Day17

Started our day and most eventful incident on this day was meeting with two travel crazy persons from Chennai, Mithun and Soumya. They are passionate travellers and once you travel with them you would enjoy every bit of it. My kid became very fond of these two new found uncles and had an excellent time too.

We started our day with Pattadakal and Aihole those amazed us by their architecture but again the crowd was a pure turn off. We had a lunch where we were so hungry started ordering with Rice, then ordered Roti, Puri, some Uttapam kind of stuff which we misjudged just because we were confused which would be served faster. Finally they served us all at one go and after lunch the guy came and asked if we wanted more, we were so full by then and not in a position to even answer that and the guy almost started laughing looking at us, little embarrassing but funny is that the guy kept smiling as long as we were there.

After a heavy lunch, we took a short break and then ventured to Badami Caves, which we knew would be better in evening light. Once again stuck in almost in a stampede with so many crowds and monkeys around. We visited all the caves and frustratingly waited for minutes together to take a shot without taking a person in frame but unfortunately no luck!! Lesson learnt, You shouldn’t visit Karnataka at least in December if you want it a little less crowded. We took some walks towards the other side of the lake and watched a nice sunset and finally had a wonderful “Adda” with Mithun, Soumya in the evening.

Car Odo Reading:

Badami – 45939
Aihole – 45984
Badami – 46024

On the way to Pattadakal:

Pattadakal:

The temples of Aihole:

The Cave Temples of Badami:

The other side as seen from Badami Cave:

Entry to the Cave Temple:

Day18

We started our day late at 10.30 and planned to go to Banashankari temple, unfortunately again a large crowd forced us to change the plan and we proceeded towards Gajendragarh and then Kushtagi to enter NH13 on our way towards Hampi. We took a left turn to hit excellent and super scenic SH23 from Budugumpa and proceeds towards Gangawati where we had our lunch.

Next destination was Hanuman Temple at Anegundi. The 572 stairs up to the temple are definitely tiring but worth every effort. The amazing ruins of Hampi would be in front of your eyes once you are at top and you forget all the tiredness. We enjoyed a nice sunset from the top and then headed to Kamalapur via Gangawati – Kampli. The Kampli – Kamalapur road for first 10km was pathetic and we regretted our decision not taking the Anegundi – Hospet – Hampi route. Anegundi – Kamalapur is still not connected by a motorable bridge. There was a bridge that washed out a couple of years ago.

Our booking was there at KSTDC Bhuvaneshwari, where Semi Deluxe rooms are certainly too small for even a family with kid. We got feedback from Mithun, the rooms at Hampi Bazar were of much value for money but not sure if you can prebook them and prebooking probably be safer if you visit this at Christmas and with your family.

Car Odo Reading:

Badami – 46024
Gajendragarh – 46066
Kushtagi – 46092
Budugumpa (Turn Left) – 46138
Gangawati – 46165
Anegundi – 46185
Kampli – 46210
Kamalapur – 46231

The scenic SH23 towards Gangawati:

Reflections:

Sunset from Hanuman Temple Anegundi:

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