Sometimes its worth getting away from the city. But thanks to increasing work loads and decrease in chances of getting long leaves approved for the average worker, the meaning and significance of the word ‘holiday’ has been shortened.
But not all is lost in the bargain. The beauty of Bangalore lies in its location. Unlike other big cities, Namma Bangalore provides for quick ‘get aways’ which does not need more than a day to visit and revitalise the mind and body. Take a trip to Sangama after Kanakpura, which is a little below a 100 kms from Bangalore and once one is out of the city, the time taken for this distance is below two hours. Compare that to the time taken to travel from Indiranagar to Rajajinagar, which is only 20 kms but takes the same or more time.
With better roads to drive on than one can witness in the city, the drive is serene and plays games with the mind as the huge constructions, with a blink of an eye, turns into ploughed fields and greenery. Though trucks command over these roads, they are often humbled by the bullock carts and tractors, driven by the locals. But to an unfamiliar person, driving would throw a lot of surprises as villagers are known to put huge stacks of dried paddy or Ragi in the middle of the road.
The idea for them is to flatten the hay and the grains dropping out on the road, which they collect later, without much effort. One is expected to drive right in the middle of it as it is a safe option as well as a ‘soft social contribution’, though some of the hay could get dragged on for a few kms and then drop off.
The weather also turns more welcoming, as the dust is replaced with cool breeze from the vegetation. Once the small cluster of shops are behind you in the last of the villages in the journey, then the small ghats and drive between the hills begin. The hills are green and are filled with thick forests on either side.
It is advisable to travel during the day as there are few places to stop for the last 13 kms until Sangam, where the road ends. Seek some information from the localities and take a trip to the Jungle homes nearby. Though any car would tread through these roads, a four by four would add to the holidaying experience.
A few kilometers into these resorts, which are heavily fenced due to the elephant menace, plays a very calm host. The hammocks, spa’s and reasonable tariffs add to temptations here. But the best is what nature has to offer, as a few hundred meters and one enters into a ‘post card’.
Nearly one hundred metres of breadth of river Cauvery divides the near civilisation and the dense forest on the other side. If luck favours one, then there are good chances to see deers and other animals come to quench their thirst on the other side of this natural barrier.
Coracles, are the best ships on these waters, as the guides and locals would tell you. The water may seem calm, but all advisories must be strictly adhered to as the place is known for many ‘whirlpools’. Added to this are the sharp rocks beneath the green water.
And for the faint hearted, those twinkly set of eyes that can be spotted on a Coracle ride, should not be mistaken for small fish and all temptations to catch them or feed them would be counter-productive. The river bed is home to many Crocodiles, who often think of the Coracle passengers as food, rather than the bread crumbs they assume those eyes want.
The guides are well versed and will share the swimming spots. As for ‘rebels and risk takers’; don’t take any will be their advise and with good intent as one should have stories to tell about their holiday, not become a story the next day.