Sirimane Waterfalls -Kigga

 

One exceptionally beautiful waterfall hidden in the mountains near the village of Kigga and it would attracts us, so one fine day myself and two of my friends were planned to visit this wonderful place. We got up early in the morning and reached to Kigga by bus and began our walk in a fine village road next to the Kigga temple. It needed a long walk to reach the waterfalls at the same time financial issue so we preferred to walk instead of hiring private vehicles.

 

Walking in the shade of the forest was much cooler, must the humidity was energy sapping.  After weaving in and out of forest we reached the waterfalls nearing the mid- afternoon with tiring legs.

 

Water levels were up from recent rains giving us quite a show it was a small waterfall, hidden in some trees. There was little time to not concentrate fully on what were ahead, rocks, thronging bushes and low lying bamboo.

 

The waterfalls quite popular with the local population and people often go there for a picnic in the weekend. There are several trails you can follow, with short walk allowing you to reach picturesque places.

 

We had a refreshing bath with sort of adventures and filled some food to our empty stomach, the rocks were burning and clothes soon dried on them. We rested in the coolness for a while, before we set off to the again. Almost immediately after visiting the falls, we left the falls and began a one more trek nearby this and we soon arrived at the Kigga bus stop at late evening, completing a nice traverse of this beautiful property those of us who enjoyed this wonderful treasure to have for it.

Gateway to paradise-KarkiBetta

Fortunately everything worked out albeit last minute and we were able to enjoy a rejuvenating day by the pristine waterfalls, forests, mountains and grasslands of KarkiGudda. We took our usual route with usual team. First saw a beauty of Tirthkere waterfalls & later few kilo meters drive in terrible mud road we turned to walk instead of taking any risk to our vehicle.

We reached my friend Ashok house after a few minutes of walk. Whole house welcome us heartily & we all filled our stomach with very delicious foods & next started to walk inside his estate. First we visit a beautiful small waterfall Kerkolalu near to Ashok house which situated between thick coffee estates.

First few hours path was surrounded by a beautiful chilliness Coffee estates & a very large swathe of dense Shola forests still these estates retain large tracts of Shola, grasslands and naturalized forests between the Coffee plantations. After nonstop walk we entered open vast grassland which bottom of the greenish mountain.

First we hike initial small peak and then able to see a real hygienic beauty of this beautiful mountain. It’s a heaven to seeing a whole beauty from this step. From the top of the First step we are not even willing to believe we could climb it because from there it seems very step &sharp. But doing adventure is a great part of our journey so everyone happily energetically facture of times reached the top.

This time it was not at all warmth in the whole journey, it was a Salubrious weather in our whole journey. Even the mid day was bitterly cold. We started to shiver heavily in the peak at midday only. But still we manage to spend almost an hour of time on the peak.

Watching the groups of Mountains from the top was undoubtedly scenic being a large expanse of gentle grass mountains with Shola forest so after enjoying the scene briefly; we decided to return to back because of lack of time.

On return we chosen another side of the mountain n while walking through the meadows by the grasslands, we soon came across a feral lone large wild Sambar strolling just little distance from us. how shy these enormous beasts are. One look at us and them soon turned tail and scooted off into the forest. It ought to have been the other way around!

It is amazing how many new places are waiting to be discovered on every visit. New mountain tops, new meadows, new Sholas, new views, new waterfalls and plenty of new wildflowers and birds.

The Karki landscape never ceases to amaze with its stark beauty, vast expanses of true grasslands, swathes of Shola in the gentle valleys with gushing streams, and the ethereally beautiful crystal waterfalls.

Rishyasringa...

National parks had always held my interest it's so much fun being there, we feel privileged to know we are at such a place where the flora, fauna ,birds and animals are really protected and cared for existence Narasimha Parvata (1152 m) is one place where you can just relax in nature and feel contended.

We planned a weekend trip to NP and all got together at one point & as usual Kamath sir brought his car & we had a comfortable journey in the cool morning without any hassles.

We reached Kigga village which is famous for Rishya Shringeshwara temple, our team mate Chandru was from this place so we had no worry as to find a guide since he knew the place already and was experienced. We bought few things to eat on the way and & started to walk to reach our destiny. After 1 hour of nonstop climb we reached Avalakki Rock which is a big rock with a beautiful open view on the other side, we rested for a while & continued our walk in the jungle.

Along the way the vegetation changes as we ascend & thick flora changes as grassland factor of few hours walk. After one precipitous hike we reached leveled very wide grassland there we saw 2 beautiful natural ponds called Rama-Laksmhan kunda & we could also see some inhabitance of ancient world. Rumors of many astounding miracles is said to have happened here. Local folks had made some pilgrimage activities before.

After sudden heavy rain we once again started our journey, the grass become more slippery & we were not able to judge loose stones because of long thick grasses. Finally we reached one side of the peak where we saw a statue of Hindu God at the bottom of one big rock. We climbed that rock & we had a stunning view of the imposing Kudremukh ranges and we were able to see beautiful Valikunja peak form this point.

Another side of the summit The Shola forests are found on mountain peaks. Grasslands cover the peaks while the slopes are covered with thick forests & some places interspersed with lush grasslands and dark green Shola forests all set in the prettiest of tropical jungle landscape. Twirls of nonstop breeze on top peppered the undulating landscape.

On our return we climbed down from another side of the hilltop across the big valley situated between Narasimha Parvata and Mallandoor. Watching green paddy fields of the Mallandoor village was superb on our return path.

Of now these ranges has been in threatening for naxalites presence. Maybe because of this only people won’t disturb this gorgeous place much? Whatever issues it won’t stop our spirit to climb once again this ranges, it has such a stimulating power with it.......