸಂಜೆಯ ನಂತರ, ಮನೆಯ್ವರಿಗೆ ಯೋಗಕ್ಷೇಮ ತಿಳಿಸಿ , ನಾವೆಲ್ಲ ನಮ್ಮ ಟೆಂಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಹೋತು  ಮಾತಾಡಿ ಮಾತ್ತೆ ನಿದ್ದೆಗೆ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಶರಣಾದ್ರೂ , ಯಾರು ಗೊತಿಲ್ಲದವರು ಗೊತಿಲ್ಲದ ಊರು,ಆದರೂ ಕೆಲವೇ ದಿನದಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಸ್ನೇಹದಿಂದ ಒಂದೇ ಟೆಂಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಹೊಂದಿಕೊಂಡಿರುವುದು ನೋಡಿ ಆನಿಸಿತು, ಹೊಂದಿ ನೆಡಿಯುವವನಿಗೆ ಲೋಕದ ತುಂಬಾ  ಸ್ನೇಹಿತರು ಎಂಬ ನನ್ನ ಅಜ್ಜನ ಕೀವಿ ಮಾತು  .ಕಣ್ಣು ಮೂಚಿದೊಡನೆಯೇ ನಿದ್ರದೇವತೆ ತನ್ನ ನಿದ್ದೆಯ ರಾಜ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಕರೆದೊಯ್ದಳು .
ಮೂರನೇ ದಿನ ಕೂಡ ನಮ್ಮ ದಿನಚರಿ ಎರಡನೇ ದಿನ ರೀತಿಯೇ ಇತ್ತು ಆದರೆ ಈವತು ರಾಕ್ ಕ್ಲೈಂಬಿಂಗ್ ಮಾತೆ ರಪ್ಪ್ಳಿಂಗ್ ಮಾಡಿದೆವು , ಮೊದಲ ಸಲ ಇದನ್ನು ನಾನು ಮಾಡಿದು ತುಂಬಾ ನೇ ಚಂದಾ ಎನಿಸಿತು , ಸಂಜೆ ಊಟದ ನಂತರ ನಮ್ಮಗೆ ಬೀಳ್ಕೋಡಸಮಾರಂಬವಿತು ಆದನು ಮುಗಿಸಿ ನಾವು ನಾಳೆಗೆ ಹೊರ್ದುವ ಸಿದ್ದತೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಬೇಗನೆ ಮಲಗಿದೆವು .

ದಿನ 4:ಈ ದಿನ ನಮ್ಮ ಪಾರ್ವತರೋಹಂ್‌ಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗುವ ದಿನ , ಆದರಿಂದಲೇ ಇಂದು ನಮ್ಮಗೆ ವ್ಯಾಯಾಮ ಇಲ್ಲ ಎಲ್ಲವನ್ನೂ ಸಿದ್ದ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡು ನಾವು ನಮ್ಮ ತಿಂಡಿ ಮುಗಿಸಿ ಬುತ್ತಿ ಕಟ್ಟಿಕೊಂಡು FlagOff ಗೆ ಸಿದ್ದವಾದೆವು ,Flagoff ನಂತರ ದೇವರನ್ನು ಸ್ಮರಿಸುತ್ತ ನಮ್ಮ ಹೆಜ್ಜೆ ಹಾಕುತ್ತಾ ನೆಡೆದವು .ನಮ್ಮ ಗುರಿ ಗ್ರಹನ್ ತಲುಪುವುದು ಅದು ಸರಿ ಸುಮಾರು 10KM ದೂರ, ಹೆಜ್ಜೆ ಹಾಕುತ ಪರ್ಕೃತಿಯ ನಡುವೆ , ನೀರಿನ ಜರಿಗಳನ್ನು ದಾಟುತ್ತ ,ಕಾಡಿನ ಮಧ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ನೆಡೆದವು , ಸುಮಾರು 6KM ನೆಡೆದ ನಂತರ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ವಿಶ್ರಮಿಸಲು ನಿರ್ಧರಿಸಿದೆವು.ತಂದಿದ್ದ ಬುತ್ತಿ ತೆರೆದವು ಆದರಲ್ಲಿದ ಚಪಾತಿ ತಿಂದು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ವಿಶ್ರಮಿಸ,ತದ ನಂತರ ನಾವು ನಮ್ಮ ಗುರಿಯಾದ ಗ್ರಹನ್ ಗೆ ತೆರಳಿದೆವು ಸರಿ ಸುಮಾರು ಸಂಜೆ 4:30ರ ವೇಳೆಗೆ ನಾವು ಗ್ರಹನ್ ತಲುಪಿದೆವು , ಅದು ಒಂದು ಸಣ್ಣ ಊರು ಎಂದರೆ ತಪ್ಪಾಗಲಾರದು , ಅಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಚಿಕ್ಕ ಚಿಕ್ಕ ಮಕ್ಕಳು ಆಟವಾದುತಿದರು , ನಾವು ಕ್ಯಾಂಪ್ ಗೆ ತೆರಳಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಸಾಮಾನುಗಳನ್ನು ಇಟ್ಟು ಅಲ್ಲಿಯ ಕ್ಯಾಂಪ್ ಲೀಡರ್ ಗೆ ವರದಿ ಮಾಡಿದೆವು , ದಣಿದಿದ ನಮ್ಮಗೆ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಸಾಮ್ಯದಲ್ಲೇ ಸೂಪ್ ಕೊಟ್ಟರು ತುಂಬಾನೇ ಚಂದವಿದ್ದ ಸೂಪ್ ಸವಿದ ನಂತರ ನಾವು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಸುತ್ತ ಮುತ್ತಲು ಓಡಾಡಿದೆವು , ಎಂದು ನೋಡದ ಕೆಲವು ಹಕ್ಕಿಗಳು ನೋಡದ ಕೆಲವು ಮರಗಳು , ಹಾಗೂ ಎಂದು ಆನುಬವ ಮಾಡದ ನಿಶೈಬ್ದದ್ತೆ ಎಲ್ಲಾವೂ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಮನೆ ಮಾಡಿದವು , ಸಂಜೆ 5:30ರ ವೇಳೆಗೆ ಚಹಾ , ಚಹಾದ ನಂತರ ನಾವು ಗೊಂಪುಕಟ್ಟಿಕೊಂಡು ಮಾತಾಡುತ್ತಾ ಸಮಯ ಕಳೆದೀದೆ ಗೋತಗಳ್ಲಿಲ ಸುಮಾರು 6:30ಗೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಊಟ , ತುಂಬಾ ಸಂಯೋಜಿತ ಊಟವದು,ಅಲ್ಲಿ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಇಲ್ಲ , ರೇಡಿಯೋ ಬರೋದಿಲ್ಲ,ದೂರವಾಣಿ ಸಿಗೋದಿಲ್ಲ,ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಬಾರಿ ಮಾತು , ಹಾಡುಗಳಿಗೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ಜಾಗ , ನಾವು ಊಟದ ನಂತರ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಸೇರಿ ಅಂತ್ಯಾಕ್ಷರಿ ಆಡಿದೆವು ,ಇಂದು ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಬನ್ನ್ಗಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಚುಕ್ಕಿಗಳ ರಾಜ್ಯ ವನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ , ಎಲರಿನ್ದಲು ಒಂದೇ ಪ್ರಶನ್ನೇ  ಎಸ್ಟು ದಿನವಾಯಿತು ನಾವು ಈಗೆ ಚುಕ್ಕಿಗಳನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ ಎಂದು, "ಚಿಕ್ಕ ಚಿಕ್ಕ ಸಂತೋಷವೇ ಬಾಳಿನ ತುಂಬಾ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಸಂತೋಷ "ಎಂದು ಯಾರೋ ಹೇಳಿದ ಮಾತುಗಳು ನೆನಪಿಗೆ ಬಂದವು ,ಸುಮಾರು 9:30 ವೇಳೆಗೆ ದಣಿದಿದ್ದ ದೇಹ ವಿಶ್ರಾಂತಿ ಕಡೆ ಮುಖ ಮಾಡಿತು ನಾವು ನಮ್ಮ ಸ್ಲೀಪಿಂಗ್ ಬ್ಯಾಗ್ಸ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ತುರಿ ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಶುಭರಾತ್ರಿ ಕೋರಿದೆವು ,ಪ್ರಕೃತಿಯ ನಡುವೆ ಹಾಯಾಗಿ ಹಾಗೂ ನೆಮ್ಮದಿಯಾಗಿ  ಕನಸಿನ ಲೋಕ್ದ ಕಡೆಗೆ ತೆರಳಿದೆವು.

