Deep inside fierce clouds in Gopal Swamy Betta

We started from Nanjangud around 5:30 in the morning towards Gundlupet which was around 35 KM from here. Although it rained few days before and the forecast also of scattered rains, it was surprisingly pleasant without any rain. We took right turn after Hangala village (after Gundlupet) and started going towards the Gopal Swamy Hill. There was slight drizzle on the way, but it looked to be a sunny day ahead. After 4-5 kilo meters the mountains started appearing with clouds covered over them. The view was excellent.


As we went up the hill in second gear, we could feel the clouds and the drizzle looked to be intensified with winds. When we reached the top of the hill in front of Gopal Swamy Betta at around 7:00 AM, it was a real shocker for us. The wind was blowing super fast, small droplets from the clouds started hitting us at like tiny bullets. The breeze was blowing so fast, it was virtually pushing us aside. The sound was like of a tornado! The temperature feeling like around 10 degrees with heavy winds, we started running towards the temple to get some shelter.


The temple was closed (may be the priest might have checked the weather forecast well) and there were several people standing there. There were several groups of youngsters enjoying the winds and shouting hard to beat the cold.

I dared to take some picture, although it looked like my camera will fly away in the winds or water goes inside the lens.

Because of the thick clouds, we were able to hardly see for few meters. For some time it looked like wind is going to stop, as we could see the visibility increasing and wind reducing.

However, it was just for few minutes, as it all started again. We came back to the car and sat and started having chips. We went out again after some time, just to see the winds and drizzle blowing at same intensity as earlier. We went around the temple for some time, and decided to start back.
As we started driving down, suddenly the wind and rain disappeared just after coming down half a kilo meter. It was real surprise to see so much weather changes with in altitudes. We stopped on the way back to enjoy the greenery and take some snaps. And when we reached the bottom, it was all normal, no rain, no winds and usual sunny day!!

In the end it was a lifetime experience to go deep inside the fierce clouds and really see how it feels to be in there!!!