“It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Monsoons are that time of the year when we all just want to snuggle up in our blankets and enjoy a movie while having that sip of refreshing tea. But for me who has a travel bug inside, is looking out for that opportunity to make the best of those rainy weekends. So this time it is Sakleshpur, a small town tucked in the lush green western ghats of India
We kick started our bike journey on our Bajaj Pulsar 150 on a Saturday morning from Bangalore. The weather was pleasant and the clouds favored our paths.
“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.”
Martin Buber
On our way while crossing the small town of Hassan(approx. 183 km from Bangalore), we came across this striking piece of history. This surprising piece of beauty was the Shettihalli Rosary Church.
This deserted Church on the banks of river Hemavati, fills you with awe and mystery of what must have happened that led to this destruction.
The fact that makes this church special is that it remains submerged in water during the monsoons. The visit made by us was in the month of July which was also during the monsoons. But only when the water level in the dam rises the church submerges more.
Every broken stone and walls tell a separate story.
The clouds had started to become dark, the winds at its full force embracing the forgotten structure.
One can spend a peaceful lone time on the banks of the river disconnected from the world.
After this short refreshing break we advanced on our journey. The clouds had gathered and it had started drizzling which made the journey even more fascinating. We then headed to our next destination which was a fort.
The Manjarabad Fort is a star shaped fort built by Tipu Sultan. Unaware of the hike of around 250 steps, I was almost out of my breath literally and figuratively when I reached the top.
The breathtaking views from this point of the fort is an absolute delight to the sight and mind.
You can witness the wreck and rubble which still has its own charm alive.
By this time, the clouds had completely engulfed us and it started to rain but we continued with our journey, heading towards our home stay in the woods in Bisle. (Aroma Home stay Sakleshpur) Now that’s the best and budgeted methods to experience the nature at its best with the locals.
Lush green forest half covered in smokey clouds, dancing onto the beats of the rain
The sound of birds and insects during rains gives you a different feeling in middle of the forest. This is something we don’t get to witness in the city, something which soothes your heart and mind to give you a fresh pack of energy.
We had a quick simple lunch of rice and rasam with little bit of pickle prepared by our host. We decided to rest for a while and explore the nearby village and forest in the evening. The main road runs through the dense thick canopy, with hardly any light after the sunset. We could only hear the sounds of the rain drops on tree leaves and chirping of the insects. Not knowing where were we headed to, we kept on walking to find some small shops. The whole path from the home stay to the road was so eerie and spine-tingling.
Bisle is a section of Western Ghats and located on the border of Hassan district and Dakshina Kannada district. Bisle Viewpoint, about 5 Km from Bisle village, is a popular view point to get the pleasing and breathtaking views of the three mountain ranges including Kumara Parvatha, Pushpagiri and Dodda Betta.
The climax of this point is that the view has a valley, with Giri River separating the beauty point and these mountain ranges. The forest department has also created a shelter here for the tourists to sit and enjoy the view.
In conjunction with amazing views, it is also an ideal destination for trekkers. Bisle Reserve Forest is also situated here which is home to a variety of flora and fauna. The forest remains protected and unexploited as there is no human occupancy in it.
On way down the view point rains hugged us with all its heart. We did get badly drenched but it was a ride worth treasuring.
Every journey has its own charm and delights which leaves a mark on your life. This journey was like a liquid sunshine. Those heavy splashes of rain drops, the dense fog ahead on the road, combined with a bike. It made a perfect platter for the travel hunger in me. I will cherish Sakleshpur for its rain scenes and rich flora in the dense woods.
“The night in the rainy woodland”
