Motorcycle expedition to Jog Falls

When I attended my brother’s Engagement at Kalasa on October I am thinking of a motorcycle tour to Karnataka especially ‘Malenadu’ region. On third week of February some of my colleagues fixed a one day family tour to Madikeri, Kodagu District my friend Ravi rushed and told me Feb 27th is holiday we will plan for at two days motorcycle tour, so we are not attended the Kodagu tour.

First I planned to go Kodachadri, Kollur and back. But later I changed my mind and chosen Jog Falls. Only I and Ravi are ready to go till Wednesday. On Thursday evening one of Ravi’s cousin Santosh willing to join us and Friday morning our colleague Udaya and Ratheesh ready for the tour, on Friday night Ravi called me and told one of his cousin Hariprasad would like to join us so finally three bikes and six riders are ready for the trip.

Udupi Shri Krishna Temple

At Udupi

27th morning 6’O clock I reached Badiadka on my 10 years old trusted blue CBZ there I joined with Ravi. Santosh and Hariprasad were came from Mulleriya on their Hero Honda Glamour from there we headed towards Kumbla. At Kumbla Udaya and Ratheesh are waiting for us along with Ravi’s Bajaj CT100 (emitting light crank sound) and at 0700hrs all of us hit the N.H. 17 and headed towards the North. Next big city is Mangalore at 0815hrs we reached there. After Photo session continued the journey. Around 0900hrs we stopped for a brake fast at ‘Vijaya Hotel’ Padubiri and around 0930hrs we reached parking lot of Udupi Shri Krishna Temple.

Kumbashi Maha Ganapati Temple

After visiting temple again hit the N.H. 17 it’s around 1030hrs. Shining sun is at our top. Around 1130 reached to Kumbashi the famous ‘Anegudde’ Maha Ganapathi Temple. And also visited Lord Ayyappa temple near by it. Around 1215hrs passed Kundapur now shining sun has turned to burning sun and here we just took a stop for photo session at Maravante beach.

Maravante Beach

At 1330hrs we stopped for a lunch at Byndore our next destination is Murdeshwar the famous beach the temple town with a vibrant scenic beauty and golden history, is located on the Arabian seafront in Uttara Kannada District. The ancient temple which stood for ages was fast dilapating. The locals tried rebuilding the sanctum sanctorum earlier, but it did not last long. The present temple complex is the result of the painstaking efforts of Sri. R. N Shetty. He started renovation in 1977 with a team of craftsmen and artisans brought in from Tamilnadu. The temple is mainly built of granite. The 123 ft high Shiva statue is the world's largest Shiva sculpture and has become a landmark.Another newly added masterpiece is the world's largest Rajagopuram in front of the temple complex. This 249 feet tower was inaugurated in May 2008.

Murdeshwara Temple

At Murdeshwara

The legend of Murudeshwar goes back to the age of Ramayana. Ravana, the asura king of Lanka, wished to have the all powerful Atmalinga of Shiva, so that he can become invincible and immortal by worshipping it. Pleased by his severe penance, Lord Shiva gave him the Atmalinga but warned him not to place it on the ground till he reached his destination.

Upset by the thought that Ravana would become more powerful by worshipping the Atmalinga, the Gods devised a plan to take it away from Ravana. The Gods knew that Ravana being a pious devotee of Lord Shiva was punctual in performing the periodical rites every day.

When we reached here temple was closed and it will open after 1500hrs so we took some photos from outside and wandering around the temple. Here we accidently met one of our Colleague Ms Vandana who came along with her family.

Unexpected meet

Near Jog

After visiting temple we headed towards Jog Falls via Honnavar and Gerusoppa around 1600hrs. Till Honnavar the road was excellent (N.H. 17) Honnavara onwards we diverted in to N.H. 206 (Honnavara to Tumkur Road) which gose to Jog Falls via Gerusoppa. On the way the scenic beauty is really excellent. At last 1815hrs we reached Jog Falls.

Scenary onthe way to Jog

Fist thing we done is searching for a good accommodation, the guard who is standing at Jog Falls entry helped us to locate a good accommodation which ran by Kerala based family. First we freshened and visited the Falls after some photo session we back to the room.

On 28th morning 00530hrs all of us are freshened and ready to go Falls again It’s really a good experience to us because getting down and climbing more then 1300 (frankly speaking we are not able to count the number of step, we are so tired) steps to reach near the water fall and back.

Around 0930 we took brake fast at KTDC hotel near falls and (Idli and vada x2) and wandered around water cannel which coming from Linganamakki dam, and we headed towards Sagara. When we reached sagara whole town is closed and Holi Festival is celebrating at town it’s very difficult us to pass the town because everybody is spraying the colours it’s forced me to keep my camera inside.

Calf at Sri Ramachandrapura Mutt

After fueling at Sagara our next destination is Hosanagara here we visited

Ramachandrapura Mutt and again hit the road. The roads is quite ok but only complaint is some were it does not exist. One the way we stopped for a lunch around 1300hrs and started journey after crossing Hulikkal road condition is better.

At the top of Balebare Ghat

After descending Balebare ghat (now CT100 crank sound is clearly visible) we touched N.H 17 at Brahmavara near Udupi via, Haladi and Shankaranarayana. When we crossed Brahmavara bridge both the bikes are missing from my rear view mirror so stopped under the tree suddenly my cell phone rang and Hariprasad told me CT 100’s engine is seized near the bridge which forced them to stop.

What Next...?

So Ravi and me went back to the place where it's seized. It’s around 1600hrs we used all the techniques to start the bike but its completely seized engine refuse to start. After spending one hours we hired a goods carrier and put the CT100 into it and took to my sister’s house at Udupi and here onwards Udaya and Rahteesh took a bus and reached Kasaragod at night others are reached by bike around 2130hrs to our home. It’s a really great experience.