Dates: 13 - 14 March 2009
The temperature started to soar as the summer began to set in. It was more than 3 months since we had ventured out on a trek. This was the 13th – 14th week end of the March 2009. Although we wanted to - and raring to go, it was not to be as the sun had already blazed down upon the hilly planes of Karnataka. Most of the trekker’s paradises were either closed down owing to forest fire or regulated for entry owing to naxal hazards. With not much of regular choices insight, we decided eventually to plan a trek inside dense forests of the After lots of brain storming, we finally arrived at a consensus that we would trek into one of the most sacredly conserved and least explored parts of the
We had booked 6 seats to Sagara near Shimoga with a private luxury bus operator. All 6 (Giri, Surya, Vishwesh and Murali) assembled near the majestic bus station. Vinay and Pradeep were to accompany them on behalf of NASA®. The bus took off from
The travel from Sagara to Kargal is feast to anyone’s eyes! Right through the route, we would find clean asphalted roads which would cut through the plantations on either side. Paddy, beetle nut, plantains, pepper, cardamom, cashew and sugar cane fields decorated either sides of the road. Slowly as we begun to approach Kargal, the vegetation started to change. Estates and fields made way for tall, green and huge trees. Mahagony, ebony, teak and other lush green trees made dense appearance. The freshness of the air and the might of the
Kargal is at a distance of 30 Kms from Sagara and 8 Kms from Jog falls. Sitting on the hills of
The place to start our trek was 25 Kms inside the forest zone. As no public transport is available into those parts of the jungle, we hired a local transport and set off to the place. Passing through Hosagadde, we reached a place which would be the starting place for our trek. We changed our attire and dumped our baggage in the same vehicle which would wait for us until we would be back in the evening. We walked down a jeep track for about 200 meters and then encountered huge dense foliage of bushes and trees.
The ear piercing shrills of the crickets and tweeting calls of the birds welcomed us into the heart of the jungle. Soon we walked into the forest and the scorching sun was no where to be seen! There existed no track or path which meant that no people or civilization had ventured into this place earlier. Our excitement was on a rise as the temperature cooled off dramatically. The deciduous trees of the forest had shed their leaves so much that the entire floor of the forest was colored in crimson. We made our way, led by Narayana.
Following me was Giri, Surya, Murali and Vishwesh. Pradeep would invigilate being in the rear end. For Vishwesh and Murali it was the first trek and what a trek it turned out to be!
We started to descend immediately onto the valley. The ground was slippery - largely due to the dry leaves which covered the floor. As the wind blew, the scent of wild fragrances would occasionally spread out as we descended. The valley houses evergreen trees of great heights some even 200 year old! Some grew so tall that our efforts to spot the top of the tree went in vain. Huge climbers would often embrace the trees with their lasting hugs which hang through out the forests. Overall, hardly any sunbeam could make it onto the forest floor!
We trekked down for about ½ Km parching through the shrubs and trees and w hit upon a giant sequoia tree. Narayana tells us that this is one of the largest trees found in the surrounding with its trunk measuring up to 7.5 mts in circumference! We crossed the fallen trees, creeped through the shrubs and finally started to hear the flow of water. The presence of the stream was evident by its sound which appeared almost like small water fall and flowing stream. The howling of monkeys – hidden in the trees, the chirping of birds and buzzing noises of crickets started to fill the valley. Finally, after trekking carefully for around 40 minutes from the starting point, we came outside the foliage in face with a small water fall. This water fall – named ‘vasugitti’ is said to have been recently discovered and is about 75 feet in height. It falls from a cantilever boulder which also surprisingly supports a tree called kallu-basuri.
We all took some time off and spent our heartful of time in the fresh spring waters. The three staged water fall apart being a feast to the eyes also serves as a harboring and refreshing pit stop for the trekkers. We started to climb down the waterfall and move along the river. The river was on a low due to the approaching summer and allowed us to trek along its path. The flow of the river is filled with huge granite rocks which present themselves in various shapes, sizes and forms. With our tongues tied in amusement and our eyes filled with the scenic beauty, we moved for about 1.5 Kms without and eventuality. By the time we arrived at a confluence, it was 1:30 PM. We had lost track of our hunger being in midst of the jungle.
