Mandalpatti

posted in: Uncategorized | 19

26 May 2012
It was only recently that I came
to know about Mandalpatti. The movie “Gaalipata” was shot there increasing the popularity
of the place. Breathtaking views, vast grasslands and dense forests make this
area spectacular. And Government has made it easily accessible.
I and Sankara with our families
had come to a home stay near Mandalpatti. I had heard that the roads were in
bad condition. But recently it has been given a facelift. Hence we dropped the
plan of hiring a Jeep but instead took our vehicle. The complete stretch is not
tarred and at some places crushed stones were just put on the road. At one
place our Innova had no space to go ahead. We had to get down and make these
stone mountains flatter to allow the vehicle!! We sincerely hoped that there
would be no rains as the entire road would turn slushy making the drive
impossible.
After few km of dust filled uphill
road, we hit a tar road. A wide opening is seen on the right side with some
great views. Two Jeep loads of people who arrived before were all running from
one place to other!! Looked like they were excited. Kids were equally thrilled and
started climbing a hill nearby with cool breeze accelerating their spirits.
Moments later the jeep people
were all gone. Apparently Mandalpatti was still few km ahead. With their exit the
place fell into silence.
After sometime we decide to move
ahead. Kids are reluctant with come back after we promise better places ahead. Indeed
the road further was a treat for our eyes. It meandered though grasslands something
similar that I had seen in Bababudangiri – Kemmangundi road.
Last stretch was bit difficult
where we had to drive on a rocky path. After that stretch we reached end of the
road. Ahead was forest department Office. The area falls under Pushpagiri
wildlife reserve hence require permission from forest department to proceed
further. Forest department has built a view point on top of the hill.
Again kids were first to climb
the hill to reach the view point. Needless to say that the place was beautiful.
One needs to experience it.
Last words:
If you want to visit this place,
go as soon as possible. The good roads constructed will open the floodgate of
people. With people comes the litter. The place is already turning into a
garbage dump. In no time, drunkards will get the news and come to destroy the
sanity of this place. Looking at places like Kodachadri and Jogfalls the hope
of “responsible tourism” does not fit into this land.

19 Responses

  1. Srikanth Manjunath

    Good write Arvind. Maandalpatti mesmarises everytime you visit. Your narration is so good, the images are just out of this world..You are the man with the wheels on your feet..

    The views are just breath taking..We had been there almost during this time..it was raining cats and dogs..but the fun factor was unlimited..

    Mandalpatti is among the few locations demands a second visit.

  2. Kishan P

    Awesome Place. Need to do this after the rains!

    And I totally echo your sentiments on the "responsible traveller" comment. It's sad to see people trashing the place and of course the DRUNKARDS!
    There's not a tourist place in the country where you dont find broken alcohol bottles!!!

  3. Santosh bs

    Lovely place and as you have said rightly, very soon it will be a hot tourist spot with lot of litter and picnicking families all around and not to forget drunkards and what not 🙁

  4. Team G Square

    We loved this place , especially a bike ride that from a rugged route was awesome .This place has already gained popularity .

  5. Aravind GJ

    Chitrai, Niranjan, Vinneta, Nona,
    Thanks.

    Srikanth,
    Mandalpatti during rains would be fun!!

    Kishan, Santosh, Cheatana
    Very true.

    Dhiraj,
    That's right. The place is quite popular now.

    Gowtham,
    The place looks deserted in my photos…. but it is not…. there were several people!!

    Naveen,
    Thanks. Info sent.

  6. Sana

    Well, we saw a totally different Madalpatti. A cloudy day dint let us embrace the view around, I now realized what we missed from these pictures.

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