Sunday, May 4, 2014

The 'Scotland of India' - Natural Splendour

 MADIKERI TOUR 2014
 from 23RD APRIL 2014 TO 25TH APRIL 2014
the 'Scotland of India' - Natural Splendor
The Aroma of Cardamom, Pepper and Honey - Enchanting fragrance of coffee

DAY -01 :  BANGALORE-HUNSUR-NAGARAHOLE-IRRUPU FALLS-HUDIKERI [GOLDEN HARVEST HOME STAY –IN AND AROUND –TEA ESTATE ETC HALT]

DAY -02 : HUDIKERI TO TALACAUVERY, BHAGAMANDALA, OMKARESHWARA TEMPLE, RAJA SEAT BACK TO HUDIKERI

DAY-03: HUDIKERI – DUBARE, NISARGADHAMA, BYLAKUPPE BACK TO BANGALORE

 

After Exams of my Son, everybody at home is asking for a trip. I planned some places, made preparations for one day tour, three day tour and five day tour,first we made a plan to in and around Tumkur, and decided to have a three day tour, i had a plan to visit Madikeri as this was only place in Karnataka to visit during summer as it is called Scotland of South India.
As i was planning, my friend Lokesh was also planning to visit Madikeri, and i informed that i have a arranged a tour to Madikeri can u join, so finally decided to go by a Innova Vehicle and after a day  another friend of Mr. Lokesh , Mr. Dinesh also joined for our tour. then decided to change the vehicle from Innova to TT, Lokesh booked the TT and finally three familes are ready for the tour of Madikeri
"Go go... get to some hill station".  
So, get set go to Madikeri, Coorg.

 The trip in short:
 Start Date: 23rd April, 2014
 Return Date: 25th April, 2014

 Places visited:
        Enroute Nagarahole Forest [sighted Deer, Elephant, Mongoose
        Wild Dogs]
        Irrupu Falls
        Talacauvery
        Bhagamandala
        Madikeri Fort [This is completely occupied by the State DC office]
        Abbey Falls [ as there was no enough water, this visit got cancelled]
        Mandalapatti [due to time constraint this was also put off]
        Raja Seat
        Omkareshwara Temple
        Dubare Elephant Camp
        Kaveri Nishargadhama       
        Tibetan Monastery (Golden Temple)
        
Team : 
Sateesh, Malini, Manu, Neha
Lokesh, Pankaja, Ishitha, Chiranth, Lakshmidevi
Dinesh, Ashwini, Tanvi, Nanda Kishore

Transport:
TT Vehicle- Driver Naryana

Stay: 
Golden Harvest Home Stay
KONNAKERI VILLAGE
HUDIKERE
GONIKOPPAL
COORG SOUTH
NACHAPPA: 7483138334
MOORTHY:9449070322

Golden Harvest Holiday Home situated in Hudikeri, Virajpet Taluk, south Coorg. It is a small village 40 km distance from its District main City Madikeri and is 206 km distance from the City of Bangalore. It can be reached on the highway from Gonikopal to Nagarahole National Park off the Kutta Road after Srimangala. 
Route:
Bangalore – 150km –> Mysore — 45km –> Hunsur — 20km –> Nagarhole entry gate — 30km –> Nagarhole exit gate — 4km –> Kutta — 18km–>  Hudikeri [ Golden Harvest Homestay]

23rd April 2014-
Woke up at 4-00 am previous day booked a cab to drop from Yelahanka to Rajarajeshwari nagar, Cab came by 5-25 am left Home along with family reached Rajarajeshwari Nagar Arch by 6-00 am, had tea by roadside shop Lokesh and Family along with Mr Dinesh reached the RR Arch by 6-30 left Bangalore 

Mysore Road is clean and smooth till Mysore though you may find some minor jam at channapatna and Ramanagara(Silk City). TT was moving at a leisurely speed of 60 to 80Km/hr enroute we had a breakfast at Shivalli Restaurant and Mr. Dinesh Family were in Maddur picked up their family [Mr. Dinesh's Wife Ashwini, Daughter Tanvi and Son Nanda Kishore] from there

After Srirangapatna and just before Mysore there is a big signal at Columbia Asia Hospital. We took a right from here to get on the Ring Road...just to avoid the city traffic


