Dandeli - Moulangi Eco park

Mission Dandeli was accomplished after Kali River Rafting and Trekkingto Akala Gavi. We didn’t had any specific plan for final day of our trip.

Compared to all our other trips, we felt did not click many pics during rafting and trekking, so final day of our trip was totally decided to photo session. More over the place where we were staying was perfect for photo session. Since there was no any particular plan for the day, every one woke up bit late and by the time we were ready for photo session it was almost a lunch time. Got some very good group pics as well as beautiful portraits.

Once we were done with photo session we were in dilemma about the places to visit, initially thought of visiting Moulangi Eco park and spend some time in water sports available and then reach Sykes Point by sunset time. But by the time we finished our lunch and reach Moulangi park it was around 3.30 PM.

Moulangi Eco Park which is around 7 Kms from Dandeli (though its just around 7 Kms, by the time we reached and parked our vehicles it was bit late). We cross Moulangi Eco park while coming back from Kali River Rafting.

Timings: It remains open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM every day

Entery Fee: Rs. 10/- per adult and Rs. 20/- per vehicle parking. 

Few water sports available here, like Kayking, Rafting (better word is boating) and even swimming is also allowed with lifejacket.  Apart from water sports even this place is good for photo session and lot of other options there for kids to play around.

We opted for Kayking, for which they charged Rs. 500/- per hour.

Since it was already late we spent some time in eco park and dropped our plan to visit Sykes point. But we were lucky enough to see beautiful sunset around this place only.

Spent some nice time around this place and headed back to Dandeli. Wonderful trip come to an end with this visit. 

Dandeli - Ulavi - Akala Gavi Trekking

After completing the Kali riverrafting, we have accomplished our main moto of the trip. But it was not the end! After rafting we planned for a small hike around Ulavi.

Ulavi is around 48 Kms from Dandeli, and the road condition is also very good. The best part of this drive was, drive through dense forest. The chilled winter, cold breeze, light fog and the rising sun added more beauty to our drive.  The only sad part of this drive was, we didn’t get a chance to see any wild animals.

As Mahendra uncle suggested we started towards ulavi early morning, on the way we can visit Syntheri rocks, but our plan was to finish the trekking and while coming back if time permits we planned to visit that place.  

Through we started early around 7.00 Am to finish our breakfast and the drive through narrow roads took more time than expected. Finally we reached Ulavi around 9.30 AM. Visited Channabasaveshwar temple.

It’s quite a clam place, we spent some time around the temple. Had early lunch at temple only before we headed for trekking.

Initially we thought of taking help of some local guide to trek, but when we enquired in the temple they said, no need of any guide as such it’s a straight forward jeep track to follow to reach the caves! we dropped the plan to hire a guide.  

There is an option to hire a Jeep to visit this place and they charge around 1500 for 3 Kms.

We can drive in our vehicles till watch tower and can park our vehicle and start our trekking, there is no chance of getting lost in this trail if you just follow the jeep trail.

Since we started our trekking bit late, we just wanted to explore all the caves and return before it get dark. Jeeps will take you till the first cave, from there it will start the walk through steep steps.

We cross couple of caves on the way, but final one is the main attraction of this trek.

After climbing this ladder only, real trek begins. Basically its not a trekking from here, its crawling into the caves. We need to crawl inside the caves for 10 to 15 feet. After that we get a bit space to sit, slowly when we pass inside for another 10 feet we get enough space to stand. Inside the caves its pitch dark, without any torch it’s not advised to step into this caves.

As mentioned earlier, its not only pitch dark but also slippery inside the caves. Each step inside the cave needs to be very careful. At a distance of around 100 meters inside the cave there is a small exit to this mountain. But we cant get down from here, we need to take back the same route which we took for entering the caves.  

Approximately it will take 30 mins to reach the end and come out the cave.

It was a wonderful experience. Though we did lot of trekking, this place gives us unique experience. 

Finally we completed our trek and returned to the place where we had parked our cars before it could get dark.

Dandeli - Kali River Rafting

Planning for Dandeli Trip was started creating a new WhatsApp group, saying ‘Dum edre Dandeli’ :P

Since accommodation and other planning were organised by Mahendra Uncle, only dates and mode of transport was pending from our end. We are very thankful to uncle for providing the accommodation and guiding us in planning the things in Dandeli.

