Nagarhole

After breakfast, we set out for an hour journey from Gonikoppal via Srimangala. In the beginning, it almost felt like doing the calm chilly drive because of the weather and the altitude. Normally I don’t prefer to visit such places but few months back I visited with my friends because of its popularity and location.

 

After crossing the forest gate we continued on the road deep into the reserve to where the activities begin. We had our first wild animal sighting– Dotted Deers! Seeing elephants was very exciting. We were peering out of the vehicle at the forest around us, scanning them for wildlife, abetted by the predawn lighting and the mists.

 

Within about 10 minutes driving on the Park road we reached Forest office, after paying the park entrance fee we shifted to forest vehicle. During the Safari we didn’t have the luck of more wild animal sightings the common animal was Deers. If any elephants or bison were grazing upon the forest we drove through, they were impossible to see because of the cotton-thick mists blanketing the tall grass and trees that covered the terrain

During the morning session doing Safari inside the jungle was Elusive, elemental, and extremely beautiful – this natural phenomenon is breathtaking and actually quite simple to explain. Commonly known as light beams, crepuscular rays are caused by an effect similar to Rayleigh scattering, and are rare to see in a natural environment save near the twilight peripheries hence the name. Steam, smoke, and dust during the rest of the day makes these beams visible to us from all angles, but short of these mediums, angle and hour are the most significant factors for seeing them.

The next wild animal we had the good fortune to see was the Malabar giant squirrel, also known as the Indian giant squirrel. They were very far away but visible with the naked eye and the fact that it was too far to get a clear view or a picture of it and it was very exciting. Further into the forest, we sighted huge pair of Sambar deers from a distance.

Only about 30 minutes after this encounter, we arrived to see a small herd of wild Indian Bison also known as Indian Gaur. However, these particular specimens were very close to the road, which enabled me to take decent close-up shots of them.

It really drove home the fact that wildlife sighting is really a matter of luck. But that phrase should be viewed in two ways; it’s not just the luck of being in the right place at the right time, but also anyone who has the opportunity to spend time in a wild, natural environment should consider themselves lucky indeed, whether they have the good fortune of sightings or not.

Now a days all National Park's became commercialized and money making systems and the experience has opened my eyes to how damaging the nature system by people can inadvertently be. Anyone who travels to delicate ecosystems should be fully educated, or at the very least informed on how to behave in situations such as these. it's similar in the sense of disturbing wild animals that would otherwise be living their natural habitats without concern for human activities.

End of our excursion we visited on unknown almost dry waterfalls near to Vuirajpet. I think the trip to Coorg was one of the most exciting trip I did in the in this year start. I felt totally enclosed in nature.

Photos By- I & Ashoka S B

Chomkund hill - Kakkabe.

Chomkund hill will always be a place I shall visit again and again. This place will make me wonder whether I step into the land of magic or still firmly stand on the ground. With unearthly nature, unreal landscapes, these destinations will take far away from humdrum reality.

Chomkund hill considered the most beautiful hidden hill ranges in Virajpet, looks like it came straight out of a fairy tale. This hill ranges is famous not only for its magically colorful misty mountains it’s a home for beautiful dramatic landscapes and cliffs, beautiful valleys, milky cascades and coffee plants. Magical and mysterious scenery seems to be much closer to the fantasy world than to reality.

The cheerful mood we started to walk from the village and it was a nice walk, watching birds, smelling of coffee plants all together it was an awesome experience and the views across the journey are just awesome.

This is my third visit to the same place from past 4 years and I can’t hold my emotion while stepping to top. The climb to this hillock is gradient passing through open dry grasslands. However, the scenic beauty at the top of hills more than made up for the efforts.

Panoramic view from the Hillock…

Soon, we reached a beautiful natural view point surrounded by vast jungles, valleys, misty mountains. I would say the view point as one of the loneliest, calmest and beautiful view point on this range. After enjoying the calm atmosphere for about 30 minutes we decided to leave back.

I like to recall my past experiences, some tremendous moments which I could spent in this land few years back . In my first visit when we reached the top soon thick foggy clouds get clouded and covered the whole area on a short time. While on my second visit we made a stay in edge of the another opposite side mountain and the morning till 10am mist and wind was so heavy that the mountain top may be visible for a moment time and the sun rays would played tremendous role on that time to create haven on earth and it was lush green everywhere. But this time the sky was very clean and we able to get some good different snaps.

