Chelavara Falls

This trip was my one of the most memorable trip as my Black Beauty was celebrating its 1^st Year anniversary. Being a Nature Lover, wished to celebrate my Beauty’s 1st anniversary @ hill Station.

It was around 5.30 Am, I and Arun started our journey towards CHELAVARA FALLS with full tank of petrol. We were joined by three more excel-soft techies Varun,Dhananjay and  Ravi. We were not aware of the exact route till destination.

After having cup of tea, started our journey on State highway 88, Road was good and started cursing through the thick mist covered .it was an awesome experience to drive as visibility was too low to notice the oncoming vehicles. We Reached Hunsur in less than 30 mins. After 5 kms from Hunsur had to take LEFT DEVIATION which connects Gonikoppal and Virajpet .The Virajpet road is too bad in condition, full of potholes.  

Once you reach Thithimathi forest range,road condition is quite good and If you are lucky enough, can even cite some elephants on the way, we finished our breakfast at gonikoppal. We had idly,vada,Masala Dosa served with hot water. Later we left in search of Chelavara falls.

About Chelavara Falls:

Speculate view of the water gushes from the top amidst forest, covered by the green coffee plantations, which is around 16 kms from Virajpet. This Place is kind of unexplored. Most of People were not even aware of this name.

The water falls from the height of 70 feet single rock. It is also called as Embepare by the locals meaning Tortoise Rock. One can reach the top of falls with some trekking path and see the aerial view of the falls, near to this there is one more place where stream of water gushes out in separate path creating its own fall, nice place to visit with family and friends. Safe place to enjoy in the water, but be careful of leaches.

 

How to Reach:

Mysore to Chelavara Falls: 123KMS

Route:

Mysore - Hunsur –gonikoppal - Virajpet: 105 kms

Virajpet to Chelavara Falls: 18 Kms

From Virajpet, have to take diversion towards Madikeri road: SH27: Travel approx of 4.2 kms to reach Kadanoor iron bridge, Cheyyendane village.

At Cheyyendane village SH27, take Left deviation which lead to Talakaveri, sure you may not believe it by seeing the junction that connects one more state highway. Yes from that junction SH90 starts and continue till Talakaveri and Bhagamandala.  Travel on SH90 towards Talakaveri approx 9 kms, on the way you reach KADANGA village, Poddamani village, Vijaya Bank .Once you reach Y shape junction, take a left deviation again and travel 5kms on the way you get small government school and some resort, as soon as you Passover that school, you can notice the falls from the distance.

We all had a nice time,playing in water posing for camera, group pics, single snaps,Arun was behind one “CHITTE”, he literally took more than 40 mins to capture an BUTTERFLY with different angles. Kudos to his patienceJ.

Started to our Next  destination CHOMKUND hills...!!!!!

AntaaraGange

One more sudden plan witnessed the most significant day out. It was Friday night around 10.45 pm,I was chatting with Srikanth on gtalk. We were revising our old trips,journey,fun etc…. ! Srik asked me why can’t we go again for such a long drive. Without second thought I started googling about few places around Bangalore. This time we planned to move east side of Bangalore a place called ANTARA GANGE. My black beauty was recently got serviced and was in full josh to explore the new place.

We contacted our adventurous teammates chilling Chaitra, Daring Deepa, and Striking Srikanth. Luckily deepa came online around 12 pm it was surprise that I never saw her online. She needed a break badly out of her office tension. She quickly responded positively as soon as we invited her for our unplanned fabulous trip J .by the time the plan got finalized it was around 1 am, took a small nap till 5 am,got up and started reminder calls for my team mates. I am really proud of my team, we were on time….on spot…!!!! Sriks friend  Smiley baby Madhura joined us for the trip.

We headed towards the hoskote ,listening to ROJA songs on air,Chaitra and sriku started their usual business of pulling each other’s leg.its fun see  them fighting for front seat :P lol…I was safe..!!! Though..!!! we stopped on highways for photo session where ever we find some good spots. Just after 30 mins after  our jouney,Sriku  started looking for nearby hotels…..  !! We all remembered our last trip where we had our morning breakfast after 230 kms of journey. This time he was cautious….found road side Srinidhi sagar veg hotel. We had idly,wada ,sambar. Chaitra had her own sugar less tea and started her photography . She found one of the rare species on earth ,congrats Chaitra…. Guyzz… relax it was just a crow :P. Handling her during trip is so tedious job for us,as she will be out of this world. She will enjoy every minute of her journey. Whole heartedly we should appreciate her kind of attitude.

