Mukthi Naga Temple_June 13

Posted by Poornima Belawaadi

Shri Mukthi Naga Kshetra has long been home to the Serpent Deity. For the past 200 years, the residents of this region have been referring to this place as “Junjappana Bayalu” (Junjappa’s Field). In accordance with Lord Subrahmanya’s divine will, the construction of the Mukthi Naga Temple is being carried out at this place.
This place, which is a veritable abode of serpents, is a haven of peace and serenity to all who come here. Temple is situated at Ramohalli, 18 kilometers from the Bangalore bus stand. It is located 5 kilometers from the Bangalore-Mysore road, after one passes Kengeri, on the way to the Big Banyan Tree. One kilometer from the Ramohalli bus stand is the place where Mukthi Naga Temple is present. 

200 years ago, this place was called Junjappana Gudi Bayalu. At that time, the people of the Golla community, who were the residents of this place, used to offer prayers to Nagappa, the snake god. Junjappa, in the native dialect, is another name for the snake god. Legend has it that a cobra, 25 feet in length and more than 100 years old, used to live here at that time. Even today, this place is inhabited by myriad varieties of serpents.

The Biggest Mukthi Naga of the World

Naga idols five feet high are usually seen throughout the world. One can see them in Nagarkoil in Chennai, and in Singapore. But the Mukthi Naga idol at Ramohalli, measuring 16 feet in height (including the pedestal on which the idol stands), is the biggest in the world.

We left from Kengeri Bus stand around 8 AM and took a bus to Mukthi Naga temple.It is almost 45 min journey from Kengeri.From the Mukthi Naga bus stand, we had to walk about 1 km to reach the temple.I expected a lot of crowd, but luckily there were only few visitors.We took the blessings and reached bus stand in auto to catch a bus to Kengeri .We had buns in the bus stop since we were very hungry and then headed back to Rangamma aunty's house at 1 PM.She prepared lunch for us and we left to our home at 4 PM.

Temple entrance

Mom and Aunty


Me :)

Me in front of Palini Murugan


The main Naga idol

The place where snake lives(hutta)


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Mullayangiri & Bababudangiri Trek 23 rd May

Posted by Poornima Belawaadi

The toughest and hardest ridges along the trails of these two mighty peaks forced my mind to try them.
The peak gets its name from a small temple (gadduge/tomb) at the summit, which is dedicated to a Tapasvi "Mulappa swamy" who, is believed to have meditated at the caves only a couple of feet below the summit. .Mulayyanagiri (Kannada: ಮುಳ್ಳಯ್ಯನಗಿರಿ)is the highest peak in Karnataka, India. Mullayyanagiri is located at 13°23′26″N 75°43′18″E in the Chandra Dhrona Hill Ranges of the Western Ghats of Chikkamagaluru Taluk. With a height of 1,930 metres (6,330 ft), it is the highest peak between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris.

We started off from Bangalore on 22nd night and reached Mugilu Mane resort around 6 AM in the morning.As expected the weather was amazing .

Mugilu Mane Resort



Mugilu Mane Resort
Dining Hall

Though i was scared of pre monsoons, i was lucky not to get stuck in the rains throughout  the journey apart from light showers which was absolutely manageable.After freshening in our rooms followed by yummy breakfast (Upma and kesribath) we headed off to Bababundangiri in our TT....
                    We hiked Bababudangiri peak.It was a little distance by about a km or so.The BSNL tower denotes the Bababudangiri peak.

Bababudangiri Peak BSNL Tower

After Bababudangiri
Towards Mullayangiri Check post
Ridges
This was scary

Ridges


Way to go !


Break time

 The plan was to start from the same and trek towards Mullanyangiri since getting permissions from Sarpadhari to Mullayangiri  was tough.We reached Mullayangiri check post by 12.30 PM which was accompanied by jokes, talks and tons of photoshoots all the way.Thanks to Mr. Selva and Rajendra, my two gud friends who were by my side for the same :) .The lunch was ready  at the check post ! After having pulav and curd, we all were almost tired and decided to rest for half an hour.


Resting after lunch

Towards Mullayangiri
   Then we started to trek towards Mullayangiri and reached peak by 4.30 PM. the view was extraordinary ! I visited the temple on the peak and we took a group photo and got town by stairs on the other side which is the common route for the people to reach the peak
My Fav pic, just behind me is the peak

That moment of achievement :) Hurray

Peak flag:)

Temple

Some info !

Our Group
 
View from the peak

                  Then we walked all the way to Sitayallangiri to catch our vehicle.My lunch was too heavy and unfortunately i puked :( Thanks to Selva for helping me with water and biscuits and medicine..We started the journey and reached our resort by 7 PM where i puked again during the journey.I was literally scared as this never happened in any of my treks.
                   Our day ended with a nice lunch (rice, rasam, curry, chapathi and curd) followed by camp fire which i did not attend coz of my health issues and had to hit the bed by 8.30 PM itself.
                   The next day morning I was feeling very refreshed and woke up by 6 AM, had coffee and had a walk with Malini, Rajendra and Selva..It was very cool morning and the walk was gud.

Morning walk

Malini. Selva,Rajendra and me :)

Then we had idlis and headed towards Jhari/Dabdabe falls in local jeep.
Jhari falls :)

Jhari falls :)

Jhari falls :)

 After playing there for a while and clicking pictures, we moved towards Bangalore and had our lunch in Hassan and reached Bangalore by 5.30 PM.
AAAAH what a spectacular trek it was ! One of the best treks till date  and yes , forgot to mention  that i trekked the HIgest and second highest peaks of Karnataka in a single stretch.... Hurray! Love u Chickmaglur :)





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