Bike trip to Tataguni Roerich Estate

Man & Bike: Samaresh Biswal & Bajaj CT 100

Total distance: 174 Km

No of days: 1

Expense: Priceless

Place Visited: Tataguni Roerich Estate

Camera: Nokia E 63

Album Link:https://picasaweb.google.com/samareshbiswal/TataguniRoerichEstate#

Route: Bangalore-kanakpura highway

Highway: NH 209

Riders ride, but its not always have to be on road. Sometimes, a riders heart can take pleasure form just a 10 minutes ride on a nice chilly ride with the red sun shining in the eastern horizon and sometimes, its just in the company of some historical moments that will lead to some kind of redemption to the daily tired soul.

I not only go out when my riders soul tell me to ride, but at times, even my empty stomach says, lets go for a ride and have something to enjoy (actually was too lazy to cook). I left home for Hotel Vasu, one of my favourite food joint on the kanakpura Road. But by the time I reached, except for the delicious smell, nothing else was having a place to rest and eat there. So I decided to parcel vangi bhath and decided to simply return. However, as I have interest on any past history with little colours in it, Tataguni Estate was one o such property with disputed history and landscape. I had a faint recollection of the painter (Svetoslav Roerich)and his beloved wife(Devika Rani). Though the property is sealed by the order of the Supreme Court, one can always rely on Karnataka Police’s honesty to get a preview for some bucks. Its huge and a beautiful estate. I decided to have my lunch beside a lake in the company of the cranes and nature’s silence. By the look of it, it has been very well maintained. I was interested in visiting the studio, but the govt seal was too strong to break. There is an oil extracting plant which is also shut down. But above all, one can always drink and bask upon the serene beautiful and pristine environment of the estate and help himself to get some redemption.

Samaresh @ Tataguni RoerichEstate

Samaresh @ Roerich Memorial

Samaresh @ Lake Roerich Estate

Samaresh @ Roerich Residence

Man & Bike: Samaresh Biswal & Bajaj CT 100

Total distance: 84 Km

No of days: 1

Expense: Priceless

Place Visited: Nrityagram

Camera: Nokia E 63 (Thank u Manohar Sir Jee)

Timings: Tuesday to Sunday from 10AM – 2PM

Album Link:http://picasaweb.google.com/samareshbiswal/Nrityagram#

Route: take the Bangalore-Pune highway (National Highway # 4; also known as Tumkur Road) At Dasarahalli (after you pass Yeshwantpur and Peenya), you will see the ECIE factory on the left.Across the road on the right, is a large black glass-covered building. Immediately after these, there is a right turn to Hessaraghatta. On the Hessaraghatta road, follow signs to Nrityagram it is 35 kms from Bangalore and 5 kms from Hessaraghatta.

By the time I wake up everybody of my tribe (bikenomads) had left the town for hogenakkal falls. So I started towards tumkur road for a short breakfast ride. What caught my eye was the sign board of nrityagram.Which is a dance gurukul (based on Guru-shishya parampara) for various Indian classical dances, consisting of seven gurukuls for the seven classical dance styles established by Protima Gauri. The route is split between quiet roads through fields of maize, passing cattle and mud houses & over gently rolling country roads. Saw odissi dance for 30 min was bowled over. As it was 2 pm & time for outsider to leave I went to taj kuteeram for a sumptuous buffet lunch. As the time came for me to leave this idyllic village of dance with the words of Protima Gauri echoing “I am just a dreamer. I come and I go.”

Samaresh on way to Nrityagram

Samaresh @ Nrityagram

Samaresh @ Odissi dance Nrityagram

Samaresh @ Temple Nrityagram

Man & Bike: Samaresh Biswal & Bajaj CT 100

Total distance: 2359 Km

No of days: 4

Expense: Rs 2577 (Petrol Rs 1860, Food Rs247,Misc Rs470)

Place Visited: Shirdi & shani shingnapur

Album Link: http://picasaweb.google.com/samareshbiswal/JourneyMemories#

Route: Bangalore-tumkur- chitradurga  - davangere – hubli – dharwad – kolhapur – satara – pune – ahmednagar – shingnapur – shirdi