ABOUT ANTARAGANAGE

It is also called as Dakshina Kashi.
The Antaragange is famous for the continuous water gushing out  of stone Bull (Nandi) throughout  the year. There is a temple on top of the hill of Kashi vishweshwara swamy Temple. There is also a KALYANI situated in front of the temple. The kalyani will be always filled with continuous  water flow from nandi. History says it belongs to Shathashrunga mountain range.

 No one knows about the origin of the Gange and it is believed that the Gange  is falling from head of Lord Shiva.

We witnessed many localities, visitors who came there, carried this holy water in many cans and bottles and they offer pooja for it

We could not believe that our destination was just 4 kms away….yup…we were in kolar,which is just 70 kms away from Bangalore.we entered the kolar city, asked few localities  about the route to Antaraganage, A guy who made us our day by telling route in his own estyle  

“ alli GEEREEN building idaaralla….. alli hogbitti….. right togandbitti(showing his hand towards left),……left hodadbidi….(showing his hand towards right)……seeda straight onde…. Roaduu…..”

We thanked him for his direction and started journey in our own direction.Very easy  to Antara Gange,

A nice place to hang out with family and friends. one has to reach the temple on hill top through the steps and plane land…stretch of one km surrounded by tall NILGIRI trees. It’s Pleasant to walk hearing to different sounds of birds.Too many monkey’s around ,have to be bit careful if you carry any eatables.

We offered pooja and left for  our next destination “Sri padaraja Brunadavana” mulbagilu….!!

Chippigiri-SRI VIJAYA DASARA KATTI

It was the Friday night, we started our journey towards one of the sacred place called VIJAYA DASRA KATTI ,A renowned scholar in Dwaita philosophy. Personally I was so eager to visit this place, It was my first visit .since we belongs to Vijaya dasara shishya parampare .

Accompanied with my Bro vijay, shubha sis,Pranav  and cousin gopal in VAYU vahana (Maruti wagonR)left Bangalore by 12 in the midnight. We travelled through NH7(Bangalore-Hyderabad highway) though it was very boring and deserted route all the way till Gooty, still managed by listening in to old Kannada and Hindi songs. We could hardly find any good hotels on this route. Drove continuously all the way till gooty, we dint want to take any sort of risk at any point of time by taking break during our journey, since it was too dark and those area were Naxals affected. Even though it was a weekend, literally there was no traffic on that route except few on coming vehicles.

By the time we reached Gooty town it was 4.00 am, it was time for refresh, had a kadak cha at nearby tea stall and started towards Guntakal. By the time we reached Guntakal it was 4.40 am, Joined Alur road after crossing railway gate, near Hanuman Junction. We reached Chippagiri by around 5.00 AM in the morning, luckily gate was open, and we just entered, parked vehicle inside the compound, went for walk around the temple to look for some help.No Luck… so just came back and slept near the temple premises.

How to reach:

 Bangalore-chippigiri: 318 kms via Ananthpura,Gooty,Guntkal (Good Road)

@Gooty: Take left deviation from highway, Travel 5 kms towards Gooty town. Again take left deviation at Gandhi Statue Circle i.e Guntakal road.

@Guntakal: Pass in to the town, Take Right deviation at HANUMAN junction, Petrol bunk is at left side of the road. Travel for 10.2 kms on Alur Road to Reach Vijaya Dasara Katti on the Right side.

Around 6 am, Manager came to us, apologized for the inconvenience caused and provided us a room to get fresh, also offered us Coffee and hot water to take bath for the kid. We took bath in the pushkarni near by temple, even Pranav also took bath in pushkarni. He enjoyed a lot

Its believed that, Sri Vijaya Dasaru  has brought  Ganges on the third time he went to kashi and  given  to  his  disciples, and it is now known it as ‘Vijaya  Thirtha’.  Even to-day there is saying that every day Sri Vijay Dasaru  will take bath in Vijay Thirtha and clean the Mukya Prana temple.  

We entered in to the temple, chanted few slokas, and took vijayadasara darshana till heart contents. We saw Devara pooja and abhisheka. Lunch was arranged at the temple, we had lunch around 12.30 PM, took some rest and left for Mantralaya ,Kalluru around 2 pm.

Every  year  Karthika Shudda Navami,  Dashmi  and  Utwan Dwadashi his aradhana is being held in ‘Sri Vijaya Dasara  Katte’  (Vrundavana)  of the above place. 

Sri Vijaya Dasaru (1682-1755)
Sri Vijaya Dasaru is one of the most renowned scholars and philosophers in Dwaita philosophy as well Dasa Sahitya.
Lineage : He is regarded as the reincarnation of Bruga Muni.
1.  It is believed that in Krutha Yuga he incarnated as a disciple of Naarada,
2. Thretha Yuga as a monkey called Suraleela,
3. Dwapara Yuga as a Yadava called Nikampana (Yadaava) and
4. Kali yuga as a calf and later as a Brahmin.
Birth :
He was born in a very poor Brahmin family in Chekalaparvi of Manwi Taluk in Raichur District. His parents were Sri Srinivasappa and Kusamma. He went to Kashi (Varanasi) for four years for studies and later returned to his native land.

