Arebylu Waterfalls

Though the thought of trekking or climbing brings in some cheer to life the sweltering heat profuse sweating tiredness fatigue of summer puts off any adventure except for a cool shower or a swim or rather a fruit juice or tender coconut would be the only choice and option in summer, at least evoking our old monsoon trips memories always, wide greenery, Milky waterfalls, Cloudy mountains, A trembling body, put head under open sky while raining will give adorable enjoyment to our heart. This time I would like to revive some Monsoon waterfalls in this sizzling summer, which will chill my heart & my blog visitors also.
Arebylu waterfalls-This trip begins near the Arebylu village, off the Karwar-Hubli road, when I with my friend Rajesh Sir on a particularly rainy morning. The waterfalls could be seen from the highway, the aproach to it was complicated through forests farm fields and waterways. We hired a villager from the near village; since we were starting our journey intermittently rain also joined throughout our trekking route.
After much walking, we reached near the waterfalls; we were confronted by near vertical climb. This wasn't supposed to be a difficult trek. Our guide was also hesitant to continue journey, even they also became clueless at that time. Finally crawling up a steep mountain, holding on to wet rocks, trees, whatever we could find as rain &wind lashed at us. We finally made it to bottom of the waterfalls.
We did pretty adventure to touch water, because rocks were very slippery & narrow. We were just soaking fully in front of the water fall, even with our shivering hand we managed to take some snaps of the waterfall. We spent enough time in this place. We didn't know if it was the rain or the fall we got drenched in but we were so engrossed in its beauty nothing mattered except for nature's beauty, well it's worth remembering those treks especially in summer for that's how we get to enjoy all the seasons of nature and thanking the creator for giving us so many varieties and value each season and looking forward for the next.
Photos By-Rajesh Naik &meyself.

Grandeur Etched in Stone (Part-7)

Javagal Lakshminarasimha temple -

Javagal near Arasikere is an important center of Hoysala temples of which the Lakshminarasimha temple is the most beautiful. In fact it is a good example for a small & elegant Hoysala temple.However, on stylistic grounds & the part played by the famous sculptor Mallitamma who built the Keshava temple at Somanathapura, Harnahalli&Nuggihalli,it is generally that this temple at Javagal was built around 1250A.D.

This is a Trikuta with three Grabhagrahas but it has only one Sikhara now at the west. A Lakshmi shrine, Mukhamandapa & a Goupura have been added later.The entire temple is built of soapstone & stands on a platform (Jagati).

The moulded platform is in star shape & has elegantly carved horizontal mouldings. As usual it has 6 horizontal friezes. The Puranic frieze contains scenes from Ramayana & Bhagavata.The Ramayana scenes are shown in grater details. One of the panels has Hanuman searching for Sita in Lanka & is shown as looking through a telescope. This is a rare scene.

Over these friezes are found hundreds of sculptures representing various gods & goddesses under highly ornamented canopies. The name of the Mallitamma is carved on the pedestals of many images, other sculptors who carved images in this temple are Sannamada, Mallayya & Chikkamallitamma.

A mahadvara with a Gopura was added during Vijanagar period around 1515A.D. Thus the Lakshminarasimha temple is a very elegant Hoysala temple at Javagal.

YemmeShirla Waterfalls.

I still crave to go to this waterfall. The Trek was enticing and challenging, and the breathtaking waterfall and natural formations made this hike most memorable for me. I have gone to many places with Rajesh sir but this is one of my best trips with him in U.K district.

After a crazy bike drive with unknown local villager we started our next dry walk without much information. From starting itself we missed our route in the village (In this village there are only 3-5 houses in long distance, only large estates everywhere & another side a thick forest) this was the reason for another 30 minutes delay. After wandering for some time we were able to find one house in a huge estate, there we met one old man we took information & proper guidelines.

Once again we returned back for some distance & took one deviation which goesdeep into the dense forest. Lot of confusion throughout our walk, after a long stretched walk by god's grace we found one Sidhi lady (Sidhi’s are said to have been brought by the Portuguese from Africa as slaves some four hundred years ago. Their populations are around ten thousand and are generally found in Haliyal, Yellapur and Ankola taluks.

Now their culture is completely Indian and has adopted mainly Hindu religion. Small populations of them are Muslims and Christians. They are extremely poor and backward and work mainly as agriculture labourers in the fields of Havyak Brahmins.) & she helped to reach falls little closer.

After some time we took another deviation, but next few steps there was no pathway, from there our adventure started, We decided to go down , that time we had to face one critical situation, when we were walking down on our left side for a small distance one animal was following, we couldn’t identify or see Clearly because of thick forest but we were hearing a rough voice near thick flora that moment we were really stunned but we able to manage it in our own way. Still whenever we recall this falls this moment comes in our mind first.

Finally after a so many wrong attempts we reached to the top of the waterfalls. We climbed down nearly 70-80 degree slope without any help & reached the base of Yemmeshirla Waterfalls. This splendid waterfall is so magnificent the variegated scenic around the waterfalls is a memorable experience. The views were spectacular! I swam in a large pond for a long time & later had food on bank of the pond. This was an awesome way to end our most enjoyable Trip.

Photos by -Rajesh Naik,Udupi