ದಿನ 5: ಸುಮಾರು 5:30ರ ವೇಳೆ ನನಗೆ ನಿದ್ದೆ ಸರಿಯಿತು , ಎದ್ದು ಹೊರ ನೋಡಲು ಸೂರ್ಯನ ಮೊದಲ ಕಿರಣಗಳು ಹಿಮಾಲಯದ ಮೇಲೆ ಬೀಳಲು, ಅದು ಚಿನ್ನದಂತೆ ಹೊಳೆಯುತಿತ್ತು ಪ್ರಕೃತಿಯ ಈ ರಮ್ಯಾ ನೋಟಕ್ಕೆ ಮನತುಂಬಿತು , ಎಲ್ಲ ಕಡೆಯೂ ನಿಶ್ಯಬ್ದತೆ  , ಸುಮಾರು 6:00 ಗಂಟೆಗೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಚಹಾ , ಹ ಹ ಕೊರೆಯುವ ಚಳ್ಳಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಚಹಾ ಕುಡಿಯುವ ಮೋಜೆ ಹೇಳತೀರದು ,ಸುಮಾರು 7:00 ಕ್ಕೆ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ನಮ್ಮ ಮುಂದಿನ ಪಯಣ ಬೆಳೆಸಲು ತಯಾರಾದೆವು , 7:30ಕ್ಕೆ ನಮ್ಮ ತಿಂಡಿ ಈ ದಿನ ಪೂರಿ ಸಾಗು ಹಾಗೂ ಕಿರು , ಆಮೇಲೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಬುತ್ತಿ ಕಟ್ಟಿಕೊಂಡು ಸುಮಾರು 8:00 ಕ್ಕೆ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಸಿದ್ದಾರದೆವು , ಕ್ಯಾಂಪ್ ಲೀಡರ್ ನಮ್ಮ ಗೊಂಪಿನ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮೆಚುಗೆ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಪದೆಸಿದರೂ ಹಾಗೂ ಮುಂದಿನ ಪಯಣಕ್ಕೆ ಶುಭ ಕೋರಿದರು , ದೇವರ ನಾಮಸ್ಮರಣೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಕೊಂಡು ನಮ್ಮ ಮುಂದಿನ ಹೆಜ್ಜೆ ಹಾಕಿದೆವು , ಈ ದಿನ ನಾವು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಕೆಗಿಳ್ಡಿ ಆಮೇಲೆ ಮೇಲೇರುವ ಹಾಗೆ ಇರುತ್ತೆ ನಮ್ಮ ದಾರಿ ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿತು ,ಇಂದು ನಮ್ಮ ಗುರಿ ಪಾದ್ರಿ ಇದು ಸುಮಾರು 10KM ದೂರವಿದು ಸಂಜೆಯಾಗುವ ವೇಳೆಗೆ ತಲುಪಬೇಕು ಇಲ್ಲ್ವಾದರೆ ಕಷ್ಟ ಎಂದು ಗೈಡ್ ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು , ಇಳಿಯ್ವುದು ಹತ್ತುವುಡಕಿಂತ ಕಷ್ಟ ಇಂದು ನಾವು ಕಾಡಿನ ಮಧ್ಯದಿಂದ ನೆಡೆದವು , ಸುಂದರ್ವಾಗಿತು ನಮ್ಮ ಈ ಪಯಣ, ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಒಬಾರಿಗೋಬಾರು ಸಹಾಯ ಮಾಡಿ ಕೊಂಡು ನೆಡೆದವು , ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ದೂರ ಕ್ರಮಿಸಿದ ನಂತರ ನಾವು ಒಂದು ಸಣ್ಣ ನದಿಯ ಕಡೆ ಬಂದೆವು ಆಳೆ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ವಿಶ್ರಮಿಸಿ, ಮುಂದೆ ನೆಡೆದವು , ಸಣ್ಣ ದಾಗಿ ಕಾಣುವ ಈ ನದಿಯು ಮುಂದೆ ದೊಡ್ಡ ದಾಗಿ ಕಸೋಲ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಹರಿಯುವುದು ನಾವು ಮಧ್ಯಾನದ ವೇಳೆಗೆ ಸುಮಾರು 6KM ಕಾರ್ಮಿಸಿದೆವು , ತದನಂತರ ತಂದಿದ್ದ ಬುತ್ತಿ ಯನ್ನು ತೆರೆದು ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಊಟ ಮಾಡಿ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ವಿಶ್ರಮಿಸಿದೆವು , ಈ ವೇಳೆಗೆ ಸುಮಾರು ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ನನಗೆ ತಿಳಿದಿದರು,ಕೆಲವರಂತೂ ನಾವು ಎಸ್ಟೋ ವರ್ಷದಿಂದ ಗೊತ್ತಿರುವಹಾಗೆ ಮಾತಾಡುತಿದರು , ನಾವು ಮುಂದೆ ಸಾಗಿದೆವು ಸುಮಾರು ಸಂಜೆ 4:30ರ ವೇಳೆಗೆ "ಪಾದ್ರಿ ಗೆ ನಿಮಗೆ ಸ್ವಾಗತ ಎಂಬ ನಾಮಪಾಲಕವನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದೆವು " ದಟ್ಟ ಕಾಡು , ಕಾಡಿನ ಮಧ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು ಬಯಲು ಪ್ರದೇಶ ಒಂದು ಕಡೆ ನೀರಿನ ಹರಿವು ಮಾತೊಂದು ಕಡೆ ಹಿಮಾಲಯದ ದಿವ್ಯ ದರ್ಶನ ಅಲ್ಲೇ ಇರುವುದು ಪಾದ್ರಿಯ ಕ್ಯಾಂಪ್ ,ಕ್ಯಾಂಪ್ ಸೇರಿದ ತಕ್ಷಣ ನಾವು ಟೆಂಟ್‌ಗಳಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಸವ್ಲ್ಪ ವಿಶ್ರಮಿಸ್ದೆವು,ಎದುರು ನೋಡೋತಿದಾ ಹಿಮಾಲಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ನೋ ಲೈನ್ ತುಂಬಾನೇ ಕೆಳಗೆ ಬರುತ್ತಿತು ಇದು ನಮ್ಮ ಮುಂದಿನ ಪಯಣಕ್ಕೆ ತುಂಬಾನೇ ಪರಿಣಾಮ ಮಾಡಬಹುದು ಎಂದು ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಹೇಳ್ತ ಇದ್ರು ,ಹಿಮಾಲಯದ ಹತ್ತಿರ ಹೋದ ಎಲ್ಲ ಮೋಡಗಳು ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಹಿಮ ಮಳೆ ಸುರಿಯುತಿತು , ಅಲ್ಲೇ ಹರಿತ್ತಿದ ನೀರಿನ ಜರಿಯ ನೀರು ತುಂಬಾನೇ ಸಿಹಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಆಡು ಹಿಮಕರಗಿ ನೀರಾಗುವುದರಿಂದ ಈ ನೀರು ಮಿನರಲ್ ವಾಟರ್ ರೀತಿ ಇರುತದೆ , ನಾವು ಸೂಪ್ ಕೊಡಿದೆವು ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಬಯಲಿಲ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಆಟವಾಡಿ ಮೊದಲ ಹಿಮದ ಸಪ್ರ್ಶಮಾಡಿದೆವು , ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ್ ಸಮಯದ ನಂತರ ಚಹಾ ಕುಡಿದು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಸಮಯ ಕಳೆದವು, ಸಂಜೆ 6:30 ರ ವೇಳೆಗೆ ಊಟ ಮಾಡಿ , 7:30 ರ ವೇಳೆಗೆ ಕ್ಯಾಂಪ್ ಫೈಯರ್ ಹಾಕಿ 10ರ ವರೆಗೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಅಂತಾಯ್ಕ್ಷ್ಜಾರಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮವನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿದೆವು , ರಾತ್ರಿ ಹಾಗುತಿದ ಹಾಗೆ ತುಂಬಾನೇ ಚಲ್ಲಿ ಆವರಿಸಿತು , ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ತಮ ತಮ ಟೆಂಟಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ನಿದ್ರದೇವತೆಗೆ ಶರಣಾದರು

