Chembara trekking and Suchipara falls

We had covered few parts of Karnataka. Have heard Kerala state has good trekking places. I started searching for the good places in Kerala. Wayanad district is the border district between Karnataka and Kerala, we thought why should not we venture into Wayanad. Three people Guru Prasanna (Guru), Shashidhara (Shashi) and Hari Prasad (Hari (Myself)) were ready to step in to Kerala. After digging down we planned the following. 
Plan:

• Trekking to Yedakal caves and Visiting Suchipara falls on 13-Dec-2008.
• Visiting Matanga wild life sanctuary on 14-Dec-2008.
• Trekking to Chembara peak on 14-Dec-2008.

Information:

Trekking Place            : Chembara Trekking.

How to Reach              : Bus is best mode of Transport.

Number of Days          : 2 Days 3 Night.

Accommodation          : We stayed in a Lodge in Kalpetta.

Food                            : 2 Vegetarian Hotels were available.

Nearby Places             : Meenmutty falls, Pookot lake.

Contact Numbers        : Jeep Driver Ashraf  +919447544872

Trek Distance              : Chembara approximately 14 km (7 km one way).

                                      : Yedakal caves approximately 6 km (3 km one way).

Trek Difficulty Level     : 3 out of 5.

Trekking Attractions    : Nice greenery, beautiful lake in middle of our trekking.

Best Time to Trek        : Sept-Dec.  

To start with, I really appreciate Guru and Shashi for completing the trekking even though they were not well. 
Kerala is unknown place for us, don’t know the language, Don’t know any friend(s)/people in Wayanad district.  Till the last day Guru had not booked tickets to Kalpetta city. Kalpetta is the District head-quarters of Wayanad district. On 12-Dec-2008 we were suppose to travel to Kalpettta.Guru reached majestic to book tickets on the same day of our trekking at around 8:30PM.

Unluckily guru was not well. His front gate had opened (Vomiting). By the time I came to know his illness, he had already blocked 2 toilets in majestic. Latter rare gate also opened (Dysentery). We thought it may a red signal for our trekking. Guru was not willing to stop trekking because of him.We got in to a KSRTC (Kerala Transport) AC Bus. Since it was AC bus we thought it may be problem for Guru. Bus started and Guru didn’t feel vomiting. He could not accomodate even water in his stomach.

We reached Kalpetta city at around 4:00 AM. It was very calm morning. Guru did not have anything in the night. Due to acidity Guru had hiccups. In the calm morning hiccups could be heard for 200 meters. We searched for lodges all were full. Finally we got a room in a lodge. Till 10 am we were unsure of trekking. Shashi also had got light fever.At 10 am we went to an Udupi hotel. Had idli(s). Guru vomited that also. Shashi brought Dashamoola (Ayurvedic medicine), all of us had and then we thought of going to trip by a jeep.

Asked a police about where to get a cab for our trip. He himself arranged a Jeep for us. Our Driver name is Ashraf. We knew Kannada, English, Tulu and broken Hindi. Our driver knew only Malayalam. It was difficult for us to convey the message. Kept our luggage in lodge and started to Yedakal Caves. Yedakal caves was full of visitors. It was Rock Mountain. We took approximately 1.5 hrs to reach peak. It was slippery track.

 

Slippery Yedakal caves

View of steep slippery trekking path.

Rock climbing

We got down and started to Suchipara falls. We reached Suchipara falls by 5:00 pm. Had bath in the falls. It was a safe and nice falls.

ಸೂಚಿಪರ ಜಲಪಾತ

Guru created a scene in this falls. He did not take bath due to his illness. After sometime while wandering in the falls he slipped and fell flat on a rock. He was hurt on his back. After some time he became normal. Some girls from college came to Suchipara falls. Guru was talking to all girls in Malayalam. Girls were talking in malayalam, I have translated what they have said to english.

Girl: Don’t you know Malayalam.

Guru: Yenaku Malayalam ariyadu.

Girl: You are talking in Malayalam and saying you do not know Malayalam.

Now our guru became translator between us and our driver. On the way to Suchipara falls few shops had gooseberry which were soaked in salt water. It was very nice, do not miss it if you ever go there. We reached Kalpetta by 7:30 pm. Had our lunch in Aafaz hotel. Only Aafaz and Udupi hotels were the vegetarian hotels available in Kalpetta. Our Shashi’s Dashaamoola worked really great. Guru was almost normal. Shashi also felt well from his fever. We slept for the day.

We got up at 5:00 am and got ready by 5:30 am. Our driver Ashraf came to our lodge in the early morning. We started to Maatanga wild life sanctuary. From Karnataka Bandipura forest, from Kerala Maatanga wild life sanctuary and from Tamil Naadu Madhumalai forest joins here. We were the very first to enter Maatanga wild life sanctuary for that day. Ashraf told we can see many animals because we are the first to enter. But we saw few cars moving earlier to us. Very start of the forest, forest officer shown 2 tusks. They were actually tied to a tree. We spotted jackals. Guru immediately responded saying “ಕುದುಕ್ಕ  (Jackal in Tulu) ನೋಡಿದ್ರೆ ಬಹಳ ಒಳ್ಳೇದು. ಅದು ಒಳ್ಳೆ ಶಕುನ”. We could able to spot 1 wild elephant and deer. We returned to Kalpetta by 8:30 am. Kudukka did not bring any luck till now.

Had our breakfast and started to Chembara trekking starting point by jeep. Our driver told this trekking is 1.5 km trekking. Also told us there is high chance of getting lost.

We started our trekking and the path to Chembara was very clear. There was no chance of getting lost. Trekking was very steep terrain.

We saw the beautiful lake during our journey to peak. There were steps of animals, which had come to drink water. We enjoyed a lot in the lake. Reached the peak at 2:00 pm and started back. We took 3-4 hrs to reach peak. 

Heart shaped Lake which provides drinking water to many wild Animals.

We enjooyed a lot in this lake. It was looking like only source of water for surrounging forest animals. Fishes residing in the lake were cleaning our legs. Gave chakkota fruit to fishes also.

View of the peak from the lake

Chakkota fruit tree was available near to lake. We plucked some Chakkota and ate. It is very nice, we ate these sour fruits as though never ate it.

ಚಕ್ಕೋತ ಮರ.

Bigest frog (Shashi) was flying from one hill to another(Alien).

Way to peak.

Three member gang visited Chembara peak.



Tea Estate.

Nice view in Maatanga wild life sanctuary.

