Bankapur Fort and Peacock Sanctuary

Bankapur fort as once a strong fortress with a large and deep ditch but either allowed to go to decay or demolished on several sides. The granite ramparts and gateways on one side were in good order; the rest was out of repair. One of the fort walls runs across the back of the Nagareshwar temple and is built on it.

Bankapur is a small town in Haveri district. The earliest known reference of Bankapur is found in a Kolhapur Jain manuscript, dated 898 CE, where it is mentioned that the great city of Bankapur was named after the Chellaketan chief Bankeyaras who was a feudatory of Rashtrakuta king Amoghavarsha-I.

Bankapur peacock sanctuary situated in Bankapur village of Shiggon taluk, is just 2.5 km from the NH-4, 22 km from Haveri town towards Hubli. This sanctuary is situated on 139 acres of land which has the remains of the historic Bankapura Fort

The peacock sanctuary in Bankapura is the only second sanctuary in the country that is exclusively engaged in the conservation and breeding of peacocks. Understanding the great presence of peacocks in the region, the Government of India declared Bankapura as a peacock sanctuary on June 9, 2006. Any visitor to this sanctuary will not return without seeing a flock of peacock, our national bird, happily dancing in the sprawling sanctuary, without a care in the world.

The high mound and deep trenches of the land have provided a perfect home for these birds. According to a rough estimate, there are more than 1,000 peacocks and peahen in the sanctuary. Also, minimal human intervention has helped in the breeding of these birds. They walk royally on the four km mound and also perch on green trees.

Bankapura Peacock Sanctuary is covered with Acacia, Neem and Ficus plants. Crops such as maize, Jowar and Horse gram are grown here. Many species of medicinal plants are found here. Known for having huge numbers of peacock and additionally birds like Woodpecker, babbler, extraordinary horned owl, jaybird, green-buzzing insect eater, robin and nightjar are seen here.

The officials of the Department of Veterinary Sciences have shown great interest in the conservation of these birds, making it easy for the Forest Department to carry on with their job. According to experts, Bankapur is considered to be a safe haven for pea fowls because of its topography.

The sanctuary is located on the cattle breeding farm which was set up in 1919 after the First World War. The farm is located in 90 acres out of the total 139 acres of the sanctuary.

There are a number of other birds like wood pecker, great-horned owl, babbler, magpie, robin, green bee-eater, nightjar, spotted maina, paradise flycatcher, Indian robin, spotted dove, parakeets, kingfisher, grey hornbill, blue tailed bee eater, blacked winged kite, tailor bird etc.  The fort also houses an animal farm for breeding cattle and rabbits.

A cluster of magnificent black-faced languor’s (monkeys) was seated on a path going to a large mud-rock mound that must have constituted a part of the fort wall in ancient times. Quite separated from them was another languor chewing meditatively on a cud. A little later, it was witched by my side in a few large steps with very impressive speed. It seemed to be six feet tall and gave me a feeling that he could easily have been a proud member of any army. The languors were everywhere and we must thank the forest department for not officially making it a languor sanctuary.

Mallalli Waterfalls

 

Last weekend, I had a chance to go to Mallalli Waterfalls, the biggest falls in Kodagu district and part of the Pushpagiri Wildlife sanctuary . It’s only a 45 minutes trip from Somvarpet, but it’s a half day program for us that could go from morning to 2 pm.

 

Along with a couple friends and I, all we together organized a wonderful program on last weekend. Including myself and the driver, we had a total of fifteen people for this trip. After breakfast, we set out for a three hour drove through Bisle Ghat road and Its carried us a glorious session to explore the countryside of WesternGhat.

 

After paying the entrance fee, we continued to deep into the reserve towards horrible mud road. We went ahead on the muddy path and parked our vehicle within about 5 minutes driving from the gate we left vehicle and continued towards well-marked, well-traveled mud track and after a mile and a half, we came within sight of Mallalli falls. We spent few minutes on top of the Mallalli Valley.

