Enchanting visit to Shri Kshetra Haddinakallu | ಶ್ರೀ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ ಹದ್ದಿನಕಲ್ಲು ಯಾತ್ರೆ

13 August 2022

The visit to Shri Kshetra Haddinakallu was planned 2 weeks back. Due to unavoidable circumstances, the plan was postponed. The plan successfully culminated on the auspicious day of Shravana Shanivara. We were pleased to seek blessings of Lord Hanuman post arduous hike.

On lethargic Saturday, the car booted up sluggishly which resulted in encountering unusual traffic jam on Bangalore-Poona highway. Our journey encountered first hurdle when massive weekend traffic slowed down the travel on Bangalore-Poona highway for nearly 45 mins. That was strange since we did not knew the source of congestion. The traffic automagically vanished after crossing the Mangalore deviation. Neither Mangalore road nor Poona road had traffic snarls. We alighted at Kamat upachar near kunigal to rest for a while and also have snacks. Alas! most of the items were emptied thanks to huge weekend rush! We had to contend with a plate of idly (vada also was over)! Biggest problem with Kamath is they provide importance to bus crowd. They have tied up with KSRTC which means most buses stop here. The hotel crew ignores normal customers and start attending bus passengers. We had to explicitly call the managers to attend our request. Due to low-priority to normal customers, it wastes lot of time for personal travelers. I have decided to skip Kamath upachar henceforth.

The second hurdle was google maps showing an unusual route to Haddinakallu from Yediyur. Maps made us to navigate through rugged village roads and sometimes dead-end. I was aware of the welcome arch situated on the Mangalore highway but still switched on maps. Alas! that was grave mistake. After consulting locals, they guided us in right path. Here we are at Haddinakallu and ready for climb.

Never knew that the Shravana Shanivara can be crowded to the bone at Haddinakallu. Large array of devotees gathered to seek blessings of Lord Hanuman on this divine day. We could see pilgrims ranging from infants till old-age climbing the hill and visiting temple.

The base of hike begins with statue of Indrajitu, the son of Ravana. People sacrifice farm animals at Indrajitu foot and later prepare feast out of it all along the pathway. Hence the temple strictly prohibits carrying  of meat from outset of trail till summit.

We also enthusiastically began the hike leaving footwears at the base of hill. Few people were seen wearing footwear till summit, but I suggest you hike barefoot if possible. Initial steps are manageable which later turns steep. We encountered human congestion intermittently due to crowd pausing hike at end of steep steps to relax. During pause, one can enjoy breathtaking views of the rural landscape which is adorned with beautiful lakes. The recent rains have flourished water bodies to the throat and farmers are happy. Rains bring lot of joy to both farming community and nature lovers. The artistic rocks are another attraction on the way up. Their balance from ancient era amazes me.

My toddlers also climbed without any complaint. In fact, they were hiking faster than us with infinite energy.  The gentle play of monsoon clouds and Sun was another plus point. The blazing midday sun did not bother us except for extreme perspiration. That did not bother us since we were well hydrated and had enough stock. People were climbing with devotion. When one of the devotee tried to bail out in midway of hike, her family cheered her up to complete the climb and have darshan. "Don't stop. Devote yourself to Lord Hanuman and he will give strength to reach him!" motivated her relatives. That was energy booster to us as well. She made it to the summit successfully too! 

I was infuriated when plan did not culminate 2 weeks back. The obstacle occurred for good reason.  Rains and wind would have made it impossible to climb due to slippery path. The shrubs and plants had mushroomed the trail. Fortunately due to shravana month, the authorities have cleared the trail. The amicable weather joined hands in our smooth visit. We thanked Lord Hanuman for making us visit at the right time. Few things happen for our own good.

The trail was tantalizing at times which apparently indicated end of hike. That was not the case when we reached the edge of deception. Had to trudge along further from the perceived summit :-).

Moving on with hike, we came across pond where devotees pull water and drench themselves before visiting the temple. Looks like it is offering to Lord Hanuman. That was natural pond along the trail.

Its short distance from pond to temple. We finally reached summit within an hour. Total distance would be perhaps 1-2kms. The apparent became reality, eventually. Amidst the stuffed temple, the darshan was not easy. The huge crowd of Shravana Shanivara was difficult to glide through. Since the area was open, no queueing system was needed.

Being auspicious day of Shravana Shanivara, Lord Anjaneya was decked-up with garland of lemon, tulsi, variety of flowers and enveloped with silver kavacha (armor). I guess the armor is installed only during auspicious days since permanent enablement would lead to security threats. The devotees were piling up more & more flowers as offering to god. With discipline, the priest was periodically performing Mangalarathi to lord.