Started back to Kalpetta. Ashraf asked more money today. It was unacceptable to us. Still we could not bargain because our Guru had forgotten the yesterday learnt Malayalam.

We were waiting in a bus stand. A bad news was waiting for me, I got a call saying one of my close relative has expired. Guru and Shashi started to Bangalore. I started to my relative house .

ಸೀತಾ River Rafting ಹಾಗೂ ಕುಂದಾದ್ರಿ ಚಾರಣ. 

Sitaa River Rafting and Kundaadri Trekking.

ನಾವು ಪಶ್ಚಿಮ ಘಟ್ಟಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸುಮಾರು ಚಾರಣ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದೇವೆ. ನಮ್ಮ ಆಕಾಂಕ್ಷೆ river rafting ಮಾಡುವ ಆಸೆ. ಸೀತಾ ನದಿಯು ನನಗೆ ತುಂಬಾ ಅರಿತಿರುವ river rafting ಪ್ರದೇಶ. ಸೀತಾ ನದಿಯು ಆಗುಂಬೆಯಿಂದ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ದೂರದಲ್ಲಿ ಇದೆ. ಆಗುಂಬೆ ಸುತ್ತ ಮುತ್ತ ನಮಗೆ ಬೇಕಾದ ಚಾರಣದ ದಾರಿಗಳು ಇವೆ.

We have done many trekking in Western Ghats. Our desire is to go for river rafting. Sitaa river is the know river rafting place for me. Many trekking trails are also available near Agumbe.

ಯೋಜನೆ:

• ಸೀತಾ River Rafting. ಒನಕೆ ಅಬ್ಬಿ  ಜಲಪಾತಕ್ಕೆ ಭೇಟಿ. 
• ಆಗುಂಬೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ರಾತ್ರಿ ಕಳೆದು ಮಾರನೆಯ ದಿನ ಕುಂದಾದ್ರಿಯ ಚಾರಣ.

Plan:

· Sitaa river rafting. Visit to Onake Abbi water falls.

· Stay in Agumbe. Trekking Kundaadri.

ಮಾಹಿತಿ:

ಚಾರಣ ಪ್ರದೇಶ               : ಕುಂದಾದ್ರಿ, ಒನಕೆ ಅಬ್ಬಿ.

ತಲುಪುವ ಬಗೆ                 : ಬಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಹೋಗುವುದು ಉತ್ತಮ.

ದಿನಗಳು                        : 2 ಹಗಲು ಹಾಗೂ 3 ರಾತ್ರಿ. 

ಉಳಿಯುವ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ          : Malya Residency 

ಆಹಾರ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ                : ಆಗುಂಬೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಊಟ ಹಾಗೂ ಉಪಹಾರ ವ್ಯಸ್ಥೆ ಇದೆ.

ಹತ್ತಿರದ ವೀಕ್ಷಣಾ ಸ್ಥಳಗಳು : ನರಸಿಂಹ ಪರ್ವತ, ಜೋಗಿಗುಂಡಿ, ಬರ್ಖನ ಜಲಪಾತ ವೀಕ್ಷಣಾ ಸ್ಥಳ
                                       ಸೂರ್ಯಾಸ್ತ ವೀಕ್ಷಣ ಸ್ಥಳ.

ಸಂಪರ್ಕ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ               :  ಸುಧೀಂದ್ರ ಮಲ್ಯ: +91 9448759363 .

ಚಾರಣದ ದೂರ                : ಕುಂದಾದ್ರಿ ಹೆಬ್ಬಾಗಿಲಿಂದ(Gate ) ಕುಂದಾದ್ರಿಗೆ 4 ಕಿ ಮೀ (ಒಟ್ಟು 8 ಕಿ ಮೀ).

                                       ಆಗುಂಬೆಯಿಂದ ಒನಕೆ ಅಬ್ಬಿ ಜಲಪಾತಕ್ಕೆ 4 ಕಿ ಮೀ (ಒಟ್ಟು 8 ಕಿ ಮೀ).

ಚಾರಣದ ಕಷ್ಟ ಸಾಧ್ಯ        : 2 /5 .

ಚಾರಣದ ಆಕರ್ಷಣೆ           : ಒನಕೆ ಅಬ್ಬಿ  ಜಲಪಾತ, ಕೂಡಲ ತೀರ್ಥ ಜಲಪಾತ, ಸದಾ ಹಸಿರಾಗಿರುವ ಕಾಡು, 

                                      ಆಗುಂಬೆಯ ಸೂರ್ಯಾಸ್ತ. 

ಸೂಕ್ತ ಸಮಯ                  : ಸೆಪ್ಟೆಂಬರ್ ಇಂದ ಜನವರಿ.

Information:

Trekking Place            : Kundaadri, Onake Abbi.

How to Reach              : Bus is best mode of Transport.

Number of Days          : 2 Days 3 Night.

Accommodation          : We stayed in a Lodge in Agumbe (Malya Residency).

Food                             : Many hotels available.

Nearby Places             : Narasimha Parvatha, Jogi Gundi, Barkhana view point.
                                        Sunset point.
Contact Numbers        : Sudhindra Malya - +91 9448759363

Trek Distance              : 4 km trekking to Kundaadri from Kundaadri gate(8km two way).

                                        4 km to Onake Abbi from Agumbe(8km two way).

Trek Difficulty Level     : 2 out of 5.

Trekking Attractions    : Onake Abbi falls, koodalateertha falls, Ever green forest.

Best Time to Trek        : Sept-Dec.