He became a renowned sanskrit scholar. One day he had a dream in which Sri Purandara Dasa appeared, initiated him into the order of Dasas and gave him the ankitha of 'Vijay Vittala'. From then on, he was known as Vijaya Dasaru.  He propagated the virtues of the philosophy of  Madhwacharya across South India through devotional songs called Devaranama written in simple and lucid  kannada language

Mantralaya

Rescheduling of Sudden plans and executing it at ease not just possible by common man, by the grace of SRI GURU RAGHAVENDRA ru we carried out our plans to visit the most sacred place called MANTRALAYA .

How to Reach : 
Bengalooru to Mantralaya: 399 kms( via Gooty, pattikonda, Adoni, Yemmignur)
Mantralaya to Bengalooru: 430 kms ( via Yemmignur, Adoni,Alur,Bellary,Hiriyur,Tumkur)

I wish to thank Srikanth,Yamuna,Archana and Chaitra for making this trip successful with their positive co-operation towards my Trip plan.

4 sms,3 phone calls and thus program was fixed.The team includes Myself , Srikanth , Chaitra, Archana and Yamuna .It was Ekadashi early morning we started our tour in my WAGON R at 5 am by picking our group’s most punctual guy during our project times MR. Srikanth :P followed by Yamuna, Chaitra and picked Archana @kengeri who had come all way from Mysore to join us.

By the time we joined NH7 it was around 6.15 am, it was cloudy, cool breeze and mild sun rays were making us warm. We stopped by some good places on highway for photo sessions .As I love driving it was fun travelling in different route crossed around 150kmph at some points so as to cover most part of travel before sun turns into red hot. Fortune favored us, it was nice weather all the way till Mantralaya, cloudy and little rains in between made us journey so easy.

We travelled in the below route

1. Bengalooru to Gooty 261 kms ( Highway 4 lane, very good roads)
2. Gooty to Pattikonda : 36 kms ( Single but good Road except few stretch)
3. Pattikonda to Aspari:16 Kms ( Single but good Road except few stretch)
4. Aspari to Adoni:22 Kms ( Single but good Road except few stretch)
5. Adoni to yemmiganur : 30 Kms (Single road with extra bad stretch)
6. Yemmiganur to Mantralaya:22 kms ( Single but good Road except few stretch)

By the time we reached it was around 11.30,even though we dint travel continuously. One can manage the speed around 80kmph between Gooty and Mantralaya. There is SRSmutt office which can help you in getting rooms for stay. Room tariffs vary from 100rs to 1000rs based on the individual needs. One can also find other good lodges to stay nearby MUTT. Room tariffs vary from 400 to 1500.Vistied Mutt and took Darshana of SRI RAYARU. Later my friends had their lunch.

Since it was Ekadashi ,Prasada was not be available at MUTT. I decided to prepare some Avlakki with mixture of curd, salt and sugar .Went to nearby shop to purchase these things. Since I dint have bowl nor it was available at that time, seeing my helpless situation, a lady of that shop helped me in getting Avlakki prepared, she also added few toppings and made it masala Avlakki and remind you she dint take any money for it. It was very tasty and thanks to that lady.

I just remembered lines from Purandara dasaru
sakala graha bala neenE sarasijAksha ||
nikhila rakshaka neenE vishwavyApakanE


“Just believe in god, He is everything….. And he takes care of you at all times”

Next day morning we got up at 3.30am, took bath, got ready wearing dhoti and shalya,so that one can view the brindavana more closely. I really have no words how to describe, when I saw the brindavana of Rayaru. Chanted few mantras what all I knew, it’s really not necessary that u should chant few slokas or else you will be cursed. Offer prayers to god with Bhakti, Don’t worry about others who donate lakhs together towards temple.

“Repay it to him what god has given you” Lord Sri Krishna mentioned the same in Bhagwad geetha.

With Hejje Namskaara and 108 Pradikshine ,By this way ,we offered our prayers to Rayaru. Later we had a glass full of PANCHAMRUTHA (mixture of sugar, honey,milk,curd,fruit)ah…. Some kind of special taste, some kind of divine feeling. That was so tasty, I bet no can prepare same taste with above ingredients at your home.
We rushed to dining hall for food/Lunch at 9.00AM,since it was Dwadashi .Food will be served at that time. Tili Saru, Sambar,Chutney etc etc , very few items but with great taste. Came back to room by collecting prasadas ,took some rest.packed our luggage’s and started our journey towards Bengalooru via Alur,Adoni,Hagari ,bellary,Hriyur,Tumkur. On the way we visited our native took darshana of SRI RAMA and reached bengalooru by early morning.