Seasons & seasons, I have embraced the road as my home & have flocked all the scenes it has endeared me upon – mountains, rivers lakes, & rains. But the adventurous soul needed some more but this time with peace. Mind boggled upon various possible ventures, but none could tingle my adventurous bone except one, Bengaluroo-Shirdi-Bengaluroo trip. Whole 2359 Kms of adventure between the hills & mountains of mahabaleswar, the blooming Mustard field of devanagere and the scenic forts & mountains of Pune. The ride would surely be pleasurable, peaceful & adventurous enough. I set my sights, bag & bike to reach Sai Baba & seek his divine blessings.

Samaresh @ maharashtra border

Stardate: [-28] 03485.00: after too many hectic days at office, I applied for a 10 day leave. I had made my preparations to leave for my hometown to see my parents & just chill down eating the desi foods. But somehow the night before I was to leave for Odisha, heart craved for something peaceful. I had this desire for a long period to have a trip to Shirdi Sai where people flock like ants. The next morning, instead of the iron wheels, I opted for the rubber ones & once again the smell of the burning rubber filled my aesthetic. I took the name of Sai baba, left the city early to feel the fresh air & avoid traffic. The road was not pleasant from Devanagare to Dharwad, but a roadie like me doesn’t care the turf. Besides, the yellow blooming flowers of mustard made the vision more than pleasant. The song of Tujhe Dekha To Yeh Jaana Sanam played through my mind, somewhere, I missed her. But road beckoned me more than anything else. With perfect sunshine & perfect wind, I blazed through the road without much hesitation. Had a late breakfast at Dharwad & then the tyres burned again. Panaji was only 165 Kms away from Dharwad, but Sai baba’s call was much stronger than the beaches. So I said to myself, “May BE later”. I drove til afternoon, to refuel myself. Found a Punjabi dhaba in Belgaum to get some much needed energy. Ordered Roti, dal & egg burji. But WTF, Dal was red, & curry leaves in burji. After an awful meal, I moved along & reached Kolhapur by dusk. Found a neat place to sleep jst few kms from Satara. 707 Kms on Day 1. Not Bad at all for a nimble soul like Bajaj CT-100.

Samaresh @ Katraj Tunnel

Stardate: [-28] 03490.00: Wake up early started the ride @ 5.30 am. A typical Maharastrian welcome of rain was bestowed, but a wild soul like mine was not bothered about what came down. Drenched in rain, I continued to explore the road. All along the road, I can see sugar canes & sugar canes & sugar canes. Reached the outskirts of pune late morning & gave a call to Lutu, who moved to Navi Mumbai recently. But time was not enough to meet him. So just gave him a call & carried his wishes wth me. Before entering the city of pune, I passed through a tunnel, which was surprisingly first tunnel of my life. As soon I came out of it, the waterfall at the side & the sceninc beauty of pune took my heart out. Awesome! Reached pune city & the traffic was chaotic people were ride as if they were the only 1 on the road. No road sense at all. Asked the auto driver on my way 2 ahmednagar. Then called up ace photographer Harshad Sharma that I am in town. So lets catch up. Met him at the desired Rendezou point & we went for a short ride. We reached the cafe & started discussing photography & bike trips. He gave me a crash course on better photography & a lot of my basics were cleared. Bid him goodbye & went on my way 2 shani shinghnapur. Since it was Saturday, it was too crowded. The road condition was horrible, & i could have started a fish farming in the water filled craters there. Offered my puja & went 4 a village sightseeing. I was a bit surprised to see that there was no doors in the houses. They believed that Sahni Dev will protect their houses form any kind of mishaps. I carried on with my journey & then reached Shirdi late in the evening & got the accommodation in Sai Prasad. Had a quick diner and went on for a nice & cozy sleep in the serenity of Sai Baba’s blessings.

