Gudibande

 

Once the gearshifts and the throttle peaks, the wind starts whistling and the mind, is set free.

We were on a ride to Gudibande fort. The plan was simple, meet up, ride up, and climb high. But little did we know that we were in for a roller coaster ride.

Participants: 1) Tejas D S 2) Sreenidhi S 3) Abhijeet 4) Sumit + 5) Ajeeth

Destination: Gudibande Fort, A rampart of the erstwhile Bhairava Nayaka, a provincial ruler of the Vijayanagara empire. This fort was built was built nearly 400 years ago and is an exact replica (though a miniature one) of the Madhugiri fort near Tumkur.

The main features of this fort are:

1) The design of the fort is  seven layered which prescribes to the seven layers of fortifications, this style of fortification is to bolster the defences. The most popular fort of this design is the Chitradurga Fort which has the rightly earned the nickname of “Elu suttina Kote” (Translating to a fort of seven layers).

2) The water harvesting system of the fort, there exists a total of 19 ponds within the walls, that are at different levels and interlinked to collectively fill up. Given the bountiful rainfall this region receives it was an ingenious way to store water for the province. It is said that the entire rainwater harvesting system here could hold up to 3Lakh litres of water.

Plan: Gudibande fort was chosen amongst the options as it had a trekking element alongside a ride, and that was all it took. The ride was undertaken in 3 bikes and our meeting was the Hebbal flyover, which was equidistant to all of our houses. The entire ride from Bengaluru to Gudibande fort spanned 98 Kms, we wanted to enjoy the ride in the foggy weather, and hence our meet up was planned at 6:30 AM. Thereon we were to head to our destination with one stop for breakfast. Right before the Gudibande fort lay a lake, named Bhairavasagara, which translates to (Bhairava the Chieftain’s sea) a lake that has been observed to have the boundary similar to the Indian map! We had planned to stop here and then head on to the fort for the climb.

The Ride: It is eye-opening how bonds are formed and acquaintances arise when you have an open mind and a curious heart. A single message, brought the four of us together to plan a ride, and boy did we have fun!

 

 

1)       The Ride Begins

 

 

 

 

 

We started from Hebbal flyover at 6:45 and the weather was foggy, and it was that much more amazing to cruise through, certainly made Sreenidhi keep his phone out all the time.

 

2) Foggy Ride

 

 

The highway was inviting and we were making good time, and hence we decided to stop for some hot tea. This is where we introduced ourselves a little more and by the time we had stopped for our second break we had become old pals! That’s just the magic that being on the road wields, after having breakfast at a town just before Gudibande village we were reared and ready for the trek. Just as the Gudibande fort came into our sights as a tiny stone structure from afar we were at the vicinity of the Bhairavasagara lake. A small driveway was constructed for bikes to park and take in the view, and there was no way anyone could pass by here without stopping. The lake was filled and the water was blue and clear with flocks of birds streaking past and it was a sight to behold. Our entourage got excited, and a photo session followed with the bikes and the riders zooming in and out of the frame. All the tiredness and chill that had settled on us had washed way and calmness mixed with joy engulfed us.

3) Bhairavasagara Lake

 

 

This is where we saw our Sumit in action for the first time, a lone biker named Ajeeth drove up to the lake and was quietly taking photos. Sumit walked up to request him to take our group picture and once that was done, he started conversing with him, in 5 minutes he found out that Ajeeth was from his own native (Benaras), where he worked, where he was going and more. The end result was we found out Ajeeth’s plan for the day, he shared that there was another lake just beyond Gudibande fort which was also picturesque and then he had planned to visit Lepakshi a temple town just a little across Karnataka’s border with Andhra Pradesh. We talked it over and checked the distances of both the places and decided that we would visit the lake named (Vatadahosahalli lake) and head on to Lepakshi and then retrace back to Gudibande fort to trek.  This was a tweak to our primary plan and it would delay our return to Bengaluru, but we were filled with josh and the explorers in us had woke up and we happily revved on to the next lake.

 Have you ever trusted your gut and taken a spontaneous trip? Those are the best. In our case it was a detour to extend our trip the landscape past the village of Gudibande was straight out of one of those Western classics, the sun was shining overhead, there were rocky hills rising everywhere, not much of habitation save some shrubs and trees, and a bunch of riders passing through. This was the scene laid out for us and I couldn’t help but record it in both my mind and my camera.

4) The Picturesque Landscape

We pulled up at the Vatadahosahalli lake, and it was a serene atmosphere with just one other group, a family were just chilling there, once more Sumit worked his magic and we found out that they often drive up from Bengaluru, spend a few hours at the lake to de-stress and head back. We had a jolly conversation with them snapped a few pictures and made our way towards Lepakshi which was only 15 kms ahead. We made our way through the dusty district roads, through villages which had wheat stems laid across the path and into Lepakshi, a historic town.

5) Vatadahosahalli Lake

It is said that it was here that the mighty vulture Jatayu battled with the Demon King Ravana, as he flew across with Sita mata in his Puspakavimana(mythical flying vehicle), and when Ravana had defeated Jatayu, he fell from the sky and was laying here hurt and dying until Lord Rama arrived here with Lakshmana who were in search of Sita. Lord Rama saw the mighty creature in its last breath and spoke to him with the following words “ Le pakshi” which translates to “Get up Bird” and hence the town is named Lepakshi. It was also here that Lord Rama found out that it was Ravana who had kidnapped Sita. Learning of the historical significance of this place, the Vijayanagara emperors had a temple built here, it stands as one of the few temples were both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu  are both worshipped. Currently the Government of Andhra Pradesh has also built a park with a giant Vulture statue.

