Akkinkodlu waterfalls

Akkinkodlu trek has given me a lot of my needed adventures from the heavy downpour, middle of the jungle, to the difficult downer stream trek while we were all soaking wet. These are the kind of experiences that can definitely make better and tougher.

A simple hike for some might not be simple so always be ready, especially when the rain comes and the trail gets muddy and slippery that can make a supposed easy trail, difficult. And that’s what happened to me, to us, in Akkinkodlu waterfalls.

With a wonderful pleasant weather we drove car to Akkinkolu village, ride was very nice highly energetic and fully charged. We reached the village and parked our vechicle near by stream and started our trek.

The layers of the stream resembled some mini-falls with crystal clear water. It was white, so bright white then the body of the stream would eventually turn into a bluish colour. It’s is a perfect time for capturing moment, happy moments.

Rainy season had made its mark a wonderful stream we followed the stream started to walk against the downer stream. Throughout the walk was extremely wonderful but very dangerous since rocks are very slippery and a single neglected step could land any one in big injury and once in such a dense forest getting help is a dream.

We never expected that the trek would be that fast. But it was relatively fast and easy trek. It was just a 30 minute walk from the jump-off. I was catching my breath when I finally reached the small flat land and when I turned around I saw this beautiful. It’s tall about 60 feet. It was wide huge and majestic as the water touches the stream creates this dramatic mist of water.

Be careful with the rocks full of moss that when added with rain made very slippery. After a few minutes we all found our own spots to take some photos. We weren’t able to swim because it was already late and getting dark. We managed to reach the road before getting dark.

Kamalashile Durgaparameshwari temple & Suparshwa cave

Kamalashile is home to the Brahmi Durgaparameshwari temple. What’s special about Kamalashile is the fact that goddess Brahmi Durgaparameshwari is worshipped in the form of a ‘Linga’ here. Also special is a cave, which a local legend says, is visited by a tiger. Kamalashile is a small temple town in Udupi district’s Kundapur taluk. It is about 35 km from Kundapur. Surrounded by a lush green forest and mountain peaks, Kamalashile, is certainly the right place for nature lovers.

 This small village is known for its Brahmi Durgaparameshwari temple. Most pilgrims are known to tag this place along with Kollur, another well-known pilgrim town in Kundapur. There is a well-maintained road between Kollur and Kamalashile which goes further to reach Agumbe Ghats. The temple in Kamalashile is on the banks of River Kubja. As the name suggests, the village got its name from a stone linga. What’s unique about Kamalashile is the fact that goddess Brahmi Durgaparameshwari is worshipped in the form of a linga here.

 Also, there’s cave which is about a kilometre from this temple. Those who visit the temple make it a point to visit this cave, which is known as Suparshwa cave (Guppipari guhe). Legend has it that King Suparshwa who was looking for a suitable place to perform penance and attain salvation came across this cave and achieved his aim. There are a couple of interesting stories associated with this cave. Many sages are known to have come here to perform penance. Among them was Sridhara Swamiji from Varadapur, Sagar.

 A shop owner outside the temple dons the role of a guide. He says his family has, since a long time, been worshiping god Bhairava’s idol inside the cave. Our guide accompanied us with a big torch and understands so, as it was pitch dark inside the cave. Further down the cave, on the left, are three separate Lingas, which are called Trishakti lingas — Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswati. All these are said to be Udbhava Murthis (images that have sprung up on their own). Further down, towards the right, is the place where King Suparshwa, Adishesha and sage Sridhara Swamy are said to have performed penance.

 Below this place, one can find the birthplace of ‘Naga Teertha’, which, mythology has it, later became River Kubja. A mythological episode has it that long back, fearing death from Garuda, Adishesha came to goddess Brahmi Durga Parameshwari seeking liberation from a curse. The goddess advised him to seek Lord Vishnu’s help and requested all the other nagas (serpents) to hide in Suparshwa cave, so she could save them from Garuda.

 Inside the naga sannidhi, there is a high dome where one can see hundreds of bats. Local legends have it that a tiger comes visiting to Suparshwa cave to rest. It has now become a custom to keep a fire burning in front of the cave, so the tiger can keep itself warm. The Brahmi Durgaparameshwari temple also has many interesting stories associated with it.

In 1968, when River Kubja was in spate, the temple was submerged. It was rebuilt much later, in 1990. Not to be missed here is a special prayer every morning, called, ‘salaam pooja’. It is performed as a tribute to Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan for their faith in the goddess. The temple has its own Yakshagana troupe, which performs ‘Kamalashile kshetra mahatme’ through the night.

Malpe Beach -Udupi

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.

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.