A Weekend Getaway to Sakleshpur

Karnataka’s younger child, Sakleshpur, is a quaint little town located at a height of 3000 ft from the sea level. Characterized by a salutary climate and just enough places of tourist attraction, this town’s moniker is ‘Poor man’s Ooty’. The busy months of June and July were taking a toll on our minds and that is when an impromptu trip to Sakleshwar commenced.

Booking a cab, we started as early as 7:00 AM and reached Sakleshpur by 12:00 PM. The road to this remote yet exotic utopia is as smooth as silk. Characterised by fresh monsoon rains and greens all around, the small city adorns the glee too gracefully. Since we went on a Saturday, we had almost a day to explore different parts of the city. Here are the details of our trip:

Place of Stay: The Hills (Resort)– booked via makemytrip.com

The resort is massive in terms of area. The best part is that it provides individual cottages for the customers and each cottage is at a significant distance from the other. However, the same boon might become a curse if the weather is wild and nature’s noise is louder than your own voice. This happened to us because while we were at ‘The Hills’, it was quite stormy. There is a power cut from 1:00 AM to 5:00 AM and that adds on to the fear factor.

Tip: Carry board games or cards along because that will be the best pastime post dinner. Carry a torch and your own toiletries because the resort provided us with used soaps. Use BSNL/ AIRTEL sim card as this network will pass the muster. You can get your hands on Beer by asking the resort staff and paying extra money.

Since the cottages are farther away from the reception and the dining area, be ready to walk- walk for everything. There are no telephone lines that connect the cottage to the reception (that is what freaks you out even more) and there is no Wi-Fi. You can call the reception using your mobile but for that, you need ‘reception’.

Food: The resort provides meals three times a day (buffet) and it is not only sumptuous but also appetizing.

Manjarabad Fort
A star-shaped fort built by Tipu Sultan as a symbol of accord between the Indian Ruler and the French army in their fight against the British, the Manjarabad Fort is a huge structure that comprises of the ruins of the fort. It is very disappointing to see that people have scribbled all over the walls of the fort and that the management is not top notch. However, the view from the boundary is mesmerizing. The entry is free and it will easily take one hour to explore the place.

Shri Sakaleshwara Swamy Temple
Located on the outskirts of the city, Shri Sakleshwara Swamy Temple is the hallmark of Hoysala architecture. The city derives its name from this temple. This place is worth a visit because it gives you a chance to appreciate the maker’s creativity and at the same time satiate the mind with peaceful vibes.

Kukke Subramanya Temple
This is another temple that can be visited on the way to Bisle Ghat. Owing to the terrible weather conditions, the road to Bisle Ghat was blocked and we couldn’t visit either of these places.

Other than these, Sakleshpur is a hub of the coffee plantation. Soaking in the aroma of coffee beans and tasting freshly brewed coffee can be added to the list as well. This place is a good choice when you have to overcome the Monday blues and thank God that it’s Weekend!

Overall, characterized by good roads and a lovely weather, Sakleshpur is an earth’s jewel that needs to be explored!

“Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.”

~Henry David Thoreau

Till the next time, Happy Travelling!