Exploring Nature and wildlife - Karnataka
Planning our next vacation outside Tamil Nadu was not easy for us. Our initial plan was BR Hills however due to accommodation issue we decided to go to Nagarhole tiger reserve. Though tickets are already pre-booked to Mysore, the change of plan did not affect us as both BR Hills and Nagarhole are almost 90km from Mysore facing opposite direction. Why Nagarhole? Yes, if you want to experience the raw wildlife this place is the best choice. It is a wildlife sanctuary and it is declared as thirty seventh Project Tiger reserve in 1999. As a Tiger reserve, getting access to this place is very easy however there are lot of restrictions and regulation which is adequate to preserve our nature.Unless booking is done in advance you cannot get the government accommodations at the sanctuary.We reached Mysore at 7AM;our cab was waiting for us to pick up.Our driver Naveen welcomed us with a big smile. After came the big silent that who is going to communicate with him as none of them knew Kanada.Thank God!! He understood our own language.We (7 members) accommodated ourselves comfortably in the SUV leaving our luggage at the rear and headed straight towards our destination. As the clock hit 9 we stopped at a motel for breakfast. The motel received many tourists as it is in the main route to reach Coorg. They served common varieties like idly with vada, dosa, etc. however chowchow bath was something new we heard so we did a try and perhaps it become our favourite one. Nearby, a roadside watermelon shop.We picked one for later consume. We travelled via Hanasur / Madikeri road to reach Nagarhole.
Ahead of a few kilometres from the
Sanctuary we can feel that we are entering the forest. Evergreen atmosphere,
big trees, pollution free breeze and especially no sing of human habitat. Travelling
throughout the national park we saw only 2 to 3 SUVs passing that road and they
should also be tourist we guess. As we approach the park there were many Chitalin
small group on both side of the road.When we stopped for clicking some pictures
they did not mind us, they were busy grazing. After finishing check post
formalities we drive through the forest. We were asked not to get down from our
vehicle, avoid honking, over speeding and no music etc… we did follow
Reaching Nagarhole forest office at noon we enquired
about the safari timing. They offer safari for visitors between 6 to 8AM and 3
to 5PM. Booking is not done in advance, only few minutes before the safari
starts. They have mini bus cost 300rs per head and a 4x4 gypsy 3000rs for six
members. Since all government guest houseswere already booked we decided to
stay at Kutta, a nearby small town from the national park.Arriving at Kutta, we
leased a home stay for reasonable price. We did not have more time to relax as
we planned for 3pm Safari at Nagarhole. So refreshment and lunch was in a hurry.
The safari begins!! 18kmsinto the forest
(~1:30 hours)
Though we trekked many forest of the
Western Ghats we never have been to safari earlier. Everyone’s curiosity level
increases as the vehicle passes through the forest. There are many safari routes
and entry is permitted only for forest safari vans and gypsies. The vehicle
maintained well thus preventing any sort of noise that could alert the animals. All
were eagerly waiting to spot the wilderness. As our vehicle slowly progressed
into the jungle we came across many chitals and barking deers. They are used to
the routine visitors so they did not consider us as a threat. Covering
further more we spotted a sambar which disappeared in the bush after seeing us,but
later down the track there were few big ones which didn’t mind to give a pose. We
eventually lost interest after sighting more deers and our focus turned towards
spottinga Big Cat as well as Elephants. Being a tiger reserve spotting one is
not a miracle however your luck really matters. The bus which left shortly before
us was halted in the middle. Noticing the passenger’s body language we thought
they have spotted something fishy and we too stared at same direction wondering
what it could be.Nothing was found. Going past the bus our driver enquired what
they saw; they said it was an Indian Gaur. Since we have spotted enough guars in
our earlier trips to Western Ghats we did not mind that we missed them. All we wanted
to see is a Tiger. Soon the rain started to make us worry as animals never show
up during rain. Until the safari came to an end the sky was pouring heavily. In
the last moment we saw a prolonged peacock, wild boar and a gigantic eagle. Irrespective
of any animal it be, there are lot of difference between spotting them behind
the cage and wild;we felt it is worth spending for this safari.
Following day we experienced a tourist attracting
Iruppu falls, independently remote Chelevara falls and elephants threat
Chomakund peak.