Plenty of monkeys atop of summit but no monkeys anywhere along the trail. Monkeys do not seem to be aggressive perhaps due to Anjaneya's presence. I did not observe any monkey snatching items from visitors neither near temple nor along trail

We descended comfortably after beholding Lord Anjaneya on Shravana Shanivara. On the way back, the majestic sight of nature was worth the pause and relook. We consumed fresh cut watermelons to quench our thirst and carried trash along with us. In matter of 30mins, we were back to the base of hill and thus yet another long pending visit concluded.

Impromptu plan was made to visit Shravanabelagola which resulted in extreme disappointment. We were annoyed to see the closure of gommateshwara hill. The authorities have temporarily closed the entry to gommateshwara hill owing to landslide in recent rains. We consumed Jain meals before departing to Bangalore.

Route to Haddinakallu:

Take the arch 7.5kms post  Yediyur town. Temple arch welcomes you to the divine place. From here, 3-4kms on well surfaced road leads you to haddina kallu. Looks like the road is newly laid on occasion of Shravana Masa and google map was not aware. Whether new or old, I was surprised to see map showing maze than straight one. Never rely on maps which goofs up the rural path. Algorithms are really not good at providing proper guidance in rural roads. Seek local's help whenever you feel lost.

Mythological importance:

There was huge rush and hence could not speak to priest on mythological significance of this place

Conclusion:

Haddinakallu is worth visiting both from hiking and divinity perspective. It feels a sense of satisfaction when you have darshan of beloved Anjaneya swamy. The strenuous hike seems naught once you behold the divine lord.

Lot of vendors sell cucumber, water-melon, ice-creams, churmuri. Watermelon was great in taste. Many vendors carry the pooja related items till the summit. Do not bargain with them and honor their hard-work.

Enjoy the beautiful views from summit. The lake overlook with sky-cloud play is simply majestic sight to behold.

Even though barefoot hike is floundering, I suggest you try leaving footwear before hike to respect sanctity of religious location.

Entire trail is grossly disheveled with plastic waste. People sell water-melon, cucumber in plastic containers. Please carry the plastic waste than tossing nearby.

The vendors may not be available apart from busy days like Shravana Shanivara. Hence make sure you pack your bags with enough solid and liquid food.

Related blog on Google map goof up: ಶ್ರೀ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ ಹದ್ದಿನಕಲ್ಲು ಯಾತ್ರೆ

Hope you enjoyed our virtual journey. Here is short glimpse of the hike and temple sightings.

Don't travel along Shirady Ghat Road | ಶಿರಾಡಿ ಘಾಟಿ ರಸ್ತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಚರಿಸಬೇಡಿ

08 October 2022,

It is hilarious to call the Shirady Ghat road as National highway which is in news always for its pathetic roads. It can be renamed as notional highway soon. Even though majority part of 40km Ghat road is concreted, the final 15km part from Maranahalli to Sakaleshpura stretch is disaster to drive and travel. There are valleys and ponds to cross in between! Yes you heard it right and that too along the highway! Beware! The wobbling monstrous trucks (including VOLVO buses) might collapse on you anytime! The dust engulfed road from passing mammoth trucks almost blinds your front view. This blinding can also be risky since you never know how the road condition further till transient dust storm clears. If you are travelling by bus, make sure you don't book terminal seats. You will whack your back if you choose those seats out of desperation/negligence! The dreaded 15km travel will prolong the strain even while driving along smooth National Highway past Hassan! Such is the impact of this appalling road.

This truck slumped just before we reached the spot fortunately towards the hill end. Had it been towards drive side, some vehicle would have faced disaster. What kind of road is this? It seems death bed for unfortunate ones.

This stretch is one-way. One lane crumbled due to landslides. Rains are not a rare phenomenon in shirady ghat, but the exponentially growing traffic is something eco-sensitive regions cannot sustain. This traffic jam lasted for nearly 15 mins. The clearance took time due to pathetic roads. When volume of traffic is high, the annoyance may last for hours!

At this point, the road is challenging and punishing experience. The road caved in nearly for 4feet! Oh man, that was edgy! Slight mistake would make your vehicle fall off edge! The water filled pothole makes it even difficult to gauge its depth :-(. 

