A Wet Malnad Trip in an Alto

[Vishwas]

Hello people, our family like to travel, and I had a week off from my job, so we planned for a Trip to the Malnad.

Prelude:
Wonder what is Malnad? well many people know, but to understand its the region situated in the Western Ghats in Karnataka.
Malnad= Ma-le(Rain) , Nadu (Region), it is called as Rainy Region as the rains are common and pretty heavy.
To be brief this whole place is in chain of hills and breath taking views of the hills, waterfalls etc.

Total Distance: 850kms.
Car: Alto.
No. of People: 4.Me, Dad,Mom and Sister.
Days in Journey: 3.
Road Condition: Moderate.

DAY 1:
We left Bangalore around 3PM.Had plans to reach Horanadu, since it is roughly 350 kms from Bangalore and would we would have reached late night and unsure about the Road conditions,we started towards Hassan and we had a plan to rest in Hassan, but we reached Hassan early at 6 pm so thought it's a waste if we stay and thought if we reach Belur (which is 50kms away from Hassan) we can save some time the next day, then had little snacks in Hassan and then left to Belur
Route Followed:
Basaveshwaranagar; Magadi; Kunigal; Channarayanna Patna; Hassan; Belur.

It was a total of 250 kms and we reached Belur at 7 pm. There we stayed in KSTDC's Mayura Hotel. Then i take out my camera and start clicking photos,
SNAP No memory card!!
Got a nice blast from My Dad and Mom,(myself included). What next? went in search for the shops which sells memory cards, to the utter dismay all had mobile storage memory cards, so i asked one fellow where they sell camera Memory cards, then he told that one person sells near the temple, as our hotel was in the temple road itself took a brisk walk in the drizzling shower and reached that store, Alas! the store was closed, muttered and thought to try in the morning. Then had dinner and all of us slept as we had to continue our journey early in the morning.

Day 2:
Woke up at 7, realized it was late already but we looked at each other's face and planned to leave a little late.After finishing our Morning Chores, I drove to that Shop again at 7.30. Hurray It was open! Then got Sony 4GB card for 450/- and then i took a U-Turn towards Horanadu,
Sister: We wont visit the World Famous Channakeshwara Temple when we come to Belur?(Another voice telling the same sentence: Mom)
Screech!
Dad: Why not visit the Temple?
Me: You told it would make the journey late.
Dad: No problem, take your Camera we'll go.
Alto: U-Turn?.
Me: Yes Dear.

Then we had great time and busy taking photos(yawn will post the DAY 2 review tomorrow, Enjoy these photos:

 

[rekharam]

Hi Vishwas,
Thanks for sharing, I really enjoyed troll snaps and its very apt here. Waiting for rest of travelogues. I was there during last year, but was much crowded.

 

[carfreak]

Nice pics buddy! Do post some pics of your ride too!! Its been a while since I visited these places. Planning a trip soon. I shall contact you for any info

 

[Vishwas]

Hi Vishwas,
Thanks for sharing, I really enjoyed troll snaps and its very apt here. Waiting for rest of travelogues. I was there during last year, but was much crowded.

More to come, These places gets crowded in summer(April-June) and (October-December) as many places are temples.

Nice pics buddy! Do post some pics of your ride too!!

Thanks, will post them soon!

Its been a while since I visited these places. Planning a trip soon. I shall contact you for any info

Anytime!

 

[quitefar]

awesome shots. i am contemplating a trip too, so hooked to your post. waiting for the remaining photos.

 

[Varun560061]

Nice pic's Vishwas. Please share more photos.

Also share the mileage you achieved.

 

[350Z]

Great photographs. I really admire the incredible ancient architecture artists that we used to have in India. Surely unique and one of its kind anywhere in the world.

Drive Safe,
350Z

 

[visran]

Wonderful pic's buddy please do post some more picture's

 

[Vishwas]

Continued from DAY 2:

We had our breakfast in a small restaurant in Belur and then started towards Horanadu at 9:00 AM.

Route Followed:
Belur; Kottigehara; Kalasa; Horanadu.

Distance- 100kms
Time- 2 and half hours.

Road to Horanadu:


The Drizzling gave work to the wipers.












This is Kottigehara, we stopped here for refuel and a nice coffee.the road to the right goes to Horanadu and Sringeri


The bridge to Horanadu.





