Our journey to Kukke Subramanya

Just wanted to pin down my experience of visiting Kukke Subramanya, as this was a bit different and more traditional. I always used to go to Kumara Parvatha for the trek, descent the other day have sumptuous breakfast in a restaurant (Since 1960 :)), visit the deity and back to Bangalore. This would be the normal routine. But this time it was no trekking, just visit the places religiously and preformed the rituals.

So most of the travel enthusiasts would like to have such ritualistic experience, I am hereby pinning this down.

Normally, you could book a KSRTC coach according to your preference AC/NON AC.  We booked at around 9.15 PM. Boarded the bus near Basaveshwarnagar Bangalore (Saradha Colony) at 8.15 PM. You could even board near Navrang Theater as well at 9.20 PM.

This was just before the Shiradi Ghat was open. Our driver heard someone telling him that the Shiradi was open, so he took that route unfortunately.

We were just 30 Kms away from the Kukke, where at the end of the ghat the road was blocked.

We encountered the block at 2.30 AM till 6 AM we tried to clear the block which was a heap of mud that was put across.

But we failed, then we started walking across a near by village to get another bus to Kukke. Being a photographer I enjoyed the morning scenery with absolute awe.

Here are glimpse of that

Took a lift from a pick up truck

Later we waited for the bus, boarded a local bus at around 7 AM and reached Kukke.

We made a lodge just to freshen up. Got on with the shorts and went to take a dip in Kumara Dhara for the first time. This natural river is not part of any tributaries and comes through the Kumara Parvatha being one of the tallest mountains in Western Ghats. So this river, Kumara Dhara is very good to heal some of the health problems. Had a quick dip with some quick snaps.

Later came back to room by a Auto with a minimal fee. Freshened up and got ready to have a darshan of the deity.

We were fortunate not to have any rush and crowd inside the sanctum by 10.15 AM. We went to Adi Subramanya temple from there which is walkable, this the temple where the Naga Devathas bless the devotees. You can witness the Nag Devatha If you are fortunate.

Then had breakfast in a restaurant located in the temple street, did some shopping, got my tickets booked for return journey at 2.30 PM.

Wondering I could have booked a bit earlier ? Come on, how could I miss the tasty and disciplined lunch served at the temple.

The lunch starts at 12 PM, we joined and finished lunch at 1.15 PM as there was not much crowd.

Then went back to the lodge, packed things up. As this is a monsoon season it was pouring cats and dogs.

Some how boarded the bus at 2.15 PM, started the journey back to Bangalore with such a scenery is breathtaking. Here are the few snaps on the way back.

Royal escort by Bengal Tiger ! !

It was a sudden plan for Bandipur, we left Bangalore at 10.30 PM, reached Bandipur at 3.30 PM awaiting gates to open for the reserve forest at 6.00 PM.

We hurried to get on the first trip of Safari. Having been disappointing so many times, expectation was low as usual with respect to sighting the Tiger.

To our Awe, we found the tiger in a lake. There was a huge excitement and eager to have a glimpse of the majestic beast. It came out of the lake, it seems as if it was waiting for us, to give its majestic vision.

Tiger sighted in the lake in Bandipur Tiger Reserve

Walked towards us to give us the majestic look

Still further, made us spell bounded to see such an animal in such close range

We came to know that the tiger has been named as Prince, no wonder its attitude said all that !

Our safari driver and guide, Mujeeb was intelligent and well aware and seized the opportunity of predicting where the tiger would flash out.

We waited patiently for few minutes, in the mean time we were excited to have spotted the tiger at least and were among ourselves busy chatting.

In the mean time we couldn't believe our own eyes, we were in front of tiger in a few yard distance.

Tiger from the lake walking towards us

Another daring look

Much more closer look of Prince

Attitude 

Catching the track

Once the tiger came out of the camouflage, we started following the tiger from behind, where tiger started scenting the trees marking its territory. It was a feast for photographers and a memorable safari for the wild life lovers.

Started the escort

Saying it is my territory

Started scenting the surrounding

My territory, my rules

Majestic step, no words

Showing us its from a Cat Family

Showing us its from a Cat Family

Another stare at us

Scenting the territory

Prince walking 

Prince walking - fearless

Prince walking - fearless

Prince walking - fearless

Challenging

Anybody daring ?

Looking around

Finally disappearing into Huli Katte

The last glimpse

Later the tiger disappeared by leading us to an another lake near Huli Katte.

It was pure bliss of 20 minutes, where we were escorted by this magnificent beast. We almost forgot the place, time and were submerged in shooting the sight. 

Our special thanks to Mujeeb, Forest Department for taking special interest in helping sight a tiger. And of course, our team Raghu, Kiran, Shreyas and Hemanth who made me come to this trip.

Here are some of the memorable snaps after that.

The forest department guide - Mujeeb

Our co-passengers accompanied and witness of this memorable Safari

Our team - Raghavendra, Mujeeb, Kiran, Shreyas (From left)

At last, the clip of the same for the one who missed !

Coorg - A heavenly destination

It was the seasonal time for Madikeri tour, it was hard to get a stay, even having booked it.

One advice for the travelers is never believe a contact you get, it might be a broker who search for the stay when you reach Madikeri. So, we were disappointed with the place where stay was situated which was in the town.

Anyway, its all in the experience. We reached Madikeri around 5 PM.

For vegetarians, there is a restaurant near the Madikeri Fort, called Neel Sagar. Had been there for two days, very good food, but finding a table there at peak time is a bit difficult.

We had sumptuous dinner at Neel Sagar at 9 PM, saw the colorful madikeri in dasara time.

As planned, Thar (4X4) came for picking us for Mandalpatti Peak also known as Mugilpete (Land of Clouds). Here are the glimpse

Then after this, we continued to Abbey Falls. It was an early trip, so there was little crowd compared to. Here are some of the glimpse

Then, we started to the Talkaveri, Bhagmandala, after having our breakfast in Neel sagar. It was pretty hot when we started, but eventually, the weather changed like magic into cloudy. Suddenly mist started to cover up. So it started to rain when we reached Talkaveri.

Then, we started to Brahmagiri peak, the view was enchanting ! ! . Experience it..

Next day we were on our way to Dubare Camp. Here is the glimpse of it.