Nishane Gudda & Doddagudda – Agumbe

There is a unique enchantment that occurs sometimes when find an unknown territory that results in seeing the world differently. Who travel for the sake of travel he will find himself on a journey an adventure that transcends his expectations and imaginations. Western Ghats still today offers many unexplored territories and species. Western Ghats have many heavenly peaks and many are famous hill stations.

 The mountains always enthralled me! So are the clouds, the joy mounts when both these mingle together and produce a visual spectacle! Once again I was very much excited to travel around Agumbe region just to enjoy the feel of the dense forest of this land. Agumbe is unique for many things it offers many unexplored territories and species. Getting onto the peak of Agumbe is nothing.

The morning that we landed Agumbe first we visited 14^th century beautiful Gopalkrishna Temple of the Hoysala period; we had decided not to waste much time in city so that first we took permission from concerned department. We had light food and started to head towards NishaneGudda. Anyway the sky was pretty clear for the first few hours of the morning.

 As we approached forest, crossed a dazzling brook and certainly sense the cool breeze and there we see in front of you the majestic and sudden elevation throughout chunky jungle.

The glory that it gets in the early mornings, when sun rays passes hits between trees something that is indescribable! The way is abandoned as the accessibility is a bit tough and enormous blood sucking leaches are horrible! The leeches were everywhere and were looking very well built.

 As we trudged through overgrown weeds and twisted branches we took right deviation after 500 meters climb stopped at ledge and realized that we were directly at open grassland place. The grass was green and so were the deciduous forest patches! All in all the feeling was fantastic.

 It was after an hour of leisurely walk that we reached the pinnacle of DoddaGudda; this afforded a panoramic view of the area & we become conscious of the magnitude of these forests. So it forms a nice open space around the thick forest and ideal for the bird activity. The forest beneath was echoing with the whistles of the Malabar Whistling Thrushes!

 Later we get back to the same track and headed for next level. After 15 minutes hike we landed the top of NishaneGudda. Dense forests, small and attractive waterfalls provide rich treat to the eyes. Warm weather and heavy rains are ideal for the numerous waterfalls drop over the mountain walls and hill sides. The abundant growth of tropical vegetation covers the whole Valley with thick forests.

 Cold wet air from the cost ascending up these mountains lent a nip to the soggy air while the sun continued to be hidden by the languorous clouds.

We hit by the sudden showers while we were climbing down through the grasslands, all of sudden clouds rolled over and it rained off the rain wasn't extremely heavy and dint have much impact on us. Every trouble melts away when you see the huge dense clouds hitting right at the high peaks of the Agumbe! The eyes start to think if it’s a reality or any kind of illusion!

While we were on back when the forest is covered with clouds and the heat from the canopy forms fantastic scenery. On a sunny day can find the horizon glittering of Arabian Sea. 

Agumbe has always been very close to my heart, an amazing place. You should see it to believe it! All these will remain green in my memories in the time to come. All in all that day was the day which I enjoyed the most.

Journey on the King Cobra Trail -Kombukodlu Waterfalls

There’s more to monsoon in Kollur, the magic of the mist filled Ghat, the sound of thunder, the howling wind and the lashing rain is an invitation for an Intrepid Nature Lovers. The fresh scent of wet earth, monsoon flora and mist also attract the travelers to try out explore new waterfalls in this part. The whole area becomes green and hop on to a bike, riding on woods to get drenched and savor nature in all its rain soaked splendor, the cold wind cuts through the coat sometimes it rains so hard that we struggle to ride on but I believe that being exposed to this ferocious element of nature toughens our spirit for further journey.

 The best part is that the rain is incessant in this part if shower starts its continues for long time and then it clears up. In late June on a very rainy day I started together with my wife early in the brumous Sunday morning from Kollur. On a whim I decided to hike to Kombukodlu waterfalls so I set off with my backpack. I was so eager and impatient to get started.

 Early in the morning I and my spouse after a nice breakfast, clothed raincoats and we bought few essential things and soon got ready to set off on the mud road with my motorbike. We get on the mud road and I found some very steep and rugged terrain throughout my biking. It is full of many hills, woods, vast paddy fields, small mountain villages, quick turns, and obstacles to overcome. I was touring north and I ended up in the mountain village within sight of the Kodachadri.

 After a few minutes on a quite good drive we crossed a small bridge and found another small path leading through huge trees and bushes right to the Village. Normally all of this would have been a really easy thing, but after it had been raining for the whole last week the complete area was flooded including the path which we wanted to take. The road was so muddy that it’s a combination of dirt and little grass’s; in those conditions weather plays a huge role. The rain created more than 2 inches of thin crust of mud. I continued working my way up to the deep forest zone towards the waterfalls.

 After driving half an hour through the area we got totally stuck in one place but we were lucky enough to find a really nice man who cleared the obstruction and he told us that we will get nice view at Goligudda village which was just fifteen minutes away from the place we got stuck. Full of enthusiasm my wife and I again dressed up into our raincoats and started the further level.

 After 45 minutes hard, strenuous Biking took us to highland hamlet with panoramic mountain views and finally able to see the waterfalls, view was just Glorious. It was really awesome to watch the water flow while I was standing on edge of the hill, just opposite to the waterfalls and I get enough of wonderful impressions. Since the rain became slowly heavier I took my umbrella over my camera and did my first shots of this absolutely awesome waterfall.

