Makalidurga & Lepakshi temple

This is my first Bullet ride!!!!.........

Saturday night just getting bored and suddenly planned for a short trip to near by place. I have always like the hills from the train of Makalidurga. So we decide to go to Makalidurga hill. Search in net got more info on Makalidurga hills, people used to go there for rock climbing and repelling. Its about 60 km from Bangalore. Got the route information in maps.yahoo.com. planned to leave Bangalore by early morning.

We started from Bangalore at 6:30am in the morning. Catch NH7 traveled for 7km and took left turn for Yelahanka on SH9. At IOC petrol pump filled the tank of the Bull-our Bullet. The road condition was good....riding in the morning with chill wind blowing. After 30 KM, just before Dodabalapur we stopped for breakfast. we refreshed our self and once again started for our destination. By 8:00 am we were near Makalidurga railways station, there we asked local people for Makalidurga fort. From Makalidurga railway station we had to go ahead for another 2km, after that took left turn for mud road till the railways track. There were no place else to park the vehicle, had to park there on the road.

MakaliDurga Hill

Bull parked near the railway Track

Now we started trekking for Makalidurga fort. Makalidurga fort was a top of 1350 feet height. We crossed the railway track. There is a small temple near the base. From the left side we started climbing up, on the way we found trek marked by other group who had earlier climbed the hill. we followed the trails and reach near the top.

Lake

There is Makalidurga temple at top surround by the fort.

MakaliDurga fort

Makalidurga village was visible from the top,its on the other side of the hill. We enjoyed the cool breeze passing through the hill, walked all along the fort.

MakaliDurga Temple

After resting for 20 min we planned to go down. Now the sun was beating hard at us, taking shelter for sometimes under the small trees. we climbed down by 10:30 am. Rested on the railway track, had some snacks.

It was only 11am,so we thought to visit Lepakshi temple. Once decide we headed for Hindupur, it was around 50km from Makalidurga hills. From another 15km the road are little bit bad condition till Hindupur. Around 1:45 pm we reached at Hindupur, took left turn for Lepakshi Temple, it was around 15km from Hindupur. Reached Lepakshi temple by 2:00pm, parked the bull near the temple.

Lepakshi Temple

Lepakshi temple date back to the 16th century,where three shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Virabhadra are to be found. Lord Virabhadra is the wrathful form of Shiva, the patron deity of the Nayak rulers.

Nandi facing Lepakshi Temple

Started raining heavily while we were in the temple.

Still it was raining, it was getting late. Put our rain gear and We started for Bangalore by 4pm. This time we decide to take the NH7 road. From Lepakshi village NH7 was 18km.

Just near to NH7 bull gave up, couldn't find what happened, tried to kick start the bike....but with no result, checked carburetor it was clean. Decided to pushed the bull till NH7 in hope of finding some mechanic, to our surprise there were no mechanic available in that area. After inquiring local people came to know that we can find mechanic in Begapalli, which was around 10 km from the place. Manas stayed with the bull, i took the bus for Begapalli. There inquiring a vehicle parts dealer got hold of one guy who deals with bull repair work. He came with his bike, but couldn't take his bike as it was raining so finally had to take a cab that made a big hole in my pocket...after bargain arranged it for Rs.250 till AP/karnataka border checkpoint. Mechanic doubted that fuse might have broken, he checked all the fuses, found everything is ok. I told him that some times the igination light on and goes off automatically, So he checked the wiring, and found out the soldering has broken. we had to make it direct and take it to his garage for repairing. Rafeeq bhai(+91-9448444124) made the bull ready , and we are ready to hit the road once again.

Around 6pm we left Begapalli for Bangalore, around 100km from here. We are feel very much hungry, because we had not taken lunch...so planned to reach Bangalore as soon as possible. The road was good at most of the place, some places work is going for 4 lane. Reached Devanahalli, planned to go to Bangalore International Airport, night time it was glittering with lights. Once again we were back in highway and stop near Swati Gardenei for dinner.

Back in home by 11pm.

Route : Bangalore --40kms-- Dod Ballapur --14kms-- Makalidurga --25kms-- Gauribidanur --25kms-- Hindupur --14kms--Lepakshi temple --25kms-- Bagepalli --42kms-- ChikBallapur --19kms-- Devanahalli --30kms-- Bangalore

Total Distance : 234kms

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