Ramanagudda Trek, Charmadi

On a beautiful morning I started my journey with based team Sahyadri Trekkers, we went for Ramanagudda trek which is one of the most magnificent natural treasures of the Charmadi hidden among a blanket of greenery. 18 people crammed up in tempo traveler we left Mangalore around early in the morning. I witnessed the marvel of green Charmadi through the drenched glass of my TT window. The feeling was as if I was seeing a pearl in the ocean.

 My affection and attraction leaped with every single visit I made in Charmadi. I don’t know the reason but this temptation may be because of my urge to enjoy the spectacle of Barekallu Jenkallu in moon light or to spend a night in dark forest of Devaramane, Kumbhakalu, Dodderibetta, Jenkallu, Hosamangudda, Durgadabtta,Yettinabuja, Divatigebetta and shiver with excitement in entire night.

Furthermore, the breathe-taking feel of the gust of wind from top of Yettinabuja, sight of the highest pinnacle of Amdicallu, making of delicious barbecue between colorful wild flowers of Baremale (Butterfly hill) reaching at the bottom of Minchukallu in search of few drops of water, hanging the body well above 1150m while rock climbing at Yerikallu pinnacle, its numerous delightful routes, both easy and difficult all these justify, well beyond doubt my love and affection for this lovely heaven on Earth.

There was not a single moment which I wanted to miss absorbing every single thing in nature the majestic mountains, many gurgling streams, many small waterfalls ,hidden caves, green covered peaks were few things in that beautiful Charmadi hill ranges, many small  sleepy villages was very quiet with moving around in their own world. The sub-tropical climate and heavy rains during the wet season create an environment where several unique plant and animal species flourish.

The Charmadi range is the central part of the Western Ghats, a major mountain range of Karnataka, well known for its flora, fauna and mountain tops. It runs parallel to the Arabian Sea and forms a long wall, which gathers to it monsoon clouds and has much thick forest.  The northern part of this range, from the Bandaje River to the Ombattu Gudda is called the Charmadi. The Charmadi range is 50 km long, north to south, and is 10 to 20 km in width on east-west axis. The height varies between 900 to 1350 m.

Nevertheless I have always come across great and divine people during travelling. It’s hard to forget people whom I met while roaming in Charmadi, my friends with whom I shared my last drop of water, it was an amazing experience being in deep forest, stretching the limits of verticality of terrain. Some say it pain of trekking, while I feel it to be the joy of achieving new heights. All said the reality is that I have fallen in love with Charmadi and wish this journey continue with more spectacles to explore tantalizing windows in.

The starting point is Malayamarutha guest house from where the trail starts. The initial trail is through a fairly dense forest. Then the forest cover disappears slowly and beautiful grasslands appear which continues to the summit.

Spikes of rock occasionally break through the green carpet smothering the mountains and remind me of sleeping dinosaurs. The creator must have taken all the time in the world to create such a beautiful place and then send his children to admire play and enjoy in his magical land.

The route is moderate gradient and passes through dense coniferous forests. We had to climb up a ridge till halfway up. This trail on the ridge was easy terrain if somewhat steep. The group made good speed as we kept walking up the hill. The hike is quite steep in the middle and later flattens out.

One by one everyone reached the summit. We were all tired and hungry. The packed lunches were out and finished within minutes. It was scalding hot and except a few trees there was nothing to offer us a cool shadow. The views from the top are absolutely stunning. No picture can do justice to it and it further bolsters the view that Ramanagudda is one of the most scenic treks you can do in the Charmadi. We stayed about an hour at the summit soaking in the views and the achievement

 Finally after many hours of exploration we finally emerged and started our way back but our minds were still dwelling in the prehistoric times, totally a unique experience than our regular treks.

Alekan waterfalls

 One gets to see curious onlooker and vast valleys more often on Charmadi. Undisturbed hill ranges, beautiful waterfalls and the deep showers transform Charmadi into a magical realm. Every time when I pass through the Charmadi Ghat, I start dreaming about to spend at least a short time in Alekan waterfalls, it is one of the most beautiful waterfalls hardly 2kms from Malayamaruta and 5kms from Kottigehara. Alekan falls is visible completely from the roadside, one can also get down sharp 200 meters to reach the base of the falls.

 Alekan waterfalls blessed with everlasting natural beauty leaves nature lovers in awe and admiration. The wonderful species of bird’s life around here is truly awesome the falls and its adjacent landscape are beautiful as the ones depicted in fairy tales.

 The beauty of these falls blooms with the onset of season of natural showers. During monsoon water fall runs with incredible speed and vigour and time from August till early December is best to visit the place.

 It would be a good idea to spend a day in Monsoon just roaming back and forth in this stretch. Every inch is so scenic across the Ghat road you may want to stop at all places & get lost in nature! You will get your own private scenic spots in each visit! Actually it’s a humid place on a sunny day you will feel steaming with sweat.

