More I visit places, I understood travel and reading books are not two different things. They are interrelated. Once we travel, we realize we haven't read much about the topic. We interact with more knowledgable people. We got to know different perspectives about the places we have visited and the books we have read. Our nomads team members are equally knowledgable people with whom I have learned so many aspects of life.
While discussing different treks within Karnataka, we got to know Sandur trek from one of our trek organizers Jagdeesh. Ballary is a very dry place. Within this district, there is a hidden treasure Sandur which is little green during the monsoon. It has also been a house for wild bears. So we have to be very careful while going for this trek. Going with a local guide is a good option always.
We were more than 10 people from the Nomads team who generally prefer budgeted trips. Most of the treks we go on our own but we went with Jagdeesh who is a more experienced organizer. He charges more but since he is the only organizer we knew, we went with him.
Our first visit was to Kumarswamy temple in Sandur which dates back to the 8th to 10th century. There are two temples inside the compound. One dedicated to Parvathi and another one to Shanmukha. It is having the Badami Chalukya architecture. According to historians, the former was built by Chalukyas and the latter was built by Rashtrakootas. Both are the creator of many finest architectures like Ellora, Badami, Pattadakallu, Aihole, etc.
Temple authorities have given a hall for our stay. Since it was not the festival season, the room was available. We got freshened up and had breakfast in Sandur city. We took packed lunch and reached the railway station which is the starting point of our trek.
We have to walk a bit on the railway track and need to take a right which leads to the forest. Because of rain, bushes have closed the actual route and we lost in between. But the trek was very much adventurous. The slippery route made it little difficult. Though we couldn't reach the temple by trek, we enjoyed the trek.
We climbed down and visited the dam, which was more peaceful. We also visited the temple by a vehicle that we were supposed to reach by trek.
The next day Jagdeesh took us to a different peak which was more beautiful and adventurous. Since there was little rain, the slippery route made it more difficult. Most of the people had fallen at least once while climbing down. Rain and the trek have more beautiful side than any other side of travel.
I continue to dream to travel to many places which gives me a different perspective about the region and the people. The interaction with the people has driven me to read more about the architecture, wildlife, and different books. I have realized this life is not enough to read all the pages but we need to learn and implement in the given opportunities. If travel teaches me to dream, our NGO teaches me to give those dreams back to the world.
Travel, learn and give.
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