ನಾವು ತುಂಬಾ ಮುಂಚಿತವಾಗಿಯೇ ಸೀತಾ River Rafting ಹಾಗೂ ಕುಂದಾದ್ರಿ ಅಥವಾ ಕೊಡಚಾದ್ರಿ ಚಾರಣ ಮಾಡಲು ಯೋಜಿಸಿದ್ದೆವು.  ನಮ್ಮ ಚಾರಣ ದಿನ ಹತ್ತಿರವಾಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದಂತೆ ಪಶ್ಚಿಮ ಘಟ್ಟದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಳೆಯೂ ಹೆಚಾಗಿತ್ತು. ನೆರೆಹಾವಳಿಯ ಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಉಂಟಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಈ ಸ್ಥಿತಿ ನಮ್ಮ River Rafting ಗೆ ಅನಾನುಕೂಲ ಆಗಬಹುದು ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿದು, Rafting ನಡೆಸುವ ಆಯೋಜಕರಿಗೆ ಕರೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಕೇಳಿದಾಗ ಅವರು ನೀರು ಹೆಚ್ಚಾದಷ್ಟು  Rafting ಸುರಕ್ಷಿತವಾಗಿರುತ್ತದೆ ಎಂದರು. ಖುಷಿಯಿಂದ ನಾವು ಶಿವಮೊಗ್ಗಕ್ಕೆ ಹೊರಟೆವು. ಶಿವಮೊಗ್ಗ ತಲುಪುವ ವೇಳೆಗೆ ಸುಮಾರು ಬೆಳಗ್ಗೆ 4  ಘಂಟೆ ಆಗಿತ್ತು. ಸೋಮೇಶ್ವರ ಕಡೆಗೆ ಹೋಗುವ ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಬಸ್ಸನ್ನು ಹಿಡಿದು ಹೊರೆಟೆವು. ಸೀತಾನದಿ ನಿಸರ್ಗಮ ನಮ್ಮ River Rafting ಶುರು ಮಾಡುವ ಜಾಗ. ಶಿವಮೊಗ್ಗದಿಂದ ಸೀತಾ ನದಿ ನಿಸರ್ಗಧಾಮದವರೆಗೂ ನಮ್ಮ ಪ್ರಶಾಂತ್ ಭಟ್ಟರು ಸುಖವಾಗಿ ಕೊನೆಯ ಸೀಟ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು ಟಿಕೆಟ್ ಕೊಂಡು 4 ಸೀಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಿದ್ರಿಸಿದರು. ಸೀತಾ ನದಿ ನಿಸರ್ಗಧಾಮವನ್ನು ಸುಮಾರು ಬೆಳಗ್ಗೆ 7 :೦೦ ಘಂಟೆಗೆ ತಲುಪಿದೆವು.

We had planned Sitaa river rafting and Kundaadri or Kodachaadri Trekking well in advance. It was raining heavily in agumbe and in Western Ghats. It was flood situation. I called up river rafting organizers whether heavy rain could stop us from River Rafting. He told, more the rain more safe for river rafting. Happily we started to shimoga. Got down in shimoga by 4:00am. We got another bus towards someshwara, which is our starting point of river rafting. We reached Seethanadi Nature Camp by 7:00am. From shimoga to Seethanadi Nature Camp Prashanth Bhattaru took one ticket and slept in 4 seats.

ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಮಳೆ ಬರುತ್ತಿತ್ತು, ಆ ಮಳೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಕೃತಿ ಸೌಂದರ್ಯ ಸೊಗಸಾಗಿ ಕಾಣುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ನಮ್ಮ ಬೆಳಗಿನ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಗಳನ್ನು ಮುಗಿಸಿ River Rafting ಗೆ ಸಿದ್ದರಾದೆವು. ನಮ್ಮ ತಂಡದ ಇಬ್ಬರು ಮಂಗಳೂರಿನಿಂದ ಬರಬೇಕಿತ್ತು. ಗುರು ಕುಳಾಯಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಅರುಣ್ ಅರೆ ನಿದ್ರಾವಸ್ಥೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ಲೊ ಇಳಿದು ಪುನಃ ಬರುವ ವೇಳೆಗೆ 9:೦೦ ಘಂಟೆ ಆಗಿತ್ತು. ಸೀತಾನದಿಯ ಪ್ರವಾಹ ನೋಡಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಮನಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಹೆದರಿಕೆ ಉಂಟಾಯಿತು. 

It was raining, it was looking heavenly. We finished our nature calls and got ready for river rafting. 2 of our friends were suppose to come from Mangalore. Guru Kulaai and Arun in half sleep state got up some where and reached Seethanadi Nature Camp by 9:00am. When we saw the Sita river it was flooding. We were scared to see the flooding river.

Ready for Rafting

ಸೀತಾ ನದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಲವು ಛಾಯಚಿತ್ರ ತೆಗೆದೆವು. River Rafting ಆಯೋಜಕರು ತುಂಬಾ ಸಹಕಾರಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದರು. ನಾವು ಪೂರ್ಣ ಹಣ ಪಾವತಿ ಮಾಡಿ, ನಮ್ಮ Raft ನ್ನು ಹೊತ್ತೊಯ್ದೆವು. Rafting ನಾಯಕರು ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ಸೂಚನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಕೊಟ್ಟರು. ನಂತರ ನಮ್ಮ River Rafting ಶುರುಮಾಡಿದೆವು.

We took some snaps in flooding river. River Rafting organizers were very co-operative. We paid complete amount for river rafting. We carried our rafts to River Sita, started River Rafting. Raft leader instructed us on how follow his instructions. We started our rafting in roaring river sita. 

ಪ್ರವಾಹದಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಳುಗಿದ ಸ್ನೇಹಿತರು.

ಪ್ರವಾಹದಿಂದ ಹರಿಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಸೀತಾ ನದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಯಾಮೆರಾ ಒಯ್ಯಲು ಯಾರೂ ಸಿದ್ಧರಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ, ನಮ್ಮ ಪ್ರೋಮೊದ್ ಧೈರ್ಯ  ಮಾಡಿ ಕ್ಯಾಮೆರಾ ತಂದಿದ್ದ.  ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ನಮ್ಮ River Rafting ನೆನಪನ್ನು ಸೆರೆ ಹಿಡಿಯಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯ ಆಯಿತು. ಇದು ನಮ್ಮ ಮೊದಲನೇ River Rafting ಆಗಿದ್ದರಿಂದ ನಾವು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಹೆದರಿದ್ದೆವು. River Rafting ಶುರು ಆಯಿತು. ಮೊಟ್ಟ ಮೊದಲಾಗಿ ನೀರಿಗೆ ಜಾರಿ ಬಿದ್ದ ಕಿರಣ್ ಬನವಾಸಿ ತಾನೊಬ್ಬನೇ ಬೀಳದೆ ತನ್ನ ರೂಮಿನ ಜೊತೆಗಾರ ಪ್ರಶಾಂತನನ್ನು ಎಳೆದು ಬೀಳಿಸಿದ. ಅವನು ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ನೀರು ಕುಡಿದಿದ್ದನೆಂದು ನಮಗೆ ತಿಳಿಯುತ್ತಿತ್ತು.  ನಮ್ಮ Raft ನಾಯಕರು ಅವರಿಬ್ಬರನ್ನು raftina ಒಳಗೆ ಎಳೆದರು. ನಂತರ Raft ನಾಯಕರು ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ನೀರಿಗೆ ಹಾರಲು ಸೂಚಿಸಿದರು. ಖುಷಿಯಿಂದ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ನೀರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಳುಗಿದೆವು.

