Photos of the tripYou can look at the photos (Caution: All high resolution ones, taken by Hari) at the site: http://in.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sunsesh/album?.dir=/dd76scd&.src=ph&.tok=phn1QEGB5lm3fN.UMental BlockSomehow, Hampi has been dodging us. When a few years back, we tried Mantralaya and Hampi together, we had an issue. Hari developed Chickenpox and we had to rush back. Sriram and his wife Arthi were with us - since we had invited them. After that, somehow, I had a mental block to try North Karnataka.
UltimatumWhen Latha said that she would ensure the falling down of the heavens if I do not organize anything for his US-returned son for the XMAS vacation of three days, I was cornered. I tried all choices including Ooty. No - there was absolutely no hotels available anywhere for Hampi or Ooty. Of course, if one takes the travel, he may find the hotel - but I did not want to take a chance.
Suddenly I had a brainwave. I looked for the nearby places - and lo, in Bellary there was a hotel available. I booked it immediately and had booked a cab in New India travels near my house. So, we were all set. Or, were we?
New India messes up, againWe had the problem last time with New India when we tried to go to Ahobilam. They simply did not have the cab and had us in the tenderhooks till the last minute. I had to cancel it and engage Raghavendra tours. A similar thing happened now. From 6AM through 7.30AM, he kept saying that the car was just coming. I went and told him cancelling the car and then booked Raghavendra - which was Rs 0.25 per km extra - but that was OK. The prestige was at stake, you see.
Actually New India did send the driver (who had come to Chennai earlier with us, I think, Ramesh) - but I had to ask him to go back.
The Raghavendra DriverWe had a fantastic driver, Pradeep who knew Hindi and Kannada. He was exhibiting mixed enthusiasm. In the morning when we started, he was talkative and bubbly. He called his friends (may be his wife) and proudly saying that he was going to Hampi on an assignment that had come up suddenly.
In Chitradurga fort, something seems to have gone wrong. After that he was very serious and also was going very slow (relatively) at 70KM even in Bellary highway. On the last day, he even exhibited impatience in terms of our leaving time, visiting the places on the way etc.
His handling the car was rash - but amazing. He drove well. He claimed that he was getting 22KM per litre. Not sure, if we can believe it.
HotelsWe stayed in Ashoka Comforts on 23rd night, booked earlier. It was an AC room costing about Rs 1,120 (including 8% tax and extra bed). We had ordered for room service too.
Next morning, I decided to try for a hotel in Hampi itself. Ashoka guys assured me that if I did not get any hotel in Hampi, I can come back. But, coming back was really foolish - since Bellary - Hampi route was absolutely horrible and I also suspect that it is really about 100KM and not just 60 / 70 as usually reported.
Fortunately, we managed to get a room in Haripriya hotel for Rs 300. Beautiful!
Highway - inconvenience and convenienceIt was surprising to realize that the Bellary highway goes through Andhra control for a few (about 10 KM) - but no problem, the cars (even commercial) can just go through, it looks like.
Places visited Of course, Hampi was impressive (and Latha would say that Narasimha is more impressive). We did buy a simple book showing the usual places in Hampi - but were unable to locate them all by ourselves. There was no proper guide (surprising!). We went on our own through some places and reached Virupaksha temple. Then we concluded that we cannot get to see the other usual monuments such as Narasimha. Then it turned out that all those are really at a place called Kamalapura - and oh boy, what a visit! We saw almost all places covering them by car itself. These were covered on Dec 24.
On Dec 23, we engaged a guide (Rs 150) and went through the Chitradurga fort. Again impressive - but more impresssive was a guy who was climbing up and down the fort wall - just like a monkey. He was a Tamilian called Jothiraj - but the local guys call him 'Kothi raj' (monkey in Kannada).
On Dec 25, we visited one more Hampi ruin near the lodge, Anantha Sayanam temple. Of course, there were many temples all without Murthys. (Except Virupaksha). Then it was back to Bangalore - and we visited Vani Vilas Sagar near Hiriyur on suggestion from Easwara Rao of RSI, Office. It was not great - but OK. It was a reservoir.
OverallA satisfying trip. Hari, Badri and Latha came. The decision to stay in Bellary for a night was not prudent (from the distance and money points of view) - but it was a good master stroke, since without that, we could not have gone out for the XMAS leave.
Information and CostHotels in Hospet (08394): Malligi 22 8101 Shanbagh: 22 5910 Priyadarshini: 22 8838
Haripriya: 22 4622 (Non A/C Rs 225 + extra bed: Rs 30; Rs 255 per night, 24 hours check out) Stayed here on 24th nigh. Hotels are nearby for eating. Near Shanbag hotels.
Hotel in Bellary, Ashoka Comforts, 115, Court Road, Bellary 583 101, 08392 27 9970 – 5 Fax: 08392 27 9977
ashokacomforts@rediffmail.com Rs 950 (Executive Deluxe A/C) + Rs 75 for extra bed + 8% Tax à Rs 1,120. 24 hours check out. Stayed here on 23rd night. Ordered room service
Driver Name: Pradeep Raghavendra Tours Rs 5.75 per km + Rs 150 per day for driver, Indica, Non A/C
23-Dec-2006: 7.50AM – 33447KM reading – Left Home
8.45AM - 33471 – Nelamangala (24KM from Home)
9.15AM – 9.45AM - 33510 – Kamath, Reliance A1 (nearby) (63KM)
9.55AM - 33524 – Tumkur (77KM)
10.50AM – 33590 – Sira (143KM)
12.05PM – 14:15 - 33681 – Chitra Durga Fort (234KM)
15:20 320686 Chandravalli (239 KM)
16:25 – Left Ishwarya Fort Hotel after lunch, 33710 (263 KM)
17:05 – 33742 – Challekere (295 KM)
19:30 – 33863 – Bellary (416 KM)
24-Dec-2006: 08:25 – 33863 – Left Bellary
10:45 – 33965 – Left Hospet for Hampi after checking in hotel (518 KM)
11;15 – 33978 – Reached Hampi (531 KM)
17:10 – 33996 – Left Vittala Temple (549 KM)
19:30 – 34031 – Reached Hotel after TB Dam (584 KM)
25-Dec-2006: 09:20 – 34031 – Left Hotel (Reaching home at 34426
09:55 – 34034 – Left Hospet after seeing Anantha Shayanam temple
12:20 – 34165 – Chitra Durga
13:05 – 34205 – Proceeded 4 KM extra – hence returned here
14:00 - 34241 – Left Vani Vilas Sagara (from here Chitradurga is 36KM)
14:20 - 34262 – Joined the high way again
15:07 – 34303 – Sira
15:50 - 34357 – Tumkur (Between Sira and Tumkur there was a flat tyre)
17:30 – 34428 – Home
Total KM: 981 KM @ Rs 5.75 + Rs 450 = Rs 6,090 + Rs 60 tips = Rs 6,150
