After the successful long ride of 530km to Srisailam we planned to upgrade our riding destination with more km's. There was a long weekend lined up and we did not want to miss the opportunity. This time as we have gained little experience from the last two rides, we need not have to plan our brains out but a neat google route and some of the riding essentials which we gathered in a span of one month(When i say month it includes only weekends!! ) served the purpose.


Day 1: 17th Aug 2012

Things we carried were the fist aid kit,2 pair of dresses, slippers,pain killers,Some plastic sheets to cover from rain,camera etc. Exactly at 4.30am we started our engines and started cruising towards Shamshabad from where we planned to leave the city. And thankfully my bike was in very good mood although I kept the speed limit to below 80 till we reached shamshabhad.

The first trouble of our ride started as soon as we started from Shamshabad. The pouring rain at 5 o clock in the chilling weather. Another interesting thing we noticed before rain was a group of villagers who were passing by that road in their TVS excel scooters. Although they were not the professional riders but the way they were riding in a organised matter amazed us. They were going to nearest village may be for the daily work and riding was part of their daily wage and for us, it is to get something out of our sad corporate life!! Interesting factor was how they were using the same hand signals which we used to follow for the long rides as well as helping the fellow riders by giving signals while overtaking. As soon as we crossed them it suddenly started raining. The rain was so heavy that we lost each others tracks. As it was still dark, we were not aware of the forming clouds and the rain surprised us. Although we have carried plastics for the mobile and purse we did not have any idea it was going to rain at that time. I stopped beside the road to take cover from rain at some old shop and took out my plastic and wrapped my mobile, purse with it.

We had to wait for almost a half an hour till the rain came down and we had tea by the shop beside the road in the meantime. Dark was slowly running away from the gesture of rising sun at east.


The place was Madanpalli and clock ticked showing 5.45am. Next stop was on a top of Hyderabad-Bangalore highway bridge. You should really appreciate the road for the way it was maintained and also for the nice garden on the divider all along the way. And that is where I went on 115km/hour speed just to prove that my bike has it in it to go that faster, as my friends haven't believed it last time. Almost 90% of the time we were more than 80km/hour and almost upto 75% times at more than 90km/hour. As the roads were empty and there wasn't any speed limit, we believe we haven't broke any traffic rules !!











Our highway journey ended when we reached Boothpur Chowrastha and there we took right turn and stopped after couple of km's beside a small tea shop and had awesome idly's. Time 7.10am.





It was all village roads from there to alomst till Raichur via Mahabubnagar. We stopped around 10am for the nature's call and there was a lonely tree in a field. We couldn't resist ourselves to take rest under the tree. Nithin almost took a small nap there











We crossed Raichur around 10:30am and at first we thought of visiting Udupi hotel which was beside to the bus stand. But we skipped the plan later to avoid from the curious eyes. When it was a group ride with many fellow riders, it was not as annoying like this but it is not the same with only both of us riding. In our last ride to Srisailam we enjoyed the attention people giving to us as we were in groups but it was annoying this time
















We stopped around 1.00am near one small hotel where authentic north Karnataka food is served. But then we realised it was a mistake as we South Kannadigas aren't well prepared for the spicy food. We have a different definition for the spicy food We couldn't avoid the people who were curious to ask about the ride and we did answer them quiet patiently.

We used to ride continuously for 30 to 40 km sometimes if we have taken a long break or upto 25 kms for short breaks. Even when we stopped for a single photo of something interesting it used to give a great relief for the next couple of km's. We did not rush on reaching the destination as it would have ruined the whole point of riding. We wanted to enjoy the ride. Frankly hampi wasn't a reason for us to Ride. As I read in some blog, for a rider it is never about a destination. Its the journey!! Even if there was nothing to see in Hampi we wouldn't have disappointed, as anyway we would have had an awesome ride on our two wheeler. But there was more than what we expected was waiting for us in Hampi!!









We hit the road as soon as we finished the lunch and it was about 1.30 am. We rode almost for half an hour before we stopped for the post lunch nap . As we did not get any good place to rest we stopped just beside the road and lied on the slope between the road and field. We almost slept for half an hour before we woke up for a horn sound. There was a guy in bike stopped above us on the road. He thought we were lying there because of some road accident!!! There were many other concerned people who stared at us which we came to know later when a guy from the nearby cocount/mango field asked us to rest in his field, which was little far from the road and it had a nice shady area. But as we have already rested for half an hour more, we politely turned down his generous offer, but thanked him. Waving him good bye we started off from there and reached Hampi in next one and half hour.

















