Virapet trip

I had travelled to Virajpet many times, and this time decided to see few places not visited. Started off from Mysore in the morning, had breakfast at Gonikoppa and reached Virajpet by 9am. Enquired at many places about Sarathabbi but very few knew.

This falls is about 20+ kms from Virajpet towards Bittangala-B-Shettigeri. It is deep inside reserved forest and hence permission is essential. Talking about recent disaster and river flows with the driver, journey began. We reached Kootiyala camp, where we took necessary permissions from forest department.

We walked about 45min and we were at a view point. View was breathtaking, seeing BarapoLe river cutting across mountains with thick forest was a great sight. Sarath hoLe was on the other side cascading down the mountain to reach BarapoLe.

We understood this forest is densly populated with Elephants, we could see many traces on our way.

 Sarathabbi close up view

 BarapoLe river

We spent time taking pictures at different angles and started back.Thanked forest guards and left towards BarapoLe.

Abandoned bridge which was once connecting to Ponnampete side, now home for Elephants.

We reached Virajpet and continued our journey. Next plan was to visit Chelavara. Due to security reasons, people were not allowed to the water. Captured distant Chelavara falls and water had reduced.

Next day we visited Kabbi hill view point. Landscapes, mountain views were amazing.

 Kabbe hill

 Chomakund hill view

We saw Balliyatra falls on the way. We understood from a local that this could be reached but longer time. We soon changed our plan and headed off towards it. Initial walk was along estate side and after 30min we hit the forest. It was steep ascent with no clear path. Clear direction senses our guide was the only hope.

Only after 2hrs walk, we could see the distant Balliyatra falls. We quickly planned to visit lower step first. 

Lower step

Upper step

 Upper step

Rested for a while, took lot of photos and started back. Mountain was full of purple flower, it was a great sight. Descent was quite quicker than expected,  reached the main road. 

Trip to these 3 places were rewarding and hope to see more unknown places.

Around Yellapura

Started off from Sirsi hotel towards Yellapura. Rains were continuous making my drive little slow. I had planned to visit Emme Shirle falls, Kenchanagadde falls & KuLi magod falls for the day.

I reached Arbail and enquired about Emme Shirle, to my surprise i could not get any lead. They pointed to another waterfalls which was visible and told this is Vajra and could be visited.
I requested one of the villager to show me route and he agreed to come along.

2 stage waterfall as seen from the highway.

Just 0.5km from the highway, we touched a stream. As stream was running high level, i had to stop my bike ride.

We walked about 20min and we were at the base of the falls.

I got beautiful view of the falls and enjoyed it. I realised later that there is further trail leading to the top portion of the fall.

I thanked the villager and headed back to Yellapura.

I stopped at Shirle falls point, to have a quick photo shoot. But the person told some trees have fallen due to heavy rain and was not allowing.

I soon reached Yellapura and hit the Sathoddi road. It was almost 1pm and i checked about Kenchanagadde and understood it is very interior and i may not be able to make it.

So, changed my plan and drove towards Magod falls. KuLi Magod falls is near Jenukal gudda view point. Here again i could get one of the villager who agreed to accompany me to the fall.
Rain was continuous and village road to KuLi magod was very muddy & slippery.

We crossed the last Siddi house and walked down along the stream. This stream touches the falls just in front of it.

Due to heavy water droplets, one of my camera did`nt start. Crossed the flowing stream to find good view of the falls.

With all the difficulties, i could get the best views, videos of this fall.
Thanked the villager and drove towards Jenukallu view point.

View of valley from Jenukallu gudda view point.

With quick photo clicks, i went to Magod falls.

Wow ! what a sight.
Bedti river was in fullest flow and gushing into 650ft at this place covering the valley with mist.

I had to wait for a while to get clear images of the valley.

Another view of Magod falls.

Walking along the path, opposite hill Kallare falls caught my attention.

Another closer view of Kallare falls























It was 5:45pm and still i was waiting for the mist to clear at one of the view point. I had to return back to Sirsi to catch my bus. Thanking mother nature, i headed back and reached Sirsi. Had light food and boarded bus to Mysore.

My 3 day bike trip ended, all along rainy ghats, muddy village routes and capturing beautiful waterfalls was an amazing experience.