 

6) Jatayu Park, Lepakshi

We visited the Vulture park and the temple, and after some refreshments we made our way back to the Gudibande village to climb the fort, and this time it was Ajeeth modifying his plans to explore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were at the base of the fort by 1:30 and a few tender coconuts later we had begun our ascent. The sun was at its peak by now, and we had bike legs, which made the initial ascent a little groggy but we soon picked up pace and we were at the peak by 2pm,  a small trek but the view was magnificent, we could see the entire village and the two lakes that we could see Bhairavasagara, which we had visited previously. There was not much of a crowd at the peak, we explored the ramparts of the fort and rested for a bit and descended back to the base. This is where our trip took a turn.

7) Gudibande Fort

We headed to our bikes and as I put my hands in my pockets for my key, I was unable to find it, I emptied it, also checked my bag. But, it was nowhere to be found. I broke the news to the gang and they started looking for it in the vicinity of the parking area, we also asked the coconut vendor if he had found it in the vicinity, thinking I had probably dropped it when I had paid for the coconut. He was clueless as well, we were now in a fix, we certainly could not leave the bike there and head back to Bengaluru to return with the spare key as I had to catch a bus that night and there would not be enough time. We could not trek the fort again in search of it, for A) we were all tired B) there was very little chance of us finding it. The other option that Sumit suggested at that time was to get a lock opener, he had prior experience where they had a similar scenario in one of the rides, and this option had worked. We thought it over and decided that this was the best option at the time, so Sumit went with the vendor to get a local lock opener. In a few minutes the lock opener was at work, using various keys, getting an impression and filing to mould the key for the lock. After 20 minutes he was able to open the handle lock, and we got hopeful that we might just be able to leave soon. But, 30 minutes later, he was still trying to open the ignition lock, it was just not budging. We had begun to think of alternatives, another idea came into the foray, which was to go to a mechanic and have him short the ignition, bypassing the key. We decided to keep this as a last measure as this would lead to changing the key later and that would cost more. By now I was feeling more energized and also had a cause, so I decided to climb the fort again to look for the key, I was dissuaded by the gang stating that there was little probability of me finding the key, I knew this too, but I had a hunch on where the key could have fallen and I did not believe at that moment that the lock opener could get to the ignition. So, I asked for 30 minutes to get to the top and get back, half of what we had taken to climb the fort the first time.

I started my trek for the second time, this time with my eyes so the floor, looking for a 2-inch piece of shaped metal, with a plastic mould that would end our challenge. As I climbed, through the tiredness and ache, I realised that probably if someone had asked me to climb the fort for the second time that day, I would have said a flat no. However, I was doing it now because I had a cause, there was a fire inside me that did not let me to stop for a break, and it kept me going as there were four people waiting at the base because of me. Goes to prove that when there is a fire in your belly and you are doing something for a cause, quitting is really not an option. I had a practical lesson of this that day. I made it to the peak and looked in all the corners of the boulders and in the grass, but there was no sign of that key. I got a call from downstairs saying that the lock opener is not able to get through and that we had to avail the mechanic option, it was the only option left, and I said yes. I started my descent and doubled back, Sumit was waiting for me and took me to the mechanic. The gang had already towed my bike to the mechanic, the lock opener idea was not a complete bust as we could get the handle lock opened and that helped to tow the bike to the mechanic. The mechanic had understood what had to be done and had started his work, I went out to a nearest bakery and got some refreshments for the entourage as we waited for the mechanic to complete the task. In 15-20 minutes he had negated the connection between the key and the ignition switch, and shorted the wires to start the bike, he also left a fuse so that we could turn off the bike if needed. The bike now could start essentially without the key; it was an ingenious technique and one that saved the day. We paid the mechanic and thanked him whole-heartedly for saving the day.

 Two hours after we had finished the trek, we started back to Bengaluru. I was feeling guilty that my mistake had cost others a whole lot of time, but was put at ease by everyone’s kind words of encouragement. This went on to show, how sharing an adventure brought people together in a way that cannot not be comprehended. We were strangers 12 hours before, but now we had rode together, enjoyed picturesque landscapes, shared many a laugh, and also got through a challenging situation by collective thinking and co-operating. We rode back to Bengaluru all 5 of us together, with only one stop in between for some food, and as we entered the city, we parted ways with only a wave but not a goodbye, as this was only the beginning and not the time for goodbye. . notified each other that we had made it to our houses and shared the photos of the magnificent trip we had undertaken. As for me, I had made it back in time to catch my bus.

Learnings from the trip:

1) Always have a spare key at a separate place, when you are going on a ride.

2) Practise securing your key in a bag, dropping keys from your pocket is not uncommon.

3) In case you have lost the key, remember that mechanics and lock openers can be of help, it is possible to get the bike started without the key.

4) Taking a detour is not always a bad thing, it might extend your trip but it will open up new possibilities, have an open mind.

5) There is no alternative to real-life experiences, get out of your house and go find them.

6) Always work yourself towards a cause, it will propel you even when you want to stop.

Last but not the least,

7) Solo rides are fun, but enjoying something with a gang is always better, co-operation and collective thinking is and always will be a cut above. “United we rise, and dived we fall”.

 

8) The Gang

 

Signing off.

Tejas.