It was exactly 4.00pm when we reached Hampi main temple. We have noted one of the guide's(Mallikarjun) contact no which we picked from bcmtouring site before the ride, but did not call him as we were not ready to trust some guy just because someone mentioned him in their post. But we were wrong again. We stayed in a room(kind of PG) which is near to the temple. Bargained the room rent for 400 per day. Room was very spacious. but the owner of that PG doesnt seem like a good guy and more of a money minded so i don't recommend him here.








We unloaded all our carry bags and removed all the riding gears and went to see few places before it gets dark. As soon as we get off from the luggage's we felt so free and did not feel any tiredness even after 10 hours of riding











We roamed around Virupaksha temple and saw a big hill beside the temple. The famous hill is called 'Mathunga Parvatha' and it is a best place to have a aerial view of the main temple of Hampi Virupaksha. Being a mountain lover I was so happy to be on the top of the Mathunga Parvatha. There was a joy of conquering something when we rested at the top, facing the heavy wind which was fierce enough to push us physically. We don't know what we conquered but it was a great feeling. We stayed there to watch the sunset but dint get to see him as he was covered by thick dark cloud. But we did get to see a awesome view of Rain from the distant cloud.









Reached back to the PG by 8.00pm and took rest. Had nice meal and with no clue for the next day, we slid into a deep sleep.




Places Coevered: Virupaksha Temple and Mathunga Parvatha


Day 2:


18th Aug 2012


We woke up at 7 am, had nice puri and was wondering whom to take as a guide. Enquired around there for a guide but we weren't convinced enough by their behaviors as well as for the 1200 bucks they were charging for full day. We decided to call the guy(Mallikarjun) who was recommended in the "bcmtouring". And that was the best decision we did. He has already started his guided tour for a bangalore couple with two kids from last 3 days who were supposed to leave before noon. He asked us to join along with them and he also had another group of people who are going to join at noon. He is a bit famous guide but worth every penny. He do not over charge and explained each and every things of Hampi in detail.


It was not money who made him explain so well about hampi but the real concern and love of Hampi. You can feel that in his voice. Yes he works for money as he has his own family to feed. But it is not a rocket science to find out whether the person is money minded or not. He also an expert of taking pics and if you do not carry a camera, he will do that too and charges some extra bucks for the camera. If you are carrying your camera, he dont whine about it but actually takes your camera and clicks like a professional photographer. I recommend him as a guide for anyone who wants to visit there and you won't regret. He even helps you find a hotel. He charged only 500 bucks from us and he even went on to ask if it is too much . If anybody wanted to contact him then here is his no. 09449981201


The new group joined as soon the bangalore couple departed with good wishes. They were of same age group like us, who drove from bangalore in a car. We had a good company with them till the end of the day with our awesome guide Mallikarjun


I will list out the places we covered in the both days below but I cannot explain about the importance of each place as it would need another 100 pages if i just go by the explanations given by our guide!!


We split our ways in the evening thanking Mallikarjun for the awesome guided tour and bangalore friends for the great company. We have planned to leave on the next day but haven't seen Anjanadri Hill, Thungabhadra Dam and the old bridge(Nithin's long awaited place to see). We planned it to cover for the next day before we leave for Hyderabad. Rememembering the past glory of Vijayanagara Samrajya of Hampi we went to bed on the second day.


Places covered :Kodandarama Temple,Vittala Temple,Stone Chariot,Hemakoota,Kadalekalu Ganapathi, Mustered Ganesha, Badavi Linga, Ugra Narasimha,Veerabhadra temple, Sister's rocks, Hajararama temple,Mahanavami Dibba,Lotus Mahal, Elephant Stable, Queen's Bath,Malyavantha Raghunatha Temple,Anegundi,Pushkarani, Museum,Kavalu Gopura.





























Mahanavami Dibba






Pushkarini



This iron walk made when Pratibha Patil came to visit Hampi.. Just guess the cost to avoid climbing few steps






Malyavantha Raghunatha temple





Stone chariot



Ruins



Vittala Temple






Pattabirama Temple



Door to the castle





Queens Bath



Hazararama Temple



Sisters rocks



Krishna Market



Krishna Temple









Thungabhadra



Our guide.. Mallikarjuna


Day 3


19th Aug 2012


We woke up early, cleared all the dues pending with the land lord and started off to old bridge. Heard from somebody that this bridge was fallen twice!! The great Indian construction!! Irony is that the Vijayanagara Samrajya still stands strong after so many years even after so many attacks of Mughals!!