ಓ ಗಣಪನೇ, ಈ ಶಿರಾಡಿ ಘಾಟಿ ಎಂಬ ಕಂಟಕವನ್ನು ನೀನೇ ಪಾರುಮಾಡಿಸಪ್ಪಾ :-(. ಗಣಪನಿಗೂ  ಚಿತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಫೋಕಸ್-ನಲ್ಲಿ ಬರಲಿಕ್ಕೆ ಇಷ್ಟ ಇಲ್ಲ ಅನ್ನಿಸುತ್ತೆ. ಬಹುಷಃ ಗಣಪನಿಗೂ ಇದನ್ನು ಸರಿಪಡಿಸಲಾಗದ ಕಂಟಕ ಅನ್ನಿಸುತ್ತೆ :-(

Do you see the hasty KSRTC red bus in above picture? Yes, reckless driving blocked the incoming traffic in hustle. Despite knowing that its one way, driver was charging in. Later he took a precarious reverse which would have resulted in bus sliding into abyss! Its difficult to comprehend such urgency, risking passenger's life :-(. Meanwhile they drive at impractical speed on this effing awful path. The bus was full too! The last seat passengers will have to highly watch their spine and life! Better to stand-up and travel than taking risk of sitting on last seats!

ಶಿರಾಡಿ ಹತ್ತಿದ ಗಾಡಿ 

ಮಳೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮೆತ್ತಿಕೊಂತು ರಾಡಿ

ಮೇಲೇರಿದ ಬಂಡಿ

ಸಿಕ್ಕಿಕೊಂಡಿತು ಗುಂಡಿ

Never ever travel along this stretch until roads are properly repaired. Till now, there is no sign of roads getting uplifted due to apathy of rulers. Don't know where the taxpayers money routed to :-(.

ಈ ರಸ್ತೆ ಕಂಡಾಗ ಕನಕದಾಸರ "ನೀ ಮಾಯೆಯೊಳಗೋ ನಿನ್ನೊಳು ಮಾಯೆಯೋ ಪದ ನೆನಪಾಯಿತು". ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಮಾರ್ಪಾಡು ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾ,

ಗುಂಡಿ ರಸ್ತೆಯ ಒಳಗೋ 

ರಸ್ತೆ ಗುಂಡಿಯ ಒಳಗೋ 

ರಸ್ತೆ, ಗುಂಡಿಗಳೆರಡೂ PWD ಜೇಬಿನ ಒಳಗೋ, ಕೃಷ್ಣಾ!

On positive note, the beauty of Shiradi ghat! This is only thing I loved during painful drive. The only image I edited due to its inherent beauty. The Shirady ghat is vibrant and adorable. Its only the road and rulers who are apathetic! That's the reason I did not edit any pictures since there is no beauty in editing it!

Shri Mahalingeshwara Mahaganapthy Temple, Padubidri, Kaup Taluk, Udupi District

This temple has been in my list for quite a long time. Situated at heart of Padubidri town, this historic temple is nearly 1000yrs old. Here is how the visit was realized.

The drive was towards relatives house at Hejamady to have lunch & enjoy gathering. Interestingly, as we reached the house, in-laws were on their way to same temple. Was that a sheer co-incidence or divine call? I leave up to user discretion to decide! My intuition aligned with in-laws requirement, drove me to pay ad-hoc visit to temple. It was hot afternoon and weather was clear. With perfect ambiance and events set, we reached temple in matter of 10mins.

The facade

One of the oldest temple of coastal Karnataka (around 1000years) and also considered as karnika (fulfiller of devotee wishes).

Devotees offer appa seve before starting any major events to Lord Ganesha to ward-off obstacles. Appa Prasada is delicious which is prepared from rice & jaggery smeared with either ghee or oil (depends on requirement from devotees). The Appa Seve (offering) need to be informed a day in advance. The Ghee offering costs more than oil counterpart.

Temple has no restriction to photograph during my visit. which enabled me to capture pictures of divine sanctum where deities are housed. The primary deity is Mahalingeshwara (Lord Shiva). His son Mahaganapathy (Lord Ganapathy) is housed south west in a separate sanctum. Both deities are installed facing east. Due to feeble light in the sanctum of Ganapthy the photograph turned out less appealing.

Lord Shiva

Lord Ganesha

Temple timings as per placard.

Mythology of temple is documented here: https://www.hindu-blog.com/2016/03/padubidri-temple-shri-mahalingeshwara.html

Paddy field facing the temple

The temple has not seen any renovation recently. A must visit place if you are on pilgrimage tour to Udupi.

ಮ್ಯಾಪ್ ನೋಡಿ ಮತ್ತೆ ಕೆಟ್ಟೆ !!

