Saturday, November 26, 2016

Shirley Falls at Yellapura Taluk Uttara Kannada District

SHIRLEY FALLS is created by a stream that flows in an arecanut plantation of a house located in a village called Shirley...
It is one of the lesser known falls as no sign board can be found anywhere about this falls like you find for Magod or Sathodi Falls except near the village of Shirley itself...

While you are travelling on Yellapura - Ankola Highway (NH 63) after Idagundi, travel further 03-04 Kms and you'll find Shirley Bus Stop on left side which is in a typical Malnad side... You'll also find a mud road and a sign board besides this bus shelter. Park your vehicle there and walk for about 03 Kms in that mud road. You'll also get confusing junctions twice, but just keep on walking straight without taking any deviations from the main mud road. At the end you'll find a house on right side. And the Falls is located in their plantation itself. It's just a 05 minutes downhill walk from this house through their plantation...

The walk to Shirley Falls is a fantabulous and a soothing experience as it involves walking/trekking through thick and evergreen forests of Yellapura...

Please note: Vehicles are not allowed to go in this mud road during monsoon seasons that is from June to September else you'll be fined
Rs. 5000/-!!! Vehicles are allowed only after the month of September.

This Falls is completely safe for bathing...

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Magod Falls, Yellapura Taluk, Uttara Kannada District

There are quite a few places in Karnataka which we people having been here have to visit them once... Of course Magod Falls is one of them owing to it's lush green surroundings, misty mountains and the gorgeous falls of River Bedthi from a height of 651 Ft creating a sort heaven...
Thus it rightly deserves a place in the book '1001 Natural Wonders of the World You Must Visit Before You Die' compiled by UNESCO in association with UNO and edited by Mark Bright...

The best time to experience this heavenly place is during the month of September and October when the water is full and the surrounding lush green mountains are filled with mist... A heavenly sight indeed!!!

There are totally 03 view points, soon after you enter the gate, second which can approached by a flight of 100 steps and the 03rd one, bit dangerous though near the watch tower through the bushes by standing right on the tip of a small rock from where you can have a closer look at the Falls... It's from the second point by jumping the fence, one can experience the heavenly view of surrounding lush green misty mountains and a Waterfalls far away...

Location: Magod Falls is located at a distance of 20Kms from Yellapura, 460 Kms from Bangalore and 230 Kms from Shimoga...

Route from Bangalore, two routes to reach Yellapura...

Bangalore - Sira - Chitradurga - Davanagere - Harihara - Haveri - Bankapura - Mundagod - Yellapura (Nearset route with less tourist places on the way)

Bangalore - Tumkur - Arasikere - Kadur - Shimoga - Sagara - Siddapura - Sirsi - Yellapura (Long route with additional 50 Kms but dotted with tourist places all the way, at least some 20 of them!!!)

After you pass Yellapura continue on Ankola - Karwar road (NH 63)... After traveling for about 03-04 Kms, you can find a huge blue colored board from Karnataka Tourism Dept on left side directing to Magodu Falls... Take left turn as directed by this board, It's 17 Kms from this turn... After traveling for 15 Kms, at Motagadde junction (which looks almost like a dead-end with a bus shelter on right side) Continue straight for 03 Kms to reach Magodu Falls... there's a small board indicating the direction at Motagadde...

Places of interests nearby:

Jenukallu Gudda, a valley and sunset point created by River Bedthi (05 Kms)

KooLi Magod Falls (08 Kms)

Kavadikere, a huge lake with Ganesha Temple (08 Kms)

Chandaguli Ganapathi Temple (05 Kms)

Bedthi HoLe, a fabulous place where Bedthi River flows blissfully (01 Km from Chandaguli Temple, 06 Kms from Magodu Falls)

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Chandragutti Fort with Cave Temple of Godess Renukambha, Soraba Taluk Shimoga District

Chandragutti is actually a pilgrimage centre popular for a 'Tortoise Shaped' cave temple dedicated to Goddess Renukambha which is believed to be laid down by Parashurama whereas the outer temple was built during Vijayanagara kingdom... The Temple is built below the hill on which the fort is built and which can be approached by a flight of steps... A huge procession takes place every year when thousands of people throng the place... In fact, the rock like structure which one gets see inside the cave is actually believed to be the 'hip' of Renukambha, mother of Parashurama... An amazing sight indeed!!!

