There’s a saying in Karnataka: “Where there’s a coast, there’s a Shetty.” And trust me, I didn’t make that up after this trip—but I might as well have. Because from the ghats of Yellapur to the steep bends of Agumbe, this monsoon journey was a celebration of nature, nostalgia, and the ever-welcoming Shetty hospitality.
Let me take you through it.
The Drive Begins: Belagavi to the Western Ghats
It was a moody, overcast morning when I started from Belagavi with my wife, Chaitra, in our XUV. Before hitting the coast, we made a quick pit stop at our factory—because what’s a road trip without work briefly waving hello?
Soon, the straight roads gave way to winding ghats, and as we approached Yellapur, the rain gently turned into a curtain. The forest stretch before Yellapur was a scene straight out of a monsoon postcard—foggy, dense, and green beyond belief. Driving there felt like being inside a moving rainforest.
The Vada Pav with a View
As the ghat dropped us closer to the sea, we stopped at a humble tea stall somewhere along the Mirjan–Ramnagar road. A distant view of the Arabian Sea glimmered in the background, and the tea felt like it had brewed in heaven. But the surprise hero of the stop?
A vada pav stuffed with crispy onion stuffed aloo bondas—a fusion Mumbai never knew it needed!
Murudeshwar: Of Giants and Oceans
Next stop: Murudeshwar.
For Chaitra, it was her first visit, and for me, it was yet another moment to marvel at that towering Shiva statue standing like a sentinel beside the sea. The wind, the waves, and that iconic idol made us feel smaller in the best way possible.
But no lingering here—we had a room waiting at Brahmavara, just past the mesmerizing Maravanthe beach, where the river flows parallel to the sea, with only a road separating the two. It’s the kind of geography lesson that makes you want to pull over just to breathe.
The Red Alert Evening
Our stay was at Hotel Fortune Plaza—a Shetty-owned property, naturally. Although it’s on the highway, the peace indoors was deceptive. Because just as we checked in, the winds roared and the skies opened up. Red alert! flashed across the news. But for us, it was the perfect excuse to do what any coastal visitor should—eat and rest.
Of Temples, Ice Cream, and Lineage
Next day was about spiritual detours and soul food:
- Mookambika Temple, Kollur – Two Shettys welcomed us here too (we were scheduled to meet one, and got bonus blessings from another!). There’s clearly a spiritual hotline among Shettys, I swear. Thanks to their help, we had a smooth and blessed darshan—the kind that makes you believe some things are just meant to align.
- Anegudde Vinayaka Temple – Quiet, powerful, and pristine.
- Udupi Shri Krishna Matha – This place lives in every Madhwa heart and every rasam bowl that arrives before the sambhar(huli).
- Pajaka Kshetra – This was special. Birthplace of Sri Madhvacharya, our Dvaita founder. To stand there was more than a visit—it was a spiritual grounding.
And of course, Hotel Diana’s legendary Gudbud ice cream followed. A personal recommendation from Dr. Jayant—and an experience that delivered.
Back to Rest, Back to Work
Evenings were predictable in the best way: coastal meals, emails, and catching up on work. There’s something deeply satisfying about combining spicy ghee roast with your task list.
The Twist in the Tail: Agumbe’s Wet Welcome
As we began our return journey, I assumed the adventure had peaked.
Enter: Agumbe Ghat.
Someshwara was the last calm before the storm—literally. The rain intensified, and the ghat began its steep, twisty climb. Driving there in the downpour was a masterclass in focus, especially with the road hugging sharp turns like secrets.
We stopped for tea right near the Malgudi Days filming location. Nostalgia hit. And guess what? Even that hotel was run by a Shetty. Coastal Karnataka really said: You can’t escape us.
Final Stops and Home Run
A quick meeting in Shimoga, and then the final stretch—long highways lined with concrete and memories. Back in Belagavi, I realized this wasn’t just a trip—it was a mosaic of monsoon magic, temple trails, local taste, winding roads, and warm hosts.
In Summary:
- 🌧️ Best Part of the Trip: The rain never stopped. Neither did the joy.
- 🛣️ Unexpected Thrill: Agumbe in full monsoon mood.
- 🧑🤝🧑 MVPs of the Journey: Mr. Prasad Shetty, Dr. Jayant Deshpande, Mr. Pramod Shetty—and honestly, every Shetty we met along the way.
- 🍛 Soul Food Moment: Gudbud + Rasam memories + Coastal thali.
- 🛕 Spiritual High: Pajaka Kshetra – standing on the soil of our roots.
- 🚙 Realization: The road isn’t just a path—it’s a storyteller.
They say you need a reason to travel. But sometimes, the rains, the roads, and the Shettys give you all the reasons you need.
