SUNRISE AND ABOVE THE CLOUD EXPERIENCE AT NANDI HILLS

(for information  Nandi Hills is 10 km from Chickballapur town and approximately 60 km from the city of Bengaluru ,Karnataka,India )

(Best time to Visit – One can visit Nandi Hills throughout the year. But according to me winter is the best choice , one can experience the foggy mountains and beautiful sunrise if you can reach as early as 5:30 am.) 

It’s been three years … when we are going to Nandi hills to see sunrise, let’s go this weekend. “Shaheen (my best friend) ditched me and went along with her office colleagues (without me ) I want to tease her ,that I went without her … it would be fun…” this is what I told my roommate Roopa few minutes before leaving for office… It was just a sudden plan… we never thought we will make it… as Roopa also loves travelling  like me our plan worked and the session of calls started. I called Puja who never says no to any of my plans. Roopa planed of calling her cousin sister and yes we are done… Four people one cab and the trip begin..

As it was winter we decided to start early so that we will not miss sunrise from the hill top. I was very  excited as I am crazy about nature. Its been long I have not been for any trekking with my group.. I always feel there is something in nature which will make one forget everything and will give you a fresh and unique feeling.

We fixed the time it was 4:30 am when we board the cab. It was windy and cold outside. Cool breeze was blowing.. It was chilling outside but our excitement was more than that. We were on our way to pick Roopa’s cousin. The roads were empty, the busy streets were silent…and there was not a single soul outside.. We picked Roopa’s cousin and she was quit excited about the trip as well.. We began our journey towards Nandi Hills(Bangalore) which is 60km from our place.. It’s a place famous for natural beauty, sunrise, hills, trekking and bike rides… it’s a famous tourist place and people visit this place mainly to see the sunrise and the sunset from the peak point and to have above the cloud experience..

Our cab started moving towards nandi hills . Pooja and me were busy updating status on face book regarding our trip and Rupa was busy controlling her hunger.. lol.. thank god  that her cousin bought some food or else she would have jumped out of the car.. (She cant control her hunger 🙂 lol) it was a amazing ride, we saw many people rushing towards the same destination on cars and bikes..As we were gazing outside the window of our cab, we saw a group of bike riders who were enjoying riding towards the top of the hill. It was a nice view bikes in rows, Royal Enfield (my favorite) and other cool bikes racing together. Me and Pooja were busy dreaming about a bike ride 🙂 Rupa and Devi were busy taking photos. Music and long drive it’s a wonderful feeling. It was around 5 am, we were able to see the sky bit clear, it was misty and fogy outside. The view outside was breathtaking…

As we were going toward the top the climate was getting more chill and fogy .One can find tress on both sides of road… gradually the sky was turning red indicating the time of sunrise. The whole panorama of fields, trees and red sky was like a painting with different colour patterns..

As we went up towards the hill with the increase in altitude the atmosphere started getting cooler, the view outside was so divine and beautiful, glimpse of trees with background covered with fog, dew drops covering the leaves of plants  making it look   like monsoon season. We all were busy taking photos and enjoying the view. Gradually as we approached the point it became quiet crowded. As it was a weekend it was usual as people get time to spend with their family and friends. As for all of us it was our first time visit to that place we were totally dependent on two things GPS and driver  🙂

 above the clouds ❤ 🙂

We saw a long queue of cars.. Me and Roopa got so exited seeing the fogy and amazing surrounding we both got down from the car and started clicking pics.. pooja and Devi also followed us..lol.. As we were busy taking pics and selfies, we forgot that we were blocking the way of vehicles, the sounds of horns made us remind, that we are in the middle of a road taking pictures..… We rushed back to our car.. After few minutes ride we realized that its already sunrise.. we hurried towards the spot from where we can see the view..

