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Published: February 20th 2009
ABBEY FALLS
COOL WATER - CHILL WEATHERIt was year 2006 the trip to Coorg was planned very fast as we had very little time to plan. We set off on a week end to Bangalore by train and from there to Mysore by road. The road trip from Mysore to Coorg was too good the place is also known as Mercara or Madekere, a small town with lovely lush green hills, tea gardens and a pleasant climate. This lies in the eastern slopes of the western Ghats.
As we approached the place we could feel the cool breeze of the hills. The cab driver was quite friendly and explained us about the interesting places to see in Coorg. Though I had a list downloaded from the net it is was useful to hear from a local guy!
The hotel we booked was the East End, not far from the heart of this small town, a medium sized hotel which was of old style architecture. Huge rooms, high ceiling and a real feeling of the erstwhile British day’s style of housing. The food was okay. Our plan was to finish off the distant places first and then to see the local spots on the same day
NISARGADAMA
THE ELEPHANT RIDE if time permits one by one. The hotel had a vast open lawn in the front yard where we spent the evenings playing cricket and foot ball. It was indeed quite refreshing in the lush green lawn.
I had booked a cab from the travel desk to go around. The first spot was Iruppu falls which is around 50 kms from Coorg. The Iruppu Falls is situated amidst lush green Western Ghats in the Kodagu district in Karnataka on the Brahmagiri hills. This waterfall is located about 50 kms from Madikeri ( other name for Coorg) and 20 kms from Nagarahole National Park. The River Lakshmana-tirtha flows nearby which joins the Kaveri river.
This waterfall is also known as Lakshmana teertha falls. There is also a temple dedicated to Sri Ram, surrounded by paddy fields, from where it is a climb up to the falls through natural forest. The Brahmagiri peak and a place called Pakshi Patala are also situated near Iruppu Waterfalls.
As we neared the entry point we were the only group of tourists at that point of time. There is a small restaurant at this point which caters to the tourists. Food to be
TEMPLE AT KUSHAL NAGAR
BUDDHIST MONASTERY - LOTS OF TOURISTS ordered in advance and it will be ready on way back. We ordered for some chapattis ( Indian bread made of wheat ) and rice. The route to the falls is only by walk and covered by thick forests on both sides. We were informed by the shop keeper that at times wild elephants cross the spot and we need to be careful. We slowly started our trek. The route was superb with tall tress and dense forests both sides. It was not too long and we reached the falls very soon. The gigantic trees and huge honey combs were scary. The water falls was splendid.Though I was tempted for a swim ,was hesitant to take bath since the rocks very slippery and laden with moss.
We did spend a good one hour here, the kids were rather frightened as the honey bees were hovering around and it was tough handling them. Luckily none of us had a sting! We were back to the hotel at the entry point and enjoyed a piping hot meal after the walk. We then set off to the hotel as it was the only place possible for the day.
The next day
ONE MORE TEMPLE
COLOURFUL PAINTINGS we started off with the Abbey Falls (also Abbi Falls) is in Kodagu, It is located 10 km from the town of Madikeri and 270 km from Bangalore. The waterfall is located between private coffee plantations with stocky coffee bushes and spice estates with trees entwined with pepper vines. The falls appear suddenly, the water cascading over rocks into calm pools. This place is splendid with a large sheet of water where all tourists wet their feet, sit on the rocks and enjoy the lovely breeze. We spent some time here and were off to the city.
The route all the way was lovely with winding roads among the hills and tiny villages. Due to ups and down the house were also designed accordingly. We also noticed at some places the road opened into the first floor of the house and the ground floor was below !
The evening was earmarked for the Omkareshwar temple and the Raja’s seat view point. After some rest at the hotel we were off for the evening trip.
The Omkareshwara Temple, in Coorg, was built by in 1820. The Temple in Coorg is located at a certain height of 1,170 ft
IRUPU FALLS
SILVER CASCADE BETWEEN GIANT ROCKS above the ground level. It was constructed by Lingarajendra II in the 19th Century out of guilt for killing an innocent Brahmin. The temple is an attractive fusion of Indo-Sarcenic and Konkan Coast style of architecture, and is dedicated to Lord Shiva
It is located just 1 Km away from the heart of the Madikeri, the capital of Coorg. There is a tank in front of the temple and a footpath leading to a small room like structure.