Dates were finalised well in advance, we decided to visit Dandeli on the Christmas weekend. We were group of 7 members and we were looking for either train or bus tickets. But because of long weekend and holiday season we didn’t get tickets for reasonable price. Finally we decided to go by our own cars.

Before starting the trip our intention was to finish Kali River Rafting and then plan other places accordingly.

We can book our slots on online visiting JLR website. Jungle Lodges & Resorts who operates the rafting session in Kali River. When we checked for slots on Saturday and Sunday it was showing full, but when we contacted the number mentioned in the website they said they can accommodate few more slots and asked us to come down on Saturday only.  

Contact Person & Number: Manjunath - 9449599765.  

Since it was long weekend and crowd was more for rafting they were running 3 batches, usually it will be 2 batches one in the morning and one in the evening. Luckily we got slot for 3.30 PM batch.

Price per person is 1350 for rafting. We need to take a other vehicle to reach rafting place. Vehicle charges are extra. Per vehicle they can accommodate 12 people, they charge 1350 for vehicle. Since we were group of 7 we shared our vehicle with other group.

The white water rafting is around 9 Km’s and it will take almost 2 hours to complete. Only the boring part is the Jeep journey till rafting place.

We were lucky enough to get a single boat for our group and in our boat only our gang were there! For other boats they were merging the groups and making a group of 12 members and allocating the boats.

When I did rafting last time, they used to click pics only near first rapid and used to charge 500 Rs for the photos. Usually they will click around 25 to 30 photos.

Now they will be recording videos and capturing the pics using GoPro as well. For that memory card they will charge Rs. 1500/-  Amount may sound bit costly but really its worth spending money for these pics.

One more good part of this rafting is our guide Vimal, he was so friendly and Jovial in nature.

After completing the rafting, first part of trip was ticked as per the plan. For rest of the trip we planned for trekking and sightseeing around Dandeli.

As part of trekking we planned to Akala caves near Ulavi.

ISKON Temple

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Temple was opened in 1997 and is visited by thousands of devotees every day. It is one of the largest temples of its kind in the world.

As you walk up the long flight of steps to the entrance, pause to look up at the spectacular Rajagopuram. This is the temple’s main tower and is covered by hundreds of statues of Hindu gods.

One of the first sights to greet you on entering the site is the gold-plated dhvaja-sthamba. This is a 56-feet (17-meter) tall column, topped by a figure of the Deity of Garuda.

Step into the spacious main hall and admire the exquisite ceiling murals and the golden chandelier. Go to the main shrine with its beautiful idols of Krishna and Radha. The two figures are dressed in bright colorful robes and surrounded by gold-covered wooden carvings. Then visit the temple’s other shrines, which are dedicated to different gods.

If you are visiting the ISKCON Temple with children, take them to the Animation Theater where they can watch an episode of Little Krishna. This animated series is about the childhood pastimes of Lord Krishna. Stop by the Multi Vision Theater to see if there are any cultural performances in progress.

Stop by the Multi Vision Theater to see if there are any cultural performances in progress.

Back packs and cameras are not allowed inside this temple. 

The ISKCON Temple is in north Bangalore and is well connected to the city center by several bus routes. The train is also an option, with the nearest station being a short taxi ride away from the temple. If you are visiting on your own vehicle there is enough place for parking. Considering the convention hall and crowd at this place its preferred to have public transport to visit this place.

The temple opens every day, although it closes for a few hours during the middle of the day. Admission is free.

Best time to visit this place is at evening time, under lights this place looks even beautiful. 

More information about Namma Benagaluru

Ranganna Military Hotel

Very old and unique military hotel, feel like homely food. Especially mutton items are very taste. Biryani also unique taste. Usually in the lunch time little bit crowded.

Address: 61, 1st floor, opp to Indian oil petroleum, KR Rd, 7th Block, Jayanagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560070

Timings: 7.30AM - 4.00PM | Evening 7.00PM  - 10.00PM (Monday Holiday)

If you are a hard core non-veg food lover, this is one of the best place to test your taste buds. 

All the food items in this place is very tasty, but my all time favourite is Raagi Mudde and Parota. 

Should taste Mutton Kheema Ball & Chilly Chicken. 

Chicken Biryani or Biryani Rice is also delicious. 

Finally they will serve Rasam in glass, which should not be missed. 

Some of the other famous Restaurants in Namma Bengaluru

Places to visit around Namma Benagaluru