Hampi Road Trip (Dec 2020)

Day 1 - Pune to Badami

We left from Pune at 5:45am. We took a halt at Sai International fast food joint near Kolhapur for breakfast. Our next halt was at a small village at Karnataka-Maharashtra border. We saw a neat monument and took a stop to explore. It was the Duradundheshwar Shrine. It was a really small and cute village with a pretty houses. 

Monk at Durdundheshwar Shrine

Cute kids at the village

Pretty houses at the village

We did a quick stop at Medakavi. It is wonderful, rundown fort but badly maintained. It seemed like being used as a toilet for the village!

We reached Badami by 4:45pm and directly went to the Agastya lake to watch the sunset. The place was too beautiful and serene.

Bhootnath Temple at Agastya Lake

 

Then we checked into the hotel Heritage Resort in Badami, had a quick bath and ate sumptuous dinner.

Day 2 - Morning - Badami Caves

We went at 6am to the Badami caves. Then the Shiva temples. Both were like a mini trek. It was awesome, truly awesome! Note: Most the temples I will be talking about in this blog are ancient temples which dont have the deity (murty) any more. They are not a place of worship as the murty is missing. They are a form of superior art from the ancient times.

Read the story behind Badami Caves here

Upper Shivalya, dated 700 AD. The trek here is a different experience altogether. A must-do on your list.

Then we had yummy Udupi breakfast before heading out to Hampi.

Day 2 - Evening

We left from Badami at around 12. Badami to Hampi is a 3.5 hour drive. On way we stopped at a farm where red chilli 🌶 was being harvested and dried. The people there were so sweet. They asked if we would like to share their lunch! I had a bite of their bhakri, brinjal sabji and a chutney made of that red mirchi! It was yummy!

Hampi is full of big boulders. It’s a wonderful place! Few kms from Hampi itself you start seeing those boulders and keep wondering how this place will be!

We went to a place where we took a Coracle ride on Tungabhadra river. Speciality of this ride was that we could see some of the ruins and the hills Anjaneya, Matanga and Rishimukh from the ride.

We stayed at Hotel Hyatt in Hampi. (This hotel is not recommended)

Day 3 - Hampi

We rented cycles and saw around Hampi on cycle. We cycled from 8:30am to 2pm! The places of interest in Hampi are spread across quite a bit. We had learnt that going to these places by cycle was a better option than walking or driving car. It was a great decision. But do note, the roads have lots of ups and downs so some basic fitness will be needed to cycle. Another tip is to take a guide - the place takes life when associated with right information and stories else it might seem like just beautiful stones! :)

We visited:

Virupaksha temple, Royal Enclosure - Historic site from 1500 AD with remnants of the royal complex where the king of Vijayanagar empire lives, other ruins from 1500 - supari market, gold market, pan market, Hazara Ram temple which has entire Ramayana story carved on the walls and pillars of the temple, Narasimha Shrine and Shivalinga which is called Badavalinga as its 12 feet in height, Shri Krishna temple.

Pushkarni at the Royal Enclosure

Carvings of Ramayana story on Rama temple

We were dead tired and had lunch at a place called Mango Tree. 

Banana Coconut Parota!

Then we left at 3pm and visited Vithhal mandir which has creative architecture such as a moving stone chariot & musical pillars. The Vitthal murty from this temple is supposedly now in Pandharpur.

Vitthal Mandir with musical pillars and a guide demonstrating how the natural rainwater fountain works

Then behind that Vitthal mandir was river Tungabhadra where we dipped our legs in the river and watched sunset. It was like a natural jacuzzi which took away the day’s tiredness!

Serene moments at Tungabhadra river (PC: Dipti Joshi)

The entire city was made of limestone with a lot of intricate work done on the stone! Each temple, monument has a lot of carvings. Most of these temples are restored ruins- they are not operational as real temples. That’s because the Moghuls invaded the area, and stole those murthys from temples and destroyed a lot of other structures.

Hampi, known as Vijayanagar, was the world’s second richest empire in the world during 1500 AD, under the king Krishnadevraya. What exists now are the ruins, which are so pretty and a must-visit if you haven't been there.

Day 4 - Hampi to Belgaum

We wanted to trek up the Matanga hill today, but we all were tired. Instead we wore pretty dresses and did some good photo shoot!! 🤗 We also spent some time today to eat well! We also explored the market and did some shopping. (Yeah we finally did some girl-things on the trip!)

