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A word of caution: This travelogue is lengthy.
Last year (2018) proved to be traveler year for me. This is the third long trip we had in single year. I can say this because we were back home just couple of hours before 31st midnight.
So our travelling bug started itching us as Christmas and year end holidays were declared in school. Last time we covered few areas of East coast hence this time decided to cover West coast. I made my mind to plan this trip in relaxed way as every time we end up planning all our trips in tight schedule. My homework started few weeks before trip commencement (to me this was short notice). Got hold of Tripadvisor and glanced through few packages of travel companies to select the locations. This time we decided to explore few temples of Karnataka. I could see that Coorg was not that far from our line and it was in my bucket list for long time hence along with coastal region I added Coorg to my itinerary.
The year-end holiday time is very terrible to get proper hotel booking. Either most of the hotels are packed to brim or they have exorbitant amount. Our plan was to start trip from Sirsi and end at Coorg. First the entire coastal plan was made keeping the base as Gokarna but sadly most of the hotels were full. So, we moved our base to Kumta and rescheduled our plan, but the hotels were literally overpriced. At last after too much of searching we got good deal at Udupi and we once again rescheduled our entire trip keeping base as Udupi.
Day 1:
We started our trip in relaxed way from Pune towards Hubli. The highway was good as usual with hardly 1-2 diversion till Satara. This time Khambatki ghat seems moving and clear hence it was a breeze to drive till Satara. We entered Kophapur for our lunch at Opal Restaurant. After having sumptuous lunch of thalis, we headed to Hubli and retired for the day.
Day 2:
We started from Hubli towards our first destination of trip which was Madhukeshwara Temple in Banvasi. We exited NH48 after Hubli and joined a good state highway which passed through some lovely jungles. The roads were having many twist and turns. The road was doable from Tadas to Mundgod later the tar got vanished from few sections till Banvasi.
We reached the arch of Banvasi village but still Google maps were showing us to take Right and drive for 1 Km to reach temple. I thought due to village street google map must have shown this road. I obeyed google and drove for 1 km, we came across a small gravel road which was passing through paddy field. Without a single thought made U turn and came back towards the arch again and drove straight into village towards temple. It was good road and there as ample amount of parking near the entrance of temple.
Madhukeshwara Temple, Banvasi
This is famous temple in Banvasi which was once a capital of Karnataka. The temple is created in 9th century by Kadamba dynasty.
There is this monolithic statue of the Nandi at the entrance.
After completing darshan we headed towards Sirsi. The roads from Banvasi to Sirsi are amazing. It seems pineapples are largely cultivated here as we saw many pineapple field on our way. There were many sellers along the way who were selling sliced pieces of pineapples. We also stopped and tasted its sweetness.
A bit different type of pineapple
In no time we reached Sirsi town where some narrow lane through market area took us to Marikamba temple. The temple has its paid parking lot slightly ahead towards left side of road.
Marikamba Temple, Sirsi
It is said that the idol of goddesses was found in Sirsi. The walls of the temple have some good paintings done over it.
We headed from Marikamba temple towards Hulgol to see famous Sahasralinga.
Sahasralinga
There is good parking facility near Sahasralinga but they charge too much for it (somewhere at Rs.30). You need to descend some slippery steps to reach the water body. It was amazing to see number of shivling carved on the rocks in flowing water of Shalmala river. The water is knee deep where you can walk towards shivlings.
Day 3:
We started from Sirsi after having breakfast. Today was the day where I need to reach our trip base point. Yes!! Udupi!
The car was passing through number of twist and turns surrounded by greenery. The road surface was good even in ghat section. Our plan was to reach Yana rocks hence Gmaps were set for it. After passing by Kodamble village Google lady told us to take right.
There was a KSRTC bus standing there hence I waited after giving right indicator. The bus driver put his head out and asked me whether I am heading towards Yana Rocks. I nodded my head. He came down from bus and warned me that the road was not good and its sort of 4x4 trail. He asked me to drive straight 3 kms more and take right turn. I agreed with him as I also have read some reviews of bad roads near Yana.
Yana Rocks
We drove 3 kms straight towards Kumta side where we saw signage of Yanna rocks. We took right as suggested by KSRTC driver. The road was narrow but doable. It was having some steep gradient. I could see most of the vehicles including tourist buses were taking same road. This road ends at Yana rocks parking. The parking area is good but made messy by local drivers by parking their vehicles criss-cross way. It is better to park beside road and walk for few meters.
