Chigadi Falls

The drive to Jarkuvare Hill is truly breathtaking the scenery is jaw dropping as we climbed up this gigantic hill and then descends down to the valleys below. The hill is surrounded by many ruined forts like Kotegudda, Valakote and Diddagudda hill, many waterfalls and ruined Jaina’s temples.

A mile walks from Jarkuvare with the lovely forest and plantations which is by all means worth. The way the sun hits the tree tops, the leaves, and the small streams and hidden paths we carried on our adventure in a magical land.

The trek path is criss-crosses, we keep crossing the stream and again balancing ourselves on the stones in the stream to cross over. In winters as the water level is low crossing is not too much of a problem but I am sure in Monsoons there is no option other than wetting feet several times during the trek.

Wow! The jungle was just beautiful, nicely covered over our heads, as we continually passed streams and mini waterfalls; the last bit of going to the waterfall is very perilous. The acute senses of the local guide however took care of that. With his naked legs he slipped through leading the way everywhere scarcely touching the ground in his dexterity a fact that astonished us greatly. We were thus charmed and astonished by the inexhaustible power of nature that manifested itself at every step.

Chigadi waterfall is hidden from dense crop of trees. As we approached top of the waterfalls at its top edge a mouth formed of rock 70 feet height and 30 feet wide which devours the waterfall with frightful thirst. Such boulders are highly interesting but it would have been foolhardy for us to venture into this narrow waterfall without the necessary preparation.

While coming back we went to BangleGudde hill, spent some time and had beautiful sunset. Life is so beautiful in the lap of the nature. We need one more birth to enjoy each and every place. Looking forward another thrilling trek, we ended here.

Siddappa Gudi Betta -Haveri

 Trek to Siddappa Gudi Betta is really refreshing in all season with scenic view from the top of the hill we can see vast evergreen fields. At the top there is a small temple and we can find many monkeys. The site is excavated in an isolated stone hill watching all these beautiful peaks with gusty wind to our face were amazing experience. 

 Journey start with various small villages en-route is really refreshing. After a small drive from Haveri town in a nasty village road we reached a small traditional hamlet, we left our vehicle end of the road and started to hike first immediate stretch from the road side. One has to climb around 200 steps to reach the summit. The climb is safe and quite easy because of the stairway right to the top.

 However, it is well worth after crossing the first hump, a beautiful planet opened in front of us. The hill top is refreshing with cool breeze offers beautiful views of its surroundings; on the boulder strewn surface cave temple can be seen close to the hill top.

 This natural ancient cave temple dedicated to Lord Siddeshvara. There is no such history of this temple it’s difficult to say who exactly established this but locals says is that it is an ancient temple. There is no such evidence it is just the supposition that the temple is ancient by the statements given by senior devotees by villagers and the legend which was emanated by tradition.

 Spent some time and half explored the cave, offered our prayers in the temple on the top of the mountain. After spending sun set we turned back to our home carrying the great experience & wonderful memories.

Uncharted Udupi Part (2) - Light-House Island

Udupi is known the world over for its beautiful temples, cultural diversity, expansive tropical forests, mouth watering cuisine and yes, its glorious beaches and Islands. Among such places is one of the beautiful island of Udupi that is least explored by visitors and restricted to visit to public.

Geologically Lighthouse Island is very similar to Kotepare Island, comprising near vertical beds of Ordovician siltstone with the same southwest-northeast strike as prevails across the region. Topographically, the island is very subdued, rising to less than 12 meters above ocean with a cliff on the east and west side and fairly gentle slopes elsewhere leading to a rocky shoreline and at its north-east end adjacent to the light house buildings. Although rock exposures are abundant, none of the crags are more than 10 meters high.

The Island is covered by lush vegetation including elder scrub, bracken, nettles and etc. The seaweed growth in the intertidal zone is luxuriant and so several of the characteristic intertidal lichen species proved difficult to find. Lichen growth is most luxuriant on the rock exposures immediately above high water, where waves prevent the establishment of a significant soil cover or the encroachment of scrub vegetation. Several species found on the crags of Lighthouse Island being absent from Kotepare Island.

The spectacle of a another beautiful derelict island there’s nothing but lush greenery, gorgeous white beaches the silvery white torrents of gushing water, the white froth on top of the overflowing waves, the deafening roar as it strikes the shore, the plumes of mist rising like smoke, reflection of salt in its spray and hunt for shells along the beach -these images breed poetry in the fecund mind. Sun, sea breeze and beautiful wildlife make a perfect combination and that's just what the Lighthouse Island offers up its barely visitors.

The lighthouse tower (closed for visitors) provides magnificent views of the Island, it has existed on Northern edge since centuries to help boats navigate through the dangerously shallow reefs. The current lighthouse recently renovated and at the north-east end of the island are numerous buildings associated with the lighthouse.

This serene, calm, almost lonely beach is the best for some peace. A small trek of barely 500 meters into the shrubbery forest takes you to one of the most beautiful sites I have ever witnessed in my visit. Absolutely cut off from the rest of the world, this place will definitely help you connect to your inner self. The moist salty wind, the blur green transparent shores, never ending sea, the pale blue sky and the glistening waters, this is all that this place can offer you.

We never realized how time flew staring at the sea. Endless Ocean that seems to merge with the horizon, so that it’s hard to understand where is the end of the water and the beginning of the sky. You are on your own in that Paradise corner away from the noisy and hectic crowd. On the ride back we always kept our self silent thinking of the time that we spent mesmerized in natures glorious beauty.