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Weekend Monsoon Ride Getaways from Bangalore

Monsoon is the most-awaited season in India, when everything rejuvenates – lands turn green, highways get crowned by lush green canopies and structures, roads appear clean and fresh.

The otherwise disarming charm of places and travel unveil a whole new dimension during monsoons. Presenting the 3 must-visit weekend monsoon ride destinations from my beloved Bangalore.

1) Mekanagadde, Mudigere

Laze around, soak up the pristine air and views of the Western Ghats..

Nestled between Chikmagalur and Sakleshpur, Mekanagadde is the home to ‘Bettada Bhairaveshwara Temple’, a 600-year old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva offering some stunning views of the Western Ghats laced with clouds.

Triumph Daytona 675 R at Bettada Bhairaveshwara Temple at Mekanagadde
Reveling in the pristine air of Mekanagadde!!

Useful Information on Mekanagadde:

  • Route: Bangalore > Sakleshpur > Anemahal > Hanbal > Devarunda > Mekkanagadde
  • Distance from Bangalore: 255kms
  • Road Condition: Brilliant tarmac till Devarunda (the last 5 to 10kms to the temple is being repaired, so be cautious)
  • What to see: Bettada Bhairaveshwara Temple, Mekanagadde
  • Where to Stay: Mekanagadde Home Stay
  • Where to Eat:  Sakleshpur – choose from Hotel Surabhi or Hotel Ashritha (both are right on the highway with good amenities)
Bettada Bhairaveshwara Temple at Mekanagadde near Hanbal Sakleshpur
Bettada Bhairaveshwara Temple in full glory!!
Touring in Sakleshpur on a Triumph Daytona 675R
Its ok to stray off the highway 😛

2) Ayyana kere, Sakharayapatna

Witness the magnitude of 2nd largest lake in Karnataka, the biggest lake in Chikmagalur..

With the backdrop of Shakunagiri Hill towering at 4500 feet, this 900-year water body was created to support the farmers overcome shortage of water for irrigation by Raja Rukmangada.

Ayyana kere at Sakharayapatna about 20 kms from Chikmaglur
Ayyana kere – Be stunned by its vastness..

Useful Information on Ayyanakere:

  • Route: Bangalore > Chikmagalur > Sakharayapatna > Ayyana kere (Chikmagalur-Kadur highway NH173)
  • Distance from Bangalore: 225kms
  • Road Condition: Brilliant tarmac all the way up-till the lake-bed
  • What to see: serene roads en route to the lake
  • Where to Stay: Chikmagalur
  • Where to Eat:  Not many options to eat at Sakharayapatna (recommend to eat/carry food from Chikmagalur)
Coffee plantations grace the Sakleshpur to Belur (SH112)
Miles and miles of coffee plantations 🙂
Sakleshpur to Belur State Highway (SH112)
Green Tunnel 🙂

3) Kotagiri, Ooty

Tea Estates and delicious chocolates..

Relatively ‘not-so commercialized’ (yet) amongst Ooty and Conoor is Kotagiri (Mountain of the KotasKota is the traditional tribe of Nilgiris), blessed with beautiful roads and hectares of lush-tea estates guarded by cloud-clad Nilgiris.

In fact, the limelight on Kotagiri faded once the direct road from Mettupalyam to Conoor was built – before that one had to reach Ooty via Kotagiri from Mettupalyam.

Touring on the Daytona with Arai Helmet in Kotagiri-ooty
Infini-Tea Plantations grace the Kotagiri-Ooty Highway

Useful Information on Kotagiri & Ooty:

  • Route: Bangalore > Chamarajanagar > Satyamangalam > Bannari > Mettupalyam > Kotagiri (for the love of twisty roads)
  • Distance from Bangalore: 315 kms
  • Road Condition: Brilliant (I am yet to encounter bad roads or bad food in Tamil Nadu!!)
  • What to see: Kodanad View Point & Catherine Falls
  • Where to Stay: Lots of lodges, villas, cottages in Kotagiri
  • Where to Eat:  Head to Ooty (lots of options and don’t forget to relish home-made chocolates)
Roasted Almond Dark Chocolate Moddys or Modern Stores Ooty
Never miss a chance to ride for chocolates 😀
Touring on the Triumph Daytona 675R near Kotagiri-Ooty
Lush green hills and step-farms adorning the Nilgiris 🙂

These monsoon weekend ride getaways are best relished with great company, your favorite music, motorcycles and the numerous breaks along the highway for chai and charcoal roasted corn laced with spicy chutney.

Bon Appetite and Safe Riding!!

7 responses to “Weekend Monsoon Ride Getaways from Bangalore”

  1. Betty Stumped Avatar
    Betty Stumped

    I absolutely love all of your recipes absolutely just played amazing and delicious

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

  2. sailajaP14 Avatar

    Amazing pictures and a clear write up😊 a wonderful read

    1. Ajay Ananth Avatar

      Thank you Sailaja 🙂

  3. Manjunath MR Avatar
    Manjunath MR

    Try breakfast in Hotel Kasturi Paradise (Veg) in Kotagiri (Ramchand), they serve good Ghee roast doasa and Hot crispy vadas. One of the best I had in Kotagiri

    1. Ajay Ananth Avatar

      Thank you kano – noted 🙂 share some pictures:)

  4. VASUKI K R Avatar
    VASUKI K R

    Hey there..I am planning to go to Bettada Byraveshwara temple this weekend. The mountain, mekanagadde betta, is it near by and is there a motorable road??

    1. Ajay Ananth Avatar

      Hi Vasuki,

      Mekanaggade betta is close from the Bettada Byraveshwara temple and from what I know can be accessed via trekking – not sure if there is a motorable road.

      have a good trip 🙂

      Ajay

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