Jayamangali Black Buck Reserve

This is a one day trip to Jayamangali Black Buck Reserve, Karnataka

• What to see?
• If  you love sanctuaries, this is a good option for you. This is not a forest, these are mainly grasslands - Masaimara types :)  Huge tracts of land and there is a somewhat drive-able mud road to take you in.
• If you like water rides , forest drives, this is not the place for you
• Black bucks are in plenty. You also get to see many types of birds
• Roads are bad, very bad in fact. Though I did this in a Maruti Swift, the car took hits on some places. During rains this place cannot be reached using hatchbacks and sedans. 

• Route:

Bangalore to Jayamangali

There are multiple ways to reach Jayamangali. 

1. Via Neelamangala - Tumkur Highway - Dabaspet - Urdigere - Koratagere - Madhugiri town - take right - Kodigenalli main road

3. Via Chikkabalapura - Gouribidanur - Kodigenalli main road

All roads are bad during the last 40 kms. I took the 2nd option. You can take any, all roads will connect to one common place after some time. Then onwards the roads are very bad. 

• Driving directions (Option 1):
• Note: I used the google maps on my phone extensively for reaching this place. I took option 3 to reach there and tried option 1 to come back, as the roads were not good the moment I exited the highway. But on option 1 as well, the roads were bad.
• Take the Nelamangala road (Tumkur highway) and take right below Dabbaspet flyover. Continue on the Oridigere road till you pass Koratagere and then enter Madhugiri town. Form there take right(NH 234). From here continue for approx. 1 kms and take left onto Kodigenalli road. Travel for approximately 12 kilometers from here and you will reach Obalapura. Little ahead you will have to take left. There is a govt. school on the left. Continue for 5 kms approx. till see the signboard declaring the Blackbuck Reserve and you have to take the mud road on the right.

(Option 2)

• From Bangalore one can drive out via Hebbal - > airport Flyover -> skip the left ramp to Airport and continue straight -. Enter Chikkabalapur (don’t take Chikkaballapura Bypass) and then take left at the signal. Form this signal continue for 60 odd kilometers to reach Sighanagondanahalli where you have to take a right. While going from Chikkabalapura to Gouribidanur, you will encounter a  small ghat section the moment you exit Chikkaballapura. Then on its straight road (NH 258) though the road is not good at parts. From Sighanagondanahalli continue for 8 kilometers and it will connect to Kodigenahalli road. Take left and take right in 100 meters and continue further for 5 kilometers till you see the signboard for the reserve on your right.
• If you don’t take right into the reserve and continue further you will hit an enclosure having 4 roads connecting. If you take the first right from there, you can connect to Hindupur and Lepakshi – but this road is non existent at areas and you have to go via diversions on paddy fields! I explored this just for curiosity as the google maps was showing it will lead to lepakshi.
• Summary: Use google maps or ask locals wherever possible. The roads are bad with no signage. Better use your mobile or gps device.

• Where to Eat?
• If taking the Dabaspet road you have some eateries on the Tumkur highway before you enter Dabaspet. After that there are very small stalls – that’s all you get. Better carry your own food.
• Some hotels on Chikkabalapura. This is within Chikkabalapura the moment you exit from NH and get into Chikkabalapura, towards your left.

• Other points:
• Driving / Photography is allowed inside the reserve
• Carry water, snacks. The place is hot.
• Toilet facilities are available in the forest guest house. This is 5 kms inside the reserve.
• Go there only if you love grasslands, birds and enjoy the feel of being inside a sanctuary – like I did. This place is not for usual weekend fun.
• Do not venture onto the grasslands with vehicle. These grasses have soft thorns which will puncture your tyres. 
• Keep distance from the blackbucks, they are scared of anyting loud - including your engine sound!

Photos:

Signboard showing the reserve, just as you are about to enter.