We halted overnight at Belgaum in hotel Fairfield by Marriott and left for Pune the next day after having breakfast!

Tung Trek

Tung fort is a part of Western Ghats, near Lonavala. You can find more information about Tung Fort here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tung_Fort

Some details about the trek can be found here: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g297654-d3243464-Reviews-Tung_Fort-Pune_Pune_District_Maharashtra.html

We did an impromptu trek to Tung fort. This blog post is to share the experience and tips.

We had heard Tung is a difficult trek. Well, it’s kind of difficult as most of the climb is a steep climb. There are some big boulders which some might struggle to climb. Kids would need help. We visited at the end of October, that’s like the end of monsoons. So some stones had moss on them. Moss gets slippery when it’s wet. 

However, the trek is not something which you should be scared of. If you take basic precautions like you don’t be too adventurous around the edges, or you don’t be careful and jump around, then it’s a very much doable trek.

We started very early as we like to avoid crowds. Also, the weather is better if you climb before it gets too sunny. The downside of this was that some of the big boulders with moss were moist due to the morning dew, which made some parts of the climb difficult. In one of such a patch we simply removed our shoes and climbed bare feet. Bare feet gave a better grip.

The drive to the base village is super awesome. However the road is very bad. I feel the best thing to do is to carry bicycles in your car, park the car just before the road gets too bad and then cycle to the base. This kaccha road seemed like perfect place to cycle, surrounded on both sides with a lot of greenery.

The top of the fort is very small. The _buruj_ walls are broken. I could not imagine how to control kids who tend to run around exploring the place! Hence I would not recommend the trek for kids without proper supervision.

At the top there is a small Tungai devi mandir. We did the trek on Ashthami, so it was a good day to take devi darshan.

Light and Darkness

I saw the sun rise
It cast a magical spell
It ported me to a divine world
Where only hopes dwell...

While His play was going on
I witnessed the biggest irony...
Right next to the supreme source of light
It was dark and gloomy!!

While one was mourning in darkness
His neighbor was celebrating a new day
Unequal distribution of wealth
Was even nature’s way!!

Could light and darkness coexist?
Science had no explanation
Bible, Geeta and Quran too had nothing to say
Philosophy just reminded - review your assumption!

That’s when I realised
It’s all about perception...
The dark clouds
Were just an obstruction!

There was light behind the darkness
Which I had failed to see...
When I changed my perspective
I could see things differently!

(C) Mukta

#sunrise #philosophy #poem #poems #nature #clouds #light #dark #darkness #science #religion #nofilter #randomthoughts #breaktheruleslife

Bali Trip 2018

There was something magical about Bali. Something that left us with a lot of inner peace. It felt like we were back from meditation. My wanderlust has taken me to several places within and outside India. But what was so different and wonderful about Bali? Maybe the crazy vacation plan with a like minded friend? Maybe seeing a lot of greenery around? Or was it simply the magical charm of Bali? Read my photo blog to know!

The Westin, Nusa Dua Beach

Dreams anew on a fresh new day Happiness I sense is coming my way... In His beauty I let myself soak While He sends me a message In those Rays of Hope! - Mukta Aphale

Indonesia is a foodie's paradise. We went on a food tour one evening where we tried out 4 restaurants and 12 dishes. We ate at Moonlight Rooftop restaurant & bar which offered a lovely view of the golden hour. Kilo Bali was my personal favourite and a must to visit when you are in Bali. We also tried Frestro and Salazón.

Baked Bombe Alaska dessert at Salazón; Delicious food & wine at Kilo (PC: Dipti)

Sunset at Double Six beach, Bali

One of the highlights of our trip was doing a sunrise trek atop Mt Batur. Mt Batur is an active volcanic mountain close to Ubud in Bali. It is 1700 meters high and about 2 hours climb. Most exciting part of our trek was we started at midnight! We woke up at 1am, took a cab at 1:30am, reached the mountain base at 3:45am, started the climb at 4am and reached top at 6am!

When we started the climb up the sky was clear and we could do star gazing as it was a no moon day. We could see Mars very clearly. We were given torches to see our way up; when we switched off the torches it was pitch dark! The entire climb was a lovely experience.

As we neared the top of the mountain, it suddenly became very clouded and foggy. When we reached the top, all we could see was a white dense fog and we wondered if we climbed that high up to view this fog?!