Harshad & Samaresh (Bike nomads)

Samaresh @ shani shingnapur

Stardate: [-28] 03495.00: Woke up at 2.30 & refreshed myself. By 3.30am I was in queue for the early morning aarti. As I entered the inner sanctum of the temple I was spell bound by the beauty of the place offered my prayers 2 baba & collected th udi. By 6.30 am, I was on my way back 2 pune. Called up ravi who was my batch mate in IHM to inform him about my visit. He insisted to stay on & I obliged. Met him after a long period & I got an opportunity to know the maharashtrian people much more closer. Had an awesome lunch at their home & then we moved for some sightseeing and fun in the evening. Took proper rest & gorged upon some more Maharashtrian Cuisine as dinner.

Samaresh @ Shirdi

Samaresh & Ravi (IHM Buddies)

Stardate: [-28] 03500.00: Had an authentic maharastrian breakfast (poha) and then bid farewell 2 all. Left the city early, but was lost in the twists & turns of the city. After some crucial help from the auto drivers, I was able 2 find my way out. The climate seemed just about perfect with the sun shining between the creeks of the clouds & the sweet wind just about blowing as pleasant as ever. The return trip seemed getting passed by as early as possible. As the trip ended, the bond between an old biker & his old machine has became more stronger & stronger. With a promise that I will conquer the roads till the last breath, I lie down to wear off my tiredness, late at 4 AM.

Man & Machine:

1. Samaresh Biswal & Bajaj CT 100,

2. Udhaya Kumar V & Royal Enfield Thunderbird

Total distance: 49 Km

Tower Location :

1. Near Mekhri circle
2. Near Kempambudhi lake
3. Inside Lalbagh park
4. Near Ulsoor lake

Album link: http://picasaweb.google.co.in/samareshbiswal/Tower#

Stardate: [-28] 03355.00

Camera: Sony cyber shot 10MP

All the time I have been exploring many cities & landscapes, but not the city closest to my heart, Namma Bengalooru. And I knew just about the perfect guy to help me find something new in the city. I buzzed up Udhaya, who has been my internet buddy for more than a year. But this was the first time I was gonna meet him f2f. I called him up to reach Mekhri circle a s a p. As soon we met, highways & roads are the only things we could talk & talk & talk. Till we realized it was quite some time, I asked him if there is anything new we can explore. He said the usual Lalbagh & others. But it stroked my mind about this story about Kempegowda II of Magadi. As pr legends, he set out four bulls in four different directions & the places they reach until evening will mark the territory of the city. The four stops were marked by four towers & is known as the Kempegowda Towers. The trip started right where we were standing,. Mekhri circle, we clicked up some nice snaps of the place & then set out in the search of the other three. After burning our tyres for some more time, we reached Kempambudhi Lake, where the second of the tower was located. Again few snaps & the hunt continues. In the mean time, we shared our innumerable experiences on the road & our romance with highways. We reached Lalbagh, but this time not for the blossoms but for the historic tower. Never realized about the tower before, but it was somewhat really nice. We decided to have a meal, & Kamat made it even better. Highways, landscapes, experiences are all we could talk about. Finally took some rest & then left for the final tower. Though it was inaccessible (cause it was inside a defense premises), we were still overwhelmed for our little but sweet success. We bid our adieu at the Vidhana Soudha, & couldn’t stop marveling about its grandeur. We paid our heartfelt respect for the great visionary who set up this beautiful city. We bid goodbye each other & wished to get to a trip soon, together. In the end, I could only think of the lines form Motorcycle Diaries “on the journey of journeys solitude find solidarity I turned into We”.

Samaresh & Udhaya (Biker buddies)

Samaresh & Udhaya @Mekhri circle

Samaresh & Udhaya @ Kempambudhi lake

Samaresh & Udhaya @ Lalbagh

Samaresh & Udhaya @ Ulsoor lake

Samaresh & Udhaya @ vidhana soudha

Man & Machine: Samaresh Biswal & Bajaj CT 100

Total distance: 89 Km

Church visited:

1. Wesley English Church (Promenade Road, 1888)
2. St Francis Xavier Cathedral (St John road 1932)
3. St John’s Church, St John Road,1853
4. St Mary’s Basilica, Shivajinagar,1803
5. St. Andrews (Cubbon Road, 1867)
6. St. Mark’s Basilica (M.G. Road, 1808)
7. St Patricks Church Residency Road 1841
8. East Parade Church (Dickenson Road, 1862)
9. Holy Trinity Church MG road 1848
10. Memorial Church Whitefield 1886
11. Sacred Heart Church, Ashok Nagar,1867