From vehicle parking zone one needs to trek for approximate 1 km to reach the steps leading to Yana rocks. The path is good with tree canopy all the way. There is small water crossing (Ankle deep) where kids will enjoy. There are some ascending steps (not counted) which will take you towards base on rocks. Old people might find this climb bit tiresome.
First glimpse of Yana rocks after climbing.
Once you are on the top then you can see this amazingly huge rock.
There is small temple here through which you can enter Yana cave. The entry passes through temple hence you need to walk bare footed. Yana caves is nothing but a passage (at times narrow) passing through the rocks.
Few click from inside of Yana cave.
There is a small refreshment hotel near temple at Yana rocks mostly serving ice cream and cold drinks. You need to come down again at Sirsi-Kumta road to get some decent hotel. We found “Hotel Abhiruchi” to be good hotel with clean washrooms. We had our lunch before proceeding to Gokarna
The Sirsi Kumta road touched NH66. The highway has few diversions which are good in shape. Few sections where 4 lanes are completed are in excellent condition. With this lovely drive we entered Gokarna. The streets of Gokarna are very narrow and congested with local traffic. It’s better to do pay and park at KSRTC Bus stand from where the temple is at walkable distance.
Mahabaleshwara Temple
We started walking from bus stand towards Mahabaleshwara temple. The roads were full of tourist and foreigners (mostly hippies). On the way you come across Mahaganpathi temple. It is said to have darshan of Ganpathi first before entering Gokarna temple. We took Ganpathi darshan and moved ahead towards Mahabaleshwara Temple.
The temple complex in huge and crowdy. There was long queue for darshan. Men’s need to enter topless into sanctum. After some half an hour we entered sanctum and had darshan of Mahabaleshwara. This shivlinga is different form normal one, it has hole in between it. I have read somewhere that when you put your hand inside that hole the linga feels soft. I inserted my hand inside but could not feel it. By this time the security has already started moving people out of sanctum to accommodate others. We came out just to see that sun has already set for the day. Our plan of visiting Gokarna beach which was at walkable distance from temple got cancelled.
Started the car to head towards Udupi. NH66 has two lane road in most of the part till Kundapur. The road has many diversions and witness’s crazy overtakes. One needs to be extra cautious while doing night drives. There are many unmarked speed humps as well. After Kundapur till Mangalore the road is amazing and 4 laned. The surface is smooth to do triple digits, just watch out for village crossings and barricades. We reached Udupi at night and crashed on beds.
Day 4:
We woke lazily this day. After having Udupi breakfast, we straightway headed to famous Srikrishna temple. There is paid parking facility available near temple. The temple is crowdy with long queue.
Srikrishna Temple
It is said that the idol of Srikrishna was found in sea at Malpe. There is a pond near Srikrishna temple where this idol was immersed for few days. This pond is named as “Madhava Sarovara”. Once can see this pond through queue itself. There are many fishes and tortoise inside this pond.
It took us almost one hour to reach main sanctum. Photography is prohibited inside temple. One need to take darshan of Srikrishna from one of the nine holes. The story says, that there was one ardent believer of Srikrishna named Kanakadasa. He came to temple to worship lord but as he was from lower caste hence was not allowed entry inside temple. Lord was pleased by the worship of Kanakadasa hence created a small hole in the back wall of the temple and turned to face the hole so that Kanakadasa could see him. This hole came to be known as KanakanaKindi or Navagraha Kitiki. All devotees need to take darshan of lord Shrikrishan through these holes.
We took some click after coming outside.
Goshala at temple
Gita Mandir
There is prasadalya in this temple which offers free meals to all devotees. The taste is divine, one should not miss this.
Udupi was too hot and humid in December as well. We were seating too much. Decided to come back to hotel and start for Malpe beach in evening. A short siesta in hotel was bit extended and we need to run towards our next location which was Malpe beach and Saint Marys island.
The streets are bit narrow inside Malpe village. Somehow, we reached the parking lot from where the ferry to Saint Marys island begins. The return ticket for ferry is Rs.250/adult (more than 10 years) and Rs.150 for kids with age 5 to 10 years. You need to stand in queue to enter the ferry. They provide life jackets for everyone. Once the ferry is full to brim then they start journey towards island.