In the flooding river seetha no one was ready to carry their camera except our promod. It captured the memories of seetha river rafting stills. Since this is our first river rafting experience for most of us, we were scared. Kiran Banavasi was the first person to to slip from boat. There was a rock on the way, Our raft jumped on the rock Kiran Banavasi jumped out of raft, He did not jump alone took his roommate prashanth also with. We all got scared how to get him in. Our raft leader brought both into raft. After some time our raft leader told all of us to jump in to water and get drenched. We all happily jumped in to water, 

ಅದೊಂದು ಸುಂದರವಾದ ಅನುಭವ. ನಾವು ಪ್ರವಾಹಕ್ಕೆ ವಿರುದ್ಧವಾಗಿ Raft ನಲ್ಲಿ ಹೋಗುವುದು ಅಸಾಧ್ಯವಾದರೂ ನಾವು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸಿದೆವು. ನದಿಯ ಸುತ್ತ ಸುಂದರವಾದ ದೃಶ್ಯ ಕಂಡು ಆದ ಖುಷಿಗೆ ಪಾರವೇ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಆಗ ನಾವೆಲ್ಲರೂ ನಮ್ಮ ಮೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಹಾಡು "ನಾವಾಡುವ ನುಡಿಯೇ ಕನ್ನಡ ನುಡಿಈಈಈಈಈಇ  ನಾವಿರುವ ತಾಣವೇ ಗಂಧದ ಗುಡಿ" ಹಾಡಿದೆವು.  ನಂತರ ಅನೇಕ ಬಾರಿ ನೀರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಬಿದ್ದು ಖುಷಿ ಪಟ್ಟೆವು. ಕೊನೆಗೆ 1 :30 ರ ವೇಳೆಗೆ 15 ಕಿ ಮೀ ಕ್ರಮಿಸಿದೆವು. ಅಲ್ಲಿಂದ ಹೊರೆಟು ಹೆಬ್ರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ತಿಂಡಿಯನ್ನು ಊಟದಂತೆ ತಿಂದೆವು.
It was very nice experience, Enjooyed it. Going against water current was very challenging. Looking at the surrounding of river we sang kannada song “Naavaaduva Nudiye Kannada Nudi”. We jumped in to water many times. When we saw surroundings of river lot of crops was in floods. We finally reached to other end of rafting by 1:30pm. This ended our rafting. We had our breakfast cum lunch in a hotel in hebri.

ನಮ್ಮ ನಂತರದ ಯೋಜನೆ ಕೂಡಲ ತೀರ್ಥಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗುವುದಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಅತಿಯಾಗಿ ಮಳೆ ಬರುತ್ತಿದ್ದುದರಿಂದ ಕೂಡಲ ತೀರ್ಥವನ್ನು ತಲುಪುವುದು ಅಸಾದ್ಯವೆಂದು ಹೇಳಿದರು. ಕೂಡಲ ತೀರ್ಥ ತಲುಪಲು ಒಮ್ಮೆ  ನದಿ ದಾಟಬೇಕಾದುದರಿಂದ ಅದು ಅಸಾಧ್ಯವೆಂದು ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು. ನಮ್ಮ ಮುಂದಿನ ಯೋಜನೆಯನ್ನು ಆಗುಂಬೆಯ ಒನಕೆ ಅಬ್ಬಿಗೆ ಬದಲಾಯಿಸಿದೆವು. ಶೀಘ್ರವಾಗಿ ಆಗುಂಬೆಯನ್ನು  ತಲುಪಿ, ನಮ್ಮ ವಸ್ತುಗಳನ್ನು  ಮಲ್ಯ residency ಯಲ್ಲಿ ಇಟ್ಟು  ಒನಕೆ ಅಬ್ಬಿ ಜಲಪಾತದ ಕಡೆಗೆ ಹೊರೆಟೆವು. ಆಗುಂಬೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಡಿನ ಒಳಗೆ ಹೋಗಬೇಕಾದರೆ ಆರಕ್ಷರಿಗೆ ತಿಳಿಸಿಯೇ ಹೋಗಬೇಕು. ಅಗುಂಬೆಯು ಮೋಡದಿಂದ ಮುಚ್ಚಿದ ಹಾಗೆ ಕಾಣುತ್ತಿತ್ತು.

ಒನಕೆ ಅಬ್ಬಿ  ಜಲಪಾತವು ಆಗುಂಬೆ ಬಸ್ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣದಿಂದ 4 ಕಿ ಮೀ  ದೂರದಲ್ಲಿದೆ. ಚಾರಣ ಶುರುವಾಗುವ ಸ್ಥಳ ಆಗುಂಬೆ ಬಸ್ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣದಿಂದ 1 ಕಿ ಮೀ ದೂರದಲ್ಲಿದೆ. ಒನಕೆ ಅಬ್ಬಿ  ಜಲಪಾತಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗುವ ದಾರಿ ಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿ ಜಿಗಣೆ (ಇಂಬಳ) ಇಂದ ತುಂಬಿದೆ. ಅತಿಯಾಗಿ ಮಳೆ ಬರುತ್ತಿದ್ದರಿಂದ ಜಿಗನೆಗೆ ದಿವ್ಯ ಔಷದವಾದ "ಹೊಗೆಸೊಪ್ಪು  ಹಾಗೂ ಹರಳೆಣ್ಣೆ" ಯಾವುದೇ ಥರದಲ್ಲಿ ಪರಿಣಾಮಕಾರಿಯಾಗಿ ಕಾಣಲಿಲ್ಲ.  ಕಿರಣ ತಾಳುರು ಜಿಗಣೆ ( ಇಂಬಳ ) ಓಡಿಸಲು ತಂದಿದ್ದ ಉಪ್ಪು ನೀರಿನ ಬಾಟಲಿ ಖಾಲಿ ಆಯಿತು ಆದರೆ ಜಿಗಣೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ಕಾಲಲ್ಲೇ ಅಂಟಿ ಕೊಂಡಿತ್ತು.

Our next plan is to go to Koodla teertha water falls. In Someshwara, some people told we can not go to Koodla Teertha because we have to cross river in that heavy rain. So we dropped our plan of going to Koodla Teertha and decided to go to Onake Abbi waterfalls in Agumbe. We started to agumbe and placed all our luggage in a room in Malya Residency. In agumbe we have to inform police before going to any place in forest. We informed and started to Onake Abbi water falls. Agumbe was completely covered with clouds.

