22-Aug-2004 -- After the ecstasy of successfully reaching two confluences in a day (15N77E & 15N76E), we drove towards Hospet where we planned to stay the night. The road from Itikki to Hospet was not very good and we drove slowly to reach Hospet at about 2100 hrs. Jagan had booked us into a nice hotel there. We checked in and after cleaning up, we met to talk about the events of the day and to plan the next day. We planned to be ready to leave at about 0730 the next morning.

All of us got up late and after a quick breakfast, we managed to check out at about 0915! The plan was to head north from Hospet on NH#13 towards the town of Hundgund. 16N76E was a few kilometers from Hudgund. To reach Hundgund, NH#13 passed through the town of Kushtagi. This highway was one of the best we’ve driven on. It was smooth and in a straight line. The confluence seemed to be located south-west of Hundgund, so we decided to look for a left turn even before we reached Hundgund. Soon enough, we found a road going left when we were about 3.5 kilometers from the confluence. After a few twists and turns, we reached a point where the GPS indicated that the confluence was about 350 meters from the road. We pulled up at the side and walked across some barren land and through a sunflower farm to reach 16N76E at 1100 hrs. The altitude recorded was 561 meters. I took the mandatory photographs while Anand and Mohan were busy locating the “zeros” on the test GPS we were carrying. As we walked back to the car, we met a couple of village folks who informed us that the nearest village was called Yerragonala. We thanked them and walked back to the car where Jagan was waiting for us. He did not attempt to walk to this point as he had hurt his knee in the hotel room and wanted to ensure that he was ok for the long drive back to Bangalore.

It was quite satisfying that we had reached all three confluences as planned (15N77E, 15N76E, 16N76E). Now, we wanted to head back to Hospet to take in the grandeur of the Tungabhadra Dam and reservoir. A truly awe inspiring sight. We reached Hospet at 1300 hrs and then got directions to go to Hampi (www.karnataka.com/tourism/hampi/). We saw a few of the ruins and then thought it wise to head back to Hospet early for a quick lunch before starting off for Bangalore.

Bangalore was a 320 kilometer drive from Hospet and we passed through the towns of Chitradurga and Tumkur before reaching home at 2130 hrs.

Every confluence reached is a different experience and these three were no exceptions. In addition, we had the pleasure of traveling in a new vehicle and also had the opportunity to carry an additional GPS to test.

Note: “HAMPI, the seat of the famed VIJAYANAGARA empire was the capital of the largest empire in post-mogul India, covering several states. The empire reigned supreme under Krishnadevaraya, the Emperor. The Vijayanagara empire stretched over at least three states - Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh. The destruction of Vijayanagar by marauding Moghul invaders was sudden, shocking and absolute. They reduced the city to ruins amid scenes of savage massacre and horrors beggaring description.

Although in ruins today, this capital city once boasted riches known far beyond the shores of India. The ruins of Hampi of the 14th Century lies scattered in about 26 sq. km area, amidst giant boulders and vegetation. Protected by the tempestuous river Tungabhadra in the north and rocky granite ridges on the other three sides, the ruins silently narrate the story of grandeur splendor and fabulous wealth. The splendid remains of palaces and gateways of the broken city tells a tale of man’s infinite talent and power of creativity together with his capacity for senseless destruction.”