[muralisk]

I had a reception to attend at Gangavati and it was pretty much a last minute decision to attend the function. So, as usual, I decided to drive. I did get the directions from my folks in Gangavati and it was truly good. I was asked to take:

Bangalore -> Tumkur -> Sira -> Hiriyur -> Challakere -> Bellary -> Siruguppa -> Sindhnur* -> Gangavati

* - we do not touch Sindhnur as we need to take left on to NH-23 towards Gangavati. From this point, Sindhnur is about 4-5 kms.

Apparently this is the longer route by about 50 kms, but it is worth it.

The road from Bangalore to Tumkur is not that great. But after Tumkur, it is really good. We get the real feel of GQ and NH-4.

At Hiriyur, we took left towards Challakere and Bellary. This is a state highway (i think it is SH-18) and it is a fine road, just that there are way too many speed breakers till Bellary. There were fewer speed breakers between Bellary and Sindhnur.

The road from Challakere to Bellary is truly amazing with great scenic views of mountains. The unique feature of these mountains is that they are made up of small pieces of rocks and looks like someone indeed stacked them up. The road is quite winding and not like a ghat, but it is interesting to drive. Just that the speed breakers are quite annoying, and are placed at the least expected places.

Here are some pics of the road:






















































While going, I left home at 4:00 am and reached my destination at 10:30 am. And, on the way back, I left Gangavati at 12:00 noon and reached home by 7:30 pm.

On my way back, I had taken the NICE road and got off at Kanakpura. I paid Rs. 50 as toll, which I felt is quite expensive, but I feel it is worth it. The traffic from Nelamangala is atrocious and sickening.

[hvkumar]

At Hiriyur, we took left towards Challakere and Bellary.

It is a RIGHT turn off NH4 - straight goes to Chitradurga.

[muralisk]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

It is a RIGHT turn off NH4 - straight goes to Chitradurga.

Oops. My bad. Thanks for pointing it out hvkumar.

[rkbharat]

I guess those must some of the best roads in India and so clean. And look at those clouds, perfect weather for a long drive.

[null]

Amazing roads. Looks wonderful in the pics atleast. Terrain also is beautiful. I remember the road to challkere couple of years back & it wasnt this great. Has it been laid recently? Any idea?

[StarVegabond]

Amazing Roads, Rocks, Ricebowl town and A Roadie
fantastic photographs Murali

Why Gangavati called Rice Bowl ?

[hvkumar]

The road from Hiriyur to Bellary via Challakere has been in good shape for at least last 1.5 years, except for the frequent rumblers which Murali has also talked about. It is the best route to get to the Bellary region.

[deepakhon]

You rekindled my memories! I did my LKG to 7th at Gangavati. I keep going there, though not very often these days.

[muralisk]

Originally Posted by rkbharat

I guess those must some of the best roads in India and so clean. And look at those clouds, perfect weather for a long drive.

Absolutely. I was a bit skeptical when I got off NH4, but was greatly relieved and surprised at the road. Felt very good driving on this stretch. Am sure that the drive would be even better the fields are ripe with crops.

Originally Posted by null

Amazing roads. Looks wonderful in the pics atleast. Terrain also is beautiful. I remember the road to challkere couple of years back & it wasnt this great. Has it been laid recently? Any idea?

Looks like the road has been laid sometime back. As hvkumar said, it must be at least couple of years old as it has grayed out.

Originally Posted by StarVegabond

Amazing Roads, Rocks, Ricebowl town and A Roadie
fantastic photographs Murali

Why Gangavati called Rice Bowl ?

Thanks StarVegabond. Apparently, Gangavati grows maximum paddy and has a lot of rice mills as well. Let me check and update more on this.

Originally Posted by deepakhon

You rekindled my memories! I did my LKG to 7th at Gangavati. I keep going there, though not very often these days.

Hey deepak, may be its time you hit the road and revive your memories.

[deepakhon]

Originally Posted by muralisk

Thanks StarVegabond. Apparently, Gangavati grows maximum paddy and has a lot of rice mills as well. Let me check and update more on this.

Hey deepak, may be its time you hit the road and revive your memories.

It is true that Gangavati grows paddy in huge numbers. We had some land over there, which we unfortunately disposed off some two years ago. It was of course, a paddy growing land.

The quality of rice you get over there is really good, and is pretty inexpensive as compared to what you get in, for example, Bangalore.

We used to import rice till very recently. Even after selling our land, we imported rice at about half the price that you pay for in Bangalore. But for us, storage was a problem, and we finally did away with importing.

Yes, I need to hit the road to revive my memories. I also need to show my wife Hampi. It is about time that we travel.

[MileCruncher]

Roads look really awesome. I went to Gangawati on my way to Hampi but through Guntakal, Bellary one of the worst roads in the country.

Keep up the travelling

[StarVegabond]

Originally Posted by deepakhon

I also need to show my wife Hampi. It is about time that we travel.

I have been planning a trip to Hampi since last over 2 years
i might actually travel by end of the year, hopefully

[sushrutha]

Nice pics ... The road is too good, It almost resembles HASSAN-BELUR-CHIKMAGALUR route

[addyhemmige]

Originally Posted by sushrutha

Nice pics ... The road is too good, It almost resembles HASSAN-BELUR-CHIKMAGALUR route

+1 to that. The last time I traveled on this road was a god 7-8 years back and it was pretty bad.

[muralisk]

Originally Posted by sushrutha

Nice pics ... The road is too good, It almost resembles HASSAN-BELUR-CHIKMAGALUR route

Thanks.

Originally Posted by addyhemmige

+1 to that. The last time I traveled on this road was a god 7-8 years back and it was pretty bad.

The roads are so good that I am quite tempted to do a Hampi trip very soon. Am sure that the red/ brown fields will be lush green in couple of months and that would even more amazing.