I remembered our cruise ride in Goa as the ferry operator started Tollywood and Bollywood numbers where locals started dancing in ferry itself. The ferry takes almost 20-25min to reach near island but due to its size it cannot touch island hence all passengers are transferred into small steamer boat which takes you near to island. One needs to walk for 10-20 meters in knee deep water to enter island.
Saint Marys Island
The island felt serene and clean. They don’t allow any sort of outside food and plastic inside island. The beach on this island was equally clean with clear water. The island is made up to coral hence you may see many sorts of shells and crabs here. Kids will enjoy it.
Island as seen from boat
Entrance of island where your bags are checked for outside food or plastic
Lovely landscape on island
Feels like a paradise
Rock formation
We were having good time on island when security whistled everyone to exit as it was time for last ferry towards Malpe. We could see that sun was setting down on horizon. I quickly clicked the sunset pic and headed towards ferry point.
We joined a long queue to enter ferry. The small boat transfers you into ferry which further takes you to Malpe. Till the time ferry reached coast it was dark so the plan to visit Malpe beach was cancelled. We headed back to Udupi and with good Udupi dinner we ended our day.
Day 5:
We woke up quiet early this day. After having a good breakfast, we started our car and headed towards Kollur at Sri Mookambika Temple. The roads after exiting NH66 are good in condition. There are few villages enroute but there are no facilities till Kollur once you exit highway.
After traveling on many twist and turns we reached parking lot of temple which was full to its brim. I need to drive one more Km just to get few feet of area to park my car. As expected the temple was crowded that day. The queue was way too long.
After enquiring I came to know that they have special darshan by charging Rs.100 /adult (kids free). Paid the amount, got the ticket and completed darshan in flat 20 minutes. Photography is strictly prohibited inside temple.
Mookambika temple
We started our journey towards NH66 for our next visit which was Murudeshwar. The highway was witnessing less traffic in noon hours while we were witnessing humid climate and lots of sweating in this entire region.
The last few kilometres to Murudeshwar was having piled up traffic because of few touristy buses. We somehow reached parking space of Murudeshwar which was as expected full. I parked my car near Exit board of parking place.
Murudeshwar
When we came out of car we could see Murudeshwar beach flooded with crowds.
Behind us was standing the famous 18 storey gopuram
We headed towards huge statue of Shiva. There is temple near this statue and small museum at the base of it. The museum entrance is Rs.5/head. The museum has statues depicting story of shivlingas at Gokarna and Murudeshwar. Kids will enjoy this museum.
After taking darshan we headed towards gopuram. The gopuram is having lift which takes you to eighteenth floor from where you could see entire area of Murudeshwar. The lift charge is Rs.10/adult (above 10 years) and Rs.5/kid (age 5 to 10 years).
Gopuram as seen from Shiva statue
View of Murudeshwar from 18th floor
The other side of Murudeshwar beach appeared less crowdy
Till the time we came back to our car it was already 5:00pm. We quickly started from Murudeshwar towards Marvanthe. The highway was now having miscellaneous traffic with trucks not giving way to overtake. The sunset was about to happen when we reached Marvanthe. I parked my car along road side in sand and clicked sunset along with it.
Lovely sunset from Marvanthe beach
We were there at the beach till it got dark. The beach becomes secluded after dark. We moved out from there towards Udupi. Had one more Udupi thali for dinner and retired for the day.
Day 5:
Initially this day was planned to be free just to enjoy at beach and relax but somehow, we thought of doing Horandu and Sringeri temple. We set google maps for Annapurneshwari Temple and started our journey.
The roads are single lane with some villages enroute but still one can maintain good speeds on them. The road later passes through Kudremukha Forest. You need to enter your car details at check post. For cars there is time limit of 1:30Hrs to reach second check post. The road in forest are in good conditions with some steep bends. After exiting the forest, we came across lovely tea estates.
After clicking some photos, we proceeded ahead. The roads from Kudremukha to Hornadu are in mixed state. The tar is vanished in some sections hence average speed may be 60Kmph. Need to watch out for some jumbo speed breakers in this patch. After few twist and turns we reached the temple.