ಊರಿಗೆ ಬೇಗ ಹೊರಟರೆ, ಮಧ್ಯಾಹ್ನ ಉಡುಪಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸೂಪರ್ ಊಟ ಮಾಡಬಹುದು ಅಂತಾ ಲೆಕ್ಕ ಹಾಕಿ ಬೆಳಗ್ಗೆ ಬೇಗ ಎದ್ದು, ಸರಳ ಪೂಜೆ ಮುಗಿಸಿ ಹೊರಡುವುದು ಈಗ ಅಭ್ಯಾಸವಾಗಿದೆ. ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಕೂಡಾ ಸಾಥ್ ನೀಡುತ್ತಾರೆ.  ಆದರೆ ಬಹಳ ಸಲ, ಟ್ರಾಫಿಕ್ ಮತ್ತು ಮ್ಯಾಪ್ ಸಾಥ್ ನೀಡುವುದಿಲ್ಲ ನೋಡಿ :-(. ಪದೇ ಪದೇ ಬೇಡವೆಂದರೂ ಗೊತ್ತಿರುವ ಮಾರ್ಗಕ್ಕೆ ಮ್ಯಾಪ್ ಹಾಕುವುದು ದುರಾಭ್ಯಾಸವಾಗಿಬಿಟ್ಟಿದೆ. ಹೀಗಿದೆ  ನೋಡಿ ಮುಂಜಾವಿನ ಪುರಾಣ ಸಚಿತ್ರ ವರದಿಯೊಂದಿಗೆ!

ಮತ್ತೆ ಮ್ಯಾಪ್ ನೋಡಿದೆ. ಸರಿ ಕಣಪ್ಪಾ ಗೊರಗೊಂಟೆಪಾಳ್ಯದಿಂದ ಸಂಚರಿಸು ಅಂತಾ ಮ್ಯಾಪ್ ಸೂಚಿಸಿತು. ಗ್ರಹಚಾರಕ್ಕೆಅದನ್ನೇ ಪಾಲಿಸಿದೆ. ಬಳ್ಳಾರಿ ರಸ್ತೆಗೆ ಕಾರು ಬಂದಾಗಲೇ ತಿಳಿಯಿತು, ಕತ್ತಲು ಆವರಿಸಿದ ಬೆಳಗಿನ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ವೀಕೆಂಡ್ ಟ್ರಾಫಿಕ್ ಜೋರಾಗಿದೆ ಅಂತಾ. ಮೊದಲನೆಯದಾಗಿ ಎದುರಿಸಿದ್ದು ನಾಗಶೆಟ್ಟಿಹಳ್ಳಿಯ ಮೇಲ್ಸೇತುವೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಟ್ರಕ್ಕುಗಳ ಮೆರವಣಿಗೆ. ಪಾಪ ಅವರೇನು ಮಾಡುವರು. ರಾತ್ರಿ ಮಾತ್ರ ನಗರದ ಒಳಗೆ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಸಂಚರಿಸಬಹುದು. ಪೆರಿಫೆರಲ್ ರಿಂಗ್-ರಸ್ತೆ ಯಾವಾಗ ಶುರು ಆಗುತ್ತೋ? ಅದಾದರೆ ಹೊರವರ್ತುಲ ರಸ್ತೆ ನಿರಾಳವಾಗಬಹುದು. ಇರಲಿ ಸಧ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಇದು ಸಾಧ್ಯವಿಲ್ಲ. ಅಂದಹಾಗೆ, ದೊಡ್ಡ ಟ್ರಕ್ಕುಗಳು ಮೇಲ್ಸುತುವೆಯನ್ನು ಬಸವನಹುಳುವಿನಂತೆ ದಾಟುತ್ತಿದ್ದವು. ಅದರ ಹರಸಾಹಸದ ಮಧ್ಯೆ ನಾವು ೧ ನೇ ಗೇಯರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಚಲಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದೆವು. ಅದು ಸಾಲದೆ, ರಸ್ತೆ ಪೂರ್ತಿ ಗಜಗಾತ್ರದ ಹೊಂಡಗಳು ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಬೀದಿದೀಪವಿಲ್ಲದ ದಾರಿಗಳು. ಅಬ್ಬಾಬ್ಬಾ ಗೊರಗುಂಟೆ ಪಾಳ್ಯ ಹೇಗೂ ತಲುಪಿದೆವು.

