It started with a wedding invite. One of our college friends was getting married in Virajpet, Madikeri. For me, this Madikeri bike trip felt like one final long ride…, the kind I hadn’t done in a while. I’d been in my hometown for quite some time, and this trip felt like a breath of the old days
Journey mattered more than the destination. But this time, something felt different. Maybe because I was leaving. Moving to Chennai the next week. A new job, new streets, new faces. Somewhere in me I knew, this might be the last time we ride like this. All of us, in this version of life.
The road wound through the Coorg hills on our Madikeri bike trip, fresh with mist and quiet. My hands were on the bike, but my mind… Most of my friends work across the globe as sailors. Catching them together like this? Sometimes I wonder, if we ever meet again decades from now, old and grey, we might not recognise each other by face. But we’ll know. We’ll know by the way someone cracks that same old joke, we’ll know by the characters, by the kid inside that never really left.
Golden Temple Bylakuppe – A Calm Pause on Our Coorg Ride
After hours of riding through the ghats, we took a small detour to the Golden Temple in Bylakuppe. We were all a bit tired. The ride had been long. But deep down, I think we needed that break. Not just to stretch our legs, but to slow down our minds too. I was about to move to Chennai in a few days, stepping into a new job, a new life. Something about this trip already felt like a goodbye. Not dramatic, just one of those quiet moments you don’t realise is special until it’s happening.
The Golden Temple, also known as Namdroling Monastery. It’s one of the largest Tibetan monasteries in India. Inside the prayer hall, we saw three huge golden statues. One of Lord Buddha in the center, and the other two of Guru Padmasambhava and Amitayus. They stood tall under soft yellow lights, calm and glowing. Around them were bright paintings, prayer flags, and the sound of soft chanting in the air. We stayed there for a while and then walked around the temple. There were monks in maroon robes smiling at tourists, small Tibetan shops selling prayer wheels and local snacks, and kids playing near the prayer flags. It was simple, different – We stayed there for a while and then walked around the temple. There were monks in maroon robes smiling at tourists, small Tibetan shops selling prayer wheels and local snacks, and kids playing near the prayer flags. It was simple, different.
Raja’s Seat Visit – A Short Stop on the Madikeri Ride
As part of our Madikeri bike trip, we also visited Raja’s Seat, just for fun and timepass.. It wasn’t something we planned seriously. I had been there before, alone, during a different phase of life. Back then, it felt quiet and a bit personal. But this time, with friends around, the vibe was light. We walked around, watched the hills in the distance, and just chilled. The view was nice, the air was cool, and for that short while, nothing else mattered.
The Coorg wedding experience was quite different from what I’ve seen before…. One thing that stood out was how they touched the feet of all the elders to take their blessings before anything began. It felt genuine and showed how much they value respect and tradition. Most of the families seemed well-off, many from around Madikeri, which is known for its coffee estates.
A Traditional Coorg Wedding – Culture and Food. The men wore a wrap-around cloth with a long coat and a broad belt. It looked different from what we usually see but suited the place and occasion really well. The food was amazing too. So many items, and everything tasted great. Though honestly, a lot of it was on the sweeter side for me.
There was also a small ritual where they cut a banana tree before the main ceremony. I didn’t fully understand it, but it clearly held cultural meaning. We stayed there for two days in an Airbnb, didn’t click too many photos, just went with the flow. It was a short visit, but the whole vibe — the people, the traditions, the setting — left a good feeling. Simple, different, and warm.
We finally rode back to Mangalore, but just as we were leaving Madikeri, the rain hit.That night, back in Mangalore, we stuck to our plan. Just the three of us boys chillin here – Top House, Mangaluru. The next morning, it was time to go our own ways. I left for Chennai the following week, starting a new role, a new city, a new phase. The others packed up to head back to sea for their next sailing trips. Just a simple “take care bro,” and we all moved on.
Now, two months later, I’m sitting here writing this blog. Looking back at the Madikeri bike trip — the temple, the wedding, the laughs, the silence — it all still lingers. I don’t remember every single detail. But I remember how it felt. The open roads. The quiet moments and wanting to ride the open roads i once had rode solo or with groups. The feeling that something good had happened — something simple, but real.
And maybe that’s all that matters. Thanks for reading. Just wanted to share a small part of a trip that meant a lot to me. Click here to read more such blogs.