From Hunsur Road to Kushal Nagar the road is very scenic with blossomed gulmohar trees on both sides of the road, we bought some mangoes over the road side



but unfortunately our driver took a wrong route on Hunsur Bypass as we need to have a Nagarahole Route almost 5-6 Kms we came back reached Hunsur, via Hunsur we entered Veeranahosahalli Entry Gate all along the route we are eager to search any sightings finally we had some Elephant Sighting along with Deer, Wild Dog etc from there reach Kutta and moved towards  Irrupu Falls by 1-00 pm booked Lunch near Irrupu Falls Restaurant
A simple walk of around 1Km takes to the base of Irrupu falls. A small hanging bridge en route.enjoyed a lot in Water falls  except Neha, Manu and Malini every one had a nice bath over there,India’s most attractive butterflies can be commonly seen here named the Malabar Banded Peacock (Papilio Buddha),and one more information regarding those who need to have a experience of Trek -The famous trek route to the Brahmagiri peak starts from this waterfall. The notice board shows  the trek routes, important peaks around, place of Narimale Trekker's Rest house etc. The Other attraction at the base of Iruppu Falls is Sri Rameshwara Temple as it was noon the temple was closed.
Iruppu Falls

Iruppu waterfall is one of Coorgs major tourist attractions. Iruppu is a sacred place and is located in south Coorg on the Brahmagiri range of hills. River Lakshmana-tirtha flows nearby. According to legends Rama and Lakshmana, passed this way in search of Sita. Lakshmana shot an arrow into the Brahmagiri hills and brought into being the river Lakshmana tirtha when Rama asked him to fetch some water.



The river descends into a water fall known as the Irupu Falls and takes a 60 meter plunge down the river amidst the lushy green mountain. This place is said to possess the power to cleanse one’s sins and is visited by thousands of devotees on Shivaratri day.


IRRUPU FALLS

ANOTHER VIEW OF IRRUPPU FALLS




NEHA ENJOYING IN IRRUPPU FALLS

LOKESH FAMILY ENJOYING BENEATH IRRUPPU FALLS


DINESH WITH TANVI ENJOYING AT IRRUPPU FALLS

NEHA IN FRONT OF IRRUPPU FALLS

NEHA, MANU AND MALINI ENJOYING ON THE ROCKS OF IRRUPPU FALLS

FULL TEAM AT IRRUPPU FALLS

Crossing Hanging Bridge near Irruppu Falls
Iruppu Falls is around 30kms from Gonikoppa and 80 kms from Madikeri. Nagarahole is just 25 kms away from Iruppu Falls.
After Having Lunch at Iruppu Falls left over the reached our Homestay [ Golden Harvest] called Mr. Nachappa Manjanna over mobile he had came to the main road and took us inside two kms to reach the said Homestay, it was surrounded by a lush green fields along with Coffee Estate, had some tea and bath had a nice Dinner and played some games such as housie etc. and later slept. Minchula sight in night is breathtaking , it was out of the world experience.

Golden Harvest Home Stay


Route to Home Stay
Golden Harvest Home Stays finds itself along the beautifully rugged mountains of the Western Ghats in Southern Coorg located between Gonikoppal and Iruppu Falls. The place is rich with full of scenic surprises, Hills and Valleys surrounded with rich coffee plantations and green rice fields. The climate here is very pleasant and can be visited during any time of the year.
GOLDEN HARVEST HOMESTAY ROOM

GOLDEN HARVEST HOMESTAY ROOM


GOLDEN HARVEST HOMESTAY FULL VIEW








FLORA AND FAUNA NEAR GOLDEN HARVEST HOMESTAY

SUNRISE AT HUDUKERI GOLDEN HARVEST HOMESTAY

RED WHISKERED BUL BUL NEAR HOMESTAY








ISHITHA AND CHIRANTH MORNING WALK NEAR HOMESTAY

Facilities:

3 spacious well designed bedrooms with attached luxury bathrooms which are a perfect combination of practicality and elegance. Max. occupancy is for 16 Adults.
24 hours running hot and cold water
Choice of Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian dishes. For pure vegetarians, Veg dishes prepared from exclusive Veg kitchen.
Bonfire on request.
A variety of indoor and outdoor gaming options to spend quality time with your family.
First aid kit available on request.
Doctor on call.
Driver accommodation at nominal charges.