The real problem started when we came to know about carrying our bikes across the river in a boat to go to Anjanadri Hills. Well it was a different experience but was pain in the ass to load such a heavy bike onto the boat.












Anjanadri hill is the place where the people believe that lord Hanuman is born. There are not enough evidences to prove that though, but the hill was too taller than Mathunga Parvatha. I guess that was the tallest one in all of Hampi. We climbed all the way up and rested at the top for a while. Morning breeze took away all the tiredness of climbing the hill.














From the top of anjanadri hill






The hill where Hanuman believed to be born..






Pampa Sarovara








Place covered: Old bridge, Anjandri Hill and Pampa Sarovar.


Took some snaps and it was time to wave good bye to Hampi. You may see only rocks filled in Hampi. But that is not the way you should look at it. It was one of the richest city during the 1336 to 1565. This is the city where golden/silver ornaments,pearls were sold beside the road in the size of heaps. Such a great culture was burnt by the Mughals. According to our guide Mughals took almost 6 months to burn/destroy the city. The great empire of Hampi dusted on the ground for the greed of Mughal emperors. Now if you go to Hampi you will see only the ruins left by Mughals. But those ruins tell you the great tales of our past. I used to hate those lessons when it was taught in school but I felt numb when I saw it with my own eyes.


Time 9.15am. We started back to Hyderabad. We were starving as we haven't finished our breakfast yet. We rode for 30 minutes from there searching for some decent hotel but couldn't find any.





Riding back to hyderabad



Yummy breakfast


We stopped at gangavathi near one hotel and later came know that hotel owner is from Udupi. The place 'Gangavathi' was ringing bell in my head and I was hard time remembering where did I hear that name before. Suddenly I rememebered its the place of a guy who is none other than our own Kannada standup comedian Pranesh!!! Pranesh is also a very big fan of the great writer Beechi and myself too a beechi fan Read his novel 'Kamaleya Olegalu' and loved it. So a wild thought came in my mind. Why can't we meet Pranesh once. Gangavathi doesn't seem like a big city but we had no idea where he lives and whether we are allowed to see him or not. Just asked the hotel owner about Pranesh's house. He knows about Pranesh but wasn't sure about the place so he asked a elder police man who was standing beside the Hotel. Well we got a very different experience in Gangavathi which we haven't got before!! The Police man greeted us with big smile and asked if we want to meet Pranesh. We said yes if it is nearby. He called the assistant police constable who was of our age and asked him to take us to the Pranesh's house. The young police guy was more enthusiastic than the later, grabbed the bike key from me and already started my bike and waiting for me to hop on. He was a genrous talkative policeman took us to Pranesh's home in no time. For our badluck Pranesh wasn't there at home as he was busy giving programs at Bangalore. We took permission from his wife to take a picture in front of a house and clicked some snaps along with the police man.



infront of Beechi Pranesh Home


The police man also escorted us till the end of the Gangavathi city, where he also bought water bottles, bajji and tea with his own money even when we insisted on paying. He said we are guests and it is his duty to take care of us. We were speechless for a such an unexpected friendly treat by a stranger policeman. Waving him good bye we left Gangavathi at 10.30am.








From there it was a smooth ride all along the way till Hyderabad. We stopped at many places for lunch, tea or just to take the rest. But most of the time it is for pics. Thanks to Manu for the awesome cam which was very comfortable for the carrying purpose. At one point we met a rain but it didn't last long. Rested at many places but not for too long. Within a few min of rest we used to fire our engines again.





















Raichur





















Thanks to google



Respect!!


We reached our flat by 7.45pm. All along it was almost of 10 hour Journey while coming back. The detailed stats of the ride is here.


Hyderabad to Hampi




Start time : 17th August 2012, 4.30AM


Reached Time: 17th August 2012, 4.00PM




Hampi to Hyderabad






Start time : 19th August 2012, 9.15AM


Reached Time: 19th August 2012, 7.45PM




Bikes:


Arun -> Bajaj Pulsar 150
Nithin Prasad -> Yamaha FZ




KMs Covered: 827km


Expense : ~3000 bucks
Petrol ~ 20 litres
Max Speed :115km/h in Pulsar 150, 105km/h in Yamaha FZ


The End


Complete log here
Adventures Of Riding Souls: Ride Back To The Glorious Days Of Hampi