I boarded the Yashwantpur – Karwar Express to reach my
hometown Udupi on a beautiful Friday morning, 16.05.2014 to be precise. I was to attend the annual car festival of my
native village. I knew I will chance upon some great photo ops. But it turned
out be an unforgettable train journey.
The railway line from Sakleshpur to Subrahmanya Road passes
through one of the most beautiful landscapes on earth – the Western Ghat Ranges
or Sahyadri Ranges as it has been called since Ramayana era. An otherwise sober train journey between Bangalore
and Mangalore takes a dramatic mood change as it enters Sakleshpur. Here, some of
nature enthusiasts enter the train and with much commotion there will be cameras
everywhere. For next three hours, it will be fun, frolic, cheer and so on till
the Subrahmanya Road is reached and everyone involuntarily join it by the sheer
excitement.
The day train leaves from Bangalore at 7.30am from Yashwantpur
Railway station. Make sure that you have a window seat at the left hand side of
the train. At Arasikere, the engine is detached and reattached to the other end,
thus at the right hand side all the great events take place. Enter Sakleshpur,
everything outside wears green. Dark green! Dark and Green during monsoon! The peaks
of Aramane Gudda and Devarabetta are seen from this side.
For most part of this journey train passes through the mountains
from one peak to the other. And at some places near the curves, the train
appears to be tumbling from the mountain top. Interspersed with tunnels and
bridges, the landscape keeps changing constantly. Screams and screeches fly through
the roof top as train enters each tunnel and passes through the darkness. Again
the excitement begins as it carefully negotiates tall bridges and deep curves. Mightiness
of evergreen forests of this Western Ghats is evident at each bridge, sky high trees
rising from the deep crevices.
Once again, at the Subrahmanya Road, train becomes empty leaving
me enough time to recall all the
good times of the day.
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