The bars of the windows of the temple were made of Panchaloha ( meaning its made of five metals gold, silver, copper, brass and iron ) We took some snaps here. The temple was neat and clean, a feeling of calmness and peace prevailed. It is said that the King used the gold leaf inscription atop a narrow flight of steps to survey his kingdom. The fish in the pond leap in symphony to gobble food offered to them. The annual Teppothsava or Boat Festival is a memorable event here. This temple almost 2 centuries old was a marvel to go around. I could take a lovely snap of the temple.
We had a coffee in a local restaurant
OMKARESHWARA TEMPLE
TEMPLE GOTHIC STYLE and headed to the Raja’s seat which is the highest view point in the town.The scene from here was awesome. The well trimmed lawn and colorful flowers added beauty to the location. The valley on the other side was deep and we could see the scenic beauty of Kodagu.
The third day trip was planned for the Kushalnagar - Buddist settlement & Nisargadama
Nisargadama >
As the Kaveri leaves the mountains and descends into the plains, gathering tributaries along the way, she splits into four branches near Kushalnagar, forming riverine islands. The largest among them is Nisargadama. Till a few years back, this island could not be reached when the river was in spate, only in certain months of the year could you wade across with some difficulty as the river bed here is strewn with rocks. In 1990, a hanging bridge had been strung across, using the massive trees that are found along the river. Very imaginatively, the island has been made into a resort, an ecologically sound project with minimal impact on the environment.
A forest resort just 2kms from Kushalnagar and 30 kms from Madikeri. A wild life sanctuary of its own kind.
BAGAMANDALA
The river comes out after a long hidng One can find deer, elephants, peacocks and some other usual wild animals if lucky. One can take a ride on the elephant around the resort.We did go around on the elephant but I was a bit sad that the poor pachyderm was doing so many rounds with the heavy load. Though we enjoyed it I could see the poor animal struggling with the load of around 1500 kgs or more on its back.We also went for a boat ride here. It was a quite place with lots of tourists.
The next spot was the Golden Temple - Namdroling Buddhist Monastery. The colorful paintings, calmness, little monks running around all these amused us a lot. After the Chinese took over Tibet, the refugees were settled at Bylakuppe near Kushalnagar and the Buddhist Monastery was re-established here in 1972. It houses over 250 monks today. The monastery not only attracts large number of young Tibetans seeking enlightenment and education, but also draws huge tourists from all over India and abroad. The prayer halls were of massive size with superb paintings of the Hindu gods. The prayer bells were fitted at many places.
The fourth day we set off to the
TALACAUVERY
BIRTH PLACE OF CAUVERY RIVER Talacauvery.
Talacauveri is the birthplace of the sacred river Cauvery. It is situated on the slopes of the Brahmagiri Hills, and can be reached by a motorable road from Bhagamandala, which is at a distance of 8 kms. There are temples dedicated to Ishwara & Ganapathi at the source of Cauvery There is a small square tank (Cauvery Kundike) by the side of a fairly big tank in Talacauvery, which is the source of the river. It is believed that on the day of the "Tula Sankramana", at an auspicious moment, the holy Cauvery appears, and that her arrival is indicated by a sudden upsurge of the water in the pond. The river disappears after this point comes out at Bagamandala after running through the mountains below. We also climed up the top most point near the river source.This was a mountain to which steps are laid and it was quite steep. The aerial view from the top was too good and one could see the lovely folds of mountains and green valley all over.
After the above places the Nagerhole and the Wayanad trip was still due. We went to the Nagerhole wild life sanctuary and
BRAHMAGIRI MOUNTAIN
MASSIVE ROCK MOUNTAIN NEAR THE SOURCE OF RIVER unfortunately we were not allowed for the trip as it was raining and no trips were planned on that day. The approach road and the route was very nice we did enjoy the ride. The wayanad sancutary was open and we hired a jeep to go into the deep jungle.
We spotted some deers ,chimpanzees,and wild boar. We were eager to spot a tiger or an elephant. As usual the jeep driver started saying a wild elephat has just passed this way you can see the fresh marks of stripping the bark of the tree. We imagined a elephat doing this !! and were back to hotel after the tiring trip. It was a bit warm during the day and we settled down. We tried some village restaurant for food but it ws not up to the mark. Managed with some biscuits and fruits and kept going. It was almost sunset when we returned back to hotel.
It was not time to say good bye to Coorg the return back and get into the regular grind of daily routine.
If you have 4-5 days time and you have not visited yet you can plan for this spot.
It was indeed a good trip and we thoroughly enjoyed. Now on the snaps I had only a regualr camera then and all are in the album. Yet to scan them, shall upload soon. Photos uploaded today the 15 th Mar 2009 !! at last.
Bye,
Ramz.
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rakesh
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