The view was awesome we were above clouds; the white clouds were turning golden. The beam of lights was passing through the gaps between the branches of trees. It was like shiny golden ray passing through green leaves. It was amazing. The surrounding was full of big trees…The peak point was bit crowded but the view was worth watching. As we were on the top of the hill we were almost above the Clouds, slowly the sun stated rising making the white cloud golden with its rays. It was mesmerizing view… a heavenly feeling.

 cute monkey.. ❤

With the rising sun going above the clouds the fog started to fade away slowly. All were busy capturing the moment in camera. We all friends went and sat at a spot where we can enjoy the beauty of the nature for sometime..

 

 

I sometimes wonder that how beautiful nature is, a moment spent in the lap of nature will take all your pain and make you feel relax. These kinds of places always attract me as it woks like a medicine for my soul.

After sometime we explored the temple and near by places .There is a beautiful siva temple made of stone..The surrounding was beautiful with greenery all around.One can find group of monkeys jumping here and there from one tree to another. Altogether the trip was awesome we all had breakfast together and started our journey back..

It was really an amazing trip with my friend’s. 🙂

 

MY FIRST TREK TO MAAKALIDURGA (Nov 1st,2012)

(For information – It is 60 km north of Bangalore and 10 km after Doddaballapura on the way to Gauribidanur. It begins with a 2-km walk on the railway track from the station of Makalidurga.)

(Best time – one can visit any time . We did this trek on a rainy day and witnesses above the cloud experience and awesome weather.)

 

Never thought trekking would be such an amazing experience that too in a cloudy and drizzling weather. Lush green trees, wet land, rain water passing through stones making it slippery and shiny, cool and fresh wind blowing making you feel lively, This 1^st trek of mine gave me an awesome experience that how beautiful and divine nature is. It was rainy and cold , we a group of 10 people started our journey from Bangalore to maakalidurga which is 60km away from Bangalore, it was a very interesting journey where 10 different people interacted with each other about their experience in trekking. It was nearly 2 hours journey and we reached our destination. We were guided by subu and damu who were the organizers who lead our group. They showed us the two hills which were very high.

For a person like me after looking at those  hills  the only thing  which came in to my mind  was OMG how we are going to climb, I was very surprised  ???? 🙂 Looking at the hills made me remind of the hills which I used to gaze from  the window of train in my childhood ,I  never thought  I would climb such a hill ever. We all started climbing up, the rocks were slippery and wet but it didn’t stop us as our group was full of liveliness. Once we reached to a height the view from there was stunning. The view of the train passing by and the lush green grasses was marvelous. As we started climbing again  it was a bit scary but I can say I meet some of the best trekkers who were awesome people helping and encouraging us  which really made us feel confident. Crossing steep rocks  and thorny bushes we reached at the first peak. It was windy and cold but we all had a satisfaction that we conquered the first peak. We all took rest for a while, few were taking snaps of the beautiful surrounding.After few minutes we started our journey towards the second hill. From the first hill top we could see the glimpse of the second hill covered with clouds. We all formed small groups and started coming down and headed towards the second hill. The 2nd hill was quite steep with long grasses, trees and small streams of water rolling down.

As we proceed towards the top it was quite windy and cold, on the way we stopped for a while and had our lunch .Then we proceed towards the top of the hill, within sometime we reached the top and  that place was heavenly beautiful. We found a fort at the Hill top and a small shiva temple as well. Lush green grasses covered with dew drops, clouds touching our face, cool wind blowing, it was an amazing experience. We all sat there and enjoyed the amazing weather (thanks to nilam cyclone).it was so cold at the top we all were severing still enjoying the view.The fragrance of soil and wild flowers and the rain drops on the petals of the flowers and leaves were making me feel magical. 

It was a big moment for me as it was my first trek .We explored the second hill and started our journey back; with in some time we reached at the base. It was a very satisfying and nice moment for us as we successfully conquered two hills, on our way back home we missed our train but had an amazing truck ride 🙂 Yes we came back by truck and it was really an awesome experience.

This trip was amazing..One of the best trips I ever had.:) 🙂