We reached the place round 12.
Horanadu is a small town with big Annapoorneshwari Temple, the best temple one can see and a must if you visit Horanadu. This temple offers free meals for everyone, so we gave a little rice, Cereals etc.. as a little contribution to make meals. And then we had our lunch in the Temple itself.







The K.K.B Bus service, who is in service for more than 20 years and covers most of the routes in and around the region.


At 2 PM we left for Sringeri as the part of our next destination.

Route Followed:
Horanadu; Basarikatte; Sringeri.

After Horanadu, when you come across the bridge, you will see a road going to the left which shows the way to Sringeri, you can directly take that road instead of going to Kalasa which saves 15kms.

Total distanc 66kms.
Road Conditon: Pretty bad at some stretches, roads are narrow, but the traffic is less.

 

[Vishwas]

awesome shots. i am contemplating a trip too, so hooked to your post. waiting for the remaining photos.

This is the best time to visit Malnad if you like rains + the places won't be much crowded for this season because it rains heavily.

Nice pic's Vishwas. Please share more photos.

Also share the mileage you achieved.

Yes for sure, Mileage around 15 to 16 as many places where Ghats.

Great photographs. I really admire the incredible ancient architecture artists that we used to have in India. Surely unique and one of its kind anywhere in the world.
Drive Safe,
350Z

Very true, should appreciate the people who carved those structures.

Wonderful pic's buddy please do post some more picture's

Sure buddy, please give me some time i have to re size the image and then upload.


Continued from DAY 2

At 5PM we reached Sringeri, yes it took 3 long hours to travel 66 kms as the roads were in bad condition and i didn't exceed 40kmph for the roads were curvy.

There we landed in a hotel and then at 6 PM near temple and we planned to visit Sirimane Falls. Thanks to Varun, his travelogue told Sirimane falls was good.
So started off and rushed to the falls as it was getting dark. It's a 10km drive from Sringeri.

Route Followed:
Sringeri Bus Stand; Kigga; Sirimane Falls.

When you reach Sringeri Bus Stand take a left after 1/2 km you will see a small arch towards Kigga take that route to reach the falls.

We reached the Falls at 6:20 pm and a Taxi Walla said its closed.
However, we went further and saw the falls:



As many people left the place we had nice time






While returning we came through this silent Village Kigga




Then we came back to Sringeri at 7 pm and gave a visit to Sharada Temple, it was already 8 pm, so here too like Horanadu they provided us free Dinner, we had and then Phew slept for the day.

 

[Vishwas]

DAY 3:

In the Morning at 8 PM we left for Chickamagaluru.

Route Followed:
Sringeri; Balehonnuru; Jayapura; Chickamagaluru.
Distance: 100kms

We stopped at Balehonnuru for breakfast in a small hotel:


After Breakfast we Gave a visit to RambhaPuri Mutt which is 5 kms away from Balehonnuru.





This is how your wheels could look when you drive in Malnadu:


at 9.30 PM we left the Mutt and continued our journey.












At 12:30 PM we reached Chickamagaluru and had our Lunch.

At 1 PM we planned to Visit the Karnataka's Highest peak, the Mullayingiri Hills. It's just 15kms away from Chickmagaluru.

The foot of the hills:


Slowly Climbed the hills and parked my car here:


More shots:

 

[Vishwas]

More Photos:


















































It was the best place i have ever visited and the crowd was not too much being Saturday

Route Followed: Chickamagalur; Mullayangiri.
It comes in while you go to Kemmannagundi hills.

 

[Vishwas]

Final shots:




The roads were too small and a fool made a mistake by coming in the wrong side of the road and jammed the whole road for 10 minutes then finally we returned


We came down to Chickmagalur and then we returned home as dad got some important call.

Route Followed:
Chickmagalur; Belur; Hassan; Channarayannapatna; Kunigal; Magadi; Bangalore.

Total distance 300 kms.
The road was the same as before and this time it rained heavily, so we drove carefully and reached home safe and sound.

 

[bayern_tig]

How did the alto perform? Did you find any shortage of power?
The pictures are beautiful. Very scenic..

 

[Vishwas]

How did the alto perform? Did you find any shortage of power?

Nope, Alto was always ready to take any kind of roads, all you have to have is positive mind, that's all.