3rd August 2019
We were a group of sixteen. Thirteen of us boarded the Secunderabad Hubli train from Secunderabad station at 3:40 PM. All of us were in the A1 coach. Prabha had brought dinner for all of us, we enjoyed the marwari food.
4th August 2019
Morning at 7:30, we reached Hubli sttaion. Vasantha from Chennai had reached earlier, she was waiting for us. We hired a porter for Rs.300 and put all the luggage in it. Ganesh was waiting at the station. I had hired an innova and one tempo traveller (14 seater). After loading our luggage we started for Sagara. On the way, we stopped at Kamat, had breakfast - idli, wada and coffee. At 12 non, we reached Anmol International hotel.
Arun and Renuka had come from Mumbai, their train got cancelled so thay came by bus. I had booked a car for them from the bus stop to sagara. They reached us by 1 PM. We freshened up after reaching the hotel. I was sharing the room with Vasantha. At 1 PM, went down for lunch and then proceeded for sight seeing.
First we saw Keladi Rameshwaram Temple, it was a very old temple. Next we sae Ikkeri Aghorishwara temple which was very beautiful. From there we went to Jog Falls which was nearly 30 Km away. It was beautiful after monsoon. We had to go down many steps to get a nice view, we clicked many pics there. I got totally drenched and enjoyed myself thoroughly. I waited for the photographer who took my phone to load the pics. We got back to the hotel by 8PM and had our dinner.
5th August 2019
After breakfast we proceeded to Kollur for Mookambika temple. I gave everyone a brief history of the temple. It was pouring heavily. We had a very good darshan of Devi Mookambika, had lunch prasad in the temple.
Next we proceeded to Udipi, checked into hotel Samanvay Boutique, it was a very nice hotel. We were served welcome drinks. We went to Maple Beach, which was very beautiful but they did not allow us to go into the water. I wanted to take everyone to St Mary's island on boat, but due to heavy rains boating was not allowd. We had to board a ferry to cross the Sarasvati River, our vehicle was loaded on the ferry too. We had dinner at the hotel, we all had mini meals and food was very good.
Before dinner, we went to Udipi Krishna Temple at 7:15PM they do Aarti. It was very beautiful, we lit some diyas. I have no words to explain what I felt.
6th August 2019
In the morning, a few of us ent again to have Darshan. We woke up leisurely and had nice breakfast. At 10:30 AM proceeded to Murudeshwar, on the way visited Ennegude Sri Vinayaka temple. They provide free lunch everyday. We proceeded to Murudeshwar. I had booked RNS hotel, the view from the hotel was very good. The hotel was very close to the temple, just walking distance. Location of the hotel was very good, but management is zero. Both the lifts were not working, had to use service lift, the approach was very dirty. Rain water was entering the rooms.
After lunch we went to the temple. Paid Rs 10 and climbed up. Had a beautiful view from up, but only one window and many people were huddled in front of hat. We then came doen and proceeded to the beach, clicked a few pics. Arun and Renuka also came with me. We had khichdi for dinner at night in a restaurant in Murudeshwar.
7th August 2019
We had breakfast, which was good. Started early at 7:30 AM to Gokarna. On the way, visited Idugunji temple, where Ganeshji was in standing pose.
From there we saw Bhadrakali temple. Next, we saw Koti Theertha and then Mahabaleshwar temple which was very nice. Prabha and her family members hired a Purohit to do Pooja. I bought kaju for Rs.700 per kg and dried pineapple. Just near the temple was Gokarna beach. On the way we had lunch at Gajanan Pure Veg Restaurant. Food was fantastic at only Rs. 80 per plate.
And then the problems started. After dropping Renuka and Arun Tripathi at Gokarna Railway Station, we proceeded to Hubbali on the way the road was flooded and blocked. We could see people crossing using boats, we decided to take a longer route. On the way the road was blocked, a big tree got uprooted bringing down huge boulders. We had to wait for 1.5 hours for the road to get cleared. then it started raining profusely. We thought we might just reached in time, but we got very late. The train started at 9:05 PM and we readhed the station at 9:10 PM. Finally, we missed the train, then immediately booked Orange Bus. Seven of us came by bus, rest of them Prabha and her family went to Bellary to Jyothi's house.
8th August 2019
The bus came via Mehdipatnam, near Mythrivanam traffic traffic police stopped the bus for checking. I called Moses ro pick me up, reached home at 10 AM.
Note:
1. Udipi temple in the evening is good, we can se aarti.
2. Donot carry too many snacks
3. Murudeshwar temple - opt for second floor rooms
4. Mookambika temple in the afternoon is good, we can have bhog there
5. We can add dharmasthala. We can also add Shree Durgapurameshwari temple in Kateel (1 hour from Udipi)
P.S - These are excerpts from my beloved mother's diaries and journals. Hope you find them useful. Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below.