It was 9am in the morning when we vacated
Kutta and headed towards above destinations. After travelling 40kms we reached
Iruppu falls. It is located in the Brahmagiri Range in the Kodagu district of
Karnataka. The best time to visit is during the monsoons, when the falls is at
full capacity and is a breathtaking sight.This place is famous to sight
numerous species of butterflies. We paid 30rs per head to enter the falls. The
falls is situated 0.75km from the counter. It was a beautiful view from the
down. Spending some quality time we returned, on our way the colourful butterflies
showed up for the pictures.
That noon passed, we went to another falls named Chelevara. It is one of the most beautiful water falls in Coorg. The water fall is really a wonder full view as the water gushes from the top amidst the green coffee plantation. The best part of visiting Chelavara falls is that ‘Chomakund’ a renowned hill is just 2 kms away from here.
Chomakund is an awesome place surrounding with lush green shrubs and trees and is almost covered in fog most of the time. Can you believe!! One can also get a glance of the Arabian Sea from here. Road to Chomakund was very bad so we started to walk ahead of the actual trekking route.
It was a mesmerising view the peak offered
us. It recollected our memories of our earlier trek to Kudremukh peak. The
thick lush forest on one end, and mist covered mountains and terrains on the
other. We estimated the sun set in another one hour so we decided to sit for a
while and relish the peak until then. While Kishore, Raja and Ranju stayed at
one spot, others progressed a little further for experiencing a great view. I
remember, at first Gankotter heard the trumpet of the elephants, and later
everyone. We assumed they are at quite far distance. But at the other end,
Kishore and co did not hear them so we rushed to their place and shared the
message. They were also excited but we felt not to take chance to trek further
more because the Sun already started to set, and we did not bring any light
source.We suddenly heard a sound of cracker at same place where we heard the
elephant trumpet, it kept echoing every 30 seconds. We knew that local tribes
trying to distract the tuskers to stay away from their properties by throwing
crackers on them. We were in a deep shock after hearing the thud sound of the
angry animal approaching towards our direction however we could not see anything
in the lush forest. Luckily we came down without any hurdle;
there we met a local man who confirmed the herd entered tribe’s territory hence
it was chased to forest by throwing crackers.
Later the chaotic incident we left to Coorg to spend the night and last day of our trip.
Later the chaotic incident we left to Coorg to spend the night and last day of our trip.
We reached Coorg around 10pm, it was freezing
cold there. We stayed in a 60 years old bungalow consisting 5 master bedrooms,
a big dining hall, a wide spread veranda in the front overall with beautiful
ambience. Due to tiredness we did not set a camp fire but we danced a little for
the “Kodava Valaga”, the Coorgi wedding band that we heard from the neighbouring
wedding mahal. Later, we left for dinner to best choice hotel opposite Jothi
theatre showing Linga movie that few of our boys decided to watch after dinner
however we are late for the show so the plan was dropped.We crashed to bed soon
after we reached our cottage.
Next day, we woke up bit late, packed our
belongings, and left to explore Mandalpatty view point. This place is
accessible only via Jeep that plies locally sowe hired one for 1500rs. The road condition
was very worst, actually I shouldn’t say the word ‘road’ because there ain’t
any road. Travelling on the ghat roadwe bounce around the corners inside the
jeep. No other vehicle can make it to this peak other than a jeep or 4power SUV
having high ground clearance.The peak received many visitors round the clock.
Though the place was good we are not too much attracted since it is a tourist
spot after all, and we have been to places remoter than this by trekking. The
only thing we enjoyed was the Jeep travel. On our way back, Revanth challenged
the driver for climbing a steep route which he thought difficult; but the
driver managed to pull it off nevertheless all of us went in vein the moment we
realised the jeep was on the edge of the cliff.
While returning to Mysore we had plenty
full of time, so we decided to visit Namdroling Monastery, The Golden Temple
at Bylakuppe. I have no words to describe about beauty of the temple; you can
look at the pictures.As a last thing of our trip we went to Mysore palace
(thought it was closed by the time we reached) and spent some time there, and later
boarded our train to Chennai to begin our routing busy works.
Namdroling Monastery |