ಬಹುದೊಡ್ಡ ದುರಂತ ಕಾಡಿತ್ತು. ಗೊರಗುಂಟೆಪಾಳ್ಯದಿಂದ ಚಾಲನೆ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದೆ ಜಾಲಹಳ್ಳಿ ಎಲಿವೇಟೆಡ್ ಹೆದ್ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಚರಿಸಲು. ಹೆದ್ದಾರಿ ಇಲಾಖೆಯವರು ತುಮಕೂರು ಕಡೆ ಸಂಚರಿಸುವ ಎಲ್ಲಾ  ಮಾದರಿಯ ವಾಹನಗಳಿಗೆ  (ಸೈಕಲ್ ಕೂಡಾ ಸೇರಿಸಿ) ಹೈವೇ ಬಂದ್ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ನಾವು ಹಿಡಿಶಾಪ ಹಾಕಿದೆವು ಮ್ಯಾಪ್ ಗೆ. ಕಷ್ಟಪಟ್ಟು ಲಾರಿಗಳನ್ನು ಬೇಧಿಸಿದ್ದೆಲ್ಲಾ ವ್ಯರ್ಥವಾಯಿತು ನೋಡಿ. ನಗರದ ರಸ್ತೆಯಲ್ಲೇ ಮತ್ತೆ ಸಾಗಬೇಕಾಯಿತು. ಸಾಲದಕ್ಕೆ ಮತ್ತೆ ಟ್ರಕ್ಕುಗಳ ಸಾಲು. ಕಡೆಗೆ ವಸೂಲಿ ಮಾಡಿದ ಹೆದ್ದಾರಿ ಸುಂಕ ಬೆಂಕಿಯ ಮೇಲೆ ತುಪ್ಪ ಸುರಿದಂತಾಯಿತು. ರಸ್ತೆ ಬೇರೆ ಸರಿಯಿಲ್ಲ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಶುಲ್ಕ ಬೇರೆ!

ನಗರದ ಟ್ರಾಫಿಕ್ ಮಧ್ಯೆ ಬಟ್ಟೆ ಹರ್ಕೊಂಡು ಸೈಕಲ್ ನಂತೆ ಚಲಾಯಿಸುವ ಕ್ಯಾಬ್-ಗಳು ಈಗ ಖಾಲಿ ಹೆದ್ದಾರಿಯ ಸ್ಪೀಡ್ ಪಥದಲ್ಲಿ ಎತ್ತಿನಗಾಡಿಯಂತೆ ಚಲಾಯಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ.  ಹಾರ್ನ್ ಹಾಕಿದರೂ ತಮ್ಮ ಸ್ವಸ್ಥಾನದಿಂದ ಕದಲುವುದಿಲ್ಲ ಅಥವಾ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ವೇಗದಿಂದ ಮುಂದೆ ಕೂಡಾ ಹೋಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಕೆಲವರು ಬೇಕೆಂದೇ ಲಾರಿಗಳ ಸಮಾನಾದ ವೇಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಚರಿಸಿ ವಿಚಿತ್ರ ಖುಷಿಯನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತಾರೆ (ಕುಣಿಗಲ್ ಬೈಪಾಸ್-ನಲ್ಲಿ ಅನುಭವವಾಗಿದೆ). ತಲೆಕೆಟ್ಟು ಹೋಗೋ ಸ್ಥಿತಿ. ಅವರ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಟ್ರಕ್ಕುಗಳ ಜುಗಲ್-ಬಂದಿ. ಮೂರು ಟ್ರಕ್ಕುಗಳು ಒಂದೇ ವೇಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಚರಿಸಿ ಸುಮಾರು ೫ ನಿಮಿಷ ಸಮಯ ಹಾಳಾಯಿತು. ಅವುಗಳನ್ನು ಹಿಂದೆ ಹಾಕಲು ಹಾರ್ನ್ ಹೊಡೆದು ಹೊಡೆದು ಬ್ಯಾಟರಿ ಕೆಡುವುದೊಂದು ಬಾಕಿ. ಅಲ್ಲಾ, ವೇಗಮಿತಿ ಮೀರಿದರೆ ಇಂಟರ್ಸೆಪ್ಟರ್ ಮೂಲಕ ದಂಡ ವಿಧಿಸುವ ಪೊಲೀಸರು, ಸ್ಪೀಡ್ ಲೇನ್-ನಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಧಾನ ಚಲಿಸುವವರಿಗೆ ಯಾಕೆ ದಂಡ ಹಾಕುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಇದು ಕೂಡಾ ಹೆದ್ದಾರಿ ನಿಯಮದ ಭಾಗವಲ್ಲವೇ? ಅಷ್ಟಕ್ಕೂ ಒಳ್ಳೆ ರಸ್ತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಶುಲ್ಕ ಕೊಟ್ಟು ಸಂಚರಿಸಿ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಪೊಲೀಸರಿಗೆ ದಂಡ ಕಟ್ಟುವುದೆಂದರೆ ಅದರಷ್ಟು  ಹಾಸ್ಯಾಸ್ಪದ ದೃಶ್ಯ ಬೇರೆಲ್ಲೂ ಸಿಗದು. ಟೋಲ್-ಗೇಟ್ ಬಳಿಕ ಹಲವು ಗುಂಡಿಗಳಿವೆ ನೆಲಮಂಗಲದವರೆಗೆ. ಆ ಹೊಂಡಗಳನ್ನು ತಪ್ಪಿಸಲು ಒಮ್ಮೆಲೇ ಪಥ ಬದಲಿಸುವ ಲಾರಿಗಳು ನಡುರಾತ್ರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅಪಘಾತಕ್ಕೆ ಆಹ್ವಾನ ನೀಡುತ್ತವೆ! ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡದ ಬೀದಿ ದೀಪಗಳ ಜೊತೆಗೆ  ಲೇನ್ ಮಾರ್ಕಿಂಗ್ ಕೂಡಾ ಅಳಿಸಿ ಹೋಗಿದೆ. ರಸ್ತೆ ಎಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ತಿರುಗುತ್ತದೆ ಎಂದೇ ತಿಳಿಯುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ನನ್ನಂತೆ ಮಾರ್ಪಾಡು ಮಾಡದ ಹೆಡ್-ಲೈಟ್ ಇದ್ದವರಿಗೆ  ರಾತ್ರಿ ಸಂಚರಿಸುವವರಿಗೆ ಯಮನ ದಾರಿಯೇ ಇದು ಅಂದರೂ ತಪ್ಪಾಗದು. 