White dense fog

Sun begins to rise...

But just when Mr. Sun started to rise, the white curtain was drawn and the most beautiful show started unfurling before our eyes! It was one of the most serene and beautiful experience! I recommend the Mt Batur sunrise trek when you visit Bali.

Sunrise trek from Mt Batur

Sharing a panoramic video from the mountain top. Check it out below.

It is so ironic that it was very cold on top, 5 deg C but next to us on the mountain was the volcanic crater from which hot steam was coming out. It was magical!

Volcanic mountain

Steam from small crater

Bali is known for its beautiful Hindu temples. We visited the Pura Tirta Empul in Ubud which is a holy water temple, the Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, a lakefront temple with gardens and the Tanah Lot temple. The temples are beautiful and serene. There are many stone carvings which showcase Bali's distinct culture. These temples are very different from the Hindu temples in India. In some of the temples, a "sarong" is mandatory for everyone.

Bathing in holy water for blessings (PC: Dipti)

Pura Tirta Empul

Procession in the temple (PC: Dipti)

We also visited some other places like: Coffee plantation and tasting, Tenenungan waterfall and terraced rice plantations in Ubud. All three were good. You can skip these as they are typical touristy places you can see elsewhere.

When in Bali a must watch is the traditional dances. We watched the Kecak dance near Ubud market. This dance does not have a playback recorded music. Around 60 men were chanting "ke-chak" which created the rhythm on which a part of Ramayana play was enacted in the dance form. At the end of the dance, a boy who is supposed to be enchanted, danced on top of real fire!

Kecak Dance

Boy dancing on fire

Another must visit attraction in Bali is the Tanah Lot temple. Tanah Lot temple is one of the 7 sea temples to worship the Balinese sea Gods. The sea around Tanah Lot is mesmerising and said to be surfer's paradise. We spent time watching the huge waves hit the rocks at Tanah Lot and break into sprinkles...

Tanah Lot Beach (PC: Dipti)

The wave of hope rose And gushed towards the shore... Green and blue and then white It made a melodic roar... The wave hit the rocks and shattered Into beautiful pieces of water But my hopes only grew higher! ...And I could feel the love of the Creator! - Mukta Aphale

Tanah Lot (PC: Dipti)

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Temple (PC: Dipti)

This trip marked our first for diving. We did Scuba diving at Tulamben, which is to the north of Bali. We dived down into the sea to watch an American ship wreck. I didn't know that a ship wreck under water would look so beautiful! I discovered that the most peaceful and quite place in the world is under the sea! They say diving is like meditation.

Scuba diving at Tulamben

An interesting note here is that Tulamben and also our hotel that night was very close to Mt Agung - the volcano which has erupted just a week before our visit! Due to this, the entire resort was to ourselves! We were upgraded to the beach villa at Hotel Kejane Tulamben on the Kubu beach, which is the preferred resort when you visit Tulamben for diving. We were able to watch one of the beautiful sunrise from Kubu beach.

Our life is like the sea... Calm or still. Rough or turbulent. But no matter how... It’s always beautiful! (PC: Dipti)

The sunrise doesn't care If we watch it or not. It will keep on being Beautiful, even if No one bothers to look at it! (PC: Dipti)

We concluded on our trip by soaking in the beauty of the sunset from the infinity pool at the Padma Resort on Legian beach. Legian beach is supposed to be the party area of Bali.

Padma Resort, Legian

Sunset at Legian Beach

Bali is a lovely place. Must visit. The people in Bali are nice too. It takes you close to the nature. It is artistic and rustic. I hope Bali stays like this and doesn't lose its charm as tourism grows in Bali!

The memorable trip to Bali made me realise: "It's all about finding the calm in the chaos"

Legian Beach

Life is only a reflection of what we allow ourselves to see...

Count not the cost of giving...

“Count not the cost of giving, give off yourself with a smile! The secret of all true living, is reaching out all the while...!”

This song (our school anthem) was playing inside my head. I was feeling happy and content. This feeling was way too different. It was one of its firsts.

We were at our sons’ threading ceremony. My husband had gifted one year educational sponsorship to 8 kids through Swa-Roopwardhinee NGO. We had just met those 8 kids, had a tete a tete with them and they felt like an extended family.

Indian traditions and rituals are sacred. There is a scientific base to everything, they say. With due respect to all the traditions, my atheist husband felt we should tweak some of the rituals to match to current day needs.