BREAKFAST AT GOLDEN HARVEST



RICE CAKE

TEAM MEMBERS WITH NACHAPPA AND HIS MOTHER
Activities:

  • Enjoy short/long treks or bicycling through the sprawling paddy and coffee plantations and see how coffee and paddy are grown.
  • Do some Bird Watching.
  • Go for an adrenaline gush by rafting down the river Cauvery in the monsoons or fly high round the scenic fields and plantations by Paragliding with expert guidance.
  • For those looking only for a quiet and peaceful weekend far from the maddening crowd, this is an ideal peaceful getaway and place to spend quality time with your family.
  • At golden Harvest, you can choose to be “Adventurous” or be “Comfortably Lazy” as the place is ideal for both types of guests.

Talakaveri


This is the origin of river Kaveri on the eastern slopes of Brahmagiri peak at 1350 metres altitude, about 8 km by road from Bhagamandala.
TALACAUVERY ARCH
 An enclosure around the spring called Gundige is connected to a small pond beside. The water from the pond goes underground and comes out after about one kilometer down the hill. There are three shrines above the spring and birds eye view of west-coast from the hill range.
On a predetermined date and time of Tulasankranthi every year the spring from Gundige overflows called Thirthodbhava. This holy water is carried home by all pilgrims when they go back after paying the last rituals to their parent or spouse departed during the preceding year.
There is a shrine near the kundike and a big tank in front of it where devotees baths before offering prayers. There are 2 temples here, a Shiva temple with a rare and ancient Shiva Linga, and another Lord Ganesha’s temple. According to legend, the Trimurtis – Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh gave darshan to sage Agastya at the holy Ashwantha tree near the temple.

Legends also has it that every year on Tulasankramana day which falls approximately on 17 October Goddess Parvati appears in the Kundike as the sacred teerthodbhava. This occasion is marked by the sudden spring of water in the kundike and is considered very auspicious.
From Talakaveri, steps lead up to the nearby Brahmagri peak. It is believed that the 7 great sages called the Sapta Maharishis had performed a special yagna here. From the peak, as well as on the drive to Talakaveri, you can enjoy a good view of the misty blue Brahmagiri hills

Bhagamandala


Bhagamandala is situated at the confluence of two rivers, the Kaveri and the Kanika. A third river, the Sujyothi is said to join from underground. It is considered sacred as a river confluence (kudala or sangama, in Kannada and Sanskrit). The temple here, built in Kerala style, has smaller shrines dedicated to various gods.

SANGAMA-BHAGAMANDALA

It is a common practice for pilgrims to take a dip in the sangama and perform rituals to their ancestors before proceeding to Talakaveri, the birthplace of Kaveri. During Tula Sankramana which falls on October 17 or 18.

A short distance from the sangama, there is a famous temple known as Sri Bhagandeshwara temple, where Bhagandeshwara (Ishwara), Subramanya, Mahavishnu and Ganapati are installed. Thus this is also known as Bhagundeshwara Kshetra, from which the name Bhagamandala is derived.

The area was occupied by Tipu Sultan during 1785-1790 and renamed Bhagamandala to Afesalabad. Then in 1790 King Dodda Vira Rajendra took Bhagamandala back into an independent Kodagu.

Bhagamandala is located about 33 km from Madikeri. Government and private buses are made available to this place frequently.

Madikeri-Raja Seat- Omkareshwara Temple


Raja's Seat (Seat of the King) is a seasonal garden of flowers and artificial fountains. It is one of the most important tourist spots in madikeri of Coorg District. It is 270 km away from Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka.
RAJA SEAT

A pleasant spectacle of refreshing layers of greenery, chain of high and low-rise-mountains attired with mist, the Raja Garden is one-time-favorites of Kings of Kodagu who used to watch the setting sun, and spend time with their queens. The structure is small square in brick and mortar of four pillars bridged by arches, enhanced by beautiful surroundings. 

Flora and Fauna at Raja Seat






This lovely spot was a favorite place of recreation for the Rajas and hence was permanently associated with them. It is built on a high level ground with a commanding view of the cliffs and valleys to the west. Early in the morning as the sun is just rising in the east, the mist shrouded valley below offers a rare sight. The golden light of the setting sun is a splendor to watch. There is also an attraction of the Toy Train for children.













Madikeri- Omkareshwara Temple

Omkareshwara Temple, Madikeri Town, Coorg District

Built in 18th century by Linga Rajendra II, this temples architecture is very unique with its mini multiple minarets around the corners of the temple towers. This temple is abode to a Shivalinga which was brought from Kasi in those days.

This temple is located in the heart of the city of Madikeri town and very near to the fort.