ನೆಲಮಂಗಲದ ಬಳಿಕ ವಾಹನ ಸಂಚಾರ ಸುಗಮವಾಗಿ ಸಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಕುಣಿಗಲ್ ಬೈಪಾಸ್ ಖಾಲಿ ಹೊಡೆಯುತ್ತಿತ್ತು.

ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ವಿಷಯ ನಾನು ಗಮನಿಸಿದ್ದು. ಎಷ್ಟೋ ಲಾರಿಗಳಿಗೆ, ಸಣ್ಣ ವಾಹನಗಳಿಗೆ, ವಿಶೇಷವಾಗಿ ದ್ವಿಚಕ್ರ ವಾಹನಗಳಿಗೆ ಬ್ರೇಕ್ ಲೈಟ್ ಕೂಡಾ ಇಲ್ಲ. ರಾತ್ರಿ ಹೊತ್ತು ಬೀದಿ ದೀಪ ಇಲ್ಲದ ಹೆದ್ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ವಾಹನವನ್ನು ಗುರಿತುಸುವುದು ಕೇವಲ ಬ್ರೇಕ್ ಲೈಟ್ ಅಥವಾ ರಿಫ್ಲೆಕ್ಟರ್ ಇಂದ ಮಾತ್ರ. ಅದು ಇಲ್ಲದಿದ್ದರೆ ವೇಗದ ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹಲವಾರು ಅಪಾಯವನ್ನು ತಂದೊಡ್ಡುತ್ತವೆ. ಕೆಲವರು ಲೇನ್-ಮಾರ್ಕಿಂಗ್, ಬ್ರೇಕ್-ಲೈಟ್ ಗಳನ್ನೂ, ಬೀದಿ ದೀಪಗಳನ್ನು ಆಕರ್ಷಣೆ ಎಂದುಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಅದರ ಪ್ರಾಮುಖ್ಯತೆ ರಾತ್ರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ವಾಹನ ಚಲಾಯಿಸುವವರಿಗೆ ತಿಳಿದಿರುವುದು!

ಹಿರಿಸಾವೆಯಿಂದ ಹಾಸನದವರೆಗೆ ಹಲವು ಮೇಲ್ದರ್ಜೆ ಕಾಮಗಾರಿಗಳು ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿವೆ. ಅದರಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು ಮೇಲ್ಸುತುವೆ ಬಿಟ್ಟರೆ ಎಲ್ಲವೂ ಧೂಳಿನಲ್ಲಿ ತುಂಬಿದೆ. ಚನ್ನರಾಯಣಪಟ್ಟಣ ಬೈಪಾಸ್ ಪೂರ್ತಿ ಹಲವು ಕೆಲಸಗಳು ಬಾಕಿ ಉಳಿದಿದೆ. ಅಷ್ಟೇ ಅಲ್ಲದೆ ಕೆಲವು ಕಡೆ ಉದ್ದದ ಮೇಲ್ಸುತುವೆ ಮುಗಿಸಲು ಹಲವು ವರ್ಷಗಳೇ ತಗುಲಬಹುದು. ಹಲವು ಅಡೆ-ತಡೆಗಳಿಂದ ಕೂಡಿದ ತಡೆರಹಿತ ಹೆದ್ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪೂರ್ತಿ ಶುಲ್ಕ ಕಟ್ಟುವುದು ಹಾಸ್ಯಾಸ್ಪದ ಅನಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲವೇ? ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿ ಸರ್ವಿಸ್ ರಸ್ತೆರ್ಯಲ್ಲೇ ನಮ್ಮ ಪ್ರಯಾಣ ಸಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಶುಲ್ಕವನ್ನು ಮನಸ್ಸಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಕಟ್ಟುತ್ತಿದ್ದೆವು. 