ದಿನ 6: ಸರಿ ಸುಮಾರು ಬೆಳಿಗಿನ ಜಾವ 5:30ಕ್ಕೆ ಹಕ್ಕಿಗಳ ಚಿಲಿ ಪಿಳಿಗಳು ನಮ್ಮಗೆ ಬೆಳಗಿನ ಆಲ್ರಂ , ಎದ್ದು ಅಲ್ಲೇ ಇದ್ದ ನೀರಿನ ಜಾರಿಗೆ ಕೈ ಇಟ್ಟೆ .. ಅದು ಯಾವ ರೆಫೀರ್ಗೇರಟೊರ್ ಕಿಂತಲೂ ಕಡಿಮೆ ಇಲ್ಲದ ತಂಪಾದ ನೀರು, ಆದನ್ನು ಕುಡಿಯುವ ಧೈರ್ಯ ಇರಲ್ಲಿಲ, ಮುಂಜಾನೆ ಯ ಹಿಮಾಲ್ಯದ ಮೇಲೆ ಹರಿದಾಡುತ್ತಿದ ಮೋಡಗಳು ಹಾಗೂ ಸೂರ್ಯನ ಮೊದಲ ಕಿರಣಗಳು ಹಿಮಾಲಯದ ಮೇಲೆ ಎಂತಹ ಸೌಂದರೈವಾದು ನೋಡುವುದೇ ಒಂದು ಸಂತೋಷ , ಬೆಳಿಗಿನ ಚಹಾ ಗೆ ಕಾಯುತಿದೆವು ಚಹಾ ದ ನಂತರ ನಮ್ಮ ತಿಂಡಿ ಮುಗಿಸಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಡಬ್ಬಿಗಳನ್ನು ತಗೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಕೊರೆಯುವ ನೀರನ್ನೇ ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಕ್ಯಾಂಪ್ ಲೀಡರ್ ಇಂದ ಬೀಳ್ಕೊಂಡು ನಮ್ಮ ಮುಂದಿನ ಸ್ಥಳವಾದ ಮಿನ್ ಥ್ಯಾಚ್(Min thach) ಅಥವ ರತಾಪಾನಿ(Ratapani) , ಇದು ಸುಮಾರು 6KM ದೂರವಿದು ಇದು ತುಂಬಾ ಕಡಿದಾದ ಪ್ರದೇಶ ಹಾಗೂ ಬಹು ಎಚ್ಚರದಿಂದ ಕೊನೆಯ 2 KM ನೆಡೆಯಬೇಕು ಇದು ನಮ್ಮ ಗ್ರೂಪ್ ಲೀಡರ್ ಹೇಳಿದ ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ನಾವು ಇಂದು ಸ್ನೋ ಲೈನ್ (snow line ) ತಲ್ಪುತೇವೆ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಬೇಗ ಹೆಜ್ಜೆ ಹಾಕಬೇಕು ಸೂರ್ಯ ಮುಳುಗುವುದಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಮೊದಲೇ ನಾವು ಜಾಗ ತಲುಪಬೇಕು ಇಲ್ಲವಾದಲ್ಲಿ ತುಂಬಾನೇ ಕಸ್ಟ ಎಂದು ಗ್ರೂಪ್ ಲೀಡರ್ ಹೇಳಿದ, ದಟ್ಟ ಕಾಡಿನ ನಲ್ಲಿ ನೆಡೆಯುತ ಸಾಗಿದೆವು ದಾರಿ ತುಂಬಾ ಕಾಡಿದಾಗುತ ಹೋಯಿತು ತುಂಬಾ ಪರಿಶ್ರ್ಮದಿಂದ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಸುದರಿಸ್ಕೊಂಡು ಒಬಾರಿಗೋಬಾರು ಸಹಾಯ ಮಾಡುತ ಮಾತಾಡುತಾ ನೆಡೆದವು.ಊಟದ ಸಮಯಕ್ಕೆ ನಾವು 6KMನೆಡೆದಿದವು ತಂದ ಬುತ್ತಿ ಯನ್ನು ಊಟ ಮಾಡಿ ಸುತಲು ಇದಾ ಜಾಗ ನೋಡುತಿದೆವು ,ಹಿಮಾಲಯವು ತುಂಬಾ ಹಾಟಿರ್ ಕಾಣುತ್ತಿತು , ನಾವು ನಮ್ಮ ಕೊನೆಯ ಕ್ಯಾಂಪ್ ಆದ "ನಾಗರು"(Nagaru) ಕೂಡ ನೋಡಿದೆವು , ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಲವು ದೊಡ್ಡ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಮರಗಳಿಗೆ ಸಿಡಿಲು ಬಡಿದು ಒಮೇಲೆ ಸೂಟಿಹೊದ ಮರಗಳ್ನು ನೋಡಿದೆವು ,ಒಂದು ಕಡೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಗುರಿ ಕಾಣುತಿದೆ ಎಂಬ ಕುಷಿ ಮಾತೊಂದು ಕಡೆ ತಲುಪುವುದು ಕಷ್ಟ ಅನ್ನುವ ದಿಗಿಲು ಏನೆಆಗಲಿ ಮಾಡುವೆವು ಎಂದು ನಿಶ್ಚಯ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡು ಮುಂದೆ ಹೆಜ್ಜೆ ಹಾಕಿದೆವು , ಮೊದಲ್ಬಾರಿಗೆ ಹಿಮ ಕರಗಿ ನೀರಾಗಿ ಹರಿಯುವುದನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದೆವು , ಹಾಗೂ ಮಂಜುಗಡ್ಡೆ ಮೇಲೆ ಮೊದಲಬಾರಿಗೆ ನೆಡೆದವು , ಮೊದಲು ಕುಶಿ ಎನ್ಸಿದರು ಆದರಮೇಲೆ ತುಂಬಾ ಹುಷಾರಾಗಿ ನೆಡೆಯಬೇಕು ಎಂದು ಗೋತಯೇತು , ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಎಚ್ಚರ ತಪ್ಪಿದರೂ ಆಪಾಯ ಕಂಡಿತ, ಹೇಗೆ ನೆಡೆಯುತ ತುಸು ಮುಂದೆ ನೆಡೆದ ತಕ್ಷಣ ನಾಂಗೆ ಜೋರಾಗಿ ಮಳೆರಾಯ ಕೃಪೆ ಮಾಡಿದ , ನಿಜ ಹೇಳುತೇನೆ ಮಳೆ ರಾಯನ ಈ ಕೃಪೆ ನಮಗೇನು ಕುಶಿ ಕೊಡಲೀಳ ಏಕಂದ್ರೆ ನಮ್ಮಗೆ ಎಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ನಿಲ್ಲಲು ಜಾಗ ಇರಲಿಲ , ಕೊನೆಗೆ ಮರಗಳ ನಡುವೆ ಕೊಂಚ ನಿಂತು ರಕ್ಷಣೆ ಪಡೆದವು.ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ದೂರ ನೆಡೆದ ಮೇಲೆ ನಾವು ಹಿಮ ಮೇಲೆ ಹಿಮ ವನ್ನೇ ನೋಡಿದೆವು , ರತಾಪಾನಿಯ ಕೊನೆಯ ಕೊಂಚ ದೂರ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಕಷ್ಟವೀ ,ಅದು ಮಳೆ ಬಂದು ಅಲ್ಲಿಯ ದಾರಿ ಇನ್ನೂ ಕಷ್ಟವಾಗಿತು,ಜಾರುವ ದಾರಿ , ಹಾಗೂ ದಾರಿ ತುಂಬಾ ಕಾಡಿದಾಗಿತ್ತು , ಮರಗಳ ಬೇರುಗಳನ್ನು ಸಹಾಯವಾಗಿ ಹಿಡಿದು , ಮಕಾಲ ನೆಡಿಗೆಯ ರೀತಿ ನಾವು ಆ ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಗಿದೆವು .ಆ ದಾರಿ ಮುಗಿದಮೇಲೆ ನಾವು ಹಿಮದ ಮೇಲೆ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ನೆಡೆದವು , ನಂತರ ಮಳೆಯ ತುಂತರು ಶುರುವಾಯಿತ್ತು, ಹಾಗೇನೇ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಮುಂದೆ ನೆಡೆದೆವು , ಅಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ನೋಡಿದೆವು , ನಮ್ಮ ಟೆಂಟ್ , ಟೆಂಟ್ ಗಳ ಒಳಗೆ , ಮಳೆಯು ಜೋರಾಗಿ ಶುರುವಾಯಿತ್ತು ತಡ ನಂತರ ಹಿಮದ ಮಳೆ ಶುರುವಾಯಿತ್ತು,ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಟೆಂಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಳಿತುಕೊಂಡು ವಿಶ್ರಮಿಸಿದೆವು , ನಮ್ಮ ಟೆಂಟಿಗೇನೆ , ಬಿಸಿ ಬಿಸಿ ಸೂಪ್ ತಂದು ಕೊಟ್ಟ ನಮ್ಮ ಟೀಮ್ ಲೀಡರ್ ಗೆ ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು , ಸರಿ ಸುಮಾರು 1 ಗಂಟೆ ಹಿಮದ ಮಳೆ ಸುರಿಯಿತು  ತಡ ನಂತರ ನಾವು ಹೊರಗಡೆ ಬಂದು ನೋಡಿದೆವು ,ಟೆಂಟಿನ ಸುತ್ತ ಹಿಮ , ಅಲ್ಲಿನಹಿಮವೆಲ್ಲಾ ನಾವು ತೆರವು ಗೊಳಿಸಿ, ಆ ಚಳಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಚಹಾ ಕುಡಿಯುವುದು ಒಂದು ಮಜಾ , ಚಹಾ ಜೊತೆ ನಮ್ಮಗೆ ಫಿಂಗೆರ್ಚಿಪ್ಸ್ ಕೂಡ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿತು ,ತದ ನಂತರ ನಾವು ಕ್ಯಾಂಪ್ ಲೀಡರ್ ನನ್ನು ಬೇಟಿ ಮಾಡಿದೆವು , ತದ ನಂತರ ಸಂಜೆ 6ಕ್ಕೆ ನಮ್ಮಗೆ ಊಟ , ಊಟ ಕೂಡ ತುಂಬಾ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿಯೇ ಇತ್ತು , ಊಟದ ನಂತರ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಅವರ ಅವರ ಟೆಂಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆಚ್ಚನೆಯ ಸ್ಲೀಪಿಂಗ್ ಬ್ಯಾಗ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಕೂತು ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಕೆಲವು ಸಮಯ ಮಾತಾಡಿ ಕಾಲ ಕಳೆದೆವು , ಸರಿ ಸುಮಾರು 8 ಗಂಟೆಗೆ ನಾವೆಲ್ಲರೂ ನಿದ್ರದೇವತೆಯ ಜೊತೆ ಸ್ವಪ್ನ ಲೊಕ್ಕಕೆ ತೆರಳಿದೆವು .