Inside the reserve - checkout the grasslands

Inside the reserve

Inside the reserve

Inside the reserve

Views of hills from the reserve

Mud roads (or no roads) inside the reserve

Blackbucks inside the reserve

More black bucks

More of blackbucks

Lepakshi

This is a one day trip to Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh

• What to see?
• 1.       Lepakshi. Temple dated Vijayanagara empire having fantastic sculptures. The entire temple complex is like a fascinating workshop having sculptures and paintings that amaze  you. Specially look out for the paintings and sculptures on almost all possible pillars. Don't miss the backside of the temple.
• The inner sanctum also has deities who are worshiped daily. There is also a Durga idol which you have to view only via a mirror.
• 2. Enjoy the drive on Hyderabad highway - NH7. For driving enthusiasts it's pure bliss! But do watch out for crossings - these are marked though.
  

• Route:

 Bangalore to Lepakshi 

• Driving directions:
• From Bangalore one can drive out via Hebbal - > airport Flyover -> skip the left ramp to Airport and continue straight -. Cross Chikkabalapur (via Chikkaballapura Bypass) and then Bagepalli. After Bagepalli keep watch on the left side for a diversion to Lepakshi. You will find a walled area having truck lanes on the left. The road has walls on both sides. It's tough to miss. There will be a passage to take left. Take that left and continue for 15 kms to reach Lepakshi. There is also a signboard on the right telling this. Refer the images for details of this section.
• For people staying in Whitefield, you can take the NH 207 via Hoskote -> Devanahalli -> connect to NH7 and continue further. One can also take take the Budigere road to connect NH207 little before Devanahalli. Both roads are good. Beware of huge speed breakers on the Budigere road specially with low ground clearance cars.
• On the Lepakshi road, the road is initially 2 lane but reduces to single lane in some areas. The road is very good though (Feb 2014). After 15 kms  you will see a Nandi on your left. By this time you are already in Lepakshi. 500 meters from there you will see an arch - this takes you to the temple. hardly 200 meters. There are limited parking space available on this road at the end near the temple - max 8 vehicles. Parking fees is 30 rs here.  Else you can park on the main road.

• Where to Eat?
• Kamath after Chikkabalapura for breakfast / lunch. This is after Chikkabalapura on the main highway on the left side. There is a small deviation that  takes you here and again connects you back on the highway.
• Some hotels on Chikkabalapura - Not on byepass. This is within Chikkabalapura the moment you exit from NH and get into Chikkabalapura, towards your left. These are to be considered only if  you are into some special situation, else continue on NH
• At Lepakshi there are some small hotels serving mini meals etc. No proper restaurant.

• Other points:
•  The road from Hebbal to Lepakshi turn  is a very good 6 lane highway. It’s a pleasure to drive on this road
• Photography is allowed inside the temple premises - specially if you want to capture the amazing sculptures
• Carry water, snacks. The place is hot.
• There are toilet facilities near the temple.
• There is one speed breaker near the diversion for Nandi hills. Its unmarked. 

Photos:

 NH 7 after Devanahalli

 NH7 after Nandi Hills

 NH7

 NH7

 The place to take left for Lepakshi. Look out for the walls on both sides. There will be a gap in between after a speed breaker

 Signage on right side for Lepakshi. This road goes to Hindupur.

 Lepakshi Road

 Lepakshi road - wide in some areas

  Lepakshi road - narrow in some areas

  Lepakshi road - This goes to Hindupur

 Nandi status just as you enter Lepakshi

 Lepakshi parking

 Lepakshi temple entrance

 Just as  you enter Lepakshi

 At Lepakshi

  At Lepakshi

  At Lepakshi

  At Lepakshi - paintings

  At Lepakshi

  At Lepakshi

  At Lepakshi

  At Lepakshi

  At Lepakshi

  At Lepakshi

  At Lepakshi - temple back side

  At Lepakshi

  At Lepakshi - intricate designs

 At Lepakshi - temple courtyard