40 kms away from tumkur is this place named a Madhugiri, it is a hill and is known as second largest dome/monolithic rock in Asia. Trekking seemed to be the best option, so we (5 friends and me) started to plan. As per the plan we had to leave the next day which was not at all planned. Also none of us were aware of the place, but just the excitement to go for a trek on the second largest monolith lead us all with exuberance.
We left pretty early as we were completely clueless about the place, last minute plan provoked us to get everything done by tourism comapny called Travelife. So the cab was ready outside my house at 6.00 AM, all of us had gathered at my place as it was at the centre. Our way to Madhugiri left us with mixed feelings as in how it will be?, will we enjoy?, was it right thing to go through a travel company? Also the lack of sleep will it result in a bad trek? And so many more questions. In the mean while we stopped for breakfast at small shop kind, had hot idli vadas and enjoyed the breakfast by sipping hot coffee. Settling in the car we started towards the Fort.
Reaching the destination just held my breath, the height of the fort was beyond belief. I felt as if to trek Madhugiri would have been taken all the energy I saved until this moment, it looked so humungous. It was not possible to get complete height of the hill in one view, we definitely under estimated Madhugiri even in our imagination. We started climbing the steps, seemed very easy initially as they were carved. There were few places it was little risky as steps were very tiny and had no room to hold on to something. As time passed it was getting sunny, we were feeling the pain in the legs and also haste to reach the top. we sat, had some water, one of my friend had to drink so much of Glucose she could hardly climb the steps constantly for 10 mins. Laughing out the experience we started to realize the fort had 7 – 8 rounds of defensive walls, numerous watch towers, inverted domes which looked like store house and several buildings which were either barracks for soldiers or were used as warehouses. This was just half way through the fort but we were almost giving up, but Bharath(Co-ordinator from Travelife) helped in rising our spirits high and we started to move towards the acme. Finally reaching up on top made us feel as an achievement for lifetime and the surrounding made us feel like the best thing ever. It was the most wonderful experience in the world. On top we found a ruined temple, a large warehouse, a big manhole which could be an escape tunnel.
Madhugiri is an exceptional trekking spot, non commercialized and best for one day outing. However this place was exceptional just because we had Travelife to guide us all way through and Bharath made the trek as easy as possible. We owe the team of Travelife to make Madhugiri happen.
Wishing to experience Madhugiri same as we did? Call me on 9611196123 or request a call back.
