We were four of us.
The opponent was alone.
We all were in our youths-young and energetic.
But the opponent was looking as old as rocks and mountains.
This was my third encounter with the opponent. Having lost the first two, i had come well prepared this time with my gang! We were four-
One intelligent (Praneeth), one fittest ( Bharath), one lazy (Anthony) and one idiot (me).
But the opponent had more qualities than ours- stability, experience ( opponent had seen many people like us), age factor ( much much older than us) and even opponent was taller than us!
And the opponent's name is-
One and only SAVANDURGA!
Believed to be second largest monolith in Asia after madhugiri, it is in fact not a single hill. There are two hills namely karigudda and biligudda. The latter attracts more people due to its accessibility, where as the former is still not polluted by the people-thanks to its very thick shrub forest which avoids people.
We zeroed down to this beautiful place after considering almost all the places in the world to trek! Like many of our plans, even this got failed. So we ended up selecting this place,but once we did that trek, no regrets!
Situated near Magadi, the approach is very good except the last 3 miles. Though even now it is surrounded with forests, not so compared to good old days where it has been considered as heaven to shikaarees. This used to be the place which had plenty of leopards and bears. Even now you can find these in karigudda, if you are lucky. ( dont ask me how can it be 'lucky' to encounter a leopard or a bear in a lonely forest sorrounded by hills when you dont have an escape route!!).
After reaching the foothills, not wasting much time, we were on our way up. Our aim is to reach 'nandi' idol at the top, which is the highest point here. Having visited the place earlier I became the 'guide'. Even though the 'lazy' had been here once, he opted out to guide. As usual-he was lazy.
There are marks painted on the hill to guide you up. As we began climbing, the visibility to surroundings began more clear making us view the stunning nature making us to feel we were just mere mortals infront of nature (in fact we are!). The first thing you notice when you climb for some distance and turn around is the ''Akshyapatra" of bengalooru when it comes to supplying of drinking water-the river arkavathi. Arkavathi takes birth in Nandi hills, comes towards savandurga as if coming just to kiss its foothills, then takes a turn towards ramanagar which finally mingles with cauvery at the place called 'sangam near kanapura.
As we kept on climbing it, we were becoming exhausted sooner than we expected, which was reflecting our strength in front nature's and reducing our 'ego' by showing where we stand in front of nature.
Once you go up for around 500 meters, going past the initial rocks and shrubs, you will find the first wall of the fort. Yes! you read it right, a fort!. Right from kempegowda, tippu sulthan to cornwallis, many people have ruled here. But savandurga remains stable like- 'For men may come and men may go, but I stay on forever'. From that wall you got to climb another 300 meters, you will find a view point. That is just half way through!.
But i was searching all the places if we are lucky enough to spot a leopard or bear. Because, live aside the great hunter kenneth andreson, even his son has hunted around 40 leopards and a dozen sloth bears here!. But every time I searched behind the shrubs and rocks, I found only used plastic covers, bottles:( people are finding innovative ways to pollute!.
As you go further up, you will be welcomed by a water stream, which can be drinked at your own risk!, followed by couple of old structures, remainings of the fort. Just after it, you will get the first glimpse of the 'nandi' .
first glimpse of the nandi
Going further, you will end up yourself in thick shrub forest, where in fact you should do some adventure to move further. Expecting the bear, all i could find is beer bottle! The last stretch is more challenging, you can find yourself surrounded by many rocks and thick forest where you are expected to climb up when you are already tired! But a very nice place to play hide and seek, but we were not in the mood of playing. But once you have gone through it, your are there. That is it!
praneeth 'posing' for cam
At last, after doing many circus we reached our destination, so it was natural to get excited.
The 'intelligent' was jumping all over, the 'fittest' was in search of food, eventually ended up eating carrot!, the 'lazy' found the place to take rest, the 'idiot' as usual did not knew what to do, so ended up doing nothing except enjoying the nature.
After reaching the top, you will get to view of karigudda!! The second hill. But there is no access from this point, you should take the different route altogether.
For all the people who know this place- please do not come again here.
For all people who doesn't know this- Do not visit, anyhow you do not know it!
Because it has already been polluted enough. You are welcome only if you come to enjoy the nature and nothing else.
Finally i conquered it in my third attempt, my ego was boosted, but heard the hill singing-" Men may come and may go, but I stay for ever"
