The drive started from Indranagar after picking up a friend who is new to Bangalore.
The map showed 60km, which took us about 1hr 15min to cover. On the way we stopped for refuelling and the toll (about 25rs for two way for LMV).
After reaching a certain point on the Kolar Highway, before the Cafe Coffee Day on the right, we took a right turn into a lane (as per the map).
It was a slow 6km drive through a village which then connected to the another smaller highway.
We reached the base of the temple by 1.30pm.
There were no washrooms there, so I found a nice aunty who found a spot for me and also gave cover.
Considering we hadn’t eaten breakfast we bought chips, biscuits and water from the only shop at the base of the temple.
WARNING- DO NOT CARRY FOOD WITH YOU BEYOND THE SHOP POINT.
We started our climb by 2pm with the scorching sun right overhead.
On the way, we took 2 minute pauses only to click photographs and to catch breath.
As usual even this climb was done barefoot by me as the rocks were being gentle although slightly warm, which made us climb faster.
Scary incident on the way up – My friend and I got caught in between a monkey fight. With one monkey two steps above me, staring at me, one more behind that monkey looking for his quarrel partner, and my friend behind me and monkeys on our right and left, in the bushes and out of sight, we stood there for good 3 minutes in pin drop silence.
The monkey on the back, escaped into the bushes to join his mates, while the monkey in front of me starred at me suddenly bewildered.
Me trying to inch forward and my friend clenching on to my hands so that I don’t make sound while climbing up, the monkey moved slightly to the left, giving me a foot’s place to climb up.
We took, few quiet hasty steps until we got out of the battlefield. Phew!
Once the steps ended, we had to start climbing rocks for the next ten minutes. We reached the top by 3.30pm, welcomed by strong chilly winds.
Enjoying the wind brushing my hair, sunlight up above, we found a spot to sit over overlooking the fields and hillocks below us.
It was a magnificent view for a short climb as compared to Shivgange and Antharagange.
There was another group perched up on a rock, they kept to themselves and left before we did.
Went around the top a little bit, towards the backside, and found some shade under a rock to lie down for a while.
We started our climb down by 4.15pm in order to reach the base before it got dark.
Initially we were puzzled trying to find the way we came up, finding the carved steps on the stone near the tiny pond and started our descend.
Finding our way through the rocks and climbing down we came across a small temple and waterway between two rocks.
It took us 30 minutes to reach the base, encouraging people on the way and rested in the car for a while, starving for food.
We wanted good food, something filling and yet well made.
To our luck, Sher-e-Punjab dhaba, place mum introduced me to while on our way back from Antharagange, was on our way to Bangalore City.
Two gravies, dal, 7 rotis and lassis amounted to less than 600rs which was very economical for this Punjabi dhaba experience (sitting on the khatiya, hygienic food and not rich, hot fresh rotis out of the tandoor and the hospitality of the waiters).
After a quick yet late heavy lunch, driving back, we reached the Bangalore CBD by 7pm. Google Street View –
View from Top Part 3
Monkey business
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