Sringeri is 58 Kms from Theerthalli. We drive to Koppa on NH13 and then take a deviation towards Sringeri.
We directly drive to the temple. Its already 4 pm. Earlier , plan was to Stay overnight here and visit the temple again in the morning and return back to Bangalore Early.
We visit the temple, watch Tunga flow... Large Mahsheer fish are at the surface feeding over the "Kadale puri" (Puffed rice..they love it)
We are awaiting the opening of the gates towards the Aashram across the River. Its an island on which the High Priest of Sringeri resides, performs Pooja. They conduct a "BhagavadGeetha Recitation competition, wherein, a person who could chant all the 18 "Adhyaayas" without any mistakes would go home richer by 21 grand.
On a plant next to me, i see a Camouflaged bright green Vine Snake. It is trying to extend itself from one plant with the support of its rear quarter and manages to reach a branch which is a good 2 feet away! Amazing feat ,...i think.
We are back in the car by 6.30 pm. Suddenly my mom is not to be found around. I panic for a min. Wife and dad look calm. This made me wonder even further! Then i turn back and a familiar person with Unfamiliar stuff in hand is walking towards the car... Mom has done 300 Rs worth of Jackfruit chips to be distributed to her beloved sisters! (btw, Sringeri is famous for Jackfruit chips.. Everyday, private buses come to bangalore with sacks of it to be distributed in Bangalore's local outlets).
I think of the route we need to take to Udupi. I felt going through Kudremukh may be a good idea. But thought of enquiring somebody familiar with the roads around. The parking security guard advices us to take Agumbe-Hebri route to Udupi.. And we are on our way.
30 Kms from there, we reach Agumbe (yet another time)... no difference, same clouds, same rain... Wat is different this time is, its darker. Its 7.30 pm. We navigate the thick fog at 20 Kmph with headlight switched off and fog lamps doing their duty. I cant see anything 5 feet ahead. But i see the left shoulder of the road and i have to be quick to react. My mom is already chanting and praying.
Finally we reach the sunset point and i see vehicular movement in the opposite direction. Everyone's now relaxed... and yes, this road is familiar to us.
We finally reach Udupi via Someshwara, Hebri, Manipal and checked in at Kediyoor Hotel. 2 AC rooms and we are a bit tired now. We order room service, hog, sleep. tick.
Day3:
We wake up at 8 am. Decided to give a quick visit to Malpe. In the next 30 min, we are already at Malpe beach. Thick Grey clouds, very low ones, they can pour any time now. Before we decided to test the waters, all the 4 of us are back in the car, parked close to the beach... Now, we watch Malpe with the wipers on.. Things change too quickly to my liking.
We are back at the hotel. Again Room service, Neer Dosa,.... 10 Rupee tip... And yes, every order, there is a new waiter... To clean up after we finish eating, another waiter... They know how to make me spend 100 bucks on tips.
We then visit udupi temple and head to Diana for lunch.
We are set to leave Udupi back top Bangalore at 1.30 pm.
We decide to take charmadi. HEad towards Manipal. KMC college is seen on the way, I remember my visit to the KMC, the zoological museum here in Manipal. Samurai would know wat i am talking about.
Charmadi ghats were awesome again, a waterfall on every curve.
We finally reach bangalore via Belur, Hassan, Kunigal, NICE road. (11 pm)
Total Distance : 1150 Kms
Mileage: 12.5 kmpl
Regards
Pramod