ಸಂತೋಷದ ವಿಷಯವೆಂದರೆ, ಹಾಸನ-ಸಕಲೇಶಪುರ ಕಾಮಗಾರಿ ತುಂಬಾ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಕಂಡಿದೆ. ಬಾಳ್ಳುಪೇಟೆ ದಾಟಿದ್ದೆ ಗೊತ್ತಾಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ಕಾಂಕ್ರೀಟ್ ರಸ್ತೆ ಮತ್ತು ಹಲವು ಬೈಪಾಸ್-ಗಳು. ಸಕಲೇಶಪುರಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಹಿಂದೆಯಿಂದ ಕಾಮಗಾರಿ ಸ್ಥಗಿತಗೊಂಡಿದೆ (ಬಹುಷಃ ಮಳೆಗಾಲವಾದ್ದರಿಂದ). ಆಗಲೇ ತುಂಬಾ ತಡವಾಗಿದೆ ಕಾಮಗಾರಿ. ಬಹುಬೇಗ ಮುಗಿಯಬಹುದು ಅಂದುಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತೇನೆ. ಕಾಮಗಾರಿ ಚುರುಕುಗೊಂಡರೆ ಬರುವ ಬೇಸಿಗೆಗೆ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನಿಂದ ಸಕಲೇಶಪುರ ತಲುಪುವುದು ಕೇವಲ ೪ ಘಂಟೆಯ ಕೆಲಸ. ಅದು ಕೂಡಾ ಬೈಪಾಸ್ ಇರುವುದರಿಂದ, ಪೇಟೆಯನ್ನು ಕೂಡಾ ಬೇಧಿಸುವ ಅಗತ್ಯವಿಲ್ಲ! ಶಿರಾಡಿ ಘಾಟಿಗೆ ಸೀದಾ ತಲುಪುತ್ತೇವೆ!

ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಗುಂಡ್ಯ-ಅಡ್ಡಹೊಳೆ ಕಾಮಗಾರಿ ಕೂಡಾ ಭರದಿಂದ ಸಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಇದು ಕೂಡಾ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ಸಿಮೆಂಟ್ ರಸ್ತೆ. ಹಲವು ಕಡೆ ಒಂದು ಪಥದ ಕಾಮಗಾರಿ ಮುಗಿದಿದೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ರಸ್ತೆ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸುವುದು ಶ್ರಮದ ಕೆಲಸ. ಭಾರಿ ಮಳೆ, ಬೆಟ್ಟಗುಡ್ಡಗಳು, ಕಲ್ಲು ಗುಡ್ಡೆಗಳು ಇರುವುದರಿಂದ ಈ ಕಾಮಗಾರಿ ಅಷ್ಟು ಬೇಗ ಮುಗಿಯುವ ಸೂಚನೆ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಕೆಲವು ವರ್ಷಗಳ ಬಳಿಕ ಇದೆ ವೇಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಮಗಾರಿ ನಡೆದರೆ, ಉತ್ತಮ ರಸ್ತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಚಾಲನೆ ಮಾಡುವ ಭಾಗ್ಯ ಕರಾವಳಿಗರಿಗೆ ದೊರಕುವುದು ನಿಶ್ಚಿತ.

ಅಷ್ಟು ಎತ್ತರದಿಂದ ಜಿಸಿಬಿ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾಗ ಮೈ ಜುಮ್ಮೆಂದಿತು. ಅಲ್ಲಾ ಮಾರಾಯ ನಿಯಂತ್ರಣ ತಪ್ಪಿದರೆ ಅಧೋಗತಿ ನೋಡಿ. ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಬರುವ ಮಳೆಗಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಹುಶಃ ಭೂಕುಸಿತಗಳ ಅಪಾಯಗಳು ಎದುರಾಗಬಹುದು. ಗುತ್ತಿದೆದಾರರಿಗೆ ಇದೆಲ್ಲ ತಿಳಿದಿರದಷ್ಟು ಮೂರ್ಖರೇನಲ್ಲ ಬಿಡಿ! ಕಡೆಗೆ ಎಲ್ಲವು ಸುಸೂತ್ರವಾಗಿರುತ್ತದೆ ಅಂದುಕೊಳ್ಳೋಣ! ಆದಷ್ಟು ಬೇಗ ಕಾಮಗಾರಿಗಳು ಉತ್ತಮ ಗುಣಮಟ್ಟದೊಂದಿಗೆ ಮುಗಿಯಲಿ. ಕರವಾಳಿಗರು ಉತ್ತಮ ರಸ್ತೆಯ ಭಾಗ್ಯವ ಪಡೆಯಲಿ.