 

It is a series of incredible cascades raining down from the base of the Pushpagiri was the magnificent scene the river Kumaradhara leaps over 200ft creating this spectacular view. The scenery was just breathtaking and with no doubt one of the most beautiful areas I had been to during my stay in Coorg.

 

Few steps ahead, there was a steep descent thru the jungle route. The route was slippery though definitely manageable. Within 10 minutes, we were at the base, looking in awe of the white carpet of water cascading right in front of us from such a height! The base of this waterfall was crowded as well, but steerable it was.

 

At 200 feet tall, Falls fills the rocky amphitheater with a constant breeze and sound that resembles a roaring applause. We carefully crept closer to the big drop and felt the spray, which was very cold.

 

We spent the next 20 minutes silently admiring the waterfall, pristine tiered pools, great weather quality & our surroundings, clicked a few pictures, enjoyed the cool breeze along with which fine droplets from the waterfall just settled on our faces! Oh! Heaven!!!

 

After a long traverse, I found what I was looking for, the objective of waterfall hunting is to get inspired by nature and its ability to be amazing through no effort at all. Mallalli Falls will likely forever be breathtaking to humans. When we see these natural wonders and take home with us the spark of their mystical beauty, we can use it to spread the love of the outdoors and our rare, delicate planet.

Mandalpatti – Coorg

I was off to discover the secrets of some parts of the Coorg I went on this trip at 5^th Nov with my friends. After a frenzied journey on the most horrible road we relaxed for while at Devarakolli waterfall, a small seasonal waterfall.

Further 24kms form Madikeri was thick forests, narrow uphill roads and in coffee estates that resound to the melody of birdsong traveling in these place was a natural wonder. The Breeze that climb over mountains, the newly- wed breeze, to that breeze land of Coorg extends a warm welcome.

There are 2 routs to this place but our bad luck one rout had closed .While approaching to Mandalpatti the way turned most dreadful and somewhere too dangerous to travel by Scorpio but our driver by himself took initiative and managed to travel next 6kms on that track.

 

At one place we stopped our vehicle and didn’t take more risk, we consulted one local Jeep driver he tried to thwart us indirectly for his benefit without any choice we agreed him and all shifted to his Jeep, for next 6 km’s he fixed 800rs he took fully benefit from our necessity.

 

Paying a little bit of extra cash we started out on a journey to uphill side. The track was most horrible and unsafe on some places huge boulders & landslip sections and a very narrow slick mud track some places road went through edge of the deep valleys all of that we ended our journey near to a small forest office where road ends.

 

After paying the entrance fees we got the permission to do further hike, this place comes under Pushpagiri Wildlife sanctuary. Although the hike was not much rigorous from the car park we followed the main trail and a short distance we reached the top. Weather was not too hot the views were absolutely breathtaking. The long hard journey was totally worth to it!!

 

We turned next hill top eventually after walking through a somewhat narrow trail we reached the another side of the hill top. the area changes color almost every second sun playing tremendous work here. It seemed like forever that I was soaking in the moment of being at the top of the hill. The Valley is full of thick vegetation watching Puspagiri & Kotebetta from top of the hill was fistful to eyes.

 

And when we full filled view of the mountains we took the shorten way to reach starting point. On return after few complication we hired another jeep. The driver brought us to his own small hut hotel were situated on the way-back. There is absolutely nothing much to eat but its real treat and a pleasant surprise after the journey back from the peak. That is lovely place to feed our empty stomachs on late noon.

 

Driving uphill through vast green plantations with damp white mist was really scenic. On way return the whole mountains covered by thick fog It was one of those times when we knew how quickly the weather could change and we had full glimpse of Mandalpatti by luckily.

 

Overall this trip was an unforgettable time. So relaxing, no stress, no phones, no pollution etc I'm way overdue for another trip to Mandarapatti .