ದಿನ 7:ಇಂದು ನಾನು ಸುಮಾರು 5:30ಕ್ಕೆ ಎದ್ದು ಟೆಂಟಿನಿಂದ ಹೊರ ನೋಡಲು ಸೂರ್ಯನ ಕಿರಣಗಳು ಅಲ್ಲಿನ ಪರ್ವತ ಶ್ರೇಣಿಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ ಮುಟ್ಟಲು ಎಲ್ಲವೂ ಚಿನ್ನದಂತೆ ಕಾಣುತಿದವು , ಇಲ್ಲಿಂದ ನೋಡಲು ಪಾರ್ವತಿ ವ್ಯಲಿಯ ಸಂಪೋರ್ನ ಪರ್ವತ ಶ್ರೇಣಿಯು ಕಣಸಿಗುತದೆ , ಆದೊಂದು ರಮ್ಯಾ ನೋಟ , ಈ ಎಲ್ಲ ನೋಟಗಳನ್ನು ನನ್ನ ಕ್ಯಾಮರ ದಲ್ಲಿ ಸೆರೆಹಿಡಿದೇವು, ಚಹಾದ ನಂತರ ನಾವು ಕ್ಯಾಂಪ್ ಲೀಡರ್ ಜೊತೆಗೂಡಿ ಫೋಟೋ ಕಿಕ್ಕಿಸಿದೆವು ತಿಂಡಿಯ ನಂತರ ಇಂದು ನಮ್ಮ ಮುಂದಿನ ಗುರಿಯದ ನಾಗರು (Nagaru) ಕಡೆ ನೆಡೆಯಲು ಶುರು ಮಾಡಿದೆವು,ಇಂದಿನ ದಾರಿ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಕಸ್ಟಕರ ಹಾಗೂ ತುಂಬಾ ಎಚ್ಚರ ದಿಂದ ನೆಡಿಯುವ ದಾರಿ , ನಾವು ನಮ್ಮ ಊಟವನ್ನು ಕಾಟಿಕೊಂಡು ನಮ್ಮ ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ನೆಡೆಯಾತೊಡಗಿದೆವು , ರಾತ್ರಿಯ ಹಿಮದ ಮಳೆ ಇಂದ ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ತುಂಬಾ ಹಿಮವಿತ್ತು ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ನಾವು ಜಾರಿ ಬಿದ್ದೆವು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ದೂರ ಸರಿದ ಮೇಲೆ ನಮ್ಮಗೆ ಹಿಮಾದಮೇಲೆ ಸ್ಲೈಡ್ ಮಾಡುವ ಅವಕಾಶ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿತು ಚಿಕ್ಕದಾದ್ರು ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಮಕಳಾಂತೆ ಆಡಿದೆವು , ದಾರಿ ಸವಿಯಲು ನಾವು ಎತ್ತರ ಎತ್ತರ ಜಾಗಕ್ಕೆ ನೆಡೆಯಾತೊಡಗಿದೆವು,ಹಿಮಾದಮೇಲೆಯೇ ನಮ್ಮ ಪಯಣ ಕೊರೆಯುವ ಚಳಿ , ಊಟದ ಸಮಯದ ವೇಳೆಗೆ ನಾವು ಇಂದು ಜಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಂತೆವು ಕಲ್ಲುಗಳನ್ನು ಹುಡುಕಿ ಕುಳಿತೆವು , ಅಲ್ಲೇ ಮಾಡುತೀತ್ದ ಒಮ್ಲೆಟ್ ಹಾಗೂ ಬಿಸಿ ಬಿಸಿ ಮ್ಯಾಗಿ ಸವಿದೆವು ಇಸ್ಟು ಏತರದಲ್ಲೂ ನಾನು ನೋಡಿದ ಎರಡು ಪಕ್ಷಿಗಳೆಂದರೆ ಕಾಗೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಹದ್ದು , ಆಲ್ಲಿಂದ ನೋಡಲು ಗ್ರಹನ್ ಗ್ರಾಮವು ತುಂಬಾ ತುಂಬಾ ಚಿಕ್ಕದಾಗಿ ಕಾಣುತಿತ್ತು .ತಡ ನಂತರ ನಾವು ಒಂದು ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ನೆಡೆದವು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಎಚ್ಚರ ತಾಪಿದರು ಆಪಾಯ ಕಂಡಿತ ಆದರೂ ಜೊತೆಗಿದರೆಲ್ಲ ಹುರಿ ದುಂಬಿಸಿ ನೆಡೆಯುತಿದೆವು ,ಕೆಲವು ಕಾಡೇ ಕಾಲು ಹಿಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಸಿಯುತಿದವು ,ಕುಸಿದಾಗ ಹೃದಯ ಜ್ಯಾಲ್ ಎನುತಿತು .ನೆಡೆ ನೆಡೆಯುತಿದಹಾಗೆ ಹಿಮದ ಮಳೆ ಸುರಿಯಲು ನಾವು ದಾರಿ ಕಾಣಲು ತುಂಬಾ ಕಸ್ತವಾಗೀತು ಆಗ ಅಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಷೇರ್ಪಗಳು ನಮ್ಮಗೆ ದಾರಿ ತೋರಿಸುತಿದರು ಹಾಗೂ ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಹಿಮದ ಆ ಕಡಿದಾದ ಎತ್ತರವನ್ನು ಏರಲು ಸಹಾಯವಾಯಿತು ಸರಿ ಸುಮಾರು 4:00ಗಂಟೆಗೆ ನಾವು ಗುರಿ ಮೂಟಿದೆವು ಬದುಕುಳಿದೆಯಾ ಬಡಜೀವ ಎನ್ನುವ ಪರಿಸ್ತಿತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಾವು ಇದೆವು ಹೊರಗಡೆ ಹಿಮದ ಮಳೆ ಕೊರೆಯುವ ಚಳಿ ಈಗಿರುವಾಗ ನಮ್ಮಗೆ ಬಿಸಿ ಬಿಸ್ ಸೂಪ್ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿತು,ಅದು ಎಸ್ಟು ಮುದನೀಡಿತು ಎಂದರೆ ಹೇಳತೀರದು ತದನಂತರ ಸಂಜೆ ಸುಮಾರು 5:30 ಕ್ಕೆ ನಮ್ಮಗೆ ಊಟ ಚಪಾತಿ , ಕಿರು ,ಕ್ಯಾಂಪ್ ಲೀಡರ್ ಪರಿಚಯವಾಯೇತು ಹಾಗೂ ಅವರ ಸೂಚನೆ ಪ್ರಕಾರ ಮುಂದಿನ ದಿನ ಬೆಳಗ್ಗೆ 4:30ಕ್ಕೆ ನಾವು ನಮ್ಮ ಪಯಣ ಶುರು ಮಾಡಬೇಕು ಆದರಿಂದ ಬೇಗ ಮಲಗಬೇಕು , ಹಾಗೂ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು ಚಿಕ್ಕ ಜಾಗವಿತು ಆಲಿ ಯಾರು ಹೋಗಬಾರದೆಂದು ಸುಕಾಹ್ನೆ ಇತ್ತು , ಅಲ್ಲಿಯ ಸತ್ಳೀಯಾರ ಪ್ರಕಾರ ದೇವರು ಅಲ್ಲಿ ವಾಸಿಸುತಾರೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಶುಬ್ರಥೆ ಹಾಗೂ ನಿಶ್ಯಬ್ದ ಕಾಪಾಡಬೇಕು .ಊಟದ ಸಮಯದ ವೇಳೆಗೆ ನಾವು  ಹೊರಗಡೆ ನೋಡಿದೆವು ಸುಂದರ್ ಮನೋಹರ ದೃಶ್ಯ ಆ ವಾತಾವರಣ ಹಾಗೂ ಜಾಗ ಯಾವ ಸ್ವರ್ಗಕ್ಕೂ ಕಡಿಮೆ ಇರಲ್ಲಿಲ .ಊಟದ ನಂತರ ಇನ್ನೂ ಸೂರ್ಯ ಮುಳುಗಿರಲ್ಲಿಲ ಆಗಲೇ ನಮಗೆ ಸ್ಲೀಪಿಂಗ್ ಬ್ಯಾಗ್ಸ್ ಕೋಟರು 7 ಗಂಟೆ ವೇಳೆಗೆ  ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ದಣಿಡಿದರು ಒಬ್ಬರಾಗಿ ಮಲಗಲು ಶುರುವಾದರೂ , ನಾನು ನನ್ನ ದಿನಚರಿ ಬರೆದು ಸ್ವರ್ಗ ಎಂದರೆ ಇದೇನಾ ಎಂಬ ಪ್ರಶನೇಯಾಲೆ ನಿದ್ದೆಗೆ  ಜಾರಿದೆ .