Annapurneshwari Temple
There is parking space on road itself but is well marked and seems designated. There is washroom facility near the parking lot. One need to climb few steps to reach temple. The temple was having less rush. Men’s need to enter the sanctum topless. We got nice darshan of goddesses in peaceful environment.
After darshan we headed to their prasadalaya where they serve you meal as prasad. There was long queue for it, but the wait was good as we tasted some amazing food as prasad.
When we came back to our parked car I could see many local buses gathering passengers for Sringeri and Udupi. We set our Gmaps with Sringeri location and started our journey.
Blunder with Google maps!!
As soon as we exited Annapurneshwari parking lot google lady asked us to take right in some narrow-broken lane towards Sringeri. I obeyed and made right turn just to witness the steepest and terrible road. I was slowly tackling the gradient when one Honda City behind me was impatient to go ahead. I gave him way and came back to again tackle the road. After some 5 minutes I could see the same Honda city coming in opposite direction. Out of curiosity about road condition ahead I waved him to stop. He told the road is very treacherous ahead and it’s better to take SH106 and make left turn after Hornadu. I obeyed his instruction, made U turn and joined state highway.
That day Gmaps must have gone crazy and showed us some terrible 4x4 trail road to join NH169 after exiting SH106. This lonely road was literally a test for your driving skills and cars suspension. This road passed through some steepest ghats, narrow road, broken tarmac, off roading trails and not to mention but there was one water crossing as well. Now I could not even locate it on Gmaps.
I would suggest people to take slightly longest and safe road via Kudremukh – Kerekatte – Sringeri.
Sringeri
After few heart in mouth situation we reached Sringeri safely, parked our car in there designated parking lot. Sringeri town is also known for Sharada Peetham established by Adishankaracharya. There is an oldest temple of Vidyashankara as well in this campus. The carving on this temple are simply amazing
The gopuram at the entrance.
Shri Sharada Peetham
Vidyashankara Temple
By the time we came out it was already getting dark. A quick glance at Gmaps told me to take Agumbe route towards Udupi. It was nice patch of state highway passing through Agumbe Ghats. The roads in ghat felt bit narrow apart from pin bends. One needs to be extra careful while driving in night. We reached Udupi and had our dinner at famous Woodland Restaurant.
Last year (2018) proved to be traveler year for me. This is the third long trip we had in single year. I can say this because we were back home just couple of hours before 31st midnight.
So our travelling bug started itching us as Christmas and year end holidays were declared in school. Last time we covered few areas of East coast hence this time decided to cover West coast. I made my mind to plan this trip in relaxed way as every time we end up planning all our trips in tight schedule. My homework started few weeks before trip commencement (to me this was short notice). Got hold of Tripadvisor and glanced through few packages of travel companies to select the locations. This time we decided to explore few temples of Karnataka. I could see that Coorg was not that far from our line and it was in my bucket list for long time hence along with coastal region I added Coorg to my itinerary.
The year-end holiday time is very terrible to get proper hotel booking. Either most of the hotels are packed to brim or they have exorbitant amount. Our plan was to start trip from Sirsi and end at Coorg. First the entire coastal plan was made keeping the base as Gokarna but sadly most of the hotels were full. So, we moved our base to Kumta and rescheduled our plan, but the hotels were literally overpriced. At last after too much of searching we got good deal at Udupi and we once again rescheduled our entire trip keeping base as Udupi.
Day 1:
We started our trip in relaxed way from Pune towards Hubli. The highway was good as usual with hardly 1-2 diversion till Satara. This time Khambatki ghat seems moving and clear hence it was a breeze to drive till Satara. We entered Kophapur for our lunch at Opal Restaurant. After having sumptuous lunch of thalis, we headed to Hubli and retired for the day.
Day 2:
We started from Hubli towards our first destination of trip which was Madhukeshwara Temple in Banvasi. We exited NH48 after Hubli and joined a good state highway which passed through some lovely jungles. The roads were having many twist and turns. The road was doable from Tadas to Mundgod later the tar got vanished from few sections till Banvasi.
We reached the arch of Banvasi village but still Google maps were showing us to take Right and drive for 1 Km to reach temple. I thought due to village street google map must have shown this road. I obeyed google and drove for 1 km, we came across a small gravel road which was passing through paddy field. Without a single thought made U turn and came back towards the arch again and drove straight into village towards temple. It was good road and there as ample amount of parking near the entrance of temple.
