Even the “revenue mandal” town
Mangapet , which is four or five kilometers away from Mallur , was a small
town and did not have big hotels. Therefore people have to reach
the temple by 8am( by auto,cab or motorcycle). since
the temple is located two kilometers inside a jungle all people are
strictly advised to leave by 5pm.
However there is a steady flow of
devotees in day time because it is such a beautiful place . Every day a few
hundred devotees come in small batches in normal times from nearby
villages and towns mostly using own vehicles, cars or motor bikes . Many also
visit by autos which are available in plenty for the temple trip. Hundreds of
thousands of devotees visit the temple in April or May to participate in the
grand annual “Brahmostavam”. Since the temple is located in beautiful
hilly and forest environment some film industry groups also visit the
place occasionally to shoot film scenes. There is a nice road for cars ,
two wheelers and autos to take pilgrims right up to the temple steps. But
I felt that the real attraction was the most beautiful tree lined forest
path two or three kilometers long on the wide spine of the long hill
upto the temple .
It is on this path that I and
my friend walked on a pleasant cool foggy morning to reach the temple 23 years
ago. But even after a long time memories of the pleasant trip come to my mind
now and then.
“For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure
fills,
And dances with the daffodils.”
— William Wordsworth
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