Panchamikallu

Chikmagalur is carved against a mountainous canvas and this beautiful Malnad district is full surprises of lofty peaks, delightful dales, racing rivers, sparkling streams, captivating cascades, Sloppy grass lands with velvet looks and branching mountains. Panchami Kallu is one of the few unknown hill located here it is less explored and unexploited, great place filled with greenery and varied terrain with forest, valleys and enormous historic back set. 

 As soon as I heard of the place I was eager to explore it. Panchamikallu is a beautiful natural Viewpoint with the trails passing through thick forests, meadows and valley. Few months back I got the opportunity to visit Kogre village, first I met my friend and relaxed full 2 days in his orange estate home, and on my second day by late noon I went to explore this beautiful place with my wife.

 After about 2kms we stopped at the Shanthinath Basadi entrance on the main road, where I took few snaps of this 10^th centaury Jain Basdi. Later we started moving towards Panchamikallu hills on the tarred road for almost 4kms with beautiful coffee estates and forests on both sides. Trail goes up and down after the tarred road, we entered a muddy jeep track passing through shrubbery forests and continued on for 5 minutes trail narrowed from here on and we came across to the beautiful Mantapa on top of the hill.

 Though it was a short trip, but still its etched in memory as it give us full view of the valley in front of us, it had everything to offer – Natural viewpoint, valley, peak, forest, meadow & historical testaments. The beautiful view of the meadows and the majestic trees were a treat to the eyes, level of height the colours of meadows are different that view was amazingly beautiful.

 It’s a soul soothing experience to watch the clear skies and then the green cover on the surrounding hills. We just sat there soaking in the moment and I couldn't help wondering how much more beautiful it would be during the monsoons with clouds beneath us.

We would have loved to embrace the serenity of true and undisturbed nature for a longer time but we had to leave early. So we ended our exploration early and ride back to home with serene experience.

Viranarayana Temple, Belavadi

Chikkamagalur is geographical confluence of Western-Ghats, Semi-Ggats and Deccan plateau which resplendent with its wide stretches of woods, coffee plantations, paddy fields and a scenic skyline is ostensibly the major highlights here and also noted for its enchanting natural scenery of Malnad. On the way to Halebidu if one deviate to the right about 200 meters from the highway is Belavadi. Belavadi is a small village also known as Ekacharanagar in Chikkamagalur Taluk it has a dilapidated Viranarayana temple a neat and huge structure in Hoysala style.

Viranarayana temple here stands majestically bearing testimony to the skills of architects of Hoysala era. This temple tells us affluent treasure of Hoysala architecture and a tale of the super craftsmanship and the high values of life embedded in stone by the people of that bye gone era.

Though the exact date of the construction of this temple is not known precisely, a Hoysala epigraph dated 1206 A.D., refers to some gifts made to this temple. From this it becomes clear that this temple was built prior to 1206 A.D. While the famous temples at Belur & Halebidu are known for their intricate sculptures but this temple is known for its unique architecture.

This is a Trikuta (3 tower) temple built of soapstone. But it appears that the western part was built first and the eastern part was added slightly later. The western part has a Garbhagriha, Sukhanasi, Navaranga and Mukhamandapa. There is a big Sabhamandapa, Sukhanasi and Garbhagrihas on the eastern side. And at north and south are Sukhanasi and Garbhagriha,

These two Garbhagrihas have Gopalakrishna and Yoga Narasimha sculptures, both of seven feet in height. The other Garbhagriha has a fine image of Viranarayana. This is six and a half feet in height and very imposing. He holds Sanka, Chakra, Gada and Padma in his four hands.

The horizontal friezes of the Bhiti or the wall are of the usual type consisting of mouldings. Above these are found sculptures of gods and goddesses below an eave. This is confined to the Garbhagriha and Sukhanasi portion only as the Navaranga in front is open type with Kakshasana. Above this rises the Sikhara in three tiers with Kalasha at the top. This portion including the Sikhara is typing the Sikhara is typically Hoysala in style.

The western portion has sculpture of Yoga Naarsimha, Halayudha, Garuda, Pradyumna, Sri Rama, Krishna and goddess. The northern wall has Keshva, Lakshmi, Pradyumna, Narasimha and Mohini. The other wall has Vishnu, Parasurama, Kalki, Garuda, Varahi, Kalingamardana and musicians and dancers.

The Sabhamandapa is very large and has 46 round pillars of the Lathe turned variety. The ceiling panels inside the temple are a treat to watch especially Kalingamardana Krishna and Venugopala. The interiors have many varieties of ceilings with flat and deep lotus but type.

The sculpture of Venugopala in the southern Garbhagriha is very impressive. He is standing in Tribhanga playing on a flute. This sculpture of Krishna is more beautiful than the ones found in other temples. Similarly the sitting Yoga Narasimha sculpture in the northern Garbhagriha holding Sankha and Chakra and in Yogapatta is beautiful. Thus on the whole this is one of the very large Trikuta types of temples built by the Hoysalas.