All these events could not have been anticipated towards the end of August. I was frantically searching for a holiday destination midway between Mumbai and Chennai. An impending long weekend in the beginning of October was too tempting a prospect. After considering Jog Falls, Hampi and Dandeli, we zeroed in on the latter - Dandeli. The reviews were encouraging and the territory unexplored. Six of us - two from Mumbai, one from Pune, one from Bangalore and two from Chennai, had to reach a small inconspicuous town in Dharwad district - logistical challenge. It so happened that we were able to book trains to reach Hubli within one hour of each other.
The train journey was pleasant. We changed trains at Miraj to continue towards Hubli. The rains had got the country side blooming. The greenery was bewitching and the overcast skies and cool winds soothing.
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| Miraj - Hubli route |
We reached Hubli by around 1 PM and only had to wait an hour for the contingent from the other end. After a wonderful meal, it was destination Dandeli. After much enquiring we landed in a deserted Bus terminal. The Dandeli bus was not expected for the next hour we were told. Apart from our talk, the only other person talking was the conductor of a Goa bound bus. He was enthusiastically shouting "Ponda-Madgaon, Ponda-Madgaon" every now and then in a bus terminal that was deserted. The gloomy weather and all the non-activity was the only reminder of the Floods.
The bus to Dandeli did arrive. And immediately it had six passengers. And even when it left there were only six passengers!
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| No one else for Dandeli? |
The arrival of Dharwad atlast bought more passengers. The bus was full now and making good progress to cover the 90 km to Dandeli. It rained all along the way, but Dandeli welcomed us with a welcome respite and a clear night. We checked in at the State Lodge, a very decent place on the main thoroughfare. It was still early by Mumbai standards, but we immediately started preparations for the night ahead - thums up, ice, disposable glasses, chips! The protagonist had already arrived with us from Bangalore - a Black Dog Khamba!!
The rain had stopped, but the water was yet to recede. This put paid to white water rafting. In the morning we visited a local park and a waterfall. Adventure sports is one of the attractions of Dandeli. In the absence of white water rafting, we decided to go river crossing.
River crossing in the floods! Crazy!! But of course we were crazy to come all the way in the midst of a Natural Disaster. We were taken to Stanley's Farm, a nice secluded farmhouse by a river-side. The floods had ensured that the river was in full flow. There were only a handful of us for the "river-crossing". It involved hanging from a rope across the river with your arms and legs, and traverse it twice. Your body does touch the river midway. The most difficult part was climbing back up the bank, which required all your energy. With energy and money spent, we left Stanley's Farm but not before having a cup of hot tea to soothe our chilled limbs.
The next day we had to be in Hubli by 1 PM. We heard news that trains were being diverted via Hubli and Miraj as the Mumbai-Chennai line was cut-off. Our trains were left untouched and were operating on schedule. The Mumbai contingent reached Miraj without any incident and boarded the connecting train - but not before some Royal Stag to wash down the Black Dog!
The floods were still receding when we had reached Mumbai. The other railway lines were still closed. Looking back, I always get a smile thinking about it, that of all the places, we visited Hubli-Dharwad-Dandeli when Karnataka was experiencing its worst floods. The quaint little town with its woods and winding roads will never be forgotten.
Credits : Anand, Shankar, Bharath, Karthikeyan and Rajkumar
PS : Recently when myself and Shankar were driving from Bangalore to Goa, we hit upon Dandeli unexpectedly as we had taken a wrong turn. It was a moment for us to reminisce Floods, River Crossing and a Black Dog!