However, the fort is said to have been built by Kadambas of Banavasi in 03-04th BC and later renovated by Vijayanagara kingdom in around 13th century AD...
The fort has been built on top of a hill offering stunning views of pristine forests and clear blue skies... One may get a feeling of being lost in their own world!!!

The 'Tortoise Shaped' Cave Temple of Sri Renukambha along with Fortress though in ruined condition as the case with Fab Four Forts of Shimoga District, is an ASI protected monument...

Trekking to Chandragutti Fort is really an awesome experience as we have to Trek through Forest... It takes almost an hour to Trek one-way as we have to climb the hill on which the Fort is built... Anyone who is interested in trekking will surely gonna love this place & have to try once... Awesome place!!!

Route From Bangalore (Approx 410 Kms):
Bangalore - Tumkur - Arasikere - Kadur - Shimoga (Approx 120Kms) - Shikaripura - Shiralakoppa - Soraba - Chandragutti (Harishi Road).
After you pass Soraba town towards Siddapura, you get a 'V' type Junction, while continuing straight leads to Siddapura, take right turn which leads to Chandragutti and finally Harishi...

Places of Interest nearby:

Burude Falls near Kyadagi at Siddapura (45Kms)

Group of monuments at Bilgi, an ASI protected historical site near Siddapura (35Kms)

Gudavi Bird Sanctuary (20Kms)

Banavasi Madhukeshwara Temple, an architectural gem (20Kms)

Kuppagadde monuments, an ASI protected historical site (25Kms)

 The view of 'Tortoise Shaped' Cave Temple dedicated to Goddess Renukambha 
Lord Shoolada Bhairappa, Self-manifested Trishulas
Bheemana Pada on top of the hill...

Monday, November 21, 2016

Jenukallu Gudda at Yellapura Taluk Uttara Kannada District

Jenukallu Gudda is fabulous peak offering the view of the valley created by River Bedthi that forms the gorgeous Magodu Falls with a staggering 651 Ft nearby... In fact the water of the Falls itslef continues further to create this mesmerizing valley...

Jenukallu Gudda is a heavenly place to wind-up and relax amidst the nature... Simply gazing at the thick forests with misty mountains will vanish all your tensions and pain... it's a fabulous place to be away from the chaotical and routine tension filled city life...

Location: Jenukallu Gudda is located at a distance of 20Kms from Yellapura, 460 Kms from Bangalore and 230 Kms from Shimoga under Nandolli GP limits...

Route from Bangalore, two routes to reach Yellapura...

Bangalore - Sira - Chitradurga - Davanagere - Harihara - Haveri - Bankapura - Mundagod - Yellapura (Nearset route with less tourist places on the way)

Bangalore - Tumkur - Arasikere - Kadur - Shimoga - Sagara - Siddapura - Sirsi - Yellapura (Long route with additional 50 Kms but thronged with tourist places all the way, at least some 20 of them...)

After you pass Yellapura continue on Ankola - Karwar road... After traveling for about 03-04 Kms, you can find a huge blue colored board from Karnataka Tourism Dept on left side directing to Magodu Falls... Take left turn as directed by this board, It's 17 Kms from this turn... After traveling for 15 Kms, at Motagadde junction (which looks almost like a dead-end with a bus shelter) if you continue Straight for 03 Kms you'll reach Magodu Falls...
Take Right Turn at Motagadde junction and continue for about 03 Kms, you reach dead-end... take left turn to reach Jenukallu Gudda...

Places of interests nearby:
The Majestic Magodu Falls, a staggering 651 Ft Falls (05 Kms)

KuLi Magod Falls (08 Kms)

Kavadikere, a huge lake nearby (08 Kms)

Chandaguli Ganapathi Temple (05 Kms)

Bedthi HoLe, a fabulous place where Bedthi River flows blissfully (01 Km from Chandaguli Temple, 06 Kms from JK Gudda)