Trikuteshwara temple, Gadag

Gadag is famous as a sacred place because of historical temples built during Kalyani Chalukyas period. There are many beautiful temples and Jain Basadis on this city. Sri Trikuteshwara temple at southern part of Gadag is one of the largest most prominent Chalukyan temples in north Kanrnataka. The east facing Garbhagriha has three Lingas representing the Trimoorthis are mounted on a single stone.

 Adjoining to the Shiva temple another sanctorum to the south is dedicated to the goddess Sarasvathi shrine. This temple is beautifully carved with shining pillars and a porch with impressive carvings. A visit to here will make gape with astonishment at the ornately carved pillars and the door leading to the sanctum sanctorum. 

 Ornate panels intricately carved stone partitions stoic stone pillars slanting rooftop make this proportionate temple complex a marvel! The original colossal deity of Goddess Saraswathi became damaged by invaders or miscreants and a newly carved sculpture has now been installed in an adjacent shrine.

 Though the idol is desecrated, I can just visualize how beautiful the imagination of the sculptor was about the goddess of learning. The temple gives the impression that the skilled and blessed sculptors were giving back what they learnt as Gurudakshina to the goddess by creating this temple.

 Inside the main Trikuteshwara temple, inclined slabs serve as balcony seats, and these are decorated with ornately carved figures, overhung by steeply angled eaves. Inside the hall, the columns have figures arranged in shallow niches.

Overall, the temple is in quite good repair, the slanting roof and imposing construction make it a very pleasing monument to view. In the back of the temple complex is a tank, called Rudra Theertha, along with a well.

Kargodu falls

Kargodu falls, which has elevated the beauty of forest with the crystal clear water, gushing down the rocky path, is providing a magnificent view to the visitor. We planned to visit this unidentified waterfalls so as per our plan we started our morning with great breakfast, hot tea and Akki Rotti were right combination to get us going in full spirit, after a short bike ride we reached Kargodu village, we parked our vehicles and initial stretch goes through Areca plantations and later crossed a small bamboo bridge over a small stream.

 Then we trekked on grassland plateau and then we entered the forest passing through a small hamlet towards the valley. Without taking rest we forwarded, the weather was extraordinarily favorable. We soon reached thick woods of the higher region and found ourselves enveloped by a virgin forest of gigantic elegant trees.

 The beauty of this forest is inexpressible a certain anxiety nevertheless fills the wanderers souls. The deep stillness of the forest eerie rushing of the wind through these huge trees needles and sublimity of nature’s powerful forces made an impression on me that I will never forget.

 Further our journey goes through many bushes thick bamboo roofed forests. Once we saw the waterfall none of us could speak the tough trek were forgotten it was worth everything I thanked god being alive to see one of his wonderful creation the thundering waterfall was mesmerizing getting cool showers from the fall all our tiredness vanished.

 After running over a stretch of rocks to this place the brook tumbles downward around 80 feet with tremendous force into a rock basin where the water scattered in a million droplets come together again and then flows tranquilly into a small ravine. It is with difficulty that on climbs down into the base of the falls but however arduous the scrambling down just as rewarding is the sight one finds below. It was an authentically splendid scene all around stood rocks luxurious adorned with handsome plants and shrubs. It seems god might have taken the place for a masterpiece of tasteful gardening.

 When illuminated by the sun, streams of waterfall forming a bright silver band down over the rocks producing an uproar that is doubly frightful in the beautiful space and the dark green leaves plantains adorn the waterfalls. We felt so good watching the falls it was like gallons of milk pouring down the hill time stood still everything around was mute except for the sound of the waterfall.

 After we had enjoyed the stately tableau for long time we pulled ourselves away from the beautiful sight with great reluctance headed back the same way it was quiet quick we reached back in one hour. Throughout our journey was filled with hundreds of vibrant butterflies fluttering, Beautiful pebbles in grass bright like shining pearls, Colourful Mushrooms ,Evergreen forests, flowing very pure water in the brook, So many chirping birds and little variety of species, Romancing trees, Green covered hills and valleys all around it was a very wonderful experience. 

 It was that moment of happiness, joy and ecstasy that everyone unanimously exhibited after being amalgamated with nature for just two days!! Of course the real life out there in wild is calling us to fuse to make us realize the true happiness. 

Gijgini Waterfalls

 As soon as my vacation is approved, I packed my bags, drive all the way from my place.  I always wanted to explore around AG valley and let me tell you it was fantastic! Come have a look on it. Far away from typical touristic places, it is truly a hidden gem. It took us 3 hours to reach my friend Mahabala’s house! First day we explored few new waterfalls around there. Second day we spent the whole day hiking deep forests to explore Gijguni waterfalls. It was amazing!

 After trekking for about an hour from the village soon we started descending which was gradual and was towards the main stream. Soon we were heading into dense bamboo jungle filled with surprises!!  After descending 100 meter we were back to thick woods. After negotiating with the bushes and thorns we made our initial hike skipping the stream & entered into the thick tinny bamboo forest, soon to be lost in the thick and sloppy ridges of AG Valley.

 We had to climb the thorn filled ridges, move along with thick vegetation cover and descend along slippery rocky terrain. We carefully descended down the slope. I could hear the falls roaring from long and within next few minutes with tough attempt between thick jungles we reached directly in to front of Twin Falls.

  Once we reached the stream, we got a breath-taking view of Twin waterfalls and where we climbed down from it was impenetrable jungle that we came. The view from here was magnificent. It was a wonderful set of approximately 100 feet wide rock slab surrounded by green forest is bisected by two powerful bursts of water in the small distance.

 Two separate streams of water cascade down the black much stretched rock, which is divided by huge rock walls and converging around 10 meters away from these waterfalls, the water is almost transparent white as it tumbles down below from 40-50 feet height.

  In the First cascade the thick spouts of water rush over the rock and land in a small pool of water and next one has a thinner, spread out flow of water, making it seem more delicate than the others.

 We spent here around 30 minutes - From here we proceeded towards the second stage. We walked a length about 100 meters and we reached the top of the Gijguni. The view from the top was mesmerizing. After the excitement subsided we started planning the route for the base of the Gijguni main step.

 We searched the way to go down to the falls; we took a diversion from the top to reach the base. I scanned from top nothing looked easy but I can see the way to make it possible to reach the base. It was difficult to clamber down on the steep slope, brushing aside low branches and roots, scrambling over moss laden rocks until I came across some rocky area where we able to see the falls in the nearest distance.

 Anyhow we made the way to the base of the falls over more boulders to witness the majestic of Gijguni falls. It was so beautiful that words are not enough to describe the falls like, way it looks like is unique, rocks formation, tranquillity of icy water and the small ponds is an asset to Gijguni falls. It has on more small stage after this level with big pond.

 After diving, swimming, filling up icy waters, we rested for a while. Almost everyone had taken a nice dip in the water. And it was time for me to take the pictures. Everyone had their rounds for taking their profile pictures and quickly we took a group shot. The astounding sight pleased my senses and made me realize that all those adjectives that are synonymous to stunning will be aptly expressed at that moment!

 Nothing thrills me more than to discover new waterfall that is mysterious in wild.  It turned out to the best and most enjoyable trek under fabulous Gijguni falls.  No words to express as everyone were delighted and overjoyed with ecstasy. After all, what you need in life is that moment of happiness under the misty skies along with likeminded souls in the lush green with thundering waterfalls and gusty winds moving your soul!!