Malpe beach/ Mookambika temple/ Charmadi Ghat

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It was my cousins wedding in May…a peak summer time in Mangalore. We went via Shiradi Ghat….the worst roads one could face. We were lucky not to have a flat tyre.

The wedding was to take place at Indrali Temple(Goddess Panchadurgaparameshwari) in Udupi. Since there was no venue available for the wedding to take place, my uncle decided to have his daughter’s wedding at this temple which is walkable distance from his house. The thought of being in a Silk saree & all the jewellery got me sweating!

But to our surprise, since the temple is built at a height, the cool breeze kept us cool. No one felt the need for a fan too. After the wedding was through, we decided to go to Malpe Beach.

Evening was beautiful, and beach was fun. Daughter was happy to be at the beach..and husband was thrilled to see Water Scooter ride. He went into the sea for a round with a trained water scooter driver for Rs.200/-(for single ride, for a doubles ride, he would have charged Rs.300/-). He had a eeee ah haha look on his face when he came back from the ride J. After absorbing the peace we got out of watching the lovely sunset, we started back to our room at Udupi.

Next day, we had another wedding to attend. And after the wedding, we decided to visit Kollur Mookambika temple.

Approximately 80kms drive was a long one. Throughout the way we could see cashew and Jackfruit trees. The temple is built in midst of a forest and most visitors to the temple were Keralites, men dressed in Mundu and women in their traditional cream color with golden border Sarees. The rush was manageable and we got a good darshan of the goddess and the surrounding Lingas & Ganapati idols. At Lord Ganesha’s gudi, daughters favourite God, the priest there gave her flowers..dont know what made him do it, but it was just to her and asked her if she will return to the temple again…and she said Yes.

After the darshan, my mum-in-law & I had Goli Soda..and the rest had Tea at a near by stall and we started back to Mangalore.

Next day we were to drive back to Bangalore. Since Shiradi Ghat wasn’t ready yet, we decided to try the Charmadi Ghat. The road was not so great, but was manageable.

Narrow roads, with beautiful view of the mountains & ghat roads. We stopped over on a three-cross road, (the left to Horanadu/ Kalasa and straight to Bangalore) after smelling hot Bajjis. We bought few plates of Hot masala vadas and Chilli Bajji’s. It tasted yummy. Anyone traveling on this road, must try the hot masala vadas. After the vadas, we drained down all the oil J with a cup of hot tea. We took nine long hours to touch Bangalore and another hour or so to reach our home. Tiring yet, enjoyable journey.