ಈ ಬ್ಲಾಗ್ ಬರೆದಿದ್ದು ನಾವು ಗೋರುಗುಂಟನ ಪಾಳ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಪಟ್ಟ ವ್ಯಥೆಯಿಂದಾಗಿ. ಎಲ್ಲೆಲ್ಲೋ ಹೋಯಿತು ಕೊನೆಗೆ.  ಮ್ಯಾಪ್ ದಾರಿ ನಂಬಿ ಕೋಲು ಕೊಟ್ಟು ನಾನೇ ಪೆಟ್ಟು ತಿಂದಂತಾಯ್ತು.  ಜಾಲಹಳ್ಳಿ ಕ್ರಾಸ್ ಗೆ ಬರುವ ಪೈಪ್ಲೈನ್ ಹಾದಿ ಖಾಲಿ ಹೊಡೆಯುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಅದನ್ನು ಕಂಡ ನನಗೆ ಹೊಟ್ಟೆ ಉರಿಯುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಇರಲಿ ಹೆದ್ದಾರಿ ಇಲಾಖೆಯವರು ರಾತ್ರೋರಾತ್ರಿ ರಸ್ತೆ ಮುಚ್ಚಿದರೆ ಮ್ಯಾಪ್ ಗು ಕೂಡಾ ಹೇಗೆ ತಿಳಿಯುತ್ತೆ ಹೇಳಿ?

ಕೊನೆಯದಾಗಿ ಮತ್ತೊಮ್ಮೆ ಹೇಳುತ್ತೇನೆ ಕೇಳಿ! ರಸ್ತೆ ಗೊತ್ತಿದ್ದರೆ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಮೆದುಳಿನ ಮ್ಯಾಪ್ ಉಪಯೋಗಿಸಿ ವ್ಯಥೆ ತಪ್ಪಿಸಿ :-)

ಇಷ್ಟೆಲ್ಲಾ ಗೋಳು ಹೇಳಿಕೊಂಡರೂ ಕೊನೆಗೆ ಸುರಕ್ಷಿತವಾಗಿ ಯಾವುದೇ ವಿಘ್ನವಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಸೂರು  ತಲುಪಿದೆವು. ಅದಕ್ಕೂ ಮುಂಚೆ ಸೌತಡ್ಕ ಶ್ರೀ ಮಹಾಗಣಪತಿಯ ಆಶೀರ್ವಾದನ್ನು ಪಡೆದು, ಅಪ್ಪ ಪ್ರಸಾದವನ್ನು ಸವಿದೆವು. ಪ್ರಕೃತಿಯ ಹಸಿರಿನ ಮಧ್ಯೆ ಬಯಲಿನಲ್ಲಿ ವಿರಾಜಮಾನರಾದ ವಿಘ್ನರಾಜನ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳು ನಿಮಗಾಗಿ!

Negative Monsoon Vibe

You see below picture? Its plain & simple and looks awesome day for beach outing.  Alas! Its scariest one during monsoon season here in coastal Karnataka. It shows, the monsoon is completely absconding and people would be surprised to experience such pattern.

It feels like, almost end of monsoon season. Unlike last year, September this year has been lethargic with deficient rains. The canals are losing vigor and landscape turning dry. The eastern horizon is bald. 

The western horizon though looks hopeful, is limited to short cloud masses. The high humidity is the only promising factor for further rains. It used to rain at least 10mm daily last September 

The blistering day is contrasted by cooler nights which indicates onset of winter. September end marks the withdrawal of monsoon from India. Usually the withdrawal occurs in grandeur with monsoon rains hammering the region for final time. That does not seem to be the case this year. With thunderstorm week starting from September 25, further hopes of monsoon rains remain grim.

You see water in well below? It is neat and clean while it should have been ruddy at this point of season :-(

The first crop in coastal Karnataka is solely dependent on monsoon rains. The second one is cultivated only in lowland where ground water is aplenty. Standing crops still need rains since its not mature. If the current trend continues, then water needs to be sourced from water bodies. 

That situation has already arose. The upland paddy growers are already sourcing water from Wells.

The seasonal canals are now stagnated. These ones roar till September but now due to lack of rains are running out of energy. 

Finally the hope! Hope for further rains just like the colorful sunset. With sunset of 2022 monsoon around the corner, hope for energetic conclusion to monsoon rains. Hope that my negative vibes turn positive soon :-)