Legend goes that Linga Rajendra II, ordered an execution of a pious Brahmin who dared to question the misdeeds of the King. Then later, the spirit of the dead Brahmin started troubling the King day and night. On the directions from the spiritual men of his court to avert this trouble, king constructed the temple and installed a Shivalinga that was procured from Kasi (Kasi is located in the norther part of the India).

Information: 
The temple is located in Madikeri Town. 
Timings: 6:30 AM to 12:00 Noon; 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
OMKARESHWARA TEMPLE




Nisargadhama


Cauvery Nisargadhama


Nisargadhama is a forest resort in Coorg just 3kms from Kushalnagar towards Madikeri off the state highway. Nisargadhama is a 25 acre island formed by river Kaveri with bamboos, teak, sandalwood trees streams and wild life covering it.










At Nisargadhama one can find deer, elephants, peacocks and some other usual wild animals if lucky. One can take a ride on the elephant around the resort for an unforgettable ride of the life time.
Nisargadhama is also famous for its hanging bridge which connects the island and helps travelers to cross the Cauvery river. A new bridge has been constructed now just beside the old and shaky hanging bridge.

Visitors can enjoy boating, Elephant rides and swimming apart from just watching Nisargadhama’s natural beauty.


COORG SPICES AND FRUIT WINE







Tibetan Monastery


Tibetan Golden Temple in Coorg


The Tibetan Monastery or the Tibet Camp as locally called is located around 6 kms from Kushalnagar town towards Mysore. This Tibetan settlement at Bailkoppa or Baylkuppe is the the second largest Tibetan settlement outside Tibet. There are over 7,000 monks and students at the Tibetan monastery.

After the Chinese took over Tibet, the refugees were settled at Bylkuppe near Kushalnagar and the Buddhist Monastery was re-established here in 1972. It houses over 7,000 monks and students today. The monastery not only attracts large number of young Tibetans seeking enlightenment and education, but also draws huge tourists from all over India and abroad.Bylakuppe Tibetan settlement consists of a number of small camps close to each other, and has a lot of monasteries, nunneries. Most famous among them are the large educational institution Sera, the smaller Tashilunpo monastery and Namdroling monastery.


The 40 ft tall golden Buddha statues are the major attractions of Bailkoppa. The statues of Buddha, Padmasambhava, and Amitayus are the notable ones. The walls of the temples and the institutions are decorated with colorful paintings depicting gods and demons from Tibetan Buddhist mythology. The altar is decorated with flowers, candles and incense sticks.


Apart from the calm and peaceful surroundings there are shopping centers near the temples where one can shop for traditional Tibetan items like costumes, statues, carpets, jewelery etc.

Dubare



Dubare is an elephant capturing and training camp of the Forest Department of Coorg. Dubare is located in between Kushalnagar and Siddapur on the banks of river Kaveri.



The wild elephants are tamed and trained with the help of other tamed elephants and local tribals. Elephants for the famous Mysore Dussehra were trained here sometime back.



Dubare is a home to many wild animals and birds. Even though Elephants being the major attraction one can also spot the Deers, Bisons, Peacocks, woodpeckers, kingfishers etc in Dubare forest range.

Dubare Elephant camp has around 10 cottages with attached bathrooms and a bar too. Visitors can not only watch and enjoy but also take part in various activities involving Elephants and the way they are trained by the mahouts. Dubare also offers adventure activities like trekking, river rafting, fun fishing.

It is a scenic beau to watch the tamed elephants bath in the river and to be scrubbed clean by their mahouts.

Useful Information:
GOLDEN HARVEST HOMESTAY,KONNAKERI VILLAGE,HUDIKERE,GONIKOPPAL,COORG SOUTH
(Per Head per day  Rs. 1500/- including  Breakfast and Dinner]
MOORTHY:9449070322
NACHAPPA: 9481889516/7483138334/ Nachappa's Mother: 944992104

 
Mr. Narendra Pattu's Homestay. Ph: +919945286608- (Cost:- Rs. 900/- per person including breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack).

RAJIV GANDHI NATIONAL PARK-NAGARAHOLE
Accommodation options inside the national park: Cauvery and Gangotri Lodges. Dormitory is also available. Ph: 08222-252041 (Deputy Conservator of Forests).
 (Cost:- Rs.1000-1600/room (not dormitory), excluding food)
Bus Safari Fee: Rs. 300 (Rs. 200 park entry fee + Rs. 100 bus ride).

Safari Timing: 6AM to 8AM and 3PM to 5PM, total 6 bus rides a day.
Approx. 1 hour each ride.
Entry gates timing: 6AM to 6PM.

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