Bannerghatta (Thottikal) Falls!

Last week a bunch of us decided to bunk the boring classes and go for a short trip. We were all itching to get out of the dreary confines of college, class, assignments, the freaking traffic of Bangalore city, for atleast a day. Each and every one of us were thinking about how kick-ass the last 3 day trip to the serene and beautiful Madikeri was a couple of months back. So we all planned to go to Bannerghatta Falls. Its not the sanctuary, that's totally different. This was just a small water fall and not exactly a major tourist attraction. Of course, we didn't actually know how small the fall really was! So it was still a mystery to us. 

My Friends!!

Since nobody knew the route, we took the trusty bmtc bus at 8.30 in the morning. The sky was clouded and the weather was quite chilly. My kind of climate, loving it! After 90 minutes of insane laughter and general drowsiness because of the weather, we alighted the bus and made our way up a small mountain which had a couple of temples.

None of us went INSIDE the temples! (If there are no elders around, tell me who would really want to go inside the temples!!) It was a good thing the temperature was so pleasant. We ended up trekking for more than 12 kms through rocky terrain and wilderness which had a couple of temples inside!! We were surprised seeing the hordes of people on a weekday in the morning! Then we asked around and they said it was 'Amavasya', so naturally all the god fearing folks had come out in strong numbers to get blessed by their deity! Our final destination was actually still a long way to go. We spent some time at one temple and then carried onwards on our quest for the mythical falls. We saw some cows and deers grazing at a long distance away. That was our only contact with animals much larger than a centipede after that. 

Stone formations like these were all around the place, albeit in lesser magnitude

Finally, by 12 noon, we had reached the entry point of the falls. There are many entry points, but we didn't know about the rest of them. We were conned out of some of our money by a woman claiming to be the sentry for the falls, while no such thing was legally put up by the government there. The climb to the top of the falls can be treacherous for older people as there are no natural footholds which are safe and the ground would be slippery because of recent rains. We made our way slowly upwards as there was no way we would turn back after coming all this way.

I have to admit, I am scared of water as I don't know how to swim. Even streams which come up to my midriff scare the crap out of me. I didn't even get within 10 feet of the water fall, Abbey in Madikeri!! But still I love the experience I get to enjoy with all my friends. Though the falls wasn't exactly majestic or grand, we had fun and made very fond memories and that's the important thing.

If u study in VTU, you start to worry in all kinds of places in all situations!!

For those who don't know, this is me (well, I was dripping before)!!

My friends pulled me inside this and I got all wet and I nearly got my head banged against the rocks if not for some quick thinking by my friend, Jitendra! Some guy from another group threw a bottle which shattered against the rocks and we were all scared to move around with shards jutting out at dangerous angles. Damn him! We went back up and demanded an explanation and he said it slipped and he was very apologetic. Anyway, in hindsight, it was only a minor inconvenience and we just got back to enjoying ourselves. We came back to KBS by 5.30 PM joyful, tired and already planning our next escapade!!

PS: Had a great weekend with all the festivals! Hope all of you also enjoyed the festivals :)

PPS: Click to see more pics from this trip

PPPS: I  know you'll all kill me for posting so many ps', still here I go :P


V RuLe d WoRlD-(MECH)
V CrEaTe MaGiC-(CSE)
V r d PoWeRs-(EEE)
V made d WoRlD SmAlLeR-(ECE)
V BuIlD d NaTiOn-(CE)
V r d world
V r Engineers
Wish u a Happy"ENGINEERS DAY" on account of Sir. M. Vishveshwaraya's 150th B'day..
(Most amazing person to have ever been born..!

And he's from my state.. Yay)