Trip to Nandhi Hills ...Almost ! ;-)

Well this week I decided to go to Nandhi hills (I could almost hear a "Noooo!! Not Again !! voices )Hold on! hold your horses folks! .This trip was going to be a special one( i know almost every Bangalorean would have visited it multiple times ) To be frank i wasn't very interested in seeing the Nandhi hills( this was my 5th visit ) .So i decided to trek to top of Nandhi Betta (Betta in Kannada means Hill ) , just to make it exciting.My starting point was "Nandhi Cross".


The hill top is 8km from this point.So the trek seemed easy and simple .

The day was glorious and very windy.It was fun to trek through the curves with the warmth of sun beating down and a stiff breeze cooling u .


It was an amazing feeling to walk through the smaller hills , I would sometimes jump off the road , sit on the side rocks facing the breeze.

The sound of wind passing throught the leaves and rocks brought with it the smell of eucalyptus filling my lungs and giving me renewd energy ,it was a life time experience.It was also a nice break from constant sound and noise pollution of the city , being close to nature.The chirps of birds and whispering of trees would break the silence of the hill and I would jump off the road to find a shady rock and close my eyes to experience the symphony.



If u thought my idea of walking to the top was crazy ,then this would even sound crazier.I found quiet a few cyclist who had cycled from Bangalore(60 km s) to hill top.One of them was going back when he requested me to take a couple of his snaps( Do i look like a photographer ? ) he also informed me that there is actually couple of trek paths through the woods and mountain to the top of hill but he wasn't sure where exactly.


I was hoping to find such a track, through the woods and through the mountains surrounding the hill.If only I can find one , i thought .


Anyways as i continued my way up I was amazed at the scenic views that greeted my eyes .The land and all buildings were looking so small and organized.It is a totally different feeling when u stop and enjoy such beauty rather than just whiz past it in the automobile.




As I saw the miles getting reduced ( 4km more to the top , and i was thinking no not so soon) I saw a very curious trail road ending on the road.I was curious and started following the trail.



It was leading me into an adjacent mountain through woods.I would keep on saying to myself " just 5 more minutest then I'll turn back and trek to top "but the amazing feeling of discovering the unknown along with a chance of exploring the mountain tempted me to keep carrying on.The trail path and the surround seemed to remind me of the African landscape( natgeo for those who see that channel ;-) ).It was a totally amazing and exciting feeling to be alone on the road and as I kept moving up and I could see the land below growing smaller and smaller.The breeze was making it even more pleasant


Then at one point when i turned back I was totally mesmerized by the site nature had in stored for me.

In my front I saw the Nandi Hill with one of its temples and tipu's drop towering over me .And adjacent to it was this deep view of landscape .It felt like I was flying ;-) .Frankly i have no words to explain how it felt.


As I kept following the track I saw a mountain in front , as if challenging me to climbing it.


Looking at the watch it was 12.00 pm . and I needed to reach the top of Nandhi hill before 2.30pm ( there is a bus to Bangalore at 2.30 pm )I said to my self again "5 more minutes to figure out where this trails will lead me, then I'll head back,no matter what " .I was very very tempted to climb the mountain but was hesitant, should I explore the trail more or go for the mountain's top (all in 5 min ?? ) .I decided to follow the trail further ( promising myself to scale the mountain next time around )I kept following the trail as it was becoming even more exciting by the scenaries it offered .

I guess i was on an adjacent mountain to the Nandhi hills and with no one around, the excitement to investigating the unknown was very very tempting.At one point I saw the top of the mountain seem so small I wondered how come ? Am I close to the top of this mountain ( i preferred calling it Navbaba's Hill ;-) now).Looking back I was taken aback .I could see the trail looking small and it had indeed brought me close to the top of the mountain.


You could see the trail track which i was following

And there i saw the portion of Nandi hills staring at me , as if these hills were brothers looking upon one another.
Thats the Nandi hill.You can see the temple at the top if u expand the pic.

I kept following the trail when suddenly the trail ended.



I was very very disappointed.I thought I could have found a trek track but alas !! I decided to explore more before heading back.
But Hoooo!! wait a min !! i saw 2 more tracks leading to the top.

I was so happy and promised my self to explore it the next time I come.I searched for a nice spot for my lunch.


I had my yummy lunch took a small nap for 5 min and rushed back towards the road excited and refreshed .

As a child I liked to go alone exploring hills and landscape.I felt like a child again ;-)


I was back on the road and was 4km from my destination.I must confess these final 4km were very challenging.Esp because i was tired and also the road was becoming more steep .At around 1 km to the top I found another trail road joining the road to the top.Another adventure awaited me.Well! I decided not today I was pressed for time and needed to hurry ( it was 1.45 pm.) "next time dude ! " I promised my self .

At last at around 2.15pm I reached the top.Had some quick snacks at the ticket counter( i wasn't interested to go inside...also there were so many couples inside it reminded me of Lalbagh ;-), the famous couple's spot in Bangalore ;-) ).Anyways I waited for about 45 min and at around 3 pm the bus arrived.I reached Bangalore by 5.30 pm and slowly got used to the noise and chaos again ;-)

It turned out to be a very very pleasant Saturday for me .As Chirstopher McCandlesss said in the book "Into the Wild " -
"The core of mans' spirit comes from new experiences. "

My suggestion folks ,if u visit any place always explore it beyond what is commonly known about it , there is always some thing amazing waiting to be experienced .

Hail the spirit of adventure !!!!