Onake Abbi waterfalls is approximately 4km from agumbe Bus Stand. Trekking Starting point is 1km from bus stand. From Onake Abbi starting point leaches starts. Track was completely infected with leaches. We carried “Tobacco powder and Caster Oil” for leaches. This was the most effective medicine for leaches, here it did not work due to heavy rain. Due to heavy leaches we could not see Onake Abbi falls also. Kiran Talur had brought salt water to remove leaches, whole bottle went empty but all leaches were intact.

Onake Abbi waterfalls

ಒನಕೆ ಅಬ್ಬಿ ಜಲಪಾತದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಂಡೆ ಜಾರುತ್ತಿತ್ತು ಹಾಗೂ ತುಂಬಾ ಮೋಡ ಮತ್ತು ಗಾಳಿ ಇದ್ದುದರಿಂದ 10 ಜನಕ್ಕೆ ನಿಲ್ಲಲ್ಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯವಾಗಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಜಿಗಣೆಗಳು ಕೂಡ ನಮ್ಮನ್ನು ನಿಲ್ಲಲು ಬಿಡಲಿಲ್ಲ. ನಾನು ಮೊದಲಿಗನಾಗಿ ಜಲಪಾತದಿಂದ ಓಡಲು ಶುರು ಮಾಡಿದೆ. ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಲಿಗೆ ಹತ್ತಿದ ಜಿಗಣೆಗಳನ್ನು ತೆಗೆಯಲು ನೆಲಕ್ಕುರುಳಿದ್ದ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಮರವೊಂದರ ಮೇಲೆ ಹತ್ತಿ ತೆಗುಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದೆ. ಆಗ ನನಗೊಂದು ಅಚ್ಚರಿ ಕಾದಿತ್ತು. ನೂರಾರು ಜಿಗಣೆಗಳು ನಾನು ಹತ್ತಿದ ಮರವನ್ನೇರಿ ಬರುತ್ತಿದ್ದವು. ಆ ದೃಶ್ಯವನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ ಜಿಗಣೆ ತೆಗೆಯುವ ಯೋಜನೆ ಬಿಟ್ಟು  ವಿಶ್ರಾಂತಿ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ ಓಡತೊಡಗಿದೆ.ರಸ್ತೆ ತಲುಪಿ ಕಾಲಿಗೆ ಹತ್ತಿದ ಜಿಗಣೆ ನೋಡಿದರೆ ಅದರ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ ಸುಮಾರು 45 ಇತ್ತು.

Near Onake Abbi falls there was not enough space to accommodate all of us, adding to that, it was highly slippery. Just saw the falls and I started to run back. Leaches made us restless. I climbed on a big fallen tree to remove leaches which have already attacked me. Leaches started climbing the tree also. In my trekking experience, this is the place leaches attacked us vigorously. I reached the main road first. I saw the number of leaches attacked me, its count was approximately 45 in my leg.

Approximately 45 Leaches attacked me alone.

ಕಿರಣ್ ಬನವಾಸಿಯು ಒನಕೆ ಅಬ್ಬಿಗೆ ಮೊದಲಿಗನಾಗಿ ಚಾರಣ ಶುರು ಮಾಡಿದ್ದ ಆದರೆ ಅಲ್ಲಿಂದ ಕೊನೆಗೆ ಬಂದವನು ಅವನೇ. ಅವನ ಕಾಲಿಗೂ ಬೆಕಾದಸ್ಟು ಜಿಗಣೆಗಳು ಹತ್ತಿ ರಕ್ತ ಕುಡಿದಿದ್ದವು. ನನ್ನ ಇಲ್ಲಿಯ ತನಕ ಮಾಡಿರುವ ಚಾರಣದಲ್ಲಿ  ಅತಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಜಿಗಣೆಗಳಿಂದ ಕಚ್ಚಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಮಾಡಿದ ಚಾರಣ ಇದಾಗಿತ್ತು. ನಮ್ಮ ಶ್ಯಾಮ್ ಕುಳಾಯಿ ಬೇಡ ಅಂದರು ಬೂಟನ್ನು ಹಾಕಿಕೊಂಡು ಚಾರಣ ಮಾಡಲು ಬಂದಿದ್ದ. ಅದರ ಪರಿಣಾಮ ಬೂಟಿನ ತುಂಬೆಲ್ಲ ಇಂಬಳ. ನಂತರ ಬೂಟನ್ನು ಕಾಲಿಗೆ ಹಾಕುವ ಬದಲು ಕೈಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹಿಡಿದು ನಡೆದ.

Kiran Banavasi was first to start trekking to falls, and he was the last to come to main road. All of us were bit by almost all leaches in the forest. They enjooyed the feast. Our Sham's (Laadu)  even after advice came with shoe for trekking, which resulted in to boot full of leaches. Instead of putting to leg he walked with his shoe in hand.

ಬೇತಾಳ brothers

ರಸ್ತೆಗೆ ಬಂದು ನಿಂತಾಗ ಒಂದು ವಿಚಿತ್ರವನ್ನು ಗಮನಿಸಿದೆವು. ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಲವು ಕೋತಿಗಳು ರಸ್ತೆ ಬದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಳಿತಿದ್ದವು, ಒಂದು ಕೋತಿ ಮಾತ್ರ ರಸ್ತೆ ಮಧ್ಯೆ ಕುಳಿತಿತ್ತು, ರಸ್ತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಕಾರಿಗೆ ಅಡ್ಡವಾಗಿ ಕುಳಿತಿತ್ತು. ನಾವು ನೋಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಂತೆಯೇ ಕಾರಿನವ ಕಾರನ್ನು ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಿ ಕೋತಿಯನ್ನು ಓಡಿಸಲು ನೋಡುವಸ್ಟರಲ್ಲಿ ಕೋತಿಯು ಚಂಗನೆ ಒಂದು ಕಿಟಿಕಿಯಿಂದ ಕಾರಿನೊಳಗೆ ಹಾರಿ ಅವರಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ತಿನಿಸುಗಳನ್ನು ಹೊತ್ತು ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಕಿಟಿಕಿಯಿಂದ ಹೊರಗೆ ಹಾರಿತು. ಈ ಕೋತಿಗಳು ನಾವು ನೋಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಂತೆಯೇ 3 ಕಾರುಗಳನ್ನು ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಿ ತಿನಿಸುಗಳನ್ನು ಹೊತ್ತೊಯ್ದವು. ಅವು ಬಹಳ ಬುದ್ದಿವಂತ ಕೊತಿಯೇ ಆಗಿದ್ದವು. ಅದನ್ನು ನೋಡುವುದು ನಮಗೊಂದು ಖುಷಿಯೇ ಆಗಿತ್ತು

We observed one strange thing here. In that heavy rain few monkeys were sitting in the main road. One of those monkeys was sitting in the center of the road. One car came and stopped in front of it thinking monkey may die. Immediately monkey jumped into the car from a window and picked what are all eatables possible and jumped out from another window. These monkeys did like this for 3 cars. They were very intelligent monkeys.

ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಒನಕೆ ಅಬ್ಬಿ ಜಲಪಾತದಿಂದ ಹೊರಬಂದ ತಕ್ಷಣ ಮಲ್ಯ residency ಕಡೆಗೆ ಹೊರಟೆವು. ರಾತ್ರಿ  ಒಂದು ಹೋಟೆಲಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಊಟ ಮುಗಿಸಿ, ಯಥಾ ಪ್ರಕಾರ bluff ಆಟ ಆಡಿದೆವು. ಈ ಆಟ ನಮಗೆ ಒಳ್ಳೆ ಮಜಾ ಕೊಟ್ಟಿತು. ನಂತರ 10 :30 ರಾತ್ರಿ   ನಾವೆಲ್ಲರೂ ಒಂದೇ ದೊಡ್ಡ ರೂಮಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಮಲಗಿದೆವು. ನಾನು ಬೆಳಗ್ಗೆ 5 :೦೦ ಕ್ಕೆ ಎದ್ದು ಕುಂದಾದ್ರಿ ಚಾರಣಕ್ಕೆ ಸಿದ್ಧನಾದೆ. ಉಳಿದೆಲ್ಲ ಸ್ನೇಹಿತರು ಸಿದ್ಧರಾದರು.
Finally all of us came out and started to Malya Residency. We had our dinner in a hotel. As usual in the night played bluff game. It was nice game. We went sleep at around 10:30pm. I got up early in the morning 5:00am. We were suppose to start trekking to Kundadri. Kundaadri trekking starts from Kundaadri village. We hired an auto from Guddekeri to Kundaadri gate. Kundaadri peak is 4 km (One way) from Kundaadri gate.

ಸುಮಾರು ಬೆಳಗ್ಗೆ 8:15 ಘಂಟೆಗೆ ಆಗುಂಬೆ ಇಂದ  ಹೊರಟು  ನಾವು ಗುಡ್ದೆಕೆರಿ ತಲುಪಿದೆವು, ಕುಂದಾದ್ರಿ ಹೆಬ್ಬಾಗಿಲಿಗೆ(Gate ) ಅಲ್ಲಿಂದ ಒಂದು ಆಟೋ ಹಿಡಿದು 5 ಕಿ ಮೀ ಹೋಗಬೇಕು. ಅಲ್ಲಿಂದ ನಮ್ಮ ಚಾರಣ ಶುರುವಾಯಿತು. ಮಳೆಯಲ್ಲೇ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ದೂರ ಕ್ರಮಿಸಿದೆವು. ಕುಂದಾದ್ರಿಯು, ಕುಂದಾದ್ರಿ ಹೆಬ್ಬಾಗಿಲಿನಿಂದ 4 ಕಿ ಮೀ ಇದೆ. ಸ್ನೇಹಿತರ ನಗೆಹನಿಗಳು, ಮಳೆಹನಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ತುಂಬಾ ಸೊಗಸಾಗಿ ಕೇಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದವು. ಸುಮಾರು 12:15 ರ ವೇಳೆಗೆ ತುದಿಯನ್ನು ತಲುಪಿದೆವು. ಚಾರಣ ಮಾಡಲು ಎರಡು ದಾರಿಗಳು ಇವೆ. ಒಂದು ರಸ್ತೆಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಬಂಡೆಯಮೇಲೆ ನಡೆದು ಹೋಗುವುದು. ಮಳೆ ಹೆಚ್ಹಾಗಿದ್ದುದರಿಂದ ಸ್ಥಳಿಕರು ಬಂಡೆಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಹೋಗುವ  ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹೋಗುವುದು ತುಂಬಾ ಕಷ್ಟ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದಾಗ ನಾವು ರಸ್ತೆಯಲ್ಲೇ ನಡೆದು ಹೋಗಲು ನಿರ್ಧರಿಸಿದೆವು.
we hired a auto till kundadri trekking point. Kundaadri peak could be reached by road. There is a trekking route which goes on steep rock. Since it was raining heavily localites suggested not to venture on slippery rock. We walked on road itself. We started our trekking in heavy downpour. There were no leaches on the way because we were walking on road.

ಕುಂದಾದ್ರಿ ಹೆಬ್ಬಾಗಿಲು. (Kundaadru Gate)

Trekking was approximately 4km one way(8km totally). Since it was in road we walked without strain. On the peak of Kundaadri scenary was beautiful

ದಿನವೆಲ್ಲ ಮಳೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾಡುವ ಮೈಯೆಲ್ಲಾ ಪಾಚಿ.