 I was fascinated by the waterfalls running into a deep blue gap between lush green mountains and my photographer’s heart started beating faster. The waterfall is in the middle of the lush green forest so it seems simple enough to find this spot. The path from the village to the waterfall has stunning sights along the way, but it was a terrifying climb with a backpack, and a foolish risk to take on rain. Continuing down the creek, I was surprised to discover a trail.

 I find small trails peeling off to the left that keep leading you up the mountain to some rock outcroppings but eventually the path just turns into an animal trail with rough shrubs. The first time I witnessed 2 king cobras in very close distance it was a stunning moment in my life, first I sighted smaller one and on the way while walking along the periphery of the hill, a rustling sound caught my attention.

 I guessed it may be a huge snake and only hoped it would be a King and just as I had hoped I was rewarded with the sighting of an eleven foot highly venomous King Cobra. I was finally here with the same mystical and adventurist feeling to exclusively look for King cobras. I couldn’t take clear photos of that but really it was unforgettable moment. 

 Once again rain started heavily and it poured for long time I could hardly see anything three feet ahead of me. The strident sounds of the cicadas and birds were lost to the rattling noise of relentless downpour, croaking of frogs, and sloshing sounds of my own footsteps marching through half foot deep mud track. All of this in wild includes deadly sucking leaches spoiled our journey, we decided to get back, not to take extra risk and kept pending this waterfalls for next time.

 The Western Ghats occupy a special place for the coastal folk of western India. They are responsible for the fantastic monsoons that we experience. The Ghats act as barriers to the heavily pregnant clouds that drift from the south west which eventually give in and we are blessed with rainfall. This climatic condition has greatly influenced not only the lives of humans but also denizens of this green region. Home to a wide variety of birds, animals, reptiles and thousands of species of plants, the Ghats are a biodiversity hotspot. Fresh life bloomed everywhere, mushrooms, orchids, and fungus! Leeches seemed to rise from the dead and spread out like a live carpet. With 99% humidity and absolutely no sun, nothing would dry.

 There was a certain energy flowing through the forest this particular in Monsoon. Everything seemed so full of life, with a keen sense of fear claiming the very thoughts of those in the forest and those living around the edges of it. Here rain fell heavily on the leaves of the thick evergreen trees. Each droplet of water falling silently onto the ground below where there prowled a large creature with a silent gait. The deep blackened fur blended with the shadows around the woods and created striking mirages of creatures thought up by the minds of the fearful, of the guilty, of the weak that were easy to prey upon.

After a heavy rain when the sky clears, we saw the Kodachadri, a view that most people don't get to see from that angle. A lot of fun stuff happened on our bike ride. You're more in the environment when you're in a bike. It's enjoyable. Even when it’s raining It's more fun and escapade. After a harsh drive we were turned to have ride in Nagodi Ghat, the newly constructed concrete road in Nagodi Ghat has turned erstwhile nightmarish route into one of the most enjoyable driving locations.

Trip to Sathodi Fallz

I visited the Sathodi falls during the February month with Manju and his group. I visited this waterfall twice in a year of time the first time I saw the falls in post Monsoon season we happened to show up fairly early in the morning so that couldn’t took good clicks against the sun.

Considering that it was pretty hot and humid during our second visit at gorgeous sunny day thus I believe that the water volume I witnessed was probably either at its best on early summer or close to it. We had to pass through the back waters of Kodasalli along the rough mud track. The access to the falls was strangely not well defined trail leading to it.

There are many streams that join together in the Kallaramane Ghat and cascade into a 15meters picturesque Sathodi falls. This is popularly known as the Mini Niagara. This falls forms a part of the Ganeshgudi forest range. It presents a great view when one sees it cascading down from a mountaintop with lush green hills as its backdrop.

As it touches the ground it flows towards the backwaters of Kodasali Dam and finally mergers into it. The serene environment of the adjoining area is instrumental in attracting travelers to the Sathodi Falls. After Vehicle Park 10 minute’s easy walk across the Kali River back water laid us to the bottom of the waterfalls.

At that time, there were a handful of people cooling off in its waters or just chilling out in the shade caused by the nearby overhanging cliffs. The bright sun also made the scene very bright making it tough to take that long exposure shot which leaves the shady confines of the gorge and tumbles into an open amphitheater baked by the sun.

We got drenched at the winds as well as the maid of the mist, after spending for 30 minutes few of us decided to take bath on rime water and we also got to hear and feel the power of the falls from very close distance. There was solid composition of red, crystalline limestone. The mighty rocks have been roughened by the vagaries of burning Sun uncontrolled winds and torrential rains.

This waterfall caused the rocks of this layer and those layers underneath to erode and break away the falling rocks some larger than a house fell down to the stream bottom. It is these rocks which restricted the water flow of the Sathodi which has resulted in the rapids in Monsoon time.

 Brown Vine Snake

Ahaetulla nasutus Variety Isabellinus Vine snake Non venomous. They have a slender but long body with a pointed head. The pointed beak-like nose and the horizontal eye slit is characteristic of these snakes. Its head is the same width as its body. The under side of the body is light brown or yellow. When threatened it flattens its entire body to exhibit the white and black color present between the scales. They are so completely blended in their surrounding environment that they are almost invisible.