ದಿನ 8:ತುಂಬಾ ಚಳ್ಳಿ ಇದರಿಂದ ಆಸ್ಟೊಂದು ನಿದ್ದೆ ಬರಲೀಲ 3:00ಕ್ಕೆ ಎದ್ದು ಸುಮಾರು 3 ಡಿಗ್ರೀ ಹೊರಗಡೆ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ಜಾಗ ಹಿಮದಲ್ಲಿ  ಕಲ್ಲುತರ ಇದೆ,ಇದರಲ್ಲಿ  ನಮ್ಮ ನಿತ್ಯ ಕ್ರಮಗಳನ್ನು ಮುಗಿಸಿಸಿದೆವು ಹೇಗೆ ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ನಿಮ್ಮ ಊಹೆಗೆ ಬಿಟ್ಟಿದು ,ಸುಮಾರು 4:30 ಗೆ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಸಿದ್ದವಾದರೂ , ಇಂದು ನಮ್ಮ ಎಲ್ಲರ ಕಾಡಿದಾ ಆ ದಿನ ಸಾರ್ಪಸ್ ದಾಟುವ ಹಾಗೂ ನಮ್ಮ ಗುರಿ ತಲುಪುವ ,ಇದಕ್ಕಾಗಿಯೇ ಇಸ್ಟು ದಿನ ಕಸ್ಟ ಪಟ್ಟಿದು .ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ದೇವರ ಹೆಸರು ಹೇಳಿ ನೆಡೆಯಲು ಪ್ರಾರಂಬ ಮಾಡಿದೆವು , ತುಂಬಾ ಕಡಿದಾದ ಪ್ರದೇಶ ಸರಿಸುಮಾರು  0.5 ಕೇಯೆಮ್ ಕಿಂತ ಕಡಿಮೆ ಇದೆ ಆದರೆ ನಾವು ಆದನು ದಾಟುವ ವೇಳೆಗೆ ಸೂರ್ಯ ದರ್ಶಿಸಿದ , ಒಬ್ಬ ಸಹಯೋಗಿ ತನ್ನ ಮೊಬೀಲ್ಡ್ ಬೀಳಿಸಿದ ಆದರೆ ಕೆಲಕ್ಷನದಲ್ಲೇ ಆಡು ಮಾಯವಾಗೀತು ಅವನ್ನು ಆದನು ಹುಡುಕಲು ಹೋಗುತಿದ ನಾವು ತಡೆದೆವು ಹೇಳಿದೆವು ಸಾರ್ಪಸ್ ಮುಗಿದಮೇಲೆ ನೀನು ಇನೊದನು ತಗೋ ಜೀವಾಕಿಂತ ಮಿಗಿಲಾದದು ಯಾವುದು ಇಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು , ನಾವು ಸುಮಾರು 8:30 ರ ವೇಳೆಗೆ ಸಾರ್ಪಸ್ ತಲುಪಿದೆವು ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಎಲ್ಲಿಲದ ಸಂತೋಷ ,ಸಂಬ್ರಮ ಆದನು ನೋಡುವುದೇ ಒಂದು ಆನಂದ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ತಬ್ಬಿಕೊಂಡರು ಫೋಟೋ ಕೀಕಿಸಿದರು , ನಾವು ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಒಮ್ಲೆಟ್ ಮತ್ತು ಮ್ಯಾಗ್ಗಿ ತಿಂದೆದ್‌ವು ,ಕೊರೆಯುವ ಚಳ್ಳಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಆದನ್ನು ತಿನ್ನೋದೇ ಒಂದು ಮಜಾ,ಅಷ್ಟು ಏತರದಲ್ಲಿ ಈವನ್ನು ತೀನೂತೆವೆ ಎಂಬ ಕಲ್ಪನೆಯೂ ಇರಲ್ಲಿಲ ,ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಸಮಯ ಕಳೆದ ಮೇಲೆ ನಾವು ಅಲ್ಲಿಂದ ಮುಂದೆ ಸಾಗಿದೆವು , ಮುಂದೆ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ಮಂಜು ಆದರಮೇಲೆಯೇ ನಮ್ಮ ಪಯಣ , ಕೆಲವೊಮ್ಮೆ ಮಂಜು ಕರಗಿ ಕಾಲು ಕುಸಿಯುತಿತು ಆಗ ಜೀವ "ಜಲ್ " ಎನುತಿತು ಆದರೂ ಸಹಪತಿಗಳ ಸಹಾಯದಿಂದ ಪಯಣ ಮುಗಿಸಿದೆವು , ಮಂಜಿನ ಮೇಲೆ ನೆಡೆಯುವುದು ತುಂಬಾ ಕಸ್ಟ ಹಾಗೂ ಸೂರ್ಯನ ಕಿರಣಗಳು ನೇರವಾಗಿ ಕಣ್ಣಿಗೆ ಹೊಡೆಯುತದೆ ಆದರಿಂದ ಸನ್‌ಗ್ಲಾಸಸ್ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ನೆಡೆಯುವುದು ತುಂಬಾನೇ ಕಸ್ಟ ,ಒಂದು ಕಡೆ ನಾವು ಹಾಗ ಹಿಡಿದು ಮೇಲೆ ನೆಡೆಯ ಬೇಕು ಯಾಕಂದರೆ ಆಡು ತುಂಬಾ ಕಾಡಿದಾಗಿತು ಆಡು ಆದ ಮೇಲೆ ನಾವು ಸ್ಲೈಡ್ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು ನಿಜವಾಗಲೂ ಸ್ಲೈಡ್ ಮಾಡುವಾಗ ನಮ್ಮ ಸಂಸಾರ ಹಾಗೂ ದೇವರು ಕಣ್ಣ ಮುಂದೆ ಆದು ಹೋಗುತಾರೆ  , ಸ್ಲೈಡ್ ಮಾಡಿದ ಮೇಲೆ ನಮ್ಮಗೆ ಊಟದ ಸಮಯ ಅಲ್ಲೇ ನಾವು ಮ್ಯಾಗಿ ಮಾತೆ ಒಮ್ಲೆಟ್ ತಿಂದು ನಮ್ಮ ಸಾಕ್ಸ್ ಒಣಗಿಸಿದೆವು,ಮತ್ತೆ ನಾವು ಅಲ್ಲಿಂದ ಇನೋಡು 2KM ಸ್ಲೈಡ್ ಮಾಡಿದೆವು ಮೊದಲ ಸ್ಲೈಡ್ ಗೆ ಭಯಾವಿತು ಈಗ ಅಬ್ಯಾಸವಾಗಿತು . ತದ ನಂತರ ನಾವು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ನೆಡೆದೆವು ಆಮೇಲೆ ಅಲಿಂದ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ದೂರದ ಸ್ಲೈಡ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿಕೊಂಡೆವು ಸಂಪೋರ್ನ ಸ್ಲೈಡ್ ಮಾಡೋದಿಕ್ಕೆ ಆಗಲೀಲ ಆದರಿಂದ ದೇಕುತೆ ಹೋದೆವು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಸಮಯ ನೆಡೆದ ಬಳಿಕ ನಾವು ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ಒದ್ದೆಯಾಗಿ ತುಂಬಾ ದಣಿದು ನಮ್ಮ ಕ್ಯಾಂಪ್ ಬಿಸ್ಕೇರಿ (Biskeri) ಸುಮಾರು 4ಕ್ಕೆ  ಸೇರಿದೆವು. ಮೊದಲೇ ಒದ್ದೆಯಾಗ್ಗಿದ ನಮಗೆ ಮೊದಲು ಟೆಂಟ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಳಿತು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ವಿರಮಿಸಿದೆವು , ತದನಂತರ ನಮ್ಮಗೆ ಬಿಸಿ ಬಿಸಿ ಸೂಪ್ ಕೊಟ್ಟರು ತದನಂತರ ಸುಮಾರು 6ಕ್ಕೆ ನಮಗೆ ಒಳೆಯ ಊಟ ಕೂಡ ದೊರಕ್ಕಿತು , ಊಟ ಸವಿದನಂತರ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಕೊಂಚ ಮಾತಾಡಿದರು , ಸುತಲ್ಲೂ ಇದ್ದ ಪ್ರದೇಶವು ಶಾಂತತೆ ಇಂದ ಕೂಡಿತು ಹಾಗೂ ಪ್ರಕೃತಿಯ ಮಡಿಲಲ್ಲಿ ನಾವು  ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ನೀದರದೇವತೆಗೆ ಶರಣಾದರೂ .