Narayana and Gangadhara called it the cooking spot and left us to play around the place. As we explored and took photographs of the valley, Gangadhara cooked wholesomely delicious rice-sambhar and even fried papads. We put ourselves busy in the flowing streams of pristine waters as we refreshed our body and mind. Soon, we continued trekking along the same route and encountered a huge tree which had fallen across the stream. Just there Narayana pointed out at the mud beside the stream which was wet.
We could see footprints and even snout marking made in the mud. A bear, which was here recently, had dipped itself in water before cleaning and drying in the muddy wallows of the shores. We could even see the pug marks and nail scratches it had done on the fallen tree.
Trekking through the same route we discovered a couple more streams and spent time watching birds and fishes there. It was 3:15 PM and the time was running out. We could hear the alarm bells of the tropical thunders occasionally. We decided to move out from the valley such that we could be in the island at the time of sunset. We started to ascend the valley and after an hour of rigorous ascent, we found ourselves in the open – out from the glorious cradle of the evergreen forests of Sharavathy!
The vehicle had been waiting for us and after resting under the bamboo shoots for sometime, we set off to the island! After traveling in the beautiful country roads for about an hour and a half, we arrived at a place called ‘hoodanahundi’ – a small hamlet in the back waters of Sharavathy. We alighted there and walked for about 100 meters to discover one of the most beautiful backwaters in Karnataka.
It was 5:45 PM and the sun had started his downward journey into the Arabian Sea! We thanked Narayana for having brought us here right in time. We enjoyed the dusky beauty in the cool breeze of the back waters. The shutterbugs (cameras!) operated incessantly and shot the scene until the sun finally got engulfed by the mighty sea.
Our camp in the island was ½ Km away from the shores. We picked up a coracle and 6 of us started to paddle them towards the camp site in the island. 20 minutes of paddling through the waters in the dimming lights and the nearing fire informed us that we arrived at the camp site. The island is connected to other continuous land masses which cover and area of about 85 sq. Kms. The sky was clear and in the dark we could witness millions of stars shimmering in the horizon.
The clock ticked 6:10 and lo! We had sighted the rising sun. The sun with all his energy and light was seen cutting through the screens of clouds and mist. The morning dew made their appearance basking on the grass blades. The sky was lit up and colored red!
And so, the rising sun kept on posing to our cameras. The back drop of a huge water body with half immersed tree stumps made an ideal postcard for photographers. We filled up our cameras with the pictures and started out on a exploration into the island.
The backwaters of Sharavathy are a result of the ‘Mahatma Gandhi Hydro electric Power Project’ conceived in the year 1948. The famous Linganamakki dam constructed across the mighty
We had assembled near the shores of the backwaters. The instructors explained and demonstrated each and every equipment which would be used during the aqua sports.
The coracle, the dingy, rafts, paddles, kayaks and even the life savers were inducted into the team after detailed demonstration. The equipments and the vessels are of very good quality and with expert hands providing the instructions; we were ready to take a dip ourselves in the aquatic activities. We indulged in the activities with child like enthusiasm. Wore jackets and swam in waters. We floated and announced our arrival into the back waters of Sharavathy!
We took our turns on each of the vessel and enjoyed diving to the fullest from a tree right in the middle of water. Time passed without us giving a least damn to it! Finally, exhausted we came out of waters at 2 PM. Those 4 hours of treat in water is hardly matched by any other activity! We changed clothes and with heavy heads walked to have lunch. Delicious sambhar, rice, papads, payasa were consumed with even more enthusiasm. We ate like there is no tomorrow!
Post lunch we rested under the shady trees in the tranquility of the island. Above us was the sun blazing down with all his strengths and trying to dry up the earth. By 4:30 we had to bid goodbye to the island – easily the best I had seen and experienced. We crossed back to the nearby hamlet on the rafts. From there, we walked for about 2 Kms and waited for the bus to Sagara. At 6 PM, the bus arrived and we threw ourselves into the seats. I sparsely remember the next 1 hour journey to Sagara. I could remember seeing every one snoring and sleeping tight in the bus. We arrived at Sagara at 7:15 with cameras full of photos and our minds full of photographic memories.
What a day in island it was!!!...
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