A "night-out" at the Sholay hills, Ramnagaram!

There are many-a-places around Bangalore which nature-lovers and history-enthusiasts like me would love to visit on a free day at hand. In this post i bring to you my experiences from one such place, Ramnagaram aka the Sholay Hills.

Probably the spot from where Gabbar kept an eye on Ramgadh 

Ramnagaram is known to most people as the Ramgadh of the evergreen blockbuster of Hindi Cinema, Sholay! Yes, this is the place where Basanthi was wooed by Viru, where Jay stole glimpses of the widowed Radha, where Gabbar Singh screeched “Arey o Samba! Kitne aadmi the!”Although at a distance of just 50 kms from the city, the villages around these hills are sparsely populated and hold good their rural feel and splendour unlike most places around Bangalore. The barren, rocky hills of Ramnagaram still seem to echo of Gabbar Singh’s grunts and screeches.

Our outing was an overnight one complete with tents and a camp-fire. With torch lights by our side and muddy sleeping bags to keep us warm, we lay down in our tents. Camping overnight in the fields, under the stars, for me, was a never-before experience. The only thing visible in the dark was the faint light of a far-away lantern probably hung outside a villager's home. Away from the hustle of the city, in the eerie-silence of the fields, it was a dreamy night under the tent, like a page out of Enid Blyton’s mystery plot in the moon-lit English moorlands. Well now, this was an experience straight out of my travel-wishlist!

Sri Ramanjaneya carved on a rock

In the morning we trekked up the highest of the hills, past the Ramagiri temple from which the town gets its name. Quite a tortuous path it was for a non-trekker like me, with narrow steps carved out of rock as we neared the peak. The sprawling view from the top though, like from most hill-tops, was one worth the trek. All around were rocky hills and boulders, dotted with green shrubs, quite a treat to the eyes!

Back from the trek, at our camping site we had some nice, steaming hot South-Indian style idli-vada breakfast waiting for us. We ended the outing with some Rock climbing and Rappelling activities. It was a wonderful trip, the best part of it being the night-stay in the tent and waking up to a foggy morning in the fields. Looking to have more such trips in the lap of nature! Looking to share more such travel-experiences that did strike a chord with my otherwise not-so-easily-excited-heart!

TRAVEL TRIVIA:

Tidbit! Ramnagaram is home to Asia's second largest (silk)cocoon market 

Best Time to Travel: Round the year
Location: Bangalore-Mysore (Karnataka) State Highway 17; 

• Distance from Bangalore - 49 kms  (approx. 1 hr by road)
• Distance from Mysore - 94 kms (approx. 2 hrs by road)

Amche Gao... G O A

GOA!! For many the party paradise, for some the place to find peace along the Sea. Surprisingly, i, have always had a different picture of Goa in my mind. Away from the partying zone, the other face of Goa is what excites and interests me. Nestled in the hills, are those ancient temples and churches, in the land of the friendly Konkani-speaking farmers and fishermen. And this picture always brings an amazing sense of tranquillity to my mind!

Ancient temples of rural Goa are in themselves a theme for the travel bugs

So are the Portuguese-era churches!

i’ve travelled to Goa quite a few times, essentially to visit the temple of the family deity that lies there. But all these visits were usually pertained to the temples and a short visit to one of the beaches around Panaji. Of late, during such trips i would long to get down from the vehicle and walk around the towns that we left behind, to explore the beautiful old houses and the rustic lifestyle of the local people.

So last summer we went exploring these parts of Goa on a rented bike. And a fun experience it was to say the least.

i had to tediously research the web to find out more places to visit in Goa, i.e. beyond the packed beaches. In the pursuit of something more serene, something off the beaten track, i came across a note about a village called the Chorao Island (natively, Chodan Island). i liked the description of the village along with the fact that there was a huge lake in there. Also, what caught my excitement was the ‘Island’ part of it.

From the mainland we took a ferry down the river from Ribandar (which comes from the two Konkani words, Rai – King and Bandar –Port; the port is said to have been built by an unnamed King centuries ago). A surprising fact about this ferry is that they don’t charge you; the service is free for the people, by the local government. Also, people can, not just transport themselves, but also their two- and four- wheelers to and fro from the Island village thanks to the ferry service. So we did not have to depend on any other form of local transport to explore this village.

Ribandar, the beautiful, unexplored countryside of Goa

Ferry to the Chorao Island (seen in the backdrop)

Goan house on the Chorao Island

The ride around the island village was a fun experience. We spent some time at the scenic Mayem Lake here. Back in the mainland we explored some local churches in Old Goa. A quiet, laid-back, breezy evening along the Mandovi River at Ribandar seemed to us the best way to end the eventful day. With the sun setting in the far west, as we rode back on our bike, my thoughts wandered to the Goa of the Portuguese era. How would life be in those beautiful archaic bungalows, with the arched entrances, mosaic floors and solid pillars! It all seems like an out-of-the-world dream!

The ride through the rustic towns, getting our roads right from those blushing village ladies across the road, hogging "bhaji-paav" with extra paav in the local eateries; these experiences were some of those many things that made it a truly unforgettable goan road-trip.

I would say, in the lines of Amitabh Bachchan, "Aayei, kuch din toh guzariye Goa ke in gaon mein! Breathe in a bit of rustic Goa!" Beauty for the eyes, and hospitality for the senses, someone aptly called it, The Rome of the East!


TRAVEL TRIVIA:

Best Time to Travel: Mid-September to Mid-March (Dec, Jan get crowded due to Christmas, New-Year celebrations; Summer months - hot and humid)
Location: South-western coast of India; 

• Distance from Bangalore - 578 kms  (approx. 10.30 hrs by road)
• Distance from Mumbai - 584 kms  (approx. 10.30 hrs by road)
• Distance from Mangalore - 357 kms  (approx. 5.30 hrs by road)
• Distance from Pune - 440 kms (approx. 8 hrs by road)

Suggested Mode of Transport(within the state): Rent a 2-wheeler/ 4-wheeler(with or without driver)