Trek to Antara Gange Caves

A blog Article on the Trek to Antara Gange by Aparna.S. Jagadeesan ( Grade 8th - CMR - NPS)

On a pleasant winter morning, we planned to do a trek to Antara Gange. Antara Gange is located 70 km from Bangalore and situated in Kolar district. We had heard about the caves over there and were eager to explore the hill. This picturesque place is nestled amidst rocky mountains.

Rocky Mountains in Antara Gange

Mischievous monkeys kept a roving eye on our backpacks, looking for food and trying to snatch when our attention is at the low ebb. Beware and do not keep eatable and food items in open view for the uninvited simian guests. 

Our uninvited simian guests!!

Kasi Viswanatha Temple

At the foothills of the mountain, a temple with Kashi Vishwanatha as the presiding deity welcomes the faithful and showers divine grace. Next to the temple, there is a small water body with a spring and it is believed the flow is perennial and cures all ailments (hence the name Antara Gange which means Ganges from the deep).

Mountain path leading to the caves

Our team

Our Team

Behind the temple, a moderate to steep climb on the hillock leads to two caves. For all of us, this was the first time traversing inside the narrow, dark caves. In some places we needed to literally crawl through crevices with the help of mobile torches for 10 m or so, followed by slithering. We overcame fear and thoughts of claustrophobia to see light at the end of the dark tunnel. All of us had few abrasions on our knees and forearms and couple of bumps on our forehead.

Inside the cave

The cave with dual entry/exit

Light @ the end of the tunnel !!

The whole trek took about two and a half hours including visits to the temples.

The trekking to Antara Gange was a memorable experience for all of us as we explored the wonder and beauty of nature. We definitely learnt the values of teamwork, fitness and the importance of conserving nature from this experience. It was also memorable as we spent time with friends.

 ‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever’- John Keats

Nature has its own way of charming mankind and offers enough for everyone’s needs. It is our duty to protect theses invaluable treasures for posterity.

"Values" - A treasure trove of Jewells [An incident from Cadavasal]



Goddess Gajalakshmi painted in the walls of Cadavasal House by an 

Artist from Thanjavur  in the first quarter of the 20 century.

This story was recited by my father who heard it from my great-grandfather – CRN thatta

 In his early childhood, C.R.N thatha used to take a twig and mischievously poke a lump on one of the helpers in his cadavasal ancestral home, Dharmi Paati's  leg.

Dharma patti  asked him to refrain from his mischief. On being asked why, she made up a story to satisfy his curiosity. She said that there were jewels and money inside her lump, something like a treasure trove, which could be taken out some day in future and CRN can have his share.

One day, due to her old age she passed away. Owing to his boyish innocence, CRN decided to go and retrieve this promised "treasure". On being questioned by his mother Cadavaasal Paati, about where he was headed to, he recited the same story, he had heard from Dharmi patti to her.

Instead of bursting his fantasy bubble, Cadavsal paati handled the situation in a very calm and wise manner, ( Cadavasal patti being a personification of a Divine Self within). Patti reasoned that they were a well-to-do family in the village and one of the most important values in the family was the nature of giving.

Hence, the money in Paati's lump should be left for her own grand children. Let it be that CRN has given his due and share for Dharmi patti’s grand children.

That day, instead of disheartening him, Cadavaasal Paati thought CRN a valuable lesson in life, more precious than any jewels found in a treasure trove.

 

Many of CRN thatta’s network of friends and family members recall fondly the numerous ‘random acts of kindness ‘ that he has performed for others throughout his career and life!!

-Apoorva S Jagadeesan