Experiencing the village life at Kalsapura

Saptagiri temple:

After visiting the dam, we went to another temple located in --- which though is an old temple, is being renovated and for me had lost its charm. Since this temple is located on top of a hill, it has a good view of the valley below and provides for a good sunset spot.

We then started our journey back home and were in the village in time for dinner. After having dinner our friend took us around the village at night. It felt so peaceful and safe. To be able to walk on streets not worrying about which vehicle might come ram into you or any eve teasers sitting by the road. After visiting most of the local spots including "nam ooru devastana( our towns temple), nam ooru shale ( our town's school) and nam ooru cricket ground, we went back home to sleep.

We set out early the next morning to walk to 'nam ooru kere' ( our village's lake). It was a pleasant walk along a rocky path for around 2km and as it was still early in the morning, the breeze was also very cool. We reached the lake soon as sat by it watching the fishes swim, the birds fly, a local wash his cow and women washing their clothes. We spent a good hour there before we decided to walk back to have our breakfast.

We then visited his dad's farm located around 2km away from his house. The farm had a huge tamarind tree at the entrance which was so inviting I had to climb it. We plucked a few raw mangos from the tree there, had a small picnic by the shade of the tree and then left the farm.

By the time we got back home, it was pretty dark. We sat outside his house on the veranda where the wind was blowing and the temperatures had dropped down drastically. We could spend the night without a fan. Ah, what nights they were, so serene, quiet, no sounds of vehicles, the stars shining above and the cool breeze blowing below.

Naam ooru Betta: We got up early the next morning to go to the hill next to the village. It was a trek which took us about an hour and a half to climb, sat by the temple and took in the view. But as it is summer, the sun started blazing by 7.30 ish and then we decided to head back. We took another route down the hill, through the stone formations with no route marked. It was an adventurous trek down, which took us around 2 hours. We finally ended up near the lake, where we had our parents pick us up and went home for a good breakfast.

We sat home during the noon to avoid the heat, as it was getting very hot out there and then headed out to Chikmaglur during by 4 in the evening. Our next destination was the river at Kaandya

This was a quaint place, which is the place where two rivers meet. So, though you aren't allowed to jump into the water here, it is nice to sit by the banks and relax. Again, no traffic or other noises to disturb the peace around. There is a temple located right next to this spot, which did not garner much interest from the architect in me. So, by the river, we were for a good hour. Then we were back on our way home, took us about two hours to get back, to find a good dinner waiting for us.

The night was usual, a hearty dinner, gossip by the veranda or maybe I can say talks about saving the world in the veranda, none of us wanting to leave.

Next morning we were to leave. But since it was so peaceful and perfect out here, my friend and I preached ourselves on the terrace and sat there for quite a while not really wanting to go down and get ready. Up there, I spotted the village temple, which as soon as I laid my eyes on, wanted to climb. And to my delight, the friend whose place we were staying on said its "legal".

So, there we were, walking to the temple and slowly climbing it. While climbing up it was fun, as I could see where to put my legs, but then while climbing back down I was stuck. Like spider man on a building. Not going up or down but laughing. Until I told my friend I need a ladder and was going back up instead of hanging midway. He, of course, asked me to just come down, and to my amusement, it was just a simple push from the hand and let gravity do the rest. I did it in a few seconds, and to think of the time I wasted clinging on to that rocky sculptures!