Hope to see some more waterfalls.

Drive along Bhatkal - Kargal route

My day started from Honnavara. Early morning view at Sharavathi bridge was beautiful.

Another day for fisherman

Piece of land separating river from sea.

Pit stop at Apsarakonda

Took deviation from Bhatkal to Jog road. Few kilometers from Bhatkal, village K-gadde presents you a small waterfall.
5min walk from the school will lead to a beautiful spot.
Sad that the place was very much polluted by plastics, bottles etc.

Side view of K-gadde falls

Road side Chennekal falls was in full glory due to heavy rains.


















Just few kilometers from that another road side Chandemane falls was of good sight.

I proceeded to Bhimeshwara, an ancient temple next to beautiful falls.
I met Priest there who can arrange lunch/dinner on prior request. I had a very nice lunch there and continued my journey.

  Turtle shell like rock formation caught my attention.

I took deviation towards Dabbe falls. I parked my bike at the stream as i could not cross it. Walked to the village.

Villagers were busy with their work.

I had to disturb them to get guidance to the path leading to waterfall.
He was very courteous enough to stop his work and come along with me for some distance.

I was first shocked to see the trail going 90 deg down with slippery rocks. After descending about 30min with that risky effort, the view of Dabbe falls was spectacular.

Continuous rain had made this stream in full flow.

With great memories and my camera filled with photos, i turned back.

My day was tiring and totally drenched. Rain was continuous almost all my route. I took road towards Kargal, and reached Sirsi in the night.

Day-2 of Monsoon biking was filled with good memories.

Day around Jog falls

I had thought of spending some time around Jog falls to capture beautiful images of other waterfalls. Started off from Siddapura and stopped at Tumbragoda village. This is a stone quarry turned into small waterfalls of about 40 feet and can be seen only during monsoon. 

At Husur village, there is a reservoir and small picnic place.

Just before Jog bridge, on road side, Mavinagundi falls can be seen.

Opposite to Jog

View of the valley and Mahatma Gandhi power station

 Another fall

 Mist had covered the jog valley. People had to wait to see jog falls. I started my journey towards Honnavar. Had a pit stop at Sharavathy view point. 

 Descending down the ghat, on the opposite mountain there is waterfall which captured my attention.

 B K waterfalls - Upper stage

When the ghat road ends, there is bridge. There was no board or indication of this falls. I walked along the trail leading towards that hill. One the way there are many small stages of water falling from about 20ft. 

After walking about 20min, 5 min along the stream, i was in front of this mystical beauty (B K falls).
Heavy downpoar had made the fall more beautiful.
I checked the way if i could climb top and see the upper part, but it started raining.
Clicking many photos taking videos, i returned back to main road.

B K falls lower portion

I came down to Gerusoppa village and enquired about M M falls, but they were not able to recognise.
They pointed that there is another falls which was earlier stone quarry during dam building time.
Getting directions i went in search of the path. Walked for about half an hour and to my bad luck i had taken wrong turn.
I could get a beautiful snap of this stream running in full flow.

 Came back to the same shop, requested the shop keeper and he agreed to come along.

About 0.75km from temple, there is deviation, old road (used for timber transport) which is the way.
It looked like people had not been along this path and many trails were totally covered by bushes.
With his direction sense and cleaning up the path, we walked about 40min and saw this serene beauty.

Old stone quarry had turned into beautiful wonderland.

It is very easy to stand below the water and play.

Rain was on-off i returned back to the shop.

I hope to find pointers to M M falls and would make it someday.

It was evening when i reached the shop. Thanked him and i continued my drive towards Honnavara.

It was very good memorable drive along this road.

Dam trip

Southwest monsoon from June to September is a gift to Karnataka. Western ghats play an important role to maintain the rain clouds. Rainfall in Kaveri basin is good in the year 2018 compared to many years. Dams were filled during early July itself.

Had chance to visit some of these filled reservoirs. People were flocking to see & capture these amazing moments.

Harangi dam

 Chiklihole dam

Chiklihole dam

Gorur dam

Hemavathi water cascading through dam gate and rushing to touch KRS

Krishnarajasagara

Kabini

Nugu dam

Taraka dam