12.  All Saints Church, Richmond Road,1869

13.  St. Luke’s Church(Fort, 1830)

14.  St. Joseph’s Church(Briand Square, 1857)

15.   Hudson Memorial Church (1904).

Album link: http://picasaweb.google.co.in/samareshbiswal/Church#

Stardate: [-28] 03350.00

Camera: Sony cyber shot 10MP

On my quest of knowing a little more about the place that I call home I went in search of old historical Church which are part of this bustling settlement .As it  is home to a number of historic and extremely impressive cathedrals, basilicas, chapels and churches, which are important architectural symbols and landmarks of the city& these churches belong to diverse Christian communities, such as the Roman Catholic Church, the ancient Syrian Church , the Mar Thomas Church, Protestants from the Church of South India (which includes Anglicans, Lutherans etc…I visited 15 of the old churches .

Wesley English Church (Promenade Road, 1888)

St Francis Xavier Cathedral (St John road 1932)

St John’s Church, St John Road,1853

St Mary's Basilica, Shivajinagar,1803

St. Andrews (Cubbon Road, 1867)

St. Mark's Basilica (M.G. Road, 1808)

St Patricks Church Residency Road 1841

East Parade Church (Dickenson Road, 1862)

Holy Trinity Church MG road 1848

Memorial Church Whitefield 1886

Sacred Heart Church, Ashok Nagar,1867

All Saints Church, Richmond Road,1869

St. Luke's (Fort, 1830)

St. Joseph's (Briand Square, 1857)

Hudson Memorial Church (1904).

Bike Trip to Dargah Hazarath Tawakkal Mastan

Man & Machine: Samaresh Biswal & Bajaj CT 100

Total distance: 15 Km

Places visited: Dargah Hazarath Tawakkal Mastan

Album link:http://picasaweb.google.co.in/samareshbiswal/Dargah#

youtube:http://www.youtube.com/samareshbiswal#p/a/u/1/XkWUpq-gVHg

Stardate: [-28] 03290.00

Feeling bore at home I went to discover sufi influence in Bangalore .So I went to see the Dargah of Hazarath Tawakkal Mastan, which is situated in bustling area of cottonpet .As the story goes that when Hyder Ali Khan ascended the throne, he wanted to replace the mud walls of the Kalasipalyam fort with stone walls. Three men — Hazrath Tipu Mastan, Hazarath Manik Mastan and Hazrath Tawakkal Mastan — came to Bangalore and joined the work force. They were laborers by day and spent the night in prayer without accepting any wages. A puzzled Hyder wanted to get to the bottom of it. Investigations revealed that the trio went to a mosque in Kumbarpet after work and slept there. When an official went to the mosque to look for them, he saw no one there, only three parts of a human body, with two dogs standing guard. Hyder realised that the three were no ordinary men, but saints. Haider Ali initiated work on the dargah in 1777, which was completed in 1783 by Tipu Sultan. The shrine is dedicated to Sufi Saint Hazrat Tawakkal Mastan Baba.As I entered the shrine the atmosphere inside  is mesmerizing with the devotees singing for their lord and the burning of incense and the smell of the roses being offered.With the words of rumi echoing in my ear Excuse my wandering.How can one be orderly with this? It’s like counting leaves in a garden …

Dargah Hazarath Tawakkal Mastan

Samaresh @ Dargah Hazarath Tawakkal Mastan

Man & Machine: Samaresh Biwal & Bajaj CT 100

Total distance: 907 Km

Expense: Rs 1449 (petrol Rs 800, dormitory Rs 270, food Rs 379)

No of days: 3

Places visited: Edakkal caves, Banasura Sagar dam, Chembra peak, Soochipara waterfalls, Kuruva Island.