ದಿನ 9:ಇಂದು ಎಂದಿನಂತೆ ಬೇಲಿಗೆ ಬೇಗನೆ ಎದು ಸುಂದರ ಪರಿಸರವನ್ನು ಊಮೆ ನೋಡಿದೆವು ಎಂತಹ ಹಹಲದಕರ ವಾತಾವರ್ಣ ಬೆಳಗಿನ ಚಹಾ ಕುಡಿದು ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಸುತಾಡಿ ಬೆಳ್ಳಗಿನ ತಿಂಡಿ ಮುಗಿಸಿ ಮಧ್ಯಾನ ಡಾ ಊಟಕೆ ಡಬ್ಬಿ ತುಂಬಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಮುಂದಿನ ಗುರಿಯಾದ ಭಂಡಕ್ ಥ್ಯಾಚ್ (BhandakThach ) ಅದು ಸುಮಾರು 4 -5 ಗಂಟೆಯ ದೂರ ,ಹೊಗುವ ದಾರಿ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಇಳಿಜಾರು ಆದರಿಂದ ಹುಷಾರಾಗಿ ನೆಡಿತ ಇದ್ವಿ , ನೆಡಿತ ನೆಡಿತ ಸಾಗಿದೆವು , ಈಗೆ ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಳೆ ಹಾಗೂ  ಹಿಮದ ಮಳೆ ಎರಡು ಓಟಿಗೆ, ಹಿಮದ ಮಳೆಯನ್ನು ನೋಡುವ ಆನಂದವೇ ಆನಂದ , ಸುಮಾರು 1 ತಾಸು ಹಿಮದ ಮಳೆಯ ನಂತರ ದಾರಿ ತುಂಬಾ ಜಾರುತಿತು ಹುಷಾರಾಗಿ ಹೋಗ್ತಾ ಇದ್ವಿ , ನಮ್ಮ ಗೊಂಪಿನ ಒಬ್ಬರು ಜರಿದರೂ ಹಾಗೂ ಅವರ ಕಾಲಿಗೆ ಪೆಟ್ಟು ತಗುಲಿತು ಹಾಗೂ ಅವರನ್ನು ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ ಗೆ ಸೇರಿಸಾಬೆಗಾಗೀತು ಹಾಗಾಗಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಗ್ರೂಪ್ ಲೀಡರ್ ಗ್ರೂಪ್ ನಾ ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿಯನ್ನು ನನಗೆ ವಹಿಸಿ ನಾವು ಸೀದಾ ಕಸೊಲ್ಗೆ ಹೋಗೋಣ ಎಂದು ನಿರ್ದಾರಿಸಿ ನಾವು ನೆಡೆದೆವು , ನಾನು ಪೂರ್ಣ ಗೂಪನ್ನು ಕರೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಕಾಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಸುತಿಕೊಂಡು ನೆಡೆದೆವು ಸುಮಾರು ಸಂಜೆ 6ಕ್ಕೆ ನಾವು ಹಳ್ಳಿಯನ್ನು ತಲುಪಿದೆವು ಅಲ್ಲಿಂದ ನಾವು ಕಸೊಲ್ಗೆ ಗಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ನೆಡೆದೆವು , ಹೋಗಬೇಕಾದ್ರೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಬಂದ ನಾಯಿ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ದೂರ ನಮ್ಮ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಬಂದಿಡ್ತು ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಬೀಳ್ಕೊಡುತ ನಮ್ಮ ಟ್ರೆಕ್ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣವಾಯಿತು , ಒಂದು ಸುಂದರ್ ಮನೋಹರ 8 ದಿನಗಳು ಜಾಗತಿನಿಂದ ದೂರ ಹಾಗೂ ಪರಿಸರಕ್ಕೆ ಹತ್ತಿರ ಇದ್ದೆವು , ನಾನಾ ಜೀವನದ ಮೊದಲ ಸಲ ಪರಿಸರಕ್ಕೆ ಇಸ್ಟು ಹತ್ತಿರ ಇದಿದು ಒಂದು ಮನೋಹರ ಹಾಗೂ ಪರಿಸಾರ್ದಿಂದ ಕಲಿತ ಜೀವನ ಪಾಠಗಳು.ಹಿಮಾಲಯವು ಎಸ್ಟೊಂದು ಸ್ಪೋರ್ತಿದಯ ಎಂದು ಕೇಳಿದೆ ಆದರೆ ಇಂದು ಆರಿವಿಗೆ ಬಂತು , 9 ದಿನಗಳಲಿ ನಾನು ಅನುಬವಿಸಿದ ಅನುಬವ ಹಾಗೂ ಪಡೆದ ಬಂದ್ವ್ಯ ತುಂಬಾ ಆಪರೂಪ ಹಾಗೂ ಅಮೋಗವಾದದು ,ಸಂಜೆ ರಾತ್ರಿ 10 ಕ್ಕೆ ನಾವು ಕಸೋಲ್ ಕ್ಯಾಂಪ್ ಗೆ ಸೇರಿದೆವು ಹೇಳಿದಹಾಗೇನೆ ನಾವು ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ಟೀಮ್ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಬಂದೆವು ಇದನ್ನ ನೋಡಿ ಅಲ್ಲಿದಾ ಡೈರೆಕ್ಟರ್ ಸಂತೋಷ ವಾದರೂ,  ಅಂದು ರಾತ್ರಿ ಅಲ್ಲೆ ತಂಗಿದು ಬೇಲಿಗೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಸಾಮಾನುಗಳನ್ನು ತಗೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಬಿಳ್ಹ್ಕೊಡುತ ಮತ್ತೆ ಸಿಗುವ ಎಂಬ ಬರವಸೆಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ನಾವು ಬಸ್ ಏರಿದೆವು .ದಾರಿಯುದಕು 9 ದಿನಗಳ ರೋಮಾಂಚಕ ಅನುಬವವನ್ನು ಮೆಲಕುತ್ತ ನನ್ನ ದಾರಿ ಸವಿದೆವು