Madhukeshwara Temple, Banvasi
This is famous temple in Banvasi which was once a capital of Karnataka. The temple is created in 9th century by Kadamba dynasty.
There is this monolithic statue of the Nandi at the entrance.
After completing darshan we headed towards Sirsi. The roads from Banvasi to Sirsi are amazing. It seems pineapples are largely cultivated here as we saw many pineapple field on our way. There were many sellers along the way who were selling sliced pieces of pineapples. We also stopped and tasted its sweetness.
A bit different type of pineapple
In no time we reached Sirsi town where some narrow lane through market area took us to Marikamba temple. The temple has its paid parking lot slightly ahead towards left side of road.
Marikamba Temple, Sirsi
It is said that the idol of goddesses was found in Sirsi. The walls of the temple have some good paintings done over it.
We headed from Marikamba temple towards Hulgol to see famous Sahasralinga.
Sahasralinga
There is good parking facility near Sahasralinga but they charge too much for it (somewhere at Rs.30). You need to descend some slippery steps to reach the water body. It was amazing to see number of shivling carved on the rocks in flowing water of Shalmala river. The water is knee deep where you can walk towards shivlings.
Day 3:
We started from Sirsi after having breakfast. Today was the day where I need to reach our trip base point. Yes!! Udupi!
The car was passing through number of twist and turns surrounded by greenery. The road surface was good even in ghat section. Our plan was to reach Yana rocks hence Gmaps were set for it. After passing by Kodamble village Google lady told us to take right.
There was a KSRTC bus standing there hence I waited after giving right indicator. The bus driver put his head out and asked me whether I am heading towards Yana Rocks. I nodded my head. He came down from bus and warned me that the road was not good and its sort of 4x4 trail. He asked me to drive straight 3 kms more and take right turn. I agreed with him as I also have read some reviews of bad roads near Yana.
Yana Rocks
We drove 3 kms straight towards Kumta side where we saw signage of Yanna rocks. We took right as suggested by KSRTC driver. The road was narrow but doable. It was having some steep gradient. I could see most of the vehicles including tourist buses were taking same road. This road ends at Yana rocks parking. The parking area is good but made messy by local drivers by parking their vehicles criss-cross way. It is better to park beside road and walk for few meters.
From vehicle parking zone one needs to trek for approximate 1 km to reach the steps leading to Yana rocks. The path is good with tree canopy all the way. There is small water crossing (Ankle deep) where kids will enjoy. There are some ascending steps (not counted) which will take you towards base on rocks. Old people might find this climb bit tiresome.
First glimpse of Yana rocks after climbing.
Once you are on the top then you can see this amazingly huge rock.
There is small temple here through which you can enter Yana cave. The entry passes through temple hence you need to walk bare footed. Yana caves is nothing but a passage (at times narrow) passing through the rocks.
Few click from inside of Yana cave.
There is a small refreshment hotel near temple at Yana rocks mostly serving ice cream and cold drinks. You need to come down again at Sirsi-Kumta road to get some decent hotel. We found “Hotel Abhiruchi” to be good hotel with clean washrooms. We had our lunch before proceeding to Gokarna
The Sirsi Kumta road touched NH66. The highway has few diversions which are good in shape. Few sections where 4 lanes are completed are in excellent condition. With this lovely drive we entered Gokarna. The streets of Gokarna are very narrow and congested with local traffic. It’s better to do pay and park at KSRTC Bus stand from where the temple is at walkable distance.
Mahabaleshwara Temple
We started walking from bus stand towards Mahabaleshwara temple. The roads were full of tourist and foreigners (mostly hippies). On the way you come across Mahaganpathi temple. It is said to have darshan of Ganpathi first before entering Gokarna temple. We took Ganpathi darshan and moved ahead towards Mahabaleshwara Temple.
The temple complex in huge and crowdy. There was long queue for darshan. Men’s need to enter topless into sanctum. After some half an hour we entered sanctum and had darshan of Mahabaleshwara. This shivlinga is different form normal one, it has hole in between it. I have read somewhere that when you put your hand inside that hole the linga feels soft. I inserted my hand inside but could not feel it. By this time the security has already started moving people out of sanctum to accommodate others. We came out just to see that sun has already set for the day. Our plan of visiting Gokarna beach which was at walkable distance from temple got cancelled.