ತುತ್ತ ತುದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮೋಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಳುಗಿದ್ದೆವು. ಈ ಮೋಡದಲ್ಲಿ 10 ಮೀಟರ್ ದೂರದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಂತರೂ ಕಾಣುವುದು ಅಸಾಧ್ಯವಾಗಿರುವಾಗ 50 ಮೀಟರ್ ದೂರದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಂತ  ನಮ್ಮ ಅರವಿಂದ ಹಾಗು ಹರಿ ಕುಳಾಯಿ ತಮ್ಮ ಛಾಯಾ ಚಿತ್ರವನ್ನು ತೆಗೆಸೆಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ತವಕದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದರು. ಇದೆ ಜೋಡಿಯು ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನದ ಒಳಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನದ ಭಟ್ಟರು ಹೇಳಿದ ಸ್ಥಳ ಪುರಾಣವನ್ನು ಕಿವಿ ಮುಚ್ಚಿ ಕೇಳಿ ಬೇಗನೆ ಆಚೆ ಬಂದರು. ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಿಕ್ಕ ಮುಳ್ಳು ಹಂದಿ ಮುಳ್ಳನ್ನು ಹಿಡಿದು ಎಂದೂ ಕಂಡಿಲ್ಲದವರಂತೆ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಛಾಯಾಚಿತ್ರ ತೆಗಿಸಿಕೊಂಡರು.  ಅಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಜೈನ ಮಂದಿರ ನೋಡಿ, ಮಧ್ಯಾನ್ಹ ಚಪಾತಿ ಚಟ್ನಿಪುಡಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಉಪ್ಪಿನಕಾಯನ್ನು ತಿಂದು, ನಮ್ಮ ಬಳಿ ನೀರಿಲ್ಲದ ಕಾರಣ, ಮಳೆ ಸುರಿಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದ  ಮಳೆಯಲ್ಲೇ ಕೈ ತೊಳೆದು ನೀರು ಕುಡಿದು  ಹೊರಟೆವು. ನಾವು ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನದ ಭಟ್ಟರನ್ನು ಕಾಡಿನ ದಾರಿ ತೋರಿಸಲು ಕೇಳಿದಾಗ, ಅವರು ತೋರಿಸಿದ ದಾರಿ ಆ ಮಳೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಆತ್ಮಹತ್ಯೆ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಸರಿಯಾದ ದಾರಿ ಎನ್ನಿಸುತ್ತಿತ್ತು.
On top of Kundaadri we were in clouds. It was difficult ot see the people in 10 mtr, but our Aravinda and Hari Kulaai wanted a photo of them standing 50 mtr away. This same people went inside temple and heard the importance of that temply by closing their ears and came outside. on the way to kundaadri we found a thorn of porcupine, we took photos with it as though we have never seen it before. Saw Jain temple and had chapathi, chatnipudi and pickle then since we did not have water, washed our hand in rain and drunk rain water started back. We asked prest of the temple to show the forest way to reach down, In that rain road he shown was looking like way to suicide.



ಜೈನರ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ. (Jain Temple)



ಒಂಟಿ ಕಾಲಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಂತು ಏನೋ ತಪಸ್ಸು ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿರುವ ಕುಕ್ಕುಟ. 

ಮಧ್ಯಾನ್ಹ 2 :15 ರ ವೇಳೆಗೆ ಕುಂದಾದ್ರಿ ಹೆಬ್ಬಾಗಿಲನ್ನು  ತಲುಪಿದೆವು. ಒಂದು ವಿಚಿತ್ರವಾದ ಹುಳ ನಮ್ಮ ಕಣ್ಣಿಗೆ ಬಿತ್ತು. ಅದರ ತಲೆ ಅರ್ಧ ಚಂದ್ರನ  ಆಕಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಇತ್ತು, ಅದರ ಮನಸೆಳೆಯುವ ಬಣ್ಣ, ಪ್ರಕೃತಿ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿ ನಿಜಕ್ಕೂ ಅದ್ಬುತ

Reached Kundaadri gate by 2:15pm. We observed a Vague kind of worm its head was in axe or half moon shape. Its attractive color, nature creation is uncomparable.

ನಂತರ ಒಂದು ಆಟೋ ಹತ್ತಿ ಗುಡ್ದೆಕೆರಿ'ಗೆ ಬಂದು ಅಲ್ಲಿಂದ ಬಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಆಗುಂಬೆ ತಲುಪಿದೆವು. ನಂತರ ರಾತ್ರಿ ಊಟ ಮುಗಿಸಿ ರಾತ್ರಿ 8 :30 ಕ್ಕೆ ರಾಜಹಂಸ ಬಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ತಲುಪಿದೆವು.

Next we reached Guddekeri by an auto and reached agumbe by bus. Had dinner in a hotel and started to bangalore by Rajahamsa bus.

Kurunjal and Gangadikal trekking

Going to Kudremukh is always my dream. I had already seen Kudremukh peak 3 times. This time I thought of venturing to other parts of Kudremukh range. So we decided to trek to Kuruinjal and Gangadikal. Initially tentative numbers of people were 5-8. Just before the day we were suppose to trek, count reduced to 2. Vikram(KG) and myself (Hari). I was very much reluctant to cancel trek. I asked Vikram whether he is ready to trek, if only we two are suppose to trek, he said he is ready. I was very happy and Latter Vikram's friend Vadiraj(Vadi) also joined for this trek, we 3 started our trek.

Plan:

• Reach Kalasa. Complete breakfast and morning rituals in hotel.
• Reach Kudremukha, get permission from RFO to trek Gangadikal and Kurunjal.
• Trek Gangadikal. Visit Hanumana Gundi or Sutanabbe water falls.
• Stay in Bhagavati nature camp. Start trekking Kurunjal on Sunday.
• Start back to Bangalore.

Information:

Trekking Place            : Gangadikal, Kurunjal.

How to reach              : Bus is best mode of transport.

Number Of Days        : 2 (Saturday and Sunday) days and 3 Nights (Friday, Saturday    and Sunday)

Accommodation/Stay : KIOCL Guest house, Bhagavathi Nature Camp, Lodge in Horanaadu

Food                            : Available in Kudramukh town, else better to carry our own food.

Nearby Places            : Kudremukha peak trekking, Bhagavathi Nature Camp, Hanumana 

                                     Gundi/Sutanabbi Falls, Horanaadu.

Contact Numbers       : Kudremukh RFO-08263255998/08263254311/08263255704

Trek Distance             : Gangadikal – 5 km one way (10km totally),

                                      Kurunjal – 7 km one way (14km totally).

Trek Difficulty Level    : 2.5 out of 5

Trekking Attractions    : Waterfalls, Beautiful River, Wild animals like Bison, Deer etc, and

  Beautiful greenery.

Best Time To Trek      : Oct to Jan and early June. Best Greenery could be seen in

  Monsoon.

Due to highly fluctuating numbers I did not book ticket. Vikram, Vadiraj and I all gathered in KSRTC bus stand. We asked seats for all of us in Rajahamsa bus. We couldn’t get it. Finally we decided to take ordinary KSRTC bus to Kalasa. Got 3 seats just beside driver, with great difficulty we managed to sit in first seats. Early morning just before reaching Kalasa KG’s front gate had opened (Vomiting). Reached Kalasa in the morning. Had breakfast in the Kalasa hotel and completed our morning programs in same hotel.