Highway: SH 17 – NH 212

Album link: http://picasaweb.google.com/samareshbiswal/Wayanad#

Route: Bangalore – Mysore – Nanjangudu – Begur – Gundlupet – Maddur –     Sultan Bathery – Kalpetta – Mananthavady

Stardate: [-28] 02895.00: The wild soul in me made me to pack my backpack & I went on a solo trip to explore the land of paddy (Wayanad). I left my home at dawn & hit the Mysore express way. The bike zoomed at 90 Ks & the wind was whisking my ears. I took a bypass road at Srirangapatnam town in order to avoid the city traffic. As soon as I crossed gundelpet, the thick forest of Western Ghats took over the roadside & the feeling of Late Veerappan invoked into my mind. I crossed the Karnataka border check post and the real pleasure of riding was felt amongst the bandipur forest reserve. My eyes searched for any wild life, but alas! I crossed in to Kerala border & soon I learned that always give way to KSRTC bus as the oxymoron bus driver won’t bother giving you a kick if u won’t give them pass. But riding in the Ghats was real pleasure for a city rider like me. Had a late breakfast in sultan bathery & went on to see the edakal caves which is situated 14 km from the town. In order to reach to the top of caves I had to walk some fair distance & the sign of aging was surely coming off as I was gasping for air. Thus sat there for few min to catch my breath & then went on to explore the caves. It’s basically 3 boulders stacked on top of each other. Inside, one can find the caves carved with a lot of pictograms. Had a rollercoaster ride while coming down on a hired jeep.  Refueled myself & went to see banasura sagara dam in the evening which is a small hydel project. With the sun setting down in the backdrop, I went on a high speed boat cruise while sipping on to chilled beer which was an awesome experience. Dead tired from the whole day’s excursion, I found myself a clean dormitory, freshened up & went for an early scrumptious meal of Kerala paratha , spicy beef curry & meen fry. At the end of the day, one cannot complain about nice road, nicer weather & even nicer food. What more can I wish for!!

Samaresh @ Bandipur

Samaresh @ Edakkal cave

Samaresh @ banasura Dam

Stardate: [-28] 02900.00: Woke up early & went for a jog in a tea estate. I was overwhelmed by the chilled freshness of the air which I had been missing for a long time. Had an authentic Kerala breakfast of appam & coffee. Decided to see the chembra peak and I rode my bike to the base of the peak. It’s a 2 hr trek to the highest peak in western ghat but mid way my aging body gave up. Even though my mighty heart made me go for few metres more, but surely body took over my heart & I backed up. To make me feel good, I chatted up with the plantation workers and left the place for soochipara waterfall. Once again I had to do bit of trekking but it was worth the effort. Spent quite a bit of the afternoon under the water playing with the cool & reverting back to my childhood days. After the child in me said enough, I left for Kurava Island. It’s a small island next to Kabini River but crossing through the river to reach the island was a thrilling experience, rather fearful to be honest. I had my authentic Kerala lunch in a small hut hotel and it was one of my best lunches I had on the highway. I thanked the lady for preparing such yummy foods. Rode leisurely in the spiraling ghat roads and by the time I realized, I was already in thealassery. Asked the local about the route to reach kalpetta .Reached the dorm & went to have my early diner of Kerala paratha, meen curry & beef kabab. God’s own country satisfied a diehard biker in me.

Samaresh @ Chembra peak

Samaresh @ Soochipara waterfalls

Samaresh @ Kuruva Island

Stardate: [-28] 02905.00: woke up early and went for a brisk walk in the valley. I had some putttu & coffee as breakfast. As the time came to leave this beautiful serene place I felt a bit nostalgic. But as a biker thousands of towns will beckon & thousands of miles will say me goodbye, but the ride must go on. I reached my home early evening .with the words of Richard Bach echoing in my ear “In the miles & sand& years, we have learned only a little about ourselves ………., we find our answer to the question of the journey. Four words. It was worth it.”

Lastly thanks to my biker friends who provided all the necessary trip info.