Started the car to head towards Udupi. NH66 has two lane road in most of the part till Kundapur. The road has many diversions and witness’s crazy overtakes. One needs to be extra cautious while doing night drives. There are many unmarked speed humps as well. After Kundapur till Mangalore the road is amazing and 4 laned. The surface is smooth to do triple digits, just watch out for village crossings and barricades. We reached Udupi at night and crashed on beds.
Day 4:
We woke lazily this day. After having Udupi breakfast, we straightway headed to famous Srikrishna temple. There is paid parking facility available near temple. The temple is crowdy with long queue.
Srikrishna Temple
It is said that the idol of Srikrishna was found in sea at Malpe. There is a pond near Srikrishna temple where this idol was immersed for few days. This pond is named as “Madhava Sarovara”. Once can see this pond through queue itself. There are many fishes and tortoise inside this pond.
It took us almost one hour to reach main sanctum. Photography is prohibited inside temple. One need to take darshan of Srikrishna from one of the nine holes. The story says, that there was one ardent believer of Srikrishna named Kanakadasa. He came to temple to worship lord but as he was from lower caste hence was not allowed entry inside temple. Lord was pleased by the worship of Kanakadasa hence created a small hole in the back wall of the temple and turned to face the hole so that Kanakadasa could see him. This hole came to be known as KanakanaKindi or Navagraha Kitiki. All devotees need to take darshan of lord Shrikrishan through these holes.
We took some click after coming outside.
Goshala at temple
Gita Mandir
There is prasadalya in this temple which offers free meals to all devotees. The taste is divine, one should not miss this.
Udupi was too hot and humid in December as well. We were seating too much. Decided to come back to hotel and start for Malpe beach in evening. A short siesta in hotel was bit extended and we need to run towards our next location which was Malpe beach and Saint Marys island.
The streets are bit narrow inside Malpe village. Somehow, we reached the parking lot from where the ferry to Saint Marys island begins. The return ticket for ferry is Rs.250/adult (more than 10 years) and Rs.150 for kids with age 5 to 10 years. You need to stand in queue to enter the ferry. They provide life jackets for everyone. Once the ferry is full to brim then they start journey towards island.
I remembered our cruise ride in Goa as the ferry operator started Tollywood and Bollywood numbers where locals started dancing in ferry itself. The ferry takes almost 20-25min to reach near island but due to its size it cannot touch island hence all passengers are transferred into small steamer boat which takes you near to island. One needs to walk for 10-20 meters in knee deep water to enter island.
Saint Marys Island
The island felt serene and clean. They don’t allow any sort of outside food and plastic inside island. The beach on this island was equally clean with clear water. The island is made up to coral hence you may see many sorts of shells and crabs here. Kids will enjoy it.
Island as seen from boat
Entrance of island where your bags are checked for outside food or plastic
Lovely landscape on island
Feels like a paradise
Rock formation
We were having good time on island when security whistled everyone to exit as it was time for last ferry towards Malpe. We could see that sun was setting down on horizon. I quickly clicked the sunset pic and headed towards ferry point.
We joined a long queue to enter ferry. The small boat transfers you into ferry which further takes you to Malpe. Till the time ferry reached coast it was dark so the plan to visit Malpe beach was cancelled. We headed back to Udupi and with good Udupi dinner we ended our day.
Day 5:
We woke up quiet early this day. After having a good breakfast, we started our car and headed towards Kollur at Sri Mookambika Temple. The roads after exiting NH66 are good in condition. There are few villages enroute but there are no facilities till Kollur once you exit highway.
After traveling on many twist and turns we reached parking lot of temple which was full to its brim. I need to drive one more Km just to get few feet of area to park my car. As expected the temple was crowded that day. The queue was way too long.
After enquiring I came to know that they have special darshan by charging Rs.100 /adult (kids free). Paid the amount, got the ticket and completed darshan in flat 20 minutes. Photography is strictly prohibited inside temple.
Mookambika temple
We started our journey towards NH66 for our next visit which was Murudeshwar. The highway was witnessing less traffic in noon hours while we were witnessing humid climate and lots of sweating in this entire region.
The last few kilometres to Murudeshwar was having piled up traffic because of few touristy buses. We somehow reached parking space of Murudeshwar which was as expected full. I parked my car near Exit board of parking place.
