Solo Ride to Srishaila Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga

I was in Bengaluru this weekend [01 & 02 April 2023]. Thought passed in my mind what to do this on weekend, why do not try something long Motorbike for two days. I was not sure about the place, but something wanted to do. My all friends were engaged in their predefined activities. On Friday night decided to try Srishaila long ride.

I had been couple of times to this divine Jyotirlinga place earlier. Unsuccessful story of Kadalibana is most memorable one. But still wanted to do on bike. The summer is peak, Rayalaseema hot is unbelievable, but still wanted to take ride.

Route decided to make it round:

Bengaluru - Chintamani - Madanapalli - Kadapa - Markapuri - Srishaila

Srishaila - Dornal - Aatmakoor - Kurnool - Ananthpura - Bengaluru

01.04.2023

Got up early morning at 3.30 am, refreshed quickly, packed the luggage and left the home at 4.25 am.

There was a Gaali Anjaneya festival going on, early morning too many devotees near temple. Just took the blessing of Anjaneya and continued my journey.

Very soon crossed Bengaluru city, there was not much traffic. Sun was coming out from cloud near Kaiwara. Had beautiful sunrise and continued my journey.

From Chintamani, the road condition become worst. There is lot of highway work going on, took almost one hour to cross 30 kms.

When hit the Andhra Pradesh, road condition was improved. Very soon reached Madanapalli. Not taking risk, wanted to fill my stomach somewhere within the city. Luckily found descent hotel, had yummy breakfast.

Town traffic was more, took little more time to cross the limits. The road become good toll road, now the speed got increased.

Weather was cool due to good rain in the previous night. There was water presence on the road.

Taking Rayachoti ring road, continued journey towards Kadapa. Found a small ghat near Kadapa town. Here also found ring road, very soon crossed the city.

From Kadapa the journey was still 250 kms to reach Srishaila. In between got rain shower, the journey is continued.

At Markapur need to take left deviation, stopped the bike for small break. From Madanapalli to Kadap road was descent, onwards it was ok ok. However, you can't speed up, two humps at every village.

Do not take risk, filled the fuel to bike, continued journey. Now the road become narrow and reached Dornal.

Dornal is the junction for Srishaila - Kurnool - Markapur. The Ghat section starts from Dornal, its almost 40 kms.

There is no toll for two wheelers, continued journey enjoying the valley. The ghat road is very narrow, very difficult two busses can pass through.

This is ghat is restricted the vehicle entry from 9 pm to 6 am due Nagarjun Sagar Tiger Reserve Forest [NSTR].

Reached Srishaila around evening 5 pm. Now the challenge to get the accommodation.

Enquired one - two chatra, they refused to give the rooms for single person. Explained the Police rules and asked me to reach out Station to get the no objection letter. This is second time experience in my life, first one sometime in 2012 at Kanyakumari.

Reached Police Station and explained about my solo journey. They took all ID proofs, later called to home and confirmed about my journey. Later they gave me a slip containing all my details with signature & stamp.

Producing the slip got the average room at Chatra, finished the check-in formalities, paid Rs.600/-. It's time to get refresh since morning I was in dust.

After refresh had round in the temple premises. I did not made mind to take darshana, due to heavy crowd.

I was refreshing memories of our Kadalibana unsuccessful trek, indeed it was very unfortunate. Just went to see the night view of Paatalagange.

Paatalagange visit took almost an hour, back to room. Now its time to take dinner, since morning I did not have anything.

The pricing was surprise in the Srishaila hotel, everything not less than Rs.100/-. I was not in mood to spend so much money, had street side vada - idli for Rs.40/- and retired for the day.

02.04.2023

Got up early morning around 5.30 am and refreshed. It's time to goodbye Srishaila, just went morning round near temple.

The Ghat section get open at 6 am, considering the fact made delayed. Early morning ride is always lovely, had beautiful sunrise in the forest range.

You can't stop even two-wheeler in ghat, since its very narrow. Non-stop reached the Dornal where the junction for Kurnool - Kadapa.

Continued my journey towards Kurnool. It's completely the tiger reserve forest till Aatmakoor i.e., approximate 40 - 50 kms.

Surprisingly, Vanavasi old woman & pregnant woman begging in the dense forest.

When I reached Kurnool, time was around 11 am. I skipped the breakfast searching some good hotel. Unfortunately, did not find on my way, thought to have early lunch at Dhaba on Highway.

Found Rajasthan dhaba after Kurnool. I did not have patience to explore more option, so decided to test the luck.

I was more lucky, the food was tasty and very economy. Relaxed almost an hour, sun was on harsh. Its time to ride non-stop to reach Bengaluru as early possible.