Hyderabad was our destination, but the news of heavy rain confused us. It was not good time to set out the journey to the city of Nizams. After a long search and consultation with friends we selected Jog falls as the destination for our holiday trip.
Jog fall was a new name for me, a man who has not visited much tourist places. When his friends were planning one day trips on weekends, he never participated in it, even though most of it was of Rs 0/-, sponsored by Indian railways. He seldom went for batch tours, as some thoughts of home where there was struggle for survival pulled him back from unnecessary expenditures. It may be surprising that he had passed through Kolkata many times. But he never visited Victoria Memorial, Kolkata Museum or any renowned tourist places, except having boat ride in Hooghly river under the Howrah bridge. Then it is not surprising to be unaware of Jog falls.
Jog falls was one night away from Punganur, where I has been working for last four years. The route was via Bangalore. We decided to visit some spots there also. By the night all arrangements were done. On the next day morning we went to Punganur bus stand. We were three, Me, my better half Sumi and our little Ninu. We sat on a bus to Mulbagal.
Mulbagal is on the way to Bangalore from Punganur, where buses heading toward Bangalore will be available anytime. On the way to Mulbagal, conductor of the bus returned me balance for 500 rupees note. Seeing this, my daughter said: ‘Oh Abba! This is the way you get many rupees, hmm’. She was delighted for she has found out a great secret! She used to repeat this whenever matter of money was coming in.
There in Mulbagal we had our breakfast on proper time with delicious Pongal and Masaladosha. After having breakfast we waited for bus. There were many private buses to Bangalore, but we preferred RTC as it give a comfort journey. A RTC came to the bus stop, It was to Tinfactory, a junction in Bangalore where buses to outer circles are available. Traffic jam of Bangalore city is known for its regularity. To travel by Metro is the best way to reach any destination. We sat on the bus to Tinfactory, always it is comfortable to sit in KSRTC. After two and half hours of journey we reached there, and took another bus to Museum Junction. We spent about two hours in Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum.
It was time for prayer (namaz) we searched for a nearby Masjid, one location was found in Google map. It was in front of a mall. We thought it may be location of any prayer room in the mall. As we enquired with a autorickshaw driver, he said that the masjid is in a nearby building with full facilities. It was a great news, and we prayed in that Masjid. Thanks for the founders of the Masjid in a needful location. May Almighty Allah bless with all kind of his mercy and make this a way to the paradise.
After spending much more time there, we went to Lulu Mall which has inaugurated recently. After making some rounds there, took an auto to BSR Railway station. I have fixed the auto for 50 rupees, but the driver asked 100 when the trip was over. I gave the amount and said, ‘do not do this to any other person’. My little, who do not know the Urdu, understood the situation and asked me ‘are your quaralling?'
There was a hotel near the station. We tasted fried rice and noodles and went to the Railway station. Our platform was on the last row, there was little crowd, all were waiting for the train to Shimoga side. Our destination was Talguppa, nearest railway station to Jog falls. After sometime the train reached, it was not so packed with passengers, we took our berth and slept.
Next day morning we woke up and took a tea from the tarin. Train reached the station on time. There was a KSRTC outside the station which will head on the rout to Jog falls. Just before the bus reached the destination, it took a small break for breakfast. I parcelled one Idli set. The bus stopped on jog falls bus stop, and we got down.
It was a snowy morning, there were taxi drivers offering a round trip, but we did not take it and walked through the main gate. It was the spot for viewing the falls, but we could only hear some sounds, a snow wall has divided us from the falls. Snow has wrapped the waterfall. We took a chair on nearby shop and ordered dosha and did our breakfast along with Idli we have already parcelled. A paid clock room and rest room were there for refreshment. I was sitting on the bench on the yard of washroom. Soon waterfall began to appear. It was very nice to see water like a rocket. This is the first time I see such a tall waterfall. We watched it from different spots and took many photos. As it went to my WhatsApp status some friends said they are some hours away from there. But as return ticket was booked it was not possible to go there and meet them.
We have a first look at the area nearby the spot. The site was under construction. Children’s Park and adventures linked to the site were removed for renovation. Only rods and boxes of ongoing works were there. Our little, Ninu, was not satisfied. She wanted ‘Kottakkunnu’. Kottakkunnu is a tourist destination in the state of Kerala located at Malappuram. It is one hour away from our home. We used to go there and there was children’s park.
We googled for a nearby children’s park, but we could not find a suitable spot in Talgonda. Next option was Shimoga, Gandhi Park there showed a good review. At last we returned from Jog falls to Talgonda. After having a egg rice and Fish fry took the bus to Shimoga. Fish fry was tasteful, it has been one month since we have sea fish, as it was not available in Punganur. Trip to Shimoga was filled with beautiful sights on roadside. A nice pathway, the rain came to give us a good sleep in the bus, it took two hours to reach Shimoga.
RTC Bus stand in Shimoga was neat and clean, attached with good washrooms. We took the tea and snacks from there and took an auto to Gandhi Park. Gandhi Park is almost a big park. Unfortunately, children’s play area was not good, there were broken items only. Although some children took adventure of using it in some way. Our little also joined them. By the evening we departed from there and visited a mall. Little took some rides and chocolates. Then we started our journey to Punganur.
Comments
Post a Comment