Srirangapatna, Ranganathittu, Coorg (Madikeri), Nagarhole

 

Jan 26-28, 2007

 Srirangapatna

 Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

 Balmuri Falls

 Nisargadhama (Nisargdham/Nisargadham)

 Bylekuppe (Bylakuppe)/Kushalnagar/Nyingmapa Buddhist Monastery

 Coorg (Madikeri)

 Dubare Elephant Training Camp

 Nagarhole National Park

 Iruppu Waterfalls

That Jan 26-28, 2007 was a long weekend (Jan 26 was a Friday) was a fact that dawned on me very late. This, when I keep track of holidays/seasons for a living (Revenue Management!). Anyways, while I was busy jacking up fares for our flights for this weekend, I had no plan about my own travel. But at the last minute on Thursday, we decided to go on a trip. Hired a cab with our regular driver Ganesh, and headed towards Coorg. Since bypass to Mysore happened to be on the way, decided to visit Srirangapatna. Went to Sangama (Sangam) where Cauvery meets its two tributaries Lokapavani and Paschima Vahini. Even though I had visited Srirangapatna earlier, I never knew or realized that Srirangapatna is actually an island! Can you believe that? Well, I coudln't initially. But its true that Srirangapatna is an island totally surrounded by Cauvery river! After Sangam, went to Tipu's Summer Palace and Tipu's Death Place. It was kinda surreal to see his death place as only recently we had been to Tipu's birth place at Devanahalli. The distance between the two places where Tipu was born and where his dead bosy was found is hardly 200 kms (See pics of Tipu's birthplace memorial at Devanahalli here in my Nandi Hill trip).  After Srirangapatna, since Ranganathittu also happened to be on the way and we always wanted to go there, we dropped in at Ranganathittu. Boy, what a lovely, peaceful place. We hired a boat to ourselves and went for a round. During the trip, we saw crocs lying on th stones jutting outta water, and of course tons of birds. Wish I had known bit about ornithology! Never mind. We enjoyed the sight of the birds totally. Also, spotted Tushar's friends Lokesh, Vineet and families in the other boat and had a long distance arm-waving, shouting chat!

Post Ranganathittu, went to nearby Balamuri falls. I always had wanted to goto this place as its very famous for being a regular feature in regional Kannada movies, but never got a chance to even know the name of these waterfalls. This day my wish came true and we were there at Balamuri falls, courtesy our driver who knew the place and its name! Turned out to be a very popular spot with a lot of crowd. You can do a small coracle ride and enjoy walking across the 'dam'/'bund' while water gently flows underneath your feet.

Proceeded towards Coorg. On the way, visited the Nyingmapa Buddhist monsatery at Bylakuppe, Kushalnagar. Also stopped at Nisargadhama, which is a beatuiful bamboo grove alongwith a small zoo. Like Srirangapatna, Nisargadhama is also a Cauvery island. Finshing that, by 1730 we reached Coorg (Madikeri). Went to Rajaji seat right away to see the evening valley view. Sat in the toy train (Baba Shaeb Express). Station name is Cauvery patna. Trekked a bit on the mountains behind Rajaji Seat to get a good sunset view. While our trip was planned at the last minute, before going to Coorg, I had researched quickly on Net on the homestays in coffee estates in Coorg. I had gotten a phone number from Sulekha, I called him up and had deposited money in his account for our planned stay in coffee estate. After Rajaji's seat, we contacted the agent in Coorg. He turned out to be a very nice guy who then took us to the Ganesha Estate where we stayed. Its probably 4-5 kms outside the city. The Estate owner's phone nos. are 08272-222926 and 08272-225875. Had a comfortable stay and in the morning took a nice walk around the estate. Had breakfast and then left the estate to proceed to Abbey Falls. After that , it was time to goto Talcauvery. On the way, we happened to see the Indian Institute of Spices Research/Cardamom Research Centre (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) at Appangala. Coudln't resist the urge to go in. Faculty/staff there were very receptive and showed us around. Post that, reached Bhagamandala where Cauvery just after being born at Talacauvery meets river Kannike and mythical river Sujyoti. Lot of crowd for lunch at the only decent restaurant. Had tough time getting food, which was not even good. Proceeded to Talacauvery. Done by 1500 hrs, moved on towards Dubare where wild elephants are caught and trained. As it was evening, we could not see the elephants bathing but it was fun nevertheless especially the boat ride across Cauvery to get to Dubare. Then it was time to goto Nagarhole.

Reached the private coffee estate/homestay of Prakash and Navya late in the night (around 2300 hrs). I had booked this homestay while in Coorg. They are a young couple who are very courteous. We were treated with hot dinner which consisted of local cuisine including rice-roti! Nice room and very comortable stay. Next morning, we proceeded to Nagarhole National Park. Took a wildlife Safari which was okay. We saw a lot of deers, not much else. The post-office at Nagarhole had a curious board saying any letters posted there would bear impressions of Gloriosasuperba (Gloriosa Superba) Wildlife! Now, thats interesting. Also read a very funny wildlife slogan "Animals are not rag-pickers; Do not litter"! :) Came back to the estate, had breakfast and then went for a walk in the estate and discovered a small river in it! A private river, wow! It was less than half feet of water, more like a rivulet. We sat in the river for sometime, soaking in the beauty of the place. Now that we were done, we decided to leave the estate and head back home, only via Iruppu waterfalls. They were not far from where we were staying. And they were very pretty! After enjoying Iruppu for an hour or so, we started back for Bangalore.

 

 

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Created: Jul 03, 2008 

Last updated: Jul 03, 2008