1. Aditya D Sondur

2. Samba Sengupta

3. Udhaya Kumar V

Backpacker: Samaresh Biswal

Trip Stats:

Total distance: 260 Km

Total Expense: 100 bus fare

No of days: 1

Highway: NH 48

States: Karnataka

Route: Mangalore – Sakleshpur

Album link: http://picasaweb.google.co.in/samareshbiswal/ManjarabadFort#

It’s been such a long time I haven’t been on a backpacking ride, so decided to check out the beautiful manjarabad fort situated in the small coffee estate town of shakelespur. Though I have crossed the town many times but never had a stopover. So packed my back & catch the Govt bus. I told the conductor to drop me near the fort. As I reached I asked the tea vendor the route towards the fort, he instructed me the path. As soon I reached the top of the fort it’s a WOW feeling it’s the most beautiful fort built by Tipu sultan. This fort is constructed 1792 AD .The fort being always covered by mist & commanding views of the landscape was named manjarabad by Tipu .On the return journey I had taken a lift on an overloaded iron ore truck, it was the thrilling roller coaster ride of my life.

Manjarabad Fort

Manjarabad fort

Manjarabad fort

Backpacker: Samaresh Biswal

Trip Stats:

Total distance: 140 Km

Total Expense: 70 bus fare 30 snack

No of days: 1

Highway: NH 17

States: Karnataka, Kerala

Route: Mangalore – Kasargod – Bekal fort

Album link: http://picasaweb.google.co.in/samareshbiswal/BekalFort#

I just packed my back & went to the bus stop for a quick sightseeing place & the conductor was shouting Kasargod, so I just boarded the bus & went to see the Bekal Fort which was made famous by the bollywood song “Tu Hi Re” from the Mani Ratnam movie “Bombay”. About the fort is over 300 years old .The largest & the best preserved fort in Kerala. It stands on a hillock jutting into the Arabian Sea & provides breath taking view .Built by Shivappa Naika of Ikkeri dynasty .In 1763 the Mysore ruler Hyderali captured it.

Bekal Fort

Bekal fort

Bekal Beach

Man & Machine: Samaresh Biswal & Bajaj CT 100

Trip Stats:

Total distance: 531 Km

Total Expense: Rs 450 (petrol) & 60 (food)

No of days: 1

Stardate: [-28] 02535.00

Highway: NH 7, NH 46, SH 9, SH 59

States: Tamil Nadu

Route: Bangalore – Hosur – Krishnagiri – Vellore

Album link: http://picasaweb.google.co.in/samareshbiswal/Vellore#

As soon as the alarm clock buzzed, I got ready & @ 4.10 AM I left home. On my way towards Vellore & was surprised the electronic city flyover is complete & I was zipping @ 80 Km .On reaching the border  I got the real feeling of riding in the highway & for the 1^st time I touched 85Km  in my bike on NH 46. This stretch of road I think is one of the most beautiful with flowers in full bloom. Refuel myself at krishnagiri BPCL dhaba. Reached Vellore early morning & asked for the direction towards fort. As I reached I was captivated by the perfect specimen of military architecture. The fort is well maintained & inside there is a temple, church & mosque. 1^st I went 2 c the Jalakantesvara temple the architecture is of vijayanaga style build around 1566 & awestruck by the intricate work done on the stone pillars .Then I went 2 see the ST john church built around 1846 AD ,from there I asked   the way towards cemetery . As I prayed for the departed soul who were killed while gallantly defending the garrison .With tears rolling in my eyes with the random question coming in my mind which side of the coin am I, should I be happy that we are independent now or should be sad for the soldiers who died with the belief of protecting, the turf of his majestic Queen Victoria the Empress of India .I called up Mahesh that I am in town &  he told  me to come directly to campus ,as soon I reached I was mesmerized by the sprawling campus of VIT .He showed me around the whole campus & also went to see preparation that was going on for  the college fest Riviera the students were  performing as like professional dancer . Had my scrumptious lunch at the cafeteria & Mahesh gifted me a VIT college fest T-shirt, I left the campus late afternoon for my way back to home .With the memories of meeting an old friend & praying for the fallen comrade. In short a day well spent.

vellore fort

vellore fort

Jalakantesvara temple

@ Jalakantesvara temple

St John's Church

Soldier Tombstone

Soldier Tombstone

Prof Mahesh & Samaresh