Antaragange Trip - 4. Trekking it the second time

Around 1:15pm, we started our climb by steps to the Shiva temple… we noticed another path which might have been the one taken by Neeru’s friend!!… someone started to count the steps… first few counts were met with chorus sounds… and then it was laughed off… I had read in net the day before that there were around 300-400 steps… only to find that it would be have near about 100-150!! :P… there were lot of monkeys on the way.. and we took of safety of not taking any snaps till we reached the temple… the temple looked like carved from rocks…. There was a small pool with virtually no water.. there seemed to be a built shower over the pool where ppl were taking bath… it might have been the one referred in the net saying that the source of shower is unknown! Spiritually believed to be coming from ganges… which is why the place might have got its name… Antara-gange (ganges in the deep)…

Mohan wanted a decision again!!.. we were feeling a bit tired.. and he wanted to reach Bangalore b4 sunset… we decided to climb until 3pm and then to come back… that way we could start by 4:30pm on way back home… after the temple.. there were steps carved out of rocks… which were quite easy to climb.. especially in light of our trekking experience of morning :P…. we climbed for a while.. the steps guiding us…

( On our way up )

( A wonderful view from the hills )

After the steps vanished.. we found large rocks on either side of path… it was like easier version of morning’s trek trip!! We were grateful to Neeru now :P… we would have missed all the fun had we not taken that path in morning… shortly, we started climbing huge rocks.. taking snaps,, and taking rest frequently… water supply was also depleting rapidly… from this hill, we had a better and wider look at the other hills.. and the beautiful valley below.. we could even see the road by which we came… we took snaps of them.. and like the cactus in morning, this time we took snaps around a flowery plant…

( rare flowers!! atleast in these parts :P )

We kept climbing not sure of where to stop and return back.. we saw another cave and decided to explore it on our way back just like it happened in the morning… after many breaks, we reached a flat ground.. we promptly found a shady place near trees and sat on the rocks to rest… we decided to have a prolonged rest there…and return back… we could see a small hill in front.. me and thiru decided to climb.. it was tricky and difficult… I found the climb adventurous and led the way… shortly after, Isli joined us.. and we climbed pretty difficult rocks… now and then we would stop, shout to the others to take snaps of us.. we had fascinating urge to climb further and further.. it made us climb pretty difficult ones and feel happy about it…

( Me, Thiru and Nitin on top of the small hill )

after we could climb no further, we took another path to come down… after the hill ended, there was agricultural land.. we walked on the very sides to prevent damage to newly growing plants and re-joined the others… while we were away, they had fun swinging on a tree’s branch!! There were big rocks under the tree which they used to climb onto the tree itself!! Thiru enthusiastically joined them too!!.. I too tried, but no space left :P… so started taking their snaps :D…

( resting on rocks!! )

We all rested then on the rocks.. some of them lying down flat on the rocks… shortly, discussions started on different topics.. it went on for a while.. and then it was time to go back…

( time to leave :(.. )

I took few parting snaps of the landscape and of us leaving the place.. As decided earlier, we went to the cave on our way back… this one was lot trickier than the one in morning.. some of them ducked under the rocks, while some climbed onto steep rocks to enter it… Thiru was giving live commentary on phone!! :D.. the rock on top of cave was very large and inviting for a climb.. but it seemed very dangerous to climb.. dunno what came to mind, I decided to have a go at it..ignoring good advices of not to climb… I just leaped onto it and climbed with the momentum of the jump.. it was definitely dangerous, had I slipped I would have got heavy bruises.. I stayed for a while and came back.. climbing down was very slippery and once again I jumped down with momentum to reach safely… then I went in to join the fun of watching Mohan taking baby steps (to quote Aish :P) to climb :D.. we took video of it and it is a must watch!!! :D…

( Inside the cave again! :).. see carefully what Thiru is doing :P )

After the cave exploration :P, I again decided to take a different route (buoyed by my morning’s success and feeling of thrill :P).. others kept calling me.. and I kept replying.. when I was nearing them, I came across huge rocks blocked by thorny plants.. I yelled to say that I couldn’t cross it.. they asked to follow the path back and come… that would have very tough and time consuming… so, I just had a go at climbing the rocks.. which actually proved to be not difficult :P… then my legs started to tremble and shake while going down the path.. perhaps I got scared a bit.. or may be my legs were tired… and then came Neeru’s moment of madness :P.. she just ran down the slippery-rocky path!! Thankfully thiru didn’t get knocked off and Nikhil was below to hold her!!.. phew… she gave us the creeps :P… I wanted to rest.. but others were thirsty and wanted to reach as soon as possible.. dunno how I managed, but I was feeling very difficult to climb down as my legs were shaky… there was still a bottle left in my bag which no one had checked!! Thiru was still talking on phone!! :D… me, thiru, mohan and neeru shared the water.. others had gone ahead and were having cup of tea from the lonely shop in front of the steps… we too ordered and lo!! It was tasty and refreshing after the tiring climb…

Shortly afterwards, we were on our way back to Bangalore… we stopped to get water bottles… all were hungry.. so we decided to stop at CCD near a petrol bank we had seen on our way in the morning… all of us washed our faces after giving the orders… we ate leisurely as there was enough day-time left :P....

On the way back, me and thiru pointed out different shops and colored houses we had seen in the morning.. thiru took some photos on the move to capture the hair-styles with wind blowing on our faces :D… then mohan and prakhar couldn’t resist driving fast :P.. it was my first time on a bike with someone driving at 80+kmph.. it was a bit scary to me :P… prakhar and rakesh went directly to their homes.. rest of us assembled at mohan’s home.. had a chat about the trip with his friends there.. Aish, Neeru, thiru, ravi, Nikhil and me then took the bus to indiranagar.. we scanned through the photos to see how good they had come out…. It started drizzling and by the time we got down it was getting heavier.. me and thiru said goodbye to others and were on our way to room… I had brought the umbrella while thiru decided to enjoy the rain!.. we had hot bath and slept early… thus ended one of the most memorable day in my life!!