ಮುಂದಿನ ದಿನಗಳಲಿ ಇನ್ನೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಜಾಗಾಗಳ ಪರಿಚಯ ಹಾಗೂ ಅನುಬವಾಗಳಿಗೆ ಕಾತುರತೆ ಇಂದ ಕಾಯುತಿರುವೆ

ಕೆಲವು ನಾನು ತೆಗೆದ ಛಾಯಾಚಿತ್ರಗಳನು ನೋಡಲು ಕೆಳಗಿನ ಅಂತರ್ಜಾಲ್ದ ಸಂಪರ್ಕ ಕೊಂಡಿಯನ್ನು ಒತ್ತಿ.
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Calling Lepakshi

Name of the place: Lepakshi

Distance from Bangalore: approx 150 km

Route: Devanahalli , Anantapura road

Duration: 1 day Trip

Road Condition: Good

Best time to visit: October to February

Eatouts : Kamata upachar which on the way

This was one of my most remarkable long drive, as my bike (Bullet) was to complete 1 year and had only 2 long drives in the earlier list. Also, it had been quite some time that we friends met after our exit from our previous company. All of us were awaiting an event which brought us together and the Lepakshi trip was the perfect answer to revive the old memories. The planning started at our very old adda - Sukh Sagar, where we decided on our destination and chalked out the plan with the help of Google. On the D- Day, as planned we met at 6:30 am at the pre-decided place and started by 7:15 am towards the Devanahalli route. The weather was splendid and morning sunshine added a perfect blend for our drive. En-route we stopped at Kamant upchar for a quick breakfast with idli-vada. The sambar was not that great but was enough to satiate our hunger. We reached the Ananthpura toll by 9:00 a.m. and took a small diversion from the main road towards the Lepakshi temple. The road was quite narrow but good as we drove by a scenic pathway. By 9:45 am we reached the destination - Lepakshi.

Lepakshi is a treasure trove of Temples, Paintings and other cultural works of the famed Vijayanagara Empire. The region is famous for its many inscriptions and carvings. There is a Nandi Statue that is located in the village and is one of the main attractions. Many inscriptions in the Kannada language can be seen in the village. Most of these inscriptions date back many centuries. Most of the temples have excellent sculptures. The place is also known for its murals. Veerabhadra temple is a masterpiece and a grand specimen of the Vijaynagara style of architecture. It was built in the mid-16^th century by two brothers Virupanna and Viranna, treasury officers of the Penukonda Fort of the Vijaya Nagar Empire.  The temple is made up of three sections Mukha Mandapa for dance and other cultural activities, Artha Mandapa for worship and the Garbha Griha housing the deity. There is also a 'Kalyana Mandapa', or Wedding Hall made from grey sandstone with 38 carved monolithic pillars. Legend has that Lord Shiva and Parvati got married at this Kalyana Madapam!  

The journey then on is explained through the pictures below:



   The scenic beauty of the Nandi Hills covered by mist, seen en-route

Our very own companions to our destination

The Veerabhadra temple is situated on one of the hills called as "Aame betta" (tortoise hill). It is been said that the temple occupied about 175 acres of space of which only 5 acres remains today.

The Veerabhadra temple Gopuras

Inside the temple, we had the darshan of the deity - Lord Kalabyraveshwara and Goddess Durga before beginning with our clicks of the architectural splendor


The monolith statue of Nagalinga, a Shiva Linga with a multi hooded Naga serpent over it. Legend has that this sculpture was created by workers in less than an hour, while they were waiting for their lunch to be served!

The entrance of the open Kalyana Mantapa

Another architectural marvel is the open entrance Kalyana Mantapa, behind the temple. The sculptor here depicts the wedding of lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi - one of the best of its kind. However this Kalyana mantap was un-finished due to the financial crunch faced by the later empires.

The inside view of the Kalyana Mantapa

In the same vicinity we have the imprints of the Sitama padam (footstep of  Devi Sita). According to mythology, during Tretha Yuga, the height of Devi Sita was considered to be the shortest i.e.., 25 feet. Interestingly, we can see the water around the footprint all the 365 days.

The enchanting mural paintings on the ceiling of the temple is a treat to the eyes


One of the beautiful mural paintings is that of the Lord Krishna , which is unique because irrespective of the direction in which you view this painting you can still see that the painting smiles at you.

Moving around inside the temple, you can spot one of the most remarkable architecture of the ancient days. It is known as the “Hanging Pillar” and true to its name this pillar does not touch the ground. History believes that the Britishers were curious to know the scret of the construction and tried to move the pillar, which resulted in all the surrounding 600 pillars being disturbed. This is considered to be the main pillar of the temple.

The picture above clearly captures the space between the pillar and the ground

“Hanging Pillar”

                                                               Sculpture of Lord Ganesha

          

The Mural paintings of Lepakshi with their natural pigments, have actually spun off a new style of textiles called Lepakshi Motif. The designs depicted in the murals are the famous block printed textiles and rugs which we can find today.

A beautiful carving of a cow

   

                   The carving of the Dance Guru of the Gods. Observe the 3 legs which he has, resulting in him dancing all the time.

               

Imprint of the plate that was being used in the 16^th century

Place where Chandika Homa is performed in the temple

Vishala Sabha

Travelling a little beyond of 500 mts from the temple you can see the huge monolithic statue of Nandi, which is considered to be one of the biggest in india. This is unique to the fact that the Nandi is placed exactly opposite to the Nagalinga, in the Lepakshi temple. An amazing architectural design

Monolithic Nandi : 15ft tall and 27ft length

On the way back, we chanced on this scenic spot near Doddaballapura, which is not been exposed to many of the travelers. All credit to my friend who managed to discover this place.

With the dusk and the setting of the sun, birds retreating back to their nests, we rode back to Bangalore, cherishing one of the best drives that I have ever had. :)