A Roadtrip from Hyderabad to Hampi!
Being a writer, I often need to reboot my mind to be able to generate fresher ideas. Here is a blog on my recent Roadtrip from Hyderabad to Hampi. A Roadtrip from Hyderabad to Hampi is a truly unforgettable experience. Let us go through it.
Being a writer, I often need to reboot my mind to be able to generate fresher ideas. And nothing works better than a long drive. Whenever I need to get away from the rigmarole of writing and daily chores, I make a quick escape to a quiet destination nearby and refresh myself. A few months ago, when I found myself stuck halfway through my new work, I left everything and planned a road trip to Hampi. Yes, it is relatively a longer drive (at least 8.5 hours) than what would commonly be defined as a ‘quick getaway’, but that was a good place to head to in the festival season. I managed to book an inexpensive car on rent in Hyderabad with an experienced driver, so I could mull over my story and enjoy the ride without having to bother myself about the road and other paraphernalia.
To Hampi
Why Hampi, you might ask! Well, I have always found the ancient town akin to a huge, open monument. Such places speak of the rich ancient heritage that our country once boasted of. I have gone to all the places to visit in hyderabad with kids already. And as a writer of historical conspiracies, nothing inspires me better than relics and ruins of great empires which stand as a living testament of what once would have been. The opulent palaces, elaborately carved temples, and forts all come together on the backdrop of the ruddy landscape to create a perfect environment for someone like me to sit and muse. Plus, the period of October-November is the best time to visit this UNESCO World Heritage site.
So, off I was on my weekend getaway to Hampi, on a bright autumn morning and took the following route:
Hyderabad – Shamshabad – Mahbubnagar – Makthal – Deosugur – Raichur – Sindhanur – Gangavathi – Hampi.
The route
Although this was quite a busy route, considering morning traffic, weekend travelers, et al, there was quite a lot of greenery to enjoy along the way, thanks to the good monsoon that year. The sky was washed clear and couldn’t have been bluer. The car cut through the city traffic and was soon zooming along the Bangalore highway. And I must say, this route is an absolute delight for those who love to drive or ride a car. The four-lane stretch was so smooth, I felt like I was gliding. Now that is the benefit of booking a licensed and comfortable taxi for any long road trip.
Soon we took off the highway and before we took the NH 44 near Mahbubnagar, I stopped for my morning refreshments at the Stop N Go Food Plaza.
The road from Mahbubnagar to Sindhanur was not as heavenly as I had found in my initial stretch, but it was far better than many other routes that I have explored. From Sindhanur, we were back on the wide roads again. I stopped again at Raichur for lunch at a small local eatery which served home-style lunch menu. Eating fresh off the stove with locally grown vegetables and home-made spices was indeed comforting to the stomach as well as the heart.
A sudden stay-over
It was almost evening by the time we crossed Raichur. It would take another three to four hours on the highway to reach Hampi. And I realized that by the time I reach my destination, it would be dead dark and considering it is not a big city, I might have difficulty finding a place to stay. So I made some last minute changes to my travel plans and decided to stay back at a small guest house near Raichur Fort. Thankfully, my cabbie agreed to the sudden change in the itinerary and stayed back with me for the night.
Next morning, it felt like a fresh start. While it would have been more practical to reach Hampi the same day I started, this was another experience. Otherwise, where do we get to be so spontaneous with our decisions?
Just before reaching Hampi, the cabbie suggested that we could take a stop at the Narihalla River and enjoy the fresh, post-monsoon view of the dam and its surroundings.
Introduction to ruins
As the car inched closer to the town of ruins, I could already feel its antiquated vibes, the dated stone structures, fighting hard to stand tall in a world of commercialization. Fortunately, I found none, or almost negligible. I passed the stone bridge at Anegundi on the way which crossed the mighty Tungabhadra River.
I had visited this historic site long ago, for a field trip from school. A lot had changed in these decades, but the underlying air of nostalgia, trapped in its rocks and boulders, was still the same. The peculiar landscape was strewn with granite and sandstone, with a derelict monument peeping out randomly as if to make their presence felt.
Bidding adieu to my cab, I headed out on a long walk through the remnants of Hampi’s past, trying to find a connecting element among them and piece my story together.