In olden times, the threading ceremony was done to mark a son leaving for his higher education at “gurkukul”. There is a ritual (matrubhojan) in which the mother of the son calls over 8 of his to-be classmates and serves them special lunch. The logic at that time was that it gives the mother some assurance to know the other disciples who will be studying with her son, as the son will be staying away from her for several years for education. Also it is the last time when the mother takes her son on her lap and feeds him food. Note - it was a time of no mode of communication! The world was probably driven by telepathy and rituals ensured spreading a feeling of positivity.
We felt - how is this even significant in today’s world?

We decided to tweak this. Threading ceremony is associated with knowledge, education and gaining wisdom. There are so many bright kids out there who deserve to go to school but cannot afford it due to economical reasons. It’s more important to help them than follow a ritual where we call 8 “batu” and have them sit for “matrubhojan” and pay the caterer for the event a few thousand bucks extra for wasted food which these “batus” don’t eat!

We would like to spread this message to all: We all spend loads of money on such functions. There are small ways where we could save a few bucks here and there, eg decorations, wastage of food. This money can be better used by someone who is in need of it. It will cost you nothing extra. Infact you would be blessed with a lot of good wishes! Such acts spread feelings of positivity which would ensure you the real happiness. And this indeed is a different kind of happiness which you all must experience.

To know more about how you can help make a difference, checkout the website: http://www.swaroopwardhinee.org or you can leave me a message.

But I wonder if only....

My day was not bad
And I'm not feeling sad
But I wonder if only
A little bit more if I had!

Nothing has gone wrong
Life is playing a perfect song
But I wonder if only
A little better if I could sing along!

Failure I've not been
They say my life is a perfect dream
But I wonder if only
A little more successful if I had been!

Happiness has filled my pot
I have all that I sought
But I wonder if only
A little more satisfaction if I had got!

Once Upon A Day

#OnceUponADay

Some days are happening. Some days are hectic. Some days are busy. And then there those days which leave you so tired to the core that you are up past mid night staring - not at the dark ceiling- but at the mobile screen doing worthless browsing.

The morning started with wondering how the day can be planned, as my elder son got up late and missed his school bus. When the older one misses school it takes enormous effort to convince the little one to go to school. I promised him to pick him early from the day care when I knew I will not be able to keep the promise. False promises needless to say are not a good thing to do.
#ParenthoodChallenges

We also realised it's time for pest control, we found a mouse in our dustbin! 😏
#PestFears

I left my older kid in the office all by himself but with other office employees for 2 hours and hoped that my remote management to have him picked up by my day father goes as planned, and it did without any hiccups. But that was very courageous and un-mother like to leave a kid behind and rush for that "important client meeting"
#MotherGuilt

The next few hours in office were super busy. But I wondered what I did apart from synching up with N number of people and their work while trying to balance my own office work.
#MultiTaskingAtItsBest

Post lunch was again filled with discussions and meetings making me feel like a zombie entrepreneur wondering how important coffee is in my life.
#WowIAmACEO

Evening was spent getting negative feedback from a client and trying my best not to lose the client, not to lose patience and most importantly not to lose hope.
#PersistanceIsTheKeyToSuccessfulVentures

Even more tough was to forward the feedback to the team knowing the team did good work. Well, the client was good too, the team was good and people are all good. And yet times can be bad!
#EmotionalAndPhilosophicalLoad

I was hoping to call it a day and jump into bed to get some good sleep but I realised I am a mother too. Mother of two energetic kids who wanted to enjoy Friday night and not get to bed. The morning guilt had slept and what I had turned into was a crazily shouting mother who was hoping for a magic wand to put the kids to bed!
#FrustratedMother

Well the story doesn't end here. It was by now that I realised I have developed eye infection. I happened to take a look at the mirror after 12 hours and I remembered my itching eye since noon. It looked red and infected.
Point also to be noted and highlighted, am a lady getting time to look at the mirror after 12 hours, so I should have to be super busy!
#BusyProofs
#SickDaysNoticeAhead

All medical shops are closed when I go out to buy medicine. It takes me a while to realise I am walking on FC road in my pajamas! Well there was a time when we used to dress up and go to watch "people" on FC road.
#TimesChange

Finally I get to lie on my bed but just like after a long travel you still feel the motion, I can still feel the pace of my heavy day today!