Lepakshi Temple bike ride

Day: Sunday - 09/01/11

First ride of the year 2011,     
       The plan was to ride to Lepakshi Temple, Hindupur in the morning which was about 120km away from Bangalore. Saturday night filled up the tank and check the air pressure of both the tyre and went to bed anxiously waiting for the night to over.
       Got up early in the morning and freshen up & called madhu to check out at what time he might be reaching my place. I packed up the tools and went to check out the bike. Oh god! to my surprise front tyre had gone flat, it was 6 am in the morning no chance of finding any puncture shop. Madhu reach after 10 mins, went to look out for any puncture might have open, shop owner had put a  board saying 9am to 9pm. Dejected came back and planned it to push it till the nearest petrol pump. Informed the gang that we will be joining on the way. filled the air in front tyre and checked if any leakage is there, air was leaking from the valve pin so filled more air and planned to get it repaired on the way.
       It was already 7am when we started from Ganganagar. We were 1 hr behind the schedule, so planned to ride slowly and join them near the breakfast point, Kamat-Chikaaballapur on NH 7. On the way we spotted one puncture shop open in morning for business, check the tyre and replaced the valve pin and all set to roll once again. The roads are totally covered with dense fog. The visibility in some places was very less, so driving around 30-40 km speed. The weather was too chilled to ride but were enjoying the fogy ride. In fogy roads people used to drive keeping blinker switched on, it feels like light bugs are flying and we were chasing them on our bull. As the traffic was less after crossing Devanahalli, i asked madhu if he wanted to ride the bull. He was very much interested to tame the bull. Slowly the fogy roads were clearing and were into the clear sky, sun kissing the skin softly. We were enjoying the sun warmth after the chilled weather. We reached Kamat Restaurant by 9:am, already all the bulls are parked in the parking lot, still few more bull on there way.

Bulls resting!

We were too much hungry after pushing the bull early in the morning for 2km, I order for 1 plate idli-vada, 2 vada and then kesari bath, now i was feeling fully satisfied. 

       Now everyone all set to started the ride, once again i checked the tyre pressure to make sure it was not leaking anymore. All the bull running in 2by2 formation, thundering the NH7 with there thumping sound.

Riding in  2by2 formation

After driving for another 40km, after crossing the RTO check-post take left turn for Lepakshi road. This road is small one so we formed single row once entered the road. Lepakshi temple was around 16km from the NH7 junction.

driving in single line

We reached Lepakshi Temple by 12pm, parked the bulls where ever we find space to park in the parking lot. 

Few snaps of Lepakshi Temple

After temple visit started back for lunch. On the way we stopped to take photo of the Nandi. 

 

Nandi

Once again we regrouped  and started our ride back to Kamat Restaurant. We reached the lunch point by 3pm. I ordered for north indian thali, it was good. After finishing lunch we gathered for photo shoot. 

group photo

Once the group photo shoot session was over, all were ready to hit the road. Once again we drove by forming 2by2 formation. Royal Knights official photographer - Navin will always goes ahead to look out for location from where he can take lovely pics. 

We reached near Hebbal flyover by 4:30pm, we stopped there for last meeting point before saying goodbye to fellow riders. We were very thirsty, i had 2 tender coconut to quench my thirst. After say goodbye to rest of the rider everyone move to there final destination- sweet home. We reached my place by 5:30pm, madhu was too tired so he planned to not to take rest and head back home. Years first ride was good but my ride without any misfortune can't be completed. Ah....eagerly waiting for the next ride!

See you soon!

Route: Bangalore-Chikkaballapur-Lepakshi Temple-Chikkaballapur-Bangalore

Distance Covered: 260KM

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

More Photo: Makalidurga & Lepakshi Temple