Murudeshwar
When we came out of car we could see Murudeshwar beach flooded with crowds.
Behind us was standing the famous 18 storey gopuram
We headed towards huge statue of Shiva. There is temple near this statue and small museum at the base of it. The museum entrance is Rs.5/head. The museum has statues depicting story of shivlingas at Gokarna and Murudeshwar. Kids will enjoy this museum.
After taking darshan we headed towards gopuram. The gopuram is having lift which takes you to eighteenth floor from where you could see entire area of Murudeshwar. The lift charge is Rs.10/adult (above 10 years) and Rs.5/kid (age 5 to 10 years).
Gopuram as seen from Shiva statue
View of Murudeshwar from 18th floor
The other side of Murudeshwar beach appeared less crowdy
Till the time we came back to our car it was already 5:00pm. We quickly started from Murudeshwar towards Marvanthe. The highway was now having miscellaneous traffic with trucks not giving way to overtake. The sunset was about to happen when we reached Marvanthe. I parked my car along road side in sand and clicked sunset along with it.
Lovely sunset from Marvanthe beach
We were there at the beach till it got dark. The beach becomes secluded after dark. We moved out from there towards Udupi. Had one more Udupi thali for dinner and retired for the day.
Day 5:
Initially this day was planned to be free just to enjoy at beach and relax but somehow, we thought of doing Horandu and Sringeri temple. We set google maps for Annapurneshwari Temple and started our journey.
The roads are single lane with some villages enroute but still one can maintain good speeds on them. The road later passes through Kudremukha Forest. You need to enter your car details at check post. For cars there is time limit of 1:30Hrs to reach second check post. The road in forest are in good conditions with some steep bends. After exiting the forest, we came across lovely tea estates.
After clicking some photos, we proceeded ahead. The roads from Kudremukha to Hornadu are in mixed state. The tar is vanished in some sections hence average speed may be 60Kmph. Need to watch out for some jumbo speed breakers in this patch. After few twist and turns we reached the temple.
Annapurneshwari Temple
There is parking space on road itself but is well marked and seems designated. There is washroom facility near the parking lot. One need to climb few steps to reach temple. The temple was having less rush. Men’s need to enter the sanctum topless. We got nice darshan of goddesses in peaceful environment.
After darshan we headed to their prasadalaya where they serve you meal as prasad. There was long queue for it, but the wait was good as we tasted some amazing food as prasad.
When we came back to our parked car I could see many local buses gathering passengers for Sringeri and Udupi. We set our Gmaps with Sringeri location and started our journey.
Blunder with Google maps!!
As soon as we exited Annapurneshwari parking lot google lady asked us to take right in some narrow-broken lane towards Sringeri. I obeyed and made right turn just to witness the steepest and terrible road. I was slowly tackling the gradient when one Honda City behind me was impatient to go ahead. I gave him way and came back to again tackle the road. After some 5 minutes I could see the same Honda city coming in opposite direction. Out of curiosity about road condition ahead I waved him to stop. He told the road is very treacherous ahead and it’s better to take SH106 and make left turn after Hornadu. I obeyed his instruction, made U turn and joined state highway.
That day Gmaps must have gone crazy and showed us some terrible 4x4 trail road to join NH169 after exiting SH106. This lonely road was literally a test for your driving skills and cars suspension. This road passed through some steepest ghats, narrow road, broken tarmac, off roading trails and not to mention but there was one water crossing as well. Now I could not even locate it on Gmaps.
I would suggest people to take slightly longest and safe road via Kudremukh – Kerekatte – Sringeri.
Sringeri
After few heart in mouth situation we reached Sringeri safely, parked our car in there designated parking lot. Sringeri town is also known for Sharada Peetham established by Adishankaracharya. There is an oldest temple of Vidyashankara as well in this campus. The carving on this temple are simply amazing
The gopuram at the entrance.
Shri Sharada Peetham
Vidyashankara Temple
By the time we came out it was already getting dark. A quick glance at Gmaps told me to take Agumbe route towards Udupi. It was nice patch of state highway passing through Agumbe Ghats. The roads in ghat felt bit narrow apart from pin bends. One needs to be extra careful while driving in night. We reached Udupi and had our dinner at famous Woodland Restaurant.
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