Next we started to Kudremukh for permission from RFO for trekking in Gangadikal and Kurunjal. We got down in kudremukh, got permission from RFO for trekking to Gangadikal. We planned to stay for the night in Bhagavathi Nature Camp, due to unavailability of room we were supposed to stay in Kudremukh itself. Went to KIOCL guest house to check for room availability. Room was available in KIOCL guest house. We need to provide ID proof to get a room. It costs 350 Rs/room. The room was very good; we kept our luggage in room and started to Gangadikal trekking. Gangadikal is approximately 5 KM trek (One way). Guide also joined us. We started to Gangadikal trekking point stop by bus. Almost every half an hour bus is available to Gangadikal trekking point.

We saw free moving deer during our trek to Gangadikal. We felt very happy at least in Kudremukh National Park animals can walk freely on their wish. Almost all animals on earth are living for humans (Either as food or serving humans). It was cloudy weather. On top of Gangadikal LAKYA dam was visible, it was majestic view from top of Gangadikal. Path to Gangidikal was infected with leaches. It was not much. Had Lunch of chapathi and chatnipudi on top of Gangadikal.

Beauty of Kudremukha range..

KG's managed to turn it with his inherited skills.

Small worm protected by woods.

Started back to Gangadikal trekking starting point. Visited Hanumana Gundi waterfalls. It is as usual good.  We walked for 1 KM opposite side of Kudremukh road, we saw view point. It was nice place to watch. We observed some wooden pieces moving. When we observed closely wooden pieces were surrounding a small insect. Since we had permission to trek in Gangadikal we did not take ticket in Hanumana Gundi waterfalls. We saw an ape, Vadi and I tried to get its attention. We could not do it. Then KG came and told he can do it, and he succeeded to turn it towards him.

Next destination is Gangaa moola. Gangaa moola is the place where River Tungaa and Bhadra starts. Both flows in different direction and joins near Shimoga. Our guide also had not seen Gangaa moola.  This Gangaa moola is situated few KM from Hanumana Gundi water falls and 1KM from main road. So we have to walk for 1 km from bus stop to see Gangaa moola (2 km totally).

Tungaa and Bhadraa Moola.

After we saw Tungaa and Bhadra river origins, we had lunch of chapathi and chatnipudi then started towards main road. It started raining heavily. Road was filled with water. Every vehicle going used to sprinkle some water on us. Vikram started signaling every vehicle to slow down. He was not ready to move from the place he was standing, rather asking fast moving vehicles to slow down. Finally got a bus to Bhagavathi Nature Camp. Bus driver stopped the bus after moving some distance far from us. Immediately behind us is hill, we can never move behind. Since it was raining heavily, when bus moves it is obvious that water on road falls on us. When bus moved ahead of us, to avoid sprinkling water from bus we all moved back. Bus was stopped we moved towards door. When I saw my friends and guide, our guide was missing. His umbrella was floating on water. Everyone got shocked; slowly our guide started getting out of water stream. When bus moved in front of us he tried to avoid the water from bus by moving back and fell in to water stream.

Heavy Downpour in Ganga Moola.

 It was already 4:00pm. My longing is to swim in Bhadra River which flows in Bhagavathi Nature Camp. When we all reached Bhagavathi Nature Camp, It was 5:30pm. Due to heavy rain Bhadra River started floods. My desire of swimming went in vain. Since we had trekking permission it was not necessary to take permission to enter Bhagavathi Nature Camp. If we do not have permission we have to pay entry fee.

Floods in River Bhadra in Bhagavathi Nature Camp

Now we have to reach Kudremukh for stay. We missed the 5:15PM bus towards Kudremukha, next bus is at 6:15pm. Bus did not come at 6:15pm. It started getting dark. We were in the wild, no bus is available and it is drizzling, no place to halt and unheard sound from the forest made us scare. Place was filled with Minchu hula (Kannada word)(insect which emanates light) Vikram was suggesting to walk till Kudremukh, it was impossible task according to me. Bus came at 7:45PM, reached Kudremukh and had dinner in KIOCL guest house.

Next plan is to take permission from RFO and meet our guide for tomorrow trek to Kurunjal. They suggested us to give fees money to our guide who comes with us for Kurunjal trekking. We planned to start trekking to Kurunjal early morning at 6:15AM. First bus to Kurunjal trekking point starts at 8:15AM. Latter we talked to an auto driver to get ready by 6:15AM to drop us to Kurunjal trekking point. He agreed for that. We slept for the night. I got up early morning 5:15AM. Got ready. Vikram was not ready to get up. Unless strong coffee goes in nothing comes out from Vikram. So we went to drink coffee, coffee was available, but it was not strong coffee. Vikram asked for strong coffee 3 times. All 3 times KG was not satisfied. He ordered one more strong coffee, owner told no more milk left. So we left from guest house. 

Sunrise view seen from our KIOCL Guest House.

All of us got ready by 8:00AM. Met our guide and reached Kurunjal trekking point which is few KM after Bhagavathi Nature Camp. It was very dense forest. It started raining early morning 9:00am. We saw nice birds in the very start of our trekking. It was very much cloudy, so birds were also not clear in our cameras. This trekking is approximately 7km one way, 14km totally. Leaches did not trouble us.

 

KG playing Hide And Seek on top of Kurunjal..

  

I can lift KG..



Due to heavy rain our guide wanted to climb down early. We started climbing down at around 1:30PM. Today also I had hope of swimming in river Bhadra in Bhagavati Nature Camp. Vadiraj also wanted to take bath. We have to cross Small River during Kurunjal trekking. It was nice place to take bath; Vadiraj was willing to take bath in that river. I insisted them that Bhagavati Nature Camp is very good to see and take bath, they were commenting about it. Basically they were first timers, never knew the beauty of Bhadra River in Bhagavati Nature Camp. Fortunately floods in River Bhadra have come to normal. My dream came true. When KG and Vadi saw it, they stopped commenting about Bhagavati Nature Camp.

Dressed with beads of rain drops.

Heaven may not be better than this

Vadi enjoying

Reflection of the tree in River Bhadra..

Vadi and I did swim in Bhadra River. It was very amazing. Beauty of Western Ghats decorated with rivers and streams and waterfalls is uncomparable.

We started towards kudremukha. Took our entire luggage and started towards horanadu. We had booked our tickets from Horanadu to Bangalore. Visited Annapoorneshwari temple, had dinner and came out of temple. We could not spot our bus to Bangalore. Somehow one mini bus was going to start. We thought of asking them for our bus arrival. Fortunately that itself is the bus we have to travel till Kalasa, and it is our linking bus to Kalasa. Our reserved bus starts from Kalasa. We reached Kalasa and started to Bangalore.

Back in Bangalore for “hottepaadu”.