Devaragundi Waterfalls and Irpu waterfalls

It was end of the rainy season, and that year monsoon also was fantastic so our Mangalore YHA decided to visit some Waterfalls. Mr. Dinesh Holla, Sudheer Kumar & Rajesh Naik, these 3 team members selected several known & unknown waterfalls & planned a 2 days trip.
As usual an early Saturday morning with slight drizzle we started with Mr.Mohan our regular vehicle from Mangalore. A Devaragundi waterfall is situated between thick forests near Todikana temple. The Todikana temple is dedicated to the deity, Mallikarjuna, here is revered highly by the people of surrounding villages and it has a rich history. With an unspoilt, charming waterfall in the vicinity, a pool for shoals of fish and an astounding view of the high hills of Kolikkamale, Thodikana qualifies as much as a place of great natural beauty as a destination for the devout. The Mallikarjuna temple itself is not imposing, with short walls all around and a pyramidal tower above the sanctum. The high flagstaff is plated with copper. There is no sculptural extravagance either. But the outer walls of the shrine do have a series of colourful frescoes depicting the legends of the temple. As we took a walk around, he explained episodes from mythology around which the paintings are woven. According to him, the temple has been in existence for 3,000 years. This spot was in the middle of the forests of Thodu and Kana and got the name, Thodikana.
We parked our vehicle near the temple & started our walk in the rain. Some of our team mates didn't carry umbrella or a rain coat to protect themselves from rain, I also happily joined that group & enjoyed the rain walking in the rain was a pleasure,

At a kilometer and a half towards the south of the temple is the Devaragundi Falls, an undoubtedly stunning spectacle. We a group of 3-4 were a little ahead from our main team and because of heavy rain and as we were engrossed in nature's beauty we missed to take right deviation in the thick forest, After a lot of confusion and some adventure we able to join our group. After crossing one small stream we reached one side of the waterfalls. Devaragundi in Rainy seasons flows in a full volume & After December its flows very low. Everyone spent some time in this place & we moved on. According to mythology, the temple was a true abode of nature with pristine rivers, waterfalls and rich wildlife. Sage Kanva, who was in search of a secluded place for his penance, made this place his own. The legendary Pandavas, during their exile, also stumbled on this place. Arjuna who needed the mighty weapon of Pashupathastra to overcome the Kauravas thought this was the ideal place to perform penance. Installing the linga at the foot of the waterfall, he observed a rigorous penance when Shiva and Parvathi appeared with Vishnu in the form of a fish and bestowed him with a boon. Mythology also has it that the place was sanctified by the visit of gods, Hari and Hara, giving the falls the name, ‘Devaragundi’, meaning ‘a waterhole of the gods’. The temple was well maintained during the times of Ballala rulers and much later by the kings of Coorg. An important spot to visit here is the Shastara Vana forest and the stream flowing next to it called Mathsyatheertha or Meenagundi, teeming with hundreds of large fish. They are considered sacred and are well protected.

Devaragundi waterfalls

 On the way we spent some time in Devarakolli waterfalls also as one part of our plan. A Devarakolli waterfall is located between Mangalore - Madikeri State highway. Whenever i travel in this route I usually will spend some time in this place as approach is very easy because it’s near the main road. This is a small especially rainy season waterfalls. We left this space within 10 minutes Because of limited time. Next we reached Madikeri stepped forward to Abbiyala waterfalls in Chattalli village.

This is also especially rainy season waterfalls &also situated on the road side only. Here water fall cascades from nearly 70 feet height. We spent night at Gonigoppa & next day morning we visited the famous Irpu waterfalls & later visited Chelavara Waterfalls & Kakkabbe view point.

Kakkabbe -in early morning...

Totally we had a fine memorable trip in the rain. After watching so many waterfalls every fall at its best during monsoon it was a real treat for mind and body.

Trek to Kakkabe

Kakkabe which is 40 km from Madikere provides access to this highest peak in Coorg.Viewing Coorg from the tip of the peak is amply rewarding for those who access it to the point.

Heterogonous plants in Semi-Evergreen Forest. Attractive 'Chelavra' Waterfalls in Kakkabe...

Deciduous forest...

Our Halting Place... Our team busy with preparing food for night.

We stayed in the lap of nature at the foot of the Kakkabbe peak. This place offers panoramic view of the valley. The early morning view from this place is one which we can never forget.

Along your trek get to experience native forest, high grasslands, ridge walking, mountain, paddy and coffee plantation terrain both in panoramic views. Coorg Coffee... About 2 km by road from Kakkabe is the Padi Iggutappa temple. Dedicated to Lord Murga it is located at Padi near Ayyangeri forest in Padithara valley. The Temple resembles most of the ancient Keralite temples, in style and is the most important temple of Kodagu. 5 km from Kakkabe is an important historical landmark Nalaknad an old palace build as a Hunting lodge called 'Nalku Naadu Aramane' .