Nandi Hills: Wonderful trip to the Misty mountain

I had planned a visit to Bangalore in last week of November 2013. Vishwanath (my pillion friend) and I were planning to utilize the free section of time on 24th November 2013.

Nandi Hills Banglore

Here is a short background. We were at Hebbala (north of Banglore city) ~55-60km from Nandi Hills. Somehow, we had managed an interesting version of Pulsar 150. Bike was without RVM, applying rear brakes would not reduce even 1 kmph speed, Electric start was not functional, dashboard was completely gone.

Ignoring all this it was decided to start at 4:30 AM, because the only thing interesting at Nandi Hills was Sunrise (this is what we read at forums).
As decided we woke up at 4:30 AM, took necessary materials (Camera, Helmet, Water, Jackets) and left our PG. Roads were no doubt completely empty and it took just 10 minutes from Nagwara to NH7. I could not say what was my speed that night (coz dashboard was not functional) must be around 60 kmph.

Highway was not as empty as I expected. If not thousands, several hundreds like us were rushing to see the sunrise at Nandi Hills. Almost 40 KM of the highway stretch was under construction (Construction of flyover was going on throughout the highway) and we had to slow down at every diversion. We had read at some forum that after Devanahalli there is a hard to detect left turn which goes towards Nandi Hills. We were about to reach Devanahalli, before which we got the Toll booth. Some policeman asked us to stop there. I thought they will charge two wheelers also to cover up the grand construction.

But NO. One police asked us to show our RC Card. I was confidant since I had asked Vishwanath's friend to give me a photocopy of RC Card. I searched the first chain, then second, then smaller ones and at last the water pouches but RC Card was nowhere. Now it was a worry time. He asked us to wait till morning 9 AM, we had to present us at court nearby. I asked if there is any other option, which I knew certainly it was. He said '200 but no bill'. That was enough for me. We paid and made sure on my return journey we would not be bothered. He confirmed and let us go. Started again, took the left turn (which was certainly visible). Road ahead was just awesome extremely straight almost 8-10 KM. We came to know its beauty on way back. Straight road going up then coming down again going up. At the end of this road there is 'T'.
For Nandi Hills we have to take left. After riding 10-15 minutes we took another right from where ascending starts. Our bike was giving away in the first 5 minute. I had to ride on 1st gear, but still I could feel shortage of power and I was doubting whether we could make to the top. Then came and ancient pillared Nandi Temple to the left of road. Stopped our bike their to shoot this temple.

Just when I was enjoying this moment Vishwanath said something which I thought this must be the height of NASEEB. Small checkpost was setup at the very beginning of the hill station and they were very consciously checking every vehicle passing and importantly RC Card for 2 wheelers.

Heavy hearted and cursing one another for not bringing the RC Card from our bag we came down, parked bike next to small Hotel and started climbing up with the hope that Banglore certainly had some good people. Showed hands to nearly 25 cars in fact half empty travellers also.

But our luck came in small yellow colored zen. Within 20 minutes we were near the ticket counter. From there only 4 wheelers are allowed, 2 wheelers have to park there itself. They charged Rs.100 for 4 wheeler and we were on the Hill station. We both started singing Hobbit song 'Far over the misty mountains cold, two dungeons deep and caverns old' because the scene was such mesmerizing. Although we missed sunrise but we hope after rise was equally beautiful. Much with words now its time for photos

Nandi Hills Banglore