Note : Road between Alur and Bellary stretch of 60kms is very bad. Bellary to Bengalooru road is very good.

Himwad Gopala Swamy Betta

Since Hima will be always collected at the top of Garbha Gudi,Thus named as Himawad Gopala Swamy Betta

The Krishna temple at the top of the hill covered by thick forest, landscapes. Dense fog, clouds covers the whole mountains which reduces gap between Heaven and Earth. Panoramic view of Bandipura forest range from the peak is real treat to eyes. It is one of the highest crest about 1450 m in Bandipura forest range.

How to reach: Bengalooru-Mysore-Nanjangud-Gundlupet-Himawad gopalaswamy Betta

Distance: 229 KM from Bengalooru and 81 KM from Mysore city on way to ooty.

Timings: Check post will be open from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm.

Restrictions: Trekking, entering forest, Plastic, Eatables, Hot and Cold Drinks

It was just a discussion between me and Deepa turned out to be the best and memorable trip where we covered around 1000 kms in 36 Hours. I Love my BLACK BEAUTY.

Srikanth,Sandeep,Mithun who just missed the trip due to some unavoidable reasons, probably  they would really feel now after reading this travelogue J. Finally Charles Angles Deepa, Yamuna, Chaitra who joined hands. It was early morning 4.30; my black beauty was ready after wash and started our journey picking up Charles Angles at different spots. First time in my life I noticed that girls were on time, first miracle of the trip. As per the schedule we left around 5 am listening to RJ Sowjanya’s  Shubhodaya in 91.1 FM. Chaitra “The English chatter box “ was so thrilled to travel  as she was about to catch some other car if we wouldn’t have noticed it hehehe..!!! Mean time Deepa was busy in talking with her RJ friend and listening to her showJ.Yamuna was constantly talking to me as she was scared that I may fall asleep during driving J.Kudos to u allJ.

All three were not aware of my driving skills, bit confused, sort of tensed but couldn’t express it. He He He..!!! We reached Mysore nearly 150 km in 90 mins. It was nail biting when wagonR was at 155-165 Km/hr, but Deepa noticed when it was at 145.Good ObservationJ. Now Introducing ARUN my cousin bro who has passion in wildlife photography who guided us all the way to betta and rest of trip. 

We left Mysore at 7 and traveled towards Betta. Road is in good condition. After 7 km from gundlupet need to take right turn to reach Gopalaswamy betta which is 11 km inside, this stretch is bit bad from main road.  Around 8.15 am, reached check post which was yet to open for the day, many cars, tempo were parked after paying 50 bugs as entry fees and checking we started to ascend the hill. Road is narrow but as soon as u climb one can view amazing beauty of the Bandipura Forest. One can notice many lakes around hill, two major hairpin curves apart from that it’s safe to drive but be cautious.

GOPALASWAMY BETTA: It’s known for its picturesque vision of adjoining thick virgin forest. Near by hills, just tip can be seen and rests are covered by thick fog, creates an illusion that clouds are carrying those mountains for procession. Surprisingly we can’t notice any birds around that hill.

A best destination to find peace and enjoy the nature. Landscapes which are covered by grass are mainly gazing fields for elephants. If you are lucky some animals like elephants, deer can also be cited. All age group people can surely enjoy the every moment at that place.

Temple which has very was spacious Prakara built during the time of chola dynasty. Meditation in such a calm place will surely gives us a sigh of relief out of our tensions.

Sri Krishna Idol is 6 feet tall, holding flute standing under a HONNE tree carved in single rock including panel “Prabhawali”. Makranda ,Rukmini ,Satyabhama also seen in the either side of the panel which looks so attractive. One can believe the sanity of that place by seeing the idol.

Hima will be always collected at the top Garbha Gudi 

 Every year Ratotsava will be held during the time of ugadi. Specialty of this Ratotsava is chariot will be pulled by bannu( herbs and shrubs which are grown in that forest only ) will be used. Neither the chains nor any coconut threads are used. Every Saturday special pooja will be performed. Prasada will be served and it will be tasty thoughJ. We got some special treatment in temple and enjoyed tasty unlimited Prasada.

It’s a Plastic free zone. Keep the place clean and protect the sanity and precious wildlife.

Save and Enjoy the Nature…..!!!!!!

PART 2 of this trip Muthunga, Nagarahole